Religious Anti-War Groups
Background
Unlike in the North, there was no single organized and strong anti-war group in the South. Even if there were multiple organizations, they have not been written extensively about.
The Group
The one group of primarily anti-war Southerners that have been written of consist of the people who felt that their religion required that they were pacifist and therefore did not support the war. Among these religious groups were Quakers, Dunkards, Amanists, Mennonites, Nazarenes, and Schwenkfelders. Most people from these religions tended to live in the North, as people who were unwilling to fight in the South suffered worse than those against the war in the North, which was part of the reason why there was no one large organized group of dissenters.
When the first Confederate draft act was passed in April 1862, there were no exceptions made for the pacifists. Often, the states dealt with problems independently by trying to find alternative work for these men within the military so that they would still contribute to the war effort. When a revised version of the act was put into effect in October 1862, religious groups included Quakers, Dunkards, Nazarenes, and Mennonites were made exempt from the draft; however, this was only if they paid a $500 exemption fee or provided a substitute in their place. Many of the pacifists objected to complying to the terms, but eventually, even those who were willing to provide what was required failed to be able to do so due to a lack of money and men. as it became harder for the government to collect the tax, conscientious objectors were placed under military control instead, where they found unexpected sympathy. Many Confederate generals believed there was no point in using force against pacifists, and General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was among those who suggested alternative positions for the pacifists, such as allowing them to produce supplies. Although there had been no efficient solution to the problem during the Civil War, it was acknowledged as a wartime issue.
Some of the members of these religious groups gave in to pressure and ended up fighting in the Confederate army. However, these people were often expelled from their respective sects, although some groups would later readmit them. Many pacifists who lived in areas that had either been or were targets of war would flee their homes to live in safety.
Pacifists did not actively fight against the Confederate government during the war, but they did cause problems for the Confederate war effort in their own way. By trying to stay removed from the war, the military lost men that could have been used to fight. It also elongated and confused the process of enlistment. Although their religious beliefs were often ignored in the face of war, these people tried their hardest to stay true to their faith.
When the first Confederate draft act was passed in April 1862, there were no exceptions made for the pacifists. Often, the states dealt with problems independently by trying to find alternative work for these men within the military so that they would still contribute to the war effort. When a revised version of the act was put into effect in October 1862, religious groups included Quakers, Dunkards, Nazarenes, and Mennonites were made exempt from the draft; however, this was only if they paid a $500 exemption fee or provided a substitute in their place. Many of the pacifists objected to complying to the terms, but eventually, even those who were willing to provide what was required failed to be able to do so due to a lack of money and men. as it became harder for the government to collect the tax, conscientious objectors were placed under military control instead, where they found unexpected sympathy. Many Confederate generals believed there was no point in using force against pacifists, and General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was among those who suggested alternative positions for the pacifists, such as allowing them to produce supplies. Although there had been no efficient solution to the problem during the Civil War, it was acknowledged as a wartime issue.
Some of the members of these religious groups gave in to pressure and ended up fighting in the Confederate army. However, these people were often expelled from their respective sects, although some groups would later readmit them. Many pacifists who lived in areas that had either been or were targets of war would flee their homes to live in safety.
Pacifists did not actively fight against the Confederate government during the war, but they did cause problems for the Confederate war effort in their own way. By trying to stay removed from the war, the military lost men that could have been used to fight. It also elongated and confused the process of enlistment. Although their religious beliefs were often ignored in the face of war, these people tried their hardest to stay true to their faith.