Thank You
@Drew for sharing this article. I have not seen this before and I find the facts very interesting indeed. The deserter's stories continue to fascinate me as I reach further to attempt to understand the reasoning behind the decisions. For the majority, these reasons were personal which dealt with family, finances and physical/mental health. As the war continued, the political aspects did in fact change and I believe this added to the union desertion list. The research that went into the article is astounding and I will even go as far to say by the end of 1864, the numbers were slightly higher than this article mentions. I have witnessed through records, thousands of "city" union soldiers deserting much more frequently than others. I will say to the Lincoln act of March, 1865, this was a control issue and maintaining control was the utmost importance to Lincoln at this time. Its ironic to look back and see that Lincoln had already discharged the very ones who would uphold law and order. In a way, this article gives a description of the Civil War like no other, numbers of Union deserters, and even though many have a terrible time explaining it, the fact remains that the numbers are there. Lincoln, himself proved this with his actions alone. Thanks again for sharing this !!