A Diary from Dixie


Book Description

In her diary, Mary Boykin Chesnut, the wife of a Confederate general and aid to president Jefferson Davis, James Chestnut, Jr., presents an eyewitness account of the Civil War.







Allegiance


Book Description

Chronicles the events leading up to the firing of the first shot of the Civil War on April 12, 1861.




The Battle of Fort Sumter


Book Description

Step back in time to April 12-14, 1861, and witness the unfolding of one of the most critical moments in American history with "The Battle of Fort Sumter: An Intriguing Exploration of The Start of the American Civil War" "The Battle of Fort Sumter: An Intriguing Exploration of The Start of the American Civil War" offers readers a comprehensive and engaging journey into the origins, significance, and aftermath of the Battle of Fort Sumter, a critical event that ignited the flames of the Civil War. This meticulously researched and expertly crafted book delves deep into the complexities of the conflict, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of the political, social, and military factors that shaped one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. At the heart of the narrative lies the Battle of Fort Sumter itself, a dramatic and pivotal event that unfolded against the backdrop of mounting tensions between North and South. From the first shots fired on April 12, 1861, to the surrender of the Union garrison two days later, the book paints a vivid and compelling portrait of the siege, capturing the bravery, sacrifice, and human drama that characterized this historic confrontation. But "Fort Sumter" is more than just a chronicle of military maneuvers and strategic decisions. It explores the deeper political and ideological currents that drove the nation to war, from the contentious issue of slavery to the debate over states' rights and federal authority. Through the perspectives of key figures such as Major Robert Anderson, General P.G.T. Beauregard, President Abraham Lincoln, and Jefferson Davis, readers gain insight into the motivations, fears, and aspirations that shaped the course of the conflict. In this exploration, you will learn: The Background of tensions between the North and South The Secession of Southern states and the formation of the Confederate States of America Federal attempts to hold onto forts in the South Significance of controlling Charleston Harbor Political and military importance of Fort Sumter to both the Union and Confederacy Confederate demands for the surrender of Fort Sumter Decision-making process of President Abraham Lincoln Terms of surrender and aftermath of the battle Immediate and long-term consequences of the Battle of Fort Sumter The Profiles of important individuals involved in the Battle of Fort Sumter, including military leaders, politicians, and civilians Throughout the narrative, "Fort Sumter" offers readers a rich and immersive experience, blending meticulous research with vivid storytelling to bring this pivotal moment in American history to life. From the chaos and confusion of the battlefield to the halls of power in Washington, D.C., the book explores the human drama and political intrigue that shaped the course of the war. As the book draws to a close, it invites readers to reflect on the lasting impact of the Battle of Fort Sumter and its enduring significance in the annals of American history. By understanding and grappling with this legacy, readers are challenged to confront the complexities of American history and to seek a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped the nation's past, present, and future.




1861


Book Description

A gripping and original account of how the Civil War began and a second American revolution unfolded, setting Abraham Lincoln on the path to greatness and millions of slaves on the road to freedom. An epic of courage and heroism beyond the battlefields, 1861 introduces us to a heretofore little-known cast of Civil War heroes—among them an acrobatic militia colonel, an explorer’s wife, an idealistic band of German immigrants, a regiment of New York City firemen, a community of Virginia slaves, and a young college professor who would one day become president. Their stories take us from the corridors of the White House to the slums of Manhattan, from the waters of the Chesapeake to the deserts of Nevada, from Boston Common to Alcatraz Island, vividly evoking the Union at its moment of ultimate crisis and decision. Hailed as “exhilarating….Inspiring…Irresistible…” by The New York Times Book Review, Adam Goodheart’s bestseller 1861 is an important addition to the Civil War canon. Includes black-and-white photos and illustrations.




Why the Civil War Came


Book Description

In the early morning of April 12, 1861, Captain George S. James ordered the bombardment of Fort Sumter, beginning a war that would last four years and claim many lives. This book brings together a collection of voices to help explain the commencement of Am.




