This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/xhC.2ACE/811.2 Message Board Post: Gail, Of course Winston County did not actually remain in the Union. There was some talk at the time about Winston county seceding from Alabama (hence the nickname “Free State of Winston”) However, Since counties are political subdivisions created by States it would be impossible for them to secede without the consent of the State in question (and Winston County certainly did not do so.) Sentiment in the County, as in many upland parts of the South, was divided. Winston County furnished about equal numbers of troops to the US and CS. Many who went into the federal army did so to avoid being conscripted (or hung) by the CS government. Many of these men (from all over North Alabama) served in the 1st Alabama Cavalry (US).