The Civil War

Title: Article About the Attack on Fort Sumter
Type: Newspaper
Date: 1861
Source: Goodhue County Republican

Description: When Fort Sumter was attacked, signaling the start of the Civil War, the Goodhue County Republican in Red Wing published this account of the event.
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Activities:

1. This article was published about a week after the events at Fort Sumter. Why would it have taken so long for the news to travel?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: News often was sent by telegraph or letter. These methods were slow and not completely dependable, especially during a crisis such as a war. Also, this paper was published only once a week, so information would not get published until a week later.
2. What sources could we find that would help us see different perspectives on the battle at Fort Sumter?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: A newspaper from Charleston, which might present the South's viewpoint of the event. We also might be able to find letters or articles from soldiers or leaders on each side of the issue to get their accounts of the beginning of the war and how it affected their communities.
3. The article states "thousands of persons line the shores to witness the attack." Why do you think this would be?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: During the early phases of the Civil War, it was not uncommon for local citizens to pack picnic lunches and travel out to the battlefield to watch the action. Often these spectators were chased away by fierce fighting or by the defeat of their troops.
4. Why do you think Major Anderson would decide to wait until his supplies were exhausted before surrendering if his defeat looked unavoidable?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The article suggests that he was hoping for reinforcements, but he also probably wanted to make a strong stand against the Confederate troops so it wouldn't look like the Union was giving up too easily or that the South would not feel too sure of their victory.