Cockades in the Legislatures
Fall of 1860 saw secession fervor everywhere, from the poor working man in the bar to the rich legislator in the Capitol. Today's Column talks about some of those legislators and their cockades!
The North Carolina Democrat and Sentinel observed on December 5, 1860:
One of the State Senators appeared in the North Carolina legislature, on Tuesday, wearing the blue cockade.
Likewise in Florida, the Nashville Union and American revealed on December 4, 1860:
Senator Mallory, of Florida, is a member of the Pensacola Minute Men, and wears the blue cockade.
There was apparently a kerfluffle in the North Carolina legislature over one senator's use of a "disunionist" cockade. The Semi-Weekly Standard recorded it at length on December 13, 1860. Here's an excerpt:
The Senator was indignant, that he (Mr. B.) had made allusion to his holding up to the assembled audience, while urging disunion, a similar Cockade to that which he says was worn by his grandfather, when the citizens of Mecklenburg determined on Independence and resistance to George the III. No one admired the intrepid patriots of that day more than himself. He regretted that the Senator had not imitated the example of his patriotic ancestor, and instead of so using a relic so honored by revolutionary associations should have connected it with disunion.
Even the legislators' children were catching "cockade fever!" The National Republican reported the following on January 14, 1861:
A Young Secessionist.— We noticed a few evenings since a little son of a somewhat noted Southern Senator, rigged out in a red cap, and wearing the disunion cockade. In his hand was a toy musket, with bayonet.
Senator Toombs would later join the Confederate Cabinet. The Constitutional Union picked up the following bit of news on November 16, 1860:
Senator Toombs and the Ladies.-The Columbus (Ga.) Times, of the 30th ult., says: “Senator Toombs was in the streets of Columbus, on Saturday, the “blue cockade” given him by the fair ladies of Montgomery. God bless them! We are for them and a union with them, where love, harmony, and good feeling exists, but are opposed to any other sort of Union.” The night that the Senator spoke in Montgomery many ladies wore the badge of secession.
Out west, Kansas Senator Jim Lane was a fascinating character. This photo shows him wearing a patriotic cockade. In addition to a long career in politics, one site noted the following:
Lane led the infamous Redlegs of Kansas during the Border War with neighboring Missouri. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he guarded the White House with his "Frontier Guard" while Ft. Sumter was being bombarded. This heroic act led to his friendship and political relationship with Lincoln. Re-elected to the Senate in 1865, his later political downfall led him to commit suicide not far from Leavenworth, Kansas.
And finally, one of my favorite accounts of "legislative cockades"... Susan Bradford, a young eye witness of the Florida legislature, told the following story:
January 8th, 1861.—We are at home again after a day filled to overflowing with excitement and interest. We were in such a hurry to get to town that the convention had not assembled when we reached the Capitol. There were groups of men talking earnestly and there were other men running hither and thither with papers in their hands. Father has a great many friends and I stood quietly beside him while he and they discussed the situation. The ambassador from South Carolina had evidently made an impression on his audience of yesterday and somebody had been busy last night, for in every direction could be seen Palmetto cockades, fastened with a blue ribbon; there were hundreds of them. When at last the hall of representatives was opened and Father and I took our seats, Judge Gwynn came in and pinned a cockade on Father and one on me. Oh, I was so proud.
Union or Disunion, I have the cockade for you!
I have cockades for every occasion, as well as some fun “cockade swag!” If you want to look at beautiful cockades pictures and tidbits from history all year long, be sure to grab a 2025 Wall Calendar. Psst, they make great gifts too!
The Moving Process Continues
Grandma and I are almost moved in to our new house! I apologize if my response times have been slow the last week or two. Hopefully we will get settled in the next couple weeks and be all ready to enjoy the holidays together! I can’t wait to share pictures of my new shop once it’s finished!
See you next week,
Heather
Had occasion to discuss cockades with my cousin's daughter: she asked the significance of the Secession cockade I wore. Thanks to your educational materials, I was able to give her its history and significance, and that of the Copper Head I also displayed on my hat. She was delighted at the explanations!