USA > Georgia > The history of the State of Georgia from 1850 to 1881, embracing the three important epochs: the decade before the war of 1861-5; the war; the period of Reconstruction, v. 1 > Part 17
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" There was an exultant shout, and men breathed freer and looked nobler, and felt more like freemen who had burst the shackles that had enslaved them for years. From the hall of the House of Representatives the momentous event soon reached the vast and excited multitude outside, who had crowded to Milledgeville, most of them with the
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PROTEST AGAINST SECESSION.
patriotic intent to urge upon the convention Georgia's right and duty to secede. The people shouted, the bells were rung, the cannon roared, the city was illuminated, and great was the rejoicing."
Mr. Nisbet offered this resolution, which was adopted:
" Whereas, the lack of unanimity in the action of this convention, in the passage of the Ordinance of Secession, indicates a difference of opinion amongst the members of the convention, not so much as to the rights which Georgia claims, or the wrongs of which she complains, as to the remedy and its application before a resort to other means of redress :
" And whereas, it is desirable to give expression to that intention which really exists among all members of this convention to sustain the State in the course of action which , she has pronounced to be proper for the occasion, Therefore :
" Resolved, That members of this Convention, including those who voted against the said ordinance, as well as those who voted for it, will sign the same as a pledge of the unanimous determination of this Convention to sustain and defend the State in this her chosen remedy, with all its responsibilities and consequences, without regard to individual approval or disapproval of its adoption."
At twelve o'clock on Monday, the 21st day of January, 1861, the ordinance of secession was signed in presence of the Governor and State House officers, Judges, and a throng of spectators, and the great seal of State attached. The delegates all signed the ordinance, but six of them did so under protest, which is as follows:
" We, the undersigned, delegates to the Convention of the State of Georgia, now in session, while we most solemnly protest against the action of the majority in adopting an ordinance for the immediate and separate secession of this State, and would have preferred the policy of cooperation with our southern sister states, yet as good citizens, we yieldl to the will of a majority of her people as expressed by their representatives, and we hereby pledge 'our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor' to the defense of Georgia, if necessary, against hostile invasion from any source whatsoever.
"JAMES P. SIMMONS, of Gwinnett. THos. M. MCRAE, of Montgomery. F. H. LATIMER, of Montgomery. DAVIS WHELCHEL, of Hall. P. M. BYRD, of Hall. JAMES SIMMONS, of Pickens.
" MILLEDGEVILLE, GA., January 22, 1861."
This decisive act of Georgia settled the revolution. Whatever doubts had existed as to the policy or purpose of the South as to secession were dissipated. The spirit of the Georgia convention, so riven as it was by a conflict of opinion as to disunion, and yet so conciliatory and harmonious in the final action, confirmed the effect of its example abroad. Committed to secession after a stubborn conflict and close division. the State was compactly welded in its cordial support of the adopted
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THE ELECTRICAL EFFECT OF GEORGIA'S SECESSION.
policy. The ship was given to the lightning and the gale against the wishes of a powerful minority of her crew, but when the venture was made, every man leaped to his post for the storm, devoted, loyal, intrepid and invincible. The news of the action at Milledgeville was flashed over the wires, carrying the inflammable intelligence. It stirred the State to delirium. Ratification meetings were held every where. Guns were fired and orators spoke their burning words. The die was cast for war, and the chivalric spirit of a brave people gave back a unanimous and deep-souled response. In the sister states of the South the effect , was electrical. That solid, staunch old Georgia should throw her splendid autonomy into the current of secession created a boundless enthusiasm, and the secession crusade became irresistible.
Looking at the motives that animated the people of Georgia in this most serious step, one must admit that they were pure, conscientious and chivalric. They believed they were risking life, property and honor for liberty and self-government-for a violated constitution, whose prin- ciples incarnated the genius of republican institutions. It was eternally to their honor that they staked so much for their convictions of right. That they failed in their cherished cause detracts nothing from their heroic devotion and sacrifice to truth. That they should have been used by Providence in the execution of a humanitarian reform but consecrates their heroism.
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PART II. The Bloody Harvest of War.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PRINCELY PROSPERITY GEORGIA STAKED ON THE WAR.
