54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • 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…
    • Chapter

      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 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…
    • Chapter

      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…
    • Chapter

      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…
    • Chapter

      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…
    • The Correspondent Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Correspondent, William Russell of the London Times, found himself in the midst of a historic and tense moment on Thursday, April 11, when he dined at the home of General Winfield Scott, who commanded the military forces in Washington. Upon his arrival, Russell was greeted by soldiers on horseback patrolling the streets, setting the tone for what would be an evening of considerable political and military significance. Inside, the dinner was attended by influential figures, including William Seward, the…
    • Chapter

      Perfidy

      Perfidy Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Perfidy marked a pivotal moment on April 9, when Governor Pickens, General Beauregard, and former federal judge Andrew G. Magrath gathered in Pickens's office at the Charleston Hotel to discuss a sensitive matter. The delivery of mail addressed to Fort Sumter had been halted by Beauregard’s order, sparking a tense conversation among the three men. They were acutely aware of the gravity of the situation, with the looming conflict with the Union putting them in a difficult moral position. While the…
    Note