By Elaine Grublin
The following excerpt is from the diary of Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch.
Sunday December 15th 1861
The war advances slowly, but with pretty steady gain to the side of Union. Recent events are the occupation of Port Royal inlet and Tybee island, &c. by our troops & navy; – the arrest of Messrs Mason, Slidell, &c. on board a British steamer; – the fighting at Fort Pickens. Congress have assembled, & the question of emancipation begins to be discussed there. We have reports of great fires in Charleston, & alarm of negro insurrection. I fear to encourage such a terrible remedy; yet see with awe, the mark of that overruling hand which will probably sweep away slavery through the very war that has been undertaken to protect it.
In January Bulfinch reflects on all the events of 1861, so be sure to continuing following the Civil War series on the Beehive.