Southern unionism

[atlantis]

Would southern unionism have faded away if there had been no conscription? Is it not fair to view southern unionism as merely a reaction to conscription after the enactment of the first conscript law in contrast to the southern unionism that existed during the debates over secession.
Southern unionists also felt the harsh hand of union troops as they the ravaged the land, plundering/burning.

 

[Rhea Cole]

In North Carolina, the mountain communities were not the only groups who showed support for the Union cause. In the central part of the state there were active antiwar groups like the Red Strings, Heroes of the Union and a large Quaker population that would encourage desertion and hide deserters from patrols looking to round up Confederate deserters. These Unionist groups had a strong effect on the communities they lived in and sapped the morale of their neighbors who supported the Confederacy not to mention the fact that they kept manpower off of the battlefields.

It would not do to ignore the contribution of Gullah & Geechee people on the barrister islands. Without them, the Union blockade might never have been practical.

I always used to laugh when someone pontificated that South Carolina was the only CSA state that did not contribute a regiment to the Union army.

Link:

1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment & The 33rd United States Colored Troops

One of the first Black regiments to be mustered into the Union army during the American Civil War, the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry recruited many...

www.battlefields.org

In 1860 there were 72,000 enslaved individuals in the Middle Tennessee counties surrounding Nashville / Davidson County. Without that ready labor pool, the Tullahoma / Chattanooga/ Atlanta & March to the Sea Campaigns could not have happened.

Emblematic of their existential importance is the building, manning & protection of the Nashville & North Western RR. 70 miles long, it connected Nashville with the Tennessee River at Johnsonville. For months at a time, the Cumberland River was too low for navigation.

Because of the connection of the 13th USCTI to Murfreesboro & Rutherford County I have studied the metamorphosis of its members.

The 13th's saga began when they were requisitioned from local farmers who were paid for their labor reached a fiery crescendo with the gallant attack at Orchard Knob on Hood's right December 1864.

 

[uaskme]

The June prompt for my library's Adult Reading Challenge 2026 is "read a book with a color in the title." I've got this one picked out.

View attachment 575465

I'm interested in finding out more about them because what I already know about the gents who enlisted from my area does not match @uaskme 's description. What went on downstate could be different I suppose. The 29th was involved in the Battle of the Crater, and I'm 100% positive they weren't forced to dig that hole. They were also too busy taking part in the Petersburg and Appomattox campaigns to be growing cotton on anybody's plantation. They did get sent to Texas after Appomattox and may or may not have been in Galveston for Juneteenth. That's another thing I'd like to check into. The author got his BA in History from VMI. He was career military in the Air Force and taught American History at the Air Force

How many of them were killed because of Northern Racism? I've got references to what I post. Something my Mama taught me. The Peninsula Campaign & the Necessity of Emancipation by Brasher is a good study of early VA. Area that was exempted from the EP. Federal Calvary. Rounded Blacks up and put them into Contraband Camps. Used the Abled Bodied. Shame Northerners Bias And Racism can't admit or don't want to. Cotton wasn't the most productive area in VA. Study what happened in the MS River Valley and yes they grew cotton on farms for the Federal Government or for leases who produced cotton and sent it North.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Were not some maybe many tricked, even forced into enlisting?

There was no trickery involved. For example, Lee sent regiments from the Army of Northern Virginia to the mountains of NC to enforce conscription. Read more here:

Link:

The War Within the Confederacy: White Unionist of NC

 

[Rhea Cole]

The June prompt for my library's Adult Reading Challenge 2026 is "read a book with a color in the title." I've got this one picked out.

View attachment 575465

I'm interested in finding out more about them because what I already know about the gents who enlisted from my area does not match @uaskme 's description. What went on downstate could be different I suppose. The 29th was involved in the Battle of the Crater, and I'm 100% positive they weren't forced to dig that hole. They were also too busy taking part in the Petersburg and Appomattox campaigns to be growing cotton on anybody's plantation. They did get sent to Texas after Appomattox and may or may not have been in Galveston for Juneteenth. That's another thing I'd like to check into. The author got his BA in History from VMI. He was career military in the Air Force and taught American History at the Air Force Academy.

I wonder if the Illinois USCT included self-liberated individuals from Illinois' constitutionally created saltworks slave labor population? That would be a unique narrative ¿no?

 

[uaskme]

It would not do to ignore the contribution of Gullah & Geechee people on the barrister islands. Without them, the Union blockade might never have been practical.

I always used to laugh when someone pontificated that South Carolina was the only CSA state that did not contribute a regiment to the Union army.

Link:

1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment & The 33rd United States Colored Troops

One of the first Black regiments to be mustered into the Union army during the American Civil War, the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry recruited many...

www.battlefields.org

In 1860 there were 72,000 enslaved individuals in the Middle Tennessee counties surrounding Nashville / Davidson County. Without that ready labor pool, the Tullahoma / Chattanooga/ Atlanta & March to the Sea Campaigns could not have happened.

Emblematic of their existential importance is the building, manning & protection of the Nashville & North Western RR. 70 miles long, it connected Nashville with the Tennessee River at Johnsonville. For months at a time, the Cumberland River was too low for navigation.

Because of the connection of the 13th USCTI to Murfreesboro & Rutherford County I have studied the metamorphosis of its members.

The 13th's saga began when they were requisitioned from local farmers who were paid for their labor reached a fiery crescendo with the gallant attack at Orchard Knob on Hood's right December 1864.

Hood wasn't at Chattanooga. Texas Brigade went to Knoxville in early November 63'with Longstreet. Battle for Orchard Knob happened on November 23 63'. So it would take Houdini to put Orchard Knob on Hood's left in December.

 

[JerryD]

Don't think there was that much southern unionism really.

There was perhaps significant conditional loyalty......those who went along with Confederacy while in their sway. Then trying to present themselves as having been Unionist all along if area occupied.

As war went on there may been increasing dissent or dissatisfaction within Confederacy, but often think it wouldn't necessarily be accurate to call it Unionism. There was some increasing dissatisfaction with war and draft in the north as well, think if would be equally inaccurate to describe it as somehow loyalty to Confederacy as well.........

If one had significant loyalty to whichever one wasn't in their area......particularly among military age males, think they would made their way to other to enlist.

Well, "that much" is a nice vague term, so in that regard, its hard to argue since it essentially means nothing. If you mean "little" then the historic record is clear you are wrong. We know there were large pockets of Unionism in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In an age of no polling its always hard to make such judgements, but we often see support for the American Revolution presented as 1/3 in favor, 1/3 opposed and 1/3 on the fence. I suspect the CSA had similar numbers. Clearly by early 1862 enlistments had dried up and it had to resort to conscription to keep its armies filled up. This is strong evidence that the war was not wholeheartedly supported by the entire population. Of course that does not speak of Unionist leanings, but clearly the war was only being marginally supported by the population at large.

Of course, similar statements can be made about the US. There was a large group opposed to the war, and many who were neutral as well. Its no surprise that in such large populations that there would be this split in opinion. The difference being that US armies were represented by regiments from every state other than South Carolina, whereas I am not aware of any Ohio, or New York, of Massachusetts regiments fighting for the CSA.

I now frustrated Confederates like to pretend that the south was solidly in support of the war effort, but the reality for both the CSA and the USA is more likely that only about a third were strong supporters, a third were probably strongly opposed and a third was on the fence.

 

[archieclement]

There seems to alot of blurring lines here. There's those from each side who at start of the war did cross over to actively enlist in the other side, which can see as equating to loyalty.

However simply being anti war and being a draft dodger or a deserter in some outlaw band to hide out doesn't really equate to any side loyality........

 

[archieclement]

Well, "that much" is a nice vague term, so in that regard, its hard to argue since it essentially means nothing. If you mean "little" then the historic record is clear you are wrong. We know there were large pockets of Unionism in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In an age of no polling its always hard to make such judgements, but we often see support for the American Revolution presented as 1/3 in favor, 1/3 opposed and 1/3 on the fence. I suspect the CSA had similar numbers. Clearly by early 1862 enlistments had dried up and it had to resort to conscription to keep its armies filled up. This is strong evidence that the war was not wholeheartedly supported by the entire population. Of course that does not speak of Unionist leanings, but clearly the war was only being marginally supported by the population at large.

Of course, similar statements can be made about the US. There was a large group opposed to the war, and many who were neutral as well. Its no surprise that in such large populations that there would be this split in opinion. The difference being that US armies were represented by regiments from every state other than South Carolina, whereas I am not aware of any Ohio, or New York, of Massachusetts regiments fighting for the CSA.

I now frustrated Confederates like to pretend that the south was solidly in support of the war effort, but the reality for both the CSA and the USA is more likely that only about a third were strong supporters, a third were probably strongly opposed and a third was on the fence.

I used that much the same for both sides, when 75% or more of a states enlistment went to one side, it's a bit of stretch to imply the minority was that significant compared to the majority.

As well in considering opportunism, in states that voted on issue before the war, if the votes were overwhelming for or against secession, there's likely other issues at play as well. For example my state had voted overwhelmingly Union on secession, it took event like Camp Jackson to spur numbers to other side.

But as demonstrated there were minorities from Union Border states going south, just as there was in Confederate border states going north. I think divided loyalty is sometime a bit overplayed though.

Often see claim and mention of Unionists in Tennessee to make it sound rather evenly divided......however 135 to 140,000 in Confederate Army to 31,000 in union doesn't seem that evenly divided. Even if you include Tennessee contrabands joining USCT it only takes it to 51k union. In reality rather comfortable majority served Confederacy. Same as in Ky or Mo for union.