Gov. Brown's Promptness .- The Seizure of the Augusta Arsenal .- Captain Elzey .- Col. Henry R. Jackson .- Col. Wm. H. T. Walker .- Work of the Convention .- The Delegates to Montgomery .- Commissioners to Southern States .- Their Reports .- The Address of the Convention, written by Mr. Toombs .- A Summary of Georgia's Condition .- Striking Statistics .- Her Exceptional Attitude .- Sixty-two Millions Growth in a Single Year .- A Romance of State Expansion .- A Flood Tide of Progress .- Gov. Brown's Marvelous Administration .- Georgia's Largest Measure of Material Advancement under His Rule .- An Increase of 176 Millions in Brown's Four Years .- An Amazing Growth .- Georgia had Ennobled Peace .- She was to Illumine War.
FROM the date of Georgia's secession, events went forward swiftly. Gov. Brown with characteristic promptitude hastened to make practical the sovereignty of the State. The United States flag was still flying over the Augusta Arsenal. Captain Arnold Elzey was in charge of it, in command of eighty United States soldiers. During the heated pub- lic feeling before secession, the people were in great excitement over Federal occupation of the Arsenal. This excitement became almost uncontrollable when the Federal flag continued to float over the Arsenal after secession, and it was the all-absorbing theme of talk. Gov. Brown went promptly to Augusta, arriving there on the 22d of January, 1861. Colonel, afterwards Gen. Henry R. Jackson, accompanied the Governor as his aid. The following communication was addressed to Captain Elzey:
" AUGUSTA, GA., Jan. 23, 1861.
"CAPT. ARNOLD ELZEY, U. S. A., Commanding Augusta Arsenal :
" Sir .- I am instructed by his Excellency, Gov. Brown, to say to you that Georgia, having seceded from the United States of America, and resumed exclusive sovereignty over her soil, it has become my duty to require you to withdraw the troops under your connnand at the earliest practicable moment, from the limits of this state.
" Ile proposes to take possession of the Arsenal, and to receipt for all public property under your charge, which will hereafter be accounted for, on adjustment; between the State of Georgia and the United States of America.
" He begs to refer you to the fact that the retention of foreign troops upon the soil of Georgia, after remonstrance, is, under the laws of nations, an act of hostility; and he =
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THE AUGUSTA ARSENAL.
claims that the State is not only at peace, but anxious to cultivate the most amicable re. lations with the United States Government.
" I am further instructed to say that an answer will be expected by to-morrow morn- ing, at nine o'clock.
" I am Sir, Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
HENRY R. JACKSON. Aid de Camp, etc."
Captain Elzey refused to give up the Arsenal, and telegraphed the situation to the authorities at Washington, receiving at one o'clock at night this reply:
" WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 1861. "CAPT. ARNOLD, SECOND ARTILLERY, Commanding Augusta Arsenal, Ga. :
"The Governor of Georgia has assumed against your post and the United States an attitude of war. His summons is harsh and peremptory. It is not expected that your defense should be desperate. If forced to surrender by violence or starvation, you will stipulate for honorable terms, and a free passage by water with your company to New York.
" T. HOLT, Secretary of War."
During the day of the 23d the volunteers of the city were ordered out, and some 800 troops responded. The refusal of Captain Elzey to surrender created the exciting prospect of a battle, and hence every man turned out that could raise a uniform and gun. Troops came in from the country. The companies out were the Augusta Battalion, companies A and B of the Minute Men and the militia, all under the immediate command of Lt. Col. Cumming. Brig. Gen. Harris had general direc- tion, aided by Brig. Gen. Williams of Columbus. Col. Wm. Phillips was on the Governor's staff. Gov. Brown determined to make no hostile demonstration on the 23d, but to allow Captain Elzey a day for consideration. The troops were dismissed until the 24th, at nine o'clock, A. M., when they reassembled and were just about to march for the Arsenal, when Capt. Elzey sent the following communication, which caused a countermanding of the order to march.
" HEAD QUARTERS AUGUSTA ARSENAL, { GEORGIA, Jan. 24, 1861. 1
" Sir,-I have the honor to inform you that I am directed by Captain Elzey, command ing this post, to say, in reply to the demand of the Governor of the State of Georgia, made through you yesterday, requiring him to withdraw his command beyond the limits of the State : he begs to request an interview with his Excellency, the Governor, for the purpose of negotiating honorable terms of surrender at as early an hour this morning as practicable.
" I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
J. C. JONES, Lieut. 2d Art. A lg.
" To Cor .. H. R. JACKSON, lid de Camp."
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LARGE CAPTURE OF VALUABLE ORDNANCE.
