...1776, when a collection of 13 slave holding states separated from a Union and formed a Confederacy’
really...? there were states in 1776...? who knew...?
BTW, your usage of the terms ‘union’ and ‘confederacy’ is a distinction without a difference...
They were once they declared independence.
That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
The word "State" is used 9 times in the Declaration of Independence, referring to themselves.
BTW, your usage of the terms ‘union’ and ‘confederacy’ is a distinction without a difference...
You may have missed the humor. The US did indeed began as a "Confederacy." It did indeed secede from a "Union". (Union of the Crowns.) It was indeed a collection of "slave owning states." It's armies were indeed led by a slave owning general from Virginia.