April 17, 1861 (Wednesday)

Many forms of joy...
happiness.

Virginia Secedes

The narrative of today from Civil War Daily Gazette, "The Brink of Revolution, Blood Will Flow -- Virginia's Secession"

A map is included at the link above that shows states that have seceded and those that have not.

An excellent article on what is happening at this moment in Virginia and its influence on the Middle and Border States of the South,  "Henry Wise's Pistol" by William W. Freehling, Disunion--New York Times, April 16, 2011.

"The star of the decisive moment was ex-Governor Henry Wise.  On April 17, with delegates still endlessly talking, the ultra-thin, ultra-fiery Wise seized the convention podium.  He announced that although he no longer had a governor's authority, he had ordered Virginia militiamen to seize the federal installations at Harpers Ferry Arsenal and Norfolk's Gosport Naval Yards.  If anyone wished to object, warned Wise as he waved his huge horse pistol with its extra long barrel, they can try to assassinate me."


Diary entries for the day:

Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office, Daily Chronicles of the American Civil War.

A Rebel War Clerk's Diary, Daily Chronicles of the American Civil War:  The story of Virginia seceding--full of patriotism for the South

"...During a pause in the proceedings, one of the leading members arose and announced that he had information that the vote was about being taken in the other Convention on the ordinance of secession.  'Very well!' cried another member, 'we will give them another chance to save themselves.  But it is the last!'  This was concurred in my a vast majority.

Not long after, Lieut. Gov. Montague came in and announced the passage of the ordinance by the other Convention!  This was succeeded by a moment too thrilling for utterance, but was followed by tears of gladness and rapturous applause...."

From Blue Gray Review:  A Sampling of reaction to the surrender and President Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops as reported today in the New York Times.  (from both sides of the conflict)

From Daily Observations from the Civil War -- Diary of William Howard Russell:  "...Here were these Southern gentlemen exulting in their power to control the policy of Great Britain and it was small consolation to me to assure them there were mistaken...."