History of the great rebellion, from its commencement to its close : from official sources

Front matter

J?

y

HISTORY

Preface

In the following pages it lias been attempted to give a succinct and authentic narrative of the war against the American Union, which, commencing practically with the secession of South Carolina in the autumn of 1860, in consequence of the election of Mri Lincoln, terminated a few weeks after the second inauguration of the same chief magistrate. Although the period embraced within 'these limits comprises less than pur and a half years, yet so prolific were these years of great events and great ideas, so radical were the social and political changes which they involved, so numerous the civil /and military chiefs they brought into public notice, that a single volume may appear inadequate to describe the History of the Great Rebellion. Undoubtedly to another age and to another generation Of writers belongs the elaborate treatment of special episodes of the struggle. Passion must also become cool, prejudices be softened, and the light of truth illumine many passages, at present obscure, before effects can be traced to their proper causes, and such a history be written as will bear the unmistakable imprint of accuracy and impartiality ; and few, probably, who read these pages, will live to see that time. Our materials at present are like the direct evidence educed at a trial — the cross-examination has not yet been had. Meanwhile, however, a work which shall refresh and re-enforce the memory, bewildered by the rapid march of events, and give a clear outline of what these r

V

IV PREFACE.

wonderful four years and a half have brought forth, to be filled out by materials which the future alone can furnish, may not be undesirable. Such the present volume assumes to be ; and it is confidently believed that no important civil or military event will be found to have been omitted from its pages. To the writer of contemporaneous history little opportunity is presented for philosophic generalization, and the author has gladly avoided speculations, which, from the necessity of the case, could only be crude and premature, contenting himself for the most part with recording facts, and leaving the reader to draw his own inferences. That his narrative has been written from a Union point of view will be sufficiently apparent, and for that circumstance he neither desires to apologize nor expects that an apology will be required. The sources of his information have been, wherever obtainable, official documents, and particularly thi reports of generals who have conducted active operations in the field, or whose position has enabled them to describe! such operations with accuracy. Where materials of this \ nature were not to be obtained, free use has been made of the voluminous and often graphic narratives of the army correspondents of the daily press — a branch of literature to which the war has given a surprising development, and which must be largely referred to by future historians. *

Contents

PAGE

Introduction 17

Chapter I

Secession determined upon by Southern Leaders.— Treachery of Cabinet Officers. — Division of the Democratic Party. — Election of Mr. Lincoln. — The John Brown Kaid.— "The Impending Crisis " and the " Compendium." — Movements for Secession in the Cotton States 31

Chapter II

South Carolina Convention. — Ordinance of Secession and Declaration of Causes. — Resolutions for Convention of Seceded States. — Mississippi Convention. — Alabama Convention. — Florida Ordinance.— Seizure of Forts. — Georgia's Resolution in response to New York. — Ordinance of Secession.— Louisiana Convention. — Texas Convention. — Vote of the People. — Gen efal Houston. — Virginia Resolutions. — Ordinance of Secession. — Convention with the Confederacy. — Arkansas. — Secession defeated. — North Carolina Ordinance passed. — Tennessee Act of Independence. — Military League. — Maryland Resolutions. — Confederate. Congress. — Constitution. — Jefferson Davis, President. — Address, .- 35

CHAPTER IH.

Meeting of Congress. — President's Message. — Resignation of Secretaries Cobb, Cass, Floyd, and Thompson.- — Defalcations. — Special Message of ihe President— Committee of Thirty-three. — Crittenden Resolutions. — Border States1 Plan. — Virginia Resolutions. — Peace Convention. — Close of Congress. — New Territories. — Finance. — Constitutional Amendment. — Mr. Lincoln's Arrival at Washington.— Inaugural ; its Effects. — Southern Commissioners. — Supplies to Fort Sumter. — Policy of the Government — Charleston Harbor. — Events at the South. — Bombardment and Surrender of Fort Sumter. — Fort Pickens Re-enforced. . . 50

CHAPTER IT.

Effect of the Fall of Sumter. — Call for Seventy-five Thousand Troops, and Replies of States. — Congress Convened. — Destruction of Property at Norfolk. — Effect of the Proclamation at the North. — Baltimore Riot. — March of Troops to Washington. — The Position of Maryland. — Proceedings of her Legislature. — Pacification of Baltimore... . „ , 73

CHAPTER V.

