Lincoln’s Draft edict, in March 1863, exempted males Over Forty-Five. The stricter federal draft law, determined that all male citizens between twenty and thirty-five and all unmarried men between thirty-five and forty-five years of age were subject to military duty. The federal government entered all eligible men into a lottery.
A rough-looking customer, determined upon evasion, called upon the Military Commission, when the following debate ensued,
“Mr. Commissioner, I’m over forty-five.”
“How old are you?”
“I don’t know how old I am; but I’m over forty-five.”
“In what year did you make your appearance on this mundane sphere?”
“I don’t know what you mean; but I’m over forty-five.”
“When were you born?”
“I don’t know; but I’m over forty-five.”
“How am I to know you are over age?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care; but I’m over forty-five.”
“When were you forty-five?”
“I don’t know; but I know I’m over forty-five.”
“You must give me some proof that you are over age.”
“I’ve been in the country thirty-six years, and I’m over forty-five.”
“That does not prove that you are too old to be drafted.”
“I don’t care; I know I’m over forty-five.”
“I shall not erase your name until you prove your age.”
“I tell you I’ve been in this country thirty-six years, and I went sparking before I came here, and I’m over forty-five.”
“Will you swear it?”
“Yes, I’m over forty-five. D——d if I aint over forty-five.”
“Well, I will exempt you.”
“I don’t care whether you do or not, for I’ve got a wooden leg.”
Lincoln’s Draft and it’s success in raising additional troops, destroyed the concept that the Union could not raise the needed manpower to end the rebellion and subdue the Southern insurrection. It also highlighted that there might be other Draft Exemptions other than being just too old.
Bummer
Usually the top age has been 35, right? That age shows just how total a war this was.
Louis
All the draftee had to do was show his wooden leg. The jest being they both kept debating his age. See you tomorrow!
Bummer