Ep 1. Forward to Sumter

Peter Batty Presents: The Divided Union - The Story of the American Civil War is a gripping docudrama series that delves into the deep-rooted causes, pivotal moments, and the lasting impact of the Civil War on America. The 5-part series offers an in-depth exploration of the war's complex history and its enduring legacy that has shaped American society today.

In the opening episode of the series, titled "Forward to Sumter," viewers are taken to the year 1860 when the country was more divided than ever before. The episode starts with an introduction to the socio-political landscape of the United States, where slavery was rampant in some parts of the country, and abolitionist sentiments were growing in others. The anti-slavery faction had become more vocal and determined to put an end to this evil practice. The southern states, however, held firmly to their "right" to own slaves and secede from the Union to protect this belief.

The episode centers around Abraham Lincoln's inauguration as the sixteenth President of the United States in March 1861. Amid growing tensions between the North and the South, Lincoln's election had triggered several southern states to secede from the Union. When Lincoln took office, only seven states had already seceded, and others were on the brink of following.

Peter Batty leads the viewers into the White House and describes how Lincoln's immediate challenge was to maintain the integrity of the Union amidst rising tensions with the seceded states. He appoints William H. Seward as his Secretary of State and tasks him with finding a peaceful solution to the crisis. However, the odds were against Seward, given that the newly seceded states had already formed the Confederate States of America and had elected Jefferson Davis as their president.

As Seward embarked on his mission to uphold the Union, he received a letter from Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, expressing hope for future negotiations between the two sides. Seward replied, saying such negotiations would be impossible unless the Confederacy ceased hostilities and returned to the Union. This dialogue back and forth was referred to as the 'Sealed Message Crisis'.

The situation came to a head with the fall of Fort Sumter to Confederate forces in Charleston Harbour. The sparking of this battle had been long brewing, but Lincoln, Seward and the newly appointed General of the Union Army, Irvin McDowell, tried to prevent it. However, the first shots by the Confederates on 12 April marked the start of a brutal war that would last four long years.

The episode ends with Lincoln putting out a call for 75,000 troops to put down the rebellion in the South, and several more states seceding in response. As the first shots of the Civil War were fired, the nation was divided, and the future of America was uncertain.

Overall, the first episode of Peter Batty Presents: The Divided Union - The Story of the American Civil War provides an insightful look into the root causes of the war. It sets the stage for the rest of the series, which delves deeper into the social, political, and cultural implications of the war and how it shaped the identity of the United States. From the opening scenes to the dramatic conclusion, "Forward to Sumter" is a gripping episode that leaves viewers thirsting for more.