nov 1, 1861 - U.S. naval captain intercepts the Trent

Description:

the Trent- British steamer
-done by hot-headed captain who wanted to seize and detain two Confedrate diplomats in route from Cuba to London
Significance: nearly precipitated war between the U.S. and Britain (fueling the South's hope that Britian and France would help them), but Lincoln released the prisoners.

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