“A
Bill to be entitled An Act to put an end to the exemption from military service
of those who have heretofore furnished substitutes.
“Whereas, in the present circumstances
of the country, it requires the aid of all who are able to bear arms, the
Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That no person shall be
exempted from military service by reason of his having furnished a substitute:
but this act shall not be so construed as to affect persons who, though not
liable to render military service, have, nevertheless, put in substitutes.”
It was preceded by discussion, yet only two votes were cast
in the negative. Mr. Wigfall, it is said, was strangely indisposed; however
that might be, his speech is represented as being one of the best ever
delivered by him.
To-morrow the President throws open his house for a public
reception: his enemies allege that this is with a view to recovering
popularity!
It rained during the whole of this day. Nevertheless, the
Jews have been fleeing to the woods with their gold, resolved to take up their
abode in the United States rather than fight for the Confederate States, where
they leave in the ranks the substitutes hired by them.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
121-2
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