The not so civil civil war

I decided to read "Across 5 Aprils" and "Gone with the Wind" in tandem, figuring they were both civil war stories and it was interesting to read about the thoughts and feeling from both sides of the conflict. I really enjoyed "Across 5 Aprils"; thank you for suggesting it. It was heart warming and uplifting. How is it that a country boy between the age of 9 and 13 is so much more mature than a 15/19 year Southern Belle? The contrast is striking.