Kim C makes apoint worth re-reading. However, that was reality and not perception.

People who feel that there was not a major theme of "freeing the slaves" within the Union Army will have to deal with the lyric of the most popular, allmost hym-like anthem that was sung by civillians and troops. The second verse of Julia Howe's anthem today has the capacity for moving people. I have never sung wit without getting a chill up my spine and I always think of the hundreds of thousands who sang it as they went into battle.

In the valley of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in his bosom
That transfigures you and me.
AS he died to make men holy
Let us die to make men free,
As we go marching on.

I know that there are people here who are familiar with Civil War music. I would guess that there are other lyrics with similar sentiments among the songs loved and sung by the Union soldiers.

This is not to say that these same soldiers were not bigoted by today's standards. They "didn't want their daughters to marry one" but many did believe that freedom should be extended to them and that was a big jump forward. Slavery was a real issue not just in the US. Many in the Union Army and at home felt it was time to put an end to it, even at the cost of their lives.

Sourdough