Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
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.
President Lincoln gets advice on what to do about Fort Sumter and decides to send someone there to assess the garrison’s condition.
Three Confederate commissioners go to Washington to negotiate the peaceful transfer of Fort Sumter from U.S to Confederate hands.