Theodore Winthrop- A Civil War Narrative Aborted by Death

Theodore Winthrop (1828 – 1861) was a dynamic writer, lawyer, and globe-trotter whose life was tragically cut short during the American Civil War. Serving as one of the first Union officers, he met his fate at the Battle of Big Bethel in June 1861. Winthrop contributed two insightful articles to The Atlantic Monthly, part of an intended series capturing the early days of the war. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete the third installment before his death. This Librivox recording features his finished articles along with an obituary from The Atlantic Monthly that includes the essence of his unfinished thoughts. These pieces were published in the June, July, and August 1861 issues. Note In the third article, the term “contraband” refers to African Americans. - Summary by David Wales