December 5, 1864
The First Army Corps. - Shall West Virginia Contribute To Its Formation. - We have been requested to call the attention of the Board of Supervisors of this county and the people of the State generally, to the new General Order lately issued from Provost Marshal Capt. Hudson's office, in this city, in relation to the raising and organizing a new volunteer army corps. The corps is to consist of not less than twenty thousand Infantry, to be enlisted for not less than one year. The organization commenced in the District of Columbia, on the 1st of December, 1864, and will continue until the first of January, the privates to consist of able bodied men who have served honorably not less than two years, and therefore not subject to draft, the officers to be commissioned from such as have honorably served not less than two years.
Recruits will be furnished transportation to Washington and will be credited to the district in which they or their families are domiciled and will be paid a special bounty of three hundred dollars from the substitute fund, upon being mustered into the service. Each recruit who preserves his arms to the end of his term may retain them as his own upon being honorably discharged.
It is thought that West Virginia can and ought to furnish five hundred men to this new corps by the proper sort of exertion, and that this county, especially, may furnish a sufficient number of men to relieve herself from the possibility of another draft. The matter is at least worthy the attention of the public, and we hope it may receive the consideration which its importance seems to deserve.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: Undated: December 1864