A classic eye-opener is Albert B. Moore, Conflict and Conscription in the Confederacy, published in 1924. Moore used the Official Records, newspaper accounts, letters and diaries plus court records to illustrate Southern resistance to conscription. It was substantial, and increased as the war dragged on.

Speaking for most of us, we often overlook home front concerns during the war and think in terms of sacrifice for Southern independence. Based on studies of the rolls, the volunteers from early 1861 came from towns and cities. More likely than not, they were young, single men. Farm boys came later after crops were well along. Rarely do I find farm owners who volunteered or enlisted before March 1862.

A good account by a self-described patriot explains why he remained out of the army until push came to shove. This young man was responsible for his own farm, his father's farm, his father-in-law's farm plus that of another family member. Two of the heads of households were widows, and he naturally felt his first obligation was to family. By March 1862 he understood that Congress would soon require his service, family needs not taken into consideration. At this point he volunteered, but others like him found ways to remain at home.

Another point to consider are the numbers of representatives opposing the government who were elected in 1863. Soldiers didn't submit absentee ballots as they do now, so men remaining at home to vote were sometimes less inclined to support the Confederate cause than those in the army. Don't kid yourself - lots of men could be found at home, not just the very young, very old or very crippled. Soldiers home on leave often commented on this, and it made them angry.

Here's my two cents -- any suggestion that patriotic motives guided most folks minimizes the patriotism of those who actually bled and sacrificed for Southern independence. For most men it wasn't a simple knee-jerk reaction, let's go join the cavalry. Our ancestors had hard decisions to make which weren't easy to live with. That's what made reading letters from home so difficult and why some men eventually opted to leave the army on their own accord.

I also think this may explain why some of my ancestors are remembered as not ever wanting to discuss the war. Too many family arguments, hard feelings and sorrow, I suppose.