The real joke here is how the hell the South ever thought it could win.
No one believed a fanatic would sacrifice 600,000 people to subjugate them. King George of England gave up with only 15,000 casualties.
They thought they could win because they figured the Northern States would not keep sending men to die in a meat grinder for no better reason than to subjugate others.
The idea was suggested in the anti-federalist papers, but people didn't give it any credence at the time.
Thirdly, the absolute command of Congress over the militia may be destructive of public liberty; for under the guidance of an arbitrary government, they may be made the unwilling instruments of tyranny. The militia of Pennsylvania may be marched to New England or Virginia to quell an insurrection occasioned by the most galling oppression, and aided by the standing army, they will no doubt be successful in subduing their liberty and independency. But in so doing, although the magnanimity of their minds will be extinguished, yet the meaner passions of resentment and revenge will be increased, and these in turn will be the ready and obedient instruments of despotism to enslave the others; and that with an irritated vengeance. Thus may the militia be made the instruments of crushing the last efforts of expiring liberty, of riveting the chains of despotism on their fellow-citizens, and on one another. This power can be exercised not only without violating the Constitution, but in strict conformity with it; it is calculated for this express purpose, and will doubtless be executed accordingly.