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In the Classroom: Secession
During the secession winter of 1860-1861, white Virginians struggled with their competing allegiances. They were
proud of being Americans but for decades had also thought of themselves as southerners. In the end, most decided that
they would stay with the Union if it did not attack the seceded states. Thus, the elected convention that met in Richmond
in early 1861 was overwhelmingly Unionist. But, within days of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, and Abraham
Lincoln's call for troops to suppress the rebellion, Virginia voted to secede.
Conflicting Views
Robert E. Lee wrote, "If Virginia stands by the old Union, so will I. But, if she secedes (though I do not
believe in secession as a constitutional right, nor that there is sufficient cause for revolution), then I will still follow
my native State with my sword, and if need be with my life." Lee believed he was defending Virginia, not slavery.
On April 17, 1861, Virginia seceded at the state convention by a vote of 88 to 55. On April 20, Col. R. E. Lee
resigned his U.S. Army commission, and on April 22 he was given command of the Virginia state forces.
George Henry Thomas, a career army officer, was awarded a sword and scabbard from his fellow
citizens of Southampton County for gallantry in the Mexican War. In 1861, he refused an offer to become
Virginia's chief of ordnance and remained with the Union. Promoted to general, he earned the nicknames the
"Rock of Chickamauga" and "Sledge of Nashville" for his actions in Tennessee. When he chose to side with
the Union, his sisters in Virginia disowned him and refused to return his sword. They eventually donated it to
the Virginia Historical Society.
Critical Thinking
Discuss the decisions made by Robert E. Lee and George H. Thomas. Why would this have been such
a difficult decision? What other examples can you find that show friends and family fighting on opposing
sides of the Civil War?
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