After the surrender of Fort Sumter, Washington was "in the State of siege," said April 14, 1861, Abraham Lincoln. "." A 60 km to the South of the Mason-Dixon, the capital was surrounded by the slave States of Maryland and Virginia. With no fortifications and only a handful of trained soldiers, Washington was an ideal target for the Confederation. The fact South echo to the cries of "to Washington!" and wife of Jefferson Davis, sent cards by inviting friends to a reception at the White House, may 1. Lincoln issued a proclamation of emergency April 15, for 75,000 soldiers mater the rebellion and protect the capital. One question now stunned the nation: the forces would be to reach Washington defenders first-northern or southern attackers? For 12 days, out of the city hung in the balance. Washington was completely isolated from the North-without trains, telegraph or by mail. Sandbags were stacked around major monuments, and the unfinished Capitol was converted into barracks, with the troops of volunteers camping in rooms of House and Senate. During this time, Maryland secessionists blocked the passage of reinforcements Union trying to reach Washington, and a force of rumours of 20,000 Confederate soldiers lay in wait across the Potomac River. Based on the stories, Washington headquarters tells the story from the point of view of key officials, residents trapped in the city, to capture Confederate and Union read more...
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