384 surgeons' eepokts — Kentucky — ninth district. 



tell bim that the law makes it liis duty to be examiued, aud then request liiin to strip. He begins 

 to reply by saying it is altogetber useless, tliat bis doctor or his neighbors all say he is not able to 

 stand a campaign. He seems to be intelligent and respectable — what is to be done with him ? He 

 is to be examiued systematically without one word of attention being paid to what he says about 

 himself. He says he has a certificate from a doctor or two. He is asked if he ever had or does 

 have fits. If he says no, then proceed with the examination and pass upon him. Another one 

 enters, steps up, speaks loud, and tells you he cannot bear; that he has been deaf for years. Just 

 set him down and commence a pleasant conversation, making himself the subject of it principally; 

 get a little lighter and lighter in tone with bim, until he is involved with others in the crime of having 

 attempted to defraud the board. If he is not unusually sharp, you will detect him. Speak to the 

 guard in a low tone, directing him to take him and convey him to the guard-bouse. If this fails, 

 speak of exempting him, and the tidings, if he is an impostor, will generally warm up bis ears and 

 disclose bis artifice; or have some one to enter the room aud make some alarming declaration, as, for 

 instance, that the rebels are in town and are murdering the citizens. Bloody urine, fits, weakness 

 of a certain limb, and a hundred bke artifices are attempted; but unless there is corroboration to be 

 seen in the man's general appearance, all such stories are to be disregarded. On the other hand, 

 ask a recruit if there is anything wrong with him, and, if there is, be immediately begins to con- 

 ceal his troubles. A thorough knowledge of our profession, together with a good understanding 

 of human nature, is the greatest and safest guarantee against imposture. I might write for a week 

 upon the various tricks and artifices of drafted and enrolled men, recruits, and substitutes. 



" What nationality ^J>T.s■f?^^s the greatest physical aptitude for the serinceP — To this query I can- 

 not give a satisfactory answer from my own experience, having never examined to auy extent any 

 other people than our own. I am, however, of opinion that they are not surpassed by any nation 

 for symmetry, activity, intelligence, aud muscular strength. 



Bfy vieics as to the physical qiialifications of the colored race for military service. — For symmetry, 

 muscular strength, aud endurance, I do not think the Kentucky negro can be surpassed by any people 

 on earth. The stoutest and most muscular men I ever examined were the negroes I examiued at 

 this office. If they bad the ?«e«frt7 qualification, I would think the white man was not their superior 

 for military duty. I think the negro, if he was better informed, aud, as a consequence, possessed of 

 more moral courage, would be more enduring, as he is certainly more muscular, than the white man. 

 He is, in addition, generally better develoxied in the chest than the white man. * * * 



I have noticed the practical bearing and operation of the enrollment-law as it exists. I think 

 it is equitable, just, and harmonious in all its applications. I do not tliink it would be disadvan- 

 tageous to the comnxinity to have an enrollment-law that would include all men between the ages 

 of eighteen and forty-five. I think there are very many men at the age of eighteen who would 

 make as good soldiers, or even better, than some men who are included under the law as it now 

 exists. A young man at that age has as much interest in the Government as one older; in fact, 

 he has the promise of more days in which to enjoy the liberties aud privileges that are assailed, and 

 ■which makes war necessary and inevitable. It is my experience and observation that there are a 

 great many precocious youths who are better men morally at the age of eighteen than they ever are 

 in life alter that age. I speak of the American youth. I believe in a liberal government in time of 

 peace; but when such dark clouds lower over us as did during this rebellion, I believe in quick 

 work iu bringing all means to bear to crush the monster at a blow. * * # 



JAMES D. FOSTER, 

 tiurgeon Board of Enrollment Eighth District of Kentucl<y. 



London, Ky., Jtme 10, 18G5. 



KENTUCKY— NINTH DISTEICT. 



Extracts from report of Db. A. Spalding. 



* * * The number of men examined by me was one thousand seven hundred and 



thirty -four; whites, nine hundred and thirty-two; colored, eight hundred and two. 



The Ninth District of Kentucky lies on the Big Sandy Eiver for a distance of one hundred aud 



