March 13, 1865
Editors Intelligencer:
As the draft is soon to commence; a word of explanation may not be amiss to those who may be drafted. Every drafted man will be notified by serving a written or printed notice on him in person, or by leaving a copy at his last place of residence; and will be required to report within three days after having received the notice or be deemed a deserter, and if arrested will be dealt with accordingly.
Those who on examination are held to service will be sent to general rendezvous the same day. If the quota of any Sub-district shall be filled by volunteers after the draft, but before the drafted men have been sent to general rendezvous, then the person drafted who have reported will be excused. But no drafted man will be released from his obligations under the draft until the quota of his Sub district has been entirely filled.
Any drafted person failing to report after having been duly notified, will be arrested as a deserter, and if physically qualified, will be held to service even though the quota of his Sub district may have been filled by volunteers.
B.B. STONE,
CAPT. And P. M. 1st District W. Va.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: March 1865