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Prior to the attack on Fort Sumter, the Union and Journal, out of Biddeford, tracked the secession of Southern states. As portrayed in the Union and Journal, Northerners believed the attack on Fort Sumter was not likely, because Boston papers stated that Confederate President Jefferson Davis had telegraphed to Charleston not to prevent the landing of Union supplies.
On April 12th, 1861, Northerners, Mainers and citizens of Biddeford and Saco were angered by the surprise and the tragedy of the attack.