Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-12
The Militia Draft.

We publish, this morning, the regulations
for the enrolment and draft of the militia,
under the last call of the president. The
larger part of these rules apply to states
whose militia laws are not so tar matured and
perfected as in New England. Here, un-
questionably, if the draft is made, it will be in
the main according to the state law. The as
SCISSORS of the several cities and towns in the
commonwealth are already making prepare
tons for new or revised enrolment
according to the terms of the COVER
nor's order issued last week. There is
still a question whether volunteers can be
accepted under this call, and thus to the ex-
tent of the volunteering obviate the necessity
of draft. There is, indeed, much promise
of speedy voluntary enlistments for the nine
months'scrvice among classes who were not
disposed to enter the ranks for three years or
been made for them. The use to which these
three hundred thousand men are to be put is,
of course unknown. The Journal of Com
merce speculates thus cheerfully upon the
subjects
1t is reasonable to infer that they will be
kept for short time in camps of drill and in
struction. This will carry them safely and
comfortably through the summer in our
healthy northern climate, up TO the pleasant
days and the cool nights of October. when the
soldiers themselves, becoming ardently mar
tial on the small experience, will look upon a
trip to the south and fight with the enemy as
positive recreatons. Unless the nine months
men differ in some extraordinary respect from
all other soldiers, they will be glad to eX-
change the dull routine of the camp for the
tingling excitement of active service, when
the bracing winds of autumn come along.
The cause of grumbling will then be, that
they are held back. BY this time about two
months of the nine will have been used up;
and the men cannot be economically employ
ed on distant expeditions or protracted cam
paignS. They could, however, perform val
liable and indispensable service in occupying
posts held by veteran troops, or taking
care OF places which may be won from the en-
envy by our victorious three years men, and
keeping down rebel instructions, while the
main body of the army presses on to new
conquests. Perhaps the best regiments
among them might be mingled in small pro-
portions with the old regiments and do their
part in some of the fiery work of the war.
The nine months men will pass the cool and
healthy months, ifany, at the south, and will re-
turn to their northern homes in the beautiful
month of May, unless they prefer to go on
soldering to the end of the war, and very
many of them will. The places of those who
retire may be supplied by other nine months
men, if the government chose to order an
other draft. Or the government may raise
100000 volunteers for twelve months, if that
course shall seem host 1t may aIso keen the
existing infantry regiments continually full
by accepting volunteers for that special pur-
pose, for twelve months. These methods of
filling I'M the army all authorized ~ INC
new U. 5. militia law. With these facilities,
which are practically unlimited, at the dispo-
sal of the government, let us hope that the
end of the war is not far off,"