The Lost Cause; a new Southern History of the War of the Confederates. Comprising a full and authentic account of the rise and progress of the late Southern Confederacy ... With portraits

Front matter

JEEFERS ON DAVIS. Hard, THE LOST CAUSE; % SUto c§ott%nt pstorjj os \\t W&wx of tjje Confekrates. COMPEISINT A FULL AND AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE LATE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY— THE CAMPAIGNS, BATTLES, INCIDENTS, AND ADVEN TURES OF THE MOST GIGANTIC STRUGGLE OF THE WORLD'S HISTORY. ' DRAWN FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES, AND APPROVED BY THE MOST DIS- TINGUISHED CONFEDERATE LEADERS. BY EDWAED A. POLLAED, of Vieglnia, EDITOR OP THE RICHMOND " EXAMINEE " DURING THE WAR. WITH NUMEROUS SPLENDID STEEL PORTRAITS. SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION. ps gxrrfe: E. B. TREAT & CO., PUBLISHERS. * EGBERT WxWbS. MEMPHIS! Æ.t J. B. BUTTON. HOUSTON. Texas : J. F. FULLER. B J AS. H. HUMMEL, NEW ORLEANS, La. 1866. Entbred, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by EDWARD A. POLLARD, In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Virginia. JOHN P. TEOW & CO., PRINTERS, STEREOTYPERS, fy ELEQTROTYPERB. 60 GREENE BTRBET, K.Y.

Introduction

. The facts of the War of the Confederates in America have been at the mercy of many temporary agents ; they have been either confounded with sensational rumours, or discoloured by violent prejudices : in this condition they are not only not History, but false schools of present public opinion. By composing a severely just account of the "War on the basis of cotemporary evidence — ascertaining and testing its facts, combining them in compact narrative, and illustrating them by careful analyses of the spirit of the press, not only in this country, but in Europe, the author aspires to place the history of the "War above political misrepresentations, to draw it from disguises and concealments, and to make it complete in three depart ments : the record of facts ; the accounts of public opinion existing with them ; and the lessons their context should convey or inspire.

These three are the just elements of History. If the author succeeds in what he proposes, he will have no reason to boast that he has produced any great literary wonder ; but he will claim that he has made an important contribution to Truth, and done something to satisfy curiosity without " sensa tion," and to form public opinion without violence. The author desires to add an explanation of the plan of composition he has pursued in the work. It is impossible to write history as an intelligi ble whole, and to secure its ends, without preserving a certain dramatic unity in the narrative. It is by such unity that the lesson of history is conveyed, and its impression properly effected ; and to do this it becomes INTKODUCTTON. necessary to discard from the narrative many small incidents, either epi sodal in their nature, or of no importance in the logical chain of events.

With this view, the author has paid but little attention to small occur rences of the war which in no way affected its general fortunes, and has measured his accounts of battles and of other events by the actual extent of their influence on the grand issues of the contest. Instead of a con fused chronological collection of events, he has sought to prepare for the reader a compact and logical narrative that will keep his attention close to the main movement of the story, and put instruction as to causes hand in hand with the information of events. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

True value ot the Federal principle. — Historical examples. — Coleridge's prophecy.— Early Mission of the American Union. — How terminated. — The American system of Government a mixed one. — The Colonial period. — First proposition of a General Congress. — Declaration of Independence. — Articles of Confederation. — Their occasion and origin. — Nature of the compact. — Peace-treaty of 1783. — Analysis of the nature and value of the Confederation. — How it was terminated. — The Convention of 1787. — Character of the men who composed it. — Political idolatry in America. — Parties in the Convention. — The question of Representation. — The novelty of the American Constitution the result of an accident. — State Rights. — Amendments to the Constitution. — Nature of the American Union. — Not a Consolidated nationality. — The Right of Secession. — The Union not the proclamation of a new civil polity. — Not a political revolution. — A convenience of the States, with no mission apart from the States. — The two political schools of America. — Consolidation and State Rights. — How the Slavery question was involved. — A sharp antithesis. — The Kentucky and Virginia resolutions. — "Webster and Calhoun, the anti-types of Northern and Southern statesmanship. — Mr. Calhoun's doctrines. — ll Nullification " a Union-saving measure. — Its ingenuity and conservatism. — Calhoun's profound statesmanship. — Injustice to his memory. — How the South has been injured by false party names 33

