U.S. Presidents with Confederate Ties-- Part 1: John Tyler

From the February 21, 2022, Monroe News "Tom Emery:  "Several U.S. presidents had Confederate ties" by Tom Emery.

Several former U.S. presidents had strong Confederate ties.

John Tyler, a Virginian, became president after William Henry Harrison died after just a month in office in 1841.  Two decades later, he was a secession advocate  and was elected to the Provisional Congress of the Confederacy.

In November 1861, he won election to the Confederate  House of Representatives, but died the following January 8, 1862, before he could be seated.

After John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry, Tyler was elected commander of his community's home town guard with the rank of captain.  he was presiding officer of the Virginia Peace Conference in an effort to prevent war in 1861.

--Old Secesh

America's First Black War Correspondent-- Part 3: An Encounter with a Confederate Officer after Richmond's Fall

A day after entering Richmond, after the fall of that city in 1865, with the Army of the James, Thomas Morris Chester sat down in the Speaker's chair  at the Virginia state building, the seat of Confederate power.  According to Chester's biographer, R.J.M. Blackett, he was "well aware  of the irony and eager to thumb his nose at the Confederacy."  

Datelining his story, "Halls of Congress, Richmond April 4, 1865.  "Seated in the Speaker's chair, so long dedicated to treason, but in the future to be consecrated to loyalty, I hasten to  give a rapid sketch of the incidents which have occurred since my last dispatch."

A paroled Confederate officer saw him  sitting there and yelled at him, "Come out of there, you black cuss!"  Fellow correspondent  Charles C. Coffin  of the Boston Journal reported what happened next.  "Mr. Chester raised his eyes, calmly  surveyed the intruder and went on with his writing.  'Get out of there, or I'll knock your brains out!' the officer bellowed, pouring out a torrent of oaths, and rushing up the steps to execute his threat, found himself tumbling over chairs and benches."

he New York Tribune finished the story, "Chester planted a black fist and left a black eye on the  prostrate  Rebel," and went on to complete his dispatch to the Philadelphia Press--  but not before  the Confederate officer demanded the sword of a Union soldier  to cut "the N_____'s heart out."

--Old Secesh

Civil War Events in February-- Part 1: The Confederate States of America Formed

From the American Battlefield Trust.

FEBRUARY 4, 1861

**  The seceded states meet in Montgomery, Alabama, to form a government.

FEBRUARY 5, 1861

**  The Battle of Hatcher's Run, Virginia, begins.

FEBRUARY 8, 1861

**  The Confederate States of America adopts a provisional constitution.

FEBRUARY 9, 1861

**   Jefferson Davis elected provisional Confederate President.

FEBRUARY 15, 1861

**  The Provisional Confederate Congress establishes a Peace Commission to avoid war with the United States.

--Old Secesh

Confederate Congress Gives Thanks-- Part 1: Generals

And, the Confederate Congress gave its tanks as well.

**  State of Alabama--  February 8, 1861, for hosting the Confederate government at its capital in Montgomery and loaning $500,000  to the young Confederacy.

**  Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard, for Fort Sumter and First Battle of Manassas.

**  Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, for First Manassas.

**  Robert E. Lee, received thanks on several occasions

And, there were naval officers as well.

Next Post.  --Old Secesh

156 Years Ago-- July 20 and 21, 1861: Confederate Congress Meets and the Battle of First Bull Run

Looking at the Chicago Daily News, July 20 and 21

**  1861--  The Congress of the Confederate States of America began holding sessions in Richmond, Virginia.  The original Confederate capital had been in Montgomery, Alabama.

**  1861--  The First Battle of Bull Run was fought at Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory.
Things Were Sure Looking Good Back Then.  --Old Secesh