Shelby Foote - The Civil War: A Narrative (1986)

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As a protest against the election of Abraham Lincoln, who had received not a single southern electoral vote, secession was a fact—to be reinforced, if necessary, by the sword. The senator from Mississippi [Jefferson Davis] rose. It was high noon.... He was going home.... By nature he was a moderate, with a deep devotion to the Union.... he reserved secession as a last resort.

Shelby Foote