12. The North had a desertion problem throughout the war as well
Desertion of Union troops was a problem in the second half of the war due to an unpopular and unfair draft, poor morale as a result of how the war was going, and dissatisfaction with army life in general. About one third of Union deserters returned to their units, either voluntarily or after being arrested. Some deserted because they were paid substitutes for draftees who had been told they would only have to serve for a few months, and left at the end of that time. The rate of desertion in the Union army was less than half that of its Southern counterpart, which near the end of the war saw whole companies and even regiments simply dissolve as the men comprising them left for home.
