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September Suspense: Lincoln's Union in Peril
In 1862, the United States had been ripped apart by a civil war entering its 18th month. Until now, few have understood how close this breach was to becoming a permanent fixture on the map of history.
It was the nation’s, and Mr. Lincoln’s, most trying month, as Gen. Robert E. Lee invaded Union soil, panicking entire cities, destroying fragile political alliances and causing all of the North to rethink the fight and question whether it was best to redouble its war efforts or give up and let the South pursue its own course. For three weeks in September, the air was electric, nerves were at the breaking point and the whole of the North held its breath.
In this fascinating work, Dennis Frye draws from a voluminous cache of period newspapers to expertly demonstrate just how fragile the national bond had become by the autumn of 1862.
Writer, lecturer, guide, and preservationist, Dennis E. Frye is the Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and a prominent Civil War historian.
It was the nation’s, and Mr. Lincoln’s, most trying month, as Gen. Robert E. Lee invaded Union soil, panicking entire cities, destroying fragile political alliances and causing all of the North to rethink the fight and question whether it was best to redouble its war efforts or give up and let the South pursue its own course. For three weeks in September, the air was electric, nerves were at the breaking point and the whole of the North held its breath.
In this fascinating work, Dennis Frye draws from a voluminous cache of period newspapers to expertly demonstrate just how fragile the national bond had become by the autumn of 1862.
Writer, lecturer, guide, and preservationist, Dennis E. Frye is the Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and a prominent Civil War historian.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published May 25, 2012
18 people want to read
About the author
Dennis E. Frye
11 books11 followersDennis E. Frye is the former Chief Historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and past president of a national battlefield preservation organization that is today's Civil War Preservation Trust. Dennis was raised only a few miles from Harper’s Ferry and Antietam, and he grew up in the shadow of South Mountain.
Dennis has written over 50 articles and four books on the war, his latest entitled "Antietam Revealed." He has served as a battlefield guide for National Geographic, the Smithsonian, major universities, and Civil War Round Tables across the country. He has appeared on the History Channel’s Civil War Journal and Ken Burn’s Civil War series. Dennis also worked as Associate Producer and historical consultant for the movie "Gods and Generals".
Dennis has written over 50 articles and four books on the war, his latest entitled "Antietam Revealed." He has served as a battlefield guide for National Geographic, the Smithsonian, major universities, and Civil War Round Tables across the country. He has appeared on the History Channel’s Civil War Journal and Ken Burn’s Civil War series. Dennis also worked as Associate Producer and historical consultant for the movie "Gods and Generals".
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February 25, 2026
The author used the newspaper accounts of the day to illustrate what was happening as the Confederate Army pushed towards the North in an invasion. Was their goal Baltimore, Philadelphia, Harrisburg or elsewhere? As event unfolded the uncertainly was gripping the northern people. Pennsylvania mobilized the militia and built earthworks around key cities such as Harrisburg. The Union Army was given a trusted commander as McLellan was returned to command. The resulting battle at Antietam and return of the southern army to Virginia are the outcome. The approach was refreshing and very useful to understanding the momentum towards battle as it developed.
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