Mary Chesnut's Civil War


Book Description

An authorized account of the Civil War, drawn from the diaries of a Southern aristocrat, records the disintegration and final destruction of the Confederacy




The Greatest Civil War Battles


Book Description

*Explains the events that led up to the Battle of Fort Sumter, including the preparations in Charleston Harbor on both sides. *Includes accounts of the fighting and reports by Beauregard, Anderson, Doubleday, and other participants. *Includes pictures of important people and places. "I am of the opinion that, if Sumter was properly garrisoned and armed, it would be a perfect Gibraltar to anything but constant shelling, night and day, from the four points of the compass. As it is, the weakness of the garrison constitutes our greatest advantage, and we must, for the present, turn our attention to preventing it from being re-enforced." - P.G.T. Beauregard At 4:30 a.m. on the morning of April 12, 1861, Confederate Brigadier-General P.G.T. Beauregard ordered the first shots to be fired at the federal garrison defending Fort Sumter in the Charleston Harbor, effectively igniting the Civil War. For nearly 36 hours, Beauregard's Confederates unleashed a general bombardment from 43 guns and mortars positioned at various points across the Harbor, including at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan Island, Fort Johnson off James Island, Cummings Point on Morrison Island, and a specially designed floating battery. Almost immediately, the inherent weakness of Fort Sumter became apparent to its defenders. The fort had been designed to withstand a naval assault, and naval warships of that time did not mount guns capable of elevating high enough to shoot over the walls of forts, but the Confederates' land-based cannons could lob artillery shells and mortar directly inside Fort Sumter. Though the defenders managed to protect themselves inside the Fort, their return fire was completely ineffective, and by the morning of April 13 the Fort was on fire, threatening the garrison. Unable to effectively reply or defend themselves, Major Robert Anderson raised the white flag early in the afternoon of April 13, bringing the first battle of the Civil War to a close. No casualties were suffered on either side during the dueling bombardments across Charleston Harbor, but ironically two U.S. Army soldiers were killed by an accidental explosion during the surrender ceremonies. Fort Sumter is popularly remembered today as the first fighting of the Civil War, and a relatively painless battle at that, but much of the history before April 12 that led to the shelling of the fort is often overlooked. The federal garrison had been stationed there months before the fight, carefully watching the secession of South Carolina, the buildup of Confederate forces in the region, and the actions of the Buchanan Administration and incoming Lincoln administration in the weeks leading up to the bombardment. The Greatest Civil War Battles: The Battle of Fort Sumter comprehensively covers the events that led up to the battle, the fighting itself, and the aftermath of the battle. Accounts of the battle by important participants like P.G.T. Beauregard, Robert Anderson and Abner Doubleday are also included. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Battle of Fort Sumter like you never have before, in no time at all.




Lincoln's Spies


Book Description

This major addition to the history of the Civil War is a “fast-paced, fact-rich account” (The Wall Street Journal) offering a detailed look at President Abraham Lincoln’s use of clandestine services and the secret battles waged by Union spies and agents to save the nation—filled with espionage, sabotage, and intrigue. Veteran CIA correspondent Douglas Waller delivers a riveting account of the heroes and misfits who carried out a shadow war of espionage and covert operations behind the Confederate battlefields. Lincoln’s Spies follows four agents from the North—three men and one woman—who informed Lincoln’s generals on the enemy positions for crucial battles and busted up clandestine Rebel networks. Famed detective Allan Pinkerton mounted a successful covert operation to slip Lincoln through Baltimore before his inauguration after he learns of an assassination attempt from his agents working undercover as Confederate soldiers. But he proved less than competent as General George McClellan’s spymaster, delivering faulty intelligence reports that overestimated Confederate strength. George Sharpe, an erudite New York lawyer, succeeded Pinkerton as spymaster for the Union’s Army of the Potomac. Sharpe deployed secret agents throughout the South, planted misinformation with Robert E. Lee’s army, and outpaced anything the enemy could field. Elizabeth Van Lew, a Virginia heiress who hated slavery and disapproved of secession, was one of Sharpe’s most successful agents. She ran a Union spy ring in Richmond out of her mansion with dozens of agents feeding her military and political secrets that she funneled to General Ulysses S. Grant as his army closed in on the Confederate capital. Van Lew became one of the unsung heroes of history. Lafayette Baker was a handsome Union officer with a controversial past, whose agents clashed with Pinkerton’s operatives. He assembled a retinue of disreputable spies, thieves, and prostitutes to root out traitors in Washington, DC. But he failed at his most important mission: uncovering the threat to Lincoln from John Wilkes Booth and his gang. Behind these operatives was Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents, who was an avid consumer of intelligence and a ruthless aficionado of clandestine warfare, willing to take whatever chances necessary to win the war. Lincoln’s Spies is a “meticulous chronicle of all facets of Lincoln’s war effort” (Kirkus Reviews) and an excellent choice for those wanting “a cracking good tale” (Publishers Weekly) of espionage in the Civil War.




A Southern Girl in '61


Book Description