The Daily Dispatch: August 5, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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Your country Calls.

--Efforts are being made in Henrico to organize cavalry companies for home defence out of citizens not now subject to military duty, and with some hope of success. One gentleman has sixty names on his list, and others have nearly as many more, but there are yet hundreds of men in the county able to do service who have not handed in their names. The conscript ages are now from eighteen to forty five, and none others can be forced into service, save in the second class militia; but the Governor has the power to call them out at any time, and when he does to it will then be too late to join these volunteer commands.

The country now needs every man that can perform duty, and unless all volunteer the conscript ages will be extended by the next Congress from sixteen to fifty five, when the privilege of joining home guards will be withdrawn.

We understand that an extra session of the Legislature will probably be called this winter to adopt plans for home defence, and that efforts will then be made to relieve from conscription all members of home guards who are in service at the time of that meeting. If this be so, those who now join these companies will have a decided advantage over those who do not, in as much as they will have the privilege of selecting their company and regiment officers, and can do service under commanders of their own choice.