Confederate Congress. — Davis's Message. — Virginia. — Beauregard's Proclamation. — Border States' Convention. — Western Virginia. — State Reorganization . . 7 83

CHAPTER YL

Troops concentrated at Washington. — Popular Impatience. — Occupation of Alexandria. — Operations in Virginia 89

CHAPTER Vn.

Occupation of Fortress Monroe. — Engagement at Big Bethel. — Increase of Army. — Army Orga zation.— Want of Arms.— Advaace to Centrevilte.— Bull Run ,

6 COISTTEISTTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

PAwE

Missouri. — Capture of State Troops. — Booneville. — Carthage. — Shenandoah Valley. — Patterson Crosses the Potomac. — Bunker Hill. — Campaign in Western Virginia.— Philippi. — Laurel Hill. — Rich Mountain. — Beverly. — Western Virginia cleared of Rebels. — McClellan translerred to the Potomac 104

CHAPTER IX.

Effect of the Battle of Bull Bun. — Confederate Congress. — Davis's Message. — Privateering. — Affaire in Missouri. — Commissioners to Europe. — Southern Armies and Finances 113

CHAPTER X.

Meeting of Congress. — President's Message. — Naval and Military Affairs. — Estimates for Tear. — Senators expelled. — Acts passed. — Confiscation. — Operations of the Treasury. — The Different Loans Authorized. — Difficulties of the Government. — Habeas Corpus. — The Press. — Newspapers Suppressed 121

CHAPTER XL

Modern Art of War. — Great Wars of Europe. — New Principles. — "Strategy." — "Taetics." — Formation of Soldiers. — Education of Officers. — Scientific Aspect of the Present War. — McClellan's Order. — Bestoration of Discipline. — Army Organization. — Inactivity of the Enemy. — His Projects.—Hatteras Occupied. — General Fremont in Missouri. — Battle of Dug Springs.— Battle of Wilson's Creek. — Death of Lyon. — Eetreat of the Army under Sigel. — Martial Law. — Position of Forces. — Colonel Blair's Charges. — Fremont's Proclamation. — Manumission. — Capture of Lexington. — Advance of Fremont. — Ketreat of Price. — Major Zagonyi. — Fremont Believed. . . . 134

CHAPTER XII.

Kentucky. — Vote of the State. — Meeting of Legislature. — Message of Governor. — Kentucky for the Union. — Breckinridge's Proclamation. — Military Movements. — Cairo. — Columbus, its Position and Strength. — Paducah. — Concentration of Troops. — Mill Spring. — Defeat and Death of Zollicoffer. — Construction of Gunboats. — Capture of Fort Henry. — Bowling Green Evacuated. — Fort Donelson. — Escape of Pillow and Floyd. — Fall of Nashville. — Columbus Evacuated. — Missouri under General Halleck : 160

CHAPTER XIII.

Affairs in Western Virginia. — General Eosecrans. — Oppression by General Wise. — Population of Western Virginia. — The Confederate Troops. — Gauley Bridge. — Kanawha Expedition. — Rosecrans's Command. — Proclamation. — General Lee. — Elk River. — Cheat Mountain. — General Reynolds.— His Command. — Carnifex Ferry. — The Battle. — General Benham. — Betreat of the Enemy. — Dogwood Gap. — Big Sewall. — General Floyd. — General Reynolds. — Green River. — Enemy's Loss. — Chapmanville.— Gauley Bridge.— Guyandotte. — Romney.— Camp Alleghany... 180

CHAPTER XIV.

Strength of the Navy. — Blockade. — Captures by the Navy. — Large Increase of Ships of War. — Right of Blockade. — Propositions of the American Government. — Action of England and France. — Privateers. — The Sumter. — The Nashville. — Trial of Privateers. — Laws of Piracy. — Retaliation of the Confederates. — Exchange of Prisoners 186

CHAPTER XV.

Improved Efficiency of the Navy.— Expeditions.— Port Royal.— The Fleet — The Assault — Troops Landed. — Proclamation. — Stone Fleet. — Ship Island. — General Butler. — Proclamation of General Phelps. — Burnside's Expedition. — Fort Pickens. — Galveston. — Combat on the Mississippi. — Effectiveness of the Blockade 197

CHAPTER XVI.

