2 Del. Laws 1136-37 (1797)

SECTION 4. And be it further enacted, That in order that the militia may be properly armed, equipped and accoutred, every citizen enrolled, and notified of his enrolment in manner aforesaid, except as herein before excepted, shall, within six months after receiving such notice, provide himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements herein after mentioned, viz: every non-commissioned officer and private of the infantry (including grenadiers and light infantry), and of the artillery,) shall have a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of his gun, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball, or with a good rifle, knapsack, flint pouch and powder horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; the commissioned officers of the infantry shall be armed with a sword or hanger, and an espontoon, and those of artillery with a sword or hanger, fuzee, bayonet and belt, and a cartridge box to contain twelve cartridges; the commissioned officers of the troops of horse shall furnish themselves with good horses of at least fourteen hands and a half high, and shall be armed with a sword and pair of pistols, the holsters of which shall be covered with bear skin caps; each light-horseman or dragoon shall furnish himself with a serviceable horse at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail pillion and valise, holsters, and a breast plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs, a pair of pistols, a sabre, and a cartouch box to contain twelve cartridges; and the artillery and horie shall be uniformly clothed in regimentals, to be furnished at their own expense, the colour and fashion to be determined by the Brigadier commanding the Brigade of which they shall belong; every militia-man shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise, or into service (except that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack) and every man so enrolled as aforesaid, and providing himself with the arms, accoutrements and ammunition required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all fines, distraints, executions or attachments for debt, or payment of taxes; each battalion and regiment shall be provided with the flags and regimental colours, by the fieldofficers, and each company with a drum and fife, or bugle-horn, by the officers of the company; the expenses of such colours, drums, fifes, or bugle-horns to be paid to the officer out of the fines incurred by the men (a) Provided always, That whenever the commissioned officers of any regiment shall judge any person enrolled as aforesaid, unfit for the service of a private soldier, such person shall not be subject to any fine for not arming, but shall nevertheless be liable to perform military duty, as a waggoner, or in some other employment not requiring arms or accoutrements.