This book addresses the most important issues associated with Confederate desertion. How many soldiers actually deserted, when did they desert, and why? What does Confederate desertion say about Confederate nationalism and the war effort? Mark A. Weitz has taken his argument beyond the obvious reasons for desertion–that war is a horrific and cruel experience—and examined the emotional and psychological reasons that might induce a soldier to desert. Just as loyalty to his fellow soldiers might influence a man to charge into a hail of lead, loyalty to his wife and family could also lead him to risk a firing squad in order to return home.
Mark A. Weitz is a dynamic author, speaker, attorney, and noted historian.
Mark writes and speaks on the American Civil War and Constitutional Legal History. He is the former director of the prestigious Civil War Era Studies Program at Gettysburg College and is currently partner and head of the litigation practice at his law firm Weitz Morgan PLLC.
His career has provided him with insight and experiences to see issues and topics from a variety of perspectives. He has worked as a private attorney and general counsel, served as the COO of an insurance company, and taught history at the university level. As the author of five books, Mark blends his training and experience as a professional historian with his legal expertise to provide audiences with a unique viewpoint that is thoughtful and captivating.
Mark is the author of the preeminent study on Confederate desertion and has tackled controversial topics like clergy malpractice and immigration in his legal history books. He regularly writes and speaks on topics related to the Civil War and constitutional law while providing his legal clients with high-level counsel and overseeing the growth of his firm.
