New York State Bureau of Military Statistics Surgeon's Report on Examinations of Applicants in Steuben County Claiming…

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Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
This report was created by Stephen Hagadorn, examining surgeon for the County of Steuben, to the commissioner responsible for overseeing the draft process in this county, and documents men applying for military exemption. The report provides the names of men and a brief description of their disability.
Title
Surgeon's report on examinations of applicants in Steuben County claiming exemption from military duty on account of physical disability
Quantity
0.1 cubic feet; 1 volume
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
A4157
Creator
Administrative History

This record was compiled pursuant to General Orders No. 67 issued by the Adjutant General's Office on August 13, 1862 to comply with President Lincoln's August 4, 1862 order calling for a draft of 300,000 militia to serve nine months.

Much of General Orders No. 67 is based on General Order No. 99 issued by the U.S. War Department on August 9. This order outlined specific procedures to be followed by each state for the enrollment and draft of the militia. It stipulated that each governor appoint a commissioner for each county "to superintend the drafting and hear and determine excuses of persons claiming to be exempt from military duty." To assist these commissioners, governors were also to appoint an examining surgeon for each county.

Scope and Content Note

This series is the report of Stephen Hagadorn, examining surgeon for the County of Steuben, to the commissioner responsible for overseeing the draft process in this county. It is a report on men applying for military exemption and not a list of men granted military deferments due to physical disabilities. The report provides the names of men and a brief description of their disability.

Custodial History

Neither the general order issued by the State's Adjutant General nor that issued by the U.S. War Department stipulated that this specific type of record was to be compiled by each examining surgeon (in practice, however, this was usually the case). Due to this omission, no provision was made for the final disposition of the reports created by each county examining surgeon. Somehow, all of these reports except for fourteen counties and parts of two others were acquired by Dr. Sylvester D. Willard of Albany. According to the 1864 Annual Report of the Bureau of Military Statistics, these reports were donated to the bureau by Dr. Willard sometime during the year. The location of the reports of the other county examining surgeons is not known.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

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