Edward: "The Southern states seceded from the Union and just wanted to be left alone," The statement above bothers me. "Although most people call this the Civil War, actually, the official name for it as written in the Original Records is The War of the Rebellion." Then, which side was rebelling? That would mean the Union side, more or less, were the "bullies" so to speak. Do the generals of today study tactics/plans of previous wars and act accordingly? Or do they try to come up with new strategies? I know: research! I will read up on books you'd suggested also. Be ready. --Manaia ++++ --- "Edward Harding" <eharding2@suddenlink.net> wrote: Although most people call this the Civil War, actually, the official name for it as written in the Original Records is The War of the Rebellion. How it became known as the Civil War is anyone's guess as a true civil war has one group trying to invade and taking over the existing government of another group. The Southern states seceded from the Union and just wanted to be left alone, so therefore, "civil war" really isn't a proper name for it. Many people call the South "traitors" because of their secession, but very few know or realize that secession was actually taught at West Point before the war.