Army of the Potomac. — Volunteers. — Union Advance. — Lewinsville. — Ball's Bluff. — General Scott Retires. — McClellan in Command. — Dranesville. — Programme of Movement — President's Proclamation 310

C01STENTS. 7

CHAPTER XVII.

PAGB

Foreign Mission of the Confederates. — Mr. Seward's Letter of Instructions.— Earl Eussell and the Confederates. — Prance Recognizes de facto Governments. — Foreign Becognition of the Belligerent Eights of the South.— Mr. Seward's Eeply. — Spain. — Mexico. — Monroe Doctrine. — The Trent Aliair 216

CHAPTER XVIII.

Age of Invention. — Change in Arms. — Springfield Eifle. — Enfield Eifle. — Eepeating Arms.— The Eodman Gun. — Columbiads. — Parrott Gun. — Dahlgrens. — Table of Guns in Service. — Projectiles.—Batteries 223

CHAPTER XIX.

The Situation. — Army of the Potomac. — General McClellan. — The Eetreat of the Enemy from Manassas. — The Peninsular Campaign. — Torktown. — McDowell's Corps Withdrawn.— Siege of Yorktown 228

CHAPTER XX.

Iron-plated Ships. — Merrimac. — Federal Fleet. — Hampton Eoads. — Destruction of the Cumberland and Congress. — Monitor. — Iron-clad Duel. — Eepulse of the Merrimac 245

CHAPTER XXI.

Evacuation of Yorktown. — Eetreat of the Enemy. — Pursuit. — Battle of Williamsburg. — West Point. — Advance of McClellan. — Fort Darling. — Eepulse of the Gunboats 251

CHAPTER XXII.

Taking of Norfolk. — Chickahominy.— Position of Enemy. — Hanover Court-House. — Battle of Fair Oaks. — Advance of the Eeserves. — Eetreat of the Enemy 256

CHAPTER XXIII.

General Jackson's Movement. — Battle at Winchester. — Advance Oi Banks. — Shields ordered to join McDowell. — Eetreat of Banks. — Front Eoyal. — Banks driven across the Potomac. — Mountain Department. — Fremont supersedes Eosecrans. — Battle at McDowell. — Fremont's Corps ordered to support Banks. — The Object of Jackson's Eaid. — Fremont's Movement. — Eetreat of the Enemy. — Harrisonburg. — Cross Keys.— Escape of Jackson. — McDowell concentrates at Fredericksburg. — Formation of the Army of Virginia under Pope 265

CHAPTER XXIV.

Continued Operations against Eichmond. — Combat of June 25th. — McClellan's Dispatch. — Mechanicsville. — Gaines's Mills. — Change of Base to the James Eiver. — White Oak Swamp. — Malvern Hill. — McClellan Addresses the Troops. — Jefferson Davis's Address. — Close of Campaign. —Causes of Failure 279

CHAPTER XXV.

Department of Missouri. — General Halleck. — Negotiations with Price. — Van Dora, Curtis, and SigeL— Pea Eidge 295

CHAPTER XXVI.

Island No. Ten.— Beauregard at Corinth.— Battle of Pittsburg Landing.— HuntsviUe.— Fort Wright 802

CHAPTER XXVII.

Halleck at Pittsburg Landing.— Fall of Corinth.— Pursuit.— Memphis Occupied.— General Grant — End of Campaign.— Halleck at Washington. . , , , 313

8 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXVIIL

PAGE

Operations of the Army of Virginia under General Pope. — New Policy of Conducting the War. — Cedar Mountain. — Line of the Rappahannock. — Flanking Movement of Stonewall Jackson. — Second Battle of Bull Bun. — Chantilly. — Death of Kearny. — Evacuation of the Peninsula 319

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Expedition of Burnside. — Capture of Newbern. — Beaufort Captured. — Operations on the Southern Coast. — Siege of Fort Pulaski. — James Island 838

CHAPTER XXX

Financial Situation. — Legal Tender. — Interest in Coin. — Duties in Specie. — Gold Notes at a Premium.— Deposits. — Ways and Means. — Debt. — Excise Loan. — Income Tax.— Paper Circulation. — Effect of Paper Money. — ltise in Price. — Premium on Gold. — Cointnerce.— Government Expenses.— Growth of Debt. — Immense Means 348

CHAPTER XXXI.

