[PeaRidge]

It seems it is you that likes to play games of semantics.

The official act to which BroJoe was referring is listed in the records of the Confederate government as An Act Recognizing The Existence of War Between the United States and the Confederate States, and Concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes and Prize Goods.

It was passed by the Congress on May 6, 1861 and approved by President Davis.

The act authorized no act of war but gave instructions for protection. In doing so, the Confederacy noted that war existed and therefore, in order to proceed with protection of Southern shipping, it only authorized the issuance of the letters of Marque, and also established the administrative procedure for dealing with prizes to be followed with approval resting in the Confederate Department of Commerce.

All sorts of writers and historians like to point to this simple act to support their contention that the South was the provocateur and that Lincoln was simply assuming a defensive role.

Of course we here all know that the courts found that the war was begun in Lincoln's office on April 17, 1861.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

The act authorized no act of war...

Article 1 starts by saying "The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President of the Confederate States is hereby authorized to use the whole land and naval force of the Confederate States to meet the war thus commenced. "

in order to proceed with protection of Southern shipping, it only authorized the issuance of the letters of Marque

Funny sort of protection. Kind of like saying that we're going to protect our bank by commissioning robbers to hit someone else's bank.

[BroJoeK]

PeaRidge post #383: "The official act to which BroJoe was referring is listed in the records of the Confederate government as An Act Recognizing The Existence of War Between the United States and the Confederate States, and Concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes and Prize Goods."

Combined with various other war-making acts of the Confederate Congress, there is no practical, legal or logical distinction to be drawn between Confederate actions and any other formal Declaration of War.

And here's the important point to remember: the United States made no invasions, assaults or attacks on the Confederacy -- no Confederate soldiers were killed in battle with any United States military force -- until after the Confederacy first started, then formally declaration of war on the United States, on May 6, 1861.

PeaRidge: "All sorts of writers and historians like to point to this simple act to support their contention that the South was the provocateur and that Lincoln was simply assuming a defensive role."

In fact, as you say: "...the South was the provocateur and that Lincoln was simply assuming a defensive role."

For examples:

• Lincoln's actions of April 15, in calling up 75,000 militia troops merely mirrored those of Jefferson Davis on March 6, in calling up 100,000 Confederate troops.
  And while Davis' call-up in March had no legitimate reason, Lincoln's in April was directly caused by the Confederate act of war against Fort Sumter.

• Lincoln's actions of April 19, in calling for a naval blockade merely responded to Jefferson Davis of April 17, in calling for letters of marque and reprisal against Union shipping.

The simple fact is: in every step along the path from peace in 1860 to war in 1861, secessionists provoked and lead the way, while the Union slowly, reluctantly followed.

PeaRidge: "Of course we here all know that the courts found that the war was begun in Lincoln's office on April 17, 1861"

Regardless of later court interpretation, Lincoln committed no physical act of war on April 17, or on any other date before the Confederacy began war on April 11, and officially declared war on May 6, 1861.

• No Confederate state was "invaded" by any Union force before May 24, 1861.
  
• No Confederate soldier was killed directly in battle before Big Bethel on June 6, 1861.

So there was no war until the Confederacy made it happen.