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Abraham Lincoln won the election for the presidency in 1860,
despite the fact that he was not on the ballet in many southern states, His election
culminated many years of what came to be known as “sectionalism” (meaning loyalty to the
interest of ones own district rather to the nation as a whole), especially over
the issue of slavery.
Lincoln’s election
ultimately spurred ten states of the “Deep South” to declare its secession from the United States.. South Carolina (December 20,1860), Mississippi (January 9, 1861)
Florida (January 10,1861), Alabama (January 11, 1861), Georgia (January
19,1861), Louisiana, (January 26, 1861), Texas, (February 1, 1861), Virginia
(April 17,1861, Arkansas, May 6,1861, North Carolina, May 20, 1861, Tennessee
June 8, 1861), formed what came to be called The Confederate States of
America. Four slave holding
states,Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware and Missouri did not declare secession and remained
loyal to the United States. A portion of Virginia broke away, remained loyal
to the United States union, and became a new state known as West Virginia.
The Civil War began after the attack and capture by
Confederates of the US federal Forth Sumter on April 12, 1861. The war lasted until 1865 and was one of
the bloodiest wars ever fought by Americans, and the third war fought on
American soil. (The Mexican War of 1848 was technically fought on Mexican territory which was annexed to the United States at the end of the war.) Enslaved people were freed as a result of the Civil war. The
thirteenth amendment to the Constitution forbids slavery in the United States.
Harriet Tubman was an active participant in the Civil War.
Having had experience as conductor on the Underground Railroad, she knew her
way around the land, how to hide, how to disguise herself. She was an expert organizer and had many scouts working with
and for her. She was
also a nurse who knew natural
remedies, for example, some home remedies for dysentery which was a common ailment among union
soldiers. Her courage and determination were extremely helpful to the
Union.
Harriet Tubman continued her activism after the Civil War.
She was especially dedicated to the cause of Woman’s Rights in general and the
woman’s suffrage movement in particular. She spent her last years building and working at a home for the elderly.
She died in Auburn New York in 1913. Her gravestone reads:
Harriet Tubman Davis, Heroine of the Underground Railroad,
nurse and scout in the Civil War. Born about 1820 in
Maryland, died March 20, 1913 at Auburn,NY.
nurse and scout in the Civil War. Born about 1820 in
Maryland, died March 20, 1913 at Auburn,NY.
“SERVANT OF GOD, WELL DONE.”
INSTRUMENTAL
LYRICS
The civil war a
long time fought
Misery is what it wrought
Nursing the wounded, the hours were long
A spy for the union my will was strong.
The war now
over, the slaves free at last.
Now we must move from an ugly past,
Though it’s time to lay down the gun,
Other battles continue more to be done.
I’ll fight those fights for humankind,
Devote my heart and the whole of my mind,
Helping people take a stand,
Pushing for justice in our land.
I “ll crusade both day and night
The battles continue, turn wrong to right,
Has always been my destiny,
It’s my mission, always shall be
