The Confederacy Declared War on the US But Not All Of It

jackt62

Major
Member of the Year
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Location
New York City
I found this interesting. The Confederate Congress declared war on the United States on May 6, 1861. However, it specifically excluded a declaration of war against states and territories that it claimed to be part of the southern confederacy (outside of Tennessee and North Carolina which had not yet seceded.) These not only included Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware, but also the territories of Arizona, New Mexico, and so-called Indian Territory. This would appear to provide the confederacy with legal justification for carrying out military operations in those areas such as occurred in Missouri under Price and McCullough, in Kentucky under Bragg and Kirby Smith, and in Maryland under Lee.

War of the Rebellion: Serial 127 Page 0281

"AN ACT recognizing the existence of war between the United States and the Confederate States, and concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods.

Whereas, the earnest efforts made by this Government to establish friendly relations between the Government of the United States and the Confederate States, and to settle all questions of disagreement between the two Governments upon principles of right, justice, equity and good faith, have proved unavailing by reason of the refusal of the Government of the United States to hold any intercourse with the commissioners appointed by this Government for the purposes aforesaid, or to listen to any proposal they had to make for the peaceful solution of all causes of difficulty between the two Governments; and

Whereas, the President of the United States of America has issued his proclamation making requisition upon the States of the American Union for 75,000 men for the purpose, as therein indicated, of capturing forts and other strongholds within the jurisdiction of, and belonging to, the Confederate States of America, and has detailed naval armaments upon the coasts of the Confederate States of America, and raised, organized, and equipped a large military force to execute the purpose aforesaid, and has issued his other proclamation announcing his purpose to set of foot a blockade of the ports of the Confederate States; and

Whereas, the State of Virginia has seceded from the Federal Union and entered into a convention of alliance offensive and defensive with the Confederate States, and has adopted the Provisional Constitution of the said States; and the States of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri have refused, and it is believed that the State of Delaware and the inhabitants of the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico, and the Indian Territory south of Kansas, will refuse to co-operate with the Government of the United States in these acts of hostilities and wanton aggression, which are plainly intended to overawe, oppress, and finally subjugate the people of the Confederate State; and Whereas, by the acts and means aforesaid, war exists between the Confederate States and the Government of the United States and the States and Territories thereof, except the States of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, and Delaware, and the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico, and the Indian Territory south of Kansas:"
 
Back
Top