[CIVIL WAR] &
WOBURN BUDGET.
Extra! Draft in Woburn ...
A RICH MAN'S WAR BUT A POOR MAN'S FIGHT
A rare broadside showing the first Federal draft in action.
Replacing the Militia Act of 1862, the 1863 Enrollment act was the first national conscription law in the United States. In addition to the enrollment of all male citizens, it established enlistment quotas, allowed for policies of substitution and commutation (paying $300 to avoid the draft). These policies were seen as deeply inequitable and, in the case of New York City, led to the Draft Riots of 13-16 July, 1863, which were ongoing the day when this broadside was issued.
This Extra edition presents the names of the 104 people who were drafted in Woburn, a town of some 41,000 according to the census of 1860. It also explicitly sets out the option of “commutation” by payment of money rather than serving. “Those persons who intend paying the $300 as an exemption, must make payment to Dr. Coggswell, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, at Haverhill, before presenting themselves for examination before the time named in their notice for appearance.”
Information concerning the number of men required in areas outside of Woburn is also included here.
OCLC locates a single copy at the AAS.
