On May 16, the place of holding courts in the Northern District was changed from Pontotoc to Oxford, where courts are now held.[105]
The subsequent changes, resulting in the present arrangement is as follows:[106]
By Act June 15, 1882, the Eastern Division of the Northern District was created, with Aberdeen as the place for holding courts.
Feb. 28, 1887, the Western Division of the Southern District was created, with Vicksburg as the place for holding courts.
April 4, 1888, Southern Division, Southern District, was created, with Mississippi City as the place for holding courts.
July 18, 1894, Eastern Division Southern District, was created, with Meridian as the place for holding courts.
On the secession of Mississippi in 1861, Judge Samuel J. Gholson resigned. Mr. Lynch makes this observation on the court during the civil war period:[107]
"When the Confederate Government was inaugurated Judge Clayton was appointed to the bench of the Confederate District Court for Mississippi, and held that position until the close of the war. There was during this period, of course, but little civil business before his court, and only one point of a general interest in the laws of war was decided by him, which was, that when the Government was powerless to protect, it had no power to punish."