Chapter XX. to increase the Rank and File of the Army, and to encourage Enlistments
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Chap. XX.— An Act to increase the Rank and File of the Army, and to encourage Enlistments.June 17, 1850. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That hereafter each Each company of artillery to consist of a specified number. company of artillery designated and serving as light artillery, shall, during such service, consist of the commissioned officers as now provided by law, and of four sergeants, four corporals, two artificers, two musicians, and sixty-four privates.
Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted,* That the President of the United Increase of privates by voluntary enlistment, authorized. States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by voluntary enlistment, to increase the number of privates in each or any of the companies of the existing regiments of the army, at present serving, or which may 439THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS. Sess. I. Ch. 22, 23. 1850. hereafter serve, at the several military posts on the western frontier, and at remote and distant stations, to any number not exceeding seventy-four, and to cause such portions of the army as may, by law, be serving on foot, to be properly equipped and mounted whenever, in his opinion, the exigency of the public service may require the same: *Provided,* That the said enlistments shall be for the term of five years, Proviso. unless sooner discharged.
Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted,* That whenever enlistments are Bounty to be given on a certain contingency. made at, or in the vicinity of, the said military posts, and remote and distant stations, a bounty equal in amount to the cost of transporting and subsisting a soldier from the principal recruiting depot in the harbor of New York, to the place of such enlistment, be, and the same is hereby, allowed to each recruit so enlisted, to be paid in unequal instalments at the end of each year’s service, so that the several amounts shall annually increase, and the largest be paid at the expiration of each enlistment.
Approved, June 17, 1850.