at the convention, bartow stood out as one of the most fervent secessionists. demanding an immediate withdrawal from the union, he helped align georgia among the pro-secessionist states. on january 19, 1861, delegates voted to secede from the union by a vote of 208 to 89. bartow was a delegate in favor of secession, voting to sign georgia's ordinance of secession on that day. the actual signing of the ordinance occurred on january 21, 1861, when the delegates ceremoniously signed the document in the public square outside of the state capitol in milledgeville. bartow was subsequently chosen to represent georgia in the provisional congress of the confederate states at montgomery, alabama, starting february 4, 1861.