Public sentiment at the opening of the Civil War was almost unanimously opposed to secession. The number of slaves and of slave holders in the county was not large; the people were almost entirely of Eastern Tennessee descent, and inherited the ardent patriotism that has distinguished that section.

When the time came to elect representatives to the secession convention, Dr. Dijon and E. G. Mitchell appeared as secession candidates, and W. W. Watkins and B. H. Hobbs as Union candidates. The former received but thirty-six votes in a total poll of 1,500.

The convention was earnestly desirous of taking a neutral position, and uniting with the other border States in an effort to effect a compromise. It soon became apparent, however, that this was impossible, and the call of President Lincoln for troops from Arkansas forced the issue. The delegates from Carroll met their constituents in mass meetings, and, finding that there was but little disposition to take up arms against the section to which they naturally belonged, cast their votes for the secession ordinance, which passed with but a single dissenting voice.