54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • Of Spiders and Entrails Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Of Spiders and Entrails, Mary Chesnut found herself deeply immersed in the social life of Montgomery during early March 1861. She hosted numerous delegates and their families at her boarding house, turning her drawing room into a gathering space for an array of prominent figures. On March 11, the room was filled with “judges, governors, senators, generals, congressmen” engaged in animated conversations, where the exchange of stories and gossip was a constant. Among the many anecdotes, one shared by her…
    • Practice Makes Perfect Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to the precise and dangerous task of artillery firing at Fort Sumter during the Civil War. The air is thick with the sound of cannon fire as Confederate artillery crews engage in practice sessions, essential for honing their skills. These practice drills are crucial, as firing heavy guns demands both precision and coordination among the crew. Typically composed of seven men, the crew, known as cannoneers, operates a single cannon, referred to as a "piece."…
    • The Commissioners Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Commissioners, acting as intermediaries for the Confederate government, visited Secretary of State Seward on March 15, 1861, to discuss the escalating tensions and the possibility of peaceful negotiation. Their goal was to avert war and find a resolution through diplomatic channels. However, despite Seward's political acumen, he informed them that he could not secure an audience with President Lincoln due to opposition from within the Cabinet. Instead, Seward attempted to defuse the situation by…
    • The Commissioners Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Commissioners, representing the Confederate states, found themselves at a critical juncture between March 9 and March 13, 1861, as they attempted to navigate the complex political climate in Washington. They had learned of rumors suggesting the imminent evacuation of Fort Sumter, which would mark a significant shift in the Union’s stance. The news of this potential action was met with fierce criticism from Northern factions who viewed such a move as a betrayal of Lincoln’s promise to preserve…
    • To Lift a Columbiad Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin To Lift a Columbiad, the preparations at Fort Sumter were marked by both physical challenges and strategic planning as Major Anderson and his team worked tirelessly to ready the fort's defenses. The crew's primary task was to position massive fifteen-thousand-pound ten-inch columbiads—heavy artillery designed for long-range fire—on the fort’s highest tier to ensure they were positioned for maximum effectiveness. The installation of these massive weapons required an innovative approach, and the…
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      Lincoln

      Lincoln Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Lincoln found himself in a difficult position on March 9, 1861, as the situation at Fort Sumter grew increasingly tense. General Winfield Scott, who had initially suggested that the fort be surrendered, left Lincoln unsettled. With growing concerns about the fort’s dwindling supplies and the feasibility of maintaining its defense, Lincoln sought more specific answers regarding Major Anderson’s ability to hold the position. In his letter to Scott, Lincoln asked three crucial questions: How long could…
    • Activity and Determination Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Activity and determination were at the forefront of the increasing tensions at Fort Sumter in early March 1861. As President Lincoln’s inaugural address set the tone for the nation’s future, a noticeable surge in military activity around Charleston Harbor caught the attention of the fort’s defenders. The troops stationed at Fort Sumter, unable to access the president’s speech for two days, observed heightened movements and preparations around the surrounding Confederate batteries. General…
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      Relief

      Relief Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Relief spread through the air after the inauguration of March 4, as the anticipated tensions failed to manifest into anything beyond the usual ceremonial proceedings. The entire nation had waited with bated breath for that day, and the absence of major conflict felt like a collective exhale. For many, the inauguration signaled a fresh start, though the shadow of the ongoing crisis still loomed. In a series of letters exchanged between Frances and William Seward, personal and political concerns were shared…
    • A Ball at Sunrise Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin A Ball at Sunrise began on the morning of March 8, with Confederate artillery stationed at Fort Moultrie and Cummings Point firing their guns, initially seeming to be part of a routine practice drill. The first three shots fired were blanks, creating no harm or concern, but the subsequent rounds unexpectedly included a live cannonball. This shot traveled dangerously close to Fort Sumter, striking the water about thirty yards away and ricocheting off the surface, causing damage to the fort's wharf. This…
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      Mystic Chords

      Mystic Chords Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Mystic chords of memory echoed through Washington on Inauguration Day, March 4, as the city seemed to embody a quiet, uneasy atmosphere. Journalist Henry Villard remarked on how the city, despite the federal ban on commercial slave trading, had become increasingly aligned with Southern interests. The presence of a large but declining enslaved population amplified the tensions, tipping the city into an unsettled state, a sentiment that General Scott would later highlight as the situation's fragility. As the…
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