the performance of military duty, by attaching themselves to some one of the chartered military companies in their respective neighborhoods; or by forming new military organizations, as companies of Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry or Riflemen of not less than eighty-three men each, according to Section 3, Chapter 421, of the act before referred to. III. And whereas, It is made by said act, obligatory upon the Commander-in-Chief to assign all enrolled persons, who shall not so organize themselves, to such companies and to such arm of the service as he may deem most expedient, it is especially enjoined upon all good citizens to avail themselves, before the eleventh day of May next, of the privilege above given; and, as proficiency in military training can more readily be acquired by associating with those who have heretofore cultivated this branch of knowl. edge, it is particularly recommended that those who come within the operation of the law, should attach themselves, as far as practicable, to the various chartered military companies already organized within the State. IV. Major General Charles T. Robbins is charged with the general superintendence and direction of the organization of the militia herein directed. He will detail such number of persons as may be necessary to act as recruiting officers in the several towns, for the purpose of arranging the militia according to their choice, into companies, and from time to time issue such orders, and make such regulations as shall become necessary for the purpose of fully organizing the system established by said act. V. The first election for the choice of Company Officers, to consist of one Captain, one 1st Lieutenant and one 2d Lieutenant, will be holden by each company on the second Monday of May next. Such other superior officers as shall become necessary to complete the organization of the companies into regiments, will be hereafter appointed by the Commander-inChief, to hold their offices until an election can be had. VI. The Commander-in-Chief solicits the hearty co-operation of all loyal citizens in the effort to place the State in a condition to make a voluntary response to all future calls of the President of the United States, upon her patriotism, by encouraging the liberal diffusion of military knowledge, and by aiding with voice and example in the successful establishment of a system which will tend to awaken and develope the martial spirit of our people. By order of The organization of Regiments, Battalions and Companies, to be raised under the Militia Law, will be as follows: Election for Company Officers to be holden on the second Monday of May. The uniform for Field, Staff and Line Officers, of the R. I. Militia, will conform (in accordance with the rank and arm of service) to that of the army of the United States, except that shoulder straps and forage caps will be worn instead of epaulettes and hat. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 1 EDWARD C. MAURAN, STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 15. The annual inspection of companies of the Rhode Island Militia, which by law is directed to take place during the month of June, is postponed for this year to the month of July. Brigadier Generals commanding Brigades, will issue their orders accordingly. The Staff of the Major General, commanding Division, R. I. Militia, and thạt of Brigadier Generals, commanding Brigades, will be organized as follows: FOR THE MAJOR GENERAL. One Assistant Adjutant General with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. One Division Inspector with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. One Division Quartermaster with the rank of Major. One Division Commissary with the rank of Major. Two Aides-de-Camp with the rank of Major. II. The bounty of three hundred dollars, to men enlisting in the three years' Regiments, will be paid as follows: Seventy-five dollars, after being mustered into the service of the United States, and two hundred and twenty-five dollars when they have reported at the headquarters of their regiment, or in monthly orders upon the Paymaster General, if the recruit should so prefer. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. EDWARD C. MAURAN, Adjutant General. STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 21. General Orders, No. 16, current serries, is so far modified as to organize a Regiment of Cavalry, to serve for a period of (3) years, instead of one for six months, to be known as the 3d Regiment R. I. Cavalry. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. EDWARD C. MAURAN, Adjutant General. STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 34. General Orders, No. 14, current series from this office, is so far modified that officers may, at their option, wear as a uniform, a blue blouse, shoulder straps, dark pants, forage cap, sword and belt, in place of that prescribed in said orders. By order of the Commander-in-Chief. EDWARD C. MAURAN, Adjutant General. STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 43. General Orders, No. 36, is hereby countermanded. The Commander-in-Chief desires to tender his thanks to the officers and men of the militia for the promptness with which they have organized. To the Division and Brigade Commanders, especially, are his thanks due for the interest they have manifested in this duty, and the cordial support they have extended to the Commander-in-Chief, in his efforts to make our militia efficient and an honor to the State. Until further orders, the troops of the State are urgently recommended to keep up their efficiency, by frequent voluntary drills. Regimental and Battalion Commanders will see that each company in their com mands has an armorer, who shall take charge of the State property in the hands of said company, and the commanders above mentioned will be held responsible to the Quartermaster General for the safe keeping of the same. XIV. In accordance with the 19th and 20th Sections of the Enrollment Act, of March 3d, 1863, and with General Orders, 86, current series from the War Department, Adjutant General's Office, the Second Regiment of Rhode Island Cavalry, being reduced in strength to 365 enlisted men, will be consolidated into one battalion of four companies, as follows: Companies A and C will constitute Company A. The Company Officers to be retained will be announced in future orders. Governor of Rhode Island. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant General. HEADQUARTErs, Department of the GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS, PORT HUDSON, LA., 12th July, 1863. } * II. The following named Company Officers, of the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, will be retained in the service as Officers of the Consolidated Battalion, and will be mustered accordingly. All other Company Officers, being supernumerary, will be mustered out of the service of the United States, from this date, by Captain William Scheffler, Commissary of Musters for the 19th Army, Corps at New Orleans. By command of Major General Banks. Governor of Rhode Island. RICHARD B. IRWIN, Assistant Adjutant General. |