Whether one is supporting the North in the War of the Rebellion, or the South in the War Against Northern Aggression, the decision as to which side of the Mason Dixon Line the celebration will represent should not be taken lightly.
States that were once united divided over issues such as slavery and economic conditions. Many Civil War weddings are planned based on carefully researched genealogy, while other participants plan according to which state they reside in at present.
Confederate States of America
First to Secede
- South Carolina - December 20, 1860
- Mississippi - January 09, 1861
- Florida - January 10, 1861
- Alabama - January 11, 1861
- Georgia - January 19, 1861
- Louisiana - January 26, 1861
Seceded After Attack on Fort Sumter
- Virginia - April 17, 1861 (ratified by voters May 23, 1861)
- Arkansas - May 06, 1861
- Tennessee - May 07, 1861(ratified by voters June 08, 1861)
- North Carolina - May 20, 1861
The border states of Kentucky and Missouri declared neutrality early in the war, but both had areas of split loyalties, and representatives from both states were given seats on the Confederate Congress.
Martial law was declared on Maryland in 1861 to prevent its secession, as it bordered the United States capital, Washington D.C. on three sides. The slave state of Deleware never considered seceesion. Citizens from both states, however, fought on both sides of the war, though Delaware did have more Union forces.
Several counties in Virginia seceeded from the state to support the North, and later became West Virginia.
Seceding Territories
- New Mexico Territory (now New Mexico and Arizona) March 16, 1861
- Indian Territory (Oklahoma) July 12, 1861
Union States of America
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky*
- Maine
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri*
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia*
- Wisconsin
Which state or territory one resided in did not necessarily indicate that the inhabitant fought for that side. The Civil War pitted brother against brother, father against son. It was about what one believed in, more than about where one lived. Over 120, 000 Southern Unionists fought for the North, and every Southern state with the exception of South Carolina, raised Union regiments. Likewise, many northerners supported, and fought for the Conderacy.
While today slavery is no longer an issue in the re-united United States, planning an authentic Civil War wedding is influenced by whether one is representing the Blue (Union) or the Gray (Confederacy).
Each side left a proud legacy, believing they were doing what was right for the country. Whether a yankee, or a rebel, soldiers fought with determination, honor and love. Sometimes that love even crossed the line and a yankee soldier fell in love with a southern belle, though such unions were made in secret to protect the loyal families.
Of course if one cannot decide, a white flag of truce may be erected and guests may choose for themselves.
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