2.) To me Abraham Lincoln had four characteristics suited to the events of his time. Those were a willingness to learn, a vision of purpose, an ability to adapt, and a way to compartmentalize his worries.

3.) The enemy's army is marching toward your city. Your own side's army and navy are trying to evacuate as fast as they can but need more time. As the city mayor, what can you do? Mayor William Lamb of Norfolk, Va., goes to the edge of town to await the Union army's general. He brings with him a long proclamation and a set of "rusty keys." He then proceeds to surrender the city by slowly reading his proclamation, which provides a review of the city's history, and ceremoniously turning over the keys to the Union general.

4.) The Civil War careers of major generals John E. Wool and John A. Dix seemed to have been linked. For various reasons, but mostly with his inability to get along with the local populations, Wool was shifted in command assignments three times. His replacement each time -- in Baltimore, Fort Monroe, and New York City -- was Dix. Finally, Wool was sent home to Troy to await a new assignment, which never came.

5.) In putting together a book not everything happens as an author wants. One example, is the search for the Miami. This ship, formerly the Lady Le Merchant, was bought by Salmon Chase's treasury department to carry Washington's VIPs including President Lincoln. Despite many searches through the usual online photo sites no Miami image could be found. We had to settle for some generic drawings of treasury cutters.