May 5, 1861, The Road from Sumter -24,
“It would be a great political error, not to say a crime, if the Republican President should plunge the New World into war in order to show his attachment to his party or his consistency with his former principles.”
~ London Times
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Extra session of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States. Fourth day.
Montgomery, Ala., May 2.
Congress assembled to-day at noon, and, after prayer, the Journals of yesterday were read and confirmed […]
A Resolution of Thanks, to Brigadier General G. T. BEAUERGARD, and the Army under his command, for their conduct in the affair at Fort Sumter.
Be it unanimously Resolved, by the Congress of the Confederate States of America , That the thanks of the people of the Confederates are due, and through this Congress are hereby tendered, to Brigadier General G. T. BEAUEE GARD and his officers, and to the gallant troops of the State of South Carolina, for the skill, fortitude and courage by which they reduced and caused the surrender of Fort Samter, in the harbor of Charleston, on the 12th and 13th days of April, 1861; and the consideration of Congress is also hereby declared of the generosity manifested by their conduct towards a brave and conquered too.
Be is further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be communicated by the President to GENERAL BEAUREGARD , and through him to the army now under his command.
A Bill to Provide for the Appointment of Chaplains in the Army.
The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact. That there shall be appointed by the President such number of chaplains, to serve with the army of the Confederate States, during the existing war, as he may deem expedient; and the President shall assign them to such regiments, brigades or posts, as he may deem necessary.– And the appointments made aforesaid shall expire whenever the existing war shall terminate.
SEC. 2. The monthly pay of these captains shall be eighty-five dollars, and such pay shall be in full of all allowances whatever.
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The English Press.
We give extracts, to-day, from the English press. They cry out with one voice against civil war in America. If they pronounce LINCOLN ‘S threats of coercion “diabolical,” what will they say when they hear of the hellish proceedings in New York? We are strongly of opinion that LORD LYONS will be instructed to offer the mediation of England, and, if that is not effectual, that, in the end, the interests of England will require a more effectual intervention.
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A War of Subjugation or Extermination.
An intelligent gentleman [Lord Lyons] who arrived lately in this city, from Washington, states that he heard LINCOLN make a speech on Thursday night last, in which he declared that the present war must end in the subjugation or extermination of the South. That is the purpose of the Administration, beyond all doubt.
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STRATEGICAL POLICY OF THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY.
–The New York Journal of Commerce has an editorial upon this subject, in which occurs the following:
Without stopping to inquire further into the nature of the extraordinary rumors in circulation for some time past, in reference to a threatened invasion of the District of Columbia, it is at least safe to suggest as a possible truth, that it has been the persistent policy of the Confederate States, since the first alarm of war, to tempt the North into an enormous scale of expenditure for military purposes, and thus to produce a more speedy exhaustion. It would appear as though no means had been neglected — no artifice unemployed — which might tend to this result. The announced intention of the Confederacy to grant letters of marque, for aught that appears to the contrary, is not likely to be carried into execution; embargoes laid upon commerce at Southern ports have been raised; and Northern vessels seized have been released, in many instances, by direction of the authorities at Montgomery. Nevertheless, these varied acts of hostility may have answered a purpose, by precipitating events in the North, and hastening the final issue. Meanwhile, the Southern States seem to be husbanding their resources in every possible way. Individuals serve in the ranks as common soldiers, gratuitously. Not unfrequently, as the newspapers state, whole companies are put on a war footing, with no other expense to the General Government than the providing of muskets; and railways do the necessary transportation without indemnity.
Reviewing the events of the last few weeks, it may well be doubted whether there has ever been any settled purpose to invade the National Capital. Jefferson Davis evidently prefers to act on the defensive, rather than employ aggressive measures. But even if we accept this as a solution of certain rumors and proceedings otherwise difficult of explanation, it cannot be said that the extensive preparations for the defence of Washington are ill-advised. Without them, the political attitude of two or three of the Border States might have given much more reason for concern; and besides, the concentration of a large force at some convenient point is absolutely necessary.
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The British Press on American Affairs.
