Why is Peyton Farquhar not a soldier, officer, or part of the army?

Peyton Farquhar is a civilian, not a soldier or officer, because he is depicted as a Southern planter and a sympathizer of the Confederate cause during the American Civil War. His motivations stem from a desire to support the Confederacy and disrupt Union military efforts, but he lacks formal military training or status. This distinction highlights the contrast between soldiers engaged in battle and civilians like Farquhar, who are drawn into conflict through personal beliefs and circumstances.