By the Governor of Virginia — a Proclamation.
--The General Assembly has authorized the Governor, whenever in his opinion the emergency demands it, to call into service volunteers to protect our citizens and repel invasion. These troops are intended for service in this Commonwealth. They are to be called out for a term of service not exceeding sixty days at any one time; are to be organized, armed, and equipped as State troops, and to be paid as such when called into the field under any Executive order.
The force is to be organized by companies, and, when embodied in sufficient numbers under such orders, field officers will be appointed by the Governor to command battalions or regiments.
Companies are not to be organized under the act until at least thirty men are enrolled. Any number of men over thirty may elect a captain, a first and second lieutenant. but it is desirable that companies should be composed of not less than fifty men fit for service. When officers are elected they will endeavor to fill up their ranks and report as soon as practicable the formation of the company to the Adjutant General, stating the number enrolled, the names of the officers and their rank, the place selected for their rendezvous, and the post offices of the several officers. When the officers are commissioned they will muster their men into the State service, report the muster to the Adjutant General of Virginia, and hold themselves and their companies in readiness for future orders.
This force is to be composed of persons not liable to conscription by the Confederate authorities, and to be officered by those not now in the service of that Government.
Companies already organized as home guards, under the act passed 14th May, 1862, are not to be interfered with in this organization. Such companies are not liable to be called into the field without their consent.--Nor is it designed in this call for volunteers to destroy any existing organizations, but they will be preserved, and are to be armed as a part of the force now called for.
I have caused to be appended hereto the act which authorizes the enrollment of this new force.
The people of Virginia will see in the passage of this law a new determination on the part of the General Assembly to put forth the strength of this Commonwealth in order to protect our citizens and maintain our independence. History has taught us that a united and determined people may be overrun by superior numbers, but that they cannot be conquered if they are firm enough to resist every assault, and in turn to assail their assailants whenever opportunity offers.
We intend not to boast of the force that this State has called into the field, or the treasure she has expended; but we intend to perform our duty to the Confederacy and to ourselves faithfully, and to the utmost of our ability. This force is deemed necessary to give to the State the ability to meet emergencies which cannot be promptly met by the Confederate Government, and to prevent the withdrawal of troops from essential positions. And it is sincerely hoped and earnestly pressed upon the people to respond with alacrity to the efforts of their representatives to furnish adequate defence for positions exposed to raids and incursions from a detestable foe. There are still thousands in Virginia who have the patriotism to strike for their homes, their families, their property, and the honor and glory of the State. I invite them to come forth now and enroll themselves in these organizations.
Given under my hand as Governor, and under the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 30th day of September, 1863, in the 88th year of the Commonwealth.
An act to authorize the Governor to call out forces for the public defence. Passed Sept. 28th, 1863:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be, and he is hereby, authorized to call into the service of the State, for a period not exceeding sixty days at any one time, as many volunteers as may be necessary to repel invasion and protect the citizens of the State, whenever, in his opinion, the emergency may demand it, and to organize, arm, and equip the same with as little delay as possible. No company shall be organized under this act with less than thirty men, and companies of less than fifty men shall have a Captain, one First Lieutenant, and one Second Lieutenant. In other respects the present militia law shall be observed so far as the Governor deems it applicable: Provided, that this act shall not be so construed as to call into the field, without their consent, companies organized under an act to organize a home guard, passed the 14th May, 1862.
He shall preserve and arm existing organizations, except those for home defence and local service, as far as practicable, and shall apply to the Secretary of War for such arms, ammunition, and camp equipage, as may be necessary.
He shall promulgate this act by special messengers and otherwise at his discretion.
This act shall be in force from its passage.
The Rockingham Register, Staunton Vindicator, Lexington Gazette, Fincastle Express, Wytheville Dispatch, Abingdon Virginian, Lynchburg Virginian and Republican, Petersburg Express, and Danville Appeal, will publish three times and forward their accounts to the Executive Department.
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