April 4, 1861 (Thursday)

"There has been a storm in the air
for a long time." 
Village Life in America

Here are places to get the news of the day:

"Lincoln Meets with John B. Baldwin with Commentary", hat tip Tulane University


"Fox Gets the Go-Ahead with Commentary,"  hat tip Tulane University


"Important from Washington --The Warlike Movements of the Government,"  hat tip Daily Chronicles of the American Civil War.


"Virginia Totters on the Edge -- Orders for Sumter, " hat tip Civil War Daily Gazette


Diaries and Correspondence for your enjoyment today: 

"Lincoln's Letters and Correspondence:  4/4 and 4/5



The following diaries hat tip Daily Observations from the Civil War:


"Diary of William Howard Russell:  Meeting with Southern Commissioners -- Dinner at British Legation -- Evening at Russian Minister's -- Party at Spanish Minister's


"A Diary From Dixie:  A ship was fired into yesterday, and went back to sea.  Is that the first shot?"

"Village Life in America"

"We seem to have come to a sad, sad time.  The Bible says, 'A man's worst foes are those of his own household.'  The whole United States has been like one great household for many years.  'United we stand, divided we fall!'  has been our watchword, but some who should have been its best friends have proven false and broken the bond.  Men are taking sides, some for the North, some for the South.  Hot words and fierce looks have followed, and there has been a storm in the air for a long time."