To Keith an oath is an oath. Officers certainly had the option of resigning when they decided they no longer wanted to honor their oath to support whichever cause, were miffed over some slight or were tired of serving, even during the war. Enlisted men (both sides) were apparently beaten, shot, branded etc, (above) when they decided they no longer wanted to honor their oaths, many of which oaths (both sides) were demanded when they were forced into service against their will. Just feeling some sympathy for boys and men who were pawns in the hands of those with stronger opinions. You need not feel it.