Confederate commissioners to the United States, Martin Crawford of Georgia (illustration, a Southern Baptist) and John Forsyth of Alabama propose, to U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, a peaceful solution to the hostilities between the two nations. Basically, Crawford and Forsyth maintain the rightness of the southern “revolution” that has established an independent nation, and…
North and South, Sumter is the talk of the American nations. Widespread is the anticipation of a Confederate attack upon Fort Sumter, located off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. Even as the North celebrates Lincoln‘s election, and with the gaiety of his inaugural ball yet lingering, the president ponders his options. Sumter, commanded by…
The Confederate Congress and Confederate President Jefferson Davis issue a call for 100,000 volunteer soldiers to serve for twelve months. Yet uncertainty surrounds the fate of Deep South states not yet committed to the southern cause; Union sentiment remains strong in Tennessee and North Carolina. In the Upper South, Virginia is tipping toward secession. Meanwhile,…