On January 6, 1861, Florida troops take the Federal arsenal at Appalatchicola. The next day, Fort Marion at St. Augustine is seized. On the 9th, the ''Star of the West'' would be fired upon as she neared Charleston, causing her to turn around and head back to Norfolk. That same day public celebrations erupt in Mississippi as the state legislature votes 84-15 to secede. | On January 6, 1861, Florida troops take the Federal arsenal at Appalatchicola. The next day, Fort Marion at St. Augustine is seized. On the 9th, the ''Star of the West'' would be fired upon as she neared Charleston, causing her to turn around and head back to Norfolk. That same day public celebrations erupt in Mississippi as the state legislature votes 84-15 to secede. |