Thirty-Seventh Congress. — Foreign Relations. — Public Anxiety. — Surrender of Commissioners. — War Conduct. — Executive Action. — President's Message. — Co-operation. — Hunter's Order. — Border State Delegation. — Kentucky Legislature. — President's Letter. — His Position. —Western Delegation. — Emancipation Action of Congress. — No more Slave Territory. — District of Columbia. — Co-operation Resolution. — Military not to Surrender Fugitives. — Troops Authorized.— Conscription. — Work of the Thirty -Seventh Congress 354

CHAPTER XXXn.

Expedition of General Butler. — New Orleans. — Its Defences. — Passage of the Forts by Farragut. — Capture of City. — Butler's Administration. — Baton Rouge. — Vicksburg.— Ram Arkansas. — Her Destruction 363

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Privateers. — Confederate Navy. — Oreto : Her Operations. — The Alabama, : Her Movements. — Diplomatic Correspondence. — Captures. — Hatteras Captured 371

CHAPTER XXXIV.

General Pope's Army. — Its Condition. — McClellan's Army. — Enemy Cross the Potomac. — McClellan in Command. — Halleck refuses Troops. — South Mountain. — Harper's Ferry. — Antietam. — Hooker. — Sumner. — Burnside. — Retreat of the Enemy. — Advance of the Army. — McClellan Superseded, 3T6

CHAPTER XXXY.

Burnside in Command.— Change of Plan.— Pontoons Delayed.— Plans of Crossing.— Two Attacks. — Franklin's Movements. — Seizure of Fredericksburg.— Sumner. — Terrible Slaughter. — Repulse on the Right. — Inaction. — Withdrawal of the Army. — End of Campaign. — Intrigues. — Order No. 8. — Burnside Relieved 891

CHAPTER XXXYI.

Situation in Kentucky. — Bragg's Invasion. — Mumfordsville. — Buell's Advance. — Perrysville. — Retreat of the Enemy. — Features of Campaign 899

CHAPTER XXXVIL

Cumberland Gap. — Morgan's Escape. — Iuka.— Price Retreats.— Corinth.— Repulse of the Enemy. — Vicksburg Expedition. — Reorganization of the Ohio Army by Rosecrans. — His Advance. — Battle of Stone River.— Defeat of the Enemy 408

CONTENTS. 9

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

PAGE

Turn of the Tide of War.— New Combinations.— Vicksburg — Sherman's Attack.— Arkansas Post. — Renewal of Attempt upon Vicksburg. — Passage of Batteries by the Fleet. — Flanking March of Grant 417

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The Flank Movement against Vicksburg. — Battles of Raymond. Jackson, and Champion Hills. — Investment of the City. — Obstinate Defence. — Surrender. — Chronology of Events. — Grierson's Raid 423

CHAPTER XL.

Expedition of General Banks. — Investment of Port Hudson. — Unsuccessful Assaults. — Brashear City. — Capitulation of Port Hudson. — Chronology of Events 435

CHAPTER XLI.

New Movement against Richmond. — Lee's Flank Turned. — Battle of Chancellorsville. — Retreat of Hooker. — Operations by Sedgwick 443

CHAPTER XLII.

Second Invasion of Maryland. — Defeat of Milroy at Winchester. — Meade appointed to command the Army of the Potomac. — Battle of Gettysburg. — Retreat of Lee 450

CHAPTER XLIU.

Lee's Retreat from Gettysburg. — Peace Mission. — Conscription. — Meade Re-enforced. — Draft. — Riots. — Lee crosses the Rapidan. — His Advance and Subsequent Retreat 464

CHAPTER XLIV.

Meade's Advance across the Rapidan. — Recrosses. — Winter-Quarters. — Draft for Three Hundred Thousand Men. — Reconnoissance. — Kilpatrick's Raid upon Richmond. — Death of Dahlgren 470

CHAPTER XLV.

Creation of the Office of Lieutenant-General. — General Grant Appointed. — Army Reorganization. — Draft for Two Hundred Thousand Men. — General Grant assumes Command in Chief. — Powers of the Lieutenant-General. — Country between Washington and Richmond. — Rule of Advance. — Rebel Position 473

CHAPTER XLVI.

