That is oretty much the way that I see it. That both sides were noble in their motivations in manner of speaking. That is the sad part.

In my opinion there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Southern States seeking their Independence from the United States for whatever reason. That was a principal established by Thomas Jefferson and others during the American Revolution. And under the 9th Amendment it still was a very important concept.

On the other hand I can see where the preservation of the Union of all the States would be a desirable and noble cause also. Even if it was in opposition to the Jeffersonian doctrines that this country at that time espoused so highly.

I don't believe that the common Union Soldier saw what he was fighting for, as David U. suggest, as authoritarism. In the final examination it was indeed authoritarism, but I believe the soldier in the ranks was fighting for a stability and a way of life that they had grown accustomed to of all the states being one country, and not two.