Georgia secession analysis by the Georgia Historical Society

On January 2, 1861 Georgia held a general election as to whether or not Georgia should hold a "secession" convention to determine whether Georgia should secede.

Until the 1970's the vote for secession had been listed as 50,243 in favor of secession to 37,123 against.  In 1972 the Georgia Historical Society attempted to recreate the vote because of abnormalities that had been noticed in some counties.  For example, Forsyth County and Cobb County showed a higher vote count than for the hotly contested presidential elections two months previous, an unlikely scenario.  Using contemporary sources, mostly local newspapers, the society concluded that the margin for the vote was razor-thin, and it was a vote against secession.   The final vote on January 2, 1861 was 42,744 in favor of co-operation and 41,717 in favor of immediate secession. 

On January 16, 1861, delegates poured into Milledgeville to attend the so-called "Secession Convention".  To say the outcome of the meeting is in doubt is an understatement.  Many, if not most, thought Georgia would stay in the Union. Alexander Stephens, who later becomes vice-president of the Confederacy under Jefferson Davis, leads the pro-union movement.  Stephens speaks eloquently in favor of the Union.

"This step (the secession of Georgia,) once taken can never be recalled; and all the baleful and withering consequences that must follow will rest on the Convention for all coming time.  When we and our posterity shall see our lovely South desolated by the demon of war which this act of yours will inevitably invite and call forth; when our green fields of waving harvests shall be trodden down by the murderous soldiery and fiery car of war sweeping over our land; our temples of justice laid in ashes; all the horrors and desolation of war upon us--who but this Convention will be held responsible for it?  The secessionists are led by former governor and Speaker of the House Howell Cobb, who four years prior had been pro-Union.  Cobb's longtime rival, Judge Henry Benning, speaks eloquently in favor of secession." 

In spite of the popular vote outcome, the elected delegates cast two votes, a "test" vote on January 18, and a secession vote on January 19.  Both votes are strongly pro-secession.  Georgia was the 5th state to secede.  Louisiana and Texas would follow in the next two weeks.     

Source - Georgia Historical Society website