So then I guess “God’s Plan” included the torching of Richmond and Atlanta, and the economic and political subjugation of the south. Not to mention 750,000 dead. All to prove the idea that once a state joins the union, it may never choose to leave.
Doesn’t sound like something God would’ve cooked up.
I might suggest that the fleeing Confederate troops set fire to much of Richmond since they were not interested in turning over munitions, ammo and property to the advancing Union troops. While the Union armies were no saints, the southern armies were complicit in some of their own demise.
Guessing the plan was for a strong Christian nation to be formed that could contend with upcoming killers, theives and other evil nations in Europe and the Middle East spreading the Gospel.
There were not 3/4 of a million dead. Richmond and Atlanta were torched just as Berlin and Tokyo were torched. They were important to the guys losing them and the union wanted to make sure they didnt come back into play. I’m as Southern as anyone but I can see, with the benefit of 150 years of time that a fragmented north america would have been a disaster later on.