GENERAL ASSEMBLY

BEGUN AND HELD

At the Public Buildings in the Town of Richmond, on Thursday the first day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and in the fifth year of the commonwealth.

CHAP. I

An act to raise two legions for the defence of the state.

WHEREAS at this critical juncture, when the enemy have made this state the object of their vengeance, it is necessary to provide a standing force for the immediate defence thereof. It is therefore enacted. That two legions to consist each of six companies of infantry and one troop of cavalry, of one hundred men each, be forthwith raised to serve during the war, but not to take the field or to do duty except in cases of actual or threatened invasion, during which, they shall continually remain in the field, if the executive shall think proper, or except it be for the purpose of training, for which, the said legions shall be assembled by the commanding officer of each legion, when, and where be pleases, unless he shall be forbidden by the executive power of this state. Each company shall be commanded by a captain, two lieutenants, and one ensign, except the troops of cavalry, which shall have a cornet, in lien of an ensign, and each legion by a lieutenant colonel commandant, two majors, and the whole by a brigadier general, to be chosen by joint ballot of both houses of assembly. The lieutenant colonels commandant, shall, with the concurrence of the field officers, appoint the Other officers of the legions, who shall receive state commissions from the governour. The officers and men shall be governed by and subject to the continental articles of war, and each man shall sign an enlistment, to be devised by the commanding officer according to the terms of this act, and shall take the oath of allegiance to this commonwealth. Immediately after any invasion, shall cease, or the business of training shall be over, the men shall be marched to some magazine, there to deliver their arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, under the direction of the lieutenant colonels commandant, who shall be answerable for them, and all other military stores delivered to their charge. The lieutenant colonels commandant, shall supervise and direct the uniforming of their respective legions. The cavalry shall furnish their own horses, saddles, and bridles, but in case any horse shall be killed or ruined in the service, the state shall furnish another of equal value, provided such death or injury did not happen through the neglect or misconduct of the owner.

And to encourage men to engage in so useful a service, It is farther enacted. That all persons who shall serve in the said legions, shall be exempt from all militia duty and from all manner of drafts, except from the present draft; shall be clothed (except the commissioned officers) at the expense of the state, which clothes shall only be used whilst the legions are on duty or in service; shall receive the pay of continental troops whilst in service or under discipline, and half pay at all other times during the existence of the said legions,

and be also, allowed a present bounty of two thousand dollars, except the commissioned officers, who shall receive pay, rations, and forage, only whilst in service. All camp utensils, arms, and every military apparatus for the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, shall be furnished at the expense of the state, and shall whilst the men are out of service, be safely stored in some magazine to be provided for that purpose. The lieutenant colonels commandant, may also appoint a surgeon and two mates for each of the said legions; who shall be paid in the same manner as above directed. The officers of the legions entitled thereto, shall receive the same forage as those of like rank in the continental army, and both officers and men shall be allowed the same rations, but under the same restrictions, both as to the forage and rations, as are established in the continental army.