VIRGINIA CREATES A NAVY.
Ordinance No. 9, passed by the Virginia State Convention on the same
day that convention passed the Ordinance of Secession, April 17,
1861, empowered the Governor of Virginia to call for volunteers for
state defense, and to "invite all efficient and worthy Virginians and residents
of Virginia in the army and navy of the United States to retire
therefrom, and to enter the service of Virginia," where they would be
given "the same rank as that held in the United States service or its
equivalent." April 22d, Robert E. Lee, late colonel United States
army, was appointed commander-in-chief of the army and navy of
Virginia. April 27th, an ordinance was passed creating the navy of
Virginia, to consist of two thousand marines and seamen with their
proper officers. The constitution of the Confederate States was ratified
and proclaimed binding upon the people of Virginia by Ordinance
No. 56, when all military and naval affairs in the state were transferred
to the control of that government.
