434 Results in the "Biography & Memoir" category


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      Tea and Angst

      Tea and Angst Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Tea and Angst were pervasive throughout Charleston on April 13, as the city grappled with the heavy tension in the air. Despite the relief experienced the previous evening when it was reported that no Confederate troops had been injured during the bombardment, the reality of the ongoing conflict remained undeniable. The day began with a burst of sunlight after the morning rain, which only illuminated the rising columns of black smoke from Fort Sumter. The Union fleet’s inaction, with ships stationed just…
    • Doubleday’s Revenge Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In the chapter titled "Doubleday’s Revenge", the events of April 13, 1861, play a crucial role in the early stages of the Civil War. This day was marked by the ongoing bombardment of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces, beginning a violent chapter that would deeply shape the nation's future. Major Robert Anderson, who commanded the Union garrison at the fort, found himself facing overwhelming odds, with the Confederate forces relentlessly shelling the fort. During this bombardment, the Union flag at the…
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      The Worst Fear

      The Worst Fear Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Worst Fear intensified on April 13 as Fort Sumter faced relentless Confederate bombardment, with each volley becoming more precise and devastating. Captain Foster, the chief engineer, observed the worsening situation and recorded it in his engineering journal, describing how Confederate artillery had begun using "hot shot," incendiary cannonballs designed to ignite structures inside the fort. The Union soldiers inside the fort initially believed they could maintain their defenses, but as the…
    • The Great Darkness Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Great Darkness takes place on the afternoon of April 12, as Private Thompson, stationed at Fort Sumter, observes the arrival of a third steamship joining the two that had been anchored off the coast since the early hours of the morning. This sight initially raises the spirits of the fort's garrison, as they are hopeful that the ships are part of a much-needed relief expedition. However, as time passes and the ships remain unmoving, their initial hopes begin to wane, leading Thompson to believe that the…
    • The Sumter Expedition Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Sumter Expedition marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing tension between the Union and the Confederacy. Captain Fox, standing at the forefront of this precarious mission, felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. The absence of the powerful Powhatan left him with limited options, and he knew that attempting to navigate the dangerous waters of Charleston Harbor without sufficient firepower could lead to disaster. However, the urgency of the situation made it clear that an immediate solution…
    • The Angel of Death Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Angel of Death seemed to hang over Charleston on the morning of April 12, 1861, as Captain Gustavus Fox aboard the Baltic struggled to find his fellow Union ships. Despite the treacherous weather, Fox searched the dark waters for any sign of the expected Powhatan, but all he could find were the stormy seas and the uncertainty of the situation. The Baltic was dangerously close to Rattlesnake Shoal, nearly running aground, but with quick maneuvering, the ship was freed. It was then that Fox spotted the…
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      Sunrise

      Sunrise Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin As the first light of Sunrise illuminated the battered walls of Fort Sumter on April 12, Captain Doubleday and his fellow officers braced themselves for the long-awaited confrontation. The men gathered in the mess hall, hastily consuming a meager breakfast of salt pork, farina, and rice, knowing it might be their last meal before exhaustion took over. Despite the tension, a quiet sense of duty filled the room as the officers finalized their strategies and prepared their men for the barrage that was sure to…
    • The Sumter Expedition Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Sumter Expedition's critical moment began on the morning of April 12, when the warship Pawnee arrived near Charleston, joining the Harriet Lane and Captain Fox’s ship, the Baltic. This was part of the initial plan to deliver supplies to Fort Sumter, yet the mission faced delays due to the absence of tugboats and warships like the Powhatan and Pocahontas, which were supposed to provide crucial support. The Baltic, alongside the Pawnee and Harriet Lane, was left to navigate the situation with a sense…
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      Four Telegrams

      Four Telegrams Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter titled "Four Telegrams" represents a critical moment in the historical buildup to the Civil War, offering a glimpse into the tense communications that shaped the early decisions of Confederate leadership. Dated April 10, 1861, the telegrams exchanged between Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and L. P. Walker, the Confederate Secretary of War, reveal a pivotal moment of military strategy. These exchanges, beginning with a telegram from Montgomery, urged immediate action…
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      Confusion

      Confusion Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Confusion reigned in Charleston on April 11 as General P.G.T. Beauregard prepared for the upcoming battle at Fort Sumter. Despite the mounting tension, Beauregard was unready for war, struggling with a severe shortage of gunpowder, which limited the fort’s defensive capabilities. The situation was made more precarious by the fact that only a few hours’ worth of ammunition was available. A fresh supply was expected to arrive from Augusta, Georgia, but the journey was fraught with risk, as the transport…
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