Civil War soldiers survived harsh living conditions. Most survived the bloody battles. But over 300,000 disappeared. These 300,000 men were not victims of diseases such as dysentery or smallpox. They did not die during combat. They didn’t perish of heat stroke, or hypothermia. These 300,000 men were deserters. (Weitz)
The Civil War is the deadliest conflict in American history. A recent study suggests that more than 750,000 soldiers perished. (Gugliotta) More Americans died fighting fellow Americans than in any other foreign war (Civil War Facts). Americans were divided geographically, North and South, but not necessarily divided by common belief systems. Not all Northerners opposed slavery and not all Southerners believed that slavery was right. This confusion encouraged desertion in both armies. Desertion during the Civil War had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
Some deserters did not believe in their cause, while others were homesick. Other men simply grew impatient of fighting. They desired an end to their personal struggle. Deserters existed on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, proving that the war was not supported by all Americans, especially not all of the soldiers involved directly in the fighting. Desertion was so prevalent that there are examples of Civil War desertion in popular culture. Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain chronicles the journey of Inman, a Confederate soldier eager to return home after being wounded during battle. Inman did not want to return to the army in order to kill thoughtlessly. Not all members of the Confederate army shared the same values. Some believed in slavery while others did not. Not all Southerners knew exactly what they were fighting for. Many drafted soldiers were more concerned with the well-being of their farm rather than the victory of the Confederate Army. Desertion became such a problem that General Robert E. Lee noticed. After the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 he realized that the lack of forces would make it very difficult for the South to be successful. (Weitz)
Soldiers did not necessarily want to fight but were forced to by their respective governments. For about 300,000 Union and Confederate soldiers it was better to live in fear of the military than under the direct jurisdiction of the military. Desertion became more common as the war continued on. Not all Americans wanted a war and not all believed in their cause. Soldiers should not be forced to fight for something they don’t believe in, but unfortunately this was not the case during the American Civil War. For some, desertion was the only option. Though it was not honorable, and not all deserters had good intentions, desertion during the Civil War played a major role in the downfall of the South and the outcome of the American Civil War.
The Civil War is the deadliest conflict in American history. A recent study suggests that more than 750,000 soldiers perished. (Gugliotta) More Americans died fighting fellow Americans than in any other foreign war (Civil War Facts). Americans were divided geographically, North and South, but not necessarily divided by common belief systems. Not all Northerners opposed slavery and not all Southerners believed that slavery was right. This confusion encouraged desertion in both armies. Desertion during the Civil War had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.
Some deserters did not believe in their cause, while others were homesick. Other men simply grew impatient of fighting. They desired an end to their personal struggle. Deserters existed on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, proving that the war was not supported by all Americans, especially not all of the soldiers involved directly in the fighting. Desertion was so prevalent that there are examples of Civil War desertion in popular culture. Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain chronicles the journey of Inman, a Confederate soldier eager to return home after being wounded during battle. Inman did not want to return to the army in order to kill thoughtlessly. Not all members of the Confederate army shared the same values. Some believed in slavery while others did not. Not all Southerners knew exactly what they were fighting for. Many drafted soldiers were more concerned with the well-being of their farm rather than the victory of the Confederate Army. Desertion became such a problem that General Robert E. Lee noticed. After the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 he realized that the lack of forces would make it very difficult for the South to be successful. (Weitz)
Soldiers did not necessarily want to fight but were forced to by their respective governments. For about 300,000 Union and Confederate soldiers it was better to live in fear of the military than under the direct jurisdiction of the military. Desertion became more common as the war continued on. Not all Americans wanted a war and not all believed in their cause. Soldiers should not be forced to fight for something they don’t believe in, but unfortunately this was not the case during the American Civil War. For some, desertion was the only option. Though it was not honorable, and not all deserters had good intentions, desertion during the Civil War played a major role in the downfall of the South and the outcome of the American Civil War.