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Second in our series highlighting the involvement of DuPage County residents in the Civil War 150 years ago.
By Dr. David Maas
By the middle of March 1861 the nation stood on the precipice of its worst crisis since the American Revolution. For over a decade southern extremists (“fire-eaters”) had urged Southern states to secede from the Union. Now that Republicans had won the election, fire-eaters found a more receptive audience. Seven states of the Lower South interpreted Abraham Lincoln’s election as a clear threat to the institution of slavery and left the Union even before he took the oath of office.
The seceded states wrote their own constitution and elected two political moderates to lead the Confederacy —Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as provisional president and Alexander Stephens of Georgia as provisional vice president of the Confederacy.
Furthermore, as Southern states left the Union, Southern governors ordered state militias to seize Federal forts. These forts had originally been built in the mid-1800s to defend the East Coast of the United States against foreign invasion. By early February inside the Confederacy only three Union forts still flew the Stars and Stripes — Fort Pickens in Pensacola Bay, Fla; Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, S.C.; and Fort Taylor, Key West, Fla.
The same day, Feb. 11, that Jefferson Davis left for Montgomery, Ala., to become president of the Confederate States of America, Abraham Lincoln left Springfield to go to Washington D.C. to become president of the United States.
By the day Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Davis left, the Confederacy had grown to seven states with Louisiana and Texas being the most recent. Would the Border States —Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware and Maryland— stay in the Union or join the Confederacy?
For example, Missouri held a state convention to define its position during the secession crisis. Former Governor Sterling Price was elected president of the Missouri Convention and used his influence to convince the delegates to vote against secession.
Around the nation banks were closing and the stock market was declining. Eventually because of various assassination plots against him, President-elect Lincoln had to sneak into D.C. in disguise.
At President Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, the new president said he had no plans to end slavery in those states where it already existed and he hoped to resolve the national crisis without warfare.
Normally in DuPage County local farmers put calloused hands to work spring crops, far too busy to worry much about politics. But the seeds of Southern secession sown in early 1861 changed even the daily routine of farmers.
Now farmers shifted their worries from insects and drought to the fate of Major Robert Anderson who commanded Fort Sumter, to whether the Border States and the Upper South would join the Confederacy, and to the possibility of a civil war.
Harper’s Weekly, Feb. 2, 1861—
High Treason
The crime of high treason is unfamiliar to our courts and juries; the very word—treason—is not understood by the bulk of our people—so calm and peaceful has been our national life during the past two generations….
There is but one very famous case of treason in our judicial records—that of Aaron Burr….
Within the past few days the painful subject has been agitated in legal and social circles. Persons have been summoned before the Grand Jury in New York for shipping arms to Alabama and South Carolina. A collector is said to have been arrested in South Carolina for protesting his willingness to pay over duties to the United States Government. Affidavits have been laid before the Supreme Court charging ex-members of the Cabinet and ex-Senators with treason.
If the present controversy be not adjusted by a compromise our courts will soon be busily engaged in cases of treason.
Harper’s Weekly, Feb. 16, 1861—
The Demand for the Surrender of Fort Sumter
Governor Francis W. Pickens to President James Buchanan:
Charleston, S.C., Jan. 11, 1861.
“Sir,—At the time of the separation of the State of South Carolina from the United States, Fort Sumter was, and still is, in the possession of troops of the United States, under the command of Major Robert Anderson.
I regard that possession as not consistent with the dignity or safety of the State of South Carolina; and I have this day addressed to Major Anderson a communication to obtain from him the possession of that Fort by the authorities of this State.
The reply of Major Anderson informs me that he has no authority to do what I required, but he desires a reference of the demand to the President of the United States.
Under the circumstances now existing, and which need no comment by me, I have determined to send to you Hon. Isaac W. Hayne, the Attorney-General of the State of South Carolina, and have instructed him to demand the delivery of Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, to the constituted authorities of the State of South Carolina.
The demand I have made of Major Anderson, and which I now make of you, is suggested because of my earnest desire to avoid the bloodshed which a persistence in your attempt to retain the possession of that fort will cause; and which will be unavailing to secure you that possession, but induce a calamity most deeply to be deplored.”
Harper’s Weekly, Jan. 12, 1861—
Major Robert Anderson
Of Major Robert Anderson's physique a writer, who seems to know him well, says: “In personal appearance he is about five feet nine inches in height; his figure is well-set and soldierly; his hair is thin and turning to iron gray; his complexion swarthy; his eye dark and intelligent; his nose prominent and well formed. A stranger would read in his air and appearance determination and an exaction of what was due to him. In intercourse he is very courteous, and his rich voice and abundant gesticulations go well together. He is always agreeable and gentlemanly, firm and dignified.” It is universally conceded by all who know Major Anderson, that he is a man who will die at his post rather than surrender.
The Richmond Daily Dispatch, Feb. 13, 1861—
New Orleans, La., Feb. 9, 1861
Jefferson Davis Elected
The President of the Louisiana State Convention announced today that information by telegraphic dispatch had been received of the election of Jefferson Davis for President, and Alexander H. Stephens for Vice President of the Provisional Government of the Southern Confederacy.
Tremendous and prolonged applause greeted the announcement from the galleries and the lobbies. Resolutions were immediately offered cordially approving the action of the Montgomery Convention, and passed unanimously, and a resolution to fire a salute in honor of the Southern President and Vice President elect unanimously passed the Convention. One hundred guns were fired, and great enthusiasm and rejoicing prevails.
