Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-04
Northern Militia to Be Called Out.

One lem in our latest files of Northern papers is
worthy of notice. The regular army is TO consist Of
900 effective men, and in addition, the organized
militia of the entire North is to be called out for Fix
months in order to hold roi of strategic importance
while the trained troops engaged in active bosili
ties What the effective strength Of the Northern
Militia may be, cannot state. wi accuracy; but It
will be safe to esti ate in round numbers at two mil
Ions We shall have, therefore, twentyseven hundred
thousand men to contend against next summer
This i, not altogether empty boast the part Of
the enemy. The Republican leaders know that their
necks in the halter, and they will not hesitate
ment about calling the militia If their necks be
| saved in no other manner. Men in so perious a
position know limit but the patience of the people.
Short of civil war, they will not stop; and they will
risk even that rather than be defeated driven from
powsr aud bounded to the ends Of the earth.
The militia may not answer to their call, and we are
far from believing that they will ever have more than
Eve six hundred thousand men, including veterans
and militia, in the field Blu. il must be remembered
that the States in the hands Of Republican Cover
nors who will respond promptly to any demand which
Lincoln may make. Should Providence bliss the Con-
eee:Ste arms with great victory early in the cam
pagn, the Northern militia will surely be called out;
or in case we remain strictly the defensive the call
all be made in time to cooperate with the general
advance of the regular army. In either event. then,
may expect to encounter large masses Of she foe
Happily, We are not unprepared for the great shock
of arms. Our strength in trained troops is not much
below that of the enemy and the act of Congress- pro-
vidDg for the calling out and organizing of the
serTfe is already being enforced in certain locaes
If the enemy have levy mdsss, will no. beslow
to initiate their example. They will outnumber us,
perhapa both in veterans and militia; but that is not
matter of serious moment Man for man, we have
never had, or expected to have the fighting in that
event. would be most unfair Two to one will make it
about right
What may be expected of our veterans when pitted
against the veterans of the North, know full well
nor cln the enemy plead ignorance this head. We
quite willing to trust our militia against their mill
tia, and at the usual odds. l. may be doubted, how
ever whether evies will be able to reach those
important strategic positions" which are to be held
BY the Yankee militia. Our cavalry and mounted IL
Autry will attend to this particular portion of the grand
Northern programme. Forrest, AOrgsa, Imboden,
MOsby and Others will dare say, find leisure to in
dulgs in some very pretty sport in e vicinity of the
important strategic positions" We do not envy the
Yankee miltiAmen who may chance to occupy some Of
,hess positions.
Due allowance being made for bOmbast, our author
ties will continue their preparations to meet the host Of
VandAs whenever and wherever they may appear, and
give them hospable reception IL Is the last rally
OF the big bully already blown and sorey bruised
about the eyes. If We give him good fall this time
he will rally more. The huge Keenan, of nations
willreq lire msdical attendance and that promptly
The call for the NOrthern mlta WIN be regarded by
all the void the premonitory symptom OF the grand
collapse We trust it will be made Immediately.