OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Missouri and Arkansas still remain cautious about secession, as voters elected mostly Unionist delegates for their respective secession conventions. The Arizona Territory, however, opts to join the Confederacy.
Category: Secession
Separate Nationality is a Fixed Fact
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: President Lincoln sends special agents to Charleston, South Carolina, to assess the situation at Fort Sumter and to see if any Unionist sentiment can be found in the state. Lincoln receives disappointing news.
I Refuse to Take This Oath
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Delegates to the Texas State Convention remove Governor Sam Houston from office for refusing to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. Texas officials also seize Federal property, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s history.
Desiring a Peaceful Solution
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Three Confederate commissioners arrive in Washington to negotiate the peaceful transfer of Fort Sumter from U.S. to Confederate hands. Secretary of State William H. Seward takes it upon himself to discuss the situation with the commissioners despite President Abraham Lincoln’s instruction not to do so.
The Permanent Confederate Constitution
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: The Provisional Confederate Congress adopts a permanent Confederate Constitution. It closely resembles the U.S. Constitution but with key exceptions regarding states’ rights and the maintenance of slavery.
Under God, Our Vindicator
The Provisional Confederate Congress approves measures to establish a temporary government, develop regulations, and approve the president’s cabinet appointments. Congress also approves military measures and treasury notes to support the new Confederate nation. The design of the “Stars and Bars” is also recommended, symbolizing a blend of southern pride and nostalgia.