While you didn't write down any major possible dieties, it's most likely that such a scholar would fall under a hinduistic religious system. Hinduistic scholars would think that multiple gods were once required for the world to be created - this would be also why the hinduistic religious system is a very probable answer.
I would most possibly do the same thing, or take the south back to US as brothers, but I might also add a little punishment. The punishment would be limited import for a period of years (1, or 5). I would also not allow them to vote or participate in any political meeting, congressional decisions, etc.
Hope this helps, you might have a different opinion however, but as I think, it would be better to punish them for
1. Not obeying the rules (still having slavery)
2. Electing a secondary president.
3. Helping the war happen.
4. Trying to become independent from the rest of US.
Generally speaking, it was "weapons" that was not something that the British wanted to get from the Chinese, since these were easily made in Great Britain so there was no need to import them.
The battle you're thinking of is the battle of Shiloh, also known as the battle of Pittsburg Landing in 1862, where general Grant and his army were encamped at Pittburg Landing (hence the name), where they arrived the day before the battle. On the next day, Aprlil 6th, general Grant and his army were surprised early in the morning, before 6 am, by a Confederate army under the leadership of Gen. Johnson, who was in fact killed during the battle.
