It is April of 1861. The rebellious states, calling themselves the Confederate States of America, have attacked the Federal Fort Sumter in South Carolina, and are threatening Washington D.C. President Lincoln has called in all available militia to defend the Nation's capital. On the 19th of April, men from the 6th Massachusetts Infantry arrive in Baltimore, Maryland. Although the slave state of Maryland has not yet seceded, some citizens of Baltimore strongly support the Southern cause. Crowds of Southern supporters and street gangs gather at the railway station, where soon insults between soldiers and the mob turn violent. Gunfire breaks out, and the Massachusetts men have to march through the city to safety. By the time the incident is over, there are 12 dead citizens and 4 dead soldiers, who also counted 36 wounded.
The 6th Massachusetts fights through Baltimore, April 1861.
Lincoln feared the secession of Maryland, which would have surrounded Washington D.C. with hostile states. He feared this so much, that he first gave the order to suspend habeas corpus to Gen. Winfield Scott on April 25th, 1861. Read Lincoln's letter to Gen. Scott here.
In the Letter, Lincoln tells Scott:
In the Letter, Lincoln tells Scott:
"The Maryland Legislature assembles tomorrow at Anapolis; and, not improbably, will take action to arm the people of that State against the United States. The question has been submitted to, and considered by me, whether it would not be justifiable, upon the ground of necessary defence, for you, as commander in Chief of the United States Army, to arrest, or disperse the members of that body. I think it would not be justifiable; nor, efficient for the desired object."
Lincoln thinks Maryland will vote to secede, but he doesn't want to arrest the members of the State Legislature. To do so would be unconstitutional, and could further anger slave states like Kentucky and Delaware that still remained in the Union. What Lincoln does, though, is authorize Scott to use military force or suspend the writ of habeas corpus if he thinks it necessary.
"I therefore conclude that it is only left to the commanding general to watch, and await their action, which, if it shall be to arm their people against the United States, he is to adopt the most prompt, and efficient means to counteract, even, if necessary, to the bombardment of their cities–and in the extremest necessity, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
Your Obedient Servant
Abraham Lincoln"
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