General Assembly of Virginia.
Senate. WednesdayJan. 29, 1862.
The Senate was called to order by the
President, and prayer was offered by
Rev. J. A.
Duncan, Methodist.
Mr. Logan, from the
Committee on
General Laws, reported a bill for an act to incorporate the Planters' Insurance Company of
Petersburg, which was read a third time and passed.
Mr. Paxton, from the
Committee on Roads and Internal Improvements, reported that the committee had had under consideration a bill to regulate the working of railroads in this State on the Sabbath, and they report that it is inexpedient to legislate on the subject; which was accepted,
They also reported that they had had under consideration a petition of merchants of
Richmond, in relation to a connection of railroads passing through or around the cities of
Richmond and
Petersburg, for commercial and other purposes, and inasmuch as there is another bill before the Senate having the same object in view, they asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof; which was granted.
Resolutions introduced.
Mr. Armstrong introduced a resolution referring to the
Committee on Finance and Claims to inquire into the expediency of refunding to
Charles Green a license tax not used by him, he having joined the army.--Referred.
Mr. Christian, of
Augusta, of referring to the
Committee on Roads and Navigation the
Governor's Message in relation to the completion of the
Central, and the
Covington and
Ohio, and other railroads.
Referred.
Mr. Ball presented a memorial of certain citizens of
Loudoun county, petitioning for an alteration of the law in regard to trials of detinue and unlawful detainer, and also for the trial of causes of which
Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction.
Engrossed for a third reading.
A bill entitled an act to provide a medal of distinction for such of the volunteers now in service as may re-enlist in the service of the
Confederate States.
A bill appropriating ten thousand dollars to the Virginia Military Institute.
A bill to authorize a connection between the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company and the Richmond and York River Railroad Company.
A bill entitled an act to take the sense of the people on certain ordinances of the
Convention which assembled at the
Capital on the 13th of February, 1861.
A bill to incorporate the
Confederate Insurance Company.
Acts Passe.
A bill to incorporate the Planters' Insurance Company of
Petersburg.
Authorizing the
Commissioner of the Revenue for the Southern District of
Halifax county to issue a license to David Apt as a hawker and pedlar.
Senate bill to raise and organize Virginia's quota of the Confederate army.
This important bill was passed — ayes 35, nays 5.
It authorizes the
Governor to call out a force of not less than fifty thousand nor more than seventy-five thousand men, to serve for two years, unless sooner Discharged, to be tendered to the
Confederacy, and to constitute
Virginia's quota of the Confederate army; that the troops be ied from the entire military population of the
State, and drafted by lot; but the population of those districts now held by the enemy to be excluded, but volunteers still to be accepted from such districts.
The times and places of drafting to be appointed by the
Governor.
To facilitate drafting, the whole population between 18 and 45 years of age to be enrolled, whether now in service or not; that whenever 68 men shall unite to form a company, or 84 shall be drawn, the same to be forthwith organized, and elect their captain and two lieutenants, to be commissioned by the
Governor, or four to a battery of artillery; and no distinction as to rank between those drafted and volunteers.
Non-commissioned officers to be appointed by the
Captains.
Whenever thirty-five in an enlisted company shall agree to re- enlist, the deficiency to be made up by draft from the district where they were raised, and the new company to have the same designation as the old. Depots to be established as rendezvous for the levies at convenient places, to serve also as camps of instruction, until they are duly called for by the
President.
The Governor to appoint and commission officers above the rank of
Captain; for four companies, not to exceed one
Major; from six to ten, a
Lieutenant Colonel and
Major; a
Brigadier General to four regiments; and to four brigades, a
Major General.
Drafted companies assigned to any arm of the service, but only one troop of cavalry and one battery to a regiment.
Volunteers to select their own arms.
The Governor may order drafts whenever needed.
All persons liable to military duty to report themselves forthwith.
Penalty for falling, three days of service for each one of failure.
Citizens of other States, being here, may organize themselves and be accepted by the
Governor.
Volunteers now in service may re-enlist, and, if they choose, can reorganize; otherwise, to return to the militia.
Those who re-enlist entitled to receive fifty dollars within six months after the termination of the war. Officers re-enlisting to retain their seniority, but the commissions of others to be vacated.
After the forces shall be embodied, whether under draft or by enlistment, they shall determine whether to serve for two years or for the war.
In addition to those exempted, all millers actually engaged; one physician to one thousand inhabitants; the
Lieutenant Governor, and members and officers of the General Assembly.
Mariners liable to draft for naval service.
The Senate bill was them taken up, entitled ‘"An act to authorize a connection between the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad and the Petersburg Railroad in
Petersburg."’ Considerable discussion took place respecting the provisions of the said bill, chiefly between
Messrs. Collier of
Petersburg, and
Robertson of
Richmond.
The bill was informally laid over.
Resolutions adopted.
Mr. Douglas offered a resolution that the
Committee on Roads and Internal Navigation be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the
Covington and Ohio Railroad Company to exchange the bonds of this Commonwealth for
Confederate States bonds, for the purpose of carrying on the construction of said road.
By
Mr. Finney: To instruct the
Committee on Finance and Claims to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill ordering a reissuing of
coupon bonds in favor of
Dr. Peter F. Brown, of
Accomac, which bonds were taken by, and are now in possession of, the enemy.
On motion of
Mr. Christian, of
Augusta, at three o'clock the Senate adjourned.
