Every Day’s Delay Weakens the Secessionists and Strengthens the Union

This chapter covers the last half of 1861 and demonstrates how Unionists within the Border South managed to defeat the secessionists within their midst. This chapter emphasizes the movement away from neutrality in each of the Border South states and the forces that tilted the balance towards Unionism. A major factor contributing to the defeat of secession in the Border South was the increased presence of the Union army. In Maryland, Missouri, and eventually in Kentucky, federal troops were used to keep Border South secessionists in check. This chapter also chronicles how Unionists overcame John C. Frémont’s emancipation proclamation, which he announced in August 1861. By the end of 1861, all of the Border South states had abandoned neutrality and cast their lot with the United States. Internal divisions continued, but the secession movement had been defeated in the Border South.