The American Civil War and Conscription Policies

The Enrollment Act of 1863 and Its Necessity

The American Civil War, a pivotal conflict in United States history, resulted in significant casualties, leading to a critical need for additional soldiers. To address this, the Union Congress passed the Enrollment Act on March 3, 1863, which was the first instance of compulsory service in the federal military. This legislation required all male citizens, as well as immigrants who had filed for citizenship, between the ages of 20 and 45 to enroll for the draft. The act marked a departure from previous voluntary enlistment and militia service, and it imposed stringent penalties for evasion, reflecting the Union's urgent need to bolster its military ranks.

Provisions for Exemptions and Substitutions

The Enrollment Act permitted draftees to avoid service by either paying a commutation fee of $300 or by providing a substitute to serve in their stead. This provision exposed socioeconomic inequalities, as the fee was a substantial sum that many laborers could not afford, thus disproportionately affecting the poor. The substitution system was exploited by some who became known as 'bounty jumpers,' who would accept payment to enlist as substitutes and then desert, only to repeat the process elsewhere. This practice not only undermined the draft's effectiveness but also led to widespread frustration and resentment among those who could not afford to avoid service.

Draft Administration and Enforcement

The administration of the Enrollment Act was overseen by Provost Marshal General James Barnet Fry, who appointed officials at the state level to manage the draft process. In New York State, a notable example, there were three State Provost Marshal Generals due to its large population. Local enrollment boards were established to register eligible men and to ensure the draft was executed uniformly across the Union. These boards played a crucial role in the conscription process, maintaining records and overseeing the lottery by which draftees were selected.

Opposition and the New York Draft Riots

The implementation of the draft was met with resistance, particularly in New York City, where it sparked the infamous New York Draft Riots in July 1863. The riots were primarily fueled by Irish immigrants and the White working class, who objected to the unfair advantages afforded to the wealthy and the potential competition for jobs from emancipated African Americans. The violence was directed at government and military institutions, African American communities, and businesses employing African Americans. The riots, which were among the most violent civil disturbances in American history, were eventually suppressed by Union troops, some of whom were diverted from the battlefields to restore order in the city.

Confederate Conscription and Its Challenges

The Confederate States of America had implemented their conscription law a year earlier than the Union, on April 16, 1862. The Confederate draft initially required men aged 18 to 35 to serve for three years but was later expanded to include men aged 17 to 50 for the duration of the war. Like the Union, the Confederacy allowed for substitutions and exempted certain classes of individuals, including those who owned a significant number of enslaved people. These exemptions, particularly for slaveholders, contradicted the Confederacy's professed values of states' rights and individual liberty, leading to internal dissent, resistance, and desertion as the war dragged on.

The Lasting Effects of Civil War Conscription

The conscription policies of the Civil War had lasting effects on American society, highlighting and intensifying existing class and racial divisions. The draft exposed the inequalities of the era and sparked debates over the obligations of citizenship, the role of government, and the meaning of freedom. The public's response to the draft, including instances of violent resistance, reflected the complex dynamics of a nation in conflict with itself. These societal challenges persisted beyond the war, influencing future social and political movements, including the Populist movement of the late 19th century, which sought to address the concerns of the common people against the backdrop of rapid industrialization and economic change.