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XIV
Jefferson Davis’
Confederate States of America Cabinet
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Dear Delegates,
Welcome to GatorMUN XIV and Jefferson Davis’ Cabinet! My name is Kayley Erickson and I am both humbled
and excited to serve as your director this weekend. I am currently a junior at the University of Florida pursuing
a double major in Biology and Neurobiological Sciences. I have been involved with Model UN for seven years;
I actually competed at GatorMUN when I was in high school. In college I’ve staffed Ronald Reagan’s Cabinet
at GatorMUN XII and served as the Undersecretary General for Finance at GatorMUN XIII last year. I now
look forward to coming full circle and directing this year. Previously I have staffed the JCC: Boardwalk Empire
and directed the Duquesne Spy Ring and The Battle of Alcatraz at our college conference, FLCS.. I am an active
member of the UF MUN travel team and have competed at conferences at the University of Virginia, Columbia,
University of Pennsylvania, Florida State University, and other universities. I am extremely passionate about
competing and directing crisis committees and am thrilled to delve into the alluring topic that is the American
Civil War. However, this committee offers a twist on the conventional study of the Civil War.
The American Civil War is often studied in schools, whether in a US History class or briefly in the context of a
world history class, and it is likely you are familiar with this general topic. It remains a pivotal point in our nation’s history, and is especially noteworthy due to fact such a bloody event occurred so early in the course of a nation. Moreover, the Civil War and the miscalculations of the Confederate government left an irreparable mark on
the South and the effects of this conflict still resonate today. The Civil War has captured the attention of scholars,
students and historians alike for years, but not due to the Union’s calculated victory; the plight of the Confederacy and the ensuing destruction of the South following the conflict are much more frequently the subject of academic scrutiny. I hope this committee offers a unique perspective on this period in American history, allowing
delegates to “change roles” from the eyes of the successful Union, the context they likely learned about the war, to
the much more uncertain and tumultuous Confederacy under the control of an extremely feeble government.
In this committee delegates will act as Jefferson Davis’ cabinet, working to correct the Civil War from a massive
Confederate “failure” to a successful endeavor in Southern history. Delegates will not solely be tasked with waging war and defeating the Northern forces, but also will deal with the crippling Southern economy and a slew of
other domestic issues Davis grappled with during his tenure as president of the doomed Confederacy. While this
is a historical committee, it is certainly acceptable for delegates to deviate from the actual plans and actions of the
Confederacy and Davis’ Cabinet in an effort to revise the fate of the Confederacy. In fact, I encourage creativity
with new ideas to right the wrongs of what actually happened under Davis’ leadership and to mitigate the devastation the South faced following the Civil War. Crises will not solely focus on individual activities or militaristic
operations, but involve the committee’s collective cooperation to address a diverse number of problems.
Position papers are required for this committee. I highly recommend you begin research by thoroughly reading
the subsequent background guide and understanding the general prehistory of the Civil War. To successfully
compete in this committee, you will need to have an understanding of this time period in Southern history,
which the background guide should more than adequately prepare you for.
If you have any questions about the committee or research do not hesitate to contact me via email at info@
gatormun.org. I am excited to direct what I hope is an engaging, fast-paced committee that allows you to debate
in a fun environment as well as to think creatively about novel solutions to the problems faced by Davis and his
“doomed government” of rebels!
Sincerely,
Kayley Erickson
Crisis Director
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Quorum
Rules of Procedure
A majority of voting members answering to the roll at each session shall constitute a quorum for that session.
This means that half plus one of all voting members are physically present. Quorum will be assumed consistent
unless questioned through a Point of Order. Delegates may request to be noted as “Present” or “Present and Voting.”
Motion to Set Speaking Time
This motion must accompany any motion for a Moderated Caucus. In a Motion to Set Speaking Time, a delegate
may also specify a number of questions or comments to automatically affix to the Speaking Time. These designated questions or comments may also have Speaking Time or Response Time (in the case of a question) limits,
but these are not required. The Director may rule any Motion to Set Speaking Time dilatory. This motion requires a simple majority. Any delegate may make this motion between formal speakers in an effort to change the
Speaking Time.
Motion to Suspend the Rules for the Purpose of a Moderated Caucus
This motion must include three specifications:
a. Length of the Caucus
b. Speaking time, and
c. Reason for the Caucus.
During a moderated caucus, delegates will be called on to speak by the Committee Director. Delegates will raise
their placards to be recognized. Delegates must maintain the same degree of decorum throughout a Moderated
Caucus as in formal debate. This motion requires a simple majority to pass.
Motion to Suspend the Rules for the Purpose of an Unmoderated Caucus
This motion must include the length of the Caucus. During an unmoderated caucus, delegates may get up from
their seats and talk amongst themselves. This motion requires a simple majority to pass. The length of an unmoderated caucus in a Crisis committee should not exceed fifteen minutes.
Motion to Suspend the Meeting
This motion is in order if there is a scheduled break in debate to be observed. (ie. Lunch!) This motion requires a
simple majority vote. The Committee Director may refuse to entertain this motion at their discretion.
Motion to Adjourn the Meeting
This motion is in order at the end of the last committee session. It signifies the closing of the committee until
next year’s conference.
Points of Order
Points of Order will only be recognized for the following items:
a) To recognize errors in voting, tabulation, or procedure,
b) To question relevance of debate to the current Topic or
c) To question a quorum.
A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker if necessary and it is to be used sparingly.
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Points of Inquiry
When there is no discussion on the floor, a delegate may direct a question to the Committee Director. Any
question directed to another delegate may only be asked immediately after the delegate has finished speaking on
a substantive matter. A delegate that declines to respond to a question after a formal speech forfeits any further
questioning time. The question must conform to the following format:
Delegate from Country A raises placard to be recognized by the Committee Director.
Committee Director: “To what point do you rise?”
Country A: “Point of Inquiry.”
Committee Director: “State your Point.”
Country A: “Will the delegate from Country B (who must have just concluded a substantive speech) yield to a question?”
Committee Director: “Will the Delegate Yield?”
Country B: “I will” or “I will not” (if not, return to the next business item)
Country A asks their question (it must not be a rhetorical question.)
Country B may choose to respond or to decline.
If the Delegate from Country B does not yield to or chooses not to answer a question from Country A, then he/
she yields all remaining questioning time to the Committee Director.
Points of Personal Privilege
Points of personal privilege are used to request information or clarification and conduct all other business of the
body except Motions or Points specifically mentioned in the Rules of Procedure.
Please note: The Director may refuse to recognize Points of Order, Points of Inquiry or Points of Personal Privilege if the Committee Director believes the decorum and restraint inherent in the exercise has been violated, or if
the point is deemed dilatory in nature.
Rights of Reply
At the Committee Director’s discretion, any member nation or observer may be granted a Right of Reply to answer serious insults directed at the dignity of the delegate present. The Director has the ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY to accept or reject Rights of Reply, and the decision IS NOT SUBJECT TO APPEAL. Delegates who feel they
are being treated unfairly may take their complaint to any member of the Secretariat.
Directives
Directives act as a replacement for Draft Resolutions when in Crisis committees, and are the actions that the
body decides to take as a whole. Directives are not required to contain operative or preambulatory clauses. A
directive should contain:
a. The name(s) of the author(s),
b. A title, and
c. A number of signatories/sponsors signatures’ necessary to introduce, determined by the Director
A simple majority vote is required to introduce a directive, and multiple directives may be introduced at once.
Press releases produced on behalf of the body must also be voted on as Directives.
Friendly Amendments
Friendly Amendments are any changes to a formally introduced Directive that all Sponsors agree to in writing.
The Committee Director must approve the Friendly Amendment and confirm each Sponsor’s agreement both
verbally and in writing.
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Unfriendly Amendments
Unfriendly Amendments are any substantive changes to a formally introduced Directive that are not agreed to
by all of the Sponsors of the Directive. In order to introduce an Unfriendly Amendment, the Unfriendly Amendment must the number equivalent to 1/3 of Quorum confirmed signatories. The Committee Director has the
authority to discern between substantive and nonsubstantive Unfriendly amendment proposals.
Plagiarism
GatorMUN maintains a zero-tolerance policy in regards to plagiarism. Delegates found to have used the ideas of
others without properly citing those individuals, organizations, or documents will have their credentials revoked
for the duration of the GatorMUN conference. This is a very serious offense.
Crisis Notes
A crisis note is an action taken by an individual in a Crisis committee. Crisis notes do not need to be introduced
or voted on, and should be given to the Crisis Staff by sending the notes to a designated pickup point in each
room. A crisis note should both be addressed to crisis and have the delegate’s position on both the inside and
outside of the note.
Motion to Enter Voting Procedure
Once this motion passes, and the committee enters Voting Procedure, no occupants of the committee room may
exit the Committee Room, and no individual may enter the Committee Room from the outside. A member of
the Dias will secure all doors.
• No talking, passing notes, or communicating of any kind will be tolerated during voting procedures.
• Each Directive will be read to the body and voted upon in the order which they were introduced. Any Proposed Unfriendly Amendments to each Directive will be read to the body and voted upon before the main
body of the Directive as a whole is put to a vote.
• Delegates who requested to be noted as “Present and Voting” are unable to abstain during voting procedure.
Abstentions will not be counted in the tallying of a majority. For example, 5 yes votes, 4 no votes, and 7 abstentions means that the Directive passes.
• The Committee will adopt Directives and Unfriendly Amendments to Directives if these documents pass
with a simple majority. Specialized committees should refer to their background guides or Committee Directors for information concerning specific voting procedures.
Roll Call Voting
A counted placard vote will be considered sufficient unless any delegate to the committee motions for a Roll
Call Vote. If a Roll Call Vote is requested, the committee must comply. All delegates must vote: “For,” “Against,”
“Abstain,” or “Pass.”
