Just an opinion on TNTOM post - The fact is that while the period was the bloodiest times in American history , it is proudest part of American History, you can travel anywhere in the US and find monuments to those who fell or took part in the action on either side, unlike todays heros
When I lived in rural northern NY the local cemetery was full of stones indicating those who died in the conflict. There was a LT who died at Kennesaw MT with the 150 NY VOL's whose parents were of wealth and were able to have him shipped back north and buried under a huge stone, reading Killed at Kennesaw Mt, GA. There were countless stones from people who served and made it back home with their units and battles marked on the stone.
Since at that time having the body brought home was a huge expense for farm folks some stones just had an persons name, marked MISSING ( such and such date ) and the unit.
The stone I remember most was a small headstone ( not of professional quality ) the read the persons name, and " lost at sea on a GUNBOAT off the coast of Alabama " interesting that a farm boy from Rural NYS , who had most likely never seen the , died at sea.
As Ken Burns says in his book, These were simple folks , who never traveled more that 15 miles from their home towns , but realized after the war that there was a whole country out there , because they had walked through it,
Today we don't build monuments or place any importance on those who served in actions, It is only yesterdays news and no one has any interest but those of us here, Such an shame!
So accept the monuments as a sign that those who lived during that era respected those who served and wanted to show their respect . Makes no difference what you call it , Either the CW or WNA , those who served are the foundation of our history