Deserters

[leftyhunter]

Because of the following post:

By that last sentence, you invoke the opposite to be true by posing a leading question. I'm asking you to provide the foundation for your query, nothing more.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with asking for proof that the EP causued a spike in Union desertions.
What I am asking is with all of the Union desertions in 1863 why the Confederacy had such a disastrous year.
Leftyhunter

 

[huskerblitz]

Which has absolutely nothing to do with asking for proof that the EP causued a spike in Union desertions.
What I am asking is with all of the Union desertions in 1863 why the Confederacy had such a disastrous year.
Leftyhunter

Really? The word 'if' supposes the previous statements. It's clear in the choices of words you use.

Can we agree that there is no data (knowingly) that can prove desertion spiked because of the EP and there is no data (knowingly) that can prove desertion did not spike because of the EP? Which has been my point in this and in other threads.

 

[E_just_E]

Which has absolutely nothing to do with asking for proof that the EP causued a spike in Union desertions.
What I am asking is with all of the Union desertions in 1863 why the Confederacy had such a disastrous year.
Leftyhunter

You are implying that there is a causal effect between desertions and battle outcome.
There is not apparently.

 

[huskerblitz]

So Ella Lonn actually did have some info broken up by months. Keeping in mind news of the EP being released in September 1862, I'm not sure how helpful this info actually is. Certainly won't prove anything one way or the other.

 

[Ole Miss]

Many men who deserted did so to return and care for their families. Months without pay along with the difficuties in raising crops caused many families to be near starvation forcing the men to make crucial decssions.
"In April 1863, for example, sixty-five women, some armed with pistols and knives, moved down Broad Street in Columbus, looting several stores before police were able to restore order. Dozens of such incidents throughout the state served to undermine support for the war and led many soldiers to desert the army and return home to take care of their families."*

I wonder if the letters pleading for husbands and sons to return home were destroyed to insure no fault on the writer?
Regards
David
*http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/women-during-civil-war

 

[huskerblitz]

Many men who deserted did so to return and care for their families. Months without pay along with the difficuties in raising crops caused many families to be near starvation forcing the men to make crucial decssions.

This is true on both sides. While I don't have it sorted, this was the leading cause for officers of the Union regiment I research who requested resignation due to family hardships they had been informed of. One can safely assume enlisted men, who could not resign, also received similar letters from home. In reading some pension files from that regiment, this was true for several of the enlisted men.

 

[CSA Today]

So Ella Lonn actually did have some info broken up by months. Keeping in mind news of the EP being released in September 1862, I'm not sure how helpful this info actually is. Certainly won't prove anything one way or the other.

View attachment 174369

Ella Lonn was the source James G. Randall and David Donald used in their Civil War and Reconstruction for Federal desertion for those years.

 

[leftyhunter]

Really? The word 'if' supposes the previous statements. It's clear in the choices of words you use.

Can we agree that there is no data (knowingly) that can prove desertion spiked because of the EP and there is no data (knowingly) that can prove desertion did not spike because of the EP? Which has been my point in this and in other threads.

Then we agree it is only a mere assertion that the EP causued a spike in Union desertions.
Leftyhunter

 

[leftyhunter]

You are implying that there is a causal effect between desertions and battle outcome.
There is not apparently.

Steven Sears in his book on Chancelorsville argues differently.
Leftyhunter

 

[Lnwlf]

Some off topic posts have been moved to here:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/by...e-if-the-confederate-army-is-the-best.111920/

Discussion of factors concerning discrepancies between the armies, not pertaining to the issue of desertion, should follow that thread. Thank you.

Posted as Moderator

 

[huskerblitz]

Then we agree it is only a mere assertion that the EP causued a spike in Union desertions.
Leftyhunter

No, I just don't think we will agree on much, @leftyhunter.