During a Roll Call vote, any delegate who answers, “Pass,” reserves his/her vote until the Committee Director has
exhausted the Roll. However, once the Committee Director returns to “Passing” Delegates, they must vote: “For”
or “Against.”
Accepting by Acclamation
This motion may be stated when the Committee Director asks for points or motions. If a Roll Call Vote is requested, the motion to Accept by Acclamation is voided. If a delegate believes a Directive will pass without opposition, he or she may move to accept the Directive by acclamation. The motion passes unless a single delegate
shows opposition. An abstention is not considered opposition. Should the motion fail, the committee will move
directly into a Roll Call Vote.
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Historical Background
Northern and Southern differences were largely responsible for creating stress and strain that culminated in the
conflict known as the Civil War. The primary causes of the conflict were deeply rooted in the early history of our
nation. These differences, arising since the birth of the United States, centered largely on disputes over slavery,
territory, and states’ rights. As the United States gained new land during an unprecedented period of growth following the aftermath of colonial expansion and Manifest Destiny, the North and South developed into increasingly separate factions with competing interests. These two regions’ ideological differences in slavery, economic
disparities, and political identification reached the forefront of political discussion.
Constitution and The Federalist Era, 1789-1801
Slavery was a hot topic for Americans and arguments about its implementation and spread predated even the
Constitution. The North actively worked to eliminate slavery and curb its expansion through various measures.
Slavery was less of a vital economic source for the North. The North had smaller farms and an unsuitable climate
for the large-scale agricultural ventures of the Southern cotton farmers1. As religious groups settled in the North
and actively swayed public opinion against slavery, the South over time became the only location in the United
States with massive numbers of slaves. The legislation of the time reflected the North’s desires to edge out slavery
since it was inconsequential for the region’s livelihood.
By the early 1800s slavery had gradually been eliminated from Northern States. The Northwest Ordinance of
1787, one of the earliest of these measures, prohibited the expansion of slavery into new territory and also created a systematic method for new states to be added to the original thirteen2. The Constitutional Convention was
subject to considerable debate over slavery, primarily due to the question of how to count slaves for the purposes of taxation and representation for each state in the House of Representatives. The Three-Fifths Compromise
settled the dispute: Southern states could count slaves as 3/5ths of a person, increasing Southern representation
and power in the electoral college.
1
2
“North and South: Different Cultures, Same Country,”
“The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and Its Effects,”
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Constitution and The Federalist Era, 1789-1801 Cont.
The Constitutional Convention also worked to protect the lucrative international slave trade for a guaranteed 20year period (this triangle trade legally ended in 1808) and established a fugitive slave law3,4.
Besides the differences in slavery, the North and South increasingly devolved in terms of industrial development.
The War of 1812 cemented the role of New England merchants in the Northern economy. Due to a wartime
blockade, European goods were no longer available in the United States. These merchants and Northern infant
industries rapidly developed to provide goods to the American public and to supplant the European merchants.
Domestic manufacturing and industrialization was isolated to the North, furthering the differentiation of the
economic landscape from the plantation economy of the South.
Era of Good Feelings, 1815-1825
“The Era of Good Feelings” was not an age without conflict: slavery certainly did not dissipate as an issue. It
resurfaced in the House of Representatives. Northern population had increased and overtaken the South, bolstering Northern power in the House. While the House was not balanced, the Senate was evenly split between
slave and free states. When Missouri applied to become a state in 1819 it caused chaos. Northerners attempted to
prevent slavery in the region with the Tallmadge Amendment to add another free state to the Senate and gain a
political advantage. Southerners were enraged. Henry Clay orchestrated a compromise that temporarily pushed
the crisis over the addition of slaveholding states from newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory for another
time5.
Missouri Compromise
• Missouri added as a slave state
• Maine added as a free state
• Slavery Prohibited in Louisiana Purchase Territory north latitude 36°30’
• Foreshadowed the debates over slavery expansion in the 1840s and 1850s
• Heightened sectionalism
Age of Jackson, 1828-1848
During Andrew Jackson’s tenure as president mounting issues over states rights’ were brought to light. The Tariff
of 1828 also known as the “Tariff of Abominations” was effort by Congress to protect Northern manufacturing
from international competitors. The tariff increased the cost of most manufactured goods and effectively decreased trade with Europe. The law was hated almost universally by Southern states. Northern industries fared
well, but the Southerners had to sell cotton abroad to European markets unburdened by tariffs and purchase
overpriced manufactured goods. John C. Calhoun, a politician from South Carolina, protested the measure and
authored The Doctrine of Nullification. He maintained that if a federal law, such as the Tariff of Abominations,
was objectionable, the State had the authority to declare the law void. Calhoun advocated for nullification of
unfavorable legislation and states’ rights.
3
4
try.
5
Steven Mintz, “The Constitution and Slavery,”
Sublette, Ned, and Constance Sublette. The American Slave Coast: A History of the Slave-breeding Indus“Missouri Compromise.”
8
Age of Jackson, 1828-1848, Cont.
This crisis was solved by Jackson’s force bill that permitted an army to enforce laws in South Carolina and the
adoption of new tariff rates6. However, the strained relationship between the federal and state governments
persisted. Ideas swirled amongst Southern representatives about states’ rights and powers because of Calhoun’s
example.
Cartoon reactions to the Tariff of Abominations and the Nullification Crisis depicting the “death” of free trade and President Jackson
as a controlling king
Transportation and Market Revolutions, 1815-1860
The Northern population surged from 1815-1860 with high birth and immigration rates. This was coupled with
rampant economic growth caused by proto-industrialization. The South similarly experienced growth with
local economies transforming to national and international markets with peak cultivation of plantation cotton.
High economic growth was augmented by extensive transportation links. Canals, railroads, and steamboats as
well as turnpikes encouraged trade in the North. The South remained primarily linked by river routes. Western
agricultural products could be sold from Eastern cities in New England. Railroads further spurred settlement in
the West and the transportation of these goods. Americans continued to push West, settling the frontier in the
pursuit of wealth through mining, farming, and the fur trade7.
The Market Revolution resulted in an end to self-sufficient households; products could be sold to distant consumers, generating lucrative profits while providing goods for isolated communities. Local economies were
intertwined primarily by railroads. Banking and corporate laws paved the way for further economic growth and
the telegraph fostered communication. While the North experienced early industrialization and saw the beginnings of mass production of standardized goods in factories, such as textile mills, the South failed to follow
suit and remained agricultural8. Shipping of American agricultural crops and manufactured goods across the
Atlantic was enhanced by new ship designs, shipping firms, and a supportive government that permitted access
to untapped markets. The United States even sent an official trade envoy to Japan in 1854 to open ports for trade
outposts.
The South did not urbanize and did not become a hub of commercial activity9. Instead, the South extended their
agricultural practices further west.
6
7
8
9
“The South Carolina Nullification Controversy.”
Newman, John J., and John M. Schmalbach. United States History.
Stampp, Kenneth, ed. “Economic Sectionalism.” The Causes of the Civil War: Revised Edition
Gallman, Robert E. “Self-Sufficiency in the Cotton Economy of the Antebellum South.”
9
Transportation and Market Revolutions, 1815-1860 Cont.
Despite the fact that the South did not urbanize
did not make the South any less profitable, in
fact the South was the main force behind the
• cotton exported in Northern vessels
American economy in the first half of the centu• discouraged immigration
ry due to “King Cotton”. The cotton gin secured
• one-crop economy
cotton as America’s most valuable and successful
• few trade or manufacturing centers
cash crop. The Southern Cotton Belt, stretch• Southerners had to purchase finished goods from the North
ing from the Carolinas to the Mississippi River,
• slow urban growth
provided cotton for a seemingly limitless global
• dominant (but numerically insignificant) white, wealthy
market10. In more ways than not the economic
elite
growth of the two regions were interdependent
and tied to the other. An upper-class developed in both regions. The elite in the South remained a small group of
wealthy planters; the elite in the North were a new group of wealthy industrialists and urban capitalists11.
Southern Cotton Economy
Both economies transformed in this time period and were accompanied by mounting differences in political ideology as the United States neared the turn of the century. The South became a one cash crop economy and more
reliant upon slavery, while the North simultaneously became diversified their economy and became wary of the
institution of slavery. Slavery was no longer a necessary evil but as a “positive good”, defendable by the Bible. The
Southern population however lagged behind the North. Slavery discouraged immigrants and the South’s growth
was primarily due to the slave population. The majority of white families in the South were small yeoman farmers lacking in slaves, land, and skills. The wealthy
elite who dominated the Southern plantation economy consisted of approximately 4% of the South’s
population12. Southerners were confident in their
plantation economy and were not fazed by the Panic
of 1857 when the economy temporarily experienced
a downfall (the damage was mainly in the North.)
This sense of security caused many to believe the
South did not need to rely on the Northern economy
in a close financial relationship13.
Territorial Expansion, 1836-1848
When Texas rebelled against Mexico and declared
their independence, Texans were met with mixed
feelings in regards to the addition of another slave
state to the Union. Northerners opposed adding
Drawings depicting the Southern cotton economy: Planting, picking, a slave state and feared a war with Mexico. Southcleaning, shipping cotton.
erners actively encouraged the inclusion of Texas.
President Jackson recognized that this would be an incredibly divisive issue and he refrained from adding Texas
to the Union during his presidency. he annexation of Texas became the key issue of the following presidential
election. Many Americans were staunch believers in manifest destiny and viewed territorial expansion as a necessity to spread to American values and prosperity throughout the continent. Polk was elected president due to
his defense of manifest destiny and his promise to annex Texas as well as other states.
10
11
12
13
ery.”
Dattel, Eugene R. “Cotton and the Civil War.”
“Antebellum Period.”
United States. National Park Service. “Civil War Facts.”
