Your statement here is untrue, slanderous and evidence of profound misinformation about actual history.
Remember first, there was no Civil War in early 1861, until after secessionists provoked it, started it (at Fort Sumter) and formally declared war on the United States, May 6, 1861.
The Confederacy then sent its agents, military supplies and eventually armed forces into every Union state and territory it could reach.
And all that began before a single Confederate soldier had been killed in battle with any Union force.
Second, despite huge exaggerations perpetrated by pro-Confederates, the recorded truth is that very few atrocities were committed by either side against the other's civilians, but both sides did practice "living off the land" in the other's territories.
For a listing of the "top ten" Civil War atrocities, check out this link.
Of the ten worst atrocities listed, three by Union forces, seven by Confederates.
Bottom line: by comparison with other wars -- i.e., First or Second World Wars -- the US Civil War was a fight amongst gentlemen.
The funny part about this is that to denounce Union policies as war crimes, one must denounce US policies in WWII far more forcefully. After all, Union forces never killed entire cities full of civilians, as the US Air Force did multiple times. The two Bomb strikes are only two of many.
Are the Greatest Generation the greatest criminals in history?
BTW, I believe your link regarding Civil War atrocities has at least one major inaccuracy.
It refers to Quantrill’s men raping the women of Lawrence.
I’ve read many accounts of this atrocity, and none refer to any such thing. In fact, there are many accounts of Quantrill’s men, despite being drunk out of their minds, tipping their hats to the women of Lawrence in deference as they toss their husbands and sons into the burning buildings.
Yes we did provoke it, I never said we didnt. First rule of war is strike first, best defense is a strong offense.
As for the rest If you say so...
Of course the evidence says otherwise, ask the director at the Atlanta Archives...
But we’ll go with your account, I have the fresh shrimp, sunshine and southern women, along with an influx of folks moving here to the terrible backwards south for some reason to console myself against your “superior position” so like I said up thread I am not so sure who really won the war...