New York Times, Feb. 19, 1861—
Inaugural Address of Jefferson Davis
Montgomery, Ala., Feb. 18, 1861
I enter upon the duties of the office to which I have been chosen with the hope, that the beginning of our career as a Confederacy may not be obstructed by hostile opposition to our enjoyment of the separate existence and independence which we have asserted, and which, with the blessing of Providence, we intend to maintain.
Our present condition, achieved in a manner unprecedented in the history of nations, illustrates the American ideal that government rest upon the consent of the governed, and that it is the right for the people to alter and abolish governments whenever they become destructive to the ends which they were established.
Chicago Tribune, March 8, 1861—
Missouri Convention
St. Louis, March 7, 1861
A large number of resolutions were read and referred to the Committee on Federal Relations. Among the most important was one providing for a Committee to confer with the Border States as to the best means of keeping the western States in the Confederacy.
Another declaring secession a dangerous and political heresy; that the Constitution has never failed to confer the blessings intended by its founders; that Southern States have no excuse seceding, and asking Northern States to repeal all acts making the rendition of fugitive slaves impossible or difficult. Another — that, believing there is no excuse for coercion, Missouri will furnish neither men nor money for that purpose.
From Constitution of the Confederate States: Montgomery, Ala. March 11, 1861—.
We, the people of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Confederate States of America.
Harper’s Weekly, March 9, 1861—
Proposed attempt on Mr. Lincoln’s life
The city was startled on Saturday by the intelligence that the President-elect, instead of proceeding on his journey to Washington from Harrisburg, in accordance with the published program, on Saturday morning, had left the latter city secretly, on a special train, on Friday night, and returning to Philadelphia, had passed thence, unrecognized, through Baltimore, and was already in the Federal Capital.
This step, it appears, was induced by the desire to avoid threatened trouble in Baltimore, and was taken at the earnest solicitation of his friends and leading Republicans in Washington, who had received authentic information that an organized demonstration would be made against him in Baltimore—if, indeed, he were allowed to reach there alive for it was also feared that an attempt would be made to throw the Presidential train from the track on the Northern Central Railroad.
The exact mode in which the conspirators intended to consummate their designs has not yet transpired; but enough is known to be satisfactory that either an infernal machine was to be placed under the cars or railway, like Felice Orsini’s attempt upon Louis Napoleon III in 1858, or some obstruction placed upon the track whereby the train would be thrown down an embankment at some convenient spot; and that if these failed, then, on the arrival at Baltimore, during the rush and crush of the crowd, as at Buffalo, by knife or pistol, the assassination was to be effected.
Chicago Tribune, March 8, 1861—
The Inauguration
Washington, March 4
The crowd swarmed about all the approaches leading to the Capitol grounds… the multitude was entertained by the fine martial music, and by the antics of a lunatic, who climbed a tall tree in front of the Capitol and made a long political speech, claiming to be the rightful President of the United States. Policemen were detached to bring him down, but he climbed with the agility of a monkey to the top most boughs, where he stood rocking in the wind, and made another speech.
Mr. Lincoln rose, calm, collected and serene in manner, and, with a preliminary glance over his vast and imposing auditory, put on his spectacles and began to read. He looked neither anxious nor careworn, but his cheerfulness was marked, and his clear, firm tones of voice as he read with great deliberation and precision of emphasis…
Monday, March 4, 1861, Washington, D.C. —
From Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address:
… I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
Abraham Lincoln Gathers Data:
Washington, D.C., March 9, 1861
To Gen. Winfield Scott, Chief of Staff:
You will much oblige me by giving answers, in writing, to the following interrogatories:
1st To what point of time can Major Robert Anderson maintain his position at Fort Sumpter, without fresh supplies or reinforcement?
2d. Can you, with all the means now in your control, supply or reinforce Fort Sumpter within that time?
3d If not, what amount of means and of what description, in addition to that already at your control, would enable you to supply and reinforce that fortress within the time?
Chicago Tribune, March 12, 1861—
At the Ball
At the Inauguration Ball, a lady from Tennessee said to Mr. Lincoln, “We in our state like you, and if all knew you as well as I do, would like you better.” Mr. Lincoln replied, “I hope you will not like me less, the better you know me.”
Letter From Major Robert Anderson
Fort Sumter, S.C., Feb. 27.
Rev. C. W. Denison, New York— Dear Sir: …I hope that all Christians of our beloved country will continue in earnest prayer, entreating God to have mercy upon our people — to save us from our sins, and to unite us again as a people — not only in our civil government, but one people in our love and adoration of His holy name.
Chicago Tribune, March 18, 1861—
Reported Conflict at Pensacola
Washington, D.C., March 16.
Startling rumors are in circulation here to the effect that a collision had occurred at Pensacola. It is reported that the United States forces, under command of Lieutenant Adam Slemmer, have been attacked by the Florida rebels, and a serious conflict ensued. Other reports of a vague character state that the outbreak did not occur in the neighborhood of Fort Pickens, but in the immediate vicinity of Pensacola.
Reminiscences of Sheriff Theodore Rogers Downers Grove, Spring 1861—.
Little else was talked of; farmers would leave their ploughs standing in the furrow while they leaned over the line rail fence and discussed the latest news from Washington or Montgomery. At crossroad stores men talked and argued while at home their wives waited in vain for the brown sugar or codfish their husbands had been told to bring for the noonday meal.
