With Milwaukee's military census taken, from which will be drafted its quota of the new army, a comparison with the draft experience here in the Civil war is interesting.

Wisconsin had a population of 750,000 in 1860. Drafted men and volunteers combined it sent 92,000 men to southern battlefields. Tuesdays military census revealed 240,170 persons in the state within the prescribed ages, just less than one-third of the entire population of the state at the outbreak of the Civil war.

Of the 92,000 Wisconsin troops, there were fifty-two regiments of infantry, four regiments of cavalry, one battery of heavy artillery and thirteen batteries of light artillery.

The call for the first draft was received by Gov. Salomon Aug. 5, 1862. All males from 18 to 45 years were liable. It was not until Nov. 19 that the drawing took place.

Drafted at Courthouse.

The courthouse was the scene. There were nine wards in the city at the time and the total subject to draft was 10,888. Upon a long table in the courthouse were twenty-four cigar boxes in a double row of twelve. Two each was allotted to each town or ward in the county. One contained the names of all subject to draft in the district and the other the names of those exempt.

The contents were poured into a larger box, about fifteen inches wide and deep. The names were drawn from this by a small boy who could neither read nor write. To be double precautious, he was blind-folded.

The courthouse on the day of the drawing was surrounded by an armed guard. In the square on the streets about, were the anxious wives, mothers or sweethearts of those subject to the draft and those liable themselves. No one was admitted to the drawing except officials. As a district was completed the names of those chosen for duty were announced to the throng outside.

The total number drafted in the state was 4,537. Of these 988 were discharged, 19 deserted, 1,662 failed to report and only 1,739 were mustered into the service. So many of these volunteered to fill old regiments that only one new regiment was filled by the draft. This was the Thirty-fourth Wisconsin and after lying in camp here until Jan. 31, 1863, it was ordered to Columbus, Ky. on fatigue duty. When it returned to Milwaukee it had lost 20 by death, 283 had deserted, 186 were discharged and 472 were mustered out.

Bachelors Suddenly Marry.

The second draft occurred in Milwaukee in November, 1863. It was made under the provisions of the conscription act passed by congress in February of that year. It called for three out of every ten liable for military duty. The enrollment comprised all males from 20 to 45 years of age, divided into two groups. The first groups comprised all males from 20 to 35 years of age and all unmarried men over 35 years of age and under 45 years. The second group all married men from 35 to 45 years of age. From the first class the draft was to be made and the second class was exempt.

Not unlike the rush of youths to marry at the outbreak of war with Germany, many a bachelor of '63 suddenly saw new advantages in the marital yoke but it was too late. It was in this draft that the payment of $300 enabled the drafted man, if he had the price, to escape service. Another method was to furnish substitutes. Enrollment was by congressional districts.

The draft officers for the Milwaukee district were: I. M. Bean, provost marshal; C. M. Baker, commissioner, and J. B. Dousman, examining surgeon. The task of enrollment was started in May. As fast as a town or ward was completed, the list was published in the newspapers. The first district at that time comprised Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha and Walworth counties. The enrollment was 25,084. There were 4,172 men drafted from the first district of which Milwaukee county furnished 2,192, the city's share being 1,763.

Form Draft Insurance League.

The draft began Nov. 9 and lasted five days. Persons from the surrounding cities and towns flocked to Milwaukee. An anxious, but orderly crowd was constantly gathered about the place where the draft was conducted. Those caught swallowed their chagrin while those that escaped, went away rejoicing.

In all wards of the city there were formed associations for protection against the draft. Members included all within the military age. They paid into a general fund and the funds were used to pay the $300 to exempt all members of the organization that were caught.

The draft did not add much directly to the forces in the field, but was remarkable in the stimulation of enlistments. Of the 4,172 drafted in the First district, 1,787 were discharged after medical examination; 1,164 paid $300 apiece; 1,047 failed to report; 140 furnished substitutes and altogether 174 men went to war. The government got $349,200 in commutation money. The result in the state itself was worse. Of 14,235 drafted in the state only 880 went to war and $1,524,300 in money was raised by those who bought themselves off.

Of those that failed to report, most left for Canada and parts unknown. Some returned after the war and enjoyed the fruits of peace and prosperity, waxed fat of girth and pocketbook and got away with it.

How They Escaped Draft.

Another draft came in July, 1864. This time there was no escape by the payment of commutation fee. Every man drawn had either to serve himself or hire a substitute. The stringency of this law soon set all military age running around looking for a "sub."

The office of the examining physicians was crowded to capacity day and night. The History of Milwaukee says:

"Never before had the city shown such a display of disease. It seemed the entire military population was undergoing a diagnosis. One half seemed suddenly stricken and the other half disclosed chronic ailments heretofore suffered in silence. A maimed hand or foot became a great boon, and hernia, sufficient to obtain exemption, was deemed a blessing. Happy was he who lacked a toe or wore a truss."

The cowards packed trunks and were next reported going north at a rapid rate of travel. Once across the border they breathed a sigh of relief. Those able to hire a substitute were fortunate. It was the poor man that suffered. Lacking the money to hire someone else, he had to wait around until taken.

A brisk and profitable business was done by substitute brokers. Quotations on the "sub" market July 18 were $100 for one-year men, $200 for two-year men and $300 for three-year men. The price subsequently went as high as $800. In subsequent drafts the wards were hard hit and practically everyone of military age was in the service.

Contributor, Daniel McClain