Final answer:
The punitive articles of war regarding absence without leave outline the consequences for military personnel failing to report for duty or leaving their post without permission, particularly during wartime. These rules enforced discipline and order, with consequences such as court-martial and suspension of habeas corpus during conflicts like the Civil War and measures against loyalists or anti-war activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Concerning the punitive articles of war related to absence without leave (AWOL), they represent a segment of military law that establishes consequences for service members who fail to report to duty, leave their post without permission, or are absent from their unit without authorization. The enforcement of such articles was strictly observed during various conflicts, such as the American Civil War and World War II. During times of war, the consequences for being AWOL could be severe, including court-martial and imprisonment. Specifically, soldiers had to wear uniforms while on leave during World War II to allow military police (MPs) to police their activities. Concerns of loyalist activities, such as discouraging volunteer enlistments or resisting militia drafts, led to draconian measures like the suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War by President Abraham Lincoln, empowering military authorities to detain individuals indefinitely without trial.
These historical contexts reflect the stern requirements placed on military personnel to maintain discipline and order during wartime. Measures were also employed during the war on terrorism, with entities like the Guantanamo Bay detention facility holding enemy combatants without formal charges or trials, compelling debates over the legality and ethics of such practices under U.S. and international law.