FIRST BLOODSHED OF THE WAR



their respective governments. These were afterward styled
"War Governors."
   On April 17 the Virginia Convention, which, only a few
weeks before, had shown a great majority against secession,
adopted an ordinance and submitted it to popular vote. But
before the popular vote was taken the State was thoroughly
committed to the Confederate movement, and the Confed-
erate Congress at Montgomery adjourned to meet at Rich-
mond, the capital of Virginia, in July. However, the west-
ern counties of Virginia were against secession. They were
organized into a separate State, later recognized by the Union
as the State of West Virginia. Arkansas seceded on, May 6.
The next day Tennessee practically joined the Confederacy,
although in that State a strong Unionist minority maintained
the forms of State Government throughout the war. North
Carolina passed an ordinance on May 20. In Kentucky
there was a strong attempt at secession, and the State was
afterward represented in the Confederate Congress, but can
not properly be regarded as one of the Confederate States.
In Missouri the situation was similar. In Maryland and
Delaware the attempt at secession clearly failed.
   Meanwhile, the permanent Constitution had been ratified
by the several Confederate States, regular elections had
been held, and Davis and Stephens had entered upon the
offices of President and Vice-President respectively for the
term of six years. On April 19, the anniversary of the battle
of Lexington, a Massachusetts regiment, passing through Bal-
timore on its way to Washington, was attacked by a mob, and
the blood thus shed is commonly regarded as the first blood-
shed of the great War of the Rebellion. Harper's Ferry Ar-
senal in Virginia -was seized by the Confederates. Davis in-
vited application for letters of marque and reprisal in order
that privateers might be fitted out to prey upon the commerce
of the United States. President Lincoln proclaimed a block-
                           864



1861