Huston, James L. “The Panic of 1857, Southern Economic Thought, and the Patriarchal Defense of Slav-
10
Territorial Expansion 1836-1848 Cont.
With the annexation of Texas, Mexico severed diplomatic ties with the United States and precipitated the Mexican War. This war highlighted the staunch differences and sectional interests with the Northerners and Southerners. Many in New England were against the war. Southerners embraced the military conflict and were eager
to gain new territory, extend slavery, and ultimately hoped to use this as a stepping stone to infiltrate Latin
America. The United States won the war and as a result of these battles, many future officers in the Union and
Confederacy gained valuable military experience. The added territories immediately paved the way for future
debate over slavery and Northern/Southern hostilities14.
Road to Secession
The Civil War was a result of an escalating, fragile political situation. The North and South’s differences in slavery, economies, and perception of the constitution and state’s rights became irreconcilable. The extremism of
party leaders on both sides certainly did not help to relax the situation. War became the only option as the South
seceded from the Union in 1861. Fights over Mexican territory, popular sovereignty, the Fugitive Slave Act,
violence in Kansas and Nebraska, decisions of the Judicial Branch in the Dred Scott Case, and election of Lincoln
can be seen as the immediate events prompting the Civil War.
Wilmot Proviso, 1846
In 1846 the question over the status of slavery in new territories resurfaced and sectional strains were revived as the North
and South fiercely debated the future of the territory acquired
during the Mexican War. Congressman David Wilmot drafted
legislation to ban slavery from any territory obtained from the
Mexican War. The Wilmot Proviso would have ruined the free/
slave state balance established in the Missouri Compromise.
Cartoon depicting secession as John Bull (England) and
This bill was defeated in the Senate, but it did garner nationNapoleon Bonaparte (France) look on greedily, waiting
al attention and enrage both parties involved15. Wilmot and
for the eventual destruction of the US.
Northerners hoped the new territory would be reserved for
white farmers to eliminate competition from slave labor. These ideas became the platform of the Free Soil Party, the early anti-slavery party. Free-Soilers were not abolitionists: they were a group that did not seek an end to
slavery, merely the prevention of its spread to provide more opportunity for whites16. Northerners were wary of
a Southern plan to extend slavery while Southerners became defensive about this attack on slavery. Southerners
saw any provisions made to restrict slavery as a direct assault on their lucrative plantation system, regardless
if such measures were only targeted at confining the spread of slavery. Without a doubt the Wilmot Proviso
marked the first step in the road to war. These tensions were again temporarily assuaged by a compromise that
would allow the people settling new territories to vote upon slavery in the region through popular sovereignty.
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 again focused on striking a careful peace between the North and South over the extension of slavery. This compromise followed the gold rush in California. As many Americans moved West to seek
their fortune in California, they desired for their new state to enter the United States officially. California and
New Mexico both applied to be admitted to the United States as free states. The Senate became gripped with debate— Southern extremists felt threatened again by an act that would add more free states. Henry Clay’s compromise created a fragile sectional peace. This time both sides were unhappy with the outcome.
14
15
16
Sydnor, Charles S. The Development of Southern Sectionalism, 1819-1848.
“Trigger Events of the Civil War.”
Holt, Michael F. “Getting the Message Out: The Wilmot Proviso.”
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The Compromise of 1850
Southerners were dissatisfied that it strengthened Northern power in the Senate and wanted slavery in the new
territory; Northerners viewed the compromise as too lenient and pro-slavery in regards to the Fugitive Slave Law
portion of the legislation17.
Compromise of 1850
• California is a free state
• Utah and New Mexico slave
status determined by vote of the
settlers (popular sovereignty)
• Abolition of slave trade in D.C.
• Fugitive Slave Law
(Right) Northern abolitionists were not
content with the Slave Law and feared a
growing slave power conspiracy
The Fugitive Slave Law, the piece of the Compromise of 1850 that appealed to Southerners and permitted the
addition of California as a free state, was a strict set of laws to prevent runaway slaves. Escaped slaves were to
be captured and returned to their owners. The act implemented heavy sentences and fines for individuals that
assisted runaways in their escapes and essentially forced Northerners to comply in enforcing slavery18. As a result
of this harsh measure the Underground Railroad and a wave of anti-slavery sentiment swept the North, aided by
the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. 19
Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854
The Compromise of 1850’s progress in alleviating sectional tensions was quickly reversed four years later when
Senator Stephen A. Douglas renewed the age old battle. Douglas was attempting to gain Southern support for a
bill establishing a transcontinental railroad. To amass these votes, he contributed a separate measure that would
organize Nebraska and Kansas territory. The Missouri Compromise had previously ruled that these territories
would be free lands; Douglas proposed to erase this provision and instead allow popular sovereignty to determine the slave status in these areas. This controversial bill passed.
Northerners became appalled by the reversal of the Missouri Compromise and this resulted in the formation of
a new political party solely dedicated to anti-slavery, the Republican Party. Political parties splintered in disarray
in the aftermath of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Kansas became known as “Bleeding Kansas” due to the standoff
between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in the region and the fighting that broke out between the settlers20.
Both groups flooded into the region and established their own separate governments within Kansas. Democrats
accepted slavery; Republicans championed anti-slavery and rejected the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The Republican
party in the North gained traction as other groups joined their cause (Know-Nothing party, anti-slavery Democrats, Former Whigs). In one of the most polarizing elections Democrat James Buchanan won the presidency,
but the Republicans fared extremely well in the electoral vote, illustrating the degree of political division in the
nation21.
17
18
19
20
21
“Compromise of 1850.”
“Fugitive Slave Act 1850.”
“Abolition, Anti-Slavery Movements, and the Rise of the Sectional Controversy.”
SenGupta, Gunja. “Bleeding Kansas.”
“The Civil War in Missouri.”
12
Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854 Cont.
Kansas was embroiled in violence as settlers attacked each other. John Brown, an extreme anti-slavery advocate,
led his family to attack and kill a pro-slavery settlement. Meanwhile Congress experienced similar bloodshed.
Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts gave a speech in 1856 about the situation in Kansas, critical of a South
Carolina senator. Another Congressman, Preston Brooks,
enraged by Sumner’s comments, beat the elderly Sumner
with his cane. In yet another example of a severed nation,
the North demanded expulsion of Brooks from the House
while Southerners were proud of Brooks and bought him
canes to show their support22.
Dred Scott Case, 1857
Many were already upset with the fighting in Congress as
well as Buchanan’s weak presidential leadership. The Judicial Branch also was under fire for its pro-slavery decision
The caning of Charles Sumner by Preston Brooks
in Scott v. Sandford. Dred Scott was a slave in Missouri who
moved to free territory in the North for several years. He argued that because he lived in free territory, when
he returned to Missouri he was a free citizen. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court decided against Scott. The
Court’s decision established that those of African descent are not U.S. citizens, slaves were a form of Constitutionally-protected property and could be taken into any state as property, and that the Missouri Compromise
was unconstitutional, as slavery could not be restricted anywhere23. Republicans, the party dedicated to preventing the spread of slavery, were not content with the ruling and increasingly were suspicious of a slavery conspiracy as it appeared that the President, Congress, and Supreme Court were in favor of slavery; it also became
unclear how the Republican party would proceed since their very campaign platform was deemed unconstitutional24. How could popular sovereignty exist with the Dred Scott decision?
Union in Peril
Republicans performed well in Congressional elections following the Scott case in 1858. Not only did they
threaten Southern slavery, but they also proposed economic plans that benefited Northern industry. Southerners feared higher tariffs, growth of Northern business, and an end to their constitutional rights to own slaves.
Southern fears reached a high point when John Brown raided Harper’s Ferry. John Brown was a radical, violent
abolitionist. He led a group of his followers to attack Harpers Ferry, a United States arms arsenal. He intended to
arm slaves and stage a massive revolt. This raid was a complete failure, but it certainly captured the attention of
the American public and frightened Southerners. Northerners did not support Brown’s actions and attempted to
assure Southerners they would not resort to violence, but these promises came across as insincere. Brown was a
martyr and figurehead for the anti-slavery Republicans in the eyes of the South25.
Election of 1860
The final step in the road to secession was Abraham Lincoln’s election as President. Lincoln was a moderate Republican who simply was against the spread of slavery. He was not a radical abolitionist, but he was perceived as
one by his Southern constituents. His opponent was Stephen A. Douglas, a Democrat. The Democrats however
were divided over whether to support Douglas or other candidates, fracturing the Democrats and their platform.
Lincoln easily earned the Republican nomination, promising an end to the spread of slavery, but ensuring its
protection in the South where it already existed.
22
23
24
25
“United States Senate.”
“Dred Scott v. Sandford.”
Stampp, Kenneth, ed. The Causes of the Civil War: Revised Edition
“John Brown’s Day of Reckoning.”
13
Election of 1860 Cont.
Lincoln appealed to the economic interests of Northerners as well. Lincoln secured every free state and won the
electoral votes, but not the popular vote. The Democratic candidates had split the votes of the Deep South and
border states, making Lincoln the clear winner of the electoral college26.
Republicans only controlled the presidency after the completion election cycle. This was enough for Southern
secessionists to begin calls for withdrawal from the union following the long string of previous events. States
commenced talks of secession at special conventions prior to Lincoln even taking office.
While Buchanan was still in office and talks of Southern secession heightened, the sitting Congress attempted a
last minute compromise to soothe the South. Senator John Crittenden asked to restore the Missouri Compromise and establish the 36°30’ boundary (slavery South of this line; free states North of this demarcation). Lincoln
refused to support this compromise and the South was equally unaccepting of the measure—it was too little
too late27. Southern white anger had accumulated and they believed their position was a righteous stand against
tyranny.
