surgeons' RKPOirrs — Pennsylvania — thirteenth district. 331 



pei'sons baviiig bii.siiicss with inciiibers of the board of t'liroHiiieiit be ivquired to sstatc their busi- 

 ness in writing', iiu'l that it be made a iiiisdeiiieaHor, punishable by fine, for any person to obtruch; 

 himself during the sessions of the board of enrollment, or else that the majority of the board 

 have the authority to appoint, control, and remove doorkeepers. 



Tlie most numerous attempts at fraud in recruits were made in age. Boys from fifteen years 

 and upward were willing to make allidavits of being eighteen years old; and men over forty live 

 years, that they had not reached that age. With beard close shaven, hair colored dark, a, change 

 of clotheSf and sufficient alcoholic stimulus to send the blood to the surface, the same man would 

 appear from five to ten years younger thau on liis first exanjination. Sulphuric ether was the 

 stimulant used in a few cases. Hernia was attempted to be concealed by liaving the intestine kept 

 up with a truss, local astringents applied, and the bowels euiptied with laxatives previous to exami- 

 nation. Dislocations of small bones were kept out of view as .much as possible, and all diseases 

 made light of, or their existence deuied, when questioned in relation thereto. 



One of the difticult points iu examining recruits arises from the fact that when a draft was 

 ])ending there existed a double motive for concealment or exaggeration of the man's diseases or 

 disabilities. Many men who wished to escape the service altogether, when the chance to escape 

 being drafted was very small, would prefer to volunteer and receive the bounties offered to the 

 chance of being drafted. When examined and questioned, they would say they were diseased, with 

 the view, if rejected, of bringing the fact of their rejection as a warrant for exemption from the 

 draft. Much time is consumed in the examination of such men ; some of them would even ask for 

 certificates, and some drafted men hadou their enlistment-paper a certificate of rejection in another 

 State. 



A number of drafted men were held who had been rejected as voUuiteers. There is an appear- 

 aiiceof injustice in this that tends to make men dissatisfied with the operations of the instructions 

 of the Provost-Marshal-General and the decisions of the surgeons of boards of enrollment. 



The most desirable nationality for military service is, in my opinion, the American, from their 

 intelligence, activity, self-reliance, and resources in emergencies. They are impulsive lor a dash, 

 and have tenacity and perseverance, and when satisfied that their cause is right, experieuce proves 

 that without long training they become good soldiers. After the wild disorder and retreat from 

 Bull linn, the men were reorganized and re-enforced into the efficient Army of the Potomac, and 

 that army, after delays and retreats, came to battle again and again with unshaken courage, and 

 l»roved to the world that, with a commander of tenacity to fight out the battle, it would win the 

 victory. These remarks will ajjply also to the western army. 



My experience of the qualifications of the African race is very limited ; my opinion, formed 

 from history, is that the race have sufficient courage to enter into a fight and tenacity to persist 

 when once engaged. The race have pride in show and parade, readily learn from imitation th(^ 

 exercises of the soldier, are excitable, and, when pioperly led, will not fail as soldiers. In southern 

 latitudes they will make efficient soldiers, as they endure extreme heat and resist malarious poison 

 better than the Caucasian race. They are able to endure the labor of active campaigning and the 

 listlessness of garrison life. The want of aich of the foot may lessen their endurance on the march, 

 or make the ratio higher of men rejected on that account. 



The amended enrollment-law is perhaps as near perfect as it now stands on the statute-books 

 as may be. It might be a subject for consideration whether substitution should be abolished 

 entirely, or be allowed in special cases, to be decided by boards of enrollment or other authority. 

 There is in some cases more thau commou hardship in depriving a sick wife, aged father or mother, 

 or de(iendent family of their natural protector, even for a limited period. Again, it may be ages 

 before the wants of the service will require so great a drain of the able men of the eouutry, and 

 when the exigency is not so great substitution may not become so great an opportunity for fraud 

 upon the Government. * * * 



WM. S. BAKER, 

 Surgeon BoariP'of Enrollment TJiirteenth District of Pennsylvania, 



Troy, Pa., June 16, 1865. 



