[WhiskeyPapa]

Whatever the movie version, Lee signed a renewal of his loyalty oath upon accepting promotion to Colonel in the United States Army, while he was already working with the rebels.

No record of Lee's oath as colonel exists, but he definitely pee'd all over this one:

"I, Robert E. Lee, appointed a Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regt. of Cavalry in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles for the government of the Armies of the United States."

Some of the neo-rebs will doubtless be along to muddy the waters, but it an historical fact that Lee took up arms for the rebel government while still under oath to the United States.

"According to paragraph 24 of the Regulations of the United States Army, 'No officer will be considered out of service on the tender of his resignation, until it shall have been duly accepted by the proper authority.' Paragraph 28 states that "in time of war, or with an army in the field, resignations shall take effect within thirty days of from the order of acceptance.' But Lee disregarded these restrictions. Between the posting of his resignation on April 20 and its acceptance on April 25, Lee drew his sword with remarkable alacrity." ("Lee Considered" by Alan Nolan, p. 39)

Lee met with rebel officials on April 20, well before his resignation was accepted.

Walt

[Grand Old Partisan]

A terrific old book, "The Rewards of Patriotism" by Lucy Stewart, goes over this in detail.

[HELLRAISER II]

Let me ask you a question Walt, go back to the last Presidential election and pretend just for a moment that the U.S. split into two sides because of the Election fiasco. One side is Bush supporters the other side Gore supporters, the next thing you know there's a war. Which side is right, which side is wrong? Which side is Traitor, which side is Patriot? You know what it doesn't even matter because the winner will alway's rewrite history regardless of the facts, that's just the way it is and I just get pissed when P.C. nutcase's continually assault our heritage & history. They're changing history and haven't even fought anyone yet or is that exactly what they're doing now? Assaulting us, fighting us and finally conquering us. I got news for you America is next, Old Glory is the next target and some of ya'll can't even see it happening.

[John O]

No record of Lee's oath as colonel exists, but he definitely pee'd all over this one:

"I, Robert E. Lee, appointed a Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regt. of Cavalry in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles for the government of the Armies of the United States."

Note the bolded area. Which state do you follow when some of the states you've swore loyalty to break with the others. The oath as written recognizes a confederation of independent states, not a single nation. The US Army was jointly supported by the sovereign states.

RFL did exactly what he should have done, kept his oath to HIS state since it split from the others. At the time it split he ceased being a citizen of those United States because Virginia was no longer one of those states.

[John O]

No record of Lee's oath as colonel exists, but he definitely pee'd all over this one:

"I, Robert E. Lee, appointed a Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regt. of Cavalry in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the Officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles for the government of the Armies of the United States."

Note the bolded area. Which state do you follow when some of the states you've swore loyalty to break with the others. The oath as written recognizes a confederation of independent states, not a single nation. The US Army was jointly supported by the sovereign states.

RFL did exactly what he should have done, kept his oath to HIS state since it split from the others. At the time it split he ceased being a citizen of those United States because Virginia was no longer one of those states.