On April 14, 1861, following the surrender of Fort Sumter, Washington was an ideal target for the Confederacy. For twelve days the city's fate hung in the balance-- isolated from the North, without trains, telegraph, or mail, and with a rumored force of 20,000 Confederate soldiers just across the Potomac River. Lockwood tells the story from the perspective of leading officials, residents, Confederates plotting to seize the city, and Union troops racing to save it.

"On to Washington!" -- Monday, April 15: "The capital can't be taken" -- Tuesday, April 16: "The uprising of the north" -- Wednesday, April 17: "Independence or death" -- Thursday, April 18: "Between many fires" -- Friday, April 19: "Minute men of '61" -- Saturday, April 20: "Lincoln is in a trap" -- Sunday, April 21: "A real stage of seige" -- Monday, April 22: "Enveloped by the traitors" -- Tuesday, April 23: "Fight, sir, fight!" -- Wednesday, April 24: "The destiny of the capital... suspended by hair" -- Thursday, April 25: "The seventh have come!" -- "Jeff Davis shan't get it without trouble".