Thursday, January 8, 2026

Susan Bradford: “As near as I can remember it was this way: ‘Georgia will certainly secede. Has Florida occupied the fort?’”

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Susa Bradford Eppes

January 8th, 1861.—We are at home again after a day filled to overflowing with excitement and interest. We were in such a hurry to get to town that the convention had not assembled when we reached the Capitol. There were groups of men talking earnestly and there were other men running hither and thither with [...]

Through Some Eventful Years by Susan Bradford Eppes

Interesting from Charleston.

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January 8, 1861, The New York Herald We have learned, from information gathered from gentlemen recently arrived from the city of Charleston, some few later details relative to that part of South Carolina, which we believe will be interesting to most of our readers. People belonging to the city and State of New York, and [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

Diary of George Mifflin Dallas, United States Minister to England

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1861. January 8.–South Carolina, it appears, adopted her Ordinance of Secession on the 19th of December, unanimously. It has been hailed with exultation in most of the Southern States. Mr. Mason rather intimates that the movement is designed to compel adequate concessions from the North, or to form a basis upon which the confederacy may [...]

Diary of George Mifflin Dallas, United States Minister to England 1856 to 1861

“U. S. troops have been ordered to this City to defend it if necessary.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

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TUESDAY 8 The weather has been moderate today M[ercury]. 44—Streets muddy, and the crossings bad. Statements that troops have been sent to reinforce Maj Anderson at Fort Sumpter created much excitement, a collision is expected. It is reported tonight that the Sec’y of Interior Mr Thompson has resigned, and also that a collision has occured [...]

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

“The transfers in specie have attracted attention and produced a good deal of unpleasant speculation.”—Horatio King, Postmaster General at the end of the Buchanan Administration

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(Confidential.) New York, Jan. 8,1861. My Dear Sir,–Why is money to very large amounts being transferred to Washington? It may be all right, but it is unusual. Nearly a million of dollars has been sent on in specie within the last week. I write you in confidence. Are these transfers made by order of the [...]

Turning on the Light: A Dispassionate Survey of President Buchanan’s Administration, From 1860 to its Close, by Horatio King

Barrancas Barracks and Fort Barrancas Threatened.—Operations in Florida

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BARRANCAS BARRACKS, FLA., January 8, 1861. SIR: There are rumors that the citizens of Florida and Alabama intend taking possession of the fortifications in this harbor. They have already taken those at Mobile and Savannah. I am stationed with one company (G, First Artillery) at Barrancas Barracks, having also Fort Barrancas in charge. There are [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“I need not suggest the danger to Florida and Alabama that must result from permitting a strong force to get possession of these forts.” (Operations in Florida – Confederate Correspondence)

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[STATE OF ALABAMA,] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January 8, 1861. Hon. WILLIAM M. BROOKS, President of the Convention of the State of Alabama: In reply to a verbal communication from the body over which you preside, made by one of its members, I make the following statement: My information in regard to Pensacola is that Governor Perry, [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Western Virginia

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January 8, 1861, The Staunton Spectator A correspondent of the Alexandria Gazette, writing from the county of Marion, under date of December the 22nd says: Western Virginia is becoming aroused on the great question of disunion. Groaning under a burden of unequal taxation, the people are wide awake to their interest. The forum of the [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

On this Day

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The Alabama state convention received Commissioner from South Carolina. North Carolina Senate bill arming the State passed the North Carolina House: yeas 73, neas 26. The Virginia state legislature passed anti-coercion resolution. Jacob Thompson , Buchanan’s Secretary of the Interior, went to Raleigh, to persuade the North Carolina Legislature to vote for secession, November 18, [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

Secret Movements of United States Troops

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January 8, 1861, The New York Herald The rumors which prevailed in this city on Sunday last that there was in the wind’s about Governor’s Island, were the cause of great excitement and public concern. The report, which it now appears was not altogether unfounded, was to the effect that a considerable body of federal [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day

Our Washington Correspondence.

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January 8, 1861, The New York Herald WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 1861. Among the causes of the prevailing excitement may justly be designated, as one of the most productive, the telegraphic correspondence from the seceding States. Much of this may be quite correct, but a very great deal of it is extremely exaggerated, and not a [...]

Civil War Day-by-Day