North:
* Voluntary Enlistments: At the beginning of the war, the majority of soldiers in the Union army were volunteers who signed up for service out of patriotic fervor and a desire to defend the Union. Many of these volunteers came from urban areas and were motivated by a sense of duty and loyalty to their country.
* Conscription: As the war dragged on and casualties mounted, the Union government resorted to conscription to supplement its depleted ranks. The Enrollment Act of 1863 established a system of mandatory military service for all male citizens and immigrants between the ages of 20 and 45. Draftees could avoid service by paying a $300 commutation fee or by finding a substitute to serve in their place.
South:
* Voluntary Enlistments: Like the North, the Confederacy initially relied on volunteers to fill its ranks. Many Southerners were motivated to fight by a sense of regional identity and a desire to preserve their way of life.
* Conscription: The Confederacy was slower than the Union to adopt conscription, but it eventually implemented a draft in 1862. The Confederate Conscription Act required all white males between the ages of 18 and 45 to serve in the military. Exemptions were granted for certain occupations, such as clergymen, doctors, and government officials.
In summary, both the North and the South used a combination of voluntary enlistments and conscription to enlist their armies during the Civil War. However, the North was more successful in implementing conscription and was able to field larger armies as a result.