The Militia

( Originally Published 1883 )

Military Forces.—It is the custom among foreign nations to support, at great expense, large armies in time of peace, in order to maintain the authority of the government, and to defend the State in case of war. The necessity of supporting a large army is not as great in our own country as it is among foreign nations, and it is not in keeping with the spirit of American institutions. There is a deep seated prejudice against maintaining a large military force in time of peace, for the reason that standing armies have been the instruments of despotisms in the past, they necessitate the expenditure of large sums of money for their support, thus diminishing the industrial resources of the country, and they endanger the liberties of the people. The national government maintains a small military force to protect its frontiers and to garrison its forts, but the States are forbidden by the Constitution of the United States to keep standing armies.

The Militia.—That the State may at all times be able to enforce its laws and to protect its institutions, a State militia is established. The militia is a body of citizens enrolled or trained for military duty. They are liable at any time to be called out to aid the civil authorities in the enforcement of the laws, or to defend the State in case of war with a foreign power. The militia is of two kinds,

1. Enrolled,

2. Active.

Enrolled Militia.—All able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, with a few exceptions, are subject to military duty, and constitute what is called the enrolled militia. They are not subject to active military duty, except in case of war, rebellion, invasion, the suppression of riots, and to aid the civil authorities in the execution of the laws. The Governor may order out for actual service, either by voluntary enlistment or by draft, as many of the enrolled militia as the public necessity may demand.

The Supervisor of each township and ward is required to annually send to the County Clerk a list of all persons liable to do military duty. These lists are filed in the office of the County Clerk, and the number of persons enrolled in each county is sent to the Adjutant General.

Persons Exempt from Military Duty.—The following persons are exempt from military duty :-

1. Ministers of the gospel, and teachers in public institutions and in the public schools ;

2. Judges of the various courts;

3. Members and officers of the Legislature;

4. All State and county officers, except notaries public;

5. Officers and guards of the State Prison;

6. All commissioned officers of the militia who have served as such for the term of six years.

Paupers, idiots, lunatics, vagrants, and convicted criminals are not enrolled.

Active Militia.—The active militia is composed of volunteers between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, trained to military duty, and known as the State troops. In case of war, rebellion, invasion, the suppression of riots, and to aid the civil authorities in the execution of the laws of the State, the active militia is first ordered into service. The State troops are divided into regiments, each regiment consisting of a certain number of companies.

1. There are at present three regiments.

2. Before any person is mustered into the service of the State, he is required to take the following oath: I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to the State of Michigan ; that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies and opposers whatever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles for the government of the armies of the United States and of this State.

Military Companies.--Military companies are formed in different parts of the State. They come together at specified times to drill in their armories, and they are annually required to meet with their respective regiments, at places designated by the Governor, for military instruction and camp duty. In case of riot or violent resistance to the execution of the laws by the proper officers, it is the duty of the militia to promptly aid the civil authorities in the preservation of peace and order, and in the enforcement of the laws. It should always be remembered that the military power is subordinate to the civil, and it can be lawfully used by the civil .authorities in times of urgent necessity.

The term of enlistment in this State is three years. Persons having enlisted may at any time obtain a discharge for good and sufficient reasons.

Equipments.—Each company is furnished with arms, uniforms, and all necessary equipments, at the expense of the State. All articles thus furnished remain the property of the State, and when a company is disbanded, the commissioned officers .are responsible for their safe return to the Quarter master General. A suitable armory is also provided for each company at the expense of the State.

1. Commissioned officers provide themselves with uniforms.

2. Captains receive fifty dollars a year for the care and safe keeping .of the arms furnished to their companies by the State.

3. When the State troops are employed in actual service, suppressing riots, etc., each private receives one dollar and twenty-five cents per day and rations; non-commissioned. officers and musicians; one dollar and twenty-five cents per day; Commissioned officers; the same pay that officers 'of the same rank in the United States army receive.

4. For the time spent in the annual encampment, and in traveling from and returning to their homes, each member of the several companies receives one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, seventy-five cents per day for subsistence, and the necessary transportation.

