GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1.GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, ILLINOIS STATE MILITIA
SPRINGFIELD, ILL., April 15, 1861.
In view of the present dangers menacing the Government, and the probability of an immediate call being made on the several States of this Union for troops to aid in enforcing the laws and protecting the capital and public property of this Union, the commandants of the several divisions, brigades, regiments and independent companies will take immediate steps towards perfecting the drills and discipline of their several commands, and hold themselves in readiness for actual service.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief.
T. S. MATHER, Adjutant General.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 2.GENERAL HEADQUARTERS,
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,
SPRINGFIELD, ILL., April 16, 1861.
The Secretary of War, under and by direction of the President of the United States, having called upon the Executive of this State for the immediate organization of six regiments of volunteer militia to aid in the enforcement of the laws of the United States, and to protect the public property; therefore, I, Richard Yates, Governor of the State of Illinois, and Commander-in-Chief of the militia thereof, do call upon the commandants of divisions, brigades, regiments and independent companies to aid in raising and organizing the same immediately, and if there be no such officers, then the sheriff of each county.
By the instruction of the War Department, each company will consist of one captain, one first lieutenant. one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and eighty men.
Each regiment will be composed of one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one adjutant (a lieutenant of one of the companies, but not in addition), one sergeant-major, one quartermaster-sergeant, two principal musicians, and ten companies.
Each company will elect its own officers, and when the several companies shall meet at the place of rendezvous, they will be formed into regiments, and will elect their own regimental officers. As fast as the companies are formed the commanding officer will make a return to the office of the Adjutant General, stating the names of the officers and number of men in each company. No person, under the rank of a commissioned officer, will be received who is apparently over the age of forty-five, or under the age of eighteen years.
Springfield is appointed the place of rendezvous, to which place each company or regiment will repair, at the earliest practicable period-where tents, and such other conveniences as can be procured, will be furnished.
Companies will be received in the order in which their services are offered.
(Signed.) RICHARD YATES, Commander-in-Chief
THOMAS S. MATHER, Adjutant General Illinois Militia.
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