How could able-bodied young men avoid service in the Confederate armed forces?

Question

(Not a homework question, incidentally.)

I have an ancestor who was in his late 20s in 1861, lived in Alabama where his family owned 6 slaves (i.e. not Union sympathizers) though they weren't rich or politically connected, and from his photograph he appears to have been able-bodied. There is no evidence he served during the Civil War in the army or in the Home Guard. He married in 1862 and had 2 children born during the war, also indicating he was at home and not in the field. He was not an only child or the sole support of anybody at the beginning of the war.
No tales survive of him through his descendants; I only know his name through genealogical research.
Any idea how he would have avoided service? (I know that northern men could legally pay other men (usually $300-$500 and usually Irish immigrants) to take their place, but this doesn't seem to have been an option for Confederates.)

Thanks for any good suggestions.

Answer 1

There are literally thousands of answers to this question.

A popular way of avoiding regular army service was joining the local militia. Militia men were a unique breed. Although they fought bravely they were not bound by the conventions of regular army. They had to obey orders while serving, but could leave if they chose.

Remember that this was the confederacy and when the Confederate Congress and President Davis ordered conscription these orders could be overruled by state governors.

A notable example was in Georgia. Governor Brown created what was called the "Home Guard." These men were of wealthy families ostensibly ordered into this state controlled militia to defend Georgia alone. For most of the war however these well heeled men played soldier and showed off for the antebellum ladies. When Davis instituted emergency powers near the end of the war they were compelled to join General Johnston's regulars, but were less than welcome.

Answer 2

Southern men could be excused if it was necessary that they stay home to keep an eye on the slaves. Others might be exempted by political/public service, or perhaps working for an armament factory. A couple of years ago, "North and South" magazine had an article about the Home Guard and similar organizations. I don't recall if it touched on exemptions or not, but there are probably some books out there. Interesting question: good luck!

Answer 3

Most young men at that didn't want to avoid it. They looked upon serving as something they had to do. If they had money he could have bought his way out. But he probably would have been ostracized by the townspeople afterward.

Oh yeah, another way is if he was a farmer providing food for the military. Most of the prisoners of war in the southern prison camps were not fed well and many died of starvation. But what they did provide was what farmers living in the area of the camps grew.

Answer 4

I few i could think of is maybe he was new to the country, perhaps he was sick with somthing that didnt show up on his body, the best one i got was even though he had slaves there were many familes who lived in the south and were union sympathizers and visa versa.