The Army in Tennessee. — Results of Murfreesboro'. — Operations in Tennessee. — Minor Expeditions.— Advance of Rosecrans. — Retreat of Bragg. — Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee. — ' Occupation of Knoxville. — Evacuation of Chattanooga. — Concentration of the Enemy. — Battle of Chickamauga. — The Two Generals. — Results of the Battle 480

CHAPTER XLVII.

Inaction of Bragg.— His Position. — His Indecision. — Rosecrans Recruiting. — Storms. — Hooker Arrives.— Grant Ordered up. — He Supersedes Rosecrans. — Thomas in Command of Department. — Position of the Army. — Movement to open River. — Defeat of the Enemy. — Sherman's March. — Combat. — Change of Route. — Burnside's Position. — Longstreet Detached from Bragg. — Siege of Knoxville. — Burnside Hard Pressed. — Bragg Weakened. — Grant Attacks. — The Movement Successful. — Sherman Relieves Burnside. — Retreat of Longstreet 494

CHAPTER XLVIIL

Operations against Charleston. — Arrival of Monitors. — Montank. — Attack by the Enemy. — Iron- Clad Attack on Sumter. — Capture of the Atlanta. — General Gillmore in Command. — Assault on Fort Wagner. — Bombardment of Fort Sumter. — Siege and Reduction of Fort Wagner. — Occupation of Morris Island ...., ' 501

COl^TENTS.

CHAPTER XLIX.

PAGE

Advance on Richmond. — Crossing of the Rapidan. — Routes of Corps. — The Enemy Attempts a Flanking Movement. — Meade's Attack. — Repulse of Griffin. — Hancock Arrives. — Concentration of the Army. — Burnside ordered Forward.— New Dispositions. — Advance of Hancock on the 6th. — Arrival of Longstreet.- — Fall of Wadsworth. — Longstreet Wounded — Attack on the Union Right.— Results of the Two Days' Fighting 508

CHAPTER L.

Movement upon Spottsylvania. — The Enemy on the Alert. — Attack of May 10th. — Death of Sedgwick.— Position of the Troops. — Grant "to Fight it out on that. Line." — Assault by the Second Corps on May 12th. — Large Captures of Prisoners and Guns. — Results of the Struggle. — Sheridan's Cavalry Raid. — Death of General Stuart. — Battle at Meadow Bridge. — Sheridan at the James River 515

CHAPTER LI.

Retrograde Movement of the Enemy. — Bad Condition of the Roads. — Union Movement to the Left. — Relative Position of Armies. — Re-enforcements. — Irruption on the Rear Repulsed. — Grant Crossing the North Anna. — Impregnable Position of the Enemy. — North Anna Recrossed, and Movement to the Left continued ....". 523

CHAPTER EEL

Original Plan of Campaign. — Butler's Expedition up the James. — Movement on Petersburg. — Fort Darling. — Repulse of the Union Forces. — Attack by Beauregard. — Beauregard Re-enforces Lee. — Smith sent to Support Grant 529

CHAPTER LIIL

Position of Grant's Army. — Warren's Advance. — Further Development of the Union Left Wing. — Severe Battles around Cold Harbor. — New Flank Movement determined upon. — Crossing ofthe James and Junction with Butler. — Results of that Campaign 533

CHAPTER LIV.

Advance on Petersburg. — Position of the City. — Assault and Capture of Earthworks and Guns. — Assault of Saturday, June ISth. — Repulse. — Aspect of the Campaign 539

CHAPTER LV.

Relative Strength of Armies. — Grant Moves against the Railroad Connections of Richmond. — Combat of June 21st. — Repulsed the 23d. — Sheridan's Expedition. — Movement of Wilson and Kautz on the Danville Road. — Five Hundred Thousand Men called out. — Explosion of the Mine in Front of Petersburg. — Failure of the Assault 512

CHAPTER LVL

Sigel's Movement in the Valley. — Hunter Supersedes Sigel, and Defeats the Rebels near Staunton.— Occupation of Lexington. — Lynchburg. — Early sent to the Valley. — Retreat of Hunter through Western Virginia. — Advance of Early down the Valley and Invasion of Maryland. — Defeat of Wallace. — Washington Threatened. — Arrival of Sixth Corps and Retreat of Early. — Various Encounters in the Valley. — Hunter Superseded by Sheridan 549

CHAPTER LVII.

