Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-03-31
Headquarters ARMY OF n. VA, I
Jan,farv Oath 1868.

\
TO ARM AND EQUIP AN ADD
TIONAL FORCE OF CAVALRY, there
is need of Carbines, Ryolvers, Pistols,
Saddles, aud other accoGtreMents Of NOUN
ted men. Arms and equipments of the
kind desired, are believed to be held by
citizens 10 sufficient numbers to supply our
wants. Many keep them as trophies, and
some with the expectation of using them IN
their own defence. But it should be re-
membered that arms are now required for.
use, and that they cannot be made SO ef-
fectual for the defence of the country in
any way as in the hands oforganized troops
They are needed to enable our cavalry to
cope with the well armed and equipped cav
airy Of the enemy, not ohfJ ia the general
service, but in resisting those predatory ex-
petitions which have inflicted so much loss
upon the people Of the interior.
To the patriotic, need make no other
appeal, than the wants Of the service; but
I beg to remind those, who are reluctant
to part with the arms and equipments in
their possession, that, by keeping them,-
they diminish the ability Of the army, to
defend their property, without themselves.
deriving any benefit from them. |, there
fore; urge all persons, not in the service,
to deliver promptly, to some Of the officers
designated below, such arms and equip
ments- especially those suitable for caval-
ry-as they may have. and to report to
those officers the Names Of such persons as
neglect to surrender those in their posses
sion.
Every citizen who prevents carbine or
pistol from remaining unused, will render
service to his country. Those who think
to retain arms for their own defence, should
remember that it the army cannot protect
them, the arms will be of little use. While
10 valid title can be acquired to public arms
and equipments, except from the govern
mcnt, it is reported that many persons have
ignorantly purchased them from private
parties. A fair compensation will, there
fore. be made to all who deliver such arms
and equipments to any ordnance officer,
officer commanding at a. post, officers. and
agents Of the Quartermaster and Commits
J Departments, at anystation, or officers
in the enrolling service, or connected with
the nitre and mining bureau. All these
eff are requested, and those connected
with this army are directed, to receive and
receipt for all arms and equipments, what
ever their condition, and forward the same,
with duplicate receipt to the Ordnance
Department at Richmond, and report sheir
proceedings to these headquarters. The
person holding the receipt will be conpen
stated upon presenting it to the Ordnance
Bureau. While ills hoped that no lone
will disregard this appeal all officers con.
nected with this army are required, and all.
others are requested. to take possession OF
any public arms and equipments they may
fnd in the hands Of persons unwilling to
surrender them to the seryioe OF the country
aud to give receipts therefor. A reasonable
allowance for their expenses and trouble,
will be made to such patriotic citizens as
viii collect and deliver, to any Of the officers
above designated, such arms and equip
ments as they may find in the hands Of
persons not in service, or who will report
the same to these officers. 4 prompt COM
plianco with this call, will greatly promote
the efficiency and strength Of the army,
particularly Of the cavalry, and render it
better able to protect the homes and prop.
erty of the people from outrage.
r. Z. LEE, General.