In the Cavalcade of America episode Red Lanterns on St Michaels, the scene is set in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861, just before the outbreak of the Civil War. The city is alive with excitement as residents prepare to bombard Fort Sumter, viewing the impending conflict as a spectacle rather than a harbinger of tragedy. Perry White, portrayed by William Johnstone, is at the center of this turmoil, grappling with his feelings for Joan while the fervor of war surrounds them. Joan expresses her fears about the consequences of the conflict, highlighting the emotional strain that war places on personal relationships.