The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-24

tween the decisions of Surgeon Wheelock
and those Of the former Surgeon of the Board
Of Enrolment of the First District of Mime
sofa, Surgeon w. w. Mayo, appears to have
been owing to the fact that Surgeon Mayo did
not conform to the regulations above referred
to particularly as regards sections nine, twenty,
ltwenty-nine and thirty-ive of paragraph
'eighty.fve, which refer respectively to per
manent physical disability, ,""loss of teeth"
" vaficocele, p and "varicoee veins" 5
There were q few cases presented where per-
sons had been exempted by Surgeon Mayo for
exempted by Surgeon Wheelock. Of these
cases ! am not able to form an opinion A re-
port will be made to you of these cases by Sur
geon Wheelock.
There were also two cases of fracture, one
of the arm, and one of the leg. These had
also been exempted by Surgeon Mayo, but
were not exempted by Surgeon Wheelock. In
these cases perfect union had taken place be-
tween the bones, and did not appear to impair
the usefulness of the limb. Also one case ex-
empted by Surgeon Mayo for ''Fistula in Ano," :"
which Surgeon Wheelock failed to discover.
! found the idea prevailing among some of
the citizens of Rice county, that Surgeon Mayo
had received bribes from persons who had been
exempted, either personally, or through phys.
ieians and others who had opened offices for
the purpose OF furnishing certificates of disa-
bility for persons seeking exemption from the
draft The statement that through their IN nlau-
esce ,ciM the members of the Board exemption
could be procured on their certificates seems
to have been industriously circulated by this
class of persons. Other citizens averred their
belief in the perfect integrity Of the Board.
In several instances, upon inquiry of persons
examined, learned that Surgeon Mayo had
made private examinations of their cases, for
which he charged the sum of five dollars each.
| was also informed by these same persons,
that before they obtained certificates of ex-
emption they were examined in the presence
of the Board. The acknowledgment of Sur
geon Mayo on this point, and the evid ence
already procured by your special agents and
deputies, seemed to render it unnecessary for
me to procure any affidavits relating thereto.
l made full and free inquiry of the citizens of
Rice county, whom met, but could find moth
ing which in any way implicated the members
of the Board in any improper transactions
other than reception of fees for private exam
nations by Surgeon Mayo, as above men.
iOned. -. ...a ,...
In my opinion if Captain See is culpable, it
the imPositions being practiced by the persons
who were preying upon their credulity, and in
failing to arrest or disperse the parties them.
selves Captain See should also, as presiding
officer OF the Board, have overndden the de.
cisions of Surgeon Mayo in those cases where
it was plainly visible that he had not compiled
with the instructions governing the Provost
Narshars Department.
also herewith submit forty-fve of the
forty. eight certificates of exemption which
had been issued by the Board of Enrolment,
and which were not approved by Surgeon
Wheelock. The remaining three was unable
TO obtain, the parties holding them having
left them at their homes. These certificates
show no length of time for which the holder
was exempted. They are in form of certif.
cate of exemption for drafted person on ac-
count of disability, with alterations made to
suit the purpose for which they were used.
Very respectfully your Obedient servant,
(SignedD w. H. ROSSELL,
Officer.