Originally Posted by Robbie

I agree with the rest of your post, but not this part.

Number one...the British Army & Navy was the most powerful one on Earth at that time (just like the U.S. is now). So yes, their fire power, quality of weapons (their "muskets" didn't jam or blow up in their faces for instance) were far superior to what the Continental "Army" had.

And the Civil War example was to show you that YES if a group were organized (like the CSA was) and had it's own manufacturing and former USA generals and forts and equipment come over to their side...then YES it can definitely pose a credible threat to the federal govt.