As well in cases were soldiers served one side to desert to other, doesn't indicate they had much loyality at all, and were simply opportunistic.

Desertion and draft dodging wasn't unique to ACW but is rather timeless. Just usually no one makes false equivalency that such actions somehow indicate any loyality or devotion to anyone else. As anti war would be anti either sides military. Religious beliefs, cowardice after experiencing combat, or inability to deal with rigid authority in army, would still been rather prominent reasons to avoid draft or desert.

 

[leftyhunter]

Most were impressed. Impressed to be soldiers, build fortifications and grow Yankee cotton. Also most weren't paid or paid little. Forever Free to the Yankee was being forced back onto the Plantations and many Blacks thought their conditions were worse. Being robbed and raped probably had something to do with it.

Also the "Fight for their Freedom" fairytale. Yes Blacks used this opportunity to fight or otherwise to get freedom. However the EP was based on Military Necessity which excluded benevolence. None of it was based on the premise to help Blacks. It was to help the Norths War Effort.

Any evidence that the majority of men who of color were forced to join the Union military? Were people of color thrilled and grateful be enslaved? The Confederacy used quite a bit of force to fill their ranks and many Confederate soldiers deserted and even joined the Union Army such has the Second Florida Cavalry Union.
If the Confederacy was so concerned about the rights of African Americans why didn't they open their ranks to African Americans in 1861? Why the postcwar black codes?
Why the KKK and other similar groups?
Leftyhunter

 

[leftyhunter]

I used that much the same for both sides, when 75% or more of a states enlistment went to one side, it's a bit of stretch to imply the minority was that significant compared to the majority.

As well in considering opportunism, in states that voted on issue before the war, if the votes were overwhelming for or against secession, there's likely other issues at play as well. For example my state had voted overwhelmingly Union on secession, it took event like Camp Jackson to spur numbers to other side.

But as demonstrated there were minorities from Union Border states going south, just as there was in Confederate border states going north. I think divided loyalty is sometime a bit overplayed though.

Often see claim and mention of Unionists in Tennessee to make it sound rather evenly divided......however 135 to 140,000 in Confederate Army to 31,000 in union doesn't seem that evenly divided. Even if you include Tennessee contrabands joining USCT it only takes it to 51k union. In reality rather comfortable majority served Confederacy. Same as in Ky or Mo for union.

As well in cases were soldiers served one side to desert to other, doesn't indicate they had much loyality at all, and were simply opportunistic.

Desertion and draft dodging wasn't unique to ACW but is rather timeless. Just usually no one makes false equivalency that such actions somehow indicate any loyality or devotion to anyone else. As anti war would be anti either sides military. Religious beliefs, cowardice after experiencing combat, or inability to deal with rigid authority in army, would still been rather prominent reasons to avoid draft or desert.

Again with a small demographic base the Confederacy couldn't afford and defection to thevUnion .As a percentage of Southern men from the eleven Confederate states 194k men represented about ten percent of the entire Confederate Army. That's a lot of manpower the Confederacy could of used.
Leftyhunter

 

[UnderTheRedPatch]

Reading the thousands of accounts in the Southern Claims Commission tells us a great deal about Unionists. We hear about the secession votes, dodging conscription, and threats. Granted this is done postwar, but it seems to show plenty of people were upset before conscription, though obviously they worked hard to avoid it as well.

The Southern Claims Commission - Emerging Civil War

As United States armies moved through seceded states on campaign or settled into winter camps, they often requisitioned property (food, animals, wood) from private citizens with or without permission from the owners. Formed during Ulysses S. Grant’s postwar presidency, the Southern Claims...

emergingcivilwar.com

 

[atlantis]

One thing we know, and we have seen it in our own lifetime is that support or opposition to war can change over the course of the conflict. I don't question the courage or character of people on both sides of this conflict, but I do find it fascinating how beliefs/views evolved among the participates over the course of the conflict.
I don't know what I would have done, I would not have voted for secession but probably enlisted in the confederate army to avoid being conscripted for the duration. The US army came into my home county and destroyed a lot of property causing a great deal of hardship.
So, I can see myself going from unionist to confederate. Or I could have been completely demoralized.
Have you thought how you would respond.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

One thing we know, and we have seen it in our own lifetime is that support or opposition to war can change over the course of the conflict. I don't question the courage or character of people on both sides of this conflict, but I do find it fascinating how beliefs/views evolved among the participates over the course of the conflict.
I don't know what I would have done, I would not have voted for secession but probably enlisted in the confederate army to avoid being conscripted for the duration. The US army came into my home county and destroyed a lot of property causing a great deal of hardship.
So, I can see myself going from unionist to confederate. Or I could have been completely demoralized.
Have you thought how you would respond.

