surgeons' reports MISSOURI FOURTH DISTRICT. 391 



I am iini)resse(l with tbebelief that colored troops in cold cliuiates cannot endure tlie hard- 

 sbips of a winter campaign equally well with white men; but, in southern latitudes and malarious 

 districts, they will, I believe, endure more fatigue and enjoy better health than will wliite troops 

 similarly situated. 



That portion of the enrollment-law which provides for a system of substitutes should, in my 

 opinion, be repealed, for the reason that in society it gives rise to business in the transaction of 

 which vice, crime, want, and ignorance of men are made subservient to its success. Ujjon the 

 Army it has the effect of lowering its morale and impaii'ing its efficieucy by smuggling into its 

 ranks the slaves of vice and the scum of society, to whom should not, in time of peril, be confided 

 the honor and safety of the country. 



That portion of the enrollment-law which provided that drafted persons might pay a stipulated 

 amount as a commutation for military service was, I think, wise and judicious. 



In my opinion, the enrollment-law should be so amended as to enable all persons, after being 

 drafted, to volunteer, with the same bounty and privileges as those entering the service under the 

 volunteer system. Many purely patriotic men have not volunteered on account of the strong claims 

 which they believed their families held upon them, and, when compelled to enter the service by 

 draft, they should be elevated to the same privileges as others; while now a stigma attaches to 

 drafted men, notwithstanding they arc in many instances drawn from the best circles in society, 

 and, as a class, in point of intelligence and moral worth compare favorably with volunteer troops. 



Exemptions granted from military service under the provisions of section 2 of an act approved 

 March 3, 1863, are, I believe, just and humane, and should be again permitted. 



In my sphere of action, it has been impossible for me to obsmve the whole bearing of the enroU- 

 ment-hirw in the intricacy of its working, and, consequently, I do not feel justified in suggesting 

 other amendments than those already named. 



A system of volunteering to supply our Army is more compatible with the genius of our Gov- 

 ernment and spirit of our people than that of conscription, and, when the former can be made to 

 meet the wants of our country, should alone be resorted to. # # * 



JAMES E. McCOEMICK, 

 Surgeon Board of Enrollment Third District of Missouri. 



Ironton, Mo., May 30, 18G5. 



MISSOURI— FOIJETH DISTRICT. 

 Extracts from report of Dr. Edwin Ebert. 



• * * I have examined between twelve and fifteen hundred recruits, substitutes, 



and enrolled men. I am proud to say that I never have had the opportunity of examining drafted 

 men, for the reason that the Fourth Congressional District of Missouri always furnished its quota, 

 and had a surplus besides. 



It has been my experience that examining men for military service is anything but a pleasant 

 occupation, at least in this part of the country, whatever it may be elsewhere. A large majority of 

 those presented to me for examination were recruits from the southwest border of Missouri, the 

 Boston Mountains, and the wilds of Northern Arkansas; men who had lain in the brush from six 

 to eighteen months to avoid guerrillas and parties conscripting for the rebel service, during which 

 time they were badly clothed and fed, and suffered almost unendurable hardships, in consequence 

 of which, when they were presented for examination, nine-teuths of them were very nuich reduced, 

 their muscles soft, eyes dim, couq)lexion livid and countenance dejected, body filthy and fre(iueutly 

 covered with vermin. But, when served with a bath, suit of blue, and good diet, their physical 

 condition improved rapidly, and they invariably made good soldiers; for, having been driven from 

 their homes, they fought hard for revenge. 



This district consists of twenty-one counties, situated in the southwest corner of the State. 

 The Ozark Mountains, a chain running southwest and northeast, divides the waters of tiie IMissouri 

 and Arkansas Rivers, those on the north being tributaries to the former, and those on the south 

 being tributaries to the latter. This i)oint, (Springfield, Greene County,) being nearly the center 



