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    456 Results with the "Biography" genre


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      Perfidy

      Perfidy Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Perfidy marked a pivotal moment on April 9, when Governor Pickens, General Beauregard, and former federal judge Andrew G. Magrath gathered in Pickens's office at the Charleston Hotel to discuss a sensitive matter. The delivery of mail addressed to Fort Sumter had been halted by Beauregard’s order, sparking a tense conversation among the three men. They were acutely aware of the gravity of the situation, with the looming conflict with the Union putting them in a difficult moral position. While the…
    • Rumor and Cannon Fire Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Rumor and cannon fire swept through Charleston on April 9, as Mary Chesnut, despite battling a bad cold, was preparing to return to her Mulberry plantation. Initially hesitant to leave, a visit from her friend Robert Gourdin persuaded her to change her mind. Their conversation took an unexpected turn when John Manning entered the room with dramatic news, declaring that "your country is invaded." He claimed that six warships were positioned off the coast, and messengers Talbot and Chew brought more…
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      Preparations

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Preparations for the looming conflict were at the forefront of Major Robert Anderson's mind on Wednesday, April 10, as the situation at Fort Sumter became increasingly dire. The primary concern was the dwindling food supply, which had forced Anderson to implement half rations for the garrison. These rations, he predicted, would only last two more days, barely covering the period until dinnertime on April 12. The soldiers, in an effort to conserve what little they had, resorted to scavenging rice from…
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      Confusion

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Confusion reigned in Charleston on April 11 as General P.G.T. Beauregard prepared for the upcoming battle at Fort Sumter. Despite the mounting tension, Beauregard was unready for war, struggling with a severe shortage of gunpowder, which limited the fort’s defensive capabilities. The situation was made more precarious by the fact that only a few hours’ worth of ammunition was available. A fresh supply was expected to arrive from Augusta, Georgia, but the journey was fraught with risk, as the transport…
    • The Correspondent Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Correspondent, William Russell of the London Times, found himself in the midst of a historic and tense moment on Thursday, April 11, when he dined at the home of General Winfield Scott, who commanded the military forces in Washington. Upon his arrival, Russell was greeted by soldiers on horseback patrolling the streets, setting the tone for what would be an evening of considerable political and military significance. Inside, the dinner was attended by influential figures, including William Seward, the…
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      Four Telegrams

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter titled "Four Telegrams" represents a critical moment in the historical buildup to the Civil War, offering a glimpse into the tense communications that shaped the early decisions of Confederate leadership. Dated April 10, 1861, the telegrams exchanged between Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and L. P. Walker, the Confederate Secretary of War, reveal a pivotal moment of military strategy. These exchanges, beginning with a telegram from Montgomery, urged immediate action…
    • The Sumter Expedition Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Sumter Expedition's critical moment began on the morning of April 12, when the warship Pawnee arrived near Charleston, joining the Harriet Lane and Captain Fox’s ship, the Baltic. This was part of the initial plan to deliver supplies to Fort Sumter, yet the mission faced delays due to the absence of tugboats and warships like the Powhatan and Pocahontas, which were supposed to provide crucial support. The Baltic, alongside the Pawnee and Harriet Lane, was left to navigate the situation with a sense…
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      Sunrise

      Sunrise Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin As the first light of Sunrise illuminated the battered walls of Fort Sumter on April 12, Captain Doubleday and his fellow officers braced themselves for the long-awaited confrontation. The men gathered in the mess hall, hastily consuming a meager breakfast of salt pork, farina, and rice, knowing it might be their last meal before exhaustion took over. Despite the tension, a quiet sense of duty filled the room as the officers finalized their strategies and prepared their men for the barrage that was sure to…
    • The Angel of Death Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Angel of Death seemed to hang over Charleston on the morning of April 12, 1861, as Captain Gustavus Fox aboard the Baltic struggled to find his fellow Union ships. Despite the treacherous weather, Fox searched the dark waters for any sign of the expected Powhatan, but all he could find were the stormy seas and the uncertainty of the situation. The Baltic was dangerously close to Rattlesnake Shoal, nearly running aground, but with quick maneuvering, the ship was freed. It was then that Fox spotted the…
    • The Sumter Expedition Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The Sumter Expedition marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing tension between the Union and the Confederacy. Captain Fox, standing at the forefront of this precarious mission, felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. The absence of the powerful Powhatan left him with limited options, and he knew that attempting to navigate the dangerous waters of Charleston Harbor without sufficient firepower could lead to disaster. However, the urgency of the situation made it clear that an immediate solution…
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