OTD 165 YEARS AGO: The Tennessee legislature votes to secede from the Union and joins the Confederacy before the popular vote on the matter takes place.
Category: Secession
All We Ask is to be Let Alone
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: In a special message to the Provisional Confederate Congress, President Jefferson Davis expresses optimism about Confederate independence. Davis also condemns the Lincoln administration’s declaration of war against the Confederacy.
Revolutionary Furor in Full Sway
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Following President Lincoln’s call for troops, North Carolina, initially hesitant to secede, reacted strongly, with Governor Ellis condemning the proclamation as unconstitutional. Celebrations erupted in the state after Fort Sumter’s capture, leading to a secession convention. Other Southern states echoed North Carolina’s sentiments, pushing towards joining the Confederacy.
Protecting the Peaceful Inhabitants of Missouri
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: The governor of Missouri asks Jefferson Davis to send him arms while Federals work in secret to secure the vital St. Louis arsenal.
Tentative Neutrality in Kentucky and Delaware
The governor of Kentucky rejects President Lincoln’s request for troops, emphasizing the state’s desire for neutrality. This sentiment is echoed by both Unionists and secessionists, fearing threats from either side. Tiny Delaware also seeks neutrality, with the governor unsure of his authority to raise militia for the Federal government.
The Virginia Secession
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Virginians react to President Lincoln’s militia proclamation by voting to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy.