CC:

Some excellent points!

The first shots were fired at Fort Sumter, held by Union forces, by the Secesh side.

And it was indeed arguably illegal to secede from the Union, having once subscribed to the Articles f Confederation and the Constitution, I would think. IANAL, of course, but I think there was a lot of debate ontheissue at the time.

I don't know about you but my impression of the CSA itxelf was never demonized; I have always thought highly of Lee and of those who fought for him.

A