Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-03-04
New National Enrolment Act.

al the Uousa hv a vote of lis 10 a.
The Yeas consisted of 90 Republicans, Is
Union men. and one Democrat. Mr..
Haight. of New York. The NAYS were,
Republicans one, Mr.. Conway, of Kansas,
Is Union men. and 81 Democrats. Afir-
native majority, &c. 1t is a noticeable
feature OF the vote, that II Border-State
men said Yea to the bill which provides
Tor drafting all colors into the Urion ar
my.
The amendments adopted by the House
conhne the term of service of drafted
men TO the present rebellion, not, how
ever, TO exceed three years also provide
that persons found in time of war or re
bellion, lurking or acting as spies about
the Notifications or camps of the army,
shall be tried by general court martial or
military commission. and on conviction
shall suffer death.
The act covers a great deal of ground
in addition to conscription and the
more important provisions, as TO who
are included and who exempt, are as fol-
lows:
SEC. /. That all able bodied male citi-
zens of the United States, and persons of
foreign birth who shall have declared on
oath their intention to become citizens
under and in pursuance of the laws
thereof, between the ages of 20 and 45
years, except as hereinafter excepted,
are hereby declared to constitute the ma
tional forces, and shall be liable to per-
form military duty in the service of the
United States, when called out by the
President for that purpose.
SEC. 2. That the following persons be,
- A. AAraI- 1-oaANal a,1 ~
empted from the provisions of this act,
and shall not be liable to military duty
under the same-to wit such as are re-
jected as physically or mentally unfit for
the service /; also, first, the Vice President
of the United States, Judges of the vari-
Gus Courts of the United States, the
heads of the various Departments of the
Government, and the Governors of the
several States and, second, the only son
liable TO military duty of a widow depen-
dent upon his labor for support third,
the only son OF aged OF infirm parents
dependent upon his labor for support ;
fourth, where there are two or more sons
of aged or infirm parents subject to draft,
the father, or if he be dead, the mother,
may elect which son shall be exempt
fifth, the only brother of children not u
years old, having neither father nor moth
er, dependent upon his labor for support A.;
sixth, the father of motherless children
under II years of age, dependent upon
his labor for support seventh. where
there are Il father and sons IN the same
family and household, and two of them
are in the military service of the United
States as non-commissioned officers, mu-
sicians or privates, the residue of such
family and household, not exceeding two
shall be exempt and no persons but
such as are herein excepted shall be ex-
empt: Provided, however, That no per-
son who has been convicted of any felo-
ny shall be enrolled or permitted to serve
in said forces.
SEC. 3. That the national forces of the
United States, not now in the military
service, enrolled under this act, shall be
divided into w classes, the first of which
shall comprise all persons subject to do
military duty, between the ages of 20 and
years, and all unmarried persons sub
ject TO do military duty above the age of
30 and under that of IS ; the second class
shall comprise all other persons subject
to do military duty, and they shall not,
any district, be called into the service
Of the United States until those of the
first class have been called.
SEC. &c. That Immediately after the
passage of this act, the President shall
ssue his proclamation declaring that all
now absent from their regiments
leave may return within the
lime specified TO such place or places as
le may Indicate in his proclamation, and
De restored 10 their respective regiments
punishment, except the forfeit
Ire OF their pay and allowances during
heir absence and all deserters who
hall not return within the time 50 speci-
led by the President shall. upon being
rrested, be punished as the law pro-
-ides.
The machinery of the CONSUMPTION is to
wholly under the direction of the
PRESIDENT. and is 10 consist of a Provost
farshal General, with deputies in each
District, who. besides con-
the draft, are to arrest deserteIs,
pies and traitors. All persons enrolled
the Provost Marshals are TO be subject
o draft during two years from the first of
uly after their enrolment, for service
Or three years or during the war, with
same advance pay and bounty as vol
Inteers under the present law. In as
their quotas TO the several dis
riots, the President is 10 take into con-
the troops they have already
for the war, and apportion ac-
ordingly.
Persons drafted are TO be notified with
n ZEN days, and may, on or before the
ay fixed for their appearance, furnish
cceptable substitutes or pay such sum,
exceeding $500, as the Secretary of
Var may determine, and be discharged
ON further liability under that draft
hose failing to appear or to obtain a dis
barge will be arrested and court-martial-
d as deserters.
To encourage re-enlistment of volun-
GERS now in the service, a bounty of fifty
ouars is offered for enlistment for
year, half down and half at the
EXPIRATION of their term for enlistment
Dr. two years 500. Provision is made for
onsolidation of companies within a reg
when the regiment is reduced one
alf, and for the reduction of regimental
fkcers in proportion to the number of
onpanies. 4
The provision of a previous law requir-
e the assent of the President to the
of courts-martial is repealed, '
nj the approval of the General in COM ]
and only is required. Courts-martiaI
e authorized to sentence officers who +
themselves without leave to be re-
lced to serve in the ranks for three ,
Ears or the war, and to lose their pay
lille absent. Enticing or assisting a
'ldier to desert is made punishable with
100 fine, and imprisonment not over two c
ears. Officers absent on leave are to {
only half pay during their absence, c
Mess sick or wounded. The remainder 5
the bill covers only the ordinary pro- ]
sions for its enforcement. I