Mexican War Deserters Executed ... or Not

Desertion was a serious problem for the regulars of the United States Army in the 19th century. It is estimated that seven to fifteen percent of the soldiers who enlisted during the period “went over the hill”. Some soldiers were homesick, others were sick of the army. Many made a calculated decision to enlist and hope for a duty station far away from home in the western portion of the country to escape personal, legal, or employment problems. Having reached a desirable location, the soldier would desert. This was an easy task in an era that did not have photographs, fingerprints and rapid communications. The army recognized the problem but took it in stride. Only when a soldier absconded with equipment did the army take action. William Tecumseh Sherman, then a 1st Lt. in the 3rd Artillery stationed in Gold Rush California, describes tracking down some would be prospectors, still in service as soldiers. He infers that the chase took place only because the soldiers had taken their government equipment with them when they deserted. Unless mayhem ensued in their flight from the army, the public remained unconcerned. Today the subject is arcane except among specialists in military affairs.1