[Non-Sequitur]

Then let me refresh your memory. They rebelled when Lincoln issued a call for volunteers after the south had initiated hostilities at Sumter.

[billbears]

Yes that's right. The Militia Act. I keep forgetting about that used only once Constitutionally 70 years before for part of a state Act. You know there comes a point in the secession where the states have to honestly decide is this covered under the Militia Act or is it a rebellion 'of the governed' to throw off this government and start a new one? But lincoln and chase couldn't allow that to happen could they? No, ram it down, get the troops, get the ships(we'll get that okayed later), and get the money(same idea). But we're doing it for a good cause right? Funny how you don't hear in those opening months of the war, one peep from him about doing away with slavery or the evils thereof. Maybe the journalists were waiting until the Congress got back into session. How long did they wait? Well it wasn't thirty days

[Aurelius]

"They rebelled when Lincoln issued a call for volunteers after the south had initiated hostilities at Sumter."

You forgot to add: "having been deliberatly provoked by Lincoln." Although you very well know that to have been the case.