The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-28
Singular Scenes at the Office of the
Philadelphia Provost Marshall.
From the Philadelphia North American.

From the Philadelphia North American.
QUESTIONING THE "EXEMPTs
The substitute, upon presenting himself
for acceptance, is taken into room where
he disrobos himself. The surgeon begins
with his teeth, and examines his whole
body down to his toes. The examination
is even more searching than the examina-
ton of an applicant for the policy of in
surance upon his Ete by life insurance
company's surgeon. If the front teeth
are gone, so that the man cannot bite off
a cartridge paper, he cannot be accepted
for infantry service. He may do for a
trooper. Every limb is examined. If the
lungs are unsound, the temperament apo
plectic, or the system wasting, the Gov
eminent does not want the man, either as
a volunteer, cOnscript or a substitute.
The applicant is made to throw himself
into various attitudes. His toes and fingers
must be practically perfect. He is made
to pick up grain of corn from the ground
without bending his knees; to stand on the
points of his toes, and to show that he is
perfect in his anatomy. If he stands this
test he is accepted, and a release is given
to the man who brings him. The substi-
tute then receives his money, and is given
into the custody of a guard. He is then a
United States soldier for three years.
At Captain Lehmans Office yesterday,
We saw some humorous incidents. A man
about forty years Of age came limping into
the office. He wanted exemption.
"What ais your leg?'' was the first
question.
"Why, it's stitf-that air leg is. It's
been stiff nigh on to two year"
,"What makes it stif'?"
"Why, reckon it the rheumatis, Doc
tor. That leg amt got no more joint in it
than crow-bar.''
"Well, We'll see. Step outside there,
and we'll look at YOU
"Oh, you needn't give yourselves no
trouble. ken jest roll up my trowsers
leg right here
"We don't do matters that way. Walk
into that room. We want to see that leg
of yours. perhaps We can cure it. We
have performed some remarkable cures
lately.
The man did not want to go into the
room, but saw there was guard at hand
likely to enforce the order. So lie went
in. He stripped, exposing very dirty
hide to the sunlight. The doctor looked
at the leg and formed his own conclusions.
He asked the man more questions, and re-
ceived positive answer that the limb was
immovably stitfened, the result Of rhu
matism.
"You must take ether, my man. lean
cure you of the stiffness" said the doctor.
81 reckon you hahn t got no right to do
nothing OF that kind, said the man. 81
come here with stiff leg. You can see
| hain't fit for sogerin', 10 how, and
you haint got no right to pizen me, nei-
ther.''
''We waive the right to prevent sneaks
and liars from evading the duty of every
citizen, and We are going to test the
truth of what you have been saying.
The man grew very ugl7. The sponge
ofether was brought and applied. but he
pushed it away. Five men were request
ed at last to hold him down. But the
ether was applied, and the man at last
rendered insensible. To accomplish this
required full bottle of ether. The sur
geOn was satisfied the man was shammlng.
About bis leg there was not the least rigid
ity. 1t was in all respects perfect. when
he came to consciousness the man was
told that until his substitute was procured
he was considered conscript. He was
exceedingly surprised that bis deception
was unmasked. e
Another man followed him, who wished
to be substitute, upon whose limbs were
big nOdules, like spavins upon horse