At ten o'clock Gov. Brown, with Generals Williams and Harris, and his staff, Col. H. R. Jackson, Col. Wm. Phillips, Lt. Col. M. C. Fulton, Lt. Col. C. V. Walker, and Lt. Col. Henry Cleveland rode to the Arse- nal, where the terms of surrender were agreed upon.
1. The United States flag was to be lowered and saluted.
2. The company to march out with military honors.
3. A receipt to be given for the property with a view to future ad- justment.
4. The company to retain its arms and property, to stay in its quar- ters until withdrawal from the State, and to have passage to New York by Savannah. The State obtained a large quantity of valuable ordnance and munitions, among them a fine battery of two twelve-pound howitz- ers, two cannons, twenty-two thousand muskets and rifles, many of them of the best kind, and heavy stores of powder, grape and other am- munition.
After the arrangements were completed, a cordial exchange of friendly courtesies was had. Col. Wm. Henry Walker crossed the room and heartily shook hands with Capt. Elzey, assuring him that he had done all that a brave officer could. A silent embrace was Capt. Elzey's reply, and the incident filled with tears the eyes of those who wit- nessed the touching incident between these two old army friends, sud- denly placed in hostile relations to each other. The two were at West Point together. Col. Walker was afterwards made a Major General in the Confederate army. He was the possessor of a courage that bor- dered upon the desperate. Ile was peculiarly unfortunate, having been frightfully wounded on three separate occasions in his service before the war, once being literally shot to pieces. He was finally killed in the battles around Atlanta.
The garrison was called out and the four field pieces used in firing the salute. Thirty-three guns were fired, one for each star on the old flag, Georgia included. The flag descended from the staff between the thirty-second and thirty-third fire. All of the officers of the com- pany, and some of those with the Governor had seen active service under it. Col. Jackson through the Mexican war. As the flag fell from the staff, a deep feeling of pain and regret was entertained. Refreshments were ordered by Capt. Elzey, and a number of toasts were pledged, several of them deserving preservation. Col. Jackson offered this feeling and memorable sentiment: "The flag of stars and stripes, may it never be disgraced, while it floats over a true Sonthern patriot." This toast was warmly appreciated by the officers of the
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DELEGATES TO MONTGOMERY.
Federal company, who were Southern officers. Governor Brown, while not drinking wine, proposed a toast to Captain Elzey, in which he paid that officer a merited and generous compliment.
Gov. Brown returned immediately to Milledgeville. At three o'clock Gen. Harris, with twelve of the Washington Artillery, and a squad of the Oglethorpe Infantry, proceeded to the Arsenal and took possession. At half past four the representative flag of Georgia was formally raised, a pure white banner with a large red five-pointed star in the center, the symbol and the emblem of the state's supreme sovereignty. Salutes were fired with two cannon belonging to the Washington Artillery ; one gun for the sovereignty of Georgia ; five guns for the seceded states; and fifteen for the prospective Southern Confederacy. In com- menting upon Gov. Brown's judicious execution of this duty, the Augusta Constitutionalist complimented him upon the fact that he used every effort to preserve peace between the State and the United States, and it used these words: "Our State may well be proud of her Governor." It was apprehended at one time that bloodshed would ensue; but the prompt and overwhelming demonstration of force, giving time for a cahn knowledge of the situation, resulted in the peaceable surrender of the post with its incalculably valuable stores for the great conflict so soon at hand. This episode added to the enthu- siasm of the hour, and stimulated the war feeling. Captain Elzey afterwards became a General officer in the Confederate army.
The work of the State Convention proceeded rapidly. Ordinances were passed in quick succession, perfecting the details of sovereign rule, in regard to citizenship, the courts, inter-state slave trade, postal arrangements, and other matters. Delegates were elected to the South- ern Convention to meet at Montgomery on the 4th of February, 1861. These were:
State at Large .- Robert Toombs and Howell Cobb.
1st District, Francis S. Bartow; 2nd District, Martin J. Crawford; 3d District, Eugenius A. Nisbet; 4th District, Benjamin H. Hill; 5th Dis- trict, Augustus R. Wright; 6th District, Thomas R. R. Cobb; Cth Dis- trict, Augustus H. Kenan; Sth District, Alexander H. Stephens.
This was a very strong delegation. Some complaint was made by the extreme secession press at the selection of B. H. Hill, A. H. Kenan and A. R. Wright, on account of their not having been secessionists. The Convention selected also Commissioners to send to Southern states that had not seceded. The persons chosen were:
For Virginia, H. L. Benning of Muscogee.
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REPORTS OF SOUTHERN COMMISSIONERS.
For Maryland, A. R. Wright of Richmond.
