If I may add a clarification, it has been said:
“However, since in April 1862 the confederate government also forcibly extended the enlistments of all the current soldiers for the duration of the war one could say that a much higher percentage of the confederate army than that were there because they had to be.”
Is that a true conclusion? Not really. Truthfully, the Union had their own Draft Act, which also forced northerners into conscription in July 1863, and March, July, and December of 1864.
The United States War Department data shows that of the 249,259 18 to 35 year old men whose names were drawn for the draft, only about 6% served. The rest evaded by paying commutation or hiring a substitute. (Confederate legislation banned substitution in 1863).
There does not appear to be a case for a “testament to the dedication of the Union soldier” since 94% of the Union draftees refused to serve.
But the Union never usurped state control over their own militia by extending enlistments. Union regiments were raised by the states for a set period, and once those enlistments were up the regiments were allowed to go home. The soldiers were encouraged to re-enlist, and fortunately a high percentage did, but if they didn't then they went home. Confederate soldiers had no such option.
The United States War Department data shows that of the 249,259 18 to 35 year old men whose names were drawn for the draft, only about 6% served. The rest evaded by paying commutation or hiring a substitute. (Confederate legislation banned substitution in 1863).
Confederate legislation also eventually drafted boys as young as 17 and men as old as 50, so even with removing the substitute laws they seem to have had problems enticing people into the ranks.
There does not appear to be a case for a “testament to the dedication of the Union soldier” since 94% of the Union draftees refused to serve.
The testament was, had you bothered to read it, the fact that when the Union soldiers had a chance to go home after their enlistment was up the overwhelming majority chose to stay. Unlike the confederate soldier, the didn't have to have the government forcibly extend their enlistment. One of the reasons why, unlike the confederate army, the U.S. didn't need to draft 50 year old men to keep the ranks populated.