The secessonists were levying war on the United States. Lee was their aider and abettor.
You sound like Bill Clinton trying to dodge the definition of "is".
Walt
Nonsense - the Confederacy defended their territory just as Washington et al did in 1776. While Lincoln lied to Justice Campbell & Nelson, he attempted to send reinforcemnts to Ft. Sumter - how noble and honest < /sarcasm >. The Confederacy was more than willing to pay for any federal property within her borders. Lincoln waged war to subjugate the South. US Supreme Court Justice Wilson had long before wrote that treason could only be conducted against those owing allegiance to & receiving protection from the federal government - neither of which applied to the Confederacy.
You sound like Bill Clinton trying to dodge the definition of "is".
Nonsense, it is Lincoln that was the master of the spin, and with Clinton , Lincolnites et al, he has worthy sucessors.