- The Union was aware that the Confederacy had a number of advantages, such as a strong military tradition and a large population of slaves who could be used as soldiers.
- The Union was also aware that the war would be long and bloody, and that it would require a great deal of sacrifice from the American people.
- Finally, the Union was aware that the war was not just a military conflict, but also a political and social conflict, and that it would have to be resolved not just on the battlefield, but also in the halls of Congress and in the courts of law.
As a result of these factors, the Union was never overconfident in the Civil War. Instead, it was always cautious and conservative in its approach to the war.