Category Archives: Conscription

February 20, 1863: Conscription in the North

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Allen Gathman

New York Times backs the conscription law. It needs some help, because it was rather unpopular, especially among northern Democrats. The National Conscription A New Pledge of Success. The Conscription Act, which has just passed the Senate, is the grandest … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscription | Leave a comment

December 2, 1862: Resisting the draft in Tennessee

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As noted recently, there was some resistance to the draft within the Confederacy. While the Georgia legislature lodged a pro forma protest, citizens in Lincoln County, TN (home of Jack Daniels, BTW) took more direct action. NASHVILLE, Tuesday, Dec. 2. … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscription, Draft, Southern Unionism, Tennessee | 1 Comment

November 28, 1862: Georgia says conscription unconstitutional

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Allen Gathman

[Cartoon showing the balloonist Leonidas helping draft evaders] While the draft was unpopular both in the North and the South, the south had a particular problem. It’s a bit difficult, when your country is founded on the rights of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Confederacy, Conscription, Georgia | Leave a comment

September 18, 1862: Rabbis should be exempt from the draft

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The Richmond Daily Dispatch notes that the Confederate conscription act exempted Christian ministers, but the wording would have excluded rabbis — they argue that this should be remedied. Oh, and while we’re at it, newspaper editors should be exempt too. … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscription, Draft, Virginia | Leave a comment

August 28, 1862: Draft Insurance

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Allen Gathman

The New York Times editorial decries the practice of selling draft insurance. Apparently it was possible to pay an insurer who would provide a substitute for you if you were drafted into the Union forces. The editorial argues that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscription, Draft, New York | Leave a comment

March 28, 1862: Davis calls for conscription

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Jefferson Davis sent a letter to the Confederate Congress urging them to establish a draft. All “persons residing within the Confederate States, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, and rightfully subject to military duty” would be conscripted. Those … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscription, Jefferson Davis | Leave a comment