The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-07
HOW T0CALL FOR
THE VOLUNTEERS.
The President to Ask the Governors
for Soldiers.
ORGANIZED MILITIA TO GO FIRST
To BE Sent 20 the Front-AdditionaI
Military Organizations TO BE Es-
tablishod Aftcrwards-Wo
Eject Their own Officers.

A good deal Of discussion has been had
Of late In various quarters as to what
would be done IN case thai war should be
be declared and how the troops could be
raised. II S. generally supposed by those
who are most familiar with military az
fairs that in case Of war the President
OF the United states WIZ apply 10 the
Governor OF each State and territory
for a certain number OF volunteers who
Will then be placed in hrleades divisions
OF corps as the case may be.
The general impression also seems to be
that the volunteer National Guard or
military organizations will be first called
in each State II their number is not
sufic'ent then additional volunteer or
CARNATIONS viii likely be created and the
question then arises how the officers OF
these additional commands are 10 be
secured
THE PRESENT LAW.
The military authorities OF the state are
OF opinion that this can only be done un-
der the laws governing the Virginia Vol
unteers as published in 1892 under the ce-
reccon of Adjuiant General James Nc
Donald.
Whenever sufficient number OF per-
sons shall Join together and express their
purpose in writing 20 form a volunteer
C-.nrany Of infantry. troop OF cavalry
or battery OF artillery. by subscribing
thelr names % au agreement TO that ef-
feet. they may proceed 20 elect company
officers. as herein provided. whereupon
they shall inform the commander In chief
Of their proceedings and purpose.
TT tho number Of companies authorized
by law be not already fun. and IL In his
Judgment the formation of the proposed
company De advisable. the commander I'm
chief may authorize them to proceed with
their organization. THE captain elect
shall thereupon transmit 20 the adtutant
general tho original agreement. signed by
the members proposing to organize said
company, troop or battery. together with
the proceedings OF the meeting held, Of
che election duly attested by its chairman
and secretary: and whenever the said
officers elect are commissioned by the
Governor, as HEREBY provided and the
oaths provided en- section 80 have been
taken and subscribed. said organization
shall be "a legally organized company
subject 90 the requirements and entitled
90 the benefits and privileges of this
chapter and the members thereof cOnsid-
cred as enlisted from the date OF their
original agreement"
HE DOES NOT APPOINT.
Under the present law the Governor
does not appoint any commissioned Off
GERS bus they are an elected with the
exception OF stan officers. The company
officers are elected by the members OF
the company while the field officers Of
battaH1ns and regiments are elected by
the company officers. The commanders Of
brigades and divisions are elected by the
field officers of their respective commands
The staff officers of battalion. regiments
brleadcs and divisions are appointed by
the commander Of the respective batta-
lion. regiment. brigade or division 70
whom they have 20 serve.
Ia this connection the question has been
asked whether or not Governor Tyler
would have the same authority as Cover
nor John Lotchc~ at the beginning of the
latc war between the States IN regard
90 the existing OF volunteers. The pow
ers delegated 10 Governor Letcher IN 1861
emauated from the convention OF Virgin
fans assembled i'm secret session IN April
and May Of that yecr
The ordinance adopted by that conven-
ton. which provided Tor the organization
Of a provisional army for the state Of
Virginia Sc. forth the following:
THE PROVISIONAL ARMY.
There shall be organized a provisional
army for the state OF Virginia az the
exigeucies of the service may require;
which army shsl consist ia addition TO
She major general commanding the mill
tary and naval forces OF the State. of
four brigad.cr generals. two regiments
OF artillery eight regiments OF infantry
one regiment oil riGemen and one regi-
ment OF cavalry. Each regiment or ar
tnery shall consist Of one colonel one
lieutenant colonel one major, one SER
geant major. one Qu3rtermaster sergeant
and ten companies and each company
shall consist OF one captain. one first
lieutenant ono second lieutenant. four
sergoants. four cOrporals, two artihcers.
two musicians and sevcnty-two privates.
Bach regiment Of infantry shall consist
OF one colonel one Northumberland. one
major. ore sergeant-major. one quarter
rnaster-sergeaut two principal musicians
ind ten companies. and each company
shall consist Of one captain. one hrst lieu
-enant. one second lieutenant four ser
gcants, four corporals. two musicians and
feventy-two privates.
The regiment of cavalry and the regi-
ment OF ri0emen shall be MADE UP IN
similar manner.
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR
The brigadier- generals and field officers
OF the provisional army shall DO appointed
by the Governor by and with the advice
and consent OF the convention ana the
captains and reutenants shall be APP
pointed By the Governor 10y and with the
advice and consent OF his advisory coun-
eli and the Governor shall commission the
same But ia the recess Of the convention
the Governor may appoint the general
and field officers by Ond with the advice
and consent Of his advisory council; " the
said officers cannot be sooner appointed.
Rut the appointment Of such Officers shall
re subject 10 ratification or rejection
nv the convention a. It's adjourned SEES
sion and their commissions shall expire
,,Don the adjournment Of The convention.
unless confirmed
General Dabney r. Maury called upon
Adfutant-General William Male at h's
once IN the Library building and offered
bis eervices. in case war should be de-
Jared. lie stated that while he had
beA the rank Of major-general. he was
willing 10 accept any commission below
that rank. as long as he could be OF
sarvlce 10 his state and country
a few wars ago there were nine troops
~ cavalry volunteers In Virginia and
regiment was formed. Now there are
huf two troops-the stuart Horse Guard.
az this city and the Surry troop. In case
~ var ID Is not thought the Virginia
troopers viii be needed for the United
states has nine regiments OF cavalry.
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