434 Results in the "Biography & Memoir" category


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      Storm

      Storm Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Storm clouds loomed on April 8 as Captain Fox set out to lead his fleet, confident that the presence of the Powhatan would guarantee a successful mission to Charleston. Having transitioned from Navy service to overseeing a critical military operation, Fox was optimistic that his fleet would soon rendezvous off the coast of Charleston. The tug Uncle Ben departed New York that evening, followed by Fox aboard the Baltic the next morning, expecting to meet up with the rest of the fleet two days later. Fox’s…
    • Starting from Scratch Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Starting from scratch, the protagonist embarks on a transformative journey after making the bold decision to leave a secure job at OMB and dive into the world of entrepreneurship. Although her parents had initially urged her to reconsider, even suggesting that she pursue a career in architecture, she remained determined to forge her own path. After experiencing the condescending behavior of an architecture dean, the protagonist’s resolve only grew stronger, reinforcing her desire to take the risk of…
    • Sources and Acknowledgments Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Sources and Acknowledgments is an important section of The Demon of Unrest, where the author delves into the research process and the individuals who contributed to the development of the book. The journey began in early 2020, amidst the global upheaval of the COVID pandemic. At this time, the author became deeply interested in the Civil War, especially the pivotal events at Fort Sumter. The social and political unrest caused by the pandemic made the author question the origins of the war and prompted a…
    • Some Good Thing in the Wind Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Some good thing in the wind seemed to drift through the air in late March 1861, as President Lincoln took steps to assess the pro-Union sentiment in South Carolina, particularly in Charleston. He sent two emissaries, Stephen A. Hurlbut and Ward Lamon, to gauge the local mood following Captain Fox’s recent evaluation of Fort Sumter. Hurlbut, a former South Carolina resident with a less-than-clear past, used his visit under the guise of family matters but quickly reported back to Lincoln on the rising war…
    • Smoke and Cheers Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Smoke and Cheers lingered in the atmosphere at Fort Sumter, where an air of tension and unease prevailed. Captain Doubleday vividly described the fort’s damp, dark, and unfinished state, with only fifteen of the planned one hundred and twenty guns mounted, signaling the incomplete nature of the fortress. Despite its impressive design, intended to safeguard the area from external threats, much of the fort remained under construction. The cluttered interiors, filled with debris, made daily life difficult…
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      Sickened

      Sickened Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Sickened by the unfolding events in Charleston, Edmund Ruffin read Lincoln’s inaugural address, which had been telegraphed to the Mercury on March 4. As the public gathered to listen to Lincoln’s address, Ruffin found his belief in the inevitability of war becoming even stronger. The speech, he believed, only confirmed what he had long suspected—that a direct confrontation was imminent. The possibility that Confederate General Beauregard might move to strike Fort Sumter soon felt like an unavoidable…
    • Seward’s Trick Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Seward’s trick, a politically calculated maneuver, unfolded just days before Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, revealing the intricate webs of political rivalry and strategy that permeated the formation of the new administration. At the heart of the tension was the heated debate surrounding Lincoln’s cabinet, a process marred by various political factions vying for power and influence. While Lincoln had already secured William Seward’s agreement to serve as Secretary of State, other crucial…
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      Seward’s Play

      Seward’s Play Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Seward’s play on April 1, 1861, involved a private meeting with Justice Campbell, who visited the State Department to discuss Governor Pickens’s telegram about the evacuation of Fort Sumter. In this meeting, Secretary Seward prepared a statement for Campbell, revealing that while President Lincoln might consider supplying Fort Sumter, he would first notify Governor Pickens. This announcement left Campbell startled, as he questioned the implications of Seward's wording, which seemed to suggest a level…
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      Scandal

      Scandal Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Scandal loomed over James Hammond’s political career in the late 1850s, particularly following his unexpected nomination to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat in 1857. Hammond, despite facing a series of personal and political challenges, had spent years embroiled in controversy. His previous electoral losses in 1840 and 1842, combined with his involvement in multiple scandals, made his rise to political prominence highly contentious. One of the most damaging aspects of his personal life was his affair with…
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      Salute

      Salute Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Salute marked a turning point in morale and symbolism for the besieged soldiers inside Fort Sumter. The atmosphere inside the fort had grown increasingly grim, not just because of dwindling supplies but also from emotional and psychological exhaustion. Asst. Surgeon Samuel Crawford, who had once maintained an optimistic tone in his letters, now confessed to his brother that he felt physically and mentally drained. The intense stress and constant anticipation of attack weighed on every man stationed within…
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