Secession
Lincoln’s election caused a meeting in South Carolina to discuss secession in December of 1860. South Carolina
unanimously voted to secede; six other states (Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana) followed suit with their own conventions. In February 1861 representatives from these states convened to establish
the Confederate States of America at a meeting of the Provisional Confederate States Congress. This new government was intended to preserve Southern interests via limits on government tariffs and limits on the government’s
ability to restrict slavery. Senator Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was unanimously elected the president of the
Confederacy. The body also authored a constitution28. It is important to note that many Southerners hoped to
achieve national independence and Southern unity without bloodshed. The Confederacy was initially established
to merely organize these unsatisfied states into a cohesive governing body, not to wage war. As such, Jefferson
Davis dispatched a Confederate peace commission to attempt to negotiate with Lincoln or his Secretary of State.
The commission was not received and Lincoln refused to meet with the group or to recognize the Confederate
States as a separate entity29.
A month later in March of 1861, Lincoln was inaugurated as President. Many were unsure how the new President would proceed in terms of dealing with the seceded states. He was relatively quiet about his specific ideas
for Southern policy during the election cycle and refused to openly discuss his thoughts on secession. By the
time of his inaugural address, seven states in total had already left the Union and more were expected to follow.
In his inaugural address Lincoln reiterated his platform: slavery would remain in the South, and he only intended to prevent the spread of this institution. He remained true to his Free Soil ideals in his speech and he urged
Southerners to quit being the “aggressors” of conflict and to act as friends, not enemies. He attempted to appeal
to the seceded states with rhetoric emphasizing that these states held the fate of the country and a possible war in
their hands. His speech also outlined his legal and moral opposition to secession. His complaints largely rested
on the idea that secession is unlawful, geographically impractical, detrimental to democracy, and unnecessary
violence could be avoided. Lincoln wanted to uphold the Constitution; he argued the Constitution does not explicitly answer questions about slavery30.
26
27
28
29
30
“Miller Center.”
Schulten, Susan. “Last Chance for Compromise.”
“Background of the Confederate States Constitution.”
“Today in History - November 6.”
Lincoln, Abraham. “Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address.”
14
Fort Sumter
Lincoln’s address failed to sway Southern opinion. Both the Union and Confederacy started to obtain arms and
organize militias. The Confederacy began seizing forts and arsenals previously maintained by the Union that
were in Southern territory. The Union began to lose their Southern strongholds and soon only had a handful of
forts remaining in Confederate lands, namely Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Fort Sumter was an
isolated Union fort, surrounded by the Confederacy. As the South secured Charleston Harbor and strengthened
their military presence in the bay, the Union soldiers in Fort Sumter began to run out of supplies and rations.
Lincoln decided to ship food and supplies to the fort. Both sides were extremely cautious and hesitant to start
utilizing force as it was feared that border states would not side behind the aggressor of conflict. Lincoln’s decision to send relief was seen as an opportune time and reason enough to assert Confederate rights to the territory. South Carolina retaliated and demanded that the Union turn over the fort: The Union refused to surrender
causing Confederates to attack the fort. The Battle of Fort Sumter resulted in no deaths but it marked the first
shots of the Civil War. This was the point at which the Union began to mobilize their militaristic effort. Lincoln
called upon thousands of volunteers and channeled spending money for the war to crush the Southern rebels.
The attack on Fort Sumter also sparked strong patriotism from citizens on both sides of the conflict. The public
anxiously awaited escalation of the war31.
Border States
Fort Sumter also started a much more important battle: The battle to secure the border states. It was widely believed that border states would determine the course of the war. The Union would have to march through these
border states and their mission would be made easier with friendly territories here. The Confederacy eyed the
border states as vital to waging the war because these states were more industrialized than the deep South and
also had food resources. These lands were not only bountiful in agricultural crops, but they also controlled vital
passageways and strategic geographic landmarks. Lincoln’s actions at Fort Sumter immediately propelled hesitant
Southern states to join the Confederate cause32. Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and most importantly,
Virginia joined the Confederate States, strengthening the Southern bloc.
In May of 1861 The Confederate Capital was moved from Alabama to Richmond, Virginia. As a result of this
shift Richmond, a fairly industrialized city with factories and an already heavily populated area with historical
ties to the American Revolution, boomed as troops, citizens, materials, and political leaders centered in the
region. The remaining border states remained in the Union despite being slave states. These states were notable
for their valuable resources and connections33. Missouri had control of the Mississippi River and contact with the
West, Delaware was close to the city of Philadelphia, Kentucky bordered the Ohio River, and Maryland was close
to the Confederate capitol at Richmond and the Union capitol in Washington D.C. While these states joined the
Union, mostly due to pressures from the presence of Lincoln’s federal troops in their states, much of their population is divided by the presence of numerous Southern sympathizers34.
31
32
33
34
“Fort Sumter.”
Taylor, Amy. “The Border States.”
“The Border States.”
Gienapp, William E. “Abraham Lincoln and the Border States.”
15
Formation of The Confederate States of America
In February of 1861 Southern Confederate leaders met at a convention in Montgomery, Alabama to construct a
new government modeled after the previous states they were once a part of.
The Confederate States of America established a provisional constitution (and later an official duplicate) that was
nearly an exact copy of the United States Constitution. The document differed most radically in its term limits;
the president and vice president serve a non-successive six-year term in office. The Constitution also had articles
to give the president a line-item veto; four explicit sections guaranteeing slavery in its territories (newly admitted
states and existing states); protection of the internal slave trade; and prohibition of the addition of slaves from
any international source. In terms of states’ rights, this new constitution forbade the Confederate government
from implementing a protective tariff or allocating funds for internal improvements. New language in the Constitution also highlighted the importance of states by emphasizing the independence of each State while simultaneously creating a central government, and does not discuss rights to secede. This significantly weakened the authority of the federal Confederate government during wartime as governors thwarted centralization of power35.
The executive branch was headed by a provisional president and vice president (a one-year term election until
actual elections were held in November of 1861). These offices had extremely similar roles to those of the Union,
with the only changes in presidential power
The executive branch was headed by a provisional president and vice president (a one-year term election until
actual elections were held in November of 1861). These offices had extremely similar roles to those of the Union,
with the only changes in presidential power residing with the term limit and line item veto. The Confederate
Cabinet also stole the same structure as that of the Union with the positions of: Secretary of State, Secretary of
the Treasury, Secretary of War, Attorney General, Secretary of the Navy, and Postmaster General. The Confederate Cabinet did not have a Secretary of the Interior, unlike its Northern counterpart36.
The Legislative branch had a Confederate Congress, first a provisional body that was unicameral and later a permanent elected Congress like the Union’s with a Senate and House. This Congress differed from those in American history in that there were no political parties and candidates were elected without representing a political
party. This body was mostly concerned with passing legislation to dictate life in the Confederacy varying from
economic to military policy that affected Southern citizens.
The Judicial Branch was the wing of government that diverged the most from the United States government
and suffered from the clash between states sovereignty and a centralized federal government (an argument that
occurred repeatedly in the Confederacy.) Because of this conflict, the Confederate Government never established
a supreme court; state courts operated throughout the Confederate States due to the advocacy of states’ rights
champions. Davis could appoint judges within the states to serve in district courts. These district courts during
wartime heard cases regarding seized union property (ships, land etc.) and often these properties were sold to
generate funds for the Confederacy. Later, attorneys began to take advantage of the court system by filing appeals
since there was no supreme court to hear this appeal, and essentially “won” their case with this tactic37.
The Post Office was established to provide mail delivery and was headed by the Postmaster General. A working
mail delivery system was imperative for communication during the time of war for Southerners to remain connected with family in the North or with soldiers fighting on the frontlines.
35
36
37
“Background of the Confederate States Constitution.”
Peterson, Dennis L. 2016. Confederate cabinet departments and secretaries.
“Constitution of the Confederate States; March 11, 1861.”
16
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis was born June 3, 1808 in Kentucky. He was looked after by his older brother, Joseph, and raised
in Mississippi on a plantation. He briefly was a student at Transylvania University in Kentucky. He attended the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point due to the support of his brother. He was a mediocre student, finishing 23rd
in his class of 34. After graduation he served as a Lieutenant on the Western frontier. While working under Colonel Zachary Taylor (the future President) he fell in love with the colonel’s daughter and was briefly married, until
a bout of malaria killed his young wife. Following his wife’s death, Davis lived alone for eight years on a cotton
plantation in Mississippi and mourned her passing in solitude. He occupied his time studying law, reading classics, and operating his plantation38. Davis was considered a benevolent slave owner in his time, educating several
of his slaves and allowing them relative control and authority in his plantation system, as well as the opportunity
to earn higher positions. He viewed slave labor as an economic necessity for the South, but did anticipate emancipation as an eventual, inevitable outcome in the long-term. In 1845 Davis
remarried and became involved in politics as an elected member of the
U.S. House of Representatives. His time as a representative was short-lived:
he resigned a year later to serve in the Mexican War. He was praised for his
leadership in the war and received accolades for his service. Upon returning home in 1847 he was elected as a U.S. Senator.
His political career continued to climb as he was appointed Secretary of
War to President Pierce in 1852, earning him national attention as a capable administrator and prominent politician in the coming years. In 1857 he
returned to the Senate chamber in the midst of the Southern states’ rights
and slavery expansion arguments. Davis became the leader of the Southern
bloc in Congress and the principal senator advocating for Southern rights.
Davis was the face of the South in government. He spoke extensively about
states’ rights, praised the Dred Scott decision, and defended slavery as a
moral and economical practice. While Davis led the faction of Senators in
favor of secession and represented constituents that advocated for secession, Davis was much more reluctant to call for separation from the Union. Davis saw secession as impractical
and he actively campaigned for states’ rights while disagreeing with the need for separation. Mississippi seceded
following South Carolina in January of 1861. Davis resigned from his senate seat reluctantly and sided with his
home state and constituents39.
