American History Hit The First 12 Days of the Civil War
Jan 6, 2025
Tony Sibler, author of 'Twelve Days: How the Union Nearly Lost Washington DC in the First Days of the Civil War', shares gripping insights into April 1861. He reveals how Washington D.C. was unprepared and vulnerable as Union forces retreated. The discussion uncovers the Confederacy's ambitions, the chaos in the capital, and the violent encounters faced by Union troops in Baltimore. Sibler highlights pivotal moments that shaped the early conflict, illustrating the precariousness of the Union's control over its capital in those critical early days.
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DC's Vulnerability
- Washington, D.C. was surprisingly undefended in April 1861, with few troops and many disloyal militia.
- The city's vulnerability made it a prime target for Confederate forces.
19th-Century Military
- The U.S. lacked a substantial standing army in 1861 due to the Founding Fathers' opposition, unlike today's large military.
- States maintained individual militias (like the modern National Guard), reflecting a different mindset toward federal power.
Panic in D.C.
- Panic and chaos gripped D.C. as residents fled, fearing a Confederate attack.
- Trains were overcrowded, and eventually, transportation stopped, leaving people stranded.