[DiogenesLamp]

So, patriotism does not seem like a viable reason.

That leaves “moral outrage.”

Moral outrage makes even less sense. There was no move to abolish slavery until two years after the war had started. They would have had to be precognitive as well as being in the throes of a "moral outrage."

Since Abolishing slavery wasn't on the table in 1862, one can only conclude that they were simply being patriotic.

[Vermont Lt]

Fair enough.

Obviously not the brightest bulbs.