The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

by Erik Larson

In Virginia, the sword at last fell: On April 17 the state’s long-seated convention voted to secede. Even staunch pro-unionist William Rives voted in favor, stating, “The Government being already overthrown by revolution, I vote ‘aye.’ ”