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The United States Enrollment Laws, For Calling Out the National Forces. Approved March 3, 1863, and as Amended February 20, 1864. Official and Complete.
New York: James W. Fortune, Publisher, No. 102 Centre Street, 1864. 48mo (4.25”), original printed blue wrappers. 48 pp., [16] pp. of publisher’s ads. CONDITION: Good, moderate foxing to wrappers and contents. A rare pocket sized booklet printing of the 1863 Enrollment Act—with the addition of the amended version passed in 1864—printed in New York City, one of the major locations of draft resentment and resistance. The nation’s first conscription law, known as The Enrollment Act of 1863, was passed by Congress during the Civil War to provide fresh manpower for the Union Army. The law required the enrollment of every male citizen and those immigrants (aliens) between 20 and 45 years of age who had filed for citizenship, unless specifically exempted by the Act. Replacing the Militia Act of 1862, the Enrollment Act established an elaborate drafting operation under the Union Army. Quotas were assigned in each state and each congressional district, with deficiencies in volunteers being met by conscription. In some cities, particularly New York City, enforcement of the act sparked civil unrest as the war dragged on, leading to the New York City draft riots on July 13–16, 1863. The provisions for substitution and commutation were controversial, allowing drafted citizens to opt out of service by either furnishing a suitable substitute or paying $300. Both provisions were created to soften the effect of the draft on pacifists, the anti-draft movement, and the propertied classes. The result, however, was general public resentment of both policies. The two practices were major points of contention and gave birth to the slogan “Rich man's war. Poor man’s fight.” The amended Enrollment Law, passed in 1864 and printed in full here, sought to address this resentment. Section five limited to one year the length of time that a citizen paying for a substitute could be exempt from the draft. OCLC records just two copies, at Yale Law and Ohio History Connection.
Item #7890
Price: $2,500.00