Dennis;

Frankly, no. Just an effort to stimulate a point of reference that is not necessarily geographic. I guess you could say I find it hard to put myself in either camp North or South.

Those of us who struggle with trying to understand the politics of the Trans-Mississippi theater have learned that the all too common and accepted labels to rationalize the traditional views of the war do not fit very well, particularly when placed along side the very individual and specific circumstances of a specific individual or community.

A few brief examples, The Constitutional Unionists carried significantly more votes than Lincoln in Missouri in the 1860 election. A state convention called by a seccesion leaning govenor voted to remain in the Union so as to protect their slave property. Slavery was still legal in Maryland and Missouri and slaves sold as late as 1866 in St. Louis markets until the 13th ammendment was passed, authored by a Democrat from Pike County Missouri. Wilbourforce managed to eliminate slavery in England without a civil war though the economic model in the colonies was quite similar to what existed in the agricultural areas of the United States at the time. Lincoln tried to arrest Chief Justice Taney for writing an opinion counter to the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus. The federal government functionally practiced genocide in the Indian Territories and ordered large areas of Missouri depopulated by force under what constitutional authority? None of these fit tidiliy into a Pro- or Anti- Southern / Northern viewpoint.

My opinion was not meant to answer the question put forward, simply meant to imply that serious study, particularly of micro events of the war will often lead to an understanding of the emotions and experiences of persons and events that we all can relate to on some level. Frequently in the effort to see the "big picture" we forget that the farmer in Ohio who had his last mule stolen by Morgan probablly felt just about the same way the farmer in Missouri did when Jennison stole his last mule.

Thus, I've come to a personal conclusion that history is more fun and memorable when studied and viewed through the eyes and hearts of individuals who very typically had a very short horizon on their day to day activities during the war, irregardles of their nativity, race, or residence.

And besides, this is the news and views board where everyone can editorialize, and hopefully even disagree with others, so long as we are not disagreeable :>)

Thanks.

John R.