NC Militia and Home Guard

Unless excused by law, all white males between specified ages usually 16-18 to 45 - 50 years of age) were required to serve in the militia. Surviving militia records go back to the early 1700s. During that time, county regiments and local companies were known by their commanders’ names: Colonel Griffith’s Regiment, Capt. Daniel Simmon’s Company, etc. After the American Revolution, the state gave numerical designations to each regiment and required the men to attend formal drills on a set schedule, often six times each year: four company drills, one battalion drill and one regimental drill. The governor technically commanded the militia, but the state’s adjutant general handled all the administrative duties. There was no specified uniform for enlisted men. 

 As the Civil War approached, many energetic and highly motivated men joined local “volunteer militia” companies. This membership was in addition to their state service and not formally connected with the state government. These men often provided themselves with uniforms and were known by colorful company names: Brunswick Guards, Duplin Rifles, etc. 

 In early 1863, a North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice, Richmond Pearson, disqualified the militia from Enforcing Confederate conscription. This ruling led Governor Vance and the legislature to create the North Carolina Guard for Home Defense (universally referred to as the “Home Guard”). Home Guard battalions and regiments were Organized and given numerical designations in the summer of 1863. Most North Carolina men who served in the Home Guard were also members of the militia. All of these men were excused from service in the Confederate army by virtue of their age, employment deferments, and physical disabilities or by their appointments as officers in the Militia, the Home Guard, or both. Thus by 1864, militia and Home Guard companies and regiments were very “Officer heavy” because the Confederate army had a large portion of the male population in its ranks. 

 An Act for the better Regulation of the Militia, and for other Purposes.

Whereas, the Militia of this Province requires to be well disciplined in their Duty, for the Defense of the Country against the common Enemy at this critical Juncture;

I. Be it Enacted by the Governor, Council and Assembly, and by the Authority of the same, That all Freemen and Servants within this Province, between the ages of Sixteen and Sixty, shall compose the Militia of this Province; and that the several Captains of the same shall, within three Months next after the Passing of this Act, and so annually, enroll the Names of all such Freemen and Servants, of which their several Companies shall consist, and return a Copy thereof to the Colonel of their respective Regiments... And that all Persons after having been so enrolled, appear at such Times and Places where they are ordered by the Colonel or Commanding Officer, there to be mustered, trained and exercised in Arms, and be provided with a well fixed Gun, and a Cartridge Box, and a Sword, Cutlass or Hanger, and have at least nine Charges of Powder and Ball, or Swan Shot, and three spare Flints...