Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-03-31
Editorial Correspondence.
BELFAST, March 1865.

Dedr american -
The U S. Steamer Rhode Island arrived
here on Friday, for the purpose of recruit
ing men for the navy. 1t will be remem-
bcred the Rhode Island was i'll the Fort
Fisher expedition. She is about 800 tons
burthem. Captain S. ID. Trcnchard's au-
thority for recruiting is based on the fol-
lowing section of the Enrolment Act:
Section ." That any mariner, or able
or ordinary seaman, who shall be drafted
under this act, or the act to which this is
an amendment. shall have the right, with
in eight days after the notification of such
draft, to enlist in the naval service as a
seaman, an1a certificate that he has SO
enlisted being made ont, in conformity
with regulations which may be prescribed
by the Secretary Of the Navy, and duly
presented to the Provost Marshal Of the
district in which such mariner or able or
ordinary seaman shall have been drafted,
shall exempt him from draft Prcridea,
That the period for which lie shall have
enlisted into the naval service shall not be
less than the period for which he shall
have been drafted into the military service:
And provided further, That the said certi-
ficate shall declare that satisfactory proof
has been made before the naval officer is
suing the same that the said person SO en-
listing in the navy is a mariner by voca-
ton, or an able or ordinary seaman" &c.
We understand that under present in
structions, no men are taken for less
time than two years, and no drafted men
are taken, volunteers and substitutes are
taken. 1t will be seen by the section of
the law copied above, that the law was
framed to accommodate men who have
been drafted. So much of the instruc
tons as regulates the action Of Capt. Trcn-
chard ip this matter is hereby given:
Men are not enlisted for less term
than two years. Government bounty as
follows: Two years men 5000 to be
paid in three instalmcnts, one third OH en-
tering the service, one third when half OF
time of service has expired, and the bal.
ancc when the time has all expired. Three
years men get 500 bounty, payable
the same.
Substitutes do not receive Government
bounty; and when enlisted must bring :
certificate from the Provost Marshal O
the District, giving permission to ship
and stating names Of principal and subsii
tutc.
Fifteen per cent of landsmen will be re-
ccivca.
No person under Is years Of age will b,
taken. In doubtful cases. oath must be
taken. Parents and guardians must give
consent.
No lanlsmcn over 33 years Of age. viii
be taken, except possessing mechanical
art useful Oh board ship, and then no. Owe
IS years of age
The draft holds men for one year only
and the rules Of the Navy Department re
fusins the taking Of men for less tim
than two years, and also refusing to tax,
drafted men, will prevent men hockiug II
the Rhode Island daily by the scores.
The draft in Washington county ha
been gone through with, and the men in
large majority Of the towns are responding
promptly. A supplementary draft ma,
have to be resorted to in few towns t
obtain the men.
Most of the towns in Hancock hav
either filled their quotas by volunteers, O
else the draft has taken place. Waldo an
Knox have the wheel turned OIL them next
A large company of volunteers cam
here to-day. They are among our mos
active mechanics.