Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee on Leaving the Union, 1861 Primary Source
Understand the reasons why some individuals chose to join the secession movement.
Guiding Question
- How did the election of Abraham Lincoln and the secession of Southern states lead to conflict?
Objective
- I can explain the reasons Southern leaders gave for leaving the Union.
Jefferson Davis’ Farewell Address, January 21, 1861
Background Information
Following the election of President Abraham Lincoln, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in December 1860. Mississippi was the second to secede in January 1861. Senator Jefferson Davis of Mississippi gave the following speech in the U.S. Senate when he announced his resignation after Mississippi.
| Text | Vocabulary and Context |
| I rise…for the purpose of announcing to the Senate that I have satisfactory evidence that the State of Mississippi, by a solemn ordinance of her people in convention assembled, has declared her separation from the United States. Under these circumstances, of course my functions are terminated here… | satisfactory evidence: proof
a solemn ordinance of her people in convention assembled: The people of Mississippi came together and passed a declaration of secession. my functions are terminated: Because Mississippi has seceded, Senator Davis determined he no longer was a member of the Senate. |
| It is known to Senators who have served with me here, that I have for many years advocated, as an essential attribute of State sovereignty, the right of a State to secede from the Union… | advocated: argued in favor of
sovereignty: possessing the ultimate power to govern secede: to leave |
| It has been…a belief that we are to be deprived in the Union of the rights which our fathers bequeathed to us, which has brought Mississippi into her present decision. She has heard proclaimed the theory that all men are created free and equal, and this made the basis of an attack upon her social institutions; and the sacred Declaration of Independence has been invoked to maintain the position of the equality of the races… | deprived: to have taken away
bequeathed: gave social institutions: Davis refers to the system of slavery that made up the fabric of Southern society invoked: appealed to |
| We recur to the compact which binds us together; we recur to the principles upon which our Government was founded; and when you deny them, and when you deny to us the right to withdraw from a Government which thus perverted threatens to be destructive of our rights, we but tread in the path of our fathers when we proclaim our independence, and take the hazard… | recur: refer back to
Davis claims that when the principles of the Constitution are violated, then states have the right to secede. perverted: distorted take the hazard: risk |
Robert E. Lee’s Letter to Anne Kinloch Lee Marshall, April 20, 1861
Background Information
Virginia seceded from the Union in April 1861, after which Robert E. Lee resigned his commission in the United States Army. Given Lee’s military skill and the certainty that he would be asked to command forces against any Union military action, this was essentially a decision to join the secession cause. He wrote the following letter to his sister, a loyal Unionist living in Baltimore, to explain his decision.
| Text | Vocabulary and Context |
| My Dear Sister:
I am grieved at my inability to see you. I have been waiting for a “more convenient season,”…Now we are in a state of war which will yield to nothing. |
grieved: saddened
more convenient season: Lee states that he had been waiting to see his sister until a more convenient time but had been unable to. which will yield to nothing: Lee expresses sadness that war has begun and that seeing his sister has become even more impossible |
| The whole south is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and, though I recognize no necessity for this state of things, and would have forborne… yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native state. | forborne: refrained from doing something |
| With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. | |
| I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defence of my native state, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.
I know that you will blame me; but you must think as kindly of me as you can, and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right. |
commission: a certificate granting rank in the military
save in defence of my native state: except to defend Virginia endeavored: attempted |
| To show you the feeling and struggle it has cost me, I send you a copy of my letter of resignation. I have no time for more. May God guard and protect you and yours and shower upon you everlasting blessings, is the prayer of your devoted brother,
R. E. Lee |
copy of my letter of resignation: Lee sent his sister a copy of the letter he sent to the army to resign
everlasting blessings: many happy and positive wishes devoted: loyal |
Reading Comprehension Questions
- In your own words, explain the reasons Jefferson Davis gave in defending secession.
- In your own words, explain why Robert E. Lee chose to resign his military commission.