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    456 Results with the "Biography" genre


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      Dual Warning

      Dual Warning Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dual Warning captures the critical days surrounding President-elect Abraham Lincoln’s journey to Washington, D.C. on February 21, amidst mounting threats to his safety. The news of an assassination plot against him had reached the ears of several key figures, with General Winfield Scott acting swiftly on the reports he received from Dorothea Dix, who was connected to the railroad executive Samuel Felton. The threat was deemed credible enough for Scott to call upon the expertise of John A. Kennedy, head…
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      Dread

      Dread Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dread fills the air as Washington braces for the electoral count and certification of President Lincoln’s election, set for February 13. The city is on edge, with General Scott’s troops and artillery strategically positioned throughout, signaling the Army's commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process from any potential disturbances. Rumors of six thousand armed men assembling in Baltimore circulate, sparking fears that these forces could disrupt the peaceful transition of power in…
    • Doubleday’s Revenge Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In the chapter titled "Doubleday’s Revenge", the events of April 13, 1861, play a crucial role in the early stages of the Civil War. This day was marked by the ongoing bombardment of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces, beginning a violent chapter that would deeply shape the nation's future. Major Robert Anderson, who commanded the Union garrison at the fort, found himself facing overwhelming odds, with the Confederate forces relentlessly shelling the fort. During this bombardment, the Union flag at the…
    • Dorothea’s Warning Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dorothea’s Warning began on a January Saturday in 1861 when Dorothea Dix arrived at the Philadelphia office of Samuel M. Felton, Sr., the president of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad. While Dix’s original mission was to advocate for humane treatment in asylums, she brought a far more alarming piece of information with her. Having traveled through the South, she shared her troubling discoveries, revealing the growing political unrest and the secessionist movement. Felton, who had…
    • Dismay and Dishonor Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dismay and dishonor unfolded in the tense chapter of "The Demon of Unrest" on April 8, as Southern commissioners and Secretary of State William Seward engaged in a heated exchange. Seward, writing in the third person, framed his perspective on the unfolding events, firmly stating that he did not view the Southern movement as a legitimate revolution or a foundation for an independent nation. Instead, he dismissed it as a passing partisan excitement, emphasizing his belief that it was not worthy of formal…
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      Departure

      Departure Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Departure marked a turning point not only in Abraham Lincoln’s personal life but in the trajectory of the entire nation. As the morning of February 11, 1861, unfolded under overcast skies, the quiet streets of Springfield bore witness to a solemn yet historic farewell. Lincoln, rising early, prepared for what lay ahead with a mixture of composure and visible emotional weight. At the modest Great Western Railroad depot, a crowd gathered despite the rain, representing neighbors, colleagues, and…
    • Dark Magic (A Note to Readers) Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Dark Magic delves into the unsettling similarities between the American Civil War era and modern political crises, especially after the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. As Erik Larson researched the lead-up to the Civil War, particularly the events surrounding Fort Sumter, he was struck by the eerie parallels that began to emerge. Both periods were marked by significant political unrest, with presidential transitions fueling fears of national instability. The historical comparisons between a nation on…
    • Crossing the Bar Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Crossing the Bar, the Star of the West encountered surprisingly clear weather on January 8 as it made its way toward its destination. However, the officer in charge, Lieutenant Woods, was unaware that the mission had been canceled, and he distributed guns and ammunition to the troops, preparing them for action. As the ship approached Charleston around midnight, Captain John McGowan ordered all lights to be extinguished, aiming to prevent the ship from being detected. Despite the darkness, enhanced by the…
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      Crisis

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Crisis unfolded as Edmund Ruffin embarked on a critical journey from his plantation near Gainesville, Florida, to Tallahassee to attend the state secession convention in early January 1861. During his travels, Ruffin was made aware of Major Anderson’s actions at Fort Sumter, which hinted at the potential for imminent conflict. This news fueled Ruffin’s belief that the war could hasten the secession decisions within the convention. Despite Florida's hesitance, Ruffin strongly advocated for swift action,…
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      Confusion

      Confusion Cover
      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…
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