150 Years Ago: Virginia Makes It Official

Virginia began the process of leaving the Union almost immediately after Lincoln's call for troops after Fort Sumter was fired upon.  On Thursday, May 23, 1861, Virginia voters completed the process, voting for secession by a 3-to-1 margin in a statewide referendum.  Most of the pro-Union vote came in the western part of the state, which was now considering a break with the rest of the state.