HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS,-NO2.

FROM DECEMBER 27th, 1860, TO MARCH 4th, 1861.

Dec. 27.-Occupation of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, by Major Anderson. Fort Moultrie is dismantled.

that Lieutenant-General Scott had been appointed Secretary of War, ad interim, produced a thrilling effect and occasioned much indignation among the in favor of extensive military preparations. PostSecessionists, who are fully aware that General Scott master-General Holt is in temporary charge of the War Department, and to-night is attending to the duties there, in company with the Chief Clerk.

-The United States Revenue Cutter Aiken betray-is ed by its commander, Capt. N. L. Coste, into the hands of the South Carolina authorities.

Dec. 28.-South Carolina authorities seize the Custom-house and Post-office. Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie occupied by State troops. The Arsenal at Charleston is held by orders of Governor Pickens. Large numbers of troops pouring into Charleston. One body of eighty men received from Georgia. The Palmetto flag flying from the forts, public buildings, &c. The Stars and Stripes only flying from Fort Sumter. A dispatch to a member of the Cabinet, from Charleston, says troops are pouring in from all directions.

-Mr. Holt, the Postmaster-General, sends orders to the Sub-treasury at Charleston, to remit all the balance, $35,000, on the Post-office account in his possession, immediately, to the credit of the department. If this order is not complied with at once, he will demand of the Federal Government to enforce orders. He is also determined, as before suggested, to suppress mail matter to and from South Carolina, if the mails are interfered with in that State.

-The Cabinet broke up to-night, after five hours session, without coming to any conclusion relative to the disposition of troops at Charleston. The impression prevailed that a conflict was inevitable. Secretary Toucey and Mr. Holt, Postmaster-General, urged defense; the others, a further evacuation, if necessary.

Dec. 29.-John B. Floyd resigns his appointment in Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet as Secretary of War. In bis letters of resignation he charges the President with a purpose to inaugurate civil war by refusing

to withdraw Anderson from Charleston harbor entirely. "I cannot consent to be the agent of such a calamity," (civil war,) and therefore tenders his resignation. It was accepted by the President, Dec. 31st, in a very curt and summary note.

-The South Carolina Commissioners make known their mission, by official communication to the President.

Dec. 30.-The President replies at length to the South Carolina Commissioners, declining to receive

them.

Dec. 31.-Reports from Charleston state that strong fortifications are going up in and around the harbor, to resist any reinforcement of Fort Sumter.

-It is announced from Washington that the report which prevailed throughout the city this afternoon

Dec. 31.-Senator Benjamin, of Louisiana, made a powerful secession speech in the United States

Senate.

Jan. 1, 1861.-The New York Journals of to-day all regard the capital as in danger of seizure. One says: It is now well known that military companies have been organized and drilled for months past in Maryland and Virginia-some of them under the eye of an officer of the regular army-and that the distinct object of their organization is to aid in the seizure of Washington city in the interest of the disunionists, or the prevention by force of Lincoln's inauguration. Some of the less prudent of their leaders boast in private circles that they have five thousand well-armed and organized men ready to strike the blow instantly upon the concerted signal being given."

Jan. 2.-In view of the dangers which threaten the city of Washington, General Scott has taken steps to place the militia of the district under arms. Regulars are also being ordered to the Navy Yard and every precaution is to be taken to avoid a surprise, and to repel any attempt at revolutionary proceedings.

-A dispatch from Georgia states that the election returns indicate that the State has voted, by a large majority, for immediate secession. The State troops are also reported to be in possession of the United States arsenal in Savannah, as well as of Forts Pulaski and Jackson.

-Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, dispatched troops to-day to seize upon Fort Macon at Beaufort, the forts at Wilmington, and the United States arsenal at Fayetteville. It was done to keep the property from seizure by mobs-so Gov. Ellis wrote to the Department of War.

-Private accounts from Charleston state that a thousand negroes are engaged in the erection of fortifications in the harbor, and that the channels leading to Fort Sumter have been obstructed by sunken vessels, and the buoys removed. Also, that Gov. Pickens has received the offer of 10,000 volunteers

from without the State, who hold themselves in readiness to march at a minute's warning.

-Senator Baker, of Oregon,concluded his response to Mr. Benjamin's speech, in the United States Senate. It was pronounced a "masterly effort."

Jan. 2.-Mr. Baker was followed by Mr. Douglas, | meets. Ex-Secretary Floyd and United States Senwho charged upon the Republican party the present ator Mason are both in Richmond, and both urge a troubles. He declared for compromise, and for giv-policy looking to co-operation with South Carolina. ing the South any necessary Constitutional guarantees.

-Special Session of the Virginia Legislature the Major able to hold out for about two months,

HISTORICAL

with the supplies of food on hand. He has a pass-nary for a settlement. He is not received by the port from Governor Pickens. A long Cabinet meet- President in any official capacity, but is requested ing followed. to state to the War Department, in writing, his propositions.

fecting the defences of Fort Pickens from the land | and Pensacola side is being pushed forward with great vigor by Lieut. Slemmer who, it would appear, is determined to hold out to the last.

Feb. 9.-A Provisional Constitution is adopted by the Southern Congress at Montgomery, as a basis for a Provisional Government. The United States Constitution is used, with slight variation. Jefferson

Jan. 23.-The Georgia delegation withdraws from Davis, of Mississippi, elected President, and AlexCongress.

-

-Hon. Emerson Etheridge, of Tennessee, makes a speech in the United States House of Representatives, declaring secession to be rebellion, which the government must suppress.

ander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President of the "Confederate States of North America."

