Yeah my first wife's direct ancestors fought for the Union. Though she did have Confederate relatives. I think you're right about geography myself. From what I've heard from the Halcombs, Holcombs, Holcombes, Hawkums, etc and Martin Carmack, my fellow unionist on the board, another factor was whoever did you wrong first. Martin's family was attacked by CSM troops, so was the Halcombs. I don't believe either family was political, just a case of an eye for an eye. I've often thought there might be a link to some of those mountain feuds to the Civil War.