Very few people even owned slaves, perhaps 5% or less.
Even with Robert E. Lee supporting his one slave acquired through an inheritance in retirement – the slave was too old to work – and U.S. Grant owning several slaves, people (Yankees) still insist the War of Northern Aggression was all about slavery.
Even with Robert E. Lee supporting his one slave acquired through an inheritance in retirement – the slave was too old to work – and U.S. Grant owning several slaves, people (Yankees) still insist the War of Northern Aggression was all about slavery. You've got that backwards. Lee managed over 60 slaves left to his wife by her father, and didn't free them until December 1862. Grant owned a single slave in his life and freed him in 1859 before moving to Illinois.
And this Yankee has known for many years that the War of the Southern Rebellion wasn't about slavery. At least, not from the Northern side.