Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-09
THE CONSUMPTION ACT.
A BILL FOR ENROLLING AND CALLING Our THE
NATIONAL FoRcEs, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

| WHEREAS, There now exists in the United
| States an insurrectOn and rebellion against the
authority thereof. and it is, under the COnstitu
| ton of the United States, the duty of the Gov
ernmelt to suppress Instruction and rebellion, To
guarantee to each State Republican form of
government. and to preserve the public tran
guilty; and,
Where's, For these high purposes military
force Is indispensable. to raise and support which
all persons ought willingly to contribute; and.
! Whereas, No service can be more praSeworthy
and honorable than that which is rendered for
the maintenance of the Constitution and Union.
and the consequent preservation of free govern
ment; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatiyes OF the United States OF America in
Congress assembled, That all able bodied male
citizens of the United States. and persons of for
egn birth who shall have declared on oath their
intention to become citizens under and in pursu-
ance to 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 10y the President for that pur
pose.
SEC 2. And be it further enacted. That the fol
| lowing persons he and they are hereby. excepted
and exempt from the provisions OF this act, and
shall not be liable 10 military duty under the
| :
or mentally unfit for the service: also first, the
Vice President ut the United States, the Judges
of the various Courts of the United Suites, the
heads OF the various executive departments of the
Government, and the Governors of the several
States; and, second. the only son liable To mill
tarv duty OF "A widow dependent upon his labor
for support: third, the only son of an aged or in
firm parent or parents, dependent upon his labor
for support; fourth. where there two more
If oaoI inf 10 dr.T
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, having
neither father nor mother, dependent upon his
labor for support; sixth the father of mOtherleSs
children under twelve years of age, dependent
upon his labor for support; seventh, where
there are a 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 prvateS the residue of such
family. not exceeding two, shall be exempt; and
no persons but such are herein exempt shall
be exempt: Preceded, hoUeUer, That no person
who has been convicted of any felony shall be
enrolled permitted TO serve in such forces.
SEC. 3. And be il further enacted, That the
national! forces of the United States, not now in
the military service. enrolled Under tho act, shall
be divided into two classes, the first of which
shall comprise all persons subject to do military
duty between the geS of twenty and thirty five
Years. and all unmarried persons subject TO do
duty above the age of thirty five and under the
age of forty five; the second class shall compnse
all other persons subject to do military duty, and
that 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.
SIC. 4 And be it further enacted, That for
greater convenience in enrolling, calling out, and
organizing the national forces. and for the arrest
of deserterS and spies of the enemy, the United
States shall be divided into districts. of which the
District Of Columbia shall constitute 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 ixed by law of the State next preceding the
enrolment, shall constitute one; Provided, That
in the States which have not by their laws been
divided into two more Congressional districts
the President of the United States shall divide
the same into so many enrolment districts as he
NAV deem it and convenient.
SIC ) AMI be it further enacted That for
each OF said districts there shall be appointed By
the President "A Provost Marshal with the rank
pay. and emoluments at Captain of Cavalry, or
an offices OF said rank shall be detailed by the
President. who shall he under the direction aud
subject the orders of a Provost Marshal Gene
raj appointed or detailed by the President of the
United States. whose office shall be At the seat OF
government, forming "A separate bureau OF the
uments shall he those OF Colonel OF Cavalry
SEC 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 Tor the government Of his
subOrdinates. TO furnish them the names and resi-
denceS OF all deserterS from the army, or any of
the land forces in the service of he United States
including the militia when reported 90 him by the
Commanding officers; TO communicate to them all
or IF no in tn linz
the national forces; to furnish proper blanks and
Instructions for enrolling and drafting; 20 file and
preserve copies Of all enrolment lists; To require
stated reports OF proceedings on the part Of his
sub0rdiuate>; % audit all accounts nnecied with
the service under his direction and to perform
such other duties rs the President may prescribe
in ctrrying out the pro DIVISIONS of this act
SEC. 7 And be it further enacted That il shall
he the duty of the Provost Marshas To arrest ali
deserters. whether regula-s. volunteers, militia
meu. or persons called into the service under this
or any other act of Congress. wherever they may
be found, aud to send them To the nearest mill
tary commander military post; detect. seze
and confue spies of the enemy; 10 obey all law.
ful orders and regulations OF the Provost Marshal
General, aud such as may be prescribed by law,
concerning the enrolment and calling into ser
vice Of the national forces.
SIC. 8. Aud be il further enacted, That in each
of said districts there shall be Board OF Enroll
ment To be composed Of the Provost Marshal a.
President. and two other persons. to be appointed
by the President Of the United States, one OF
whom shall be a licensed and practcing physician
and surgeon.
SIC. 9. And belt further enacted. That itshail
be the duty Of the said Board 10 divide the Ills
trct Lto sub districts OF convenient size, 1T they
shall deem il necessary, not exceeding two. with
out the direction OF the Secretary of War. and Ia
appoint. on or before the tenth day of March
next, and in each alternate year thereafter an
enrolling officer for each sub district, and To fur
nish him with proper blanks and Instructions; and
he shall Immediately proceed 70 enroll all per
sons subject military duty. noting their respect
i've places OF residence, ages on the frs day OF
July following, and their occupation. and shall,
on or before the first day of April. report the
same TO the Board OF Enrolment. TO be consoli
dated into one list. n copy Of which shall be
transmitted 10 the Provost Marshal General en-
or before the first day Of May. succeeding the en-
rollment.
SEC 10. And be il further enacted, That the
enrolment Of each class shall be made separately
and shall only embrace those whose ages shall be
on the first day Of July thereafter, between
twenty and forty-fve years.
SIC. IL. And be it further enacted, That all
persons thus enrolled shall be subject for two