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North Carolina
- Military Legislation - Acts, Resolutions, Ordinances |
| From January 1861 to February 1865 the North
Carolina General Assembly passed many Legislative Acts and Resolutions
regarding the State's military organization and management. In
addition, the State Convention of the People passed many Ordinances
and Resolutions from May 1861 to May 1862 regarding the same
topic. Below are all known Acts, Resolutions, and Ordinances
passed during the American Civil War, excluding those singularly
pertaining to military pay, of which there were many. |
|
Date Ratified |
Title (Click to Read Entire
Act) |
Comments |
|
January XX, 1861 |
An
Act to Provide for the Purchase of Arms and Munitions of War |
$300,000 appropriated. Major D. H. Hill and Col.
C. C. Tew to advise the Governor. |
|
February 18, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Volunteer Company in the Town of Kenansville,
Duplin County |
Duplin Riflemen commanded by John J. Whitehead. |
|
February 18, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Wilmington Horse Artillery Company |
Wilmington Horse Artillery Troop, shall be directly
subordinate to the chief of artillery to the State. |
|
February 19, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Buncombe Riflemen |
W. W. McDowell, W. M. Hardy, Thomas L. Clayton
and J. M. Israel, and their associates. |
|
February 20, 1861 |
An
Act to Amend the Seventieth Chapter of the Revised Code, "Militia" |
31 Sections describing organization and management.
All Free White Males 18-45 subject to draft. |
|
February 22, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Piney Woods Cavalry and Wake Light Dragoons,
also Other Companies |
Piney Woods Cavalry, Wake Light Dragoons, Perquimans
Guards, Perquimans Rangers, Smithville Guards, Pee Dee Guards,
Warren Horse Guards, Warren Guards, Independent Greens, Wilmington
Rifle Guards, Neuse Cavalry, and Rocky Mount Light Infantry. |
|
February 23, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Independent Grays, the Topsail Riflemen,
the Franklin Rifles, Albemarle Guards, and the Sharon Riflemen |
Plus: Cape Fear Riflemen, Burke Mounted Riflemen,
Cleveland Guards, Cabarrus Guards, The Black Boys, Old Topsail
Rifles, Northampton Home Guards, Yanceyville Grays, Rocky Mount
Cavalry, State Guards of Pasquotank, Junaluska Zouaves, and Jackson
Rifle Company. |
|
February 23, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Orange Light Infantry |
Captain R. J. Ashe of Chapel Hill. |
|
February 25, 1861 |
An
Act to Create the Artilery Corps of North Carolina |
Arms and equipment shall be furnished by the
Governor, who shall also appoint a Chief of Artillery with rank
of Colonel. Corps to include ten (10) companies. |
|
February XX, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Granville Independent Greys |
Captain George L. Wortham. |
|
May 8, 1861 |
An
Act to Provide for the Manufacture of Arms and Other Munitions
of War |
Fayetteville Arsenal designated as a place to
build weapons, with a Colonel to be named in charge. $200,000
appropriated. |
|
May 8, 1861 |
An
Act to Raise Ten Thousand Troops |
15 Sections. 10,000 State Troops to serve for
the duration of the war. Ten regiments; one artillery, one cavalry,
eight infantry. |
|
May 10, 1861 |
An
Act to Create a Military Board |
3 members, one must have military background,
to advise the Governor. |
|
May 10, 1861 |
An
Act to Provide for the Public Defense |
18 Sections. Governor may raise 20,000 to 50,000
men for defense, to serve twelve (12) months. |
|
May 11, 1861 |
Resolution
Authorizing the Governor to Erect Batteries or Other Fortifications,
And to Purchase or Charter and Equip Such Steamers or Other Vessels
as May be Necessary for the Defense of the Sea Coast of This
State |
Batteries at Hatteras and Ocracoke. |
|
May 13, 1861 |
An
Act to Provide for the Organization of the Departments of the
Military Service and for Other Purposes |
Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, Paymaster
General, Inspector General, Commissary General of Subsistence,
and Surgeon General. |
|
June 21, 1861 |
A
Resolution to Raise an Additional Battalion of Cavalry |
Not exceeding five troops or a half regiment. |
|
June 22, 1861 |
Resolution
Authorizing the Raising of Recruits for the 1st Regiment of North
Carolina Volunteers |
aka Bethel Regiment. |
|
June 26, 1861 |
An
Ordinance to Provide for the Payment of the Militia While in
Active Service |
Only while on active duty. |
|
June 27, 1861 |
An
Ordinance to Provide for the Disposition of the State Troops
and Volunteers Raised Under the Acts of the General Assembly,
Respectively, Entitled, "An Act to Raise Ten Thousand Troops,"
Ratified the 8th Day of May and "An Act to Provide for the
Public Defense," Ratified the 10th Day of May, 1861, and
for Other Purposes |
11 Sections. State Troops to be transferred to
Confederate Army. No more volunteers for only twelve (12) months.