For Kentucky, H. R. Jackson of Chatham.
For Tennessee, H. P. Bell of Forsyth.
For Missouri, L. J. Glenn of Fulton.
For Arkansas, D. P. Hill of Harris.
For Delaware, D. C. Campbell of Baldwin.
For North Carolina, Saml. Hall of Macon.
Col. Henry R. Jackson declined to serve, and Dr. W. C. Daniell was appointed in his stead. W. J. Vason had been previously chosen as Commissioner to Louisiana, and J. W. A. Sanford, Commissioner to Texas.
Reports of their mission to these states were made by Campbell, Sanford, Wright, Hall, Daniell, Vason and Bell. Col. D. P. Hill, the Commissioner to Arkansas, proceeded to that state and remained three months at work, and did not return until Arkansas seceded, at which time the Georgia Convention had adjourned, and his report was never made. He labored faithfully, however, canvassing the state of Arkansas from one end to the other. Col. L. J. Glenn went to Missouri, but had a difficult time, meeting with much trouble in his mission. The reports of the Commissioners constitute a very interesting series of papers, and are embodied in the Journal of the Convention. Col. Campbell found in Delaware a Legislature hostile to secession, and hence limited his work to a brief letter to Gov. Burton, who transmitted it to the Gen- eral Assembly without comments. Col. Campbell predicted that when Virginia and Maryland seceded, Delaware would do so. Ranse Wright, the Commissioner to Maryland, found Gov. Hicks of that state uncom- promisingly opposed to secession, and if a disruption was made he favored a Central Confederacy, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Missouri and Ohio, and was then in correspondence with the Governors of those states upon the subject. An unofficial convention of secessionists was in session in Maryland, `but adjourned until some time in March. Col. Wright thought the people of Maryland would take the matter in their own hands and join the South. The letter of Col. Wright to Gov. Hicks was a very clo- quent and able presentation of the issues involved.
The report of Samuel Hall, the Commissioner to North Carolina, rep- resented a most cordial reception from the Governor, the legislature and citizens of that state. He addressed the legislature in a speech of elaboration and power, that coneluded with an eloquent anticipation of the future glory of a Southern Confederacy. His mission was a success
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SECESSION ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
in this, that the legislature submitted the question to the people whether a convention should be called. Dr. Daniell was able to do nothing in Kentucky. Wm. J. Vason, the Commissioner to Louisiana, addressed the legislature of that state, but found the state up to the neck in secession. Col. H. P. Bell, the Commissioner to Tennessee, found the people against secession, but Governor Harris was confident they would come to it in time. Col. Luther J. Glenn went to - Missouri and faithfully executed his mission. He had a troublesome time, but over- came the difficulties manfully.
The Convention continued in session until the 29th of January, 1861, when it adjourned to meet in Savannah. A number of important mat- ters were ordained, among them, the reduction of the Senate of the state to a body of forty-four members, as it has been ever since and is now. The Congressional Districts were increased from nine to ten. The Governor was authorized to raise two regiments of troops for state defense.
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The address of the Convention upon the Ordinance of Secession as reported by Mr. Nisbet, chairman of the committee of seventeen, was written by Mr. Toombs, and was a masterly review of the causes that induced Georgia to secede. It is a clear, concise, ringing statement of the issue, pithy, concentrated and forcible. Arraigning the Republi- can party for its crusade against slavery, the great question of slavery is the burden of the paper. The address concludes in these sinewy sentences. The people of Georgia
" Know the value of parchment rights in treacherous hands, and therefore they refuse to commit their own to the rulers whom the North offer us. Why ? Because by their declared principles and policy they have outlawed three thousand millions of our pro- perty in the common territories of the Union, put it under the ban of the Republic in the states where it exists, and out of the protection of Federal law every-where; because they give sanctuary to thieves and incendiaries who assail it to the whole extent of their power, in spite of their most solemn obligations and covenants; because their avowed purpose is to subvert our society, and subject us, not only to the loss of our property. but the destruction of ourselves, our wives and our children, and the desolation of our homes, our altars and our firesides. To avoid these evils, we resume the powers which our fathers delegated to the Government of the United States, and henceforth will seek new safeguards for our liberty, equality, security and tranquillity."
