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    44 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • 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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      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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      Sickened

      Sickened Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Sickened by the unfolding events in Charleston, Edmund Ruffin read Lincoln’s inaugural address, which had been telegraphed to the Mercury on March 4. As the public gathered to listen to Lincoln’s address, Ruffin found his belief in the inevitability of war becoming even stronger. The speech, he believed, only confirmed what he had long suspected—that a direct confrontation was imminent. The possibility that Confederate General Beauregard might move to strike Fort Sumter soon felt like an unavoidable…
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      First Day

      First Day Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin On March 5, the first day of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, he was immediately thrust into the turbulent realities of leading a deeply divided nation. He received a letter from William Seward, who had agreed to serve as Secretary of State, confirming his acceptance of the position. Seward reflected on his resignation from Congress, acknowledging the delicate political landscape and how fortunate he felt to have avoided major fallout from his decision. Despite their past rivalry during the Republican…
    • Seward’s Trick Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Seward’s trick, a politically calculated maneuver, unfolded just days before Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, revealing the intricate webs of political rivalry and strategy that permeated the formation of the new administration. At the heart of the tension was the heated debate surrounding Lincoln’s cabinet, a process marred by various political factions vying for power and influence. While Lincoln had already secured William Seward’s agreement to serve as Secretary of State, other crucial…
    • Interesting News Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Interesting news was circulating around Fort Sumter as Private Millens wrote to his father about the increasing military presence in Charleston between March 1 and 3. He observed that fortifications around the area were nearing completion, and Morris Island had been transformed into a highly fortified position with multiple batteries. Millens also mentioned a new weapon under development, a floating battery, which was nearing readiness but was also cumbersome. This new addition to the Confederate arsenal…
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      On the Scent

      On the Scent Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin On the scent of impending conflict, John Delane, the editor of the Times in London, grew increasingly concerned about the escalating political tensions in the United States. Following Abraham Lincoln’s election, the conflict between the Southern states and the Union intensified, raising the possibility of violence breaking out. Delane recognized that the situation in America could be an engaging topic for his British readers, many of whom might find some measure of satisfaction in witnessing the turmoil…
    • The Old Gentlemen Pay a Call Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Old Gentlemen Pay a Call begins with an important and symbolic moment on February 23, when President-elect Abraham Lincoln, newly arrived in Washington, hosted a reception at the Willard Hotel for delegates of the Washington Peace Convention. Among the distinguished guests was William Cabell Rives, a former congressman and senator from Virginia, known for his unionist beliefs despite being a slave owner with nearly a hundred slaves. Rives had long supported the preservation of the Union and believed…
    • Mary Chesnut’s Diary Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Mary Chesnut’s Diary offers a vivid glimpse into the complexities of life during the early days of the Confederacy. Starting on February 23, 1861, Mary arrived in Montgomery with her husband, James, who was a delegate at the Confederacy's founding convention. Although the journey was taxing and left Mary feeling unwell, her mood improved upon reuniting with James, who was deeply engrossed in his work. After attending church, Mary hosted a dinner for relatives and influential figures, including Judge…
    • The Premier’s Advice Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Premier’s Advice delves into the final stages of Abraham Lincoln’s preparations for his inaugural address, a pivotal moment in American history. As tensions between the Union and the Southern states intensify, Lincoln seeks the counsel of key figures, including Francis P. Blair, Sr., and William Seward, who offer differing perspectives on the nation’s crisis. Blair is wholeheartedly supportive of Lincoln’s draft, believing it holds the potential to heal the nation’s divisions. However, Seward…
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