The Civil War News & Views Open Discussion Forum

February 9, 1861

On this date 150 years ago, in a unanimous decision, Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was elected Provisional President of the Confederate States of America. Alexander Stephens joined him as Provisional Vice-President. These two men were moderate enough in their publlic views to please the border states and it was hoped that those states not yet seceded would soon do so now that the Confederacy had chosen able, and not fanatic leaders. In a further move to preserve order and prevent a radical break, the Provisional Congress at Montgomery stated that the laws of the United States of America were to remain valid unless they interferred with stated laws of the Confederacy. Tennessee declined the opportunity to hold a state convention which would rule on secession; the popular vote on that decision was 68,282 to 59, 449.

Fort Pickens, Florida, did not receive the reinforcements that arrived on the USS Brooklyn because of the desire of both Federal and State authorities that the balance of power not be disturbed.