Civil War: The Impact of Family Situations on Enlistment

While many enlisted because they want to experience some adventure, a large number of boys hint at, or outright admit to having, difficulties of some kind at home. Whether economic or relational, these home problems made the army an attractive option for them, and a reasonable one in the eyes of their parents.

14-year-old Charles William Bardeen was one such youth. He enlisted because of difficulties at home, especially with his mother who has remarried. Raised in an abolitionist family, Bardeen believed that he should fight for what he believed in and that he should head south and join the war. He decided to enlist in the 1st Massachusetts Infantry, and his mother supported his decision to do so because she was looking forward to enjoying her second marriage without an unruly teenager in the house, all the while knowing that her son was "under authority that could control me".

Owen Bradford, on the other hand, enlisted so he can get away from his father, who was an alcoholic and was difficult to live with. Most of what we know about Owen comes from his brother Peleg's letters. It was clear in the letters that Peleg never wanted Owen to enlist, as he tried to discourage Owen from joining many times. Unfortunately, the situation at home apparently become untenable, and Owen joined the army in December 1863.

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