The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-06-07
7vF WAR FOR THE UNION.
s7oRy OF THE OPERATIONS AND
A,pTTOD OF BUSINESS OF THE PRO-
vOsT-MARSHAL'S OFFICE IN THE
18th DIST, PA, SINCE IT'S
ESTABLISHMENT IN 1853.
IConcluded.
SUBSTITUTES.

various expedieDts resorted 20 in dit
.sent localities by means of which some
"a we're induced to enter the army as
bstitutes for their relatives, friends,
ghbors, or for whatever principal SEEM
most liberal in Offering compensation.
hall be my object more particularly TO
he the manner of dealing with this class
Individuals, from the time they pre-
ted themselves for examination until
h had been delivered at general rem
Eyous as soldiers of TIE United States.
After a short experience, the Board
.EDrollment were convinced that to per-
hi their duty to the Government in
ery case, it was necessary that persons
ksc1,ing themselves as substitutes
Burd always be regarded with more or
Suspicion aGd instead of observing
LEGAL maxim which instructs US 20
snsider every man innocent until proven
it was policy if not duly in these
Is to interpret it conversely. So nu-
la Gus and gIaring were the frauds per
unated by substitutes aud persons having
bern in charge to secure their acceptance
kb service, that it became sometimes a
batter of very grave doubt with consci-
0us officers whether duty to the Gov
bucnt did not require them to reject
such persons, unless they could pro-
&c satisfactory evidence that their in
tons we're honorable,
#When the substitute had been careful
had rigidiy examined, on his oath, by
Board Of Enrolment, and they
rc satisfied in regard 10 his age, nation
b. and purpose, he was then subjected
the Surgeon to an examination of his
soD, not less rigid than the one thro'
ch he had just passed 1t was thought
per, and was in accordance with in
Sections, to raise the standard in phys
qualifications for substitute a little
7e that Of either drafted man CT
lnteer, so that while the Government
ght be and very frequently was de-
Rpdcd by this class OF persons IN many
rs, it at least should not be weakened
tue acceptance of men into its service
81 physically competent to perform mill
N II
.e examinations and was ascertained tc
well qualified in every respect to do
dlty of q soldier. he was mustered
the service by administering to him
usual oath employed for that purpose
the case Of substitutes, | see no dis
Etion between an enlistment and mus
or, rather, | think there is no enlist
ant, unless the agreement between him
his principal might be considered as
This. however, does not appear to have
same binding force upon him that
enlistment by recruiting officer does
y volunteer. The latter binds the
rut in military law to perform his part
Ehe contract, while it does not effect the
TeTnment In this way, until the man
been mustered. The former would
no effect, only as a civil contract be
en the principal and substitute, the
'ary law not taking cognizance Of the
until after the man had been mus
his is the distinction which I have
frVed 10 receiving and mastering into
zee those who enter the army as sub
A'Ales tor individuals, and those who go
II toIunteeIs or substitutes for communi-
rom this time until they are forward
70 general rendezvous, their treatment
HZactly the same as ! have before de-
Jed in reference to drafted men, with
single exception that like their exam
aon, the guard maintained over them
nore rigid than that exercised over any
ef class OF soldiers. The suspicion that
anably attaches to them upon their
entrance into the Office for examina-
does not leaTe them until they have
delivered safely at the proper rem
Nous.
he descriptive rolls used for substi.
are the same as those for drafted
,, modified of course in column of re-
Is to suit the nature Of recruit, and
are disposed of in the same manner.
Process, as far as the operations of
once are concerned, for furnishing
necessary information by means of
"a the proper credits may be ascer-
. and reported, is virtually the same
ne case either Of substitutes, drafted
Or volunteers.
The time when events necessitated
lPioyment of enforced military SER
snd when the wisdom of the "com-
S'ion clause" of the Act of March 8,
n Was doubted by many eminent men,
Was very general fear perceptible
,s.' linds of the people that perhaps
;S'em ;S or policy of substitution would
J ,Iufe to the benefit of the wealthy
[-SSne' nS ard uDjustly Cypress that large
n 81 snP persons who were unable to pur-
,a' course of time, l think all ap.