Inquiry+Project+Draft

With more than three million men and boys enlisted, it is no secret that America’s Civil War was the deadliest in United States history to date. It is undeniable that men, boys, women and children from all regions of the nation sacrificed some part of their well-being in the battle against Southern succession. Through the years, research concerning the historical detail and accuracy of battles has been well-established; it is known that more than a quarter of the armed forces lost their lives in the numerous struggles that occurred; that thirty percent of all Southern white males perished; and that the outcome of the war resulted in Union victory and the abolishment of slavery. However, like many events throughout history, there are several rocks left unturned when it comes to the Civil War. Yes, it is true that men and boys enlisted in thralls, but it is also important to note that many soldiers, specifically those from the Confederate army, also deserted their units when possible. Through an examination of southern personal correspondences, scholarly journal articles, and statistical data, it will be noted that these “deserters” left often for reasons other than cowardice. In 2003, Charles Frazier’s novel, //Cold Mountain//, was transformed into a dramatic film; the story details a confederate soldier’s desertion of his company and his unrelenting quest to return to his love, Ada Monroe. The story between Walter P. Inman and Monroe, though romanticized, somewhat accurately reflects the perilous choice between southern loyalty and returning home that many Confederate soldiers faced. Straightforwardly put, the Civil War legal codes defined desertion as leaving the military service without authorization and intending to remain absent (Bearman). In Ella Lonn’s book, //Desertion During the Civil War//, she estimates that the confederate army lost nearly 104,000 men to desertion alone. Although these AWOL men all had the same quest—to return home—there was little else that they had in common; an examination of several South Carolina regiments done by Marrs uncovered that, “deserters…then, were not a homogeneous group” (55). Not only did these men vary in social classes and property and slave ownership, but also in employment. In a study of more than 3,000 enlisted North Carolina soldiers, Peter S. Bearman also noted that, “age at enlistment [was] not related to desertion. Younger sons [were] more likely to desert than firstborn sons, but the relationship is not significant.” Thus, it is accurate to say that probably all men, despite whatever differences lay among them, considered deserting the ranks at one point or another during the war. Through an examination of personal correspondences, diary entries, and account books written by Confederate soldiers from Augusta County, Virginia, several conclusions about the motivations of selected soldier’s departure can be inferred. Although none of the correspondences archived at the Valley of the Shadow database are from an actual deserted soldier, many of the sentiments expressed support similar conclusions drawn by other scholars who pose reasons for dersertion. Due to a reluctance of military service, a collection of unreliable troops, a lack of soldier necessities, poor morale and overall homesickness, many soldiers chose to exchange risking their lives from the Confederacy’s independence, to risking their lives for their own freedom from the army itself.
 * Civil War Desertion: Not Confederate Cowardice**

**Motivations for Desertion** In a letter to his wife, Giney, John P. Gull writes, “Well Giney I am now in a part of the wourld I never was before it dos not look like home,” upon returning to his regiment after allowed a brief leave. Like many other men, even those newly enlisted, Gull had a difficult time adjusting to military life. In his personal diary, James M. Callwallander goes as far to say, “ What proffit will wee gain To suffer here a prison life,” speaking of his regiment, the First Virginia Cavalry. Not only was the Civil War coined “the rich man’s war, but the poor man’s fight,” (insinuating that wealthier men could bribe their way out of military service) but it was also one where conscription was introduced. The first of three confederate Conscription acts required able-bodied men of ages 18-35 to enlist, and as the war progressed and the army suffered massive blows, the second and third conscription laws expanded the eligible age of enlistment to all able-bodied men from 17-50 years old (Lonn). It was also speculated that many boys lied about their age to enlist, so teens as early as 14 were said to be standing at the front lines as well. So at this point, not only were men being forced to enlist for a cause that they were not particularly passionate about, but also were being forced against their will to risk their lives. As word circulated of the deadly battles, it is no wonder many men chose to turn their backs on their Southern brethren (Bearman). In his study, Bearman postulates that homogenous regiments (comprised of a majority of men from the same area) faced larger proportions of desertion than heterogeneous groups. It is possible that men in these regiments dealt with the losses of their fellow soldiers more difficultly, being that they may have known one another for years—thus, watching other men get killed in battle that have become kin-like to one another may have driven these men to retreat because the possibility of death was more evident, and the deaths of nearby soldiers more personal and heart wrenching. A prison is truly a fitting comparison for the conditions that Confederate soldiers faced regularly. Upon enlistment, all soldiers faced gruesome living arrangements that lacked blankets, tents, unsanitary water, which resulted in epidemics that led to more than 50% of the casualties of Confederate troops (Bearman). Gull wrote to his wife that, “ I am not as well as I have bin in my //[deleted: ]// time yet have grate reson to bee thankfull that I am no wors…I wayed myself yesterday found that I have lost twenty four pounds since comeing over on this side of the mountain,” and also writes that many of his company-men have comedown with illness as well. Cholera, measles and smallpox all ran ramped among the troops who were also nearly starving. One union soldier described a camp of confederate men who were “sick and wounded, decaying in their own filth.” Men were forced to go three to four days without food, and at times even lived off of handfuls of plain flour (which they were rationed, but never had the time to bake bread) (Lonn). Undeniably already frustrated to be fighting a war they may not have wholeheartedly supported, horrible conditions such as these did not motivate soldiers to stay at their forts either. On top of being exhausted, irritated, and starving, these men were also extremely poor. Lonn states that men lived off of roughly $11 a month in treasury notes; however, pay was always delayed, sometimes for up to 11-14 months. Over their two years of recorded correspondences, John Gull mentions to his wife, Giney that he is low on food and money, and asks her often to send food and whatever funds she can spare; “I gave fifty Dollars for the tent, so that it has taken the most of my money, if you have a chance I wish you would send me some more, if you see no chance To send by hand -send a small sum in a letter at a time” he instructs. The expenditure of nearly half a year’s earnings for such a staple item as a tent demonstrates the lack of adequate housing for Confederate soldiers. As mentioned earlier, the family-like atmosphere created among these men also applied to finances; Gull also tells his wife that he has loaned a good deal of money to fellow soldiers until they get paid. Beyond the toll on men’s physical health and lack of finances to better their poor conditions, Confederate soldiers’ emotional well-being suffered as well. One of the most popular and reoccurring reasons for desertion throughout the sources consulted was that of general homesickness. In the article, //The Vacant Chair: the Northern Soldier Leaves Home//, author Mitchell described that, “confederate soldiers left their wives -- and their mothers, sweethearts, daughters, fathers, sons, family, and friends -- at higher risk than most Union soldiers left theirs,” thus undoubtedly these soldiers would often reflect and worry about their loved ones. Soldiers often were concerned that their land would be taken by Union troops while they were away fighting a battle not in their hometowns, and that they would not be present to protect their families. Not only were Confederate soldiers afraid of their enemy’s intrusion, but also that of their fellow townspeople and Home Guard (a militia of men who were not serving in the army at the time hired to protect the citizens as well as hunt for deserters). Lonn detailed many instances where wives, sisters, and mothers all left in an empty home were forced to board Home Guard officers…and it is highly probable that inappropriate behavior occurred and indecent liberties were taken in an abuse of power. Confederate soldiers also struggled with rumors such as a tribe of Native Americans scalping southerners while the majority of the men were away fighting. Rumors such as those, coupled with the largely present opinion of Southern media suggesting that men give up and that their efforts would be futile, weighed heavily when men trekked into battles (Lonn)**.** After 1864, some Confederates saw the war as likely to end in defeat, others saw it as unlikely to end at all. Not surprisingly, more of them chose their duty to their families over their duty to the Confederacy, even over their duty to their fellow soldiers (Mitchell).

