I don't mean to put the dog on the North, but again my POV would be a good many of the Union soldiers actually thought the South started the war. First shot you know? I would imagine very few of them ever sat back and thought about any reason the South or, more specifically, Beauregard actually fired on Sumter. I think the attitude was something like we were after the sinking of the Maine or maybe 9-11, let’s kick some butt ---NOW!!! Avenge Sumter!!!! The Southern states proved to be a better fighter than first thought, and the rest is history. Just my POV.

GP