Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 2.djvu/713



. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is authorized, to organize the companies so tendering their service as aforesaid, into battalions, squadrons, regiments, brigades and divisions, as soon as the number of volunteers shall render such organization, in his judgment, expedient; but, until called into actual service, such companies are not to be considered as exempt from the performance of militia duty, as is required by law, in like manner as before the passage of this act.

. And be it further enacted, That in case any volunteer above mentioned, while in actual service, shall sustain any damage, by injury done to his horse, or such other equipment as shall have been furnished at his own expense, or by loss of the same, without any fault or negligence on his part, a reasonable sum, to be ascertained in such manner as the President of the United States may direct, shall be allowed and paid to such volunteer, for each and every such loss or damage.

. And be it further enacted, That if any officer, non-commissioned officer, musician or private, shall be disabled by wounds or otherwise, while in the line of his duty in public service, he shall be placed on the list of invalid pensioners of the United States, at such rate of pension, and under such regulations as are, or may be directed by law: Provided always, that the compensation to be allowed for such wounds or disabilities, to a commissioned officer, shall not exceed, for the highest rate of disability, half the monthly pay of such officer, at the time of his being wounded or disabled, and that no officer shall receive more than the half pay of a lieutenant-colonel: and that the rate of pension to non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, shall not exceed five dollars per month: And provided also, that all inferior disabilities shall entitle the person so disabled to receive an allowance proportionate to the highest disability.

. And be it further enacted, That the heirs and representatives of any non-commissioned officer or soldier, who may be killed in action, or die in the actual service of the United States, shall be entitled to receive one hundred and sixty acres of land; to be designated, surveyed and laid off at the public expense, in such manner, and upon such terms and conditions as may be provided by law.

. And be it further enacted, That upon the discharge of any non-commissioned officer or soldier, who shall have been accepted under the provisions of this act, and shall have been in actual service for a period not less than one month, and shall have been in actual service for a period not less than one month, and shall have obtained from the commanding officer of his company, battalion or regiment, a certificate that he had faithfully performed his duty while in service, such non-commissioned officer or soldier, if attached to the artillery or infantry, shall be presented with a musket, bayonet, and other personal equipments; or, if attached to the cavalry, with the sabre and pistols furnished him by the United States, as a public testimonial of the promptitude and zeal with which he shall have volunteered in support of the rights and honour of the country.

. And be it further enacted, That the sum of one million of dollars be appropriated to defray the expenses which may be incurred under the provisions of this act, to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

, February 6, 1812.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the register and