The American Revolution.
[From the London Times, 19th.]
It needs no comment of ours to impress the public with the great importance of the news from America. We are anxious to speak with caution on this subject, and not cause alarm which may possibly prove to have been unnecessary. Therefore we would rather let the telegraphic summary from Queenstown speak for itself. The steamer left New York on the 6th, and on the day previous the signs of an approaching conflict, which had been visible for some weeks before became so marked that a panic took place in Wall Street. In what may be called the two chief cities of the rival Federations, the belief that war was at hand prevailed equally. In New York there was as we have said, a panic on the Stock Exchange, while from Charleston the telegraph announced that the dreaded moment had arrived, and a rupture would at once take place. It was even feared that military operations had begun on the part of the Southerners. No news had been received from Fort Pickens for several days, and this had led to the belief that the communication had been cut off by the Southern troops. From Charleston it was announced that Major Anderson had been called upon to evacuate Fort Sumter within forty-eight hours, the alternative being that the place would be bombarded. The belief at Washington was that the Government there was as determined as that of the secessionists. Every man had been ordered on duty; frigate, with two first-class merchant steamers, would sail at once with sealed orders, but we learn from a private source that there were still doubts as to whether they were intended to relieve Fort Pickens, or to proceed to St. Domingo.
Such is the momentous intelligence which we publish to-day. We may here, however, repeat the hope so often expressed on this side of the ocean, that if the two sections of the late Union be destined to separation, the change may be accomplished without the spilling of blood. It may, perhaps, be too late to indulge in such wishes, yet we will not give up all hope that even at the last hour moderate counsels may have prevailed, and that this fratricidal war has been checked in the outset. But, supposing that the worst has happened, and, either through the naval operations of the United States or an attack on the Federal forts by their rivals, hostilities have begun, it is plain that a conflict of no common kind must follow. The Confederate States, though without a navy, and consequently forced, for the most part, to remain on the defensive, will be an enemy not easy to deal with. True, they are not so powerful in men or resources as they anticipated some months ago. The fidelity of the border States to the Union has been a great disappointment to the Montgomery politicians and their ambitious President. The Border States, particularly Kentucky and Tennessee, contain a population which, for military purposes, surpasses, perhaps, any in the Union.–The fine race which inhabits these regions would prove formidable enemies to the Government at Washington if they had resolved on seceding. Then there would have been the accession of a large white population without any great admixture of Negroes, and further more considerable wealth, which in the present state of the Southern Exchequer would have been very acceptable. But, though for the present, at least, the Border States stand fast by the Union, yet the South shows a bold front. The seven seceding States, being in earnest and fighting for their independence, have raised an army which the other twenty-seven have not yet succeeded in matching.–According to all accounts, the Southern levies are large, well-disciplined, and in high spirits. For weeks it has been difficult to keep the Charleston regiments from attacking Fort Sumter, and at Pensacola we find that Fort Pickens was hard pressed by a considerable force. The iron foundries in Virginia were turning out guns to be used against the Government which owns the allegiance of Virginia itself. “”Troops, provisions and ammunition were flowing in to the Confederate army,”” was the intelligence received a few days since. It seems clear that, if peace be preserved, it will not be by any yielding on the part of the Secessionists.
It would be a great political error, not to say a crime, if the Republican President should plunge the New World into war in order to show his attachment to his party or his consistency with his former principles. When Mr. Buchanan published his unhappy message — a document to which it is probably owing that South Carolina was followed into secession by six other States–the Republican party, and indeed opinion generally throughout the North, was so much inflamed against the President that Mr. Lincoln found or fancied it necessary to repudiate these sentiments. Incautiously giving utterance to his own opinions wherever he came on his journey from the West, he arrived at Washington pledged not only to keep but to retake the forts belonging to the Union in the seceded States, and to refuse any recognition of Southern independence. The collection of the duties at the Southern ports was also made a part of the new President’s programme. How difficult it has been found to carry out all this, is evident from the long delay which has taken place. Before Mr. Buchanan left office Major Anderson was in extreme danger; no time was to be lost in relieving Fort Pickens and the Confederate States themselves were lowering their tariff and letting in the productions of Europe at a rate which would make every idler in the Border States take to smuggling at once. It was though that the moment Mr. Lincoln was installed a resolution would be taken. But this was not to be. For a full month the President and his Cabinet have been debating what is to be done, and only on the 5th of April is it announced that the policy of coercion has triumphed.