A summary of the condition of Georgia in the year 1860, the year before the great civil war, will not be out of place for the purpose of practically presenting the stupendous changes wrought by the revolu- tion. The statistics are striking ones, and demonstrate how sturdily this powerful Southern State adhered to the Confederate cause in that
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GEORGIA'S EXTRAORDINARY PROGRESS IN 1860.
most gigantic strife of the world's history, and to what extent she de- voted her men and means to what she espoused. It is a matter of well- grounded doubt if any State in the Union displayed greater heroism. And while she thus practically did her duty in sending her sons and giving her resources to the cause, she held a singular and exceptional attitude in firmly antagonizing every measure of the Confederate gor- ernment that she thought an encroachment upon constitutional law and liberty. Her record in this particular is romantic and impressive in the extreme. She fought to the last some of the most pronounced measures of the Confederate government, arguing and protesting against their policy, and yet in every case giving the substantial aid called for under such measures. Amid the direst necessities of the conflict she sought to preserve the principles of a constitutional government. She gave men and money whenever called for, more than called for. She prided herself upon the promptitude with which she obeyed every requisition for soldiers. But she made a decided stand for the Constitution when- ever she thought Confederate legislation invaded its principles or im- periled its integrity, and when the final history of the war comes to be written, several of her conflicts of argument with the Confederate gov- ernment, conducted by her stern-souled Executive, will stand as historic constitutional land-marks. As will be seen hereafter, she was destined to be the theater of controlling gigantic operations for a long period, culminating in that famous "Sherman's march to the Sea," which quartered the ill-fated Confederacy and proved the most destructive blow the Southern cause received.
The statistics are taken from the report of the Comptroller General of the State, Col. Peterson Thweatt, an officer who instituted the splen- did system, and has been noted for his accuracy and industry. The aggregate wealth of Georgia in 1860 was 8612,322,1:7. Some idea of the extraordinary progress Georgia was making at that period in mate- rial prosperity, may be understood from the fact that the gain of the state for 1860 over the year 1859, was the wonderful sum of 862,732,901. Coukl there be a more striking example of growth ? Over sixty millions in a single year. The fact reads like a romance. It sug- gests the sudden expansion of the golden Ellorados of the West. Georgia was marching forward with a giant stride. No wonder that she had won spontaneously the noble distinction of the " Empire State of the South." It was an honor due to her magical advancement, and her imperial resources. The details of her aggregate wealth showed the largest single element of wealth to be her slaves, 450,033 in number,
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GEORGIA IN 1860.
and worth 8302,694,855. Her land that paid tax was 33,345,289 acres, worth $161,764,955. City property stood valued at $35,139,415; money and solvent debts, $107,336,258; merchandise, $15,577,193; man- ufactories, 84,034,252; other unmentioned property, $42,427,295. Her polls were 99,748, which added to the voters not subject to poll tax, gave her fully 110,000 voters. Of free persons of color there were only 1,225.
There were 25 banks doing business in the State with a capital of $17,000,000, of which they employed $9,028,078. Savannah had nine of these banks using $5,101,337 of capital, and Augusta six with $2,675,000 capital. The State indebtedness was the small sum of $2,670,750, and the.assets consisted of the Western and Atlantic Rail- road, which had cost $4,441,532, and which paid into the treasury 8450,000 in 1860, or over ten per cent. interest upon cost, and other property worth $807,025. The rate of taxation was then 6 1-2 cents on the $100, making a revenue of 8400,000. The income of the state was not only adequate for the yearly expenses of every description, but even at the low rate of taxation, was furnishing a surplus fund for redeem- ing a large amount of bonds not due, anticipating the maturity of in- debtedness. The prosperity of the State was something amazing. She was rushing forward with an accelerating sweep. It was a very flood tide of weal for a grand and expanding empire. The population was 1,023,801, of which the white part was 576,719, and the colored 441,082.
But in looking at the superb condition of Georgia in that eventful year of 1860, so remarkable for its luxuriant prosperity as well as for the inception of a strife that dashed the proud State into the very dregs of a woe and poverty as absolute and boundless as her former stately fortune, it is an act of justice to credit to the administration of Gov- ernor Brown its agency in this achievement of progress, whose details we have given. The statistics will show the striking fact that, from the beginning of the state government to the present time, with a record of some very brilliant periods of chief magistracy, Gov. Brown's régime of four years, from November 1857, to October 1860, gave to Georgia the largest measure of material growth she has ever had. This is vast praise, but it is due. ' These four years of Joseph E. Brown's executive management stand out the one unequaled and infinitely superior epoch of state progress. Like a towering pyramid amid an unbroken stretch of ordinary structures, this historical period of culmi- nating power and splendor under the derided slave-ocracy of the South,
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