March 12, 1861, (Tuesday)

Promise of Spring

A fascinating article on some of the "inside stories" going on as we head to the firing of guns at Fort Sumter.  Southern Unionists wanted Lincoln to call back the Union troops at Fort Sumter.  They felt it was the the only way to eventually save the Union.  The Southern leadership was growing in its feeling that if they started firing upon Sumter they could draw in the Upper-Southern states into the Confederacy, but they needed a reason.  This article enlightens us on some of the intrigue leading up to the firing on Fort Sumter. 

"John Gilmer's Last Stand", by Daniel W. Crofts, Disunion--New York Times, March 11, 2011.


From the American Civil War, "Winfield Scott to Vodges:  'Re-enforce Fort Pickens' "   Lincoln begins to fulfill one of his pledges...to re-enforce the forts.


"The Finances of the Confederate States", New York Times article, March 12, 1861.

"The Congress of the 'Confederate States' is proposing to effect a loan of $15,000,000, on a pledge of an export duty of one-eight of a cent on a pound of cotton, redeemable, in ten years.  The purpose is to raise an army.  The 'Confederate States' desire to put an army of 50,000 men in the field.  They will have to make several such loans before the year is out.  They must have $50,000,000 yearly for military purposes alone.  It costs about $1,100 annually per head, to maintain an army in quarters; when moving, a much larger sum.

They [the Southern Confederacy] have yet to show authority from the people to contract any debt whatever.  Those who know the South well, know that there is very little public spirit there at any time.  The planter is the most selfish man in the world, and as soon as the passional phase of secession is over, they are not going to give their money to a Government whose only function will be to oppress them. 

The 'Confederate States' can get their loan taken neither at home nor abroad.  The Southern people are beginning to find that they have been most egregiously sold.  The raising for $50,000,000 annually in the Cotton States, by imposts, duties, or direct taxes, is an utter impossibility.  It is a larger sum than the net profits of their whole industry." 


"A Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office":  Hat tip Daily Chronicles of the American Civil War.

"...Fine day and quite warm tonight...."