Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-05
The Militia Draft.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS


HEADQUARTERS, Boston, Aug. 81, 1862
General Order, No. IS.
Whereas the provisions of the statutes of
this Commonwealth are defective for the
purpose of carrying into effect the draft of
militia under the order of the President of
the United States, bearing date August 4,
1862, it is therefore Ordered:
First. That quota of a draft of three hun
dred thousand militia to be called into the SER
vice OF the United States, to serve for the pc
Rod of nine months unless sooner discharged,
which the state of Massachusetts has been re-
quired to furnish, to wit: (l90S0) nineteen
thousand eighty men be raised by draft,
which will be conducted in conformity with
the regulations Of the war department of the
United States, contained in general order No.
SO of said department, bearing date August
8, 1862, a copy of which is published with and
as part of the present Order, (marked Al
Second. 1t is further ordered that the as
SCISSORS of the several towns and cities use all
possible dispatch in completing and returning
the new enrolment in the manner heretofore
ordered, which is in no respect modified by
this order.
Third. And that the selectmen of the sew
eral towns and mayors and aldermen of the
several cities Immediately return to the office
of the adjutant general sworn statement of
the names and number of their inhabitants who
have heretofore been mustered into the ser
vice of the United States, whose stipulated
term of service has not expired, with the COM
panies and regiments into which they have
been enlisted; this return is directed in order
that the draft to be made may be equazed as
far as possible, and towns and cities which
have heretofore furnished more men than their
just proportions may have due allowance for
the same in the draft
Fourth. Commissioners to superintend
drafting in each county will be forthwith APP
pointed, and surgeons to determine claims of
exemption on account of disability; these Of
hcers will receive minute instructions from
the commander-in-chiefa as to the mode of ex-
ecuting their respective duties.
Fifth. Copies of the enrolment lists for
each town and city will be kept i'll the office
of the town or city clerk for inspection.
The copies to be returned to the adjutant
general will be filed with the sheriff of the
several counties for two days previous to the
commencement of drafting in any town or
city.
Sixth The commissioners and surgeons
will themselves appoint times and places for
receiving and determining claims for exemp-
ton conlormable to the regulations of the
war department, and all exemptions must be
CtutAtcO UUU UttcTUtiU6U ana
not afterward; but all exemptions known to
the commissioners to exist will be allowed
whether claimed or not.
Seventh. After all not liable to draft have
been stricken from the list in any town or city
by the commissioner, he will at once report
the number remaining thereon to the adiutant
general, who will proceed to fix the exact
quota of said town or city and order the COM
mission to make a draft for the same in the
manner prescribed in the regulations of the
war department.
Eighth. Rendezvous and commandments of
the same will be seasonably appointed.
Ninth The drafting will commence in ac-
cordance with the order of the war depart
ment dated Aug. IA, 1862, which is herewith
published as part of this order, (marked b
Tenth. The instructions relating to enroll
ment promulgated through the state depart
ment are herewith republished for the infor-
nation of all.
Eleventh. Although every arrangement
will be made as speedily as possible to execute
this draft, and the same will be promptly and
rigidly carried out in any place which fails to
furnish volunteers to the number of its quota
of militia, yet the municipal authorities and
citizens of Massachusetts are earnestly ex-
horted to furnish at once the requisite number
OF volunteers, in order to avoid, wherever
possible, and if possible, everywhere, any
necessity for drafting. To this end the adju-
tant general will at once publish for the in
formation OF the people an approximate esti-
mate of the number of men due from each
place, although an accurate statement cannot
be made until the enrolment is completed and
the names Of all not liable to draft have been
stricken out.
To prevent all misunderstanding, notice is
given that all companies of volunteer militia
which do not volunteer will be disbanded be-
fore the exemptions are arranged upon the
enrolment lists; this course is rendered nee.
essary, because otherwise the members of
volunteer companies would be exempt from
draft.
The commander in chief has never for A
moment doubted that the patriotism of the
people of Massachusetts, already illustrated
by so much devotedness to the cause of their
country from the beginning of our present
struggle, would voluntarily furnish all the
support of means and Of men which the ext
gencies Of the service and their duty may re.
quire. Nor does he believe it now doubtful
that volunteers for the quota required will
be enlisted as rapidly as the means can
be accumulated for their care, equipment
and organization. But, as from the first it
has been both the purpose and the dnty of
the state government to obey all the lawful
orders emanatng from the president and the
department Of war; so now it is the purpose of
the governor Of Massachusetts faithfully to
pursue the directions he may receive in this
oehali' And he relies on the unshrinking cour-
age the loyal patriotism and the ancient man
~ character of the people of Massachusetts,
Tor all the support and encouragement which
may be needed in the future.
BY command of His Excellency, JONI A.
ANDREW, governor and commander-in.
chief WILLIAM ScHoULER, Adj Gen.