Sesquicentennial of Commencement of the Civil War (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

Today, April 12, is the 150th anniversary of the commencement of the Civil War, which many of you undoubtedly know.

The New York Times has published two interesting articles.

The first is by Ken Burns, entititled A Conflict's Acoustic Shadows and can be accessed here.

The second is by Edward Ball, entitled An American Tragedy and can be accessed here.

Both focus on the War's lingering legacy. In this vein, I'd like to recommend David Blight's book, Race and Reunion about the Civil War in American memory.

Lastly, the Times' Disunion blog today talks about the floating battery, its role in the shelling of Fort Sumpter and one of its stalwarts, Lt. Frank Harleston, scion of an illustrious Southern family. That article can be accessed here.

 

[Captain]

I always considered the January 9th date as the start of the war. That was when Cadets from the Citadel fired on the "Star of the West".

 

[jazzeum]

That's an interesting thought. You could also say that hostilities had already brokent out in the hearts and minds of the country a long time before that and that the firing on the Star of the West and the Fort was just the physical proof of an accomplished fact.

 

[Sans Culotte]

Today, April 12, is the 150th anniversary of the commencement of the Civil War, which many of you undoubtedly know.

The New York Times has published two interesting articles.

The first is by Ken Burns, entititled A Conflict's Acoustic Shadows and can be accessed here.

The second is by Edward Ball, entitled An American Tragedy and can be accessed here.

Both focus on the War's lingering legacy. In this vein, I'd like to recommend David Blight's book, Race and Reunion about the Civil War in American memory.

Lastly, the Times' Disunion blog today talks about the floating battery, its role in the shelling of Fort Sumpter and one of its stalwarts, Lt. Frank Harleston, scion of an illustrious Southern family. That article can be accessed here.

Thanks for some worthwhile articles. Please pass it along to others that Ancestry.com is offering FREE Civil War records searches through April 14th.

 

[Scott]

I always considered the January 9th date as the start of the war. That was when Cadets from the Citadel fired on the "Star of the West".

"SIR! Cadet G. E. Hainsworth and Cadet S. B. Pickens..SIR!

(George Edward Haynsworth and Samuel Bonneau Pickens)

 

[Captain]

That's an interesting thought. You could also say that hostilities had already brokent out in the hearts and minds of the country a long time before that and that the firing on the Star of the West and the Fort was just the physical proof of an accomplished fact.

And you can also say that a 10 inch columbiad projectile makes a much bigger impression than a heartfelt thought.