Stories like this found in history books makes me wonder...

WAS MATH TAUGHT IN SOUTHERN SCHOOLS?

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In the summer of 1864 Confederates under Jubal Early crossed the Potomac to travel in Frederick County for a third time, hoping to pull some of Grant's forces away from Lee's front. Southern troops set out to even the score, to repay the Union for its burning and pillaging in the Shenandoah Valley. Confederate horsemen under John McCausland entered Hagerstown and delivered a ransom note demanding $20,000 (they missed a digit, intending to call for $200,000) and a large assortment of clothing and supplies. The banks and merchants produced the money and most of the other articles, but another Confederate force broke into stores and took what they wanted.

(from "Maryland, a Middle Temperament - 1634-1980" by Robert J. Brugger)

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