Dissonance - The Turbulent Days Between Fort Sumter and Bull Run

For two weeks in 1861, Washington, D.C., was locked in a state of panic. Would the newly formed Confederate States of America launch its first attack on the Union by capturing the nation's capital? Would Lincoln's Union fall before it had a chance to fight?

Wedged between Virginia and Maryland-two states bordering on secession-Washington was isolated; its communications lines were cut, its rail lines blocked. Newly recruited volunteers were too few and were unable to enter the city. A recently inaugurated Lincoln struggled to form a plan-defense or attack?

In this final chapter of his trilogy on the Civil War, David Detzer pulls the drama from this pivotal moment in American history straight from the pages of diaries, letters, and newspapers. With an eye for detail and an ear for the voices of average citizens, he beautifully captures the tense, miasmic atmosphere of these first chaotic days of war.

About the author

David Detzer is professor emeritus of history with Connecticut State University. He is the author of several books, including Allegiance: Fort Sumter, Charleston, and the Beginning of the Civil War; and The Brink: Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and several dogs.

Summary

For two weeks in 1861, Washington, D.C., was locked in a state of panic. Would the newly formed Confederate States of America launch its first attack on the Union by capturing the nation’s capital? Would Lincoln’s Union fall before it had a chance to fight?

Wedged between Virginia and Maryland—two states bordering on secession—Washington was isolated; its communications lines were cut, its rail lines blocked. Newly recruited volunteers were too few and were unable to enter the city. A recently inaugurated Lincoln struggled to form a plan—defense or attack?

In this final chapter of his trilogy on the Civil War, David Detzer pulls the drama from this pivotal moment in American history straight from the pages of diaries, letters, and newspapers. With an eye for detail and an ear for the voices of average citizens, he beautifully captures the tense, miasmic atmosphere of these first chaotic days of war.

Product details

• Authors: David Detzer
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 07.05.2007
• EAN: 9780156030649
• ISBN: 978-0-15-603064-9
• No. of pages: 400
• Weight: 390 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Local History, United States of America, USA, General and world history, History of the Americas, The Americas, US West, Irregular or guerrilla forces and warfare, Civil wars, US Midwest, c 1765 to 1783 (American Revolutionary period), c 1783 to c 1800 (American Federalist era), HISTORY: WORLD, HISTORY: Military / United States, HISTORY: United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877), HISTORY: United States / General, HISTORY: United States / Colonial Period (1600-1775), HISTORY: United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800), HISTORY: Americas (North, Central, South, West Indies), HISTORY: Military / Nuclear Warfare, HISTORY: Military / Guerilla Warfare