Chapter II

The Federal principle ultimately fatal to the Union. — Other causes of disunion. — The sectional animosity. — The geographical line in the Union. — How the differences between North and South produced two distinct communities instead of rival parties within one body politic. — The theory of a Political North and a Political South. — Its early recognition in the Convention of 1787. — Declaration of Madison. — Mr. Pinckney's remarks. — How the same theory was involved in the Constitution. — The 44 Treaty" clause between North and South. — The Union not the bond of diverse States, but the rough companionship of two peoples. — Gen. Sullivan's complaint to Washington. — The Slavery question, an incident of the sectional animosity. — Not an independent controversy, or a moral dispute. — Political history of Negro Slavery in the South. — How it become the subject of dispute. — The Hartford Convention. — The Missouri Line, the preliminary trace of disunion. — Declaration of Thomas Jefferson. — Why the North defamed 4< the peculiar institution" of the South. — Great benefits of this institution, and its contributions to the world. — " Slavery," VI CONTENTS. not the proper term for the institutions of labour in the South. — The Slavery question significant only of a contest for political power. — Differences between the Northern and Southern populations. — The anti-revolutionary period. — Traces of the modern 4< Yankee." — How Slavery established a peculiar civilization in the South. — Its bad and good effects summed up. — Coarseness of Northern civilization. — No landed gentry in the North. — Scanty appearance of the Southern country. — The sentiments and manners of its people. — 4l American exaggeration," a peculiarity of the Northern mind. — Sobriety of the South. — How these qualities were displayed in the Northern and Southern estimations of the Union. — 44 State Rights" the founda tion of the moral dignity of the Union. — Calhoun's picture of the Union. — A noble vision never realized 45

Chapter III

Material decline of the South in the Union. — Shifting of the numbers and enterprise of the country from the Southern to the Northern States. — Virginia's rank among the States at the time of the Revolution. — Commercial distress of the States after the Revolution. — How New England suffered. — The South then reckoned the seat of future empire. — The people and strength of America bearing Southwardly. — Emigration to the South. — Kentucky and the vales of Erankland. — Virginia's prosperity. — Her early land system. — The Chesapeake. — Alexandria. — George Washington's great commercial project. — Two pictures of Virginia: 1789 and 1S29. — An example of the decline of the South in material prosperity. — This decline not to be attributed to Slavery. — Its true causes. — Effect of the Louisiana purchase on the tides of emigration. — Unequal Federal legislation, as a cause of the sectional lapse of the South in the Union. — The key to the political history of America. — A great defect of the American Constitution. — Population as an element of prosperity and power. — How this was thrown into the Northern scale. — Two sectional measures. — Comparisons of Southern representation in Congress at the date of tho Constitution and in the year 1860. — Sectional domination of the North. — A protective Tariff. — " The Bill of abominations." — Senator Benton on the Tariff of 1828. — His retrospect of the prosperity of the South. — History of the American Tariffs. — Tariff of 1833, a deceitful Compromise. — Other measures of Northern aggrandizement. — Ingenuity of Northern avarice. — Why the South could not use her Democratic alliance in the South to protect her interests. — This alliance one only for party purposes. — Its value. — Analysis of the Democratic Party in the North. — The South under the rule of a numerical majority. — Array of that majority on a sectional line necessarily fatal to the Union. — When and why the South should attempt disunion 54

Chapter IV

The sectional equilibrium. — How disturbed in 1820. — Contest on the admission of Texas. — Compromise measures of 1850. — Declaration of a '4 Finality." — President Pierce's administration. — The Kansas-Nebraska bill. — Repeal of 4l The Missouri Compromise." — Origin of the Republican party in the North. — Composition and character of this Party. — Amazing progress of the Anti-slavery sentiment in the North. — New interpretation of the Kansas-Nebraska bill by Senator Douglas. Intended to court the Anti-slavery sentiment. — Doctrine of 44 Non-intervention " in the Territories. — The "Dred Scott decision." — 44 The Kansas controversy."