Davis may not have been on board with secession, but he was still an important moderate Southern leader capable of serving as a presidential candidate to appease more radical Southerners and moderates. Thus, in February
he was elected and inaugurated as the provisional President of the Confederacy in Montgomery, Alabama at the
meeting of the Confederate Congress. He was elected without opposition and was the only discussed candidate,
due to the fact he was considered a capable leader, a war hero, and an experienced, savvy politician. Davis had
actually expressed his interest in being commander-in-chief of the armies and had not sought the Presidency.
While serving as provisional President, Davis began to make military preparations while also avoiding direct
military conflict with the Union. He offered a last resort peace settlement to Lincoln, which was not received.
Davis hoped to avoid casting the South as the aggressor in the public eye but was forced into action with the
Union’s relentless hold on Fort Sumter. Jefferson Davis had served as the temporary president for nearly a year
when he was officially elected as the official president of the Confederate States for a six-year term40.
38
39
40
“Jefferson Davis Biography.”
“Jefferson Davis.”
Escott, Paul D. “Jefferson Davis.”
17
Jefferson Davis Cont.
During his first few months as President, Davis made it clear he was a champion of the South and dedicated to
the cause. As his time as President continued, it was apparent he was lacking important leadership qualities. He
failed to develop or implement a consistent military plan. He was quite closed in his opinions on such matters—
refusing to hear the viewpoints of cabinet members and leaders that disagreed with his ideas. Davis was not easy
to work with. He proved to be a difficult leader as his cabinet suffered from infighting.
When Davis assumed the role of President he was a popular figurehead and the general population was hopeful
about his leadership. His popularity waned with the public after a series of missteps in the later years of the Civil
War. His failures as a leader, and the multitude of failures on the battlefield decreased morale and constantly
angered many Southerners41. In comparison to Lincoln and his cabinet, Jefferson Davis’ administration was in
disarray. Lincoln had significantly less military and political experience than Davis, making Davis at the start of
the war to be seen as the preeminent leader, but his tenure as president would prove otherwise.
Flaws of Davis as President42,43
Historians have narrowed several personality flaws and decisions as contributors to Davis’ poor Presidential
leadership and unstable administration.
• Appointed friends to critical military positions over tested, qualified officers. These appointments were not
based on merit and many proved to be ineffective commanders
• Indecisive leader: unable to commit to a military plan and was hesitant to remove these inadequate commanders or generals.
• Unable to manage his generals (and his cabinet). Personnel who were deemed troublesome or detrimental to
the southern war effort remained in their posts
• Davis was heavily involved in the war effort— he personally acted alone as the general-in-chief and controlled all strategic planning. His involvement can be attributed to some of the militaristic failures of the
South, especially in the Western sphere. He micromanaged the military and his appointed leaders
• Focus on the eastern theater and neglect of the western front. Davis tried to defend all southern territory instead of prioritizing strategic locations and diverting resources to defend, for example, the Mississippi River
• Davis’ deteriorating health due to a chronic eye disease affected his performance as a leader
• Inability to work with others or admit mistake. Frequent arguments and bitter fights in cabinet meetings that
he failed to settle and often inspired (over trivial details)
• Rigid leader, unwilling to hear the opinions of others, rarely sought the advice of generals
• Lack of concern for the common Southerners; solely focused on troops and aristocrats. Thus, waning nationalism and pride. Not a strong spokesperson for the common man, failed to rally support
• Neglecting to understand the importance of the economy and financing the war efforts, leading to food
shortages and riots
• Fights with Southern governors over states’ rights: governors withheld supplies and militias from Davis and
they justified this with arguments about political autonomy with the Confederate Constitution
• Too aggressive of a military approach—generals invaded the North in large battles (Antietam, Gettysburg)
that resulted in high casualties for both sides. More defensive tactics and less ambitious attacks could have
secured a stalemate.
Lincoln’s leadership proved to be much more admirable as he: appointed generals based on merit, was open to
various viewpoints and perspectives, had a broad vision, a set of flexible military goals, and was a great orator
capable of rallying and gaining the support of the common people in the North.
41
Tunnell, Ted. “Confederate Newspapers in Virginia during the Civil War.”
42
Woodworth, Stephen E. “Jefferson Davis and His Generals: The Failure of Confederate Command in the
West”
43
Crews, Dick. “Was Jefferson Davis the Reason the Confederacy Lost the War?”
18
Comparison of the North and South: Advantages44,45
Northern Advantages
Southern Advantages
• Border states in the Union provide valuable agricultural resources: growing food crops, not cash
crops
• Population advantage: 23 states in the Union, 2122 million population, immigrants as well
• Industrial ability to produce manufactured goods
in factories
• More railroads and ships for transportation as
well as a more cohesive and established rail network
• Lincoln’s superior presidential leadership
• Strong central government to wage war
• Established U.S. Navy
• More wealth and banking
• Already established and functioning government
• Defensive war: troops and supplies only have to
move short distances
• Difficult to blockade the Southern coast
• Definite goals for war increased troop morale
• Lots of able, experienced military commanders due
to a strong military tradition in the South
• Possibility of international aid from Europe, hope
for outside aid
• Booming cotton industry in the South and textile
industry in Europe
• Soldiers skilled with horses and guns due to rural
upbringing
Comparison of the North and South: Disadvantages
Northern Disadvantages
Southern Disadvantages
• Fighting an offensive war: have to transport
troops and supplies and can easily be worn out by
this and a costly war
• Fighting in unfamiliar territory
• Lacking in enough capable military commanders,
often replaced
• Argument over the goal of war/unclear goals:
preserve the union or abolish slavery or negotiate
for peace
• Lower soldier morale
• Easier to blockade the Eastern coast
• Confident it will be a quick war
• Population disadvantage: 11 states in Confederacy, 9
million population. One/third are slaves
• Davis’ Leadership: frequent fights on the Cabinet
and lack of a consistent military plan
• Little industrial capacity
• Few railroads
• Lack of a strong central government to raise money
and troops (Confederacy founded upon preserving
state’s rights, not a strong federal government)
• No Navy
• Fewer supplies. Lack access to food crops.
• Less money and banking
44
45
Newman, John J., and John M. Schmalbach. United States History
National Park Service. “Civil War Facts.”
19
The Southern Economy
Pressing Issues
How will the Confederacy generate funds and transform the Southern economy in the face of a costly military
conflict?
Confederate leaders must overcome the challenge of waging finances to fund the war from this agrarian-based
economic system. Without a solid system of banking, lack of industries, and inferior transportation systems like
their Northern counterparts, Southern leadership must brainstorm new ways to raise revenue and match the
Union’s wealth. To “win” the Civil War as well as to assert status as an independent, sovereign power in the eyes
of the international community, the Confederacy needs a stable and sizeable amount of revenue. The South has
a plethora of options to enhance or evolve their economy by either compensating for, or take advantage of the
established plantation system46.
At this time, the majority of white yeoman farmers have been pushed off their land and slave ownership (as well
as power in the South) has been concentrated in the hands of a small aristocracy. Leaders need to inspire these
groups to help their cause as well as determine the role Southern slaves will play in the war effort.
Civilian Life
How will the Confederacy work to improve civilian life and keep the Southern populace content and willing to
help with the war effort?
The Civil War certainly creates a volatile domestic climate in both the North and the South. The newly established Confederate balance must focus on the military conflict at hand while ensuring their Southern constituents are supportive of their endeavors. War brings a set of new challenges such as possible food shortages, military draft/compulsory service, increased government control of industries and businesses, increased taxation,
inflation, and destruction of private property by armies47. The Confederate leaders must win over the population
for assistance with the war, prevent riots, provide rations, and in general maintain order and safety for citizens.
If the Confederacy is able to encourage prosperity and foster economic growth for their constituents, it will be
much easier for the South to rebound after the destruction of the War. Also, these leaders must tread carefully to
avoid angering the states with excessive government control or influence due to South’s prized exercise of state’s
rights.
International Aid and Foreign Affairs
How will the Confederacy assert itself on a global stage and secure its status as an international sovereign power?
To survive as an independent country, the South needs to not only perform well on the battlefield, but also in the
international political arena. Current Confederate thought hinges on the idea that cotton is “king” and if exported, can entice Britain and/or France to provide military aid to the South. Foreign powers rely upon Southern
cotton for textile mills. Many leaders are pushing for engagement in “Cotton Diplomacy” in which the South will
cease cotton trade with Europe to highlight foreign dependence on Southern cotton and force their hand into the
war effort48. The implications of using cotton as political leverage need to be carefully considered, as well as other
possible options for the Confederacy to enhance international prestige.
46
47
48
Stampp, Kenneth, ed. “The Commercial Consequences of Secession”
Baker, Jean. “The Civilian Experience in the Civil War.”
Dattel, Eugene R. “Cotton and the Civil War.”
20
Wartime Strategies
What will be the Confederate military strategy? Knowing the Union Anaconda plan, how will the South proceed? How will the South break the blockade?
The North expects a swift war. Southern leaders hope to extend the war and drag out the fighting to wear out the Northern troops and turn the Northern population against Lincoln
and the Republicans. What is the best method to draw out this
fighting? The Southern generals also need to generate a cohesive military plan and style of fighting to face the North. The
Union has started to implement the “Anaconda Plan” in which
the U.S. Navy blockades Southern ports to cut off supply
delivery and exports. Meanwhile, Union ground forces intend
to take control of the Mississippi River, splitting the South.
This plan concludes with an attack on Richmond, Virginia (see
image). It is possible that this Union plan changes throughout
the course of the war, as it is a tentative proposal. The Confederacy, however, needs to generate a similar plan with a series
of escalating steps for battle, this includes both the military and naval forces and deciding how to defend all or
select locations in the east coast, western front, deep south, Mississippi River, and the northern border.
