Well there's no real quote for you, just documentation. When the War Department created its official history it was titled "The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies". Much earlier than that, the Supreme Court referred to it as a civil war in their Prize Cases decision. They also referred to the South as the "so-called Confederate States" which makes it clear that the U.S. was not fighting another sovereign nation. The definition of 'rebellion' as an open, armed and usually unsuccessful defiance of or opposition to an established government seems to fit the Southern cause to a tee. But that's just me.
But regardless of whether or not you call it rebellion or civil war, there was nothing for the U.S. to declare war against. So your prattling about a lack of a formal declaration is misguided.
Thank you for the compliment. Nicest thing anyone's said to me today :)
And I am sure you two are alike as peas in a pod.
so the “most accurate” and “official” in your view is:
- a war department document written by the executive branch after the war and all the changes created therein
- the prize cases - a 5-4 decision with THREE lincoln-appointed justices that cites an ex post facto act of congress which legitimized previous unconstitutional blockades and military actions as is basis for ruling. That’s pointed out right in the dissenting opinion that included the chief justice (who lincoln previously tried to have arrested).
You’re correct, there’s no reason to dispute such solid evidence.