The delay seems all the more to be regretted since confidence among men of business had been almost restored. There was up to nearly the last day of March a feeling that the worst was over, and that, however lamentable might be the disruption of the Republic, there would not be added to this misfortune the still greater calamity of civil war. The absorbing interest in military and political matters was passing away, and business was resuming its usual course. What will be the result of a collision between the two Governments is more than any one can predict. The vision of privateers at sea and partisan bands along the frontier must be so terrible to Americans that it is possible the public feeling of the people may restrain the acts of their rulers. But, should this quarrel begin and continue until both sides are roused into animosity, the war, though short, may be as savage as any that has been carried on even by the Spanish race. The Americans are in the highest degree excitable and vindictive; the ferocity which they carry into their domestic conflicts would be increased largely when one side fancied itself to be resisting tyrants and the other punishing traitors. But we had rather not speculate on so great a calamity as such a war would be. We would rather hope that the good sense of the Americans and the peaceful counsels of this country may bring about a reconciliation before the dispute has been too far envenomed. As long as the two sections of the Union refrain from hostilities, it would be the height of arrogance and folly to interfere; but when the soil and seas of the New World are likely to be stained with blood, foreign nations may surely remonstrate in the cause of humanity.
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Treachery in Maryland.
The noble State of Maryland has been thus far paralyzed by the treason of GOV. HICKS and HENRY WINTER DAVIS , two matchless political villains who have succeeded in surpassing the infamy of BENEDICT ARNOLD , and inscribing their names in the very lowest and blackest spot in the record of human infamy. If ever men deserved the gallows, each of these traitors to the South deserves to be swung as high as HAMAN . The man who can think of party at a time when the liberty and independence of his State is threatened, is a wretch too vile to live; at any rate, to live among loyal and honest men. If a State falls bravely fighting and doing its best, there is some consolation in the reflection that all the powers God has given it have been employed to the best effect; but to be struck down from its pride of place, to see its ardor dampened, its energies distracted, its resources sapped and mined, by a secret, insidious, interior foe, what can fill a generous soul with such unbearable anguish and humiliation? There are as lofty spirits in Maryland, as gallant and patriotic and generous, as any in the Union; but they have been sold by the HICKSES and DAVISES –sold for the thirty pieces of official silver, which, to ignoble souls, are more precious than honor, duty, Heaven. We by no means despair of Maryland. She cannot be permanently enslaved. She will loosen herself yet from the coil of the serpents and crush their heads beneath her victorious heel.
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Source: Richmond Dispatch by Cowardin & Hammersley, Vol. Xix — no.104 Richmond, Va. Tuesday, may 7, 1861
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Review of events leading up to May 5, 1861:
-80+ years of sectional tensions between northeastern and southeastern states over tariffs, states rights/popular sovereignty, federal power over new territories and most recently, the practice of chattel slavery.
-1857 – Massive Financial Collapse And panic hits Northeastern banks triggered by the sinking sinking of the S.S. Central America carrying 30,000 pounds of gold destined for northern banks.
-A new “Republican” political party is formed with a platform of federal control of new territories, diminishing popular sovereignty, and enforcing new tariffs “by force”, which are all usurpations of the U.S. Constitution.
-The increasing federal debt has lead to a proposed drastic increase in Tariffs that disproportionately effect agricultural southern states as the 48% Morrill Tariffs.
-Radical Republican Leader Thaddeus Stevens, sponsor of the Morrill Tariff, stated: “the Tariff would impoverish the southern and western states, but that was essential for advancing national greatness and the prosperity of [northern] industrial workers.”
-Southeastern states have minority representation in the U.S. Congress due to the 3/5ths rule, which does not allow negro persons to be fully counted for representation.
