Year: 1865

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTH


FRN VIRGINIA, Jan. %.


To arm and equip an additional force
Of cavalry there is need of carbines, re-
volvers, pistols saddles and other ac-
coutremcnts ofmounted men Arms and
cduipments Of the kind desired are be-
licved to he held by citizens i'll sufficient
numbers to supply our wants Many
keep them as trophies, and some with the
expectation of using them in their own
defense. But it should he remembered
that arms are now required Tor use, and
that they cannotbc made so effectual for
the defense of the country in any way as
in the hands of organized troops. They
are needed to enable our cavalry to cope
with the wel-armed and equipped caVal-
~ of the enemy, not only in the general
service but IN resisting those predatory
expeditions which have inflicted SO much
loss upon the people of the interior. To
the patriotic | need make no other ap-
peal than the wants of the service; but
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 them
selves receiving any benefit from them
therefore urge all persons not in the
service to deliver promptly to some OF
the officers designated below such arms
and equipments Especially those snita-
bic for cavalry) as they may have, and to
report TO those officers the names of such
persons as neglect to surrender those III
their possession. Every citizen who pre-
vents carbine or pistol from remaining
unused will render Il service to his coun
try. Those who think to retain arms for
their own defense should remember that
if the army cannot protect them, the
arms will be of little use. While no val
id title can be acquired to rsLhc arms
and equipments except from the govern
ment, ii is reported that many persons
have ignorantly purchased them from
private parties. A fair compensation
will therefore be made to all who deliver
such arms and equipments to any ord
nance officer, officer commanding at
post, officers and agents of the quarter
master and commissary departments, at
any station, or officers III the enrolling
service, or connected with the Niter and
Mining Bureau. All these officers are re-
auested and those connected with this
army are directed to receive aud receipt
for all arms and equipments, whatever
their condition, and forward the same,
with duplicate receipt to the Ordnance
Department at Richmond, and report
tn, il proceedings to these headquarters.
The person holding the receipt will be
compensated upon presenting 1t to the
Ordnance Bureau While it is hoped
that no one will disregard this appeal, all
officers connected with the army are re-
quircd, and all others are requested to
take possession of any public arms and
equipments they may find in the hands
of persons unwilling to surrender them
to the service of the country, and to give
receipts therefor. reasonable allow
ance for their expenses and trouble will
be made to such patriotic citizens as will
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 the service, OF who will
report the same to those officers A
prompt compliance with this call will
greatly promote the efficiency aud
strength of the army, particularly OF
the cavalry, and render it better able to
protect the homes and property OF the
people from outrage.


r f. LEE, General.