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— CH. 1 · FORMATION AND ESTABLISHMENT —

Confederate States Army

~9 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
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  • On the 8th of February 1861, delegates from seven Deep South slave states met in Montgomery, Alabama to adopt the Provisional Constitution of the Confederate States. Just twenty days later on February 28, the Provisional Confederate Congress established a provisional volunteer army and handed control over military operations to Jefferson Davis. Davis was a graduate of West Point who had served as a colonel during the Mexican, American War before becoming U.S. Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce. By the 1st of March 1861, he assumed command at Charleston Harbor where South Carolina militia besieged Fort Sumter held by Major Robert Anderson. The Provisional Congress expanded these forces into a more permanent regular Confederate States Army by March 1861 while meeting in their temporary capital. An accurate count of total individuals serving remains impossible due to destroyed records but estimates range between 750,000 and over 1,000,000 troops. This figure excludes enslaved Black people pressed into labor for fortifications or wagon driving duties. Records show Union soldiers numbered between 1,550,000 and 2,400,000 with most likely figures around 2,000,000 to 2,200,000. The Provisional Army of the Confederate States began organizing on the 27th of April 1861 after the first conscription law passed months later. Virtually all men preferred entering this organization since officers could achieve higher ranks than in the Regular Army. The Army of the Confederate States authorized only 15,015 men including 744 officers yet never achieved that level. Three state regiments were later denominated Confederate but had no practical effect on actual organization.

  • By the 8th of August 1861 the Confederacy called for 400,000 volunteers to serve one or three years before passing its first conscription law eight months later. The Conscription Act made all able-bodied white men aged 18 to 35 liable for a three-year term starting in April 1862. Men employed as railroad workers, telegraph operators, miners, druggists, and teachers received exemptions from the draft. On the 27th of September 1862 the maximum age extended to 45 while October 11 brought the Twenty Negro Law exempting anyone owning twenty or more slaves. This exemption caused deep resentment among non-slaveholding conscripts who saw wealthy slave owners avoiding service. By December 1863 the practice allowing rich drafted men to hire substitutes was abolished after similar resentment occurred in Union states. Age limits expanded again in February 1864 to include men between 17 and 50 years old. Five state supreme courts upheld these acts despite challenges. Estimates suggest about double the percentage of Union soldiers were drafted since roughly 6 percent of Union troops faced conscription. Confederate military personnel deaths reached approximately 94,000 killed in battle plus 164,000 dying from disease. Another 25,976 died in Union prison camps while an estimated 194,026 soldiers suffered wounds. These figures contrast with Union losses showing 110,100 killed in battle and 224,580 deaths from disease. The number of wounded Union soldiers totaled 275,174 according to best estimates.

  • Southern churches sent missionaries to meet shortages of Army chaplains starting in 1862 when Southern Baptists dispatched 78 missionaries. Presbyterians followed with 112 missionaries sent in early 1865 while Episcopalians, Methodists, and Lutherans provided additional support. Wave after wave of religious revivals strengthened soldier loyalty to comrades and the Confederacy itself. Military historian Samuel J. Watson argues Christian faith served as a shield against fear and reduced drinking within ranks. Some men with weak religious affiliations became committed Christians viewing their service as satisfying God's wishes. James M. McPherson examined hundreds of Confederate letters finding none contained anti-slavery sentiment whatsoever. Confederate soldiers readily accepted fighting to perpetuate slavery without debating the contradiction present in earlier American revolutions. One Texas soldier stated they fought for property contrasting this with Union soldiers pursuing what he called flimsy abstract ideas about equality. A Louisianan artilleryman declared never wanting to see a negro put on equality with white persons. Another North Carolinian asserted plainly that a white man is better than a nigger. Research using an 1862 Georgia Lottery showed rich white Southern men enlisted at higher rates than poor men because they had more wealth to lose. Slavery formed the foundation of their power so losing it meant destroying everything they possessed. John S. Mosby reflected decades later that war began over slavery since no other cause existed according to his understanding.

  • By September 1864 President Davis admitted two-thirds of soldiers were absent most without official leave permission. Conditions worsened rapidly after that point as fewer men returned to their units. Many soldiers went home temporarily to address family starvation or marauder depredations before quietly returning when problems resolved. Historian Mark Weitz argues desertions came because soldiers felt higher duty to families than Confederacy itself. Official counts listed 103,400 deserters though estimates suggest one-third of all Confederate soldiers deserted eventually. On the 19th of August 1862 General Thomas J. Stonewall Jackson approved execution sentences for three deserters rejecting clemency pleas from regimental commanders. His goal was maintaining discipline in volunteer armies whose homes faced enemy occupation. The Confederate Army executed about 230 deserters total while Union forces executed approximately 147 despite facing higher overall numbers. North Carolina lost nearly a quarter of its soldiers totaling 24,122 to desertion representing the highest rate among any state. Young Samuel Clemens deserted long before becoming famous writer Mark Twain often commenting comically on losing honor and fearing death. Local pressures mounted as Union forces occupied more territory putting families at risk of hardship. One officer noted deserters belonged almost entirely to poorest non-slave-holders whose labor supported daily family survival. When fathers husbands or sons entered service suffering became inevitable according to nature of these men. Growing dissatisfaction in Appalachian districts caused by lingering Unionism led many soldiers to form military forces fighting Regular Army units trying capture them.

