The men that were of military age may have had some Unionist sentiment but not fervent enough to make them want to fight when the fighting came. Many of them realized that they had three choices when conscription was approved by the Confederate Congress; enlist into a unit where they knew people, go north, or be conscripted. Most chose to initially join the Confederate ranks in the mid-war regiments and then they deserted the Confederate army when they could. Some joined the one battalion of Georgia Federal soldiers, some joined other Federal organizations, but most simply deserted and either hid in the mountains, took the oath of allegiance and went north, or took the oath of allegiance and worked for the Federals as laborers at Chattanooga or along the railroad providing wood for fueling the trains.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
M.A. Military History - Civil War Concentration
Research - Preservation
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment