My family hails from a section of the NC Appalachians that seceded from the Confederacy. It was called Mayland. Mayland didn’t have any slaves and didn’t want to get in the war.
Both sides ruthlessly plundered Mayland and burned their homes. I’ve visited some of the caves where families hid out.
Most sane people wouldn't want any part of a war, but as Leon Trotsky noted. "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you."
Both sides ruthlessly plundered Mayland and burned their homes. I’ve visited some of the caves where families hid out.
You can see why both sides wouldn't trust them. To the South, they were disloyal people. To the North, probable sympathizers and potential assets for the South.