-Southeastern “Cotton states” protest tariffs, and the fact that these agricultural state are already paying ~75% to 85% of the federal budget with little to none returned in support for infrastructure.
-1859 – John Brown and 18 accomplices began their illegal invasion of Virginia, and murder spree at Harper’s Ferry Virginia, financed by northeastern “abolitionists”.
-November 1860, Abraham Lincoln is selected as U.S. President with a minority of the popular vote and was not even on the ballot in 10 states, with a pledge to institute the new party’s platform, by force if necessary.
-The seven “cotton states” that are most impacted by the new 48% Morrill Tariffs begin secession proceedings citing historical causes, tariffs and the federal government’s usurpation of the “voluntary compact” called the U.S. Constitution.
-U.S. President Buchanan begins deliberations over payment for federal properties with South Carolina representatives and is informed that garrisoning troops at Fort Sumter would be considered and act of war.
-December 8th, The South Carolina Delegation delivers a written agreement or “armistice” to U.S. President Buchanan, promising not to attack the remaining forts garrisoning U.S. troops in the sovereign state of South Carolina, with the understanding that the U.S. will not attempt to reinforce them.
-U.S. President Buchanan extended the December 10th “armistice” to all states considering secession.
-December 12th, U.S. President Buchanan’s armistice agreement that “there would be no reinforcement coastal fortifications” was now extended to all states considering secession until March 4, 1861.
-December 13th, The “Southern Manifesto” was published In Montgomery Alabama. Twenty-three House members and seven Senators from southern states make a public announcement, “a manifesto which urged secession and the organization of a Southern Confederacy.”
-December 16th, South Carolina legislature elects Francis Wilkinson Pickens Governor. In his inaugural address he cited the sectional election, northern states violations of the Constitution and that South Carolina will open her ports to the world and advocate free trade, (Without the U.S. 48% Morrill Tariffs) and that South Carolina “acceded to the Constitution alone, and will secede alone of necessity.”
-December 17th, “Convention of the People of South Carolina”, South Carolina’s Secession Convention opens, the Convention passed a unanimous resolution to secede from its voluntary compact with the union.
-December 20th, Delegates to the South Carolina Convention unanimously vote to secede by adopting 169 – 0 an “Ordinance To Dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and other States United with her under the Compact Entitled ‘The Constitution of the United States of America.’
-December 21st, Incoming U.S. President Lincoln sends a “confidential” letter to Democrat Francis P. Blair, Sr., Representative Elihu B. Washburn, and General Winfield Scott, regarding his plan to break US President Buchanan’s armistice and instigate war on American state’s immediately after inauguration.
-December 23rd, South Carolina’s Rep. William Porcher Miles confirms the December 10th armistice with U.S. President Buchanan and that Fort Sumter is abandoned property In Charleston Harbor, now sits unoccupied.
-December 26th, U.S. Major Robert Anderson violates U.S. President Buchanan’s December 10th armistice with South Carolina’s Representatives, and Governor, by illegally seizing Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, (Act of War)
-December 28th, In response to U.S. Major Andersons illegal seizure and occupation of Fort Sumter, Cadet Riflemen and the Palmetto Guard, with a detachment of City Police, were detailed to take charge of the Arsenal in the city of Charleston, and a line of patrols was established around the walls.
-December 30th, Colonial John Cunningham of the South Carolina militia was officially ordered by Governor Francis Pickens to seize control of the Charleston Arsenal.
-January 1st 1861, Political Resignations Begin, Labors expose US. Maj. Anderson’s subversion, U.S. Blockade of Charleston Harbor expected (Act of War).
-January 2nd, Gulf state Governors and local officials order State Guard Troops, Local Militias and Police to secure or seize coastal forts, armories, and powder magazines.
-January 4th, Governor A.B. Moore ordered Alabama Militia to seize three installations in the state, the arsenal at Mount Vernon, Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, in preparation for secession.
-U.S. President Buchanan responded to Major Anderson’s breach of the “compact” or Armistice of December 10th, by justifying it as a “military necessity” to occupy Fort Sumter, and blaming possible “Mob” violence.
