1792 N.Y. Laws 227

1792 N.Y. Laws 227

Abstract

Defined the New York militia as "every able- bodied male person, being a citizen of this state, or of any of the United States, and residing in this state (except such persons as are herein after excepted) and who are of the age of sixteen, and under the age of forty-five years." The arms were "a good musket or firelock," 24 bullets, "a sufficient bayonet" and other standard items."

Summary

All able-bodied male citizens aged sixteen to forty-four must be enrolled in their local military beat company, with commanding officers tasked with registering new residents and young men as they come of age. Enrolled individuals must personally supply themselves with a functional musket or firelock, bayonet, belt, twenty-four rounds of ammunition, six flints, a blanket, and a knapsack to bring to duty. The statute outlines an appeals process to the regimental colonel for age or fitness disputes, establishes standard officer weaponry, and defines the structural hierarchy of the militia down to brigade composition and company rank structure.

Law Text

I. Be it enacted by the people of the state of New-York, represented in senate and assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That every able-bodied male person, being a citizen of this state, or of any of the United States, and residing in this state (except such persons as are herein after excepted) and who are of the age of sixteen, and under the age of forty-five years, shall, by the captain or commanding officer of the beat in which such citizens shall reside, within four months after the passing of this act, be enrolled in the company of such beat. That every captain or commanding officer of a company, shall also enrol every citizen as aforesaid, who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of sixteen years, or come to reside within his beat, and without delay notify such enrolment to such citizen so enrolled, by some non-commissioned officer of the company, who shall be a competent witness to prove such notice. That all disputes which may happen with respect to the age or ability of any person to bear arms, shall be determined by the captain or commanding officer of the company, with a right of appeal by the person who may conceive himself aggrieved, or by any other person belonging to the company, to the colonel or commanding officer of the regiment. That every citizen so enrolled and notified, shall within three months thereafter, provide himself, at his own expence, with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, a pouch, with a box therein to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge containing a proper quantity of powder and ball, six spare flints, a blanket and knapsack, and shall appear so armed, accoutered and provided, when called out to exercise or duty, as herein after directed, except that when called out to exercise only, he may appear without blanket or knapsack. That the commissioned officers shall be respectively armed with a sword or hanger, and a espontoon. That the commander in chief for the time being shall, by general orders, arrange the whole militia into commands, as nearly equal as conveniently may be, of brigades, regiments and companies, and may, from time to time, alter such arrangements as he shall think proper; and that in each brigade of infantry there shall be one company of artillery, and one troop of horse. That each regiment of infantry shall consist of two battalions, each battalion to be composed of four companies, and each company of One captain, One lieutenant, One ensign, Four serjeants, Four corporals, One drummer, One fifer.