Your first question relates to a discussion we had on the Illinois board a year or so ago. Even though it didn't apply in Tennessee and several other states, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and Republican politicies were unpopular throughout the midwest, especially in Southern Illinois. Illinois in the Civil War by Victor Hicken, pp. 139-40, states that "considerable numbers" from many Illinois regiments deserted during the winter of 1863. In early April 1863 the 109th and 128th Illinois were disbanded due to mass desertion. Hicken quotes the Illinois State Journal of April 14, 1863, as reporting, "Democratic Boys.... are coming home every day."
Here are related links --
http://www.lib.niu.edu/1996/iht319615.html
http://civilwartalk.com/forums/civil-war-history-general-discussion/19259-battle-brazil-indiana.html
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/military/CW/lewpotts/footnote.htm