Friday, December 27, 2013

December 28, 1863---"No Substitutions Please."



DECEMBER 28, 1863:        

During the Civil War, men of means could hire substitutes to take their place in the lines. The practice of substitution was one of the direct causes of the New York Draft Riots in July. Never popular, on this day, the Confederacy abolished substitution, requiring that all (white) men now bear arms for the nation. In practice, the abolishment of substitution had little real effect in swelling Confederate ranks. Most of those who were fit to fight were already fighting, and those able-bodied men who chose not to fight were already dodging the “recruiters” sent to find them.