Principal Officers.—The principal officers of the State militia are,— 1. Commander-in-Chief,

2. Adjutant General,

3. Inspector General,

4. Quartermaster General.

There are also regimental officers, officers of companies, and a State Military Board.

The Adjutant General, Inspector General, and Quartermaster general crank as Brigadier Generals, and ar appointed for two years. They each receive one thousand dollars a year.

Commander-in- Chief.—In order that the Governor may at all times be able to enforce the laws and preserve the peace, he is by virtue of his office Commander-in-Chief of all the military forces of the State, and they are at any time subject to his orders.

The Staff of the Commander-in-Chief consists of four Aids, who rank as Colonels; one Judge Advocate, who has general supervision of everything relating to the.administration of justice among the military forces of the State; and a Military Secretary. both of the last named officers rank as Majors.

Adjutant General.—Next to the Commander-in-Chief, the Adjutant General is the highest military officer in the State. It is through him that the Governor issues his orders to the troops, and it is through him that all recommendations and reports from military officers are presented to the Commander-in-Chief. Among other duties, he is required to keep a record of the number of enrolled and active militia in the State. -

Inspector General.—The Inspector General has the general care and supervision of the instruction and discipline of all the State troops. He musters new companies into service, inspects the condition of armories and military property, and tests the proficiency of each company in the manual of arms.

Quartermaster General.—The Quartermaster General has charge of arsenals, munitions of war, and all military property of the State. He furnishes military companies with arms and other equipments, and the use of suitable armories. In a word, he has the care of everything pertaining to the safe keeping and proper distribution of military property.

He is required to give bonds to the sum a fifty thousand dollars that he will faithfully perform the duties of his office,

State Military Board.—The State Military Board consists of the Inspector General and two other members appointed by the Governor. They hold office for two years. This Board is an advisory body to the Commander-in-Chief on all matters relating to the interest's of• the State militia. They examine all military claims and accounts against the State, and order the payment of those that are just, and they may prepare and adopt such rules and regulations for the government of the State troops as do not conflict with the laws of the United States or of this State.

1. The same system of instruction is followed in the military drills of the militia that is adopted by the United States army.

2. The two members of the Board appointed by the Governor receive three dollars a day, while attending the meetings of the Board, and five cents a mile in going to and returning from the place of meeting.

Court Martial.—All offenses against the rules and regulations established for the government of the State troops, are tried by a court martial consisting of commissioned officers. The jurisdiction of this court is confined to military offenses committed by persons enlisted in the active militia.

The Judge Advocate examines, and reports to the Governor, the proceedings of all courts martial.

Remark.—Although the military forces of the State are subject to the orders of the Governor, yet all money for their support must come from the Legislature. The Legislature acts as a check upon any unlawful use of the militia by the chief executive, and by refusing to make the necessary appropriations for its maintenance, it may at any time put a stop to an improper or tyrannical use of the military power. The number of companies established throughout the State is also limited by law.

MILITARY OFFICERS.

Commander-in-Chief.

STAFF OFFICERS.

1. Four Aids,

2. Judge Advocate,

3. Military Secretary.

GENERAL OFFICERS.

1. Adjutant General,

2. Inspector General,

3. Quartermaster General.

Staff officers and general officers are appointed by the Governor.

REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.

1. Colonel,

2. Lieutenant Colonel,

3. Major,

4. Surgeon,

5. Assistant Surgeon,

6. Adjutant,

7. Quartermaster.

Regimental officers are elected by the commissioned officers of the regiment, and they receive their commissions from the Commander-inChief.

COMPANY OFFICERS.

Commissioned.

1. Captain,

2. First Lieutenant,

3. Second Lieutenant.

Non- Commissioned.

1. Five Sergeants,

2. Eight Corporals.

1. Sergeant Major, a Quartermaster Sergeant, and a Color Sergeant are appointed by the Colonel from among the best instructed Sergeants of the companies.

2. The commissioned officers are elected by the companies, and receive their commissions from the Commander-in-Chief. The non-commissioned officers are either appointed by the Captain or elected by the company, and they receive warrants from the commanding officer of the regiment. In some companies, officers are elected for one year, in others for two.

STATE MILITARY BOARD.

1. Inspector General,