Hi Cuz'n David and the rest of the clan, You asked an interesting question on our thoughts of the war of northern aggression. It definitely was not a civil war, nothing civil about it. I do not believe that I am a racist just because I would like to see the record set straight. I DO NOT believe any person should be the owner of another. Through out history we have had slavery from time to time of one race or another. This does not make it right. I grew up in Dixie and accepted the twisted history that was taught even at that time. It was not until my husband joined the SCV and I started reading materials on what happened during those horrible years that I realized that the history that I was taught was a bunch of huey. I found my gggrandfather died in this war. I find no record that he ever owned a slave. His son also fought in the war with no record of any slaves. 2 other greatgrandfathers that did own slaves also fought. I respect the right of each person to believe what they want but I also challenge each of you to search for the truth. Some of the things I have found: The original constitution of the CSA forbade the importation of slaves. The first slave owner in America was a free black. I received papers researched by the state of NC in regards to a family I am researching and some of the things that was listed surprised me. 1. In 1850 less than 30% of the people of NC owned slaves. 2. Of the 28% that owned slaves, only 8% owned over 20 slaves. Will someone tell me why most people think that over 70% of NC soldiers were fighting for the rights of less than 30% to own slaves? If you will check records you will find many blacks fighting for the south. I went to a memorial service in VA last fall for a free black that fought for the south. I was pleased to see many people turn up to honor him. In the south the men were from the south. In the north a lot of the soldiers were paid to take the place and fight in the place of someone else or immigrants were forced to fight for the north in order to gain their freedom. Is this not using them as slaves to gain freedom for another? Pat Nelson nels095@ibm.net