Both sides desperately need fresh troops to keep their hopes of victory alive. Confederate Options Use conscription for all young unmarried men, but allow men with more than 20 slaves to look after to return home. Use conscription for all young unmarried men, without exceptions. Rely on volunteer soliders. Conscription (compulsory mililtary service) will produce soldiers who won't fight well. Union Options Use conscription for all young unmarried men, but allow rich men to make a donation to the army if they'd rather not fight. Use conscription for all young unmarried men, without exceptions. Rely on volunteer soliders. Conscription (compulsory mililtary service) will produce soldiers who won't fight well. Outcomes President Jefferson Davis initially relied on volunteers to commit to one year of service. After the victory at First Bull Run, many of the soldiers went back home, confident that the war was won. As a result, in 1862 President Davis started conscripting white men who owned less than 20 slaves. This led to complaints that this was a 'rich man's war and a poor man's fight'.
President Abraham Lincoln also relied on volunteers at first, and only asked them to sign up for three months. However, after their humiliation at the Battle of First Bull Run many of these men immediately signed up again - this time under the new terms of three years. As a result, President Abraham Lincoln didn't have to introduce conscription until 1863, although he too allowed rich men to avoid service by making a $300 donation to the army. Quiz Questions Which battle of 1863 remainds the bloodiest ever fought on American soil?*Gettysburg*Vicksburg*Antietam*Spotsylvania A soldier conscripted into the Union army could avoid service by paying how much money to the government?*$300*$500*$150*$675