I Believe the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1867 that the Southern
Secession was illegal. This was in a Texan debt case.

I understand that a ruling by the high court of the U.S. that the side
that lost the war was wrong, doesn't exactly answer the question for all
concerned. However, the U.S. S.C. did eventually decide the question.

Virginia militia attacked U.S. facilities in Harper's Ferry, and Gosport
prior to U.S,  action against the Virginia Government. I believe these
were even done before Virginia Succession was finalized with its
referendum of the people on the subject. It may even have been ordered
prior the the convention's vote to secede.  Interestingly, not by the
then governor, although he did later ratify the act.

Furthermore, Virginia decided to secede, after previously deciding not
to, only after Fort Sumpter and Lincoln's calling for troops from the
states. I think joining forces with a league at war with the United
States can be considered an act of war.

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