The Lecompton Convention. — The Topeka Constitution. — President Buchanan's position and arguments. — Opposition of Senator Douglas. — His insincerity. — The Northern Democratic Party demoralized on the Slavery question. — Douglas' doctrine of CONTENTS VII " Popular Sovereignty." — 4l A short cut to all the ends of Black Republicanism." — Douglas as a demagogue. — The true issues in the Kansas controversy. — Import ant passages in the Congressional debate. — Settlement of the Kansas question. — Douglas' foundation of a new party.- — His demagogueical appeals. — The true situa tion. — Loss of the sectional equilibrium. — Serious temper of the South. — 44 The John Brown raid." — Identity of John Brown's provisional constitution and or dinances with the subsequent policy of the Republican Party. — Curious foreshadow of Southern subjugation. — The descent on Harper's Ferry. — Capture and execution of Brown. — His declaration. — Northern sympathy with him. — Alarming tendency of the Republican Party to the Ultra- Abolition school. — '4 The Helper Book." — Sentiments of Sixty-eight Northern congressmen. — The conceit and in solence of the North. — Affectation of Republicans that the Union was a concession to the South. — Hypocrisy of this party. — Indications of the coming catastrophe of disunion. — The presidential canvass of 1860. — Declarations of the Democratic Party. — The Charleston Convention. — Secession of the Southern delegates. — The different presidential tickets.— Election of Abraham Lincoln. — Analysis of the vote. — How his election was a 4' sectional " triumph. — Ominous importance of it in that view. — Arguments for sustaining Lincoln's election. — Seward's argument in the Senate. — Lincoln's election a geographical one. — How there was no longer protection for the South in the Union. — The Anti-slavery power compact and in vincible. — Another apology for Lincoln's election. — Fallacy of regarding it as a transfer of the Administration in equal circumstances from the South to the North. — How the South had used its lease of political power. — Senator Hammond's tribute. — Power in the hands of the North equivalent to sectional despotism. — The North " acting in mass." — The logical necessity of disunion 64

Chapter V

Preparations of South Carolina to withdraw from the Union. — Passage of her Ordinance of Secession. — The Federal force in Charleston Harbour evacuates Fort Moultrie, and occupies Sumter. — Description of Fort Sumter. — How the Secession of South Carolina was entertained in the North. — The levity and inconsistency of the North with respect to this event. — Doctrine of Secession, and Northern precedents. — Record of Massachusetts. — Mr. Quincy's declaration in Congress. — A double justification of the withdrawal of the Southern States from the Union. — The right of Self-government. — Opinion of Mr. Lincoln. — Opinion of the New York " Tribune." — Opinion of Mr. Seward. — The Secession question in the Cotton States. — Hesitation of Georgia. — Project of Alexander H. Stephens. — Secession of all the Cotton States. — Seizure of Federal forts and arsenals. — Fort Pickens. — Senator Yulee's letter. — The scenes of Secession transferred to Washington. — Resignation of Southern Senators. — Jefferson Davis' farewell speech to the Federal Senate. — Senator Clay's bill of indictment against the Republican party. — The Convention at Montgomery. — Constitution of the Confederate States. — Jefferson Davis chosen President. — His personal history. — His character. — Why the public opinion about him was so divided and contradictory. — Measures looking to pacification. — Three avenues through which it was expected. — Early prospects of pacification in Congress. — The Republican 44 ultimatum." — "The Crittenden compromise." — Measures of compromise and peace in Congress exclusively proposed by the South, and deliberately defeated by the North. — The Peace Conference. — Its failure. — Disposition of the Border Slave States. — How mistaken by the North. — The Virginia Convention. — How the Secession party gained in it. — The record of Virginia on the subject of State Rights. — President Buchanan on the Secession question. — His weak character and undecided CONTENTS.