Dutch Gap Canal.— Movement North of the James. — Expedition of the Fifth Corps to the Weldon Road. — Attack by Hill. — Severe Fighting near Reams's Station. — Losses. — Repulse of the Enemy.— Subsequent Repulse of Hancock. — Renewal of Movement North of the James and Capture of Fort Harrison. — Further Operations on the Weldon Railroad 554

CHAPTER LVIII.

Operations in Tennessee.— Sherman's Raid Through Mississippi. — Failure of Smith's Co-operative Movement. — Invasion of Western Tennessee and Kentucky by Forrest. — Massacre at Fort Pillow 601

CONTENTS. 11

CHAPTER LIX.

PAGE

Co-operative Movement on Atlanta, — Size and Organization of the Union and Eebel Armies. — Commencement of the Campaign by Sherman. — Evacuation of Daltontty Johnston. — Battle of Resaca and Retreat of the Rebels. — Operations at Dallas and Kenesaw. — Rebels Flanked and Driven Across the Chattahoochee 55T

CHAPTER LX.

The New Position of the Enemy. — Johnston again Turned and Pushed Back upon Atlanta. — Rosseau's Raid. — Hood Succeeds Johnston. — Investment of Atlanta. — Battles of July 20th and 22d. — Death of McPherson. — Cavalry Raids of Stoneman and McCook. — Defeat and Capture of Stoneraan. — Battle of July 28th. — Prolongation of the Union Right Wing. — Changes of Commanders in Sherman's Army 579

CHAPTER LXI.

Siege cf Atlanta. — Position of the City. — Topography. — The Enemy's Strength.— Sherman Moves to the Right. — Wheeler's Raid. — Kilpatrick's Raid. — Grand Flank Movement of the Army on the Macon Railroad. — Defeat of the Enemy at Jonesboro'. — Evacuation of Atlanta. — Congratulatory Order of General Sherman. — Truce. — Depopulation of Atlanta. — Correspondence between Sherman and Hood. — Results of the Campaign 5ST

CHAPTER LXII.

The Gulf Department. — Sabine Pass Expedition. — McPherson Moves from Vicksburg.— Expedition to the Rio Grande and Occupation of Brownsville. — Banks's Red River Expedition. — Capture of Fort De Russey. — Occupation of Alexandria. — Battle of Mansfield. — Retreat of the Army. — Repulse of the Enemy at Pleasant Hill. — Operations of the Fleet. — The Dam at Alexandria. — Arrival of the Army and Fleet in the Mississippi.— Co-operative Movement of Steele in Arkansas.— Causes of its Failure 596

CHAPTER LXIII.

War in Missouri. — Execution of Guerrillas. — Marmaduke's Movements.— Helena.— Successful Campaign of General Steele in Arkansas. — Capture of Little Rock. — General Gantt. — Sacking of Lawrence by Quantrell. — Price's Last Invasion of Missouri. — His Disastrous Defeat and Retreat into Arkansas 604

CHAPTER LXIY.

Mobile.— Its Defences. — Concentration of Troops. — Combined Operations. — Landing on Dauphine Island. — Order of Battle. — Tecumseh Blown up. — Tennessee Attacks. — Desperate Battle. —

Mode of Attack. — Fort Powell Blown up. — Fort Gaines Surrenders.— Siege of Fort Morgan.

Surrender. — Minor Expeditions 610

CHAPTER LXV.

Expedition to Florida.— Occupation of Jacksonville.— Advance of General Seymour.— Battle of Olustee, and Retreat of the Union Army.— Demonstration against Newbern.— Capture of Plymouth.—The Albemarle.— Her Fight with Union Gunboats.— Her Destruction.— Rebel Privateers.—Combat between the Kearsarge and Alabama.— Capture of the Florida „nd Georgia 615

CHAPTER LXVI.

Depopulation of Atlanta.— Correspondence between General Sherman and Mayor Calhoun.— Flank Movement by Hood.— Attack on Allatoona.— Hood Severs Sherman's Communications. — Marches into Alabama and Enters Tennessee.— Sherman's New Plan of Campaign.— Invasion of Tennessee.— Battle of Franklin.— Affair at Murfreesboro'.— Battles of December 15th and 16th before Nashville.— Retreat of Hood into Alabama.— Close of the Campaign 628

CHAPTER LXVH.

