Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-12


an Instruction and rebellion against the
authority thereof, and it is under the con-
stitution of the United States, the duty of
the government To suppress insurrection
and rebellion, to guarantee to each state a
republican form of government, and to pre-
serve the public tranquity and whereas,
for these high purposes, a military force is
indispensable, to raise and support which all
persons ought willingly to contribute; and
whereas no service can be more praisewor-
thy and honorable than that which is rem
dered for the maintenance of the constitu-
ton and Union, and the consequent preSer-
Walton of free government; Therefore
BE it enacted by the senate and house of
representatives of the United States of Amer
lea in congress assembled that all able
bodied male citizens 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 twenty and forty
five years, except as hereinafter excepted are
hereby declared to constitute the national
forces, and shall be liable to perform military
duty in the service of the United States when
called out by the president for that purpose.
Sect. 2. And be it further enacted, that the
following persons be and they are hereby ex-
cepted and exempt from the provisions of this
under the same to wit Such as are rejected
as physically or mentally unfit for the service;
also, first, the vice president of the United
States, the Judges of the various courts of the
United States, the heads of the various eXecu-
tive departments Of the government, and the
governors of the several states. Second, the
only son liable to military duty of widow
dependent upon his labors for support. Third,
the only son of aged or intirm parent or
parents dependent upon his labor for support.
Fourth, where there are two or more sons of
aged or lntirm 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 twelve years old, hav-
ing neither father or mother dependent upon
his labor for support. Sixth, the father of
moherless children under twelve years of age
dependent upon his labor for support. Sew
enth, where there are 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, musicians, or
privates, the residue of such family and house
hold, not exceeding two shall be exempt. And
no persons but such as are herein excepted
shall be exempt Provided, however, that
no person who has been convicted OF any fell
ony shall be enrolled or permitted to serve in
said forces.
Sect. 3. And be it further enacted, that the
national forces of the United States not now
in the military service; enrolled under this
act, shall be divided into two classes; the first
of which will comprise all persons subject to
do military duty between the ages of twenty
and. thirtyiye years, and all unmarried per-
SONS subject to do military duty above the age
OF thirty-five and under the age of forty five;
the second class shall comprise all other per-
sons subject to do military duty; and they
shall not in any district, be called into the
service of the United States until those of the
first class shall have been called.
oect. I. And be it further enacted, that for
greater convenience in enrolling, calling outand
organizing the national forces, and for the ar
rest OF deserters and spies OF the enemy the
United States shall be divided into districts,
OF which the district of Columbia shall con-
stitute one each territory OF the United States
shall constitute one or more, as the president
Shall direct, and each congressional district
OF the respective states, as fixed by law of
the state next preceding the enrolment, shall
constitute one; Provided, that in states which
have not by their laws been divided into two
or more congressional districts, the president
of the United States shall divide the same in
to SO many enrolment districts as he may
deem fit and convenient.
Sect D. And be it further enacted, that for
each Of said districts there shall be appointed
by the president provost marshal, with the
rank, pay, and emoluments of captain of
cavalry, or an officer of said rank shall be de-
tailed by the president, who shall be under
the direction and subject to the orders of a
provost marshal general, appointed or detail
ed by the president of the United States, whose
office shall be at the seat of government
forming separate bureau of the war depart
ment, and whose rank, pay, and emoluments
shall be those of a colonel of cavalry
Sect. 6. And be it further enacted, that
it shall be the duty of the provost marshal
general, with the approval of the secretary of
war, to make rules and regulations for the
government of his subordlnateS; to furnish
them with the names and residences of all de-
serterS from the army, or any OF the land
forces in the service of the United States, in
GLIDING the militia, when reported to him by
the commanding officers to communicate to
them all orders of the president in reference
to calling out the national forces to furnish
proper blanks and instructions for enrolling
and drafting; to file and preserve copies of
all enrolment lists; to require stated reports
OF all proceedings on the part of his subordi-
mates; to audit all accounts connected with
the service under his direction; and to per-
form such other duties as the president NAV
prescribe in carrying out the provisions of
this act.
Sect. 7. And be it further enacted. that
it shall be the duty of the provost marshals
to arrest all deserters, whether regulars, vol
unteers, mlitiamen, or persons called into
the service under this or any other act of con-
gress wherever they may be found, and to
send them to the nearest military commander
or military post; to detect, seize, and confine
spies of the enemy, who shall, without unrea
sonable delay, be delivered to the custody of
the general commanding the department in
which they may be arrested. to be tried as
soon as the exigences of the service permit;
to obey all lawful orders ndregulations of the
provost marshal general, and such as may be
prescribed by law, concerning the enrolment
and calling into service of the national forces.
Sect. s. And be it further enacted, that
in each of said districts there shall be board
of enrolment, to be composed of the provost
marshal, as president, and two other persons,
to be appointed by the president of the United
States, one of whom shall be licensed and
practicing physician and surgeon.
Sect. 8. And be 1t further enacted, that it
shall be the duty of the said board to divide the
district into sub-districts of convenient size,
if they shall deem it necessary, not exceeding
two, without the direction of the secretary of
war, and to appoint ON or before the tenth