Louisiana was one of the first states to secede from the union, the ordinance of secession having been adopted in convention Dec. 23, 1860, by a vote of 117 to 113. The same convention adopted the confederate constitution and passed amendments to the state constitution conforming it thereto. The people had no opportunity to vote upon the question, except in electing delegates to the conventions. The new state government maintained a nominal existence until near the close of the rebellion, though most of the state, after the capture of New Orleans by admiral Farragut hi April, 1862, was in possession of the union forces. The city was handed over to the army, and governed successively by gens. Butler and Banks. The latter, in 1863, made an excursion into the Attakapas region, along the bayou Teche, and succeeded in establish ing there the authority of the Lnited States. In the spring of 1864 lie ascended the Red river with a large force, but was cotnpelled to retreat after several disastrous battles. In April, 1864, a convention of a portion of the people of the state adopted a new constitution and sought readmission to the union, but congress denied the request. A second conven tion was held and another constitution adopted in 1808. This constitution was accepted
by congress upon certain conditions, which were subsequently complied with; and on July 13. 1868, the government was relinquished by the military and handed over to the civil authorities. During the three years of military occupation which followed the rebel lion, there were great political and social disturbances; and after the readmission of the state to the union there were for a time conflicts of authority of a most unpleasant and dangerous character. The electoral votes of Louisiana for president and vice-presi dent of the United States have been cast as follows; 1812, 3 for Madison and Gerry; 1816, 3 for Monroe and Tompkins; 1820, for Monroe and Tompkins; 1824, 3 for Jackson and 2 for Adams for president, and 5 for Calhoun for vice-president; 1828, 5 for Jackson and Calhoun; 1832, 5 for Jackson and Van Buren; 1836, 5 for Van Buren and R. M. Johnson; 1840, 5 for Harrison and Tyler; 1844, 5 for Polk and Dallas; 1848, 6 for Taylor and Fillmore; 1852, 6 for Pierce and King; 1856, 6 for Buchanan and Breckinndge; 1860 and 1864, no vote; 1868, 7 for Seymour and Blair; 1872, 8 not counted; 1876, 8 for Hayes aud Wheeler.