The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-03-25
The State Militia.

We published synopsis of the new militia
Law of the State sometime in November last, in
the AdUocdte. For the information ofthe public,
matter, we repeat the most important of its pro-
visions.
The act of assembly of March 10th 1864, re-
quires that call able-bodied white male citizens
between the ages of eighteen and forty-fve years,
and not exempt by the laws of the United States,
''shall be subject to military duty" and requires
the Governor, as commander-in-chief, to organ
ize the militia into companies, regiments and
brigades. To accomplish this, the State is divi-
ded into forty-fve military districts, of which,
Baltimore county, constitute the fourteenth, the
Bird and 9th constitute the fifteenth, the 9Th, 9th,
18th and 9Th, constitute the sixteenth, and the
10th, 18th and 18th, constitute the seventeenth.
In each military district commandant Of mill
tia has been appointed, whose first duty it is to
see that all persons between eighteen and forty
five are enrolled. To avoid the expense Of can
wasting the State, these officers call upon the cit
liens to report to them the names of all those
young men between eighteen and twenty who
are not yet enrolled. By the LIST of April, the
enrolment Books will be deposited with the clerk
of the county court, where they will remain open
to inspection until the first Monday in May. On
that day Board will convene, to decide upon
all applications for exemption. All such appli-
cations must be made in writing, must state the
cause on account ofwhich exemption is claimed,
must be verified by the oath of the applicant, and
must be accompanied by fee of one dollar.
Every enrolled man, not exempted by this
Board, is required to join company of the Ma
tional Guard within his district, on or before the
first day of June, or pay Communication fee often
dollars, which exempts the party for one year.
1t is intended that there shall be at least two
companies of organized militia in each military
district. Unless this number is formed, a draft
will be made for that purpose as early in June
as possible. Ha; ga
The general regulations adopted sor carrying
out the provisions of the act are thorough and
effective We hope the young men throughout
the county will take an interest in this matter
and organize themselves into companies. They
can select their own officers, appoint their own
bylaws, and shall meet for drill at some conve-
nient place, twice month for the first two
months, and once month afterwards. 1t will
require but little time from each one, and ought
TO be a matter of pride and emulation, rather
than an unpleasant duty. Satisfactory arrange
ments will be made for providing companies with
arms and equipments. Young men who lave
not pluck enough to go down to "the front"
ought at least to have State and local pride
enough to join company of the National Guard
The militia system ofmost of the Southern States,
was in most complete working order at the
breaking out of the war. Men of the highest in
telligence and standing, belonged to their volun-
teer companies and took an active part in the
drill. This gave the South so much the advan-
tage at the beginning of the rebellion. And even
though our State Guard shall never be needed
for field service, they are often of great service
in quellng riots and civil disturbances, and pro-
tecting the property Of citizens by the mere force
Of their presence. u5