The Daily Dispatch: July 17, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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By the Governor of Virginia.
a Proclamation.

We have been taught by our fathers that the Militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural and safe defence of a free State in time of need, therefore it is proper to resort to this natural resource. We are called upon to defend all that is dear to freemen. We are called upon to drive from our land an insolent foe, who is threatening us with subjugation and overthrow. Confident that every true Virginian possesses the nerve and the soul to give his hand and his heart to prevent this fail purpose — the Militia is called to arms. This call will not be unheeded.

Having received through the Secretary of War a requisition from the President of the Confederate States, calling into immediate service the militia of all the counties north of James river and East of the Blue Ridge, as well as all the militia in the Valley of the State, north of James river, it is proper that this call should be promptly met. It is proper at all times to be prepared for any emergency, and to offer resistant with the energy and power necessary to ensure success. If required, we shall rely upon the ender force of the residue of the State Every man that can bear arms, must in turn give his willing assistance. Never in the history of nations has a people so eagerly and promptly met every call upon them No man will cease his efforts now until we have been crowned with victory.

Now, therefore, in conformity with the requisition of the President of the Confederate States, I. John Letcher, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, by the authority vested in the Executive by law, do hereby require the regiments of the counties designated in the list hereto annexed, to assemble forthwith at the several places specified, in the most prompt and efficient manner.

Under this call, every field officer, in the counties designated, will immediately call out each company remaining in his regiment not heretofore ordered; and where, from any cause, companies have been diminished below their required strength. two or more must be united, and the oldest company officer, among those thrown together, will assume the command of the company thus formed.

Company officers of every grade will forthwith summon their men, and the commandants will take care immediately to enroll all persons, heretofore omitted, who are subject to militia duty within their respective company districts, and report their companies and the strength of each the commandant of their regiment.

Commandants of regiments, as soon as companies are reported, will organize them into battalions, and dispatch each battalion, as formed, the place of rendezvous indicated. If but battalion can be formed, the Commandant of the regiment will take command until a regiment be organized. When assembled at the rendezvous herein designated, the senior officer present will unite the battalions into regiments, keeping those belonging to the same regiment together, and the senior field officer of the regiment or regiments, where two or more are united, present and capable of duty, will assume the command of it.

Commandants of regiments will forthwith appoint their Regimental Quartermasters and Commissaries under the law of the State, and will order them to proceed forthwith to the place appointed for the rendezvous of their regiments to provide for the militia as they assemble.

Each member of a company will provide him self with any arms to be obtained, without regard to the description, whether ride, musket, carbine or shot gun, and carry with him all the ammunition suitable to his arm that he can procure. When regiments are formed, each commandant will immediately report to the Governor the number of arms necessary to complete the arming of his regiment. Officers and privates of the militia in the active volunteer service of the State will continue in that service and are exempt from this call.

Given under my hand as Governor, and under the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 12th day of July, 1861. and in the 86.h year of the Commonwealth.

John Letcher.

By the Governor:

George W. Munford.

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

List of the Counties and Cities from which regiments are called, and the places at which they are to rendezvous:

Winchester.--Morgan, Berkeley, Jefferson Frederick, Clarke Hampshire, Warren.

Strasburg--(except those Companies already ordered to Beverly)--Shenandoah, Hardy, Page Pendleton, Highland, Rockingham, August Bath, Rockbridge.

Charlottesville.--Albemarle, Nelson Amherst, Fluvanna.

Richmond.--Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Richmond.

Gordonsville.--Louisa.

Fredericksburg.--Stafford, Caroline, Spotsylvania.

Williamsburg.--James City, Elisabeth City New Kent, York, Warwich, Charles City.

West Point.--King William.

Tappahannock.--Essex.

Gloucester Point.--King and Queen, Gloucester.

at their Court-houses.--Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland, Lancaster, Matthew, Middlesex.

report to General Beauregard at Manassas Junction, as heretofore ordered by Adjutant General. --Green Orange, Madison, Culpeper, Rappahannock Headquier, Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax.

All newspapers within the counties nated will publish the foregoing three times transmit accounts to the Executive Department.

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