Existing volunteers regiments to be discharged on August 20,
1861, and may be reconstituted as State Troops for the duration
of the war. |
|
August 30, 1861 |
An
Act to Increase the Legion of Companies of Cavalry Commanded
by Col. Samuel B. Spruill to Ten Companies |
Increase of Resolution above, dated June 21,
1861. |
|
September 11, 1861 |
An
Act to Incorporate the Independent Guards |
Volunteer company in the town of Wilmington,
commanded by James G. Burr. |
|
September 12, 1861 |
An
Act Authorizing a Special Company of Cavalry |
Cavalry Volunteers raised by B. S. Tucker, Wiley
G. Riddick, Will. M. Boylan, Fabius Perry, J. Robert Jeffreys,
T. J. Utley, J. B. G. Grimes. |
|
September 12, 1861 |
An
Act Concerning Future Requisition of Troops |
To apportion drafts fairly among the many counties
of the State. |
|
September 12, 1861 |
Resolution
Directing How the Several Regiments of Troops Raised in This
State Shall be Numbered |
Regiments of Volunteers and Regiments of State
Troops shall be numbered separately. |
|
September 13, 1861 |
Resolution
Concerning Camp Instruction |
Establish a camp of instruction for volunteers
at Laurinburgh, and continue a camp of instruction near Asheville
until December 1, 1861. |
|
September 20, 1861 |
An
Act to Provide Additional Defenses for the Coast of North Carolina |
Governor authorized to purchase five steam propeller
gun boats, and have them armed with suitable rifle guns, and
otherwise fitted as iron cased batteries, for the protection
of Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck sounds. Governor authorized
to establish a battalion of marine artillery to consist of two
companies of eighty four men each. Governor authorized to have
constructed twelve gun boats or launches, and have them armed
with rifle guns and boat howitzers and otherwise equipped for
the battalion of marine artillery. $150,000 appropriated. |
|
September 20, 1861 |
An
Act to Raise a Force for the Defense of the State |
10 Sections. Governor authorized to raise 11,000
volunteers for the duration of the war. Independent companies
may be accepted, but to be transferred to Confederate Army. |
|
September 20, 1861 |
Militia Bill |
94 Sections. Total rework of existing militia
law. 28 brigades and 116 companies, per county, defined. All
Free White Males 18-50 must serve. Those exempt defined. Militia
Rules & Regulations defined. |
|
September 20, 1861 |
Resolution
That it Shall be the Duty of the Governor to Establish a Military
Camp |
Governor to establish a new camp of instruction
on the North Fork of New River, near the Tennessee line. |
|
September 21, 1861 |
An
Act for the Defense of North Carolina |
Governor authorized to organize all volunteers
offering their services for the local defense of North Carolina,
or such number as he may think necessary, into companies, battalions,
squadrons, regiments, brigades, and divisions - based on Confederate
Congress Act of August 21, 1861. |
|
September 21, 1861 |
An
Act to Appoint Drill Masters for the Several Counties in This
State |
Governor to appoint one or more drill masters,
whose duty it shall be to drill the officers of the militia companies
in their several counties, at least once in every two weeks. |
|
September 23, 1861 |
An
Act to Authorize a Special Company of Cavalry |
Governor authorized to receive a company of cavalry
volunteers being raised by Alexander Murchison for twelve months. |
|
December 6, 1861 |
An
Ordinance to Transfer Certain Companies to Col. Green's Regiment |
Ordinance from State Convention of the People.
Two companies now at High Point, under the command of Captains
Cook and Sharp. |
|
December 6, 1861 |
A
Resolution to Transfer Certain Military Companies to Col. W.J.
