I don't know if I'm right, but I think you are referencing "On Being Brought From Africa to America," the Pagan land the speaker refers to is the author is being brought as a slave from Africa to America, which makes America the "pagan land" as she lives as a slave.
President Lincoln responded to the attack on Fort Sumter by issuing a proclamation for 75,000 troops. The proclamation was issued just 3 days after the attack on April 15, 1861.
