In the context of the 19th century, Maryland and Virginia were part of "The South." On a few occasions I have enquired about these areas -- "They were south of what? - Canada?"
"The West" in terms of the 19th Century was anything west of the Mississippi River. Springfield, Illinois was "The South." St. Louis was The West. Des Moines IA and Minneapolis, MN and Omaha NB were as much "The West" as were San Francisco and Albuquerque. The 19th centuury definition of The West had to do with the Louisiana Purchase and the anneaxations after the War with Mexico
Granted, we can subdivide the Near West, Southwest, Texas, Mexican Annexation, etc -- but the affiliations of the 19th Century are clear. The "War Between the States" (or whatever politically correct speech one prefers) was predominantly an East Coast problem. The defined "West" had many other fish to fry. While the "North" and the "South" were working out their political differences, many in the "West" were more concerned with survival on a daily basis. "The West" (in historical context) is a perfect example of rich men having a war in which poor men died.
Please -- do not assume the West was the South. It wasn't.
-kirby-