Original sentence: Historians report that many of the accused "were innocent of the abolitionist sentiments for which they were tried.In August 1862, Texans massacred a band of Germans along the Nueces River.Many Texasns opposed secession, especially in the Texas Hill Country and five counties in North Texas, with 25% statewide opposing secession during the 1861 referendum.Texas's relatively large German population around Austin by and large tried to remain neutral in the war
Edited sentence: A small number of persons contend that many of the accused "were innocent of the abolitionist sentiments for which they were tried.A small number of persons inhabiting eight counties in the Texas Hill Country and five counties in North Texas did not support secession, and worked to preserve their ties with the Union.Notwithstanding the above, the following incidents serve as further evidence that most Texans were staunch supporters of secession and the Confederacy: in August 1862, a band of Germans seeking to avoid conscription was massacred along the Nueces River.Texas's relatively large German population around Austin by and large tried to remain neutral in the dispute.This faction was small in number compared to the secessionists statewide, who made up 75% of the electorate during the 1861 referendum