The sad part is, that those in the South to whom wished to remove themselves from the United States of America; did not exhaust legal remedies within the Congress and the US Surpreme Court.
When Fairfax County deeded a portion of Virginia, as to create the new "Federal City" (Washington, DC), as to put more center the seat of government of those states and commonwealths at that point were only thirteen in number; the Virginians were unhappy to be a part of the 10 mile square of Washington, that they petitioned to be returned back to Virginia.
The US Federal Courts agreed. Virginia won their case without bloodshed. A legal first was established which could have been used to argue the issues the Southern unhappy states had, wishing to separate from the US Federal Government. What was delightful, was the spirit of cooperation by the Federal Government, et.al., in transfering governmental operations smoothly, in addition to all files and paperwork; deeds and such all back to Virginia to which both Virginia and US Government peacefully swapped everything without one person being wounded in the process and no army or violence was needed.
This land became Alexandria County, Virginia and later became Arlington, County in 1922. (Reference: History of Arlington County, Virginia)
Impatience and politics in regard to the unhappy states and commonwealths lead their cause into a more violent path after simmering for many presidential administrations.
We (in a general sense) will never know, had the unhappy states/commonwealths applied their case in Congress first, then the US Surpreme Court, declared itself independent and or separated without any hostilities and or take overs of Federal Arsenals, property and or Forts--could have had more credibility and or a peaceful end.
We (in a general sense) will never know how many damaging documents, as to add more evidence to this discussion existed before they were destroyed in or about Richmond, Virginia -- after the Appomattox surrender of General Lee and his army. It may be that they were even more profound than what was saved.
Although
LadyVal posted very interesting reads --the
"Official Records of the Rebellion" was written in the moment as events unfolded and without the fuzzy nature of memories years later. Opinions and comments of the cited sources are worthy of consideration however, the 'in the moment' documentation is an evidence trail and to me a train wreck that was to take place and I am the reader to whom is watching the collateral effects of emotional thoughts going beyond what I would consider 'wisdom of patience.' Having not exhausted all legal remedies, e.g. US Surpreme Court --is to me a great flaw.
Nobody is explaining why two shells were discharged at Fort Sumter on Buchanan's watch --as to explain why it couldn't be considered a threating behavior. Ok, one was excused as an accident. The second was different. Then, the actual official firing on Ft. Sumter until its surrender. So you have three individual firing incidents on Fort Sumter. Real manly to take a detail working on construction of Ft. Sumter and starving them, denying them access to their Government's instructions, snooping in official documents to which they knew darn well they were not entitled to and were to be privy to. An inferior force within the Fort itself, as to be inefficient to defend itself from an attack that was pre-planned and in blunt terms--a conspiracy. It wasn't a fair fight. And, it wasn't ethical for General Beauregard to force Major Anderson to make a decision of a political nature under the guise of military function.
I also see where the Commonwealth of Virginia was warm to the Southern States before the firing on Fort Sumter. I am of the opinion that Virginia may have entered without the attack on Fort Sumter.
Researching the town of "Annandale, Virginia," -- it is evident there was voter intimidation and caused many to not vote at all and or not be counted in their vote as to remain in the Union. Many pro Union votes were destroyed --thus; the Confederate cause for secession was done by force-not done by liberty and or freedom of choices. Rather contrary to the 'thumping' of chests puffed out by political roosters, strutting and crowing about "liberty, justice, sovereign powers--started looking like a dictatorship' in the little town of "Annandale, Virginia" leading up to Virginia's secession from the Union. So, how many other towns and or cities were subjected to 'like' behaviors? Seems to me the "Fire Eaters" deceived the plain and wonderful folks of the Southern States and Commonwealths, if Annandale is any measure.
Can anybody tell I hate politicians?! :laugh1:
My apologies - [gets off soap box]
It is great to mention General McClellan's 1862 campaign as justification of this and that but, there is a huge gap between the firing on Fort Sumter and its surrender.
What happened to the fact Confederate forces were massing together on the plains of Manassas, Virginia - approximately 20 miles from the US Capital and in threatening jestures, which General Winfield Scott was aware of and a good amount of his Regular military gone, as they defected to the CSA military?
June 30th, 1861 - Captain John Marr - a Volunteer Confederate officer of Warrenton, Virginia - a sheriff; was killed at Fairfax Court-House. Being the first CSA officer to fall in the Civil War from Virginia. Previous to that; on May 24th, 1861 - Union Colonel Elmer Ellsworth of the New York"Fire Zouaves" designated as "First Zouave Regiment, New York Militia," at the Marshall House was killed. He was the first Union officer to die in the Civil War. And, this was when Alexandria, Virginia was occupied by Union forces throughout the Civil War--the longest occupied Confederate city and territory held by Union forces.
May 24th, 1861 --if any Confederate historian knowing their history--would know this is when the first Union force stepped into Confederate territory - Arlington Heights and the city of Alexandria, Virginia and occupied it. Nobody in Montgomery, Alabama or Richmond, Virginia -- nobody in the Confederate Government got their shorts in a wad when this happened.
July 10th, 1861- Conflicts took place at Big Bethal.
July 18th, 1861- Battle of Blackburn's Ford which General Longstreet was a major part of took place and connects to
July 21st, 1861 -Battle of First Bull Run/Manassas took place.
General McClellan assumes command from General I. McDowell on July 27th, 1861.
And Civil War history goes on and on from the 'official' recognition of the firing on and surrender of Fort Sumter.
Why nobody gets all 'passionate' and 'heated' about the Union occupation of Alexandria, Virginia as much as Fort Sumter, then (as in the days of the Civil War) - I'll never know.
Just some thoughts, opinions, comments and observations.
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf
to the gentleman - UnionBlue]
Bringing the