Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-11-06
The Draft.

/ AC LA SAt'
We cali especial notice of all to the timely
and highly satisfactory letter of Provost
Marshal Fry addressed to the Secretary OF
War. The facts contained in this oiheial'
and carefully considered statement is OF the
highest moment in determining the value oil
draft. and its general results. 1t contains
also Just the facts which the public needed
very much to understand to properly apprc-
ciate the practical workings of the conscrIp-
ton act and also to correct some very false
notions imbbcd, because OF taking too lin
tied view OF its working. ooh, the ex
rcnse," was the fearful exclamation of some
very timii, though wcll-meaning men when
the ma!.itudes Of drafted men headed steadl-
", and for weeks. toward the place OF rcndez-
vJus More red tape" said equally we'll
disposed persons when they found the En-
rolling Board, with all its necessary fixtures
and arpurtcnances was not moving piano.
ram when will.th Government learn
wisdom and be prudcnthnd economical said
othcr.' Well. we have the financial work.
inss footed up 10y one who scans all bills,
and knows whereof he afhrms, and the OPP
Grafton has been emincntly economical, IN
the light OF results Grant that all bills
had not been paid, or were not known at
T the dat, of the report of the Marshal as
they could not have been, and double the
/ sum TO cover outstanding bills, and the
scheme has been financial success. The
arrest Of the 20,0e0 descrters, soldiers who
have been educated at the expense of the
Government, and who have cost it, perhaps,
ten millions of dollars, is worth more than
the sum named by the Marshal as the ex-
pence thus far But We did not intend to
dwell on this point and shall not. What we
wish to call attention to most, are those very
points which the public most desire to know
about have been making anxious inquiries
Tor the past two mouths
LIST. The number Of men gathered into
the army By the draft,
u What percent sc of those drafted,
90; what proportion pay communication, and
what percentage are cleared by the very hu-
name provisions Of the Act?
Now, a partial view OF this matter would
not admit OF very satisfactory answer
, The result, or the partial result Of one dis
trie, was not sufficient data by which to base
calculation worth much, although it WAS
possible that i. would app, oximate the
truth. The Marshal, from broader field Of
observation, and having most OF the details,
can tell Us pretty nearly the grand result,
and he has done lie also has given US
some other facts which may be satisfactory
10 the public. lie tells us that 'no specific
total was established as the quota for it =
He gives the reasons which are entirely sat.
, isiactory This was one cause of complaint
by the copperheais.
One other cause of faultfinding remark
/ has been the rigid system of examination
: observed by the Surgeons and the consequen,
large number Of exemptions. Marshal Fry
tells US that about 30 900 soldiers have been
discharged on Surgeon S certificates since tht
rebellion. It is probable, he says, that ont
half were unfit for service, when received,
costin: about $40 900 900, uselessly." |
were better that a more rigid system Of OK
: animation, like that which has prevailed il
the draft, had more early been adopted.
Another fact we may all learn, if VIC hav,
4 not already. that is, that in no country is i
d expected that nearly all the men will be
n found fit for the hard service OF a soldier
a The facts given of the results of the British
: voluntary enlistmens system. tell different
story.
, The statement Of the Marshal may be
y ford "a too sanguine one, in some par
. tculars, as some will look at it; yet it vii
!, be seen that he deals generously in figure
which are in his possession, and which mus
= tell "plan and unvarnished tale" w
4 again commend the report to the careful
n reading of the public. We do 80, because
h we do not believe the State Of Maine will b,
able, between this and January 5th, ls64
:, to raise her quota of troops. and the drai
re will have to be resorted to again to fill ul
IS the ranks Of the army. In the meantime
'e however, let US all do what We can TO rails
. men by the volunteer system. II il sue
c.,eds we will all rejoice together