In February 1861, delegates from the six seceded states—South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana met in Montgomery, Alabama to craft a new nation. In order to do so, a leader, a provisional president, would be elected as the new government was established.
As the delegates traveled to Montgomery, word leaked out amongst the seceded states that Georgia was looked at as the favorite to provide a native son to assume the mantle of provisional president of what would become the Confederate States of America. In particular, one of her more politically-distinguished sons, Robert Toombs, seemed to be a name in the forefront of some of the delegates.
Toombs was considered, according to historian William C. Davis, a “perfect fit, moderate enough not to frighten away the large Unionist element in the seceding states, yet not so moderate that the ardent secessionists could not stand with him.” Besides a few other Southern luminaries, like Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, Toombs did enjoy a level of popularity due to his long association in national politics. Toombs even had the backing of his fellow Georgian, Alexander Stephens who selflessly put his friend of many years name forward for consideration.
Georgia’s delegates had not caucused to see who to put forth but, besides Mississippi promoting Davis, the consensus seemed to be that whoever the Georgians nominated would be the favored candidate to assume the provisional presidency. Yet, all the momentum building toward Toombs as a candidate for the presidency evaporated in one evening.