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In 1863 the Union's need for manpower led to the first compulsory draft
in U.S. history. While it was intended to "encourage" enlistment, the draft
alienated many. Opposition was particularly strong in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana and Wisconsin, where federal troops had to be called out to enforce
compliance with it.
It must be noted that a man who was drafted could buy his way out for $300, about the equivalent of an unskilled laborer's annual income at that time. This feature added to the impression -- strongly held in parts of the Confederacy as well -- that this was a "rich man's war and a poor man's fight." The most significant resistance to the draft took place in New York City in the summer of 1863. A Democratic Party stronghold, New York had already seen several draft officials killed that year. In July a group of blacks were brought into the city, under police protection, to replace striking Irish longshoremen. At the same time, officials held a lottery drawing for the unpopular draft. The conjunction of the two events led to a four-day riot in which a number of black neighborhoods, draft offices and Protestant churches were destroyed and at least 105 people killed. It was not until several Union regiments arrived from Gettysburg that order could be restored. From the New York Times Sept 2, 1862.
A
list of names of .Long Islanders Drafted into the service.
A Page Filled with Draft Related Articles, opinions and Editorials from the Brooklyn Eagle July 14, 1901 - pdf file
Drafting--How it was Done The Governors of the States are ordered forthwith, to proceed to furnish their respective quotas of the 300,000 militia called for by the President, and to appoint commandants and designate rendezvous. They are also ordered to cause an enrollment to be made forthwith, by the Assessors of the several counties. When the enrollment is completed,
it is to be filed in the offices of the Sheriffs of the several counties.
The Governor is then to appoint a Commissioner for each county to superintend
the draft and decide upon exemptions. These cases are specified. Exemptions
for physical disability will not be allowed, unless it unfits the claimant
for service for a period of more than thirty days, and it must be certified
by a Surgeon to be appointed in each county for the purpose. Within ten
days of the filing of the lists of enrollment the draft is to be made by
the Sheriff of the county, who is to publicly place in a Jury wheel a separately
folded ballot for each name on the list; and when they are all in, a person
to be appointed by the Commissioners is to draw, blindfolded, a number
of ballots, equal to the quota for the county.
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