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    392 Results with the "Biography" genre


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      Seward’s Play

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Seward’s play on April 1, 1861, involved a private meeting with Justice Campbell, who visited the State Department to discuss Governor Pickens’s telegram about the evacuation of Fort Sumter. In this meeting, Secretary Seward prepared a statement for Campbell, revealing that while President Lincoln might consider supplying Fort Sumter, he would first notify Governor Pickens. This announcement left Campbell startled, as he questioned the implications of Seward's wording, which seemed to suggest a level…
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      Scandal

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Scandal loomed over James Hammond’s political career in the late 1850s, particularly following his unexpected nomination to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat in 1857. Hammond, despite facing a series of personal and political challenges, had spent years embroiled in controversy. His previous electoral losses in 1840 and 1842, combined with his involvement in multiple scandals, made his rise to political prominence highly contentious. One of the most damaging aspects of his personal life was his affair with…
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      Salute

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Salute marked a turning point in morale and symbolism for the besieged soldiers inside Fort Sumter. The atmosphere inside the fort had grown increasingly grim, not just because of dwindling supplies but also from emotional and psychological exhaustion. Asst. Surgeon Samuel Crawford, who had once maintained an optimistic tone in his letters, now confessed to his brother that he felt physically and mentally drained. The intense stress and constant anticipation of attack weighed on every man stationed within…
    • Russell, of the Times Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Russell, of the Times, arrived in New York City on March 17, eager to observe the contrasts that the city presented. As he walked through the bustling streets, he was struck by the sight of forty or fifty Irishmen in green sashes marching towards mass, a sharp contrast to the more fashionable attire of domestics and free Blacks that he saw around him. The streets were crowded with people, and though there was much activity, the remnants of winter were still clear to see—dirty snow and slush covered…
    • 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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      Resilience

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Resilience within the slave trade during January 1860 is evident, even as the country grappled with the consequences of John Brown’s failed raid and the mounting sectional tensions across the nation. The events of the raid may have rattled the political climate, but they did little to deter the thriving trade in enslaved individuals. Hector Davis, a well-established slave trader in Richmond, noted the market’s success, calling it “very brisk.” Remarkably, young men, particularly those in good…
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      Relief

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Relief spread through the air after the inauguration of March 4, as the anticipated tensions failed to manifest into anything beyond the usual ceremonial proceedings. The entire nation had waited with bated breath for that day, and the absence of major conflict felt like a collective exhale. For many, the inauguration signaled a fresh start, though the shadow of the ongoing crisis still loomed. In a series of letters exchanged between Frances and William Seward, personal and political concerns were shared…
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      Race Week

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Race Week in Charleston, as depicted in The Demon of Unrest, highlights a period of both festivity and underlying tension. On February 6, 1861, the city’s social calendar was dominated by this grand event, which was met with a mix of excitement and fear as the nation teetered on the brink of war. Governor Pickens, aware of the delicate situation, chose to avoid direct confrontation with Fort Sumter, allowing the celebrations to unfold with little interference. The entire city seemed to halt its routine,…
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      Query

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Query surrounding the fort's reinforcement prompted Major Anderson to seek out comprehensive assessments from his officers regarding the necessary personnel and ships to ensure Fort Sumter’s defense. On February 28, Anderson requested individual reports from his officers, hoping their evaluations of the daunting task of reinforcing the fort would highlight the immense logistical challenges involved. By collecting these assessments, Anderson sought to emphasize the severity of the situation, thereby…
    • Prologue: Our Migrant Souls Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Prologue: Our Migrant Souls delves into the layered and diverse histories of individuals from various Latin American backgrounds, exploring how migration impacts their identities and experiences. The narrative begins with the author's interaction with a young woman who carries a unique blend of heritage from Honduras, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. This woman, who is undocumented, opens up about her journey, revealing the complex realities of her life as an immigrant. Her struggles, including the emotional toll…
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