Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 9.djvu/150



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That in addition to the present military establishment of the United States there shall be raised and organized, under the direction of the President, for and during the war with Mexico, one regiment of dragoons and nine regiments of infantry, each to be composed of the same number and rank of commissioned and non-commissioned officers, buglers, musicians, and privates, dec., as are provided for a regiment of dragoons and infantry, respectively, under existing laws, and who shall receive the same pay, rations, and allowances according to their respective grades, and be subject to the same regulations, and to the rules and articles of war: Provided, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States alone to appoint such of the commissioned officers, authorized by this act, below the grade of field officers, as may not be appointed during the present session: Provided, That one or more of the regiments of infantry authorized to be raised by this section may, at the discretion of the President, be organized and equipped as voltigeurs, and as foot-riflemen, and be provided with a rocket and mountain howitzer battery.

. 2. And be it further enacted, That, during the continuance of the war with Mexico, the term of enlistment of the men to be recruited for the regiments authorized by this act, shall be during the war, unless sooner discharged.

3. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint one additional major to each of the regiments of dragoons, artillery, infantry, and riflemen in the army of the United States, who shall be taken from the captains of the army.

. 4. And be it further enacted, That to each of the regiments of dragoons, artillery, infantry, and riflemen, there shall be allowed regimental quartermaster, to be taken from the subalterns of the line, who shall be allowed ten dollars additional pay per month, and forage for two horses.

. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said officers, musicians, and privates, authorized by this act, shall immediately be discharged from the service of the United States at the close of the war with Mexico.

. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint one surgeon and two assistant surgeons to each regiment raised under this act.

. 7. And be it further enacted, That, during the war with Mexico, it shall be lawful for the officers composing the councils of administration of the several regiments constituting a brigade, either regular, or volunteer, in the service of the United States, to employ some proper person to officiate as chaplain to such brigade; and the person so employed, shall, upon the certificate of the commander of the brigade, receive for, his services seven hundred and fifty dollars, one ration, and forage for one horse, per annum: Provided, That the chaplains now attached to the regular army, and stationed at different military posts, may, at the discretion of the Secretary of War, be required to repair to the army in Mexico, whenever a majority of the men at the posts where they are respectively stationed shall have left them for service in the field; and should any of said chaplains refuse, or decline to do this, when ordered so to do by the adjutant-general, the office of such chaplain shall be deemed vacant, and the pay and emoluments thereof be stopped.

. 8. And be at further enacted, That the President be, and he is hereby authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the