[WhiskeyPapa]

Regardless of what the laws stated at that time, the OATH that REL swore to was to the states (plural) not to the nation.

That's no help. Eleven states wrote secession documents. Twenty Two remained loyal. On what basis could Lee fight for the minority, or figure he had a fig leaf to cover the idea that he was fighting "any opposers whatsover" of the United States?

Walt

[John O]

Eleven states wrote secession documents. Twenty Two remained loyal. On what basis could Lee fight for the minority

He was fighting for his state. He swore an oath to the collective states and when his state was no longer part of the collective his oath had no more power.

Picture if our soldiers swear an oath to the UN for whatevere purpose and we leave the UN. Are our soldiers supposed to fight against us if the UN says so? I don't think so.