Other Topics to Consider:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Raising troops, conscription, dealing with desertion
Waning popularity of Jefferson Davis as a leader
Balance of states’ rights and the authority of the Confederate government during wartime
Obtaining and using prisoners of war
How to maintain nationalism in the South and high soldier moral
Developing new wartime technology
Methods to gather military intelligence
Supplying troops
Seizing new territory and entering Native American territory
Location and defense of the capitol
Future of railroads and transportation in the South
Appointment of military leaders
Dealing with Unionist civilians
21
Timeline
Committee will start in mid-1861. This timeline covers the events that have occurred prior to committee. You
will receive an update first thing in committee establishing the exact date committee will start, as well as a review
of the events that have occurred in early 1861.
1787
May-September 1787: Constitutional Convention; Three-Fifths Clause and Northwest Ordinance
1820
March 1820: Missouri Compromise passed by Congress
1828
May 1828: Tariff of Abominations passed by Congress
1846
August 1846: Wilmot Proviso introduced
1850
September 1850: Compromise of 1850 passed by Congress
1852
March 1852: Uncle Tom’s Cabin published
1854
May 1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act passed by Congress
1856
May 1856: Senator Sumner attacked on the Senate floor for his speeches denouncing slavery supporters
1857
March 1857: Dred Scott Decision
1859
October 1859: John Brown attacks Harpers Ferry
1860
November 6, 1860: Lincoln elected president
December 20, 1860: South Carolina secedes from the Union
1861
January 9-February 1, 1861: Six states secede (Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas)
January 16, 1861: Crittenden Compromise rejected
February 8-9, 1861: Seceded states meet in Montgomery, Alabama and form the Confederate States of America
February 18, 1861: Jefferson Davis named provisional President of the Confederate States
March 4, 1861: Lincoln inaugurated
April 12, 1861: Battle of Fort Sumter
April 15, 1861: Lincoln escalates war effort: raises militia
May 1861: Confederate Capitol moved to Richmond, Virginia
22
Position Papers and Conclusion
Position papers will be required to adequately prepare you for committee and to get you thinking creatively
about solutions for problems facing the Confederacy. There will be a position paper award for this committee.
Your position paper should be brief (less than a full page) and it should cover your position’s plans for committee, reasoning for which issue(s) you find most important for committee to address, and discussion of possible
solutions for this chosen problem or problems. If you need assistance deciding on a problem to write about, look
at the “Pressing Issues” section, “Southern Disadvantages”, and “Other Topics to Consider “ for ideas. The first
part of the paper, detailing your individual position’s future in committee, is intended to prepare you for writing
crisis notes. The second part of the paper, covering how to resolve the problems the South faces, will hopefully
translate into ideas to discuss in committee and written directives.
In order to lead the South during this perilous time, one must understand the causes of the war, the status of
the South during this time, and most importantly, the weaknesses of the South. One of the biggest oversights of
the Confederate government was ignoring the domestic reality of the South and neglecting to acknowledge the
vulnerabilities of the Confederacy. Thus, it will greatly serve you as a delegate to look at the South during the mid
1800s to know what problems the South faced before, during, and after the war. I encourage you to think of solutions your position on the cabinet can enact to enhance the Confederacy during this time, as well as larger fixes
for the entire committee to execute. Researching the actual failings of the Southern leadership during the war
will be immensely helpful. Please remember of equal importance to winning the war is constructing a healthy
future for the South following the conclusion of the battles.
While this may seem like a lot to research, rest assured thoroughly reading the background guide and having a
general understanding of your position, the South in this time period, and the Civil War will leave you with more
than enough information to execute plans within committee.
Do not hesitate to contact me via [email protected] if you have any questions about committee, position papers, or would like to discuss any of the background guide in more detail!
23
Positions
Alexander Stephens- Vice President of the Confederate States
Stephens was born in Georgia. He grew up poor and was an orphan by the age of 14. He was educated to be a
lawyer, but never practiced; instead he entered the public political arena and became a prominent career politician serving the Georgia legislature in both houses and the U.S. House of Representatives in 1843. Stephens is a
frail, scrawny man but a ruthless politician. In 1848 he was stabbed six times by a discontent Georgia judge and
he merely utilized this attack to galvanize support for his contentious bill. He was directly involved in orchestrating the Compromise of 1850 during his tenure as a Congressman for 16 years. He remained an ardent supporter
of states’ rights and the institution of slavery throughout his political career despite numerous shifts in political
party allegiance. As a representative he also spoke against secession, and attempted to delay Georgia’s secession.
He was unanimously elected Vice-President of the Confederate States by the Confederacy’s provisional congress.
He was tasked with convincing other states to join the southern cause due to his status as a moderate dedicated
to preserving slavery. He also assisted in writing the Confederate Constitution. Even though he is an experienced, passionate politician, Stephens has been effectively reduced to nothing more than a party figurehead
in this position. The Vice President has little tangible power and instead operates as a passive observer of the
Confederate Congress. He has expressed concerns with preparing for an immediate large-scale military escalation without careful planning prior. He is appalled by Davis’ suspension of habeas corpus and has also voiced
his opposition to practices such as conscription and impressment with troops. His increasing frustration with
discussion of these policies, hatred of Davis, and his lack of power in the administration have resulted in him
frequently leaving the Confederacy’s meetings to stay home in Georgia.
Col. George Washington Custis Lee- Aide-de-Camp
Lee is often overshadowed by his famous father—General Lee. Born the eldest son of Robert E. Lee in Virginia, Custis was denied from West Point Academy, the premier military training school in the United States. His
father’s appeal landed him admission at the prestigious academy. Custis proved himself as an adept student and
graduated first in his class in 1854.
While he was known to be reckless as a child, today Custis is serious and quiet. He is a bachelor and has always
been too shy to pursue women, leaving him dedicated to his studies and career. He began serving in the Engineering Corps in California. In 1861 with the Battle at Fort Sumter he resigned from the U.S. Army and joined
his father serving in the Confederate Army. He initially was responsible for constructing military fortifications
for the new Confederate capital in Richmond. With the establishment of the Confederate States, Davis hand-selected Custis to be his aide-de-camp. As an Aide-de-camp, meaning helper in the military camp, Lee works as
a personal assistant and secretary to Davis. He is the foremost personal aide, responsible for gathering general
military information for Davis and acting as a consultant for military issues. He frequently travels and is sent on
missions to assess the military. His father has offered to allow Custis to command parts of his forces and to lead
segments of his division in battle, but Davis has discouraged Custis from commanding a force. So far Custis is
obeying Davis’ wishes, but he longs for the opportunity to take the lead of a force in battle as he has been trained
for years to do. He is extremely loyal and devoted to his family; his other brothers are also serving in the military,
and Custis would not hesitate to sacrifice himself on their behalf.
Judah Benjamin- Secretary of State
Benjamin is a Jewish-American born to a Sephardic Jewish family in the British West Indies. In the 1820s his
family moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Benjamin studied at Yale, then left to continue his law studies in
Louisiana. He became a lawyer but put his law career on hold as he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1842. During his time as a representative he fought against representing slaves in state elections,
partially due to his own status as a sugarcane-plantation owner with over 140 slaves. His political career continued as a U.S. Senator in 1853. He clashed with the then-Senator Jefferson Davis over a bill.
24
Davis’ insults spurred Benjamin to challenge Davis to a duel; Davis backed out of the challenge and apologized
for his insurrection. With the election of Lincoln in 1860, Benjamin decided to resign from the U.S. Senate and
encourage secession. In 1861 Jefferson Davis named Benjamin the Confederate Attorney General due to his legal
expertise; however, the South lacked established courts and Benjamin resorted to spending his time hosting
parties for important guests of Davis and offering advice to the Cabinet. He constructed plans for the new government to buy cotton bales and sell them at a higher rate to the United Kingdom to generate profits for the war
effort. The plans were rejected since his fellow Confederate leaders believed the war would be short. Shortly after
his stint as Attorney General, Benjamin spent a few months as the Secretary of War, however, due to his lack of
military experience he was quickly removed from the position. Now Benjamin has been shuffled to the office of
Secretary of State. His agenda as Secretary of State includes trying to galvanize support from the international
community in the form of aid from England and France as well as recognition as an independent nation from
the international community at large.
Christopher Memminger- Secretary of the Treasury
A German lawyer from South Carolina, Memminger has experience managing finances having served as the
head of South Carolina’s Finance Committee for twenty years. Memminger is a gifted writer; he wrote a popular
satirical piece entitled The Book of Nullification, and authored South Carolina’s legal documents justifying secession. His legal prowess earned him the opportunity to chair the committee that wrote the Confederate Constitution. Davis named Memminger Secretary of the Treasury. As Secretary of the Treasury, Memminger struggles to
revive a failing Southern economy. Currently his plans center around directly taxing the population while accounting for inflation. He is the head determinant of the Confederate economic policy. Memminger is becoming
increasingly desperate and is considering resorting to more extreme economic ideas. There is much debate about
the form of currency the Confederacy should assume as well as the degree to which the Confederacy can take
from the Southern population in terms of taxation, gold, and crops. The public remains wary about Memminger
in this leadership role and many are concerned about the possibility of inflation with a poorly run Treasury.
George W. Randolph- Secretary of War
Arguably the best Secretary of War the Confederacy has seen, Randolph is the grandson of Thomas Jefferson.
