April 15, 1861-          

Word came to day of the surrender of Fort Sumter, in Charleston
Harbor, to the rebels. I fear this will mean war.

But, even the news of Sumter couldn’t move the convention. They
remained firm.  Walking the thin line between neutrality, and 
secession.  There was no life in it, so little did this national 
outrage move it. The populace was jubilant.  Rebel flags were 
raised.  There were military displays with music on the square.

There was a second convention in Richmond.  The "Intimidation"
gained more momentum in their quest to lead Virginia out of the 
Union. The longer the State Convention rode the fence on secession, 
the louder and stronger the Intimidation Convention grew.  Loyal 
men of the Convention were intimidated into going over to the 
secession side.  One gentleman told me he thought that if  the 
Secession Ordinance was not passed the streets would run with blood.


April 17, 1861-              

On my way downtown today, I glanced towards the Capitol and
saw the flag of treason floating above.  I knew Virginia had been
surrended to the confederacy.

I returned home before dark.  My eyes were so filled with tears I
could hardly walk, and had to cling to the arm of a friend.

That night I went to the bottom of the garden to view the
torchlight procession.  Such a sight. Yelling of wicked and blasphemous
mottoes tore at my heart.  I saw carriages with the well dressed ladies
yelling louder than the men walking alongside.  The whooping and
clanging of tea pan music made my head ache. I fell to my kness and
prayed.

Because the Secesson Ordinace still had to pass a public referendum on 
May 23, Gov. Lechter was not sure what flag to fly. The Confederate flag 
was flown, then taken down and replaced with the State flag.