VIII policy. — How over-censured by the North. — Gen. Scott's intermeddling. — His im practicable advice. — President Buchanan's perfidy in the Moultrie-Sumter affair. — His interview with the South Carolina delegation. — A second deception. — The " Star of the West " affair. — The situation at the close of Buchanan's administration. — The country waiting for the Signal of Combat 82

Chapter VI

Character of Abraham Lincoln in history. — Absurd panegyric. — The personal and political life of the new President. — His journey to Washington. — His speech at Philadelphia. — The flight from Harrisburg. — Alarm in Washington. — Military display in the capital. — Ceremony of inauguration. — Criticism of Lincoln's address. — What the Republican party thought of it. — Serious pause at Washington. — Statement of Horace Greeley. — How the Inaugural Address was received in the Seceded States. — Visit of Confederate Commissioners to Washington. — Seward's pledge to Judge Campbell. — The Commissioners deceived. — Military and Naval expeditions from New York. — Consultation of the Cabinet on the Sumter question. — Capt. Fox's visit to Charleston. — His project. — Objections of Gen. Scott. — Singular article in a New York journal. — Lincoln's hesitation. — His final device. — Seward's game with the Commissioners. — The reduction of Fort Sumter. — Description of the Confederate works for the reduction of Sumter. — Beauregard demands the surrender of the Fort. — The bombardment. — The fort on fire. — The Federal fleet takes no part in the fight. — The surrender. — Great excitement in the North. — Its true meaning. — The crusade against the South. — Dr. Tyng's exhortation. — Conduct of Northern Democrats. — Dickinson, Everett, and Cochrane. — President Lincoln's Proclamation. — His pacific protests to the Virginia Commissioners. — Secession of Virginia. — Discontent in the Western counties. — Second secessionary movement of the Southern States. — Violent acts of the Washington Administration. — Preparations of the Confederate Government for War. — Rush of volunteers to arms. — President Davis' estimate of the military necessity. — Removal of the seat of government to Richmond. — Activity of Virginia. — Robert E. Lee. — His attachment to the Union. — Why he joined the Confederate cause. — His speech in the State House at Richmond. — His organization of the military force of Virginia.— MUitary council in Richmond. — The early reputation of Lee 100

Chapter VII

In what sense Virginia seceded from the Union. — A new interpretation of the war of the Confederates. — Influence of Virginia on the other Border States. — Replies of these States to Lincoln's requisition for troops. — Secession of Tennessee, Arkansas and North Carolina. — Seizure of Federal forts in North Carolina. — Movements in Virginia to secure the Gosport navy-yard and Harper's Ferry. — Their success. Burning of Federal ships. — Attitude of Maryland. — The Baltimore riot. — Chase of Massachusetts soldiers. — Excitement in Baltimore. — Timid action of the Maryland Legislature. — Military despotism in Maryland. — Arrests in Baltimore. — A Reio-n of Terrour. — Light estimation of the war in the North. — Why the Federal Government sought to belittle the contest. — Lincoln's view of the war as a riot.

Seward's Letter to the European Governments. — Early action of England and France with respect to the war. — -Mr. Gregory's letter to the London Times. — Northern conceit about the war. — Prophecies of Northern journals. — A " Three months' war." Ellsworth and Billy Wilson. — Martial rage in the North. — Imperfect appreciation of the Crisis in the South. — Early ideas of the war at Montgomery. — Secret history of the Confederate Constitution. — Southern opinion of Yankee soldiers. What was CONTENTS, IX Mr. The thought of "King Cotton." — Absurd theories about European recognition. — Lost Opportunities of the Confederate Government. — blindness and littleness of mind North and South. — Reflection on public men in America. — Comparison of the resources of the Northern and Southern States. — The Census of 1860. — Material ad vantages of the North in the war. — The question of subsistence. — Poverty of the South in the material and means of war. — How the Confederacy was supplied with small arms. — Peculiar advantages of the South in the war. — The military value of space. — Lessons of history. — The success of the Southern Confederacy, a question only of resolution and endurance. — Only two possible causes of failure 120

