Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 1.

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Chapter 7: Secession Conventions in six States.

• Minute
-- men -- seizure of forts in North Carolina, 161. -- Secession movements in Mississippi, 162. -- Secession Convention, 163. -- blockade of the Mississippi at Vicksburg -- preparations for War, 164. -- Secession Convention in Florida, 165. -- preparations to seize Fort Pickens, 166. -- occupation of Fort Pickens by Lieutenant Slemmer 167. -- Pensacola Navy Yard surrendered, 169. -- seizure of Chattahoochie Arsenal, 170. -- demand for the surrender of Fort Pickens, 171. -- Secession Convention in Alabama. 172. -- opposition to Secession, 173. -- rejoicings in Mobile -- seizure of forts Morgan and Gaines, 175. -- work of conspirators in Georgia -- treasonable movements in Washington City, 176. -- Toombs urges the Georgians to rebel -- anxiety of professed Unionists, 177. -- Secession Convention in Georgia, 178. -- seizure of Fort Pulaski, 179. -- position of Louisiana -- doings of her disloyal politicians, 180. -- seizure of forts, and Baton Rouge Arsenal, 181. -- the Marine Hospital seized -- Secession Convention, 182. -- Slidell's seditious letter, 183. -- Pelican flag blessed, 184. -- Secretary Dix's order to shoot any one who should attempt to haul down the American flag -- seizure of the Mint, 185. -- State of public feeling in Texas, 186. -- Knights of the Golden Circle -- loyal action of Governor Houston, 187. -- Secession Convention in Texas -- Committee of safety, 188. -- the Governor and the secessionists at War, 189. -- Houston's patriotism overcome, 190. -- the powers of the people usurped, 191.

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Dring the first thirty days of the year 1861, the disloyal politicians in six States of the Union, following the example of those of South Carolina, passed ordinances of secession and appointed delegates to a General Convention for the purpose of forming a Southern Confederacy. These ordinances were passed in the following chronological order:--In Mississippi, on the 9th of January; in Florida, on the 10th; in Alabama, on the 11th; in Georgia, on the 19th; in Louisiana, on the 26th; and in Texas, on the 1st of February. At the same time, large numbers of “Minute-men” in Virginia, under the control of ex-Governor Henry A. Wise, and others in Maryland, under leaders unknown to the public, were organized and drilled for the special purpose of seizing the City of Washington, and the Government buildings and archives there.

At the same time the conspirators, in several places, acting upon the counsel of those of South Carolina, began to plunder the National Government, by seizing its property in the name of certain States in which such property happened to be. Even in the loyal State of North Carolina, where there was no pretense of secession until four months later,

May, 1861.

the Governor, John W. Ellis, seized the forts within its borders,

January 8.

and the Arsenal at Fayetteville (into which Floyd had lately thrown seventeen thousand small arms, with accouterments and ammunition), under the pretext of securing them from occupation by mobs. He then wrote a letter to the President, telling him that if he (the Governor) could receive assurances that no troops would be sent to that State prior to the 4th of March (the day fixed upon by many as the one on which the first blow at the life of the Republic should be struck), then all would be “peace and quiet” there. “If, however,” he said, “I am unable to get such assurances, I will not undertake to answer for the consequences. The forts in this State have long been unoccupied, and these being garrisoned at this time will unquestionably be looked upon as a hostile demonstration, and will, in my opinion, certainly be resisted.” ¹ The State troops were soon afterward withdrawn from the forts and the Arsenal.

The politicians of Mississippi were the first to follow the example of those of South Carolina. We have already observed initial movements there, by the Legislature authorizing a State Convention, and the appointment of Commissioners to visit other Slave-labor States.² Immediately