Summary:
Union General Darius Couch, commanding the Department of the Susquehanna at
Chambersburg, responds to Union Provost Marshal-General James B. Fry in August,
1863, concerning efforts to enforce the draft in the Pennsylvania mining
regions. Couch outlines his plans to use troops to enforce enrollment, and
comments on the lawlessness of the miners.
Col. J. B. FRY:
August 5, 1863.
COL.:
I received your telegram to-day reference to enrollment in the mining district. My intention has been to keep a reserve force of three regiments and a battery or more at Reading in order to re-enforce at any point where more troops might be required. But the Governor of the State seems to be of the opinion that he has no authority for retaining the militia to enforce the draft. I think, however, that he will keep seven Philadelphia regiments for their full terms of three months. If the drafted men are taken from their homes at the same time both in Philadelphia and the coal regions seven regiments will be small enough force to sustain the laws. You may be assured that sending troops to Pottsville and Scranton has had a good effect. My idea is to have a sufficient number of troops at either the above places to enforce the draft without bloodshed. The ignorant miners have no fear of God, the State authority, or the devil. The Democratic leaders have not the power of burnt flax over them for good. A strong military power under the Gen. Government alone keeps matters quiet. I shall endeavor to at least maintain the present force there.
Very respectfully,
D. N. COUCH,
Maj.-Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 3, Volume 3, Serial No. 124, Pages 629, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
