The account
of this crisis which has been given by Lincoln's private
secretary is interesting:
"That day there was little change in the business routine of the
Executive office. Mr. Lincoln was never liable to sudden
excitement or sudden activity.... So while the Sumter telegrams
were on every tongue...leading men and officials called to learn
or impart the news. The Cabinet, as by common impulse, came
together and deliberated. All talk, however, was brief,
sententious, formal. Lincoln said but little beyond making
inquiries about the current reports and criticizing the
probability or accuracy of their details, and went on as usual
receiving visitors, listening to suggestions, and signing routine
papers throughout the day." Meanwhile the cannon were booming at
Charleston. The people came out on the sea-front of the lovely
old city and watched the duel of the cannon far down the harbor,
and spoke joyously of the great event. They saw the shells of
the shore batteries ignite portions of the fortress on the
island. They watched the fire of the defenders--driven by the
flames into a restricted area--slacken and cease. At last the
flag of the Union fluttered down from above Fort Sumter.
When the news flashed over the North, early Sunday morning, April
14th, the tension broke.
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