We always reach this point. I agree with you. That is why it is silly to keep bringing up a racist south by today's standard when the whole of the 19th century was racist by the same measurement.
"Really? Do you side with the Lee which paid passage for some of his slaves to emigrate to Africa? Something you Rebs keep hammering Lincoln on?"
Yes, I will take Lee with those quotes against Sherman and Grant. If you are defending the North as being an enlightened people in reference to "civil rights" or racial tolerance, it is a phony argument.
The easiest path for Lee would have been to accept Lincoln's offer and command the Army of the North. He could not, he chose the harder road. Sherman never would have made that sacrifice for the North and said so.
Okay, your right. I was wrong on one of them, this one "This I know he would not have fought for the north without a commission that he liked. It was all about money for him."
I confused Grant with Sherman. To his credit Grant records about service to the Union.
"but announced that I would aid the company in every way I could and would be found in the service in some position if there should be a war. "
The rest are supported from statements in his memoirs