Green |
Resolution from the General Assembly. Transfer
to Colonel W. J. Green's Independent North Carolina Regiment
all such companies not yet assigned. |
|
December 12, 1861 |
An
Ordinance to Authorize the Raising of a Battalion of Six Companies,
or Regiment of Troops for Twelve Months |
Governor authorized to receive into the service
a Battalion of Infantry, to consist of six companies, for twelve
months, or a regiment of ten companies, to be composed of volunteers
who belonged to the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers,
the LaFayette Light Infantry, and the Independent Light Infantry
of the town of Fayetteville included. Said battalion or regiment
shall be transferred within convenient time to and accepted by
the government of the Confederate States. |
|
December 12, 1861 |
An
Ordinance to Regulate Militia Muster |
Militia companies shall not be required to assemble
for the purpose of drill and muster, more than once in each month,
except for battalion or regimental muster. |
|
January 21, 1862 |
An
Ordinance to Authorize the Governor to Embody the Militia for
the Defense of the State |
To repel the invasion of the State. |
|
February 14, 1862 |
Resolutions
Relating to Re-Enlistment of Volunteers |
Congress of the Confederate States should offer
such inducements in bounties of money and public land. |
|
February 15, 1862 |
Resolution
to Raise Certain Artillery Companies for the Defense of Wilmington |
Governor authorized to raise by volunteer enlistment,
not exceeding three artillery companies to serve at the batteries
already erected, or which may hereafter be erected on the Cape
Fear River, below or at, and in the vicinity of the town of Wilmington. |
|
February 19, 1862 |
An
Ordinance to Raise North Carolina's Quota of Confederate Troops |
Governor shall call upon the counties to furnish,
by volunteering, the necessary number of troops, under the present
requisition, according to white population (after crediting them
with the troops already in the service, for three years or the
war, and the volunteers for twelve months) to complete their
respective quotas, on or before the 15th of March, 1862. Must
serve for three years or the duration of the war. Bounties to
be paid. |
|
February 26, 1862 |
An
Ordinance Regulating the Appointment of Company Officers |
Any vacancy shall be filled by promotion of the
officers next in grade in said company; and whenever a vacancy
shall occur in the office of junior second lieutenant, the vacancy
shall be filled by election by the non-commissioned officers
and privates of the company in which such vacancy occurs. |
|
May 6, 1862 |
An
Ordinance Amdendatory of an Ordinance to Raise North Carolina's
Quota of Confederate Troops, Passed and Ratified the 19th Day
of February, A.D., 1862 |
Change in bounty payments. Plus, all volunteers
over 35 may be discharged if not already on the Confederate line. |
|
May 12, 1862 |
An
Ordinance to Repeal an Ordinance Passed at the Present Session
of this Convention, Entitled "An Ordinance Amdendatory of
an Ordinance to Raise North Carolina's Quota of Confederate Troops,
Passed and Ratified the 19th Day of February, A.D., 1862,"
and to Extend the Provisions as to Bounty to Certain Other Persons |
Another change in bounty payments. Plus again,
all volunteers over 35 may be discharged if not already on the
Confederate line. |
|
December 17, 1862 |
An
Act to Amend an Act Entitled, "Militia Bill," Ratified
the 20th Day of September, 1861 |
Minor changes. Officers no longer required to
be in uniform during drills. |
|
December 20, 1862 |
Resolution
Providing for a Roll of Honor |
Governor to prepare a book in which shall be
placed the name, rank, regiment, and residence of every soldier
of this State, who has died or may die in the service of his
county during the present war. Also for those who distinguished
themselves in service. |
|
December 22, 1862 |
An
Act to Amend Second Section of an Ordinance of the Convention,
Ratified the Twelfth Day of May, A.D., 1862, Entitled, "An
Ordinance to Repeal an Ordinance Passed at the Present Session
of this Convention, Entitled, 'An Ordinance Amendatory of an
Ordinance to Raise North Carolina's Quota of Confederate Troops,
Passed and Ratified the Nineteenth Day of February, A.D., 1862,
and to Extend the Provisions as to Bounty to Certain Other Persons'" |
Only citizens of North Carolina may receive any
bounties offered. |
|
February 6, 1863 |
An
Act to Amend the Militia Bill |
Added two exemptions to militia service stewards
