The "Fact" that Stan stated that neither side tried to "Overthrow" the ruling Government is the reason it Was Not a Civil War, regardless of who all called it that. A Civil War by definition is when a faction within a nation tries to take over the Government of that nation.

An act of Congress back in the 1920's as I recall declared this war should be called "The War Between the States". Most "Yankees" call it he War of Southern Rebellion while most Southerners call it the War of Northern Aggression or War for Southern Independence.

It in fact was no more a Civil War than was the American Revolution.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra