The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1863-04-11
Abstract of the Conscription Law.

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Section first, enrols all the able bodied
males; including foreigners who have declared
their intentions, between the ages of 20 aud
As. Section second, exempts such as are
physically and mentally unfit, the Vice-Pres
ident, Judges Of United States Courts, heads
of departments and the Governors of the
States; son Of aged and infrm parents,
(where there are more than one, the father or
widowed mother shall decide which,) only
brother of children under twelve years de-
pending on his labor; where two or more Of
family are in the service, not exceeding
two shall be exempt, and persons convicted
Of ffelony-all Others shall be enrolled. Sec
tion third divides the militia into two classes
l.. All between 20 and 35 years of age,
and all single men between 35 and 45. 2,
All otbers-the second class not to be called
out until the first is in the field Section
fourth divides the United States into military
districts, each Congressional district, each
Territory and the District of Columbia con-
stituting a district. Section fifth makes the
Office of Provost Marshal for each district,
with the rank of Colonel. Section sixth
creates the Office Of Provost Marshal General,
with an office at Washington, to furnish
rules, regulations, DC, to subordinates. Sec
ton seventh makes it the duty of Provost
Marshals to arrest deserters, detect, seize and
confine spies of the enemy, and deliver them
to the nearest commander, DC. Section
eighth provides board of enrolment COM
sisting of the Provost Marshal as President,
and two other persons. one Of whom shall be
a surgeon, appointed by the President. Sec
tion ninth prescribe the mode of enrolment
by the board. Section tenth provides that
each class Of the militia shall be enrolled
separately. Section eleventh makes all peri
sons called out subject for three years, or
during the war, and puts them on the foot
ing with volunteers in the present war, not
exceeding three years, including advance
pay and bounty. Section twelfth gives the
President the power, in case of draft, to as
sign the number to be drawn from each dis
trict; makes it the duty of the board to draw
accordingly, adding fifty per cent. to the
number, and enrolling them in the order
drawn; the persons drawn to be notified in
ten days thereafter; the President to consd
er the number already furnished by each dis
trict and to make assignments so as to equal
ize the number. Section thirteenth allows
substitutes to be furnished, or the party to
pay exemption money to an amount not ex-
ceedng three hundred dollars, "as the Sec
retary Yf War may determine;;" any person
drafted and not reporting or committing, to
be arrested as deserter. Section fourteenth
provides for a surgical examination. Sec'
ton fifteenth provides for court-martaing
surgeons who accept bribes. Section six
Misunderstanding all drafted over the
amount required by the call and provides for
defraying expenses Section seventeenth
provides for certificate of discharge for
those who furnish substitutes, Section eigh-
teenth gives $50 bounty to such AS re,enist
for one year, and 500 for two years. Sec,
tion Nineteenth, provides for consolidating
companies when they are reduced one half.
Section twentieth prohibits the appointment
Of unnecessary officers in reduced regiment.
spies to be executed by the commanding gen.
eral repeating the former laws regulating
this matter. Section twenty'second, pro-
vides for reducing absent officers to the
ranks. Sections twenty-third and twenty
fourth punish persons for assisting deserters
or buying their clothes; arms or equipments.
The possession Of such things is prima tacie
evidence of guilt; the punishment is fine Of
$500, imprisonment not over two years. or
both. Section twenty-fifth provides the same
penalty for resisting the draft or counseling
such resistance. Section twentylsixth al
| lows soldiers absent to return without pun
isbment, except forfeiture or pay and allow,
ances; otherwise orders them to be punished
Section twenty.seventh provides for taking
testimony at distance. Section twenty
eighth allows the judge advocate to appoint
a shorthand reporter. Section twenty
ninth, allows continuance to be granted to
either party, and provides that parties in
close confinement shall have trial within
sixty days. Section thirielh provides pun
ishment by court martial for all high crimes
committed during war, instruction or rebel
lion. Section thrty-frst gives half du-
ring absence on leave when in health, and
forfeits pay and allowances when absent
without leave. Section thirty second allows
furloughs to be granted to five per centum
thirty days. Section thirty third empowers
the President to carry out this law Section
fourth allows him to assign duty as he
peases. Section thirty>fifth provides for
detail TO special service. Section thirty sixth
rescinds orders l54 and 1862 of the War
Department relating to enlistments. Section
thirty seventh regulates the grades in the
cavalry, &c. Section thirtyleight provides
the death penalty for all persons acting as
spies, upon conviction by court martial.
EE "Talk about your hereditary patriot