The Confederate States Army was the military force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. It was formed to defend the Confederacy against the Union forces and consisted of soldiers from the southern states that seceded from the United States. The army was organized into various units, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery. The Confederate Army faced numerous challenges, including limited resources and manpower compared to the Union Army. Despite early successes in battles such as the First Battle of Bull Run, the Confederacy ultimately struggled to maintain its military strength, leading to its defeat in 1865.