The Confederacy began the war with a modest average advantage in militia experience, but battle and training quickly eroded it. Surviving Union formations became more effective while a larger population supplied replacements. The Union also had the stronger industrial base, its own militias, and a large share of the prewar regular army. Bull Run changed reputations and morale, but it did not change the resource balance that favored the Union in a long war.
Notable Point · 12:22-13:01
Union resources compound with time
The Union's larger manpower pool, industrial base, militia system, and share of the regular army turn a small early Confederate training advantage into a temporary condition.