The National tribune., 1892-04-28

"THE CRADLE AND THE GRAVE"
| 1t is valuable to note, in connection with
the absurd statement that the rebels never
had but 60G000 men in the field, how zeal
ously they gathered in every available man
of the 1,060,7G0 white males of military
age which the census of 1860 showed were
in the seeding States, as well as all they
could reach of the So, 900 similar males in
the Border States
Within few months after the war actually
begun, the rebels ceased to rely on volun-
teering to fill their armies, and April 16,
1862, the rebel Congress passed a drastic
CONSUMPTION law, which ordered into the
ranks every white male resident Of all the
Southern States, between the ages OF IL and
80. Ali those who had already volunteered,
and were in the service, were ordered to stay
there until the end of the war.
The only exceptions to this were the Presi-
dent, Vice President and other officers of the
members of Congress and Pcstmasters, rail-
way officials, telegraph officials, and speci-
fed number of operators, not exceeding four
at any place except Richmond, the officers
and engineers ofsteamboat lines, one editor of
each paper then established, physicians who
had been practicing five years ministers of
the Gospel, shoemakers, tanners, black
smiths, wagon makers, millers and mill
wrights superintendent and employees of
of hospitals and similar institutions, one
practical apothecary in each drug store, and
superintendents and operators in wooden,
cotton, carding, and paper mills operators
in establishments for the production of
Government supplies, and one white man
for every 500 head of cattle, 250 head Of
horses, 500 sheep, OF % negroes.
Quakers, Nazarenes, Mennonites and
Dunkards were exempted, but they had to
pay $500 each for this.
Sept %, 1852, an act was passed ordering
CONSUMPTION of all white males between
So and IS years of age, with the same
exceptions as before
Oct s, 1862, this law was still further
amended by ordering the CONSUMPTION of
men liable to military duty, wherever found,
without reference TO their being in regular
enrolment district at their own homes.
This was to give the color of law to the i'm
pressment of men in Missouri, Kentucky,
West Virginia and Maryland, wherever rebel
raiding parties or armies reached.
No new organizations were allowed to be
made after April 16, 1862, and men liable
for military duty were allowed to select |
which company they would enter if they
volunteered, but if they waited to be con-
scripted they would be used TO fill up old
companies and regiments
Orders from the War Department at Rich |
mond constantly impressed upon the Boards |
of Examining Surgeons that they were not to |
allow any man TO be excused who was liable |
to be of any military value whatever to the
Confederacy General Order No. %, dated
Feb. 90, 1863, is very instructive reading in |
this connection. II is as follows:
ApJuTAEr ND ISsPEcroR-GES EEAI's OFFICE. |
RIcHnoSD Feb. q, 1853 J |
General Orders, No. %.
The following additional instructions hre pub |
oy,di
Surgeons comprising tie Boards OF Examination |
for Conscripis
l. Ia their examination OF conscripts they must |
exercise sound and Grm discretion, and not yield
their judgment in favor of every complaint OF /
trivial disability, by attaching too much impor-
lance to which they indirectly favor evasions of the
required military service.
2 As general rule il may be received that where /
coaseEipi is equal to all the active duties of the
various occupations Of civil life he is able 10 dis
charge the duties of n soldier.
3. Temporary exemption is so liable TO abase, |
and to be resoried TO means of evasion. that |
the Examining Surgeon must fix the period for |
which il is granted (which with the reasons there
for will be stated in the monthly report; at the
expiration OF which period the conscript must pre-
sent himself for examination or he considered alb |
sent without leave.
T. The following arc some Of the grounds not |
deemed sufficient and satisfactory for exemption:
J. General Debiliiy.-Thc grades of this condition |
are numerous and receiving them all as
grounds for exemption tie Examining Surgeon |
cannot be considered dscharging his duty to the
service. In arriving at 4 correct judgment on this
point he will be aided by the consideration that OBJ
servation has by no means established that So
called high standard OF health is best adapted 10
encounter the exposures Of military life. such |
physical condition being especially liable TO dis
ease, while health OF a lower grade without any
co-exsting positive disease is frequently strength
ened and improved by The exposures incident 10
the life Of "a soldier.
2. in the cstse OF slight deformity natural or The
result OF accident and irregular union of fractures
unless material impairment OF power and motion
results from such deformiiy, the conscript must
be held liable for military service.
3. Deafness.-This IS not valid for ex-
emption, unless excessive (which must be stated
in tho monthly report 10 incapsctste the man
for the duties Of a sentinel The fact of its exist
must also he established by the affidavit of
respectable physician who has known the conscrpt
20 be the subject OF the nfrmily.
4. impeachment of Speech. unless Of "A very ag-
gravaled character, is not valid reason for ex-
empiion.
5. Heart Disease torganie).-Organic disease of
the heart being comparatively iufreqncnt the
physical and rational signs should be scrutinized
with great care aud the subject Of examination
should not be excused unless The case is satsfac-