At the end of TL 191 (specifically "In At The Death") the U.S. has conquered the Confederacy with the intention of eventually absorbing it back in the Union. But is this realistic? The CSA had been independent for 80 years, and the population (or a least a sizeable minority) seemed willing to make the occupation too painful for the U.S. to bear. David Bar Elias did a fantastic TL where the Confederacy is eventually re-absorbed (the last state admitted in the 1970's I believe). But again, would this have been possible? Would the U.S. have been willing to continue a military occupation with mounting casualties for the next few decades? Add to this that they were still occupying Canada (where a rebellion had just been put down), plus they had to rebuild the war damage they themselves had just suffered. Any thoughts you have are welcomed.