Austin and Secession

Austin and the Secession Convention of 1861

In January 1861, as tensions escalated between the Northern and Southern states, Texas held a Secession Convention to decide whether to sever ties with the Union and join the Confederacy. This historic moment deeply impacted the state and the city of Austin, which was the heart of Texas politics as the state capital.

Travis County Representatives

Travis County, which includes Austin, sent two key representatives to the Secession Convention: Thomas Green and James W. Throckmorton. Both men had distinguished careers and strong ties to the community, but they represented contrasting views on the issue of secession.

Thomas Green was a well-known figure in Texas politics and a fervent supporter of secession. A veteran of the Texas Revolution and an influential lawyer, Green saw secession as the only way to protect Texas and Southern interests from what he perceived as Northern aggression and economic domination. He actively lobbied for the state to break away from the Union and join the Confederacy.

James W. Throckmorton, on the other hand, was a Unionist who opposed secession. Although he was a Southern sympathizer and a slaveholder, Throckmorton believed that remaining in the Union was the best course of action to ensure the stability and prosperity of Texas. His opposition to secession made him a minority voice at the convention.

Despite Throckmorton's efforts to dissuade his colleagues, the majority of the convention favored secession. On February 1, 1861, Texas voted overwhelmingly in favor of leaving the Union, with 166 delegates voting for secession and only 8 against. Green, as expected, voted in favor of secession, while Throckmorton was one of the few who stood firm in his opposition.

The Ratification Vote: February 23, 1861

Although the Secession Convention voted to secede on February 1, 1861, the decision had to be ratified by the people of Texas. On February 23, 1861, Texans went to the polls to cast their votes on this monumental issue. In Travis County, the vote was closely watched, as the city of Austin and its surrounding areas were known for having a mix of Unionist and secessionist sentiments.

The results of the vote in Travis County reflected this division:

For Secession: 450 votes

Against Secession: 704 votes

The majority in Travis County voted against secession, demonstrating strong Unionist sentiment in the Austin area, even as the rest of Texas leaned more heavily in favor of leaving the Union.

The Aftermath

With the ratification of the secession vote, Texas officially became part of the Confederate States of America on March 2, 1861. Both Green and Throckmorton would go on to play significant roles during and after the war. Green served as a general in the Confederate Army, while Throckmorton eventually became governor of Texas during Reconstruction, advocating for a return to the Union.

The secession of Texas had far-reaching consequences for Austin and its citizens. As the state became embroiled in the Civil War, Austin’s political and economic landscape shifted dramatically. The city would go on to become a center of Confederate political activity, contributing soldiers and resources to the war effort.

The Secession Convention of 1861 remains a pivotal chapter in Austin’s history, highlighting the intense debate and division within the city and its surrounding communities as they navigated the turbulent events leading up to the Civil War.