Unarmed Militia

[Jefferson Guards]

Found this in the ORs Series I, Volume 2, Pages 926-927:


Winchester, Va.,
June 14, 1861

General William H. Richardson,
Adjutant-General Virginia Militia:

General: At 10 o'clock this morning I issued an order dismissing the militia which I had called into service. I did so in consequence of the retreat of the enemy from Romney and the arrival at this place of several regiments of the Confederate forces. In dismissing the militia, I repeated the order for frequent drilling, and for holding themselves in readiness for service at a moment's warning. The militia obeyed the call to arms with great alacrity and with considerable unanimity. I have directed the proper rolls &c., to be prepared and returned.

We received no arms from the State or Confederate States authorities. About one-third of the militia who turned out had no arms at all; the others had their own or such as they could procure.

Very respectfully,

James H. Carson,
Brigadier-General Sixteenth Brigade, Virginia Militia

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Unarmed Militia

Reminds me of one of Ambrose Bierce's "Fantastic Fables":

The Wooden Guns

An Artillery Regiment of a State Militia applied to the Governor for wooden guns to practise with.

"Those," they explained, "will be cheaper than real ones."

"It shall not be said that I sacrificed efficiency to economy," said the Governor. "You shall have real guns."

"Thank you, thank you," cried the warriors, effusively. "We will take good care of them, and in the event of war return them to the arsenal."