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Description and Holding Information
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General Court. Act for regulating, governing and training the Militia, 1824
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An Act for regulating, governing and training the Militia of the Commonwealth, January 16, 1824. Congress had passed two laws in the past to provide
for the national defense by establishing a uniform militia, so the General Court followed suit. First there was a long list of exempted persons such
as government officials, college professors and students, ministers of any religion, theology students, prison guards, former service members,
enginemen, and Quakers and Shakers, for whom there was a form to be filled out and turned in. The rules for selecting officers of the units took several
pages: the General Court chose the Major-General, the Brigadier-Generals was chosen by the field officers, and the field officers were chosen by the
lower ranks. Specialized ranks had their own rules. Non-commissioned officers were selected by the unit's Colonel. Each unit had to appoint a sergeant
as a clerk, who had a long list of duties. Each member had to supply his own weapon unless he could prove he could not afford one. Soldiers also
had to supply their own uniform to a standard, a horse if necessary, and three days worth of provisions in the event of a call-up. There were more
rules for Artillery, Cavalry, Medical, and Band. Each unit had to have at least a fife and drum, but more instruments were much better. Every year, on
the first Tuesday in May, each unit was to parade in the principal town of its jurisdiction; if a soldier did not show up, he was fined. Towns had to
provide and house 1 pound of gunpowder per soldier in the unit and a certain number of cartridges. There were many pages of rules for Courts-Martial
and Courts of Inquiry. People associated with the courts were to receive 4c/day for travel expenses and 50c/day for their attendance. Widows and
wounded veterans were to receive relief, but the amount was not specified. There were lists of officers' salaries. All earlier laws about the militia
were repealed. (Digitized from a microfilm copy of title originally held by the Massachusetts State Library).
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Title:
An act for regulating, governing and training the militia of this commonwealth.
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OCLC Number:
1381147263
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Available Volumes
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| Name | Fiche Count | Online | Paper Backup |
| Vol. 1 | | Yes | No |
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