44 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category
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Chapter
The Unfairness of It All
In the chapter titled "The Unfairness of It All," the narrative focuses on James Buchanan's sentiments surrounding Lincoln's election and the turmoil facing his presidency. Buchanan, who became president in 1857, yearned for unity and peace, expressing frustration that he might not be able to complete his term without unrest. He had hoped to restore harmony among the states during his presidency but was confronted with escalating tensions, particularly regarding the debate over slavery in Kansas. This…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Scent of Rebellion
In the chapter "The Scent of Rebellion," we follow Edmund Ruffin's fervent journey post-election, motivated by his belief that South Carolina would lead the charge for secession after Lincoln's victory in 1860. Arriving in Columbia on November 10, 1860, he found himself celebrated as a hero, a stark contrast to his experiences back in Virginia. Remarkably, students from South Carolina College even requested him to speak, although he hesitated due to fear of failure. Nevertheless, he reveled in the…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Chasm
In June 1858, following James Hammond’s departure from Washington, Abraham Lincoln captured attention at the Republican Illinois State Convention by securing the nomination for the U.S. Senate. Aged forty-nine, Lincoln was set to face the younger Democratic incumbent, Stephen Douglas. Their competition fostered significant interest, especially given their contrasting physical presences—Lincoln’s height of six-foot-four surpassing Douglas’s stature significantly. During the convention closing,…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Rubicon
In October 1859, Edmund Ruffin despaired over his unsuccessful attempts to incite disunion in Virginia, exhaustively advocating for secession and denouncing Northern "tyranny." Described as a “fiery agent of disunion,” his physical appearance matched his intense persona—shoulder-length white hair and a sharp demeanor. At sixty-five, feeling ignored and regarded as a fanatic, he contemplated suicide amid personal tragedies. His life felt wearisome, and his passion for reading waned, leading him to…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Resilience
In January 1860, despite the recent raid led by Brown and the ensuing chaos, the slave trade remained robust. Prices for enslaved individuals were surging; Hector Davis, a trader from Richmond, noted the prosperity of the market, declaring it “very brisk indeed.” He remarked that the price of young men had reached unprecedented heights. Meanwhile, in Charleston, Ryan’s Mart was bustling with activity, hosting numerous slave auctions throughout the month. A staggering total of 658 enslaved Black…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Awakening
James Henry Hammond, an atypical planter in the South during the 19th century, was a prominent figure influenced by his minority status at birth. Born in 1807 to a failed father, Hammond was instilled with immense ambition and a yearning for recognition. Educated at a modest preparatory school, he attended South Carolina College thanks to his father’s role as a steward there. The college maintained strict rules to uphold gentlemanly behavior while fostering a fierce sensitivity to honor among its male…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
The Vile Wretch in Petticoats
**The Vile Wretch in Petticoats, The Demon of Unrest** In Washington, South Carolina’s congress representatives found a new source of anger beyond abolitionist petitions when the *National Era*, an antislavery newspaper, published the serialized novel *Uncle Tom’s Cabin* by Harriet Beecher Stowe on June 5, 1851. The portrayal of slavery in this novel incited outrage. The narrative begins in a Kentucky dining parlor, where two men, including one named Haley, a slave trader, plot to purchase a slave…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Scandal
In the politically charged years between 1857 and 1858, James Hammond, a figure marked by controversy and scandal, was unexpectedly nominated to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat following the death of its previous occupant. Hammond's political career had been tumultuous, characterized by a significant electoral loss in 1840 and a narrow victory in 1842 for the governorship. Despite his political ambition, his reputation was tainted by a scandalous affair involving his young nieces, which had begun in…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
A Boat in the Dark
In the early hours of April 12, 1861, amidst a tumultuous stormy night, a boat carrying four enslaved rowers approached Fort Sumter, conveying three Confederate officers. As they rowed through choppy waters from Charleston, they reached the fort, now transformed from a relic into a formidable stronghold under Major Robert Anderson. However, the fort was significantly undermanned with only seventy-five soldiers defending against a backdrop of mounting tensions over dwindling food supplies cut off by…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Cataclysm
On November 6, 1860, Springfield, Illinois, came alive as cannon fire signaled Election Day. Despite tensions across the nation, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as citizens flocked to vote. The election featured multiple candidates, with Abraham Lincoln seen as a frontrunner. The outcome was uncertain; if no majority emerged, the decision would fall to the House of Representatives. As Springfield’s residents mobilized toward the polling place, the local ice cream parlor welcomed Republican…-
261.4 K • Ongoing
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