The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-08-02

An Act TO provide an Invalid Corps.
Passed at the fourth Session Of the First Cen
Jress IF the Confederate States-l863, 1864.


a The Congress Of the Confederate States Of America
do enact, That all officers, non-cOmmssioned officers,
nucisiOns, priVates and seamcn, who have or who
shall become disabled ny wounds other injuries
ceiyed disease inte service OF the Con-
federae States Tue line of duty, shall be retr
ed or discharged from their respective positions as
hereinafter provided But the rank pay and emolu-
of such officers, and the paw and emoluments of
snch non commissioned officer, mucisians privates
and seamen shall continue the end ofhe war,
long they shall continue retired or discharged.
Sec 2. That all persons claiming the benefits of this
act, shall present themselves for examination, of
the medical examining boards established by law.
Upon the certificate Of such board that such perma-
nent disability exists, such persons shall be retired Or
discharged as aforesaid.
Sec }. That all persons retired discharged as
aforesaid, shall periodically and least in six
months, present themselves of said boards for
further examination under regulations be prescrib
ed by the Secretary OF War; the result of which exam
nation shall be reported by such board the said Sec
rotary: And if any such person shall fail report
himsclft such board, whenever he shall be required
do, he shall be dropped from said retired
Enlarged list, and become liable CONSUMPTION,
the terms Of the law, unless such failure shall be
ed by physical disal Iity.
Sec i. That the Secretary of War may assign such
officers and order the detail of such commission
ed officers, musicians privaes and seamen for such
duty they shall be qualified PERFORM any such
aOn-cOmmssioned officers musicians prvtes and sea-
men, shall be relieved from disability, they shall be re-
stored to duty in their respective commands
Sec D. fnat, the Secretary of War shall make all
needu rules and for the action of the med
ical boards aforesaid.
Sec o. That vacancies caused by the retirement of
officers under this act, shall be filled in case of the
death or resi- gnatiOn of such officers.
Sec 8. This act shall be in force from its passage
Approved February II, 1864.
An Act to authorize the promotion of officers nom
commissioned officers and priVaes for distinguished
skill or valor.-
The Congress fthe Confederate States of America
do enact That the President is hereby authorized up
on TIE recommendation of the general commanding Il
department or separate army in the field to fill any
vacancy IN the commissioned officers of regiment
BATTALION by the promotion to the same, by and with
the advice and consent o. the Senate, of any officer
non-commissi0ned Ioffcer1 private who may have
distinguished himself by exhibiting peculiar valor or
skill the battlefield: Provided, That the officer
non-comnissioned officer private SO recommended
and nominated for promotion, shall belong the reg
CURED.
Sec 2. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with the
above provisions are hereby repealed.
Approved February II, 1864.
An act to increase the efficiency Of the army by the
employment of Free Negroes and slaves in certain
capacities
Whereas the efficiency of the army is greatly diminish
ed by the withdrawal from the ranks of able bodied
soldiers TO act as teamstes, and in various other
pacities in which free negroes and slaves might be
advnntageously employed: Therefore,
The Congress of the Confederate States Of America
do enact, That all male free negroes and other
free persons of color, not including those who are
tree under the treaty with Paris eighteen hundred
and nineteen, resident in the Confederate States be-
tween the ages of eighteen and fifty years. shall be
held liable to perform such duties with the army or in
connection with military deences of the country. in
the way of work upon Notifications or in Government
works Tor the producton preparation of material Of
war or In the military hospitals the Secretary of
War or the commanding general ofthe trans
ippi department may, from time time prescrbe and
while engaged i'll the performance such duties shall
receive rations and clothing and compensation at the
rate ofeeven dollars a month, under such rues and
regulations as the said Secretary establish: Pro-
Vided That the Secretary of War or the commanding
general OF the ransAississppi department. with the
fons 81 TINS act SIch free negroes the interests of
the country may require should be exempted or srch
as he may think proper to exempt on grounds of JUS
tice, equity or necessity.
Dec. g. That the Secretary of War is hereby au-
thorzed to employ for duties similar to those ndica
TED In the preceding section of this act as MANY nae
negro slaves not TO exceed twenty thousand as in his
Judgment, the wants of the service may require fur
nishlng Them, while employed with proper ratious
ana clothing under rules and regulations to be es,ab
hshed BY him. and paying to the owners of said slaves
su'n wages as may ee agreed upon with said owners
TOT tneF use ana service and in the event OF the loss
Oh any slaves whis SO employed, by the act of tue
enemy VI ny escape 10 the enemy, by death nfict-
ed oy the enemy or oy disease contracted while in anv
service required of said slaves then tho owners of the
same sha De entitled 10 receive the full value of such
slaves to be ascertained by agreement or NV annro;s
uent, under the Law Regulating impresspaents to be
paid under such rules AID regulations as the
Of War may establish.
Sec. B. That when the Secretary OF War shall be nm
able to procure the service OF slaves in any military
department in sufficient numbers for the necessities Of
the department, upon the terms and conditions set
forth In the preceding section then be is hereby
thorzed to impress the services of as many male slaves
not to exceed twenty thousand, as may be required
rom Tune TO time to discharge the duties indicated in
tue nrst section Of this act according laws regulat