1. In accordance with a letter, 370.01 form the Chief, Militia Bureau, War Department, Washington, D.C., dated May 18th, 1917, you are informed that the National Guard not now in Federal service, and the enlisted men of the National Guard Reserve, of the State of North Carolina, will be drafted into the Federal service by the President, about July 25th, 1917. After being held at Company rendezvous for approximately two weeks, these organizations, together with those now in Federal service (except the Coast Artillery) will be sent under orders from the War Department to concentration camps in the Southeastern Department. Simultaneously with this draft, that portion of the Guard now in Federal service will be drafted under the provisions of section III of the National Defense Act, approved June 3rd, 1916.

2. All National Guard, Coast Artillery Organizations, both in and out of Federal service, will de drafted into the Federal service about July 15th, 1917, and those not now in Federal service, after being held at Company rendezvous approximately two weeks will be sent under orders from the War Department to appropriate stations.

3. The Secretary of War directs that all organizations of the National Guard, both in and out of Federal service be immediately recruited to maximum strength, as shown in tables of organizations U. S. Army, 1917. For those organizations not now in Federal service this recruiting will be effected by the officers of the North Carolina National Guard. For those organizations now in Federal service the recruiting to maximum strength will be under direction of Department Commanders, to whom proper instructions to do this locally are being sent by the War Department. Recruits thus secured, as well as those for organizations not now in Federal service will be held at their local armories until the organizations to which they belong are sent to concentration camps. Recruits received for organizations not now in Federal service will be given such training as the facilities afford and will be vigorously employed to train the newly enrolled men, as well as those already enlisted but not yet called out. The men not now in Federal service should be trained regardless of whether they are uniformed, as equipment will be furnished by the War Department as soon as possible.

4. In view of the above instructions the Governor of North Carolina has issued a proclamation dated May 21st, 1917, calling for approximately five thousand volunteers to bring the National Guard of North Carolina to maximum strength. A supply of this proclamation will be mailed to all officers who are directed to give the widest publicity possible to the proclamation, with a view of securing the required number of enlisted men by June 5th, if possible. Special effort should be put forth by the officers in each community to enlist the support of the mayors of the cities and towns, community officials, chambers of commerce, and other organizations, with a view of securing the hearty co-operation of all people in the community.

5. In towns where organizations are located it is suggested that public meetings be held and that the proclamation of the Governor be read and the necessity for recruits be fully explained.

6. Recruits should be secured in the community in which an organization is located. However, it is realized that it will be impossible for small towns to furnish sufficient recruits to bring an organization to prescribed strength, in which case it is suggested that a campaign be made in nearby towns and in country districts in order to bring the organizations to required strength.

7. Every officer is directed to use every legitimate effort to bring the organization of the National Guard of this State to maximum strength by June 5th if possible. Recruits should be examined by local physicians in order that the physically unfit may be discarded. It is thought that local physicians will volunteer their services to examine recruits.