A commissioned officer could resign for any reason or none at all. Language might read as follows, I submit my immediate and unconditional resignation. This was usually followed by a statement that the officer was not indebted to the Confederate government and had no charges pending against him. If medical reasons were the basis for resignation, a medical officer's evaluation would follow immediately after the officer's statement.

When reasons are missing or not otherwise clearly stated in the resignation, they're often provided in endorsements by officers in the chain of command. Example - this officer is clearly incompetent for the office he holds. The good of the service will be promoted by immediate acceptance of his resignation.

After passage of the conscript act, any officer who relinquished his commission was subject to the law regarding military service. In their letter of resignation some officers mentioned a desire to serve in the ranks or enlist as a private in a specific company.

Regarding reorganization under the conscript act, officers in units enlisted for three years or the war did not stand for reelection. All others were required to do so. If an officer wasn't reelected or if members of a twelve-month company decided not to reenlist, no letter of resignation was required. The officer's commission simply expired.