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Chapter CVIII.- An Act for the more perfect organization of the Army of the United States. June 26, 1812

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the infantry of the army of the United States shall consist of twenty-five regiments, and that a regiment shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one adjutant, one paymaster, one quartermaster, one surgeon, two surgeon's mates, one sergeant major, one quartermaster's sergeant, two principal musicians, and ten companies.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That each company shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, six corporals, two musicians, and ninety privates.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That to the regiment of cavalry, authorized by the act passed January eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, entituled "An act to raise an additional military force," there shall be added one riding master; and to the regiment of light dragoons, authorized by the act passed April twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and eight, entituled " An act to raise, for a limited time, an additional military force," one surgeon's mate.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That each troop of cavalry or light dragoons shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one cornet, four sergeants, six corporals, two musicians, one master of the sword, one saddler, one farrier, one blacksmith, and sixty-four privates, and the pay and emolument of a master of the sword shall be the same as those of a riding master, and the pay and emolument of a blacksmith shall be the same as those of a farrier.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the military establishment authorized by law previous to the twelfth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and eight, and the additional military force raised by virtue of the act of the twelfth of April, one thousand eight hundred and eight, be and the same are hereby incorporated, and that from and after the passing of this act the promotions shall be made through the lines of artillerists, light artillery, dragoons, riflemen and infantry respectively, according to established rule.

APPROVED, June 26, 1812.

By James Madison

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Source of Information

Library of Congress