You have a good point, at least until August 1862. Yes, this was a volunteer sort of organization. Men could come and go as they pleased, at least in principle. That changed in August 1862 when Colonel Gideon Thompson swore in the whole band as it was at that time into the Confederate army with Quantrill as captain, George Todd as lieutenant, and the rest. True, it was still a loose organization that did not have to make regular reports to a headquarters, wear uniforms, and the rest. Members still came and went after August 1862.

However, the overall truth here (at least to me) is that when your men no longer follow you or obey you, you cease to be their leader, especially for such an irregular unit such as this one. Orders and regulations are one thing, but when you determine that your leader is no longer worthy of your followship, you look for ways to get out of following him. As you rightly pointed out, this is not the case in a regular military organization.

Bruce