CIVIL VS. VIETNAM: THE DESERTERS

In the novel The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, multiple Union soldiers in the American Civil War fled the battlefield. Seemingly similar, American citizens evaded the draft in one of many ways during the Vietnam War. Both may be labeled as deserted, but the former should be respected far above the latter. First of all, the Union soldiers were brave enough to actually show up at the battle, while draft-evaders avoided it altogether by fleeing America, bribing officials, or improving their grades at a University. Secondly, Union soldiers had a reason to flee, while those who sought to avoid the Vietnam War could only babble useless and meaningless excuses. Next, Union soldiers were protecting the interests of their country; the noblest possible cause on earth, while evaders were shrinking away from the opportunity.

Holding their heads high, scared completely to death, Union soldiers marched bravely onto the battlefield, ready (so they thought) to face death. Running away from the battle, on the other hand, were draft-evaders of the Vietnam war. Obviously, the soldiers marching into war would be branded as the courageous while the pacifists were marked as the cowards. In some cases, cowardice is acceptable... part of human nature. In this case, however, cowardice is one step away from traitorous.

Acceptable excuses to leave the battlefield all involve actually being present in the first place. Facing their fears, the Union soldiers ventured onto the battlefield and were scared to death. Only then did they run; only after seeing the viciousness, the blood, and the death. Their reasoning in desertion nullifies the negative aspect of "cowardice." Vietnam evaders had never witnessed such bloodshed, had never seen such mass amounts of death. Therefore, they had no reason to flee; they hadn't even reached the battlefield yet! Excuses from these men only increased the disgust felt by those listening, and justified nothing.

The United States Armed Forces have a long history of brave men and women, reaching far back to the American Revolution. As Armed Forces Network (AFN) commercials advertise, America's Armed Forces possess a "Legacy of Courage." How could one not want to be a part of it, given the opportunity? Not much in life exists that surpasses the personal satisfaction felt when one has served his country. The Union soldiers realized this and strode gallantly into battle, while the Vietnam pacifists avoided such an awesome and fulfilling opportunity. Obviously, not only were the Union soldiers braver, they also demonstrated much more foresight and wisdom through their actions than the draft-evaders.

The Union soldiers of the American Civil War proved themselves to be brave, wise, selfless, and strong both mentally and physically. They possessed the nerve to venture into such a grisly scene and their flee from the battlefield was understandable and somewhat justified. The Vietnam draft-evaders were selfish, immature, cowards (sniveling brats, if you will). Their flee from the battlefield was unjustified and held in contempt because of its prematurity; they hadn't even been to or witnessed the battle, after all. Their actions not only showed a passionate selfishness and self-preservation, but also treason and mutiny to the United States of America: their home! In conclusion, the Union soldiers, while appearing to resemble the draft evaders, were definitely unlike their twentieth century "counterparts," and deserve a respect infinitely higher than any given to the Vietnam pacifists.