**Methods of Desertion and Results** By being pulled in all directions emotionally, it is easy to empathize with the Confederate soldiers and the struggles they endured in the battlefields. Although these circumstances discussed applied to almost every soldier, only a fraction of them made the decision to desert, and even fewer did so successfully. The recipe for successful desertion was complex, difficult to encounter, and even more difficult to keep a secret. In //Rural Virginia becomes sight of refuge,// Jack Trammell describes a hotbed area of desertion in Western Hanover County in Virginia. North Carolina and Virginia had the highest number of deserting soldiers during the Civil War, and Trammell suggests that this be due to the topography of both regions. “The greater Richmond area (including Helltown) was the scene of thousands of desertions during the Civil War…The reports indicate that soldiers had only two real choices once they decided to leave: They could head for home, or they could seek long-term shelter. Most sought a way to head home.” (Trammell) Ella Lonn made similar conclusions, stating that: “shelter was sought, naturally, in remote places, difficult of access, where escape was easy and pursuit difficult: in the gorges and cliffs of mountain retreats, in marsh and swamp, in thicket and wood, in cane-brake and tight-eye thickets, in mesquite and brush, and where no other shelter afforded, in caves hollowed out from a low hillside or even under the level soil." Areas described as such were widely accessible throughout the south. Thus, desertion became a plague hitting the Confederate army; Despite Lee’s efforts to strengthen the conscription laws, he was unable to stop the epidemic.  Thousands of Confederate soldiers did escape; however, the conditions some faced were daunting and hardly anything better than the ill equipped and poorly rationed ranks they were experiencing in the army. Once escaped, deserters were often poor, lacked adequate clothing, and were constantly on the run. The fear of being killed by enemy troops or struck down with sickness in camps was replaced with fear of imprisonment, death, or even being returned to the army again (Bearman). Home Guard and a detachment of men, under a leader known as a “conscript-officer,” would come through the country hunting for any men who were subject to the conscript law but who had evaded it, and for deserters who had run away from the army and refused to return (Trammell). Deserters were worth $30 if returned to an officer, and $15 to be taken to jail (Lonn). Furthermore, even though many soldier’s family members urged them to return, it often ended in emotional turmoil. In A.B Moore’s //History of North Carolina,// a letter between a confederate soldier and his wife reads: “My dear Edward: -- I have always been proud of you, and since your connection with the Confederate army, I have been prouder of you than ever before. I would not have you do anything wrong for the world, but before God, Edward, unless you come home, we must die. Last night, I was aroused by little Eddie's crying. I called and said, 'What is the matter, Eddie?' and he said, 'O mamma! I am so hungry.' And Lucy, Edward, your darling Lucy; she never complains, but she is growing thinner and thinner every day. And before God, Edward, unless you come home, we must die."

Edward deserted his unit; however, he is later discovered and put on trial for desertion, where their letters served as evidence of his treason. Thus it seems in terms of staying to fight, or deserting, confederate men were damned if they did, and damned if they didn’t. Caught between a rock and a hard place, both internal and external forces beyond their control weighed heavily on the minds of Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. In North Carolina alone, 80% of the men joined the army; 14,000 deserted, more than 20,000 died (more than any other confederate state by almost ten-fold). Documents examined allow inferences to be made based on the innermost feelings of soldiers during their time of service; it is obvious that poor conditions, low morale, and an overwhelming desire to simply return home and be with loved ones plagued their minds often—and pushed some to the brink to betray their Southern loyalty. These deserters were hardly cowardly; the line between battlefield and AWOL hiding grounds became blurred as they faced new adversities as they abandoned their military positions.