of two colleges. |
|
February 10, 1863 |
An
Act to Amend an Act Entitled, "Militia" |
Governor may call out men 18-45 years old. Comprehensive
list of those exempted. Governor may appoint drill instructors. |
|
February 11, 1863 |
An
Act to Amend an Act Entitled "An Act to Amend an Act Entitled,
"Militia," Passed at the Present Session of the General
Assembly |
Clarified exemptions for Supreme Court justices
and Superior Court judges. |
|
February 11, 1863 |
An
Act to Amend the Militia Law |
No person over forty-five years and one month
of age, shall be required to perform military duty. |
|
July 4, 1863 |
A
Resolution of Thanks to Captain John Elliott, of Pasquotank County,
and Those Under His Command |
They captured the two federal steamers, Arrow
and Emily, mail boats. |
|
July 7, 1863 |
An
Act in Relation to the Militia, and a Guard for Home Defense |
10 Sections. Exemptions from service in the Militia
of the State shall be for the same causes, and to the same extent,
and no farther, than are prescribed in the Acts of Congress of
the Confederate States. All men from 18-50 shall serve in Militia
or Home Guard. Quakers exempted. Home Guard not to leave the
State. |
|
July 7, 1863 |
An
Act Providing for Local Defense in This State |
Governor may accept the services of as many companies
of troops as be formed by the citizens of this State, residing
east of the Chowan River, and in such other counties in the eastern
section of the State as are similarly situated, for special service
and local defense in that section of the State. |
|
July 7, 1863 |
Resolution
of Thanks to a Detachment of Six Men from Captain Barrington's
Company, of Major J.N. Whitford's Command, for Gallant Conduct |
For their gallant and daring conduct in boarding
and capturing the crew of one of the enemy's boats (the Sea
Bird) on the Neuse River, and in burning and destroying the
said boat and cargo. |
|
July 7, 1863 |
Resolution
Requiring Adjutant General to Prepare a Tabular Statement of
the Number of Volunteers from Each County of the State |
Adjutant General required to prepare a tabular
statement of the number of volunteers and conscripts in each
of the several counties of this State, the two classes being
kept separate and distinct; together with the period when the
term of service of each volunteer and conscript may have expired
by death or discharge, and that the Governor cause said statement
to be published in one or more newspapers of the State, on or
before the 1st day of November next. |
|
December 12, 1863 |
An
Act to Amend an Act Approved 20th September, 1861, Entitled Militia |
The assistants to the Adjutant General and the
clerks shall receive such pay, not exceeding fifteen hundred
dollars per annum, as the Adjutant General may determine. |
|
December 12, 1863 |
An
Act to Incorporate the North Carolina Volunteer Navy Company |
John L. Jones, Jackson Jones, Jefferson Horner,
Jesse Meadows, Dudley Nichols, John Blacknall, E. H. Lyon, E.
Dalby, Alexander Oldham, J. G. Hester, R. W. Minor, Williamson
Harris, and Eli W. Hall may create a company to cruise against
the enemy's commerce where found, according to the provisions
of the Act of Congress to establish a volunteer navy. Primary
purpose to run through the blockade to deliver cotton, tobacco
and naval stores, to some safe point in Europe, to be used by
the company in purchasing, arming and equipping vessels for the
cruising service, not exceeding two more vessels. |
|
December 14, 1863 |
An
Act to Amend an Act in Relation to the Militia and a Guard for
Home Defense |
Companies to drill no more than once a month,
regiments to drill no more than twice a year. Governor may use
the guards for home defense for the purpose of arresting conscripts
and deserters. New exemptions identified. Governor may appoint
surgical boards to adjudicate physical exemptions. |
|
December 14, 1863 |
An
Act to Exempt Certain Officers and Employees of the State from
Conscription |
Long list of exemptions, above those approved
by the Confederate Congress. |
|
May 25, 1864 |
Resolution
of Thanks to Maj. Gen. Hoke, Brig. Gen. Ransom, and Commander
Cooke |
For the recapture of the towns of Plymouth and
Washington from the enemy. |
|
May 27, 1864 |
Resolution
of Thanks to the Officers and Soldiers of North Carolina |
To all officers and soliders for the brave and
gallant manner in which they have lately met and repelled the
invading foe, (in Virginia and North Carolina, or elsewhere). |
|
May 28, 1864 |
Resolution
in Reference to the Military Organization Known as "Mallett's