Great question. I'm sure once the rhetoric stopped and lead began to fly, allegiances changed. Unionists changed to the Confederates, those hoping to stay out of it became Unionists once the Flag was fired on. One of my 2nd great-grandfathers in East Tennessee went through the Vicksburg Campaign and returned to join the Union Army.

 

[damYankee]

Remaining loyal to the Union was a dangerous choice, even those seeking safe haven in Mexico were hunted down by Confederates
The "Loyalty to the Union" monument at which the German Unionists' remains are interred.

The Battle of the Nueces: A Civil War Skirmish in Texas

Explore the Battle of the Nueces, a significant Civil War skirmish involving Hill Country Unionists and Confederate soldiers in Texas. Learn about the events, casualties, and the memorial dedicated to the fallen.

www.tshaonline.org

Here is more about Texas Unionist

Historians estimate that about 30 percent of Texans had Unionist sentiments. Many dissenters would become the targets of vigilante mobs. The most common tactic of the vigilantes was to torch the homes or businesses of those with unpopular opinions, but murder was not uncommon.

The displays in this case include several of the most well-known instances of dissent in Civil War Texas, but there were many others. One of the most notorious incidents began in the cattle country of North Texas in October 1862. Twenty-one Unionists were arrested for resisting the draft and sent to Gainesville to be tried for treason. Seven men were legally convicted and hanged. The trial set off weeks of vigilante violence that led to the lynching of 46 Unionists in Gainesville, Sherman, Decatur, and Denton. Jefferson Davis fired Texas's military commander for failing to control the situation known as the "Great Hanging at Gainesville."

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/lobbyexhibits/civil-war-dissent

 

[Library Lady]

The closest I can come to your scenario, @atlantis , is that here in Illinois several counties (30+/- out of 102) have passed nonbinding referendums on wanting to leave Illinois and either form their own state or hook up with another state. The Indiana legislature wants them (which reminds me of a song . . .). If my county passed one of those and it looked like Springfield would allow it, I'd move to a county that was still Illinois. I'd probably take a financial hit when it comes to housing, but I don't want what those potential breakaway counties are selling and I don't want to live in Indiana (with or without the Bears).

 

[Rhea Cole]

Reading the thousands of accounts in the Southern Claims Commission tells us a great deal about Unionists. We hear about the secession votes, dodging conscription, and threats. Granted this is done postwar, but it seems to show plenty of people were upset before conscription, though obviously they worked hard to avoid it as well.

The Southern Claims Commission - Emerging Civil War

As United States armies moved through seceded states on campaign or settled into winter camps, they often requisitioned property (food, animals, wood) from private citizens with or without permission from the owners. Formed during Ulysses S. Grant’s postwar presidency, the Southern Claims...

emergingcivilwar.com

There is a post war theme that maintains that conscription, as it was structured & the 20 slave rule did great harm to the army. Dragging a large number of men with no loyalty to the CSA govt or the cause of securing slave holding forever into the army guaranteed mass desertions. That is an assertion worth considering.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Great question. I'm sure once the rhetoric stopped and lead began to fly, allegiances changed. Unionists changed to the Confederates, those hoping to stay out of it became Unionists once the Flag was fired on. One of my 2nd great-grandfathers in East Tennessee went through the Vicksburg Campaign and returned to join the Union Army.

G-G-grandfather's East Tennessee story is a very common one. The men in East TN were recruited with a promise that they would only be deployed locally.

The letters home from Vicksburg by mature men with farms, bee hives & families are especially poignant. They were so miserable, homesick & sad.

 

[atlantis]

Domestic conflicts at home are scary as heck because events happen so fast and who can you trust. These people as in 1776 went from a predictable stable society into a chaotic situation.

 

[archieclement]

Again with a small demographic base the Confederacy couldn't afford and defection to thevUnion .As a percentage of Southern men from the eleven Confederate states 194k men represented about ten percent of the entire Confederate Army. That's a lot of manpower the Confederacy could of used.
Leftyhunter

And they gained roughly the same number from Union states, so defection were rather a push. As was desertions roughly along same rates. 200k union deserters to 100k Confederate from a union army roughly 2x the Confederate.

 

[JerryD]

And they gained roughly the same number from Union states, so defection were rather a push. As was desertions roughly along same rates. 200k union deserters to 100k Confederate from a union army roughly 2x the Confederate.

Jeff Davis famously gave a speech in Macon Georgia in Sept. 1864 in which he claimed that 2/3rds of all CSA soldiers were absent, and most of that number were deserters. https://jeffersondavis.rice.edu/archives/documents/speech-macon-georgia From looking at the war records, this implies that over 300,000 men were AWOL in late 1864. And of course we know this number substantially grew over the winter of 1864-65.

I've seen the 105,000 number of deserters before, but I thought it was well understood that this number is dramatically off and reflects poor CSA record keeping more than anything else.