The Iron Furnace; or, Slavery and Secession

"The Iron Furnace; or, Slavery and Secession" by John H. Aughey is a gripping, first-hand account told against the backdrop of the Civil War. It recounts the author's trials as a Union supporter in Mississippi, and shows the moral issues and social conflicts caused by slavery and the move to secede. Aughey starts by presenting himself as a preacher caught in the middle of the 1860 election's chaos. He watches as Colonel Drane pushes for secession, a sign of the rising rebellion after Lincoln's victory. As the story unfolds, it shows the different views on secession in Mississippi, which lead to violence. Aughey's narrative reveals the risks he faced for his Union beliefs, the suffering of loyal citizens, and the difficult moral questions raised by slavery and rebellion in a nation divided.