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| Gen. John Hunt Morgan |
Alabama Secedes
| For more than a decade, Yancey had urged the South to “give courage to each other, and at the proper moment, by one organized concerted action, we can precipitate the Cotton States into a revolution.” When Alabama first considered secession in 1860, Yancey warned his fellow statesmen that if they did not vote to desert the Union, they would become subject to black Republican rule and their rights - including the right to own slaves - would be forever destroyed. Yancey’s argument persuaded 61 delegates to vote for secession, overruling 39 others.
Despite the inevitable war, the state government of Alabama handled the ensuing secession with rare attention to protocol. When enthusiastic state militiamen moved in to replace the Federal troops guarding the arsenal at Mount Vernon, Alabama, they conducted themselves politely and with a sincere interest in effecting a smooth transition. However, this veneer of gentility would disappear by the following April...when the Union became Alabama’s deadly enemy. Mort Künstler painted this portrait of Alabama’s General John Hunt Morgan, with the state flag behind him. |
February's Archived Features:
Wednesday February 1, 2023
Thursday February 2, 2023
Friday February 3, 2023
Saturday February 4, 2023
Sunday February 5, 2023
Monday February 6, 2023
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