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PREFACE.

IN the initial number of the REBELLION RECORD, it was stated that the work proposed to furnish, "in a digested and systematic shape, a comprehensive history of this struggle; sifting fact from fiction and rumor; presenting the poetical and picturesque aspects, the notable and characteristic incidents, separated from the graver and more important documents."

It was observed that we did not aim either to "supersede or to keep pace with the newspapers, but to subject them, both North and South, to the crucible of time; following them at such distance as may be required to verify and classify all that is best worth preserving out of the immense mass of leaders, speeches, letters, and reports, which crowd the daily press; "every important document and extended narrative being given in consecutive order, and numbered, with references from the Diary."

The editor, aiming at entire impartiality, has collected, from every quarter, whatever appeared to be of general interest, in any way connected with the great topics of the day, or likely to elucidate, in the slightest degree, the questions at issue, or the spirit and temper of the people, whether loyal or otherwise. Thus it will be found that a very considerable portion of the volume is occupied with "secession documents," or articles from the "secession" press, reprinted verbatim, without alteration, or comment. Every individual who has spoken or written with effect on either side, or "on the fence," has been placed "on record," and his utterances are here electrotyped for the benefit of future generations.

The volume is paged in three divisions, viz., I. Diary of Events; II. Documents and Narratives; III. Poetry, Rumors, Incidents, etc. A full Index and a Table of Contents are added; and the whole is preceded by the able and comprehensive address by Mr. Edward Everett, discussing with even more than

his accustomed vigor, eloquence, and force, the principles and conclusions involved in this great contest.

The work will be continued during the rebellion, and will embrace its entire history. The concluding numbers will contain a comprehensive historical sketch, in which the whole story will be presented in a clear and connected narrative form. To do this properly at present, in the midst of the turmoil, and the conflicting reports and opinions of the day, is manifestly impossible. When the smoke of the battle shall be fairly cleared away; when the results shall be correctly ascertained; and when the nation is restored, as all faithful citizens believe it will be speedily, to a peaceful and prosperous Union, it will be time enough to trace accurately and consecutively the outline of the most extraordinary and unjustifiable conspiracy and rebellion which the world has ever witnessed.

In closing this volume, the Editor acknowledges his obligations to the numerous individuals from whom he has received valuable assistance; and especially to the officers of the United States Army and Navy, and of the various State Governments, for the facility with which he has been enabled to make use of their valuable official collections.

NEW YORK, October, 1861.

The following omissions in the "Diary of Events" occurred during the progress of the work:

April 18.-Four hundred Pennsylvania vol- | tilities, passed the legislature of that State. unteers, escorted by three hundred regular —N. Y. Herald, June 7.

United States troops from Carlisle Barracks, May 8.-Jefferson Davis submitted to the (Pa.,) arrived at Washington this evening at Confederate Congress the correspondence beten o'clock, and bivouacked at the capitol.-tween Judge John A. Campbell and Secretary N. Y. Times, April 19. Seward, on the subject of the evacuation of

May 8.-An act to prevent the collection Fort Sumter, and a "peaceful adjustment of of debts owing by citizens of Tennessee, to the pending difficulties" between the North citizens of non-slaveholding States during hos- and South. (Doc. 267.)

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122. 28th Regiment N. Y. S. M...,............
123. Philadelphia Letter to Gen. Scott,..
124. Baptist Convention in Georgia,..
125. Gen. Harney's Letter,...
126. Albany Burgess Corps,.
127. South Carolina College Cadets,.
128. Religious Press on the War,..........
129. Gov. Letcher's Proclamation, May 3,..
130. New York to be Burned,.. . . . . . . . ..
131. President's Proclamation,.

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100. St. Louis Arsenal-How the Arms were Taken, 147
101. N. Y. 7th Regiment-Its March,..........
156. Gen. Harney's Proclamation in Missouri,.....

102. Gov. Letcher's Proclamation, April 25,.....

......154 157. Connecticut-1st Regiment, Col. Terry,.......

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Replies,

193. New York Volunteers, 7th Regiment,.
194. Jeff. Davis' Fast-Day Proclamation,..
195. The March into Virginia and Death of Ells-
worth,.....

196. New York Volunteers, 1st Regiment,
197. Maj. Sprague's Letter from San Antonio,.....282

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