-Rumors that the steamer “Harriet Lane”had been hired and dispatched, with supplies and 150 reinforcements for U.S. Major Anderson at Fort Sumter. (Act of War)
-January 5th, A caucus of U.S. Senators from seven Southern states meet in Washington, D.C.. The Senators from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas discuss an orderly secession, independence and a “confederation of states.”
-January 7th, U.S. Congressional Committee “on the part of the boarder states” proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure chattel slavery, and the interstate slave trade, is made “permanent and irrevocable” in all states “loyal to the union”…
-January 8th, The Steamer “Star of the West” has been hired by President Buchanan to invade Charleston Harbor with 150-200 reinforcements and supplies for Fort Sumter, in violation of the December 10th Armistice. (Act of War)
-January 9th, The Steamer “Star of the West” arrives at Charleston with supplies and reinforcements for Fort Sumter and attempts to invade the Harbor but, is unable to navigate the channel. (Act of War)… South Carolina forces fire warning shots, block the channel, and the ship is ordered to retreat.
–Mississippi votes to join South Carolina in secession and independence from the Union.
-January 10th, Florida joins South Carolina and Mississippi and secedes from the federal Union, U.S. forces break the armistice with Florida’s Governor and occupy the formerly abandoned Fort Pickens. (Act of War)
-January 11th, Alabama votes for secession and independence from the federal union, discussions of a “Southern Confederacy” begin. *The first Black “Freedmen” Volunteers begin to be accepted into service to the South Carolina state militia’s.
-January 12th, Fort Sumter Deliberations begin between U. S. President Buchanan and South Carolina, and S.C. Governor Pickens sends a letter to U.S. Major Anderson at Fort Sumter. (Attempted at a peaceful resolution)
-January 13th, The South Carolina General Assembly looks upon any attempt to reinforce the troops now in possession of Fort Sumter, as an act of open and undisguised hostility on the part of the Government of the United States.
-January 15th, Louisiana Governor orders Coastal Forts to be seized, the “Star of the West” returns to New York with reinforcements and supplies after being turned away from Charleston Harbor South Carolina.
-January 16th, The “Crittenden Compromise” Bill dies in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. government continues to offer amendments to make chattel slavery “permanent and irrevocable” in all states “loyal to the union”.
-January 17th, The War Ship U.S.S. Brooklyn attempts to invade Charleston Harbor and is turned back (Act of War), more U.S. Officers resign to join their respective states militias, some Virginia counties urge secession.
-January 18th, South Carolina Governor Pickens is authorized to raise an army, and declared South Carolina ports are closed to northern shipping.
—-A U.S. federal fleet, led by the U.S.S. Macedonian with 500+ men and 36 guns, is sent under sealed (Secret) orders to break the armistice and reinforce Fort Pickens in the now Independent Republic of Florida. (Act of War)
-January 19th, The State of Georgia becomes the 5th state to vote to secede from the Union, and Former U.S. President Taylor leads a piece delegation while U.S. President Buchanan secretly develops plans to invade former states and reinforce Forts Pickens and Sumter.
-January 21st, The Honorable Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, hero of the Mexican War, former U.S. Secretary of War, resigns from the U.S. Senate.
-January 24th, U.S. Major Anderson receives word that February 9th has been established as the date by which his command would be “evacuated with honor” as per the armistice, his men travel freely, and that his command is being supplied with fresh produce and meat by Charleston merchants.
-January 26th, Louisiana joins South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama and Georgia in voting for secession.
-January 29th, The territory of Kansas is admitted to federal union as the 34th state. The Charleston Mercury Hails Kansas for ensuring “Popular Sovereignty” as its citizens determine its domestic institutions and not the federal government.
-February 1st, The people of Texas vote to become the 7th state to secede from its voluntary compact with the federal union.
-February 4th, A Peace Commission convened in Washington D.C., while Convention Delegates from seven independent states is assembled in Montgomery Alabama to draft a provisional constitution and government for a new confederacy of states.