  • The central government lacked money so each state had to supply its own regiments leading to severe shortages. Railroads proved ineffective combined with frequent unwillingness of Southern states providing adequate funding. Control over major river and ocean ports was lost early resulting in heavy reliance on overburdened railroad systems. U.S. forces destroyed track engines cars bridges and telegraph lines knowing new equipment unavailable to Confederacy. Occasional raids into northern territories aimed bringing back money and supplies though Chambersburg burned down in 1864 due to failure paying extortion demands. Typical Confederate soldiers rarely wore standard regulation uniforms especially as war progressed further. Faded patched-together regulation uniforms mixed with rough homespun dyed butternut yellow-brown colors appeared alongside hodgepodge civilian clothing. Victorious troops sometimes procured U.S. uniform parts from captured supplies causing confusion later battles. Individual states expected supplying soldiers created lack of uniformity since North Carolina better supplied than Texas unable adequately provide troops. Uniforms featured colored strips designating service parts while shoes tents gear often inadequate forcing innovation scrounging local countryside. Lee spent equal time searching food planning strategy tactics by 1863 when Vicksburg victory shut off western supplies. General Sherman total warfare reduced ability producing shipping food cities coupled blockade devastation plantations farms railroads meant losing capacity feeding soldiers civilians. Arms importation saw success importing weapons Britain funded purchases construction ships outfitted blockade runners carrying war supplies bound Southern ports.

  • The Confederate States Army lacked formal overall military commander until late war despite Jefferson Davis serving as commander-in-chief providing strategic direction. Robert E. Lee charged conducting military operations armies Confederacy March 13 the 31st of May 1862 exercised broad control similar current Chief Staff United States Army role. June 1 he assumed command Army Northern Virginia considered most important field army Braxton Bragg similarly charged the 24th of February 1864 the 31st of January 1865 after relief following Chattanooga battle. Lee formally designated General in Chief Armies Confederate States the 23rd of January 1865 serving capacity January 31 the 9th of April 1865. Lack centralized control proved strategic weakness few examples armies acting concert multiple theaters achieving common objectives. One instance occurred late 1862 Lee invasion Maryland coincident Bragg invasion Kentucky Earl Van Dorn advance Corinth Mississippi all unsuccessful initiatives. Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown defied Confederate government policies resisting draft believing local troops used only defense Georgia stopping Colonel Francis Bartow taking troops First Battle Bull Run. Many senior leaders including Albert Sidney Johnston James Longstreet resigned U.S. commissions hearing states left Union feeling no choice defending homes. Abraham Lincoln exasperated hearing men professed loving country willing fight against it. Seven men achieved full general rank highest-ranking earliest date Samuel Cooper Adjutant General Inspector General Confederate States Army. All wore same insignia regardless grade decision made early conflict though Robert E. Lee notable exception choosing colonel rank insignia. Only seven men achieved full general rank while others held lieutenant major brigadier ranks without created insignias.

  • Confederacy did not allow African Americans join army neither free people nor slaves despite speculation arming slaves from war onset. Proposals seriously considered Jefferson Davis administration until late war severe manpower shortages faced Gary Gallagher writes Lee advocated arming slaves early 1865 desperate expedient prolonging resistance. After acrimonious debate Congress agreed March 1865 war nearly over only about two hundred enslaved soldiers enlisted before surrender. Opposition existed November 1864 when Confederates knew securing victory slim chance despite lacking foreign assistance facing superior resources. Georgia Atlanta Southern Confederacy maintained position opposing armed black men even January 1865 stating incongruous goals views regarding African Americans slavery. Prominent figures R.M.T. Hunter Howell Cobb opposed arming slaves calling suicidal running contrary ideology Cobb said using blacks caused many quitting army. Cobb stated using blacks would end revolution because if slaves make good soldiers whole theory slavery wrong. Former secretary state Robert Toombs called worst calamity gaining independence valor slaves instead own complaining surrender entire slavery question. Maintaining institution slavery primary goal Confederacy existence thus using slaves as soldiers incongruous goal. On the 13th of March 1865 Congress passed General Order 14 single vote senate Jefferson Davis signed order law issued March 23. Few African American companies raised Richmond area town captured U.S. Army placed back under control historian James McPherson noted no black soldiers fought unless passing white. Some body servants picked up rifle fighting though Appomattox came few weeks later none put uniform fight. Confederates forced African American slaves fire upon U.S. soldiers gunpoint First Battle Bull Run John Parker slave forced fight stated masters promised freedom money none believed only fought had to.

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Common questions

When was the Confederate States Army established and who commanded it initially?

The Provisional Congress established a provisional volunteer army on the 28th of February 1861. Jefferson Davis assumed command at Charleston Harbor by the 1st of March 1861 after serving as U.S. Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce.

How many men served in the Confederate States Army during the war?

Estimates range between 750,000 and over 1,000,000 troops though an accurate count remains impossible due to destroyed records. This figure excludes enslaved Black people pressed into labor for fortifications or wagon driving duties.

What were the age requirements for conscription in the Confederate States Army?

The Conscription Act made all able-bodied white men aged 18 to 35 liable for a three-year term starting in April 1862. Age limits expanded again in February 1864 to include men between 17 and 50 years old.

Why did soldiers desert from the Confederate States Army in large numbers?

Official counts listed 103,400 deserters though estimates suggest one-third of all Confederate soldiers deserted eventually. Many soldiers went home temporarily to address family starvation or marauder depredations before quietly returning when problems resolved.

When was slavery officially abolished within the Confederate States Army?

Congress passed General Order 14 on the 13th of March 1865 which Jefferson Davis signed as law issued March 23. Only about two hundred enslaved soldiers enlisted before surrender despite proposals seriously considered by the administration until late war.

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All sources

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