Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-12-07

There are thirteen unattached compa-
mics. In addition to these there is one
company from this State in the 10th Vir-
ginia Cavalry, five in the It'll Confederate
Cavalry, four in the 62d Georgia regiment
and one in the 6lst Virginia Infantry.
/. MILITIA AND GUARD FOR HOME DEFENCE
:. The Guard for Home Defence through
out the State has been employed in appre-
hending deserters and returning @em to
the army and in aiding the civil authori-
tics in preserving order. In the last four
months they have returned to the army
1889 deserters and recusant conscripts, AL
Of whom have been apprehended and the
Fest surrendered themselves under your
> proclamation of the oath of August last.
In addition to these duties, the Guard
west Of the Blue Ridge have been kept
almost constantly in the field to repel in.
vasion from East Tennessee, and to oper-
ate against disloyal citizens who have gone
over to the enemy.
With the view of keeping in the field IS
many of. this class Of troops as might be
necessary and at the same time to interfere
, as little as possible with the industrial pur-
snits of the country, they have been divid-
cd into three classes, each to serve in sue
cession, and for short periods of time.
The Guard in certain counties have been
designated for service on the western from
tier, and those OF the remaining counties
for service in the eastern part of the State.
The first class of the latter have about COM
plsted their first period of thirty days SER
vice and are now being relieved by the
second class.
1t seems impossible to obtain correct re-
turns of the Guard for Home Defence, but
it is believed that the officers are in pro-
portion to the effective men as four to fif-
teen. This disparity arises from the great
reduction of the numbers originally en-
rolled occasioned by the law Of Congress
OF February last, which takes out all above
the age of forty-tive years, and decreases
the number of exemptions FROM service in
the Confederate army. 1t therefore be-
comes necessary to re-organize this force
or what would be better, to repeal the law
OF its organization, and to organize force
for .feld-service, to be composed of all Off
ecrs and others Of the militia physically fit
for such service. This force to be organ
lied into companies, battalions, regiments,
brigades and divisions, and the commits
sions Of the officers to be in force only
when called into the tield-at all other
times the organization to be merged into
tAe regular militia, where the officers and
men must serve with their militia rank
This would necessitate the suspension of
the commissions of militia officers while
serving in this new organization.
Should the Guard for Home Defence be
abolished and another organization substi-
tuted, time should be given for the change
to the end that the public service do not
suffer thereby.
There are in the State $3.50 militia off,
esrs, and 1912 Home Guard officers
Many Of these hold commissions in both
organizations.
8. ROLL OF HONOR.
The plan adopted for carrying into ef
feet the resolution of the General Assem-.
HlT in regard to this work was given in nv
last report; The officer charged with its
execution has been indefatigable in collect.