Michael,

With the number of men that served in the Civil War, it's not too difficult to find examples on both sides, of underage or overage men that "chose" to serve. However, they weren't legally obligated to do so. Some commanders overlooked it, others did not.

I have read accounts (diaries and letters) in which men that enlisted with patriotic zeal at the beginning of the war became disillusioned by the boredom of camp life and "homesickness". Most wives and families found life at home without husbands or older children quite difficult. Of course they missed their loved ones as well and often requested them to come home. Leave was difficult to get. Even in the non-campaigning months. The army wasn't like they had envisioned. Months of boredom punctuated by moments of extreme excitement or fear. Many of the desertions near the end of the war were the results of concern for home and family, not fear for oneself. (Sorry...rambling a little :))