One thing that should be noted is that for a state whose sons at times after did indeed try to portray themselves as reluctant secessionists, they sure provided a whole lot of soldiers. While occasionally it is claimed that NC provided the most troops more modern analysis of remaining records seems to point to that being Virginia, but as part of the 150th anniversary researchers in Raleigh did seem to confirm that North Carolina suffered the most war dead of any Southern state.

While part of that can be attributed to a well run state government and one far more cooperative with Richmond than say, Georgia, the fact is they were still able to field over 100k men. http://www.nccivilwar150.com/features/nc-civil-war_death-study.htm