Desertion During the Civil War
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Book Overview
"Desertion During the Civil War" provides a comprehensive and scholarly examination of a critical yet frequently marginalized aspect of the American Civil War. This work delves into the complex reasons behind the high rates of desertion in both the Union and Confederate armies, offering a balanced perspective on the internal pressures that plagued both sides of the conflict.
Through meticulous research of military records and contemporary accounts, the author explores the systemic issues that led soldiers to abandon their units, including extreme economic hardship at home, inadequate food and clothing, and the psychological toll of prolonged, bloody conflict. The book offers a detailed look at the methods used by both governments to combat desertion, the role of local communities in harboring fugitives, and the overall impact of these absences on military operations and morale. By focusing on the social and administrative challenges of maintaining an army in the field, "Desertion During the Civil War" sheds light on the internal struggles that shaped the course of the war and contributed to the eventual collapse of the Southern cause. It remains an invaluable resource for historians and readers interested in the human experience of war and the fragility of military discipline during the nation's greatest crisis.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
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