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Virginia in the American Civil War | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · The Secession Convention Debates —
Virginia in the American Civil War.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
On the 13th of February 1861, the Virginia Secession Convention met at the Richmond Mechanics Institute. The room held 152 representatives elected by county from a total of 145,700 voters. Thirty delegates supported immediate secession while thirty backed unionism. The remaining ninety-two were moderates who refused to align with either side initially. A Federal Relations Committee formed with four secessionists, ten moderates, and seven unionists to draft compromise measures. Robert E. Scott of Fauquier County later noted that the failure of the Peace Conference extinguished all hope for settlement through direct state action. He accepted the dissolution of the Union as a necessity following this political collapse. Georgian Henry Lewis Benning delivered a speech appealing to ethnic prejudices and pro-slavery sentiments. He stated he would rather be stricken with illness and starvation than see black slaves liberated. Lewis Edwin Harvie of Amelia County offered a substitute resolution calling for immediate secession on April 4. This proposal failed by a vote of 88 to 45. The convention debated fourteen proposals from March 15 through April 14 before approving the final measure on April 12.
Fort Sumter Turning Point
News of the attack on Fort Sumter reached Richmond on the evening of the 13th of April 1861. Jubilant crowds poured into the streets expressing fervent secessionist desire immediately after hearing the news. A 100-gun salute fired at the state capitol honored the Confederate victory over the fort. The American flag lowered from over the capitol building was replaced with the Confederate flag. Crowds shouted for Jeff Davis, the Southern Confederacy, and Dixie's Land during these demonstrations. Lincoln had informed Governor Letcher that Virginia would leave the Union within forty-eight hours if either side fired shots near the fort. President Lincoln called for troops from all states still in the Union on April 15. Governor Letcher rejected this request as lacking constitutional authority. His reply wrought an immediate change in public opinion across the state. Ex-Governor Henry A. Wise gave a fiery speech announcing that Virginia militia were seizing the Federal armory at Harper's Ferry. The convention voted provisionally to secede on April 17 pending ratification by a statewide referendum. The ordinance of secession stated the injury of the people of Virginia and the oppression of the Southern slave-holding States as the cause.
Richmond Industrial Capital
The Confederacy moved its capital from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond, Virginia, in May 1861. This decision relied heavily on industrial capacity rather than political status alone. Tredegar Iron Works stood as the third largest foundry in the United States when the war began. It produced most Confederate artillery including giant rail-mounted siege cannons. The company manufactured railroad locomotives, boxcars, rails, steam propulsion plants, and iron plating for warships. Richmond factories also made guns, bullets, tents, uniforms, harnesses, leather goods, swords, and baynets. Textile plants, flour mills, brick factories, newspapers, and book publishers operated within the city limits. The White House of the Confederacy sat just north of the State Capitol housing Jefferson Davis family. Union forces captured Alexandria without a fight on the 24th of May 1861. The loss of Richmond to the Union army in April 1865 made victory inevitable for the North. A fire set by retreating Confederates burned 25 percent of the city before Union troops extinguished it. Most buildings and factories remained undamaged after the conflict ended.
Western Virginia Statehood
Forty-nine delegates representing fifty counties voted thirty-two to thirteen against secession on the 17th of April 1861. Twenty-four counties favored secession while twenty-six opposed it according to historian Richard O. Curry's estimates. Francis Pierpont was elected governor of the Restored Government of Virginia during June 1861. This government resided in Wheeling until August 1863 when it moved to Alexandria following West Virginia admission. An ordinance for separate statehood passed for public vote on the 24th of October 1861 with only 18,408 voters approving. The last necessary vote occurred the 4th of March 1863 with turnout reaching 28,318 including soldier votes. The new state formally entered the Union on the 20th of June 1863. Western Virginia provided about 20,000 soldiers each to both Union and Confederate armies. Many men not accepted into Pennsylvania or Ohio units chose to join Pierpont's military organizations instead. The 1st and 2nd West Virginia Infantry composed primarily of men from those northern states. Confederate enlistments began for regiments like the 8th Virginia Cavalry and Stonewall Brigade units.
Major Campaigns Timeline
The first major battle of the Civil War occurred the 21st of July 1861 at Manassas. Union forces attempted control of the railroad junction but lost to Confederate Army troops. The year ended without another significant engagement after this First Battle of Bull Run. Union general George B. McClellan retreated from Richmond under pressure from Robert E Lee's army in 1862. Pope suffered defeat at Second Battle of Manassas while Fredericksburg became a one-sided Confederate victory. Fighting resumed spring 1863 when Hooker lost Chancellorsville against Lee's forces. Ulysses Grant launched Overland Campaign during 1864 including battles at Wilderness Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. Siege of Petersburg concluded with Confederate defeat following attrition warfare throughout the campaign. Southern Punch newspaper reiterated Confederacy cause in September 1864 before government fled Richmond April 1865. Appomattox Courthouse marked final surrender as Confederate leaders packed belongings fleeing Union approach.
Military Demographics Analysis
Virginia Confederate government fielded approximately 155,000 troops more than any other state within the Confederacy. At least 30,000 men came from outside Virginia primarily Maryland or areas becoming West Virginia. Around 27,000 Virginians served in Union Army including roughly 21,000 white Virginians and 6,000 of African ancestry. Some African Americans enlisted as far away as Massachusetts despite being freedmen or runaway slaves. Areas supplying Union soldiers had few slaves high percentage poor families history opposing secession. These regions located mainly northwestern Virginia. Forty percent of Virginia officers stayed fighting for Union including Winfield Scott David G Farragut George Henry Thomas. One Fairfax County soldier approached Chain Bridge guards wearing Confederate uniform claiming travel to Washington DC. He joined Union scouts due to local terrain knowledge after explaining his uncle was Uncle Sam. West Virginia provided about 20,000 soldiers each side while remaining counties gave large numbers to Confederate army despite voting heavily against secession ordinance.
When did the Virginia Secession Convention meet in 1861?
The Virginia Secession Convention met on the 13th of February 1861 at the Richmond Mechanics Institute. The room held 152 representatives elected by county from a total of 145,700 voters.
Why did Virginia secede from the Union during the Civil War?
Virginia voted to secede on April 17 after President Lincoln called for troops following the attack on Fort Sumter. Governor Letcher rejected this request as lacking constitutional authority and public opinion shifted immediately against the federal government.
How many soldiers did Virginia Confederate government field compared to other states?
The Virginia Confederate government fielded approximately 155,000 troops more than any other state within the Confederacy. At least 30,000 men came from outside Virginia primarily Maryland or areas becoming West Virginia.
What happened to Richmond when Union forces captured it in 1865?
Union forces captured Alexandria without a fight on the 24th of May 1861 but lost Richmond to the Union army in April 1865. A fire set by retreating Confederates burned 25 percent of the city before Union troops extinguished it.
When was West Virginia admitted to the Union?
An ordinance for separate statehood passed for public vote on the 24th of October 1861 with only 18,408 voters approving. The new state formally entered the Union on the 20th of June 1863 after the last necessary vote occurred the 4th of March 1863.