[capitan_refugio]

"The constitution is quite clear that no state may be split without the sanction of its legislature. Unless you can show me where the Virginia legislature gave that sanction, the split was illegal. It happened to be sure. But it was still illegal."

You show me that there was a functioning constitutional government in Virgina in 1863, outside of the western counties! Insurrectionists didn't derive any benefits from the Constitution they spat upon. LOL

The mountaineers organized a state government where none existed.

[GOPcapitalist]

You show me that there was a functioning constitutional government in Virgina in 1863, outside of the western counties!

Easy. Just go down to the capitol building in Richmond and you'll find an uninterupted house and senate journal throughout those years.