[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Didn’t the North also put some taxes / restrictions on cotton going to Europe? It is my understanding they did.

You were misinformed. There's never been any tax on exports. In fact, under Article 1, Sec. 9 of the Constitution, it's expressly forbidden.

[Mark was here]

I’m sure they did something sneaky, it is the way Yankies are. :)