The Cauldron: A Struggle for Survival

In 1860, the roiling conflict over slavery swept the United States into a war between diehard factions. Several states in the South declared they were no longer part of the Union. On April 12, 1861, Confederate partisans attacked the small Federal force holding Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston harbor. Newly elected President Lincoln raised an army to put down the rebellion. Many veteran officers rose up on both sides to lead the ensuing fight. The burden of the war fell on ordinar...