Chapter VIII

Lincoln's remark about the wolf. — His designs upon Virginia. — Federal occupation of Alexandria. — Tragedy at the Marshall House. — Jackson, the martyr. — The affair of Great Bethel. — Easy victory of the Confederates. — Exaggerations of Southern newspapers. — Apparent lull of hostilities. — New demonstrations of public opinion in the North. — Financial difficulties at Washington. — Popular clamour against President Lincoln and Gen. Scott. — Early indications of the real objects of the war. — The rights of humanity. — Virginia the great theatre of the war. — The Grand Army of the North. — Consultation of President Davis and Beauregard and Lee. — Beauregard's line of defence in Northern Virginia. — Sketch of General Beauregard. — His person and manners. — His opinion of the Yankee. — The Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Shenandoah. — Gen. Johnson's evacuation of Harper's Ferry.— 14 Stonewall" Jackson's first affair with the enemy. — Johnston amusing the enemy. — Affair of Rich Mountain. — McClellan's march into Northwestern Virginia. — Rosecrans' capture of the Confederate force on Rich Mountain. — Retreat of the Confederates from Laurel Hill. — Death of Gen. Garnett. — Extent of the disaster to the Confederates. — The " Grand Army" advancing on Manassas. — Johnston's movement to Beauregard's line. — The Battle of Manassas. — The affair of 18th July. — Longstreet's gallant defence. — Theatre of the great battle. — Beauregard's change of purpose, and his plan of battle. — The Stone Bridge. — The " Big Forest." — The Confederates flanked. — The day apparently lost for them. — The scene at the Henry House. — Timely arrival of Jackson. — Gen. Beauregard disconcerted. — Ride from the Hill to the Henry House. — The battle restored. — The bloody plateau. — Three stages in the battle. — The last effort of the enemy. — The strange flag. — Arrival of Kirby Smith. — The grand and final Charge. — Rout and panic of the enemy. — The fearful race to the Potomac. — Scenes of the retreat. — Failure of the Confederates to pursue, or to advance upon Washington. — A lost opportunity. . .134

Chapter IX

victory of Manassas, a misfortune for the Confederates. — Relaxation in Rich mond. — Plotting among Confederate leaders for the Presidential succession. — Beauregard's political letter. — Active and elastic spirit of the North. — Resolution of the Federal Congress. — Energy of the Washington Administration. — Its immense preparations for the prosecution of the war. — The Missouri campaign. — The politics of Missouri. — Sterling Price and his party. — Imprudence and violence of the Federal authorities in Missouri. — Correspondence between Gens. Price and Harney. — Gov. Jackson's proclamation. — Military condition of Missouri. — Her heroic choice. — Affair at Booneville. — Composition of the patriot army of Missouri. — Engagement at Carthage.^Confcderate reinforcements under McCulIoch. — Disagreement be tween Price and McCulIoch.— Noble conduct of Price.— The Battle of Oak Hill.— McCulIoch surprised. — A fierce fight. — Death of Gen. Lyon. — The Federals de- CONTENTS.

X The The seated.— Withdrawal of McCulloch's forces into Arkansas. — Operations in Northern Missouri.— Fremont in command of the Federal forces in Missouri. — His proclamation emancipating the slaves. — Its novelty and brutality. — Repudiated at Washing ton.—The siege of Lexington.— Its surrender to Price.— Gallantry of Col. Mulligan, — Critical position of Price. — His disappointment of Confederate succour. — His adroit retreat. — Missouri's ordinance of secession. — Fremont superseded. — Three military messengers in pursuit of him. — Excitement in his camp. — Price at Spring field. — Close of the first campaign in Missouri. — The campaign, a chapter of wonders. — Missouri manhood. — The Western Virginia campaign. — Resources and wealth of the Western section of Virginia. — Wise's command. — The enemy in the Kanawha Valley. — Wise's retreat to Lewisburg. — The Floyd brigade. — Advance of the joint forces towards the Gauley. — The affair at Cross Lanes. — Movement of Rosecrans. — Affair of Carnifax Ferry. — Floyd and Wise fall back towards Sewell Mountain. — An unfortunate Quarrel of Commanders. — Operations of Gen. Lee in Northwestern Virginia. — His failure at Cheat Mountain.- — Col. Rust's part in the affair. — Movement of Lee to the line of Lewisburg. — How Rosecrans escaped from him. — Engagement of the Greenbrier River. — Gen. H. R. Jackson's success. — Failure of the Western Virginia campaign. — Gen. Lee's new command 152

