Southern states are astir, forming militia regiments and seeking funding. Samuel Boykin, the editor of Georgia’s Baptist newspaper, The Christian Index, calls for “every freeman of Georgia” to “prepare to discharge his duty manfully.” Delegates to the Georgia Baptist Convention, convening today in Athens, talk excitedly about their new nation and the battlefield clashes certain to come.
Although their state is not yet a part of the Confederacy, some North Carolinians (including Baptists) are busy preparing to fight the United States. In Raleigh, an anonymous correspondent reports:
Our people are wide awake, and we are responding nobly to the call made for volunteers to defend the rights of the South.
The ladies, ever foremost in good works, held a meeting in the basement of the Baptist Church yesterday morning, for the purpose of making up the necessary clothing, &c., for our volunteer companies. There was a general outpouring of the ladies of the city, and they will provide our volunteers with everything necessary for their comfort and welfare.
The following companies are preparing for active service. The Ellis Flying Artillery, about 75 men. They have elected Lieut. S. D. Ramseur, late of the U. S. A., Captain.–The Raleigh Riflemen, about 90 men. Our worthy Mayor, Wm. H. Harrison, Esq., has been elected Captain of this Company. The Oak City Guards, Capt. W. H. High, about 50 men. Several other companies will be formed in this county.
In addition to these, a large number of the citizens over 45 years of age, and heads of families, have organized a “Home Guard,” who will perform patrol duty, and will be ready for active service when needed. Ex-Governor Bragg has command of this company.
… The Council of State met here to-day, at the call of the Governor. They have resolved to establish a military encampment here without delay, for the purpose of drilling the volunteers. The Governor is receiving offers of volunteers from all parts of the State. A flag of the Confederate States now waves over our State Capitol. Messrs. Syme & Hall raised one over the “Register” office, with fifteen stars, amid great enthusiasm.
Adjutant General Hoke, of North Carolina, has issued an order, under the Governor’s direction, for the enrollment of 30,000 volunteers. The “fiery cross” of resistance is flashing all over the State. With regard to the seizure of the Fayette Arsenal by 2,200 North Carolina troops, the State Journal says:
‘ The United States officer in command of some sixty troops, seeing the demonstration, at once surrendered. He was permitted to salute his flag, which was at once hauled down and the flag of the South was immediately run up and saluted by the State troops. No injury was found to have been done to the property. The number of arms thus secured is estimated at 47,000–50,000 men can be armed in various ways from the Arsenal. Several pieces of artillery are amongst the arms. Besides these arms the arsenal contains a complete set of the most approved machinery for making arms, and we learn that men will be at once put to work to rifle the muskets found there.’
Activity in Virginia, the latest state to join the Confederacy, is especially feverish. An anonymous correspondent to the Richmond Dispatch reports that in the town of Buchanan, Virginia, ministers are caught up in the patriotic atmosphere:
Rumor having reached us that Abraham the 1st had called upon the different States for troops, and knowing that the object could be nothing less than a war upon the seceded States, our volunteer corps was summoned together, and immediate preparations were made to march at a moment’s notice to the scene of action. A warlike spirit prevails in our midst, and the company (Mountain Rifles) has received a large addition to its ranks.–Patriotic speeches were made by Col. John T. Anderson, Green James, Esq., Rev. Mr. Hart, Rev. Mr. McGuire, and the Rev. Mr. Corrin; also, by Henry Johnson, Esq., and others. A proposition was then made that funds be raised for the purpose of providing for the families of the volunteers who were to go to the field of battle. No soldier was expected to contribute. The list was immediately headed by a Mr. G–, of Pennsylvania, with the handsome sum of one thousand dollars; and in the course of half an hour about $2,500 were raised, with the pledges of many citizens that bread and meat should come while they had a morsel to divide. And, to cap the climax, Dr. Nich. Burks, Surgeon of the regiment, told the Secretary to put down all he was worth, which is, perhaps, $15,000 or $20,000. A resolution was then adopted inviting the volunteers to meet here and drill, until called into service; upon which resolution, the proprietors of the two Hotels here tendered the volunteers the hospitalities of their Hotels. Immense enthusiasm prevailed throughout the meeting.
The same correspondent relates a story designed to ensure white Virginians that the state’s slaves are on the side of the Confederacy:
While the above-mentioned subscription was being taken, a slave named Wilson Prince stepped up and gave a gold dollar to the cause, and desired to go with the company.
Sources: “What is Before Us: Duty of Southern Men,” Christian Index, April 24, 1861, p. 3; North Carolina and Virginia quotes (link); 1861 photo of the state capitol building in Raleigh, North Carolina (link)
