In April of 1861, the eyes of all the states turned towards a little-known fortification in Charleston harbor known as Sumter. On that site everything came to tense standoff. Union against Confederate, ambition against loyalty, treason against fidelity. Many men tried to avoid the shedding of blood, yet in the end all their efforts only made the clash inevitable. Or perhaps it was simply that even the most zealous advocates for peace could not avert the desire of others for war.
