Richmond Daily Dispatch Newspaper
Friday November 1st, 1860

Thanksgiving day.

--In accordance with the rubric of the Episcopal Prayer Book which requires that, where no day of Thanksgiving is appointed by the civil authorities, the first day of November shall be observed by that Church as a Day of Thanksgiving, it will be so observed by the Episcopal Church in this and other States, where no day has been appointed by the Governor. There will be divine service in this city at St. James' Church. This day is also appointed by the Presbyterian (O. S.) Synod of Virginia for prayer and fasting.

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So what we see here is that in the Episcopal Church, which most of the southern leadership like Davis, Lee and Jackson, belonged, the celebration of Thanksgiving on the 1st of November was a matter of religious worship on a yearly basis. That the setting of a specific date was expected of the civil authorities. But, if there was no formalized declaration by the civil government, either on a local level like the mayor, or higher government like the Governor, the Episcopal Church itself had set aside the first day of November as a day of Thanksgiving.

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Richmond Daily Dispatch Newspaper
Friday November 1st, 1861

By the President.
a proclamation.
Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend the Confederate States hitherto, in their conflict with their enemies, and to be unto them a shield.

And, whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him belongeth the victory; and in humble dependence upon His Almighty strength, and trusting in the justness of our cause, we appeal to Him, that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and put them to confusion and shame:

Now, therefore, I. Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States, in view of the impending conflict, do hereby set apart Friday, the 15th day of November, as a day of lasting humiliation and prayer; and I do hereby invite the Reverend Clergy and the people of those Confederate States, to repair on that day to their usual places of public worship, and to implore the blessing of Almighty God upon our arms, that He may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes and from pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity.

Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at Richmond, the thirty-first day of October,in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.

Jefferson Davis.

By the President;

R. M. T. Hunter,

no 1--ecdt15N Secretary of State.

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We see here that this proclamation was issued two years before Lincoln's proclamation making the last Thursday of November the Northern day of Thanksgiving.