"The Vote Sixty-One to Thirty-Nine!! A Glorious Day!!!" This article announces Alabama's secession from the Union: "Truly, this is glory enough for one day. Our citizens are hailing the new era with demonstrations of profoundest emotion. The...
Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in response to the secession of seven Southern states. He calls for 75,000 men from state militias to deal with the rebellious states, which are "too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course...
This article discusses the ratification of the Confederate constitution and the recent formation of the Confederate States. It defends secession, praises the actions and intent of the people, and predicts a bright future for the new government:...
This article offers a defense of Southern secession and blames the Lincoln and the North for starting the war: "We have asked but our rights. We simply desired to be left alone, to conduct our own government free from abolition meddlesomeness....
Also known as the "Secession Constitution." The preamble states that "We, the people of the State of Alabama, having separated ourselves from the government known as the United States of America..." The constitution includes the following articles:...
The first item is a letter from Senator Buford, in which he discusses sectional division over the issues of territorial expansion and slavery; he suggests a convention of the Southern states to address the "impending results of the northern...
In the letter, written an hour after Alabama formally seceded, Lewis describes the celebrations taking place in Montgomery, adding that even the ladies are in favor of secession. He discusses the taking of federal forts in Alabama and Florida;...
Lowery was a second lieutenant in Co. D, 20th Alabama Infantry Regiment and was from Bibb County, Alabama. In the diaries he discusses camp life (including supplies, weather, social life, visiting family members, and the troops); the movement into...
In the diary he describes the troop movements of the "Mobile Rifles" after the regiment was formed in 1861; traveling to Lynchburg, Virginia; the enthusiasm for secession in Alabama and Virginia; his term of service at Norfolk, Virginia; social...
In the address Smith comments on the recent election of Lincoln; describes the objectives and administration of the new Confederate government; gives a historical and religious defense of slavery; commends the new government's prohibition of the...
In the letter Moore discusses public sentiment over states' rights violations by the United States Congress: "I trust that public meetings throughout the state, will be held, for the purpose of enlightening the masses, and causing them to...
In the letter Bolling describes campus activities and promises to do better in school than he had the previous year, despite his busy social life. He also discusses politics in detail, including the presidential election of 1860 and Virginia's...
In the letter Bolling discusses his studies at the university; criticism of his father's vote in the Electoral College during the recent presidential election; "troubles in Autaugaville & Prattville among the negroes"; disagreements among Southern...
This letter was written not long after the formation of the Confederate States of America. In it Bolling discusses possible interruptions in mail delivery ("I have been looking everyday [sic] to see it announced that the Government has discontinued...
From May 1861 to early 1862 Bolling Hall, Jr., served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he discusses troop movements; preparations for fighting; recent battles; weather and conditions in camp ("It is hard to write you a letter now for my...
In the letter Campbell expresses his willingness to serve the state if it should secede, though he would prefer a reconciliation without secession: "I am quite at the service of the State in any place in which my services might be needed to secure...
Bragg wrote this letter while representing Mobile County at the Alabama constitutional convention of 1861 (also known as the Secession Convention). In the letter Bragg discusses events at the assembly, including McRae's election as a delegate to...
In the letter John mentions seeing Stephen Douglas pass through town on his way to Montgomery, Alabama, and he discusses the possibility of secession after the presidential election: "The south seems determined to resist in case of Lincolns [sic]...
In the letter John discusses the tense political climate across the country, the possibility of secession, and the necessity of fighting: "I heard to day [sic] that the latest telegraphic news was that Gov. Wise had been assassinated, Cobb had been...
In the letter Forsyth explains a proposal that would make Mobile the home port for a line of passenger and postal steamers from Mexico. He mentions Carlos Butterfield, who is working for the Mexican government to secure such a route. The U.S....