Think You Know the Civil War… These Myths Say Otherwise

There are some myths about the American Civil War that many people still believe. From the real reasons behind the war to who was involved, some familiar ideas just aren’t true. 

Here are eight myths about the Civil War that you may have heard before—and the real facts behind them. 

1. The Civil War Was More on States’ Rights—Not Slavery

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A common idea is that the Civil War was mainly about “states’ rights” rather than slavery. This belief started with Confederate veterans, who claimed they were defending their rights against the federal government (ref), and today, groups like the Sons of Confederate Veterans hold onto this idea. (ref)

But if we look at the historical records, slavery was central to why the Southern states seceded and went to war. In 1861, Alexander Stephens, the Vice President of the Confederacy, gave a speech known as the “Cornerstone Speech,” where he openly stated that slavery was the foundation, or “cornerstone,” of the Confederate government. (ref)

Each state that left the Union explained its reasons in documents called secession declarations. Mississippi’s declaration, for example, plainly stated, “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery.” (ref) Other states like Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas expressed similar beliefs, arguing that their economy, culture, and future were tied to maintaining slavery.

2. Robert E. Lee Didn’t Own Slaves or Support Slavery

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Robert E. Lee is often remembered as a dignified military leader, but it’s important to look deeper. While Lee didn’t publicly advocate for slavery, his actions showed a strong connection to the institution. Through his marriage, he gained access to his wife’s wealthy, slaveholding family and managed hundreds of enslaved people from her family’s estate. 

Records indicate that Lee, despite his reputation, was often a harsh master who had enslaved people whipped for attempting to escape, an action he personally ordered. Even in 1865, when the Civil War was drawing to a close, Lee wrote that the “relation of master and slave” was “the best that can exist between the white & black races.” (ref

Though many view him as simply a military figure, Lee’s life was intertwined with slavery, and he actively upheld and defended it both publicly and personally.

3. Ulysses S. Grant Was Drunk During the Battle of Shiloh

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Many people still believe that Union General Ulysses S. Grant was drunk during the Battle of Shiloh, but recent research and biographies paint a different picture. Historian Ron Chernow’s biography Grant makes a strong case that Grant wasn’t impaired and actually led with focus and determination during this battle. (ref)

Grant was accused by some critics of making poor choices at Shiloh, with rumors that he placed his troops in a position where retreat wasn’t possible. But the battlefield’s location was actually chosen for practical reasons, and despite the surprise Confederate attack, Grant quickly organized a counterattack, leading his troops to a hard-won victory. 

Much of the criticism he faced came from political rivals and those who resented his rise to power. (ref) In fact, his steadfast leadership at Shiloh showed his ability to stay calm under pressure—a trait that served him well throughout the Civil War and later as president.

4. The North Had More Resources, Leading to the South’s Loss

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Some believe the South lost simply because the North had more resources, but there’s more to it than just numbers and supplies. At the dedication of a Confederate monument in 1878, Charles Colcock Jones Jr. famously said that the South was “overborne by superior numbers and weightier munitions.” (ref)

This was true in part—the North did have more soldiers, money, factories, and a more extensive railway system to move troops and supplies. 

However, many historians believe the Southern defeat was also due to internal issues, including the South’s dependence on agriculture over manufacturing. (ref) The North’s advantage in resources made victory more attainable, but it was the South’s limitations in other areas that sealed the outcome.

5. Thousands of Black People Fought as Soldiers for the Confederacy

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There’s a common claim that thousands of Black people, both enslaved and free, fought as soldiers for the South, but this isn’t quite accurate. While it’s true that thousands of African-Americans were with the Confederate forces, they weren’t enlisted as soldiers, nor were they there by choice. (ref)

Instead, they served in non-combat roles—doing heavy labor, working as cooks, nurses, blacksmiths, and even body servants for white officers. These roles were often forced upon them, and they were seen as inferior by the very people they served, and many were unpaid and mistreated. (ref)

It was only near the war’s end, in 1865, that the Confederate Congress passed a law allowing Black men to join as official soldiers, but their owners had to officially grant them freedom first. This step meant that the actual enlistment of Black soldiers was slow and limited, and by that time, the Confederacy was nearly defeated.

6. The Confederate Army Was All Volunteers

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While many Southerners initially joined willingly, the Confederacy soon faced a shortage of soldiers. As the war dragged on and the casualties increased, the South realized it needed more men, leading to the first large-scale draft, or conscription, in American history.

In 1862, just a year into the war, the Confederate government passed its first conscription law, the “Conscription Act.” This law required all white men between the ages of 18 and 35 to enlist and serve indefinitely—until the war was over or they were physically unable to fight. (ref)

Not everyone was happy about the draft. There were even ways to avoid it: wealthy men could hire substitutes to take their place or claim an exemption for certain occupations, like overseeing plantations. The “Twenty Negro Law” allowed plantation owners or one overseer to avoid the draft if they had twenty or more able-bodied slaves. (ref)

7. General Sherman Ordered the Burning of Columbia, South Carolina

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General William Tecumseh Sherman’s “March to the Sea” was a famous but controversial campaign. However, less well-known is Sherman’s march through South Carolina in early 1865, which brought his troops to Columbia, the state’s capital, in February of that year.

On the night of February 17-18, 1865, large cotton bales were stacked and burned to prevent them from falling into Union hands. But the fires quickly grew out of control and spread to other parts of the city. (ref)

For more than 150 years, Sherman has been accused of ordering the burning of Columbia. However, there is no record proving that Sherman actually ordered Columbia to be burned, and it seems to have been caused by a mix of Confederate sabotage, civilian unrest, and some Union troops’ actions rather than a direct command from Sherman. (ref)

8. Great Britain Supported the Confederacy

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Lancashire, England’s main cotton supply came from the Confederate states, with 1.1 billion pounds sent each year to Liverpool. (ref)

With the ensuing conflict in America, the Confederate trade with Britain stopped, leading to a cotton shortage by 1862 and causing the Lancashire Cotton Famine in Manchester. (ref)

Yet, some Manchester workers refused to handle cotton from America to support ending slavery. President Lincoln later praised them, and a statue of him in Manchester includes a plaque quoting his thanks to the textile workers for “helping abolish slavery.”(ref)

The Civil War was an event with many layers, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction. By understanding what really happened, you can have a clearer picture of this critical time in American history

Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.