The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Conscription of Veterans
In Response To: Re: Conscription of Veterans ()

Yes, sir, that's a good summary. General Orders No. 44, dated at the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Richmond, Virginia, June 17, 1862, states at Para. IV, "To prevent misconception in reference to the discharge of men under eighteen and over thirty-five years of age, under the conscript act, the Army is informed that only such persons as have not re-enlisted for three years or the war will be entitled to their discharge on the 16th of July next. Those of the ages above mentioned who have so re-enlisted, whether they are in twelve-months’ regiments or war regiments, are not entitled to discharge until they have served out their term of enlistment."

General Orders No. 46, dated July 1, 1862, amended the above, as follows: "Paragraph IV, General Orders, No. 44, current series, is hereby rescinded, and the following paragraph is substituted in lieu thereof: Persons under eighteen and over thirty-five years of age who have re-enlisted for three years or the war are not entitled to their discharge under the conscript act. Persons of the ages above mentioned who enlisted for twelve months, or for a shorter term, will be entitled to their discharge ninety days after the expiration of their term of service."

This is why many men are noted as having been discharged "under the Conscript Act" in November 1862.

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Conscription of Veterans
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