That more than anything else confused me about the whole thing and made it rather inconsistent. But the entire film left me with more questions than answers so hopefully I can get some help from y'all.
(That is, if a native Idahoan is permitted to say "y'all" :) ).
If there is one thing I've learned in studying the WBTS, it's one could spend a lifetime discovering the different aspects of that period. So many areas of interest: economics, politics, legislation, military tactics, military strategy, first-hand accounts, periodicals, weaponry, religion, soldier's life, life on the home-front, etc. Much of the new research is trending towards "local" history.
Ping me to your new thread when it's time.