February 6th, U.S. President Buchanan concedes to political pressure from his cabinet and informs Peace Commissioners that he has no intention of honoring his December 10th pledge to withdraw federal forces from Fort’s Sumter and Pickens by February 9th. (Act of War)
-February 7th, U.S. President James Buchanan publicly asserts that “It is beyond the power of any president” to interfere with secession, and negotiations begin on the disposition of “public property” with seceded states.
-February 8th, A provisional confederated government and draft constitution is formally established in Montgomery Alabama by 6 independent states. (Texas Delegates in transit)
-US President Buchanan’s original armistice agreement to evacuate federal troops from all forts by February 9th, expires, he has informed former President Tyler’s Peace Commission that he now has no intention of evacuating the remaining occupation troops from the 7 newly confederated states. (Act of War)
-February 11th, Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as provisional President of the 7 Confederate States of America.
-February 13th, The U.S. Congress met in a Joint Session to count the Electoral College votes to certify the results of 1860 presidential election, the most highly contested in American history.
-February 16th, The Republic of Texas begins seizing forts and armories within its boarders after secession, and subsequently joining the C.S.A.
-February 18th, U.S. President Buchanan ordered a Naval Squadron sent to Florida with reinforcements for Fort Pickens however, is only allowed to resupply, not permitted to land troops in accordance with Buchanan’s armistice with Florida’s Governor Perry.
-February 22nd, The new Government of the Confederate States of America (CSA) has now assumed delegated authority for the coastal defenses of seven member states, with consent of the Governors.
-February 23, The Baltimore Plot”;
Rumors circulate of a plan to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, the most Unpopular President in American history, as he travels through Baltimore Maryland, on his way to Washington D.C., for his inauguration.
-February 27th, C.S. President Davis has requested commissioners to be sent to Europe to establish diplomatic relations, and names three C.S. commissioners to be sent to Washington DC to negotiate peaceful relations with the U.S. Government.
-February 28th, C.S. President Jefferson Davis becomes the first American President to use a line item veto, to specifically outlaw his nation’s participation in the international slave trade in any form, as drafted into the C.S. Constitution.
-March 2nd, With two days left in his lame duck administration, U.S. President James Buchanan is pressured to sign two landmark pieces of legislation, the “Morrill Tariffs” and the “Corwin Amendment.” Both planks in the new radical Republican platform.
-March 3rd, Abraham Lincoln sends secret orders Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, to break the armistice and send a naval expedition from New York City, to “reinforce” U.S. Commander Slemmer at Fort Pickens Florida with four companies of U.S. troops. (Act of War)
-March 4th, Abraham Lincoln is Inaugurated as U.S. President, and he immediately orders General Winfield Scott to initiate war at Fort Pickens at Pensacola. (Act of War)
-March 11, The C.S. Constitution was unanimously ratified by seven, It outlawed participation in the international slave trade, recognized the right of any state or territories to decide the question of slavery within their own borders, and contained strict limitations on tariffs creating a low tariff zone on the North American Content. As a result, the Northeastern financial markets went into a panic!
-March 13, The U.S. Congress, Secretary of State William Seward, Confederate Peace Commissioners, American News reporters and President Lincoln’s own Cabinet are assured that troops illegally occupying Forts Pickens and Sumter are to be evacuated, and that war with the Confederate States will be avoided…
-March 15th, U.S. President Lincoln sends a letter to urge governors of U.S. states to quickly ratify the Corwin Amendment to make the institution of slavery “permanent and irrevocable” in all states a territories “loyal to the union”, without interference from the federal government.
-March 16, Arizona Territory Secedes from Lincoln’s Union.
-March 18, Gustavus V. Fox is provisionally appointed U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy by President Lincoln, and ordered to reconnoiter Fort Sumter and plan an invasion of Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Against the advice of his cabinet.
-March 22nd, All U.S. Naval Commanders stationed off of Galveston TX, New Orleans LA, and Pensacola FL have all refused to execute any of Lincoln’s secret orders that could be seen as a violation of the armistice thus, initiating war.
