I would say that the eventual formation of West Virginia also constitutes a "significant public outcry . . . against secession." I would highly recommend Dan Crofts' book "Reluctant Confederates" on secession in the upper South. If I remember correctly, the decision to secede was never put to a popular vote in Virginia. What was the case in the other southern states? Gregg Kimball Gregg D. Kimball Director of Publications and Educational Services Library of Virginia 804/692-3722 [log in to unmask] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html