[Casloy]

I don't believe hardly any of the Southerners who fought in the Civil war in any way believed they were flighting to protect slaverey. I don't believe hardly any of the Union troops believed they were fighting to free the slaves. In fact, I would venture a good number of Union troops were not happy with the Emancipation Proclamation and the belief that suddenly the war was about slaves. Slavery was at the heart of the sectionalism that divided the two regions and led to the war, but once war started it became about rights.

[TexConfederate1861]

Then we certainly agree. My Great-Grandmother used to tell me that her Grandad, (my Confederate Ancestor) used to say that the war came down to a simple fact: People in the North not minding their own business. :) In other words, Southern men were fighting for the right to live their lives without another section of the country dictating to them. A basic reason for going to war.

[groanup]

Your post #379 is very much appreciated. Slavery was certainly an issue but you could find quite a few militant southerners who would abolish the practice. General Wade Hampton was one.

What I don't appreciate, from some on these threads, is the accusation that my ancestors were traitors and the assumption that the North held the moral high ground because it was fighting to end slavery.