-March 27th, C.S. General Beauregard and South Carolina’s Governor Pickens again offer U.S. Major Anderson evacuation Fort Sumter “with all honors”.
-March 29th, U.S. Merchant Ship S.S. Isabella is captured by Confederate Officers, and Lincoln’s secret plan to break the armistice is discovered on board. The French call for the “abolition” of the Morrill Tariffs as a first step in reconciliation.
-April 1st, U.S. President Lincoln severely rebuked his Secretary of State, W. H. Seward, for his continued insistence on a peaceful solution, Lincoln openly admits he will usurp the Constitution and initiate war on American states.
-April 5th, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln illegally initiates war on South Carolina, Florida, and on the Confederate States of America, without the consent of congress.
~ April 8th, 3 U.S. naval squadrons in two expeditions secretly left port, blowing gale winds, rain, and high seas. One Squadron has departed for Pensacola, two are pending departure for Charleston Harbor.
-April 10th, With the U.S. Naval Invasion Fleet in route, the C.S. Congress sends a wire to Generals Beauregard and Bragg that: “a federal [U.S.] expedition force will be landed to overcome all [C.S.] opposition”.
-April 11th, The first evacuation date of the armistice was broken on February 9th, by U.S. President Buchanan. (Act of War)
Now the second on April 10th by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. (Act of War)
-April 12th, The U.S. Naval Fleet arrives at Charleston Harbor; Fort Sumter bombardment begins, Florida is invaded, and Fort Pickens is reinforced! War is initiated.
-April 14, 1861, Victorious Confederates occupy Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor after the attempted federal invasion, bombardment and subsequent surrender of federal troops. Private John S. Byrd, Jr. of South Carolina’s Palmetto Guard places this flag on the fort’s wall facing Charleston.
-April 15th, Lincoln usurps the Constitution and the U.S. Congress and ordered governors to provide 75,000 troops to illegally invade C.S. States.
-Second Wave of States Secession Begins
-April 17th, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln has now formally declared war on the seven Confederate States of America without the consent of the U.S. Congress, and carrying out further invasion of Florida by reinforcing Fort Pickens.
-April 19th, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, under a plan devised by U.S. Gen. Winfield Scott, proclaims that all Southern ports will be blockaded by the U.S. Navy (Act of War).
-April 20th, Just 3 days after Virginia’s peaceful secession from the U.S., U.S. Commodore McCauley plans and executes the demolition and evacuation of Virginia’s ports. (Act of War)
-April 21st, Pratt Street Riot, Baltimore Maryland; A clash between civilian anti-war secessionists and Union troops in Maryland’s largest city resulted in what is commonly accepted to be the first bloodshed of The War Between States.
-Maryland’s General Assembly voted to approve a resolution vehemently protesting the federal occupation of Maryland, and sent it to President Lincoln.
-April 23rd, “McClellan orders Invasion” of Virginia. (Act of War). Virginia becomes the 8th State of the Confederate States of America, and Robert E. Lee takes command of Virginia’s defense forces.
-April 25th, After illegally suspending the U.S. Constitutional “Writ of Habeas Corpus”, Abraham Lincoln orders U.S. Gen. Winfield Scott to arrest the Maryland State Legislature, and imprison them indefinitely without warrant or charges.
-April 27th, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln illegally suspended the writ of habeas corpus between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia to give military authorities the necessary power to “silence dissenters” and “rebels”.
-April 28th, The Republic of California Moves Toward Secession and Independence
-April 29th, The Corwin Amendment goes to the state Legislatures for Ratification. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln has personally urged all governors to support this Amendment making chattel slavery “permanent and irrevocable” in all states “loyal to the Union.”
-May 3rd, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issues Proclamation #83, which illegally established a state of war with American states, usurping the U.S. Constitution, and without the consent of the U.S. Congress.
-May 4th, The C.S. Government establishes diplomatic relations with Great Britain and Brazil. Britains Foreign Minister, Lord Lyons, attempts to negotiate a settlement to prevent U.S. President Lincoln from escalating war on American states.
Cold Southern Steel 