‘Cause Canada’s a long way off?

gun play in Patrick County

Some Virginians use a little self-help to avoid Confederate conscription:

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch October 14, 1862:

Resistance to the enrolling officers — man killed, &c.

Patrick C. H., Va., Oct. 10, 1862.

We have considerable excitement here. The enrolling officers in making an arrest last Sunday night, were resisted. A pistol was snapped by a man by the name of Jack Bryant, at one of the officers, Jones, who fired upon Bryant, inflicting a mortal wound. The two prisoners arrested by them, Moore and Roarer, were started for this place in charge of one of the party, (Mr. Hatcher,) when near the top of the Bull, mountain, he was fired upon by a party of two men in ambush. He returned the fire, dismounting and taking advantage of his horse, but was forced to save himself by taking to his heels; his horse having been so badly wounded that it was with difficulty he could be gotten from the field. Young Hatcher escaped unhurt, except the effect of the race. The prisoners escaped. One of them, Rorer, is said to have received a severe wound from his friends in the bushes. The county is thoroughly aroused the sheriff is active in arresting these men. The ring leader was arrested Wednesday night, and made his escape. He was fired upon, the effect unknown.

Enrolling officers – beware the ambushers

You can read about the cartoon at the Library of Congress