Civil War Day-by-Day Civil War Day-by-Day March 18, 1861 By a vote of 39-35 the Arkansas convention defeats a secession motion. Instead, they vote to hold a general election in August to determine the question of secession. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Posted March 18, 2021