Feb. 11.-Mr. Lincoln, President-elect, starts for Washington, via Indianapolis, Cincinnatti, Columbus, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, New York City, Trenton, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and BaltiJan. 24. The Arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, seized more. He was the guest of all these cities, by action by the State authorities. of the authorities and State Legislatures. His jour

Jan. 25.-The Rhode Island State Legislature re-ney was by special trains, and was one grand ovation peals its Personal Liberty law. at all stopping points.

-The Louisiana State Convention passes an ordinance of secession. Yeas, 113; nays, 17.

Jan. 26.-Alabama State Convention adjourned to March 4th.

Feb. 12.-Reports from Tennessee indicate that the State has voted, by over 20,000 majority, against a State Convention.

Feb. 17.-A dispatch from Washington says but little hope is entertained of any beneficial result from the Peace Convention. The Northern Comsub-missioners are persistent in their refusal to agree to the Southern demands.

Jan. 28.-Texas State Convention meets at Austin. Jan. 30.-The Legislature of North Carolina mits the question of holding a Convention to a vote of the people, February 28th.

-Ex Secretary Floyd indicted by the Grand Jury of Washington on two counts; 1st, for malfeasance; 2d, for conspiracy with Bailey and Russell, to defraud the government.

Jan. 30.-The Revenue Cutters Cass and MeClelland betrayed by their commanders-the last named by Capt. Breshwood into the hands of the Louisiana State authorities, the first by Capt. J. J. Morrison,

into the hands of the Alabama authorities. Secretary Dix's Special agent had authority to shoot down the first man who attempted to haul down the American flag, but he did not succeed in gaining possession of either vessel.

Feb. 1.-The United States Mint and Custom house in New Orleans seized by the State authorities.

-Texas Convention passes ordinance of Secession-yeas 166, nays 7.

Feb. 4.--The Virginia Conference, or, as it is called, the "Peace Convention," assembles in Washiugton. It is composed of five delegates from each State, appointed by the Governors, to consider some plan of adjustment. Most of the Northern, and all of the Border States, are represented.

-The Congress, or Conference, of Southern seceded States, meets at Montgomery.

Feb. 19.--Mr. Lincoln receives a magnificent reception in New York city. Two hundred thousand people turns out to swell the throng on the streets. He held a Levee at the City Hall February 20th.

Feb. 22. Mr. Lincoln leaves Harrisburg abruptly and secretly, by night, for Washington-hav ing evidences of a plot in Baltimore to create a riot upon his appearance on the 23d, as set down in the published programme of his progress. Arrives at the Capitol early on the morning of the 23d.

Feb. 25.-It is ascertained that Brigadier-Gen. Twiggs, commanding in the Department of Texas, has betrayed his command and turned over all the posts, United States property in arms, munitions, horses, and equipments, &c., to the Texan State authorities.

Feb. 26-March 3.-Extensive preparations for the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. The Military, under Feb. 5.-Ex-President Tyler, of Virginia, elected command of Generals Scott and Wool, is to be disPresident of the Peace Convention.

Feb. 8.-Colonel Hayne departs for Charleston, unable to obtain any recognition from the Federal Government.

tributed throughout the city. Mr. Buchanan lends his influence to a happy and peaceful introduction of his successor to office.

DIVISION

II.

CHAPTER I.

SECRET REVOLUTIONARY

The Minute Men.

SOCIETIES IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
CHURCHES.

POSITION OF

TEE

ORGANIZATIONS known as "Minute Men," "Defense Committees," "Brotherhood" and "Vigilance" and "Southern Rights" Associations, &c., &c., are occasionally referred to in the news of the day; but the public generally is not aware of the extent of these organizations, nor of the very important part they have played in carrying out the scheme of secession. Their active formation commenced immediately after the Presidential election, though they had existed for some time previous. That of the "Minute Men," in particular, was instrumental in disseminating extreme views for many months prior to the election. This body was, avowedly, organized for home protection against insurrections, but, in reality, had for its object the arrest and punishment of white "emissaries" who might be regarded as "suspicious characters—which meant, of any person obnoxious to any Southern man. With out ceremony or law, the "Men" proceeded to their work, and the occasional accounts, which would find their way to the press, of outrages and lynch law perpetrated on white persons of Northern birth, proved that they were the self-constituted guardians of Southern society whose bare suspicions it was dan-ator from Texas had told gerous to incur. Something of their self-ar-him that a great many of these free debaters rogated powers and duties may be inferred were hanging from the trees of that country," from the news given on pages 47-48, regu- he simply stated a well-accredited fact; and, lating the operations of a "Vigilance Associ- that the speaker was not candid enough to ation," from which we may report: confess, from his own personal knowledge, that, in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, the same sight might be witnessed, proves him to have been capable of a feeling of shame.

"The Association is pledged to put down all negro preachings, prayer-meetings, and all congregations of negroes that may be considered unlawful by the patrol.”

That the officers "have full power to decide all cases that may be brought before them, and their decisions shall be final and conclusive."

"That the patrol companies have the power to correct and punish all slaves, free negroes, mulattoes and mastizoes as they may deem proper."

"The patrol have power to arrest all suspicious white persons, and bring them before the Executive Committee for trial.”

It will scarcely be credited by foreigners that such an organization could exist in any other than a disorganized state of society, where courts were powerless, and where violence was the rule; but, that they did exist throughout all the Gulf States and South Carolina during the fall and winter of 1860– 1861, is attested by the almost innumerable and authenticated accounts of atrocities and outrages perpetrated on Northern men and women, as well as on free negroes. If the story ever is told, of the men being hung, tarred and feathered, whipped, driven off, it will excite a feeling of incredulity.

When Mr. Iverson stated in the Senate "that a Sen

Men hanging from
Trees.