He first served as a naval shipman for several years. He then graduated with a law degree from the University of
Virginia and he had a well-established, prosperous law practice. His interest in the Navy and warfare persisted
throughout his life: he studied the strategy of battles in Europe during the Italian Wars. He served as a major in
the Confederate Army, artillery Colonel, and Brigadier General. His focus right now for the War Department
is focusing on writing a conscription law and supplying his soldiers. He is also active in strengthening defenses
and especially focused on defending and sending troops West, a platform that Davis disagrees with. Randolph as
head of the War Department not only oversees the army, but also Indian tribes and conflict with said tribes. This
is the largest department in the Confederacy and Randolph also has to correspond with the medical corps, POW
administrators, and engineering battalions to ensure his department is functional and winning the war. Secretary
of War is a tumultuous with position with frequent changes in leadership. If Randolph wishes to improve the
livelihood of his soldiers and orchestrate Confederate victories on the battlefield, he will need to remain in Davis’
good favor. Davis served as the Secretary of War for the United States prior to secession, so this is a position he
greatly values but also carefully monitors.
John C. Breckinridge- Former Vice President of the United States
Breckinridge was born in Kentucky to a wealthy family of lawyers. Naturally, he became a lawyer and practiced
in Kentucky and Iowa. He served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and in 1851 moved on to the United
States’ House of Representatives. Breckinridge was popular for his artful rhetoric—he remains a great speaker,
and this factored into his election as Vice President alongside President Buchanan in 1856. Breckinridge ran for
the office of President after his term as Vice President, but he lost to Lincoln.
25
He remained in the U.S. Senate until the Confederacy formed and Kentucky siding with the Union forced him
to the flee to the South. Breckinridge is a traitor to the Northerners. He is constantly fearful of capture by the
Union Army and has generated several escape plans. He has family in Toronto and remains in contact with them.
He is in command of the “Orphan Brigade”, a Kentucky troop betraying their home state. Breckinridge has been
focused on using his forces across the South to secure a Southern victory. He is considering employing guerilla
warfare. A possible large target includes an attack on Washington. Breckinridge is close friends with other Confederate commanders, but his bitter enemy is fellow Confederate General Braxton Bragg whom he is often forced
to work with on campaigns.
George Trenholm- Treasury Advisor
Trenholm is from Charleston, South Carolina. Since he was a teen he has worked for John Fraser & Company,
an overseas cotton supply company. He has since worked his way up to become a senior partner of the operation
and his name is now incorporated in the title of the business (Fraser, Trenholm & Company). The group is a
prominent banking group utilized by the Confederacy for all overseas banking endeavors. The company helps
to finance armaments by shipping goods such as cotton, turpentine, and tobacco to interested countries abroad.
Trenholm currently is the contact point between the company and the Confederate government during the war
effort, and he also helps provide ships for blockade running the Union. Trenholm has the authority to build vessels for the Confederate Navy, obtain loans, talk to his business connections in Europe, and orchestrate blockade
running. For his service to the company and to the South, Trenholm hopes to increase his material wealth and
influence. He currently uses his earnings to contribute to various charities he deems appropriate. His status as a
wealthy banker makes him a target of the Union since his personal funds and earnings assist the Confederacy.
Trenholm is interested in establishing banks in the South and increase his holdings here.
John Henninger Reagan- Postmaster General
Reagan is a Texan and he grew up with minimal education. He spent most of his youth caring for his siblings
after the death of his mother. He had brief stints in various schools and owning a plantation in Tennessee before
he moved to Texas and fought in the Cherokee War. Texas achieved statehood in 1846. Reagan became a Judge
in the new state and later a congressman for the state. When Texas withdrew from the Union, Reagan became
heavily involved in the cause for secession. He was appointed postmaster general of the confederacy. Reagan
has already begun plans to essentially “steal” the U.S. Post Office. He intends to have a complete Confederate
takeover of the Post Office in the South and to entice personnel from the US Post Office Department to join
his efforts. In this position Reagan is responsible for creating a self-sufficient department by generating a profit,
cutting costs, and providing a valuable voice as the only cabinet member from the West of the Mississippi River.
His job remains difficult due to the ensuing war: Union armies frequently interrupt mail routes and destroy mail
facilities. The public remains restless—citizens are highly dependent upon the mail service for communication
with relatives. In order to operate as an effective Postmaster General Reagan will need to face the greedy railroad
companies and deliver lower costs and faster mail to his customers. Of importance to Davis is that Reagan prioritizes the military with this post.
Stephen Mallory- Secretary of the Navy
Raised in the Florida Keys, Mallory practiced maritime law in Key West, specializing in ship wreck cases. He
served as a Senator and later chaired the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs. During his time on the committee, Mallory attempted to pass legislation for the construction of ironclad warships, a Board of Review for merit
based evaluations of promotion, compulsory retirement for underperforming officers, and flogging to discipline
sailors. Mallory has been appointed as the Secretary of the Confederate Navy. He has a challenging job: The
South does not stand a chance against the naval arsenal of the North. Mallory has to generate alternate strategies
to face the Union. He remains enticed by new naval technology, like the ironclad warship, and he understands
the value of running the Union blockade as well as disturbing Union merchants as a distraction.
26
He has to determine the role that private citizens will play in these endeavors or if the Confederate Navy will
be solely responsible for ship construction and raids. Private blockade runners tend to find it more profitable
to cater to the Southern aristocracy’s demands for luxury goods rather than delivering Confederate arms and
equipment. But the Navy also cannot construct enough ships to out match the Union; other solutions for the
Confederate Navy must be entertained.
Wade Keyes- Attorney General
Keyes was a well-established lawyer in Alabama who focused on property disputes. He was born into wealth and
highly educated, attending La Grange College and the University of Virginia for Law School. His family supported Keyes’ travels of Europe following college. Keyes tried to remain out of the public eye and dedicated to his
law practice. He did, however, serve as a Chancellor in Alabama, where he displayed his legal and administrative
skills. His abilities landed him the highly coveted position of assistant and interim Attorney General in the Confederate Department of Justice. He serves as the guiding force of the Justice Department and actually performs
all the duties of the Attorney General, earning him his place in the Cabinet despite his lower title. Keyes authors
legal opinions on cases on subjects largely centering around the war effort. He is facing problems regarding treatment of prisoners of war, defense spending, the use of personal property for the war effort, legality of tariffs, mail
route contracts, lack of penitentiaries and defining the responsibilities of the attorney general. Keyes’ positions
on these matters will shape the Cabinet’s actions as these opinions are requested by various Cabinet members or
Departments to determine the best course for financing or fighting the Civil War.
Robert E. Lee- Chief General of the Northern Virginia Confederate Army
The legendary general began as a military officer educated at the U.S. Army’s military academy, West Point. He
became a prominent fighter in the Mexican War and superintendent of West Point. He was one of the commanders that helped capture John Brown at Harpers Ferry. With the outbreak of the Civil War he resigned from the
U.S. Army after 32 years of service and was appointed commander in chief of the military and naval forces in
Virginia. His decision to join Virginia’s military ranks rather than a Union command offer came from his loyalty
to his home state and not out of a desire to secede. Virginia’s troops were transferred to Confederate control and
Lee earned the highest title: Full General of the Army of Northern Virginia. He acts as a military advisor to Davis
while waging his own campaigns, primarily against Union Armies encroaching on Virginia. He is able to weigh
in on all military campaigns in this position. As a general Lee is aggressive and risk-taking, he tends to divide his
troops in attacks even when his units pale in numerical size to his foes. While this does surprise the opposing
forces, casualties are high for Lee’s men. Recently Lee has been criticized and publically blamed for the fall of
several Confederate strongholds as Union forces penetrate Southern territory. Lee is in favor of developing heavy
fortifications around Richmond in the event of an attack.
Joseph Emory Davis- Plantation Owner and Jefferson Davis’ Brother
Joseph Davis is the oldest brother of Jefferson Davis and his mentor. He was a lawyer in Mississippi where he also
owned a merchant firm. His profits allowed him to purchase land and slaves to work these acres in Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Arkansas. He became a member of the aristocracy after serving in the state legislature and establishing a profitable law firm that served the wealthy in Natchez, Mississippi. He became a highly esteemed member of the community. Jefferson grew up on Joseph’s various plantations and was supported through his schooling at West Point by his brother. His largest plantation where he currently resides is Hurricane Plantation. Joseph
uses his 5,000 acres and 345 slave laborers to sell cotton and a variety of agricultural products. While Joseph
lives a lavish life and is one of the wealthiest men in the South, he interestingly is a fairly benevolent slave owner
believing in communal-style living at Hurricane. His slaves have self-governing bodies and are taught skills to
become a self-sufficient, cooperative community. Joseph is very close with Jefferson and they have a “father-son”
type of relationship. Jefferson’s most trusted advisor on all matters of politics, Joseph provides Davis with most of
his knowledge on current events. Joseph is constantly relocating his slaves and family during the war.
27
James Dunwoody Bulloch- Naval Officer and Chief Foreign Agent
Bulloch was born in Savannah to a wealthy Georgia family descended from a Revolutionary war hero. Bulloch
entered the U.S. Navy at the young age of 15. He served on various vessels of the Navy and later for a commercial shipping company in New York. Bulloch volunteered to assist the Confederacy by working as naval agent in
Europe. He has moved with his family to Liverpool, England to begin purchasing vessels and equipment to run
blockades, ruin Northern shipping, and supply Southern troops. He has the ability to commission new ships, negotiate with foreign powers for their naval technology, and entice these foreign powers to construct warships for
the Confederate cause. Bulloch is interested in ironclad technology and commanding a ship in the Rebel navy.
It would be ideal if Bulloch could interrupt Union shipping routes along the East coast of the States, but also in
international waters and coastlines such as in the Caribbean, South Africa, Brazil, and other locales. Bulloch’s
job in Europe remains covert: he is officially a secret agent and Davis intends to have him involved in intelligence
operations. He is in close partnership with Fraser, Trenholm & Company, the international bankers for the Confederacy.
