Mary Chesnut’sMary Chesnut’sCivil WarCivil War

Spencer Reyes and Jordan RasbandSpencer Reyes and Jordan Rasband

Mr. CarrMr. Carr

English 8English 8thth

January 23, 2006January 23, 2006

Mary ChestnutMary 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 BackgroundHistorical 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 1st 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 The Summary of the SelectionSelection

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.

HighlightsHighlights Three hours ago we were quietly packing to Three hours ago we were quietly packing to

go home…Now my husband tells me the go home…Now my husband tells me the attack upon Fort Sumter may begin tonight.attack upon Fort Sumter may begin tonight.

I sprang out of bed. And on my knees I I sprang out of bed. And on my knees I prayed as I never prayed before.prayed as I never prayed before.

Everybody tells you half of something and Everybody tells you half of something and then rushes off to tell something else or hear then rushes off to tell something else or hear the last news…the last news…

What We LearnedWhat We Learned The document teaches The document teaches

us that in the us that in the beginning of the war beginning of the war not many people not many people realized how big of an realized how big of an impact the attack on impact the attack on Fort Sumter would Fort Sumter would have.have.

Works CitiedWorks Citied Chestnut, Mary “Mary Chestnut’s Chestnut, Mary “Mary Chestnut’s

Civil War”. Civil War”. Prentice Hall Literature: Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience.The American Experience.

http://www.us-civilwar.com/sumter.hthttp://www.us-civilwar.com/sumter.htmm

http://cps.k12.mi.us/fort.htmhttp://cps.k12.mi.us/fort.htm