Sheridan in Command of the Middle Military Division.— Manoeuvring in the Valley.— Object of the Movements.— Battles of Opequan Creek and Fisher's Hill.— Rout and Retreat of the Rebels. —Their New Position at Brown's Gap.— Movements of Sheridan 641

12 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

, PAGE

Position of Armies. — Early Advances. — Battle of Cedar Creek. — Opportune Arrival of Sheridan. — Disastrous Defeat of the Enemy. — Sheridan's Troops Leave for the Potomac. — Devastation 649

CHAPTER LXIX.

Political Parties. — Elections of 1862. — Organization and Strength of the Peace Party. — Banishment of Vallandigham. — Ohio Election. — Political Reaction in Favor of the Administration. — Thirty- Eighth Congress.— President's I'lan of Keconstruction. — Amendment to the Constitution. — Presidential Canvass of 1S64. — Conventions at Baltimore and Chicago.— Nomination of Lincoln and McClellan. — Result of the Election. — Peace Negotiations. — Colonel Jaques. — The Niagara Palls Correspondence 656

CHAPTER LXX.

Finances of 1863. — Revenue. — Sales of Bonds. — Effect of Paper Money. — Policy of Mr. Chase. — Gold Law and its Eifects. — Mr. Chase Resigns. — Finances of 1864. — Sales of Bonds in Europe. — Statement of Debt — National Banks. — Prices of Gold 672

CHAPTER LXXI.

Sherman Proposes to Cross Georgia. — Composition of Army. — Marching Orders. — Combat at Griswoldville. — Appeal to the People of Georgia. — Milledgevi'.le Reached. — Army at Louisville. — Combat with Wheeler. — March to Savannah. —Communicates with the Fleet. — Fort McAllister. — Evacuation of Savannah. — Sherman's Dispatches. — Wilmington Expedition. — Fort Fisher. —

" Powder-Ship. — Bombardment. — Failure. — Return to Hampton Roads.— Co-operation from Plymouth 6T9

CHAPTER LXXII.

Affairs at Petersburg. — Renewed Attempt to Flank the Rebel Right. — Battle at Hatcher's Run. — Fighting on the North Side of the James. — Review of the Year. — Importance of Sherman's Operations.— Calls for Troops. — Relative Strength of Armies. — Second Attack on Fort Fisher. — Capture of Fort and Garrison 690

CHAPTER LXXIII.

Capture of Remaining Defences on Cape Fear River. — Schofield's Order from Tennessee. — Fort Anderson Taken. — Occupation of Wilmington. — Movement on Kinston. — Goldsboro'. — Gillmore before Charleston. — Evacuation of the City by Hardee. — Flag Restored to Fort Sumter. — Sheridan in the Valley. — His Raid. — Great Destruction of Rebel Property. — Joins Meade 699

CHAPTER LXXIV.

General Sherman at.Savannah. — The Advance Northward. — Pocotaligo.— Salkehatchie. — Movement on Columbia. — Conflagration in Columbia and its Origin. — Beauregard at Charlotte. — Lee Placed in Chief Command of the Rebel Armies. — Johnston Reinstated. — Fayetteville. — Rebel Strength. — Averysboro'. — Bentonville. — Goldsboro'. — Junction of Three Union Armies.— Objective of the Campaign Gained 703

CHAPTER LXXV.

Grant's Preparations for a Final Movement. — Rebel Attack on Fort Steadman. — Disastrous Repulse.—Object of Lee. — Movement on the Left Commenced. — Affair of Quaker Road. — Heavy Fighting on Boydton Road. — Decisive Battle of Five Forks. — Rebel Left Turned. — Assault on Petersburg.— Evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. —Pursuit of Lee. — His Surrender to Grant. — End of Campaign 71T

CHAPTER LXXYI.

