From the Richmond Dispatch, 8/27/1862

Volunteers from Henrico and Richmond.

To the Editors of the Dispatch: in your issue of Saturday last “Henrico” comes to the help of “Volunteer Private,” and still contends that Henrico and Richmond have not furnished their quota of volunteers. His purpose was to correct “a most egregious error into which ‘Militia’ had evidently fallen,” and the error he points out thus: In reply to “Militia’s” enumeration of volunteers furnished, he says: “In making up the number of 3,855 he has actually included the Tredegar Battalion, which numbers 350 men,” &c., and ___ asks, “Now, by what right does “Militia” included 350 men who form a home guard for city protection? &c.;” and, again, “Why doesn’t “Militia” include the “Ellis Battalion?”

Well, “Henrico” seems to be no better informed in the premises than “Volunteer Private.” In answer to “Henrico’s” first question, be it remembered that the militia was ordered out by Governor Letcher, “the Commander-in-Chief of the land and naval forces of the State.” This order was countermanded by the same authority, upon condition that each county and city would furnish one tenth of its white population as volunteers. By the same authority, Henrico county and Richmond city were thrown together in enumeration. By the same authority - to wit, by Governor Letcher - the Tredegar Battalion was counted in the volunteers furnished by Henrico and Richmond. It is hoped that “Henrico” now knows “by what right ‘Militia’ actually includes the Tredegar Battalion, numbering 350 men, &c.”

The Governor allowed the Tredegar Battalion, a body of troops organized, uniformed and equipped to be counted as volunteers, because, on the 16th of July last, they “tendered their services for duty in the field.” - Their services in the field were not accepted, because they were more valuable at the foundry. The Governor did not allow the Ellis Battalion to be counted as volunteers, because they have not “tendered their services for duty in the field.” Surely this is a full answer to “Henrico’s” other inquiry. As to what the Colonel of one of the city regiments told “Henrico,” or whether Richmond or Henrico, if seperated in the count, would be delinquent, all that does not affect [remainder of article illegible, but seems to go on about technicalities in numbers]

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