Morale of troops: Lee's army vs. Bragg, etc.

[samgrant]

It occurred to me, that from one might observe, that Lee's troops were more loyal to the "cause" (not just to their commanders, but to the fighting of the war) than those of other Southern commanders.

So, I wonder whether anyone knows abouts the rates of desertion of the armies under different commanders (Lee vs. Bragg, for instance).

Of course these would vary as to at what point in the war we were to look at.

But, save the depredations of the siege of Petersburg/Richmond, were any commanders' army's desertion rates any different from any others?

[whitworth]

Lee's army started having heavy desertions after Gettysburg and particularly after Sherman's March to the Sea.

Dec 26 [1864]
"The Georgians in Lee's army are more or less demoralized, and a reward of a sixty days' furlough is given for shooting any deserter from our ranks."

Diary of J. B. Jones, Rebel War Clerk's Diary At The Confederate States Capital. 1866.

[johan_steele]

Believe it or not the Stonewall Brigade had a serious desertion issue at one time reaching nearly 60% desertions ebbed & flowed w/ the fortunes of war and the Union Army certainly was not above serious issues.

[larry_cockerham]

Sam, remember that desertion was also sometimes nothing more than time out to visit families, check to see if the farm was still there etc. The ANV in particular 'shut down' for the extreme winter season as did the AOT at times. The end of the first draft period for the CSA also brought 'desertions' as men decided their 'contract' was up. There was quite a problem also in the AOT after the Tennessee campaign as the war was drawing to a close. Can't blame some of these men.

[Fifth Iowa]

LETTER TO GENERAL J.C. BRECKENRIDGE WAR DEPARTMENT, RICHMOND March 5th, 1865 GENERAL J.C. BRECKENRIDGE, Secretary of War Sir: ...General Lee reported a few days ago the desertion of some 1,200 veteran soldiers. Desertions have been frequent during the whole season, and the morale of the army is somewhat impaired. The causes have been abundant for this. Exposed to the most protracted and violent campaign that is known in history, contending against overwhelming numbers, badly equipped, fed, paid, and cared for in camp and hospital, with families suffering at home, this army has exhibited the noblest qualities. It sees everywhere else disasters and defeat, and that their toils sufferings have been unproductive. The Army of North Carolina can scarcely be regarded as an army. General Johnston has at Charlotte less than 3,000 dispirited disorganized troops, composed of brigades that are not as large as companies should be. General Hardee has a mixed command; only a small portion of it is efficient. The troops from the Tennessee have not arrived, and we can hope that they will arrive in good condition... The South may succumb, but it is not necessary that she should be destroyed. I do not regard reconstruction as involving destruction, unless our people should forget the incidents of their heroic struggle and become debased and degraded. It is the duty of their statesmen and patriots to guard them in the future with even more care and tenderness than they have done in the past. There is anarchy in the opinions of men here, and few are willing to give counsel, and still fewer are willing to incur the responsibility of taking or advising action. In these circumstances I have surveyed the whole ground, I believe calmly and dispassionately. The picture I do not think has been too highly colored. I do not ask that my views be accepted, but that a candid inquiry be made with a view to action. I recommend that General Lee be requested to give his opinion upon the condition of the country, upon a submission of these facts, and that the President submit the subject to the Senate, or to Congress, and invite their action.Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed,) JOHN A. CAMPBELL Assistant Secretary of War

[gary]

I've never studied the desertion in either army. However, unless the ANV, I've never read about sharpshooters in the AoT being deployed to prevent desertion (ala the dreaded NKVD of WW II Russia)