Mary Chesnut’s Civil War Spencer Reyes and Jordan Rasband Mr. Carr English 8 th January 23, 2006

Mary Chestnut Mary Chestnut is most widely know for her diaries. Both her father and her husband were U.S. Senators. She was also a good friend of Jefferson Davis and his wife. This made for very unique perspective in her diaries. At a young age she taught a slave to read. Which at the time was considered a crime.

Historical Background Fort Sumter was built at the entrance to the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. It was named after Gen. Thomas Sumter. And the scene of the 1 st battle of the Civil War. Five days after South Carolina seceded Major Robert Anderson moved his men to Fort Sumter. The Confederates tried for months after to get the Union to surrender. Finally the confederates started open fire on Fort Sumter. This battle lasted 36 hours. In the end the north eventually surrendered.

The Summary of the Selection This story is a dairy entry written by Mary Chestnut. She tells her compelling experience with the Battle at Fort Sumter. She describes how everyone reacts to the attack. Some are deeply saddened and others it doesn’t really affected them.

Highlights Three hours ago we were quietly packing to go home…Now my husband tells me the attack upon Fort Sumter may begin tonight. Three hours ago we were quietly packing to go home…Now my husband tells me the attack upon Fort Sumter may begin tonight. I sprang out of bed. And on my knees I prayed as I never prayed before. I sprang out of bed. And on my knees I prayed as I never prayed before. Everybody tells you half of something and then rushes off to tell something else or hear the last news… Everybody tells you half of something and then rushes off to tell something else or hear the last news…

What We Learned The document teaches us that in the beginning of the war not many people realized how big of an impact the attack on Fort Sumter would have. The document teaches us that in the beginning of the war not many people realized how big of an impact the attack on Fort Sumter would have.

Works Citied Chestnut, Mary “Mary Chestnut’s Civil War”. Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience. Chestnut, Mary “Mary Chestnut’s Civil War”. Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience