The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-02-12

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE VIRGINIA STATE
M1LrrIA.--Thc following is n copy of Adiu-
tant-General Richardson's report to the
Governor on the condition of the militia, ey-
tracts from which have already been pub
lished: ba .sr'
L" His ErceRency G. c. Walker, Governor and
COMMANDMENTS chief:
Sir,-Thc annual returns OF the militia
which, by the law of the State, the Adiutant-
General is required TO make to the Governor,
and which, by law OF the United States, the
acknowledgement Of every State is required to
make to the President, cannot now be made
for Virginia in the form prescribed by the
Secretary Of War because the organization
of our militia is not yet complete. The law
OF the United States further requires that the
militia of each State shall be organized by
companies, battalions, regiments, brigades,
and divisions. -a.na
"Under the act of March .. 1866, one hum
! dred and seven regiments of 1856, the whole
number in the State, had been promptly or
ganiZed, when it was suspended by operation
Of the 9th section of an act of Congress making
| appropriations for support of the army of the
United States aud for other purposes (ATarct
., 1869, disbalding the military forces of
The late Confederate States until authorized
by Congress. This section was repealed in
July, 1870. The construction given to it by
the four successive commanders of this Mill
tary District was that i'll the absence of con-
trary legislation by Il State, whenever this
section should be repealed by Congress all
officers connected with the militia would re-
sumo duty under the commissions they held
when tho sllspending act took effect.
The act Of Assembly of 10Th March, 1871,
ITO provide for the reorganization of the mill
Tia" vacates the commissions of company
officers but retains the field officers. and gives
authority to the Governor to fill vacancies,
requires the enrolment Of all miltiamcn
from eighteen to forty-6yc years Of age by
adjutants, and gives the power to appoint an
assistant for every company Of regiment.
There are more than sixty regiments in whole
or in part without field officers, Us heretofore
reported to you, and these vacancies remain
to hc filled. No enrolment of the militia of
the line has been made, but rs the last act
provides that no compensation shall be al
lowed for services of adjutants, it is ques-
| tonablc whether the enrolment could have
been effected if it had been ordered. The
act was passed hastily in the last days of the
session, is defective in this and possibly in
other particulars, and. together with such
portions of the militia law in the Code of 1860
l> llIi} NtI ic Ill loItt,
| careful revision and condensation.
1.-The ninth article OF the State Constitu-
| ton requires that the Legislature shall ell
courage the organization OF volunteer corps,
| which shall constitute the active military
force of the State; all other militia 10 be en-
| rolled rs a reserve force. which shall not be
required to Muster in time of peace. But 40
encouragement has been held out to yolun-
| n u St1tp
generally. Thirteen companies have been
organized. uniformed. and armed with
Springfield ri!lcd muSkets, of which seven
compose the First regiment Of volunteers i'll
the city of Richmond, and quite as many
more are III rapid process of organ L2tion at
other places. The corps which have been
armed have already acquired Il proficiency i'll
| the schools of the soldier, and the company
| which would be creditable TO much more cX-
pericnccd soldiers.
| This force Is composed almost entirely of
yoing men. many OF them not more than
eighteen or Iiuctccn years fagc. all, or nearly
nil. OF them belonging to the industrial
glasses. and relying for support upon their
own labor They give their time and ser
vices t. the State. chccriully meet all expenses
| incident 10 the volunteer service, and they
should he honorcd and cherished by her.
| Instances are known to me where young
mcll-necimnicS and others, and even ap-
prcnticc>--hlve punctualy applied Il portion
Of their weekly earnings until their uniforms
Were paid for.
"In other States volunteer corps receive
encouragement in various modes, sometimes
| by exemption from Jury duty. from taxation
III whole or in part, ortrom local civil service
which other citizens have to render; but here
| this truly patriotic service has yet received
no distinct recognition or support. The
state has happily escaped the peril; incident
| to her lately dricncccSS condition, and the
| spirit which aninatcs her young men is
creating for her an imrrcgnable support i'll
any future contingency.
"Thcrc have been received during the year
| from the General Government, OF account OF
quotas Of arms tt!c TO the State under the act
OF Congress approved April the I'D, lS0S,
providin" for arluing the whole body OF the
militia OF the United States. $40 Springfield
rillcd mISlcs with implements and accou-
trcmcnt>, $50 horsc-artillcry saLrcs and belts
and 5000 rounds of fixed ammunition fol
mlskcts; OF which $50 riilcd mllSkcts and
1000 rounds Of fixed ammunition have been
issued to tie volunteers, leaving in depot Gt
mllshets, $50 artillery sabres, and 2,OUt
rounds Of ammunition.
"AS in every branch of the public service,
~ in this. strict economy should bcrcquired
but small arsenal for storage and for Incl
dental ordnance service is now indiSpcnSa-
bic. respectfully suggest hat the building
within and on the west side of the capito
grounds, which WAS formerly used rs &
@uard-.louse,' is well adapted to the purpose
and lnay bc so appropriated with but liltlC
eXpcrSr to the State
"AIl which is respectfully submitted.
- ". IL. RlCuAHnSnX."