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The Confederate government picked a capital just 100 miles from Washington DC. M
1861 Event

May 6

Richmond Becomes Confederate Capital: Virginia Picks a Side

The Confederate government picked a capital just 100 miles from Washington DC. Montgomery, Alabama felt too remote, too disconnected from the war they knew was coming. So on May 21, 1861, they moved everything to Richmond—closer to the fight, closer to their biggest armies, close enough that both capitals could hear each other's church bells on quiet Sundays. Virginia's industrial capacity sweetened the deal. The move also guaranteed something else: when Union forces came south, they'd come straight through Virginia's farms and families first. Geography became destiny.

May 6, 1861

165 years ago

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