Raids in Kentucky and East Tennessee. — Defeat and Death of Morgan. — Successes of Stoneman and Burbridge. — Destruction of Works at Saltville. — Stoneman's Last Raid. — Capture of Salisbury.— Negotiations between Sherman and Johnston. — Agreement for Surrender by Johnston disavowed at Washington. — Reasons Assigned. — Final Surrender of Johnston. — Wilson's Great Raid in Alabama and Georgia. — Capture" of Selma, Montgomery, and Macon. — Exchanges of Prisoners. — Cruel Treatment by Rebels of Union Prisoners^ — Horrors of Andersonville. — Rebel Plots in Canada— The St. Albans Raid.— Execution of Beall and Kennedy. — Attempts to Fire

,. . Afl»wican Cities and Introduce Pestilence 729

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS,

.All of which, were Engraved, expressly- for this "Work. STEEL PLATES.

Page.

a, llncoln,late president of the united states, . .frontispiece.

Jefferson Davis, 48

Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary ofjthe Navy, 65

Bombardment- of Fort Sumter, 72

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, 81

Maj. Gen. A. E. Burnside, 200

Commodore D. D. Porter, 249

Commodore Dahlgren, 249

Commodore A. H. Foote, .' 249

Lieut. J. L. Worden, 249

Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, 289

Maj. Gen. W. 8. Hancock, 289

Maj. Gen. Geo. G. Meade, 289

Lieut. Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard, 304

Lieut. Gen. Braxton Bragg, „ 304

Gen T. J. (Stonewall) Jackson, 304

Gen. Sterling Price, 304

Gen. James Longstreet, „ „ 304

Gen- John C Pemberton, . , „ 304

Maj. Gen. Halleck, 312

Vice Admiral Farragut, m 369

Charge on the Battery, o c # 457

Lieut. Gen. Grant, , > 472

Cavalry Charge, _ 430

Maj. Gen. J. A. Logan, tmmt > 43s

I

LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS.

Maj. Gen. W. S. Eosecrans, 488

Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, 488

Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, 488

Maj Gen. A. H. Terry, 488

Brig. Gen. N." Lyon, 488

Gunboats and Monitors Bombarding the Defences of

Charleston, 504

Battle of the Wilderness, 520

Lieut. Gen. R. E. Lee, 544

Funeral Ceremony of the late President Lincoln at the

White House, 745

Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, 752

MAPS.

South Carolina, 71

Virginia, 81

Missouri, 107

North Carolina, 203

Alabama, 205

Fredericksburg to Petersburg, 259

Gettysburg to Fredericksburg, 332

Tennessee and Kentucky, 400

Mississippi, 424

Charleston Harbor,. 502

Chattanooga to Atlanta, 571

Mobile Harbor, 611

Wilmington Harbor, 697

Introduction

The attempt to describe the progress of a contest, in -which the existence of a great nation has been involved, may fitly be preceded by a rapid review of the origin of the organic law of that nation, and of the previous efforts of discontented individuals, parties, or States, to resist, divide, or overthrow its government.

The thirteen colonies which united in the effort to throw off the British yoke, in 1775, had some points of agreement, but more of difference. Their agreement arose from the purpose, common to them all, of resisting oppression; their differences were the result of diverse origin, different modes of life, and divergent views of the essential characteristics of a free government.

The Articles of Confederation or alliance of these colonies, adopted by most of them in 1778, proved a very weak and imperfect compact. Under it, the thirteen independent sovereignties were bound together rather by the moral attraction of a common purpose, than by that thorough affiliation which alone could make them a united nation. The collection of taxes, the adoption and enforcement of national measures, and that unity of action which would command the respect of foreign powers, were difficult, if not impossible, under such a compact ; and the use of force for the accomplishment of any one of these objects contravened the cardinal principle of the Revolution, that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

It was felt, in all quarters, that a constitution or compact of greater stringency, and which should engage more thoroughly the confidence and consent of the people, was needed ; but so diverse were the views of the different States and of the leading statesmen, that it seemed hardly possible that an instrument could be framed which would receive general approval. Yet the attempt was made ; the initiative being taken by Virginia, whose legislature, in 1786, recommended the calling of a convention at Annapolis, to endeavor to adopt some articles of agreement providing for a more efficient taxation, the prosecution of commerce, &c. In this convention but eight States were represented, and the delegates, 'fully convinced of, the magnitude and radical character of the changes required, con- K tented themselves with calling a Convention to meet in the ensuing spring (1787), to recommend such alterations in and additions to the Articles of Confederation as they might deem necessary. In that Convention, to which were sent the most eminent statesmen of each State, and to which we owe our Federal Constitution, there was a 2.