Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
President Lincoln overrides General Scott’s recommendation by ordering the reinforcement of Fort Pickens at Pensacola.
President Abraham Lincoln holds a cabinet meeting regarding the situations at Forts Sumter and Pickens, and he comes to a fateful decision.
General Winfield Scott writes a shocking letter recommending the abandonment of not only Fort Sumter but Fort Pickens as well.
The upper south and the southwest remain uncommitted to the idea of secession for now.
President Lincoln sends agents to Charleston to see if any Unionist sentiment can be found there. He soon learns there cannot.
Sam Houston is deposed as governor of Texas for refusing to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.