Elias Cornelius Boudinot- Representative of the Cherokee
Boudinot was born in Cherokee Nation to a Cherokee Native American and his white wife. When his father was
assassinated in Indian Territory for supporting the removal of Cherokees to Indian Territory, Boudinot relocated
to New England. He was educated in Vermont and Connecticut. Boudinot practiced law in Fayetteville, Arkansas
and also established a newspaper there. He gained public influence for his newspaper and editing of the Little
Rock newspaper. He joined the secessionists and allied the Cherokee Nation with the Confederacy. He briefly
served in the Cherokee Confederate forces before he became the Cherokee delegate to the Confederate Congress. He has earned himself the reputation as an Indian spokesperson and is an excellent orator. Boudinot is a
pro-slavery advocate and he still maintains his newspaper, writing opinions and speaking on behalf of American
Indians. He is knowledgeable about the West and a proponent of establishing railroads in Indian Territory. He
has his sights on helping negotiate a treaty for the Cherokee people and hopes by allying the Cherokee with the
Confederacy and Southern victory will ensure a better future for these marginalized people.
James Murray Mason- Commissioner of the Confederacy to the UK and
France
Mason is from Fairfax County, Virginia. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and law school at the
College of William and Mary. He practiced law and was elected as a representative in the Virginia Legislature.
He served several terms in the U.S. Senate where he chaired several committees, and most notably chaired the
Committee on Foreign Relations. He was a vocal proponent of secession and was removed from the Senate for
his support of the Confederacy. Due to his experience of ten years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Mason was appointed by Davis to represent the Confederacy in Britain and France. On his first voyage abroad
Mason was on the British ship the Trent. The boat was apprehended by the Union and Mason was detained in
Boston Harbor. This resulted in the infamous “Trent Affair” that has inflamed the British and compelled them
to consider war with the United States. Mason has been recently released and he hopes to use this incident to
further British resentment of the Union. Mason is on orders to engage in “cotton diplomacy” and entice British
support for the agricultural South by promising continuous supplies of cotton. The British are wary of this deal:
they are not entirely dependent on Southern cotton. Mason must find another way to reach the British politicians and business community.
Jeremy Gilmer- Chief Engineer of the Confederate States Army
Gilmer was born in North Carolina and attended West Point Military Academy. After graduation he was a professor of engineering at West Point, and he acted as an engineer during the construction of Fort Schuyler, assisted in construction at Washington D. C., and served as chief engineer during the Mexican War. He has extensive
experience developing fortifications, having worked on Fort Jackson and Fort Pulaski.
28
Gilmer also worked on constructing defenses for San Francisco Bay and the coast of California. Gilmer resigned
from his post with the United States and returned to the South to serve the Confederate Army. Gilmer is responsible for developing defenses for the Southern forts, especially those in Tennessee. While Gilmer longs to serve
Lee’s army on the battlefield, he is plagued by rheumatic fever and poor health, forcing him to remain in charge
of defense construction. Gilmer works closely with Davis and the Secretary of War. He would like to implement
a new band of Confederate engineers; highly regulated and monitored with strict supervision by Gilmer himself,
these engineers are to be dispatched with all field armies. Engineers in this bureau will be trained to develop
maps, run reconnaissance missions, build defensive fortifications, mine rivers, and report their findings to Gilmer. Gilmer’s engineers’ are plagued by a noticeable lack of both financial support and manpower. Gilmer is to act
as chief of this group while also monitoring and building additional Confederate defenses in the South where he
sees fit.
Samuel P. Moore- Surgeon General
Moore was trained to be a military surgeon and practiced as a military physician during the Mexican-American War. When the Civil War broke out he was a U.S. Army surgeon and he resigned from this post to work in
Little Rock, Arkansas. After several missteps by his predecessor with providing care for the wounded, Moore was
appointed as the second Surgeon-General of the Confederate States army. The Confederacy developed a Medical
Corps early in the course of the War, prior to the Union’s creation of its own medical corps, but the Confederate
department is quite lacking in comparison to their Northern counterpart. The South needs more trained physicians to help wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Moore is not only an adept surgeon, but also an administrator
with bountiful ideas about how to reform the groups. First and foremost, Moore needs to increase recruitment
of qualified medical professionals and creating a ranking system for the best surgeons to be placed in higher
positions. As such, Moore recognizes the need to determine a way to assess doctors’ abilities and to rank them.
Moore also has ambitious plans to design new hospitals, develop new drugs and pharmaceuticals, establish
laboratories, improve treatments, standardize care, enhance the ambulance corps, and spread medical treatment
to all Confederate servicemen. Moore’s advising is desperately needed to save lives on the battlefield so that the
outnumbered South stands a chance against the Union. Training men will be paramount for a successful medical
division. It is important to note that all shortages, not only in surgeons, but also in food and medicine will greatly
affect Moore’s division.
John M. Daniel- Editor of the Examiner
John M. Daniel is a native of Richmond, Virginia. Initially studying to become a lawyer, Daniel’s academic career
was stifled by his father’s death. Daniel was forced to take care of his brothers and support the family. He became
a librarian and in his free time wrote for the “The Southern Planter.” His writing skills earned him a column in
the Richmond Examiner, the most widely read publication in the South. He gained attention for the high literary
quality of the newspaper and was appointed to serve as a foreign minister for President Buchanan. He returned
to the United States at the beginning of the Civil War and suffered injuries from combat. He was relieved of
service and returned to the position of editor at The Examiner. The paper was a purely Southern publication,
espousing the ideals of Daniel with columns echoing his pro slavery sentiments, endorsing secession, and condemning the North. While the paper certainly is sympathetic to the Southern plight and highlights Confederate
victories, Daniel’s hatred of Davis is also reflected in the reporting. Daniel quite publically criticizes Davis and
attacks him and his policies. Newspapers are an absolute necessity for reporting to the public about the Civil War
and the Confederacy’s military exploits. These political attacks affect the Southern public, the audience of this
widespread newspaper and certainly impact morale. Daniels and his team of editors embrace personal journalism and influence public opinion with scathing pieces on the Davis administration, while informing the readers
about Southern military triumphs with glowing propaganda pieces and positive analysis of all military action.
29
William Norris- Commander of the Secret Service Bureau
Norris was a Maryland lawyer and Yale alumni. He briefly lived in New Orleans and then followed a Gold Rush
to California in 1849. He settled down in Baltimore and when war broke out, relocated his family to Virginia
due to his allegiance to the South. He was a civilian volunteer in the Confederate Signal Corps. He has risen the
ranks from a civilian in the army to the man solely responsible for generating the system of signals utilized by
the Confederacy. His passion for signals and dedication to the craft has resulted in his appointment as the commander of the Secret Service Bureau and Chief Signal Officer in the army. The Confederacy does not have a main
intelligence network, but they do have several groups that operate as intelligence agencies. The main organization
sanctioned by the Confederacy is the Confederate Signal Corps, which includes a more covert branch dedicated
to spying known as the Secret Service Bureau. The Signal Corps utilizes flag semaphore to communicate with
armies on the field quickly and conveniently. The Secret Service Bureau is an extension of this communication
department, specializing in securely transporting coded messages from Richmond to operatives in the North
and abroad. The Bureau also has a “Secret Line”, a constantly changing group of couriers that carry information
from Washington D.C. to Richmond. Norris is the chief signal officer responsible for managing these two organizations. There are about 1,200 men employed in this Secret Service group under Norris. The majority of these
men are wealthy, educated operatives and bilingual.
Captain Henry Wirz- Commander of Andersonville
Wirz was born in Switzerland and worked as a merchant in Europe prior to arrest in Zurich for owed money.
He was sentenced to forced emigration. In the United States he primarily worked in various doctor’s practices
and clinics, helping to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. He found himself in Louisiana at the time the Civil
War broke out. He volunteered in the Louisiana army division and lost an arm in combat. His injury removed
him from the battlefield and also gained him attention as a “war hero.” Wirz was transferred to work Confederate
Prisoner of War camps. He briefly worked as a foreign operative for Davis, carrying coded messages abroad to
England and France to Davis’ foreign ministers. When he returned to the United States he was a prison guard for
Union inmates in Alabama and Richmond. Wirz was rewarded for his service in battle and to Davis with command of Camp Sumter, a newly built prisoner of war camp in Andersonville, Georgia. The camp is a giant fenced
rectangle used to temporarily house prisoners before they are exchanged with the North. There have been concerns about conditions in the prison and Wirz has plans to build up the prison while improving the livelihood
of the inmates. Wirz hopes to correspond with Davis’ administration to use captured prisoners as leverage in
negotiations to gain an upper hand in the war.
Lucius Northrop- Commissary-General
Northrop graduated from West Point Military Academy and is a close ally and friend of Jefferson Davis. He
served in Indian Territory and was severely wounded and maimed in the Seminole War. His injuries forced him
to withdraw from service to study medicine in Philadelphia. He was punished by the army for practicing medicine on “charity patients”. Jefferson Davis was able to use his influence as Secretary of War to have Northrop’s
name and record cleared while Northrop worked as a private physician in Charleston. Northrop’s qualifications
did not earn him the position of Commissary-General of Subsistence— his ties to Davis secured him this high
profile appointment. Northrop is responsible for obtaining and moving all supplies for the army and navy, as well
as supplying POW camps. His department is extremely weak and underdeveloped: there are few resources and
little infrastructure to distribute said resources. Although Davis is a loyal supporter of Northrop, many Confederate generals and captains have expressed disapproval with Northrop and have secretly attempted to force him
out of office in favor of other candidates. Besides providing reports on supplies to Davis, Northrop must revitalize his department if he intends to keep his job during the onslaught of criticism he faces from his colleagues.
Food (salted meats), candles, coffee, and soap are running low and Northrop simply documents these shortages
or publically shames civilians for consuming these goods. Northrop has considered trading with the Union for
meat supplies, but these plans have not been accepted; Confederates advocate for holding out cotton from the
enemy instead. These issues are complicated by the fact Northrop is extremely negative and pessimistic about
this situation—his gloomy outlook is uninspiring.
30
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