Are you serious? It is called protection- the purpose of government. There was a new confederacy which required troops for protection just as any real country does. Only this was more important since the storm clouds of war were gathering in the Lincoln administration. Lee knew only too well what Lincoln was preparing since it was to Lee that Lincoln offered the command of the US Army in 1861.
Protection from what? What was left of the U.S. army? A government which had not taken a single hostile act against them?
Only this was more important since the storm clouds of war were gathering in the Lincoln administration. Lee knew only too well what Lincoln was preparing since it was to Lee that Lincoln offered the command of the US Army in 1861.
Check your timelines. Storm clouds seem to have been all on the part of the rebels. And the army was called up months before Lee was offered the command and before Virginia joined the rebellion.