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Richmond Becomes the Confederate Capital
Information about Richmond becoming the Confederate Capital during the Civil War.

The Confederate Government decided to move the Capital from its former location, Montgomery Alabama, in April of 1861.

The Congress was set to convene in Richmond in July but, during the ensuing months, Richmond began more and more to assume the duties of Confederate Capital.

Written Accounts

1861-04-17, Richmond Dispatch; “Southern Rights ball” last night at the First Market – proceeds to buy an immense Confederate flag to fly nearby.
1861-04-17, Richmond Dispatch; large Confedereate flag stretched across Main Street from the First Market
1861-04-17, Richmond Dispatch; US flag no longer flying over the “large brick edifice on the northwest corner of Franklin and Governor streets (Virginia State Court House) – replaced by the flag of Virginia.
1861-04-23, Richmond Dispatch; Alexander Stephens has arrived in Richmond to discuss the entry of Virginia into the Confederacy; he is staying at the Exchange Hotel
1861-04-23, Richmond Dispatch; train has left the Fredericksburg depot to convey the VMI cadets to Richmond
1861-04-24, Richmond Dispatch; all companies arriving in Richmond will immediately proceed to the Hermitage Fair Grounds (Camp Lee)
1861-04-26, Richmond Dispatch; VMI cadets are drilling recruits at the Fair Grounds (Camp Lee)
1861-04-29, Richmond Dispatch; long article describing the “Hermitage Camp of Instruction” (Camp Lee) and praising the VMI cadets who have drilled the volunteers there.
1861-05-11, Richmond Dispatch; editorial concerning the removal of the Confederate Capital to Richmond; very positive
1861-05-30, Richmond Dispatch; great description of the arrival of President Jefferson Davis in Richmond and the celebration in the city as he is escorted to Spotswood Hotel; later he reviewed the troops at Camp Lee

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