George: Please, please don't lump in the category of professional military men. I am an Officer in the Air National Guard. To top that I'm not even a line officer, I'm in the Medical Corps, a non-combatant. However, I have received Professional Military Education, and regular training in the Laws of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and the Geneva Conventions. My point is that these were not maniacal men hell bent on drinking the blood of every southern person. Absolutely there were atrocities and actions against the proper rules of warfare of the day. Grant and Sherman knew the only way to restore union was to subjugate the south. However unfortunate it was I think we are all the better for it as a United nation.

As to the killing of the president. The only illustration that comes to mind is supposing after the Dresden Fire Bombings of WWII a German agent was able to gain access to FDR and assasinate him. Should the German people revel in his death by assassination?