"As far as some saying that the war was fought over slavery,I think that might be true also. all one has to do is read for instance vice President Stephens cornerstone speech or read the causes of secession from several of the states that tried to break the union and it is not hard to see that thought in the minds of the south."
George,
I am not saying that the North fought the war over slavery, I am saying that it was one of the things that the southern states were fighting to preserve or at least to keep from loosing. Does that make sense. As far as Mr. Stephens speech is concerned, he did say that slavery was one of the main causes of secession. You can read his speech on line if you want to. It is to long to post on the board, I think
The EP was just a tactic to cause the rebels more discomfort. I don't know that it worked, but it must have had some effect since many monied people in the south started moving the assets that they were able to out of the south according to John Beaucamp Jones in his book. Have you ever had a chance to read it. I think it is abvailable on line. Diary of a Civl War clerk is the title or something like that. Good read to give you a feel for the day to day happenings in Richmond up to the end of the hostilities.

FC