44 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category
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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
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
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
Relief
The chapter titled "Relief" unfolds in the wake of Inauguration Day, a day previously fraught with tension and anxiety. Now that March 4 has passed without incident, a sense of relief permeates the atmosphere. Correspondence between Frances and William Seward reveals both personal and political concerns. Frances writes from freezing Auburn, New York, addressing the health of a family friend, Ethan Warden, whose illness she attributes to anxiety over the inauguration. Despite the grim circumstances, she…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
A Ball at Sunrise
**Summary of "A Ball at Sunrise"** On the morning of March 8, Confederate artillery stationed at Fort Moultrie and Cummings Point initiated fire, seemingly as a practice drill. Initially, the first three shots fired were blank, followed by additional blank discharges until an unexpected real shot soared through the air, landing dangerously close to Fort Sumter. This cannonball struck the water about thirty yards from the fort, ricocheting and damaging Sumter’s wharf, which led to a swift response from…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Mystic Chords
The chapter "Mystic Chords" opens with a reflection on Washington, noting its unusual quietness and somber atmosphere on Inauguration Day, March 4. Journalist Henry Villard comments on the city's transformation into a Southern-centric locale despite the federal ban on commercial slave trading. With a significant but decreasing enslaved population, tensions were palpable, tipping the city into a state of unrest, as General Scott remarked on the fragile situation. Lincoln, struggling with anxiety about his…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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