Soft Core History: First Manassas DP E176

After Fort Sumter, Lincoln raised an army of 75,000 volunteers - for a 90 day stint. This was seen as an agreesive act by the southern states (like, firing on Fort Sumter wasn't?). Virginia left the union, along with several other slave states. With a large rebel army less than 35 miles from the nation's capital and with the 90 days running out, Lincoln could no longer wait. He sent a large army toward the critical spot called Manassas Junction (Paul thinks we went to high school with her). The outcome was less than he had hoped. Told from the standpoint of a resident of Washington, D.C., this is a story of uncertainty and rude awakenings.

The first official installment in our series of shorter, more focussed episodes. We hop you enjoy it and we hope you share with your friends.

Credit for diary summary mentioned by Steve: https://siarchives.si.edu/blog/wartime-washington-mary-henry-first-manassas