Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-14
POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE
MILITARY AGES

We have been permitted to make use of a page
relative to the above topic from the proofsheets
of the forthcoming volume on population, accord
ing to the Eighth Census, now in press, and which
will be issued in few days The subject is one
of genera! and special interest at this moment and
the statements made by the enlightened Superin-
tcndent Of the Census will doubtless be accepted
as more reliable than the fanciful and widely differ
ent representations which have found their way into
various public prints In illustration of the table,
aud to obviate doubts which might naturally arise
10 view Of the seeming discrepancy between the
aggregate population and the rms-bearing popula-
ton of some States, we are permitted to publish
substantially to Gov. ANDREW, Of Massachusetts,,
in letter dated the 18th December, replying to
some views and Undergraduates of the Governor:
'In reply to your letter Of the 9th instant, and to
flke tenor from the Board Of State Charities,
close herewith in advance Of it's publication in the popua
ton volume press table of the population of the
military ages for each State according to the
1860 To extend the computation forward to the present
time you DESIRE it is evidently essential TO have the
returns OF DEATH by conflict and disease both the Union
and rebel armies, which have not been published The
Adjutant General and Surgeon General decline no doubt
very properly supplying the general result Of casualties
unless specially authorized by the Secretary of War
to do
'The natural annual increment to the whole arm bearing
population the basis Of the Of 1860 is about
90 OOO-that from immigration about 81 900 My own
opinion is that the first number is not far from the total
Of deaths the ssrpee and the latter number will nearly
represent those dying after discharge totally disabled
SO that in the absence Of specific data would be dis
posed to rely the table is aud consider the number
OF available men about what it in 1860.
Itwoud CRAFTY me- and would doubtless be of practical
advantage in arriving at equitable enrolment to have
the information which would admit the preparation Of the
tables you DESIRE which could easily be prepared were
the wanting data supplied The casualties resulting in
DEATH during service will be found to amount to not less
than per cent Of whole force under With
returns Of this mortality could OF give
reply to your questions in more positive terms.
The distribution of population respects ages quite
different in Massachusetts, from what it s in Indasa the
older years-above thirtyprcdomnate in State the
youthful in the other characteristic distribution
doubtless prevails in the cities Of Boston and Chicago
which differs from that Of the agricultural counties and
modfes the aggregate for the whole State While sug-
gestng the existence Of these dssmar per centages in
with reference TO the enrolment that according Euro
pean experience stated reliable than any
special enrolment tor military purposes
without entering upon extensive Details am prepared
to state, after these suggestions that there appears
valid reason for distrust Of change in the tables
POPULATION At THE MILITARY AGES
One Of the orators Of the American Revolution ex
pressed statistical estimate Of his time when he OBJ
served We three millions one fifth fighting men
Indeed where population has reached nearly it's perma.
nen condition. Europe, aud the old States Of Ame-
RIGA one fifth of the total population il still found to re-
very nearly the number Of males between the
Of eighteen and forty Eve. But the emgratng ages are
allied to the military ages and in the newly settled
States Of the West the proportion Of fighting is
accordingly greater, with partial exceptions than in the
Atlantic States Thus beginning at the and proceed
ing westward the number ~ white males from Is to As
IT, Maine 10 per cent Of the whole white population;
in New York 30 per cent in Illinois. % per cent ;
in Minnesota 90 81 and in California, AZ per cent The
similar proportion in Virgins 1877 per cent in South
Carolina Is 9; in Arkansas, 20 and 10 Texas 81 per
| cent
Number Of Whe Males in The United States bei,oeen The
ages IF - and 45 years-Census Of 1860.