Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-22
Ingenuity of the Exemnts.

From the Rochester n. Y. Express, 18th.
To-day closes the sitting ofthe commission
er on the hearing of exemption claims. The
hgures and facts will be given in the reports
OF the commissioner and surgeon. The cal
ender of diseases has been considerably in
creased, and much that is new to the medical
world has been developed, which should be
reported at the next state medical convention.
Not all Of those offering lame excuses could
be classed as cripples, on the contrary the
majority were strong and able-bodied Low
ers OF variety could not help but be suited
with the causes given why the applicant should
not take his chance with the rest,
One man claimed that he was of such an eX-
citable nature that in an engagement he would
lose control of himself and be as likely to point
his gun towards the Union ranks as the rebs.
One was unable to squint in wet weather, and
IN stormy engagements he would be of no SER
vice. Some who were by nature favored with
something more than aldermanic proportions
claimed relief on the ground that they could
not stand fdt-igue-obesity being their chief
ailment. One whose spirit OF pugnacty was
quite dominant, claimed relief on the ground
that he could not fall IN with company. He
belonged to one company and fell out with
every one of the members. The size of dis
feet was an excuse offered by one, who in
sisted that when a retreat was ordered, upon
turning about he would break up the compa-
ny line, thereby producing a panic. One,
hardware man, hadn't stomach strong enough
to digest ''hard tack and he was sure that
''salt horse" would produce nausea
A confirmed stammerer went before the
surgeon and stated that he was not f-f-f-f-fit
to f-f-t-f~fight for the Union. He co-couldn't
t-t-t-t-talk t-f-f-fast enough to c-c-cry quarter
or to give t-t-t-the cOuntersign. He was ex-
empted. A son of the Emerald Isle claimed
exemption on the ground that he was an alien
and voted the straight Jimmycrat ticket"
Many hypochondriacs have been cured of
their imaginary ailments and have affection
ately shaken the surgeon by the hand and de-
parted in the best of spirits, to think that they
acere realty in the enjoyment of good health.
a singular and noticeable circumstance
may be found in the fact that none of the APP
phcants were impelled by cowardice to ask
for exemptions. They had no fear and no
doubt (were it not for their complaint, would
march ''e'en to the lannon's mouth if they
knew it was not loaded One applied for ex-
empion having several diseases, which would
incapacitate him for service. The surgeon
failed to discover them. The applicant final
ly complained of weak back, caused by in
jury to the spine. This he took oath upon,
and on his "slip' to the clerk the surgeon
Wrote, weak pack, weak knees, weak brain"
Deafness was the misfortune of one The
surgeon in very subdued tone of voice ask
ed him, chow long have you been afflicted %
''Since L was boy" was the prompt reply
care you troubled with deafness now % lin
the same suppressed tone.)
eyes, sir, very bad
Well that's singular. Cant YOU hear
what say to you now?"
''No sir"
The doctor failed to hear his application.
1t is proposed to raise aregimentof exempts
in this county to be called the brigade of mar
tyrs. Their principal duties will be TO draw
pay, rations and clothing, draft which
they are not expected to meet with such dread
as the draft upon which they made applica-
tons as exempts.
LATER.-There is to be no draft in this
county