Tea and Angst were pervasive throughout Charleston on April 13, as the city grappled with the heavy tension in the air. Despite the relief experienced the previous evening when it was reported that no Confederate troops had been injured during the bombardment, the reality of the ongoing conflict remained undeniable. The day began with a burst of sunlight after the morning rain, which only illuminated the rising columns of black smoke from Fort Sumter. The Union fleet’s inaction, with ships stationed just offshore, ignited the anger of the onlookers who believed that their enemies’ failure to engage was a sign of cowardice. While the city could not escape the stark reality of war, there was a strange juxtaposition of celebratory fireworks and ominous cannon fire, marking the fragile hope for peace and the harsh truth of the nation’s divisions.

Inside the Mills House hotel, the women’s usual routines were completely disrupted by the chaos outside. Despite the usual morning activities, such as breakfast and tea, the constant barrage of artillery prevented them from partaking in a proper meal. Instead, the women’s fragile attempts to carry on their normal routines were replaced by tea trays delivered throughout the corridors, a token gesture to maintain some sense of order in the midst of chaos. The enslaved Black servants continued to provide service, but Mary noted their indifferent demeanor, which contrasted sharply with the nervous energy of the women around them. Their apparent calmness caused Mary to question whether they were numb to the violence surrounding them or if, perhaps, they held a different understanding of the situation.

Mary’s conversations with Mrs. Wigfall and others revealed that different women coped with the rising tension in unique ways. Some turned inward, retreating to their rooms, while others, like Mary, found comfort in the company of familiar faces, sharing cups of tea and quietly discussing the turmoil they faced. Faith and prayer offered a small solace to the women, with many finding comfort in the hope that divine favor would be granted to their side, yet privately, Mary observed that the doubt in their hearts could not be erased by simple prayers. Amidst the storm of uncertainty, the figure of Louisa Hamilton emerged as a welcome distraction, her lighthearted excitement over her husband’s invention of a floating battery momentarily lifting the spirits of those around her. Still, the overwhelming cloud of war hung heavy, and Louisa’s stories about her baby, who mimicked the sound of the booming cannon, underscored the deepening divide between innocence and the impending conflict.

The calm demeanor of the enslaved workers provided a sharp contrast to the rising tension of the day, with their muted reactions suggesting either an acute awareness of their own position or an eerie detachment from the chaos unfolding around them. As Mary observed the serenity with which they moved through the hotel, she couldn’t help but wonder what lay behind their seemingly passive acceptance. Were they unaffected by the events around them, or was their stoicism a reflection of their long-standing submission to the violence of their circumstances? This dissonance between the women’s anxiety and the servants’ indifference provided a subtle reminder of the inequities that shaped Charleston’s society.

Just as the women tried to navigate the overwhelming atmosphere of war and uncertainty, the entrance of Colonel Manning brought another layer of complexity to their day. His grandiose tales of bravery and pride in the face of conflict were delivered with an air of boastful confidence, leaving the women both intrigued and repelled. His exaggerated stories about being under fire and his proud recounting of his own valor stood in stark contrast to the palpable anxiety in the air. While the women were drawn into his tales, their underlying fear of what the future held was hard to ignore. This moment encapsulated the emotional turbulence of Charleston’s residents as they grappled with the volatile mix of pride, fear, and hope, each feeling the weight of the war in different ways. With each passing moment, the women and their families felt the ever-looming presence of the conflict, not just on the battlefield but in every conversation, every look, and every hesitant step taken amid the uncertainty of war.