44 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category
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Chapter
Sickened
In Charleston, on March 4, Edmund Ruffin read the inaugural address, which was delivered via telegraph to the office of the *Mercury*. As the crowd gathered to follow along, Ruffin noted in his diary that the address confirmed his belief that war was imminent. He looked forward to Confederate General Beauregard taking action against Fort Sumter and anticipated that Lincoln might provoke an immediate conflict by trying to reinforce the fort. The excitement in the air was palpable, as Ruffin observed no…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
First Day
On Tuesday, March 5, Lincoln began his tenure with a letter from William Seward, confirming his acceptance of the secretary of state position. Seward reflected on his resignation from Congress, feeling fortunate to have avoided any major fallout. He acknowledged Lincoln's ambition to form a diverse cabinet, one that would face their shared turbulent political climate together, despite many being his former rivals for the Republican nomination. Seward expressed hesitation but felt compelled by duty towards…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Activity and Determination
In the chapter titled "Activity and Determination," set on March 5, the atmosphere surrounding Fort Sumter reflects an increasing urgency and preparation amidst the escalating tensions of the Civil War. The men stationed at Fort Sumter, unable to access Lincoln's inaugural address for two days, observe a notable uptick in activity at the surrounding batteries in Charleston Harbor. This heightened activity is attributed to both the president's speech and the arrival of General Beauregard, who is tasked with…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Commissioners
In the chapter titled "The Commissioners," set between March 9 and March 13, the Confederate commissioners in Washington become aware of the potential evacuation of Fort Sumter by Lincoln’s administration. Rumors of this move incited criticism from Northern critics who saw it as a betrayal of Lincoln's inaugural pledge to maintain federal properties. Despite this backlash, the commissioners felt optimistic, believing they could leverage the situation to their advantage. They conveyed to Robert Toombs,…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
To Lift a Columbiad
In the chapter titled "To Lift a Columbiad," the focus is on the preparations and challenges faced by the soldiers at Fort Sumter under the supervision of Major Anderson. The primary goal was to position ten-inch columbiads—massive fifteen-thousand-pound guns—on the fort's highest tier for optimal effectiveness. The engineering team crafted a block-and-tackle apparatus to facilitate the lifting of these heavy weapons. Despite their efforts, lifting the first columbiad demanded significant brute…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Lincoln
In this chapter of "Lincoln, The Demon of Unrest," events unfold around the tense situation at Fort Sumter in Charleston, raising concerns for President Abraham Lincoln. General Scott's initial suggestion that Sumter be surrendered unsettles Lincoln, prompting him to seek more detailed assessments regarding Major Anderson's capacity to hold the fort given its dwindling supplies. In his letter dated March 9, Lincoln presented three probing questions to Scott, focusing on the duration Anderson could maintain…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Of Spiders and Entrails
In Montgomery, Mary Chesnut immersed herself in the social scene, hosting delegates and their families at her boarding house. On the evening of March 11, she noted a gathering of “judges, governors, senators, generals, congressmen” in her drawing room, where lively stories and gossip circulated. One anecdote shared by her uncle, Judge Withers, was particularly striking: a married couple's quarrel on a bridge escalated to a dramatic point where the man offered to drown himself if his wife didn’t take…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Practice Makes Perfect
**Summary of Chapter: Practice Makes Perfect** In the chapter titled "Practice Makes Perfect," the atmosphere at Fort Sumter is dominated by the sound of cannon fire as Confederate artillery crews engage in practice sessions. This practice is vital, as the firing of heavy guns is both an art and a dangerous endeavor, requiring precision and coordination among the crew, typically consisting of seven men. The term 'gunner' commonly refers to all crew members, but specifically, it is the chief directing the…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Commissioners
On March 15, 1861, two prominent figures, Justice Samuel Nelson from New York and Justice John A. Campbell from Alabama, visited Secretary of State Seward to discuss the status of the Confederate commissioners amid rising tensions. They wished to facilitate a peaceful negotiation to avert war. However, Seward, despite his political savvy, informed them he could not arrange an interview with President Lincoln due to opposition within the Cabinet. Instead, he attempted to calm both sides by suggesting that…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Trust
In the chapter titled "Trust," the narrative unfolds during a tumultuous time in early spring of 1861, particularly focusing on the fate of Fort Sumter. Secretary of State Seward had assured Confederate commissioners that the Fort would be evacuated within five days; however, as March 20 rolled around—the supposed evacuation day—Fort Sumter remained under federal control. Meanwhile, Washington was grappling with an unexpected and brutal cold snap, deepening the sense of urgency for a…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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