150 years ago this month the Confederacy had enacted a law to enlist slaves in Southern armies and was beginning the law’s implementation. The draft in the North to implement President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 more troops was plodding along. The town of Seneca Falls was going as far as Tennessee to recruit bounty-taking volunteers so that Seneca Falls men would be left off the draft hook. At one time it was printed that the town of Waterloo had filled its quota under the December call, but it did have to “go into the wheel” – and 64 names were pulled out.
Down South white officers working with the slave soldiers were enjoined to treat them humanely and justly.
the draft wheel goes round – New York City, 1863
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865:
The Draft.
By orders of the War Department the draft will commence in the several Congressional districts of the State, where it has not already taken place, on Wednesday next. This district is among the number in which the wheel will be set in motion. But little has been done in Cayuga and Wayne counties towards filling the quota, but our county has furnished nearly all the men required. Seneca Falls is about the only town that is at all backward in the matter. Had our Supervisor been promptly furnished with the money this would not have been the case. However, he has made arrangements to get the men in Tennessee, and there is no doubt but that he will be successful. Col. Johnson, who has just returned from Memphis, assures Mr. Burt that the men will be furnished.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in March 1865:
The Draft Commenced.
The draft commenced in this district on Wednesday, with the towns of Sodus, Wayne county. and Owasco, Cayuga county. On Thursday Sennett and Waterloo were drawn, and to day (Friday) Varick and a Wayne county [town?] will go into the wheel. The draft for Seneca Falls will not place before next week. The following is r [sic] of the names of those drafted in Waterloo on Thursday in the order in which they were drawn:
[64 names altogether from Wm. Farnham to L.H. Ferguson]
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch March 25, 1865:
The recruiting of colored troops.
There has been issued from the Adjutant-General’s office an order relative to the mode in which colored troops are to be recruited in the Confederacy. We copy that portion of it showing the working of the system:
… [explaining the bureaucratic procedures to enlist the slaves and form them into companies] …
All officers who may be employed in the recruiting service, under the provisions of this act, or who may be appointed to the command of the troops raised under it, or who may hold any staff appointment in connection with them, are enjoined to a provident, considerate and humane attention to whatever concerns the health, comfort, instruction and discipline of these troops, and to the uniform observance of kindness, forbearance and indulgence in their treatment of them, and especially that they will protect them from injustice and oppression.
