December 1860:
South Carolina, upon hearing that Abraham Lincoln whom they call "that damned black republican!" is elected president of the united states. This prompts them top call upon secession and becomes the first state to seceed from the union. The South Carolina newpapers state: "THE UNION IS DISSOLVED! We the people of South Carolina, no longer reconize the goverment of the United States and encourage our sister states to follow our noble and brave example."
January through early Feburary, 1861:
Over the next couple of months, many tidewater and deep southern states such as Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, leave the Union. The temporary capital is setup in Montgomery, AL. Delegates from the states plan to meet in late Feburary to discuss appointing a president.