While I agree that most confederate soldiers didn't have slaves (in above post) they were fighting against their government, their constitution. The same constitution that men gave their lives for. The same one that exist today that we all know and love. I am not saying the confederate troops didn't sacrifice anything and I do think we should teach our youth about the conflict, but never praise them, praise their spirit but not their cause.
Yes, the same government that later went on to wipe out the American Indian. Ironic how many slaves joined the Union Army only to kill American Indians a few years later. Slavery was an issue long before the war. Funny, how many Founding Fathers and "Noble" patriots owned slaves while working on the constitution? Ironic that those noble leaders of the North let the ex slave vote to get the Republican vote. I guess women would have to wait till the 1900's, but Kunta Kenta fresh off the boat from Africa could make his mark for Massa Abe and them Republicans.