Republic of Winston

Free State of Winston
Republic of Winston
Life span?
Map of Alabama highlighting Winston County
Capital		Not specified
Government		Republic
Historical era		American Civil War
•	Established	Enter start year
•	Disestablished	Enter end year
b.	...
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The "Republic" of Winston, present-day Winston County, Alabama, was one of several places, in the Confederate States of America, where disaffection, during the American Civil War, was strong. In Winston County, this opposition became violent and had long-lasting political consequences—deep enough to generate a legend, after the war, that the county had seceded from Alabama.[1]

Winston County is located in the hilly terrain of North Alabama. At the time of the Civil War Winston County also included the areas that later became Cullman and Blount counties. Its shallow soil is highly unsuitable for plantation-style agriculture, and thus the county was never home to many slaves. The 1860 US Census lists only 3,450 white residents in the underpopulated county, and just 122 slaves. Winston's residents were mainly poor farmers who viewed the Confederacy with suspicion, fearing it was meant to maintain the political control of the wealthy planter class.

Winston County's representative at the January 1861 Alabama Secession Convention was Charles Christopher Sheats, a 21-year-old school teacher. He refused to sign Alabama's ordinance of secession, even after it had been passed by a vote of 61 to 39. Sheats became so vocal in his opposition that he was finally arrested. On his release, he became a leader of a pro-neutrality group. Later, he would become an open supporter of the Union and spent most of the war in prison. Many Winston County residents refused induction into the Confederate Army, and some spoke openly of organizing troops to support the Union. The worried state authorities moved to enforce obedience through conscription and loyalty oaths, which only made matters worse. A meeting was held at Looney's Tavern, where a series of resolutions were passed. These stated that the people of Winston County had no desire to take part in the war and intended to support neither side. One resolution declared that if a state could secede from the Union, then a county could secede from the state. Richard Payne, a pro-Confederate, laughed with delight. "Winston County secedes!" he shouted. "Hoorah for the Free State of Winston!" From Payne's remark was born the legend of the "Republic of Winston".