The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Substitutes
In Response To: Substitutes ()

I have found the answers to my questions, I think, so disregard.

But thank you so much to those who provide this board.

If anyone is curious, the answers to my questions are following:

~ First question:

BUREAU OF CONSCRIPTION,
Richmond, Jan. 13, 1864.
CIRCULAR No. 1.

To Commandants of Conscripts.

I. The attention of Commandants of Conscripts is specially called to General Orders, No. 3, A. & I. G. O., 1864, herewith printed.

By these General Orders, the acceptance of substitutes into the army is forbidden, and all persons who have heretofore been exempted from military service by reason of having furnished substitutes, are rendered liable to such service.

II. Commandants will forthwith proceed to the enrollment of all persons who have been exempted by reason having furnished substitutes.

A distinct roll will be kept of the persons thus enrolled, containing the name of the substitute, the date of the substitution, the company and regiment in which the substitution was made, and as far as practicable whether the substitute is still in service, and if not, whether lost by desertion, discharge or casualty. This roll will be forwarded with Monthly Reports.

III. Principals of substitutes are subject to the same regulations prescribed for other persons liable to military service; but the fact of having furnished a substitute may be assumed as prima facie evidence that the principal has no other claim for exemption, and will therefore demand careful examination when new claims are presented.

IV. To aid in detecting frauds in substitutions which have been committed by officers and others, commandants will endeavor to procure all substitute papers, examine them, and if found to be irregular, or supposed to be fraudulent, will forward them to the Bureau, with testimony and opinion.

V. Cases of fraudulent, irregular and improper exemptions have been reported to the Bureau; certificates of exemption have been counterfeited, and it is feared officers are not free from liability to grave charges in granting exemptions.

Commandants will forthwith, by special inspections and otherwise, proceed to a rigid revision of all exemptions.

By command of Col. J. S. PRESTON, Supt.

C. B. DUFFIELD,
A. A. Gen'l.

~ Second question:

April 16, 1862 - The Confederate Congress passes the first Conscription Act, making all white males between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five eligible to be drafted into military service. (This is the first such draft in U.S. history.)

Sincerely, Lottie :)

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