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    41 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • The Time Will Come Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Time Will Come, and it begins with Orville Browning writing to Abraham Lincoln concerning the upcoming inaugural address. Browning was deeply concerned about the tone of Lincoln's speech, particularly a passage regarding the reclamation of public properties. He feared that such a statement could provoke the secessionists and escalate tensions with the Southern states. In his letter, Browning emphasized the importance of framing the secessionists as the aggressors, a strategy he believed would help…
    • The Silence Breaks Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Silence Breaks as Abraham Lincoln embarks on his long-awaited journey toward his inauguration. On February 11 and 12, he begins his travels on the Great Western Railroad, passing through various towns in Illinois. As Lincoln makes his way through towns like Illiopolis, Niantic, and Danville, he takes brief moments to step onto the rear platform of his train, offering the public a chance to catch a glimpse of their president-elect. His presence stirs a mix of excitement and curiosity, drawing crowds who…
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      Race Week

      Race Week Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Race Week in Charleston, as depicted in The Demon of Unrest, highlights a period of both festivity and underlying tension. On February 6, 1861, the city’s social calendar was dominated by this grand event, which was met with a mix of excitement and fear as the nation teetered on the brink of war. Governor Pickens, aware of the delicate situation, chose to avoid direct confrontation with Fort Sumter, allowing the celebrations to unfold with little interference. The entire city seemed to halt its routine,…
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      Yard Sale

      Yard Sale Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Yard Sale Yard Sale preparations began on February 9, 1861, as Abraham Lincoln faced the emotional and logistical challenges of leaving his longtime home in Springfield for the uncertainty of Washington. In a modest yet telling moment, Lincoln sold several pieces of household furniture to help cover travel costs. Among the buyers was Samuel H. Melvin, a local dealer in medicinal goods, who paid a total of $82.25—a considerable sum at the time but one that underscored Lincoln's pragmatic approach to…
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      Departure

      Departure Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Departure marked a turning point not only in Abraham Lincoln’s personal life but in the trajectory of the entire nation. As the morning of February 11, 1861, unfolded under overcast skies, the quiet streets of Springfield bore witness to a solemn yet historic farewell. Lincoln, rising early, prepared for what lay ahead with a mixture of composure and visible emotional weight. At the modest Great Western Railroad depot, a crowd gathered despite the rain, representing neighbors, colleagues, and…
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      Dread

      Dread Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dread fills the air as Washington braces for the electoral count and certification of President Lincoln’s election, set for February 13. The city is on edge, with General Scott’s troops and artillery strategically positioned throughout, signaling the Army's commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process from any potential disturbances. Rumors of six thousand armed men assembling in Baltimore circulate, sparking fears that these forces could disrupt the peaceful transition of power in…
    • A Solemn Council Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin A Solemn Council unfolds on February 4 as Lincoln's preparations for his journey to Washington coincided with intense political activity surrounding secession in Virginia. A recent election in Virginia revealed that the majority of the state's delegates favored remaining in the Union, a position reinforced by Lincoln's appointed representative, William Seward, who believed additional compromises would be necessary to maintain this support. This hopeful sentiment was further supported by results from…
    • To Sell or Collide Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin To Sell or Collide, South Carolina was finalizing its plans to attack Fort Sumter in early February, with construction nearly completed at Cummings Point. Major Anderson, stationed at the fort, shared his concerns with Adjutant Cooper, hoping the state would reconsider the attack that had been long anticipated. At the same time, the Hall-Hayne mission to Washington faced challenges due to misunderstandings about the strategic value of the fort. Hayne, the South Carolina Attorney General, arrived at the…
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      Forbearance

      Forbearance Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Forbearance marked the period between January 9–12 as Major Anderson and his troops at Fort Sumter witnessed the Star of the West depart after being fired upon by Fort Moultrie. Despite the clear provocation, Anderson ordered his gunners not to retaliate, which frustrated Captain Doubleday. Doubleday believed that firing back was their duty, seeing it as a necessary act of defense for the American flag. He argued that the failure to act could have jeopardized their position, which was viewed as shocking…
    • A Little Treason Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin A Little Treason unfolded on January 9 when Edmund Ruffin, stationed in Tallahassee to observe Florida's secession convention, learned that the Star of the West had attempted to reinforce Fort Sumter. This news struck a decisive blow to the convention's proceedings, causing those previously hesitant to support secession to embrace it with full vigor. The following morning, the vote to secede passed with overwhelming support, 62 to 7, signaling Florida's commitment to the Southern cause. Ruffin wasted no…
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