Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-02

field to put down the revolt of the south.
VIRGINIA LEAVES THE UNION.
Fifty years ago today Virginia, that
had been long hesitating between adher-
ence to the union and secession. cast its
lot with the Confederacy.
An ardent son Of the state had said at
Charleston, two days before the bonn
bardment of Sumter, II viii tell your
governor what viii put Virginia into the
Confederacy In less than an hour by
Shrewsbury clock: Strike a blow!'
The Virginia convention had been sit
ting since February 4, striving to find
in the haze of conflicting public opinion
the true road for the great southern COM
monwealth TO follow. The blow at Sum
ter determined its course. 1t must go
with the south
There was much union sentiment in
the northwest part of Virginia-enough
in fact to point the way TO the forma-
ton of the new state of West Virginia
but a majority in the Old Dominion
was for secession, once war had begun,
and the vote of the convention for it was
IS to IS.
The character of the men who stood
behind this vote is indicated by the per-
sonnet of a committee the convention APP
pointed to arrange for the alliance of the
state with the Confederacy. 1t was head
ed by John Tyler, ex-president of the
United States.
The conventions vote submitted its ac-
ton to the people for their ratification
at special election set for May %; but
pending this, the committee was author
lied to make a treaty with the Confed-
eracy, placing its military forces at the
disposition of the Confederate govern
ment
FORT PICKENs RELIEVED.
Fifty years ago today the relief expe-
dition from New York with troops and
food for Fort Pickens, Pensacola bay,
effected a landing OF its forces at the
fort.
The relief came none too soon, for not
withstanding the landing a few days be-
fore of some reinforcements that had
been sent weeks prior, but had been
held aboard ship, the Brooklyn, during
the period of Cancellation preceding the
Inauguration of Lincoln's policy Of action,
the fort stood in need of men and stores
to withstand the vigorous measures a
force of about 1000 under General Brax-
ton Bragg were taking to reduce it.
on April IL the fort had been all but
gained by the Confederates through a
ruse de guerre that would have let them
scale its walls before the garrison could
know of their approach.
The interest Of sergeant OF the gar
rison had been enlisted and he had Sc
cured the support of certain comrades
who were in the same guard detail as
himself The plan was for steamer
with a Confederate force on board to
approach the fort on the night of the
18th, when this guard was on duty, and
unopposed, to scale the walls
The plan, however. was communicated
by a man in the Confederate camp to
Lieut.. Adam J. Slemmer, in command
at Pickens, and therefore failed.
The arrival of strong garrison at
Picxens insured to the federal govern
ment the holding of this important point,
and cost the Confederacy the military
use of Pensacola bay and navy yard
which would have been Of the greatest
value to the southern cause
LETTERS OF MARQUE.
Fifty years ago today President JEFF
ferson Davis of the Confederate states,
issued a proclamation inviting all who
may desire in armed service in private
armed vessels on the high seas to aid
this government to make application
for letters of marque and reprisal, to be
issued under the seal of these Confed-
crate States"