Battalion" |
To have NC Senators and Representatives to request
the Confederate Congress to accept this military unit into the
Confederate Army. |
|
May 28, 1864 |
Resolution
Concerning the North Carolina Wounded |
Surgeon General is instructed to use his influence
in obtaining the transfer ot the North Carolina wounded, or as
many thereof as may be practicable, from the hospitals in Richmond
to the hospitals in this city and elsewhere in the State. |
|
December 6, 1864 |
Resolution
of Thanks to the Officers and Soldiers of North Carolina |
For the brave and gallant manner in which they
have conducted themselves during the campaign of 1864. |
|
December 17, 1864 |
Resolution
of Thanks to Colonel Joseph B. Starr, and His Command, for the
Successful Repulse of the Public Enemy Near Kinston |
On Monday, the 12th of December. |
|
December 17, 1864 |
Resolution
of Thanks to the Junior Reserves and Home Guard |
Those who volunteered to cross the State Line
into Virginia, in order to repel the late advance of the public
enemy on Weldon. |
|
December 20, 1864 |
Resolution
Relating to Brigading Certain North Carolina Regiments |
The 29th, 39th, 58th and 60th NC Regiments need
a NC Brigadier General over them. NC Senators and Representatives
in Congress instructed to make this happen. |
|
December 22, 1864 |
Resolution
of Instructions to Our Senators and Representatives in Congress,
in Regard to Disabled Soldiers |
NC Senators and Representatives in Congress be
requested to use their influence in procuring the passage of
a law, which shall allow pay to soldiers discharged from the
army on account of being disabled, such as is given to those
who are placed on the retired list, but not actually discharged. |
|
December 23, 1864 |
An
Act for Local Defense |
Men over the age of fifty years, or otherwise
not liable to military duty, may associate themselves as a military
company, as conservators of the peace, shall be considered as
belonging to the State Troops of North Carolina, serving without
pay or allowance. Not to leave their county. |
|
December 23, 1864 |
An
Act for the Relief of Suffering and Needy Prisoners of War from
North Carolina |
Governor anthorized to purchase $200,000 worth
of cotton or tobacco, and to make all possible efforts to ship
the same in connection with the shipments of the Confederate
government for the relief of prisoners of war. If the Governor
finds it impracticable to carry out the foregoing provisions,
he is authorized to draw for and expend the sum of £5,000
sterling, from any moneys of the State in foreign countries,
not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of relief to the
North Carolina prisoners of war. |
|
December 23, 1864 |
An
Act to Increase the Efficiency of the Home Guard Organization |
Governor may consolidate companies or regiments
of Home Guard and appoint a medical board to assess disabled
claiming exemptions. |
|
December 23, 1864 |
Resolution
of Thanks to Captain John A. Teague, and the Men Under His Charge |
For the efficient manner in which they have discharged
their duties in defending the western border of the State from
the inroads of the enemy, and depredations of bands of lawless
men. |
|
February 3, 1865 |
An
Act in Favor of Discharged Soldiers from Confederate States Army |
All persons discharged from the service of the
Confederate States Army on account of physical disability, shall
be exempt from Home Guard duty until said persons shall be examined
by a State examining board. |
|
February 3, 1865 |
Resolution
in Favor of North Carolina Prisoners of War |
Governor Vance requested to effect an arrangement
by which the federal government may issue blankets and clothing
to the soldiers in the Confederate service, from North Carolina,
now prisoners in the United States upon condition that blankets
and clothing in like number and quantity be issued to to federal
prisioners at Salisbury. |
|
February 6, 1865 |
Resolution
in Favor of Senior and Junior Reserves |
Gov. Vance requested to correspond with the Confederate
authorities and use every effort possible to procure from them
suitable and comfortable accommodations, especially surgeons,
medicines, ambulances, and baggage wagons for our junior and
senior reserves, now said to be in a suffering condition. |
|
February 7, 1865 |
An
Act to Amend an Act Entitled An Act to Increase the Efficiency
of the Home Guard Organization |
Governor may - again - consolidate companies
or regiments of Home Guard. More exemptions identified. |