Chapter X

i Congress in Washington. — New development of Northern policy. — Lincoln's political discovery. — His remarkable measures of War. — An era of despotism. — Violent acts of Congress. — The seed of Abolition. — Suspension of the habeas corpus. — Curious apology for it. — Military arrests.— A " Confidential " document from McClellan. — Curious disposition of the Northern people to surrender their liberties. — Conservatism of the Confederate cause. — Lincoln's view of State 44 Neutrality " in the war. — Application of it to Kentucky. — The elections in Kentucky. — The Confederates anticipate the Federal occupation of Kentucky. — Zollicoffer's command. — Polk's command. — Justification of the Confederate occupation, — Claims and designs of the Federals in Kentucky. — Polk's occupation of Columbus. — His proffer of withdrawal. — Arrests in Kentucky. — Despotic and brutal legislation. — Distinguished refugees. — Breckinridge's address. — Early military movements in Kentucky. — Zollicoffer's operations. — Buckner's occupation of Bowling Green. — The Battle of Belmont. — Movement of U. S. Grant. — Gen. Pillow's command engaged at disadvantage. — The Confederates driven back. — Timely reinforcements. — Sud3en conversion of a defeat into a victory. — Retreat of Grant. — His official misrepresentation of the day. — Prospect of the war in the West 175

Chapter XI

fickle public of the North. — Gen. Scott. — The clamour for McClellan. — His exalta tion in the newspapers. — The theatrical and sensational mind of the North. Advance of the Confederates towards the Potomac. — McClellan's designs. The Confederates fall back to Centreville. — The Battle of Leesburg. — McClellan's movement on the Confederate left. — Evans' brigade. — Fortunate capture of a Federal courier. — The Federals cross the Potomac and occupy Ball's Bluff. Splendid charge of the Confederates.— Death of Col. Baker. — The enemy driven into the River. — An appalling spectacle of death.— Misrepresentations in Washington. Morale of M'Clellan's army.— The affair at Dranesville.— Defeat of Stuart. 44 Stonewall " Jackson's new command. — His expedition from Winchester. Ter rible sufferings of his command. — His demonstration at Bath. — His movement to Romney, and return to Winchester.— Close of the First Year's Campaign in Vir- CONTENTS.

XI ginia. — Naval operations in 1861. — The enemy's immense advantage in his navy. — Statistics of the Federal navy. — Improvidence of the Confederates in coast and river defences. — Secretary Mallory. — The Confederacy to lose all her sea-ports. — Two naval expeditions down the Carolina coast. — Engagement at Hatteras Inlet. — An unequal combat. — The Port Royal expedition. — Capture of Port Royal. — Value of this Federal success. — The " Trent " affair. — Capture of Commissioners Mason and Slidell. — An English commander's protest. — Great indignation in England. — Preparations there for war. — Conceit and exultation of the North. — Tributes and attentions to Capt. Wilkes. — Concern among the Confederates. — What Richmond orators said. — Seward's correspondence with the British Government. — His col lapse. — The last resort of demagogueism. — Disappointment of the Confederates in the termination of the " Trent "affair. — Earl Russell's declaration in Parliament. — Mr. Gregory's reply. — The Treaty of Paris and the Federal blockade 185

Chapter XII

General character of the military events of the year 18G2. — The Confederate situation in Kentucky. — Gen. A. S. Johnston's command and position. — Battle of Fishing Creek. — The Confederate right in Kentucky. — Gen. Crittenden's command in extreme straits. — Difficulty in subsisting it. — The decision to give battle to the enemy. — Zollicoffer's brigade. — The contested hill. — Death of Zollicoffer. — Defeat of the Confederates. — Crittenden crosses the Cumberland. — Ilis losses. — Importance of the disaster. — Designs of the enemy in Western Kentucky. — Popular delusion as to Johnston's strength. — Hopelessness of his defence. — Official apathy in Richmond. — Beauregard's conference with Johnston. — The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. — The avenue to Nashville. — Grant's ascent of the Tennessee. — Capture of Fort Henry. — Noble and gallant conduct of Gen. Tilghman. — Battle of Fort Donelson. — Johnston's reasons for making a battle there. — Commands of Buckner, Pillow, and Floyd. — Site and strength of the fort. — Battle of the trenches. — Engagement of the gunboats. — Two days' success of the Confederates. — Suffering of the troops from cold. — Exposure of the wounded. — Federal reinforcements. — The Confederate council of war. — Plan of attack, to extricate the garrison. — A fierce and terrible conflict. — The Federals forced back towards the Wynn's Ferry Road. — The opportunity of exit lost. — Gen. Buckner's explanation. — A commentary on military hesitation. — How the day was lost. — Nine hours of combat — Scenes on the battle-field. — Council of Confederate generals. — Gen. Pillow's proposition. — Literal report of the conversation of Gens.

Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner. — A surrender determined. — Escape of Floyd and Pillow. — Buckner's letter to Grant. — Johnston's movement to Nashville. — Excitement there. — Retreat of Johnston's command to Murfreesboro'. — Panic in Nashville. — Capture of Roanoke Island by the enemy. — Burnside's expedition. — Gen. Wise's estimate of the importance of Roanoke Island. — His correspondence and interviews with Secretary Benjamin. — Defences of the Island. — Naval engagement. — Commodore Lynch's squadron. — Landing of the enemy on the Island. — Defective reconnoissance of the Confederates. — Their works flanked. — The surrender. — Pursuit of the Confederate gunboats. — Extent of the disaster. — Censure of the Richmond authorities. — Benjamin accused by the Confederate Congress 198

Chapter XIII

True causes of the Confederate disasters in the second year of the war. — The enemy's 41 Anaconda plan." — Rebukes to the vanity of the Confederates. — The sum of their CONTENTS.

XII The disasters. — Inauguration of the Permanent Government of the Confederate States. — Gloomy scene in Capitol Square. — President Davis' speech. — Commentary of a Richmond journal. — Causes of popular animation in the Confederacy. — Develop ment of the enemy's design upon slavery. — History of the Anti-slavery measures of Lincoln's administration. — His early declaration of non-interference with sla very. — Mr. Seward in 1860. — Lincoln's statement, March 4th, 1861. — Diplomatic declaration, April, 1861. — Early affectations of Lincoln's Administration on the subject of slavery. — M'Clellan's address. — M'Dowell's order. — Revocation of the emancipation measures of Fremont and Hunter. — First act of Anti-slavery legisla tion at Washington. — Lovejoy's resolution. — The Anti-slavery clause in the Confis cation Act. — Three notable measures of anti-slavery legislation. — Commencement of the Emancipation policy in the District of Columbia. — Explanation of the ascendancy of the Abolition party during the war. — The new Confederate Congress. — Its vigour. — The old Provisional Congress. — Its measures. — Its echoes to Federal legislation. — The sequestration law. — Silly and demagogical military legislation. — The " Sixty Days' furlough " law. — Alarm of Gen. Johnston. — Indisposition of Confederate volunteers to re-enlist. — The Conscription law of the Confederate States. — Its timely passage. — Its provisions and effect. — Other military acts of the Confederate Congress. — Re-organization of the army. — Destruction of Southern cotton and tobacco. — Authorization of partisan service. — Alternations of Confede rate victory and defeat. — The Trans-Mississippi. — Battle of Elk Horn. — Van Dorn's command. — An obstinate fight. — Death of M'Culloch. — The Confederate success indecisive and imperfect. — Reasons for Van Dorn's retreat. — Confederate designs upon Missouri abandoned for the present. — Transfer of Van Dorn's and Price's forces. — Naval fight in Hampton Roads. — The Virginia and the Monitor — Lack of naval enterprise in the Confederacy. — The privateer service. — Construction of the Virginia. — Confederate squadron in the James River. — Federal fleet off Fortress Monroe. — Fearful enterprise of the Virginia. — Sinking of the Cumberland. — Gal lantry of her crew. — A thrilling ccene of heroic devotion. — Surrender of the Con gress.—Frightful scenes of carnage. — Perfidious conduct of the enemy. — The Virginia engages the Minnesota.— Wonderful results of the first day's fight- Second day's fight. — Apparition of the Monitor. — A singular scene of naval com bat. — A drawn battle. — Excitement about iron vessels. — Discussion in the newspapers. — Addition of Ironclads to the Federal navy. — What M'Clellan thought of the Virginia.— Capture of Newbern, &c— Objects of Burnside's expedition.— Branch's command at Newbern. — The Confederate works on the Neuse River.