Virginia. Convention (1861 : Richmond).

The Convention of 1861 met from February 13, until June 27, 1861 and from November 14 until December 6, 1861. The firing on Fort Sumter, on April 12, ignited the confederates to action. On April 17, 1861, the Virginia Convention voted eighty-eight to fifty-five to secede from the United States of America. The Ordinance of Secession, which repealed the ratification of the United States Constitution, was ratified on May 23rd. Three days later, the Convention created an advisory Council to assist the Governor in preparation of the state's defenses. Governor Letcher named Francis Henney Smith, John James Allen, Matthew Fontaine Maury, Thomas Sherwood Haymond and Robert Latane Montague to the Council. They recommended that Letcher appoint Robert E. Lee to command the state's forces. Lee accepted the appointment, taking over command on April 23, 1861. The constitution did not win the voters' approval.