[RightWhale]

a declaration of war in late 2002 or early 2003,

The US military stood well back during last week's elections. If the US military can stand well back all the time from now on and not be particularly noticed, they can begin to draw down the forces. Those who are beginning to urge redeployment or withdrawal at this point are just jumping on the bandwagon, looks like.

Lincoln did not expect the 'rebellion' to go on long at all nor did he want a fight to the death. Few expected it to scale up and go on and on. Surprise at early results and indecision at the top on both sides contributed.

[Verginius Rufus]

Yes, Lincoln asked for volunteers for 90 days...and the Southerners also expected to beat the Yankees quickly. No one had any expectation of what was really about to happen.

Of course, Scarlett was even more wrong...she thought there wasn't going to be any war at all.