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CONTENTS.
xxvii
Counter-charge of the Federals.-It is disproved by Commissioner Ould.-Case of
Streight. The Federal Government declares paroles void.-Commissioner Ould
denounces the cheat.-His retaliation with respect to the Vicksburg prisoners.—
He waives the cartel, and makes a new proposition.-He sends to Washington
lists of mortality in the Andersonville prison.-The Federal Government does not
reply. Its persistent and inhuman silence.-Explanation of it.-The Washington
Government resolved to make a case of "rebel barbarity."-The site, arrange-
ments and discipline of the Andersonville prison.-Explanation of the suffering and
mortality there.-Extraordinary proposition of the Confederate Government to
release without equivalents and without formality all sick and wounded Federal
prisoners. Secretary Stanton deaf to the cry of the sufferers.-His great guilt.-
Exchanges resumed under Gen. Grant's authority.-Report of the joint select
committee of the Confederate Congress, appointed to investigate the condition and
treatment of prisoners of war.-Northern publications on this subject.-Refuta-
tion of "raw - head - and - bloody - bones" stories.-Humanity of the Confederate
authorities.-A terrible record of Federal cruelties.-Barbarous punishments in
Northern prisons.-Last humane proposition of Commissioner Ould.-His letter to
Gen. Grant.-A complete record of justice and humanity on the part of the Con-
federates...
616
CHAPTER XXXIX.
How Sherman's march through Georgia developed a crisis in the Confederacy.-Geo-
graphical impossibility of the conquest of the South.-Address of the Confederate
Congress.-A vulgar and false estimate of the enemy's success.-Maps of conquest
and cobweb lines of occupation.-General decay of public spirit in the Con-
federacy. Popular impatience of the war.-Want of confidence in President Davis'
administration.-Bewildered attempts at counter-revolution.-Executive misman-
agement in Richmond.-How the Conscription law was cheated.-Deserters in
the Confederate armies.-Peculiar causes for it.-Its frightful extent.-How it
was not a. sign of infidelity to the Confederate cause.-Condition of the commis-
sariat. Bread taken from Gen. Lee's army to feed prisoners.-Alarming reduc-
tion of supplies.-Major French's letter.-Lee's troops bordering on starvation.-
Eight points presented to Congress.-What it did.--The condition of the currency.
-Congress curtails the currency one-third.-Act of 17th February, 1864.--Secre-
tary Seddon gives the coup-de-grace to the currency.-His new standard of value
in wheat at forty dollars a bushel.-Disorders of the currency and commissariat
as contributing to desertions.-Impracticability of all remedies for desertions.-No
disaffection in the Confederacy, except with reference to faults of the Richmond
administration.-President Davis and the Confederate Congress, &c.--Three princi-
pal measures in Congress directed against the President.-Remonstrance of the Vir-
ginia delegation with reference to the Cabinet.-Resignation of Mr. Seddon.-Per-
sonal relations between President Davis and Gen. Lee.-Why the latter declined
to take command of all the armies of the Confederacy.-Want of self-assertion in
Gen. Lee's character.-Why his influence in the general affairs of the Confederacy
was negative.-Recrimination between President Davis and Congress.—A singular
item in the Conscription Bureau.-Remark of Mrs. Davis to a Confederate Senator.
-The opposition led by Senator Wigfall.-His terrible and eloquent invectives.-
A chapter of great oratory lost to the world.-An apparent contradiction in the
President's character.--The influence of "small favourites."-John M. Daniel's
opinion of President Davis' tears.-Influence of the President almost entirely gone
in the last periods of the war.-The visible wrecks of his administration.—
History of "peace propositions" in Congress.-They were generalities.-Analysis
of the "Union Party" in the South.-How Gov. Brown, of Georgia, was used by
it. Its persistent design upon the Virginia Legislature.-How it was rebuffed.—
Heroic choice of Virginia.-President Davis' tribute to this State.—Want of reso-
lution in other parts of the Confederacy.-Summary explanation of the decline and
fall of the Confederacy.-Proposition to arm the slaves of the South indicative of
a desperate condition.-How it was impracticable and absurd.-Not five thousand
spare muskets in the Confederacy.-Paltry legislation of Congress.-Grasping at
shadows. 644
CHAPTER XL.
Gen. Sherman's new base at Savannah.-He prepares to march through the Carolinas.-
Gen. Grant's first idea to bring Sherman's army to Virgina by water.-Opening
of the Carolina campaign.-Howard's movement towards Charleston.-The line of
the Salkahatchie taken.-Slocum threatens Augusta.-Junction of the two columns
in the vicinity of the Augusta and Charleston Railroad.-Scenes of license and
plunder on Sherman's march.-Savage atrocities.-The track of fire.-Sherman's
"bummers."-What was thought of them in Washington.-Sherman turns his
columns on Columbia.-Disposition of the Confederate forces between Augusta
and Charleston.-Why Columbia was not defended.-Gallantry of Gen. Wade Hamp-
ton.-Sack and destruction of Columbia.--Sherman's solemn promise to the Mayor.
-Robbery and outrage in the streets.-The Catholic Convent.-Some of the Fede-
ral soldiers tell of the proposed destruction of the town.-It is fired in twenty
places.-Horrors of the conflagration.-Scenes of misery and ruin.-Proofs that
Sherman was responsible for the fire.-Array of evidence on this subject.-Fall
of Charleston.-The city evacuated by Hardee.-Occasion of delay by President
Davis. An explosion and conflagration.-Appearance of the city after four years
of confiict.-Capture of Fort Fisher.-Fall of Wilmington.-The enemy's views of
the importance of Wilmington.-How it was to be used as another base of opera-
tions towards Richmond.-Its capture auxiliary to Sherman's movement.-The
first expedition against it.-Butler's powder-ship.-Failure of the expedition.-
The Butler-Grant controversy.-Second expedition against Wilmington.-Gen.
Bragg again on the military stage.-How the enemy effected a landing above
Fort Fisher.-Want of vigilance on the part of the Confederates.-Gen. Hoke
flanked and retreats.-The Fort taken by assault.-Co-operation of the enemy's
fleet. Its terrible fire.-Gen. Bragg evacuates Wilmington.-Grant's instructions
to Schofield to co-operate with Sherman.-The campaign in North Carolina.—
Sherman moves apparently towards Charlotte, and deflects to Fayetteville.-
Movement of the co-operating columns from Wilmington and Newbern.-Gen.
Bragg engages the enemy near Kinston.-Success of the Confederates.-Arrival
of Schofield and Terry at Goldsboro'.-Sherman pushes on there.-Gen. Johnston's
command, and distribution of the Confederate forces.-Hardee loses two-thirds
of his army by desertions. He engages the enemy near Averysboro', and is com-
pelled to fall back.-The engagement at Bentonville.-Johnston fights two corps
of the enemy and Kilpatrick's cavalry with fourteen thousand men.-Success on
the Confederate right.-Johnston holds his ground against the whole of Sher-
man's army, and retreats deliberately to Smithfield.-Sherman's arrival at Golds-
boro'.-Conference at City Point of Sherman, Grant and President Lincoln.....661
Gen. Lee's lines around Richmond and Petersburg.-Comparison of his force with that of
the enemy.-Gen. Lee's sentiment about surrender.-Dull condition of the popu-
lace in Richmond.-Extravagant rumours.-Story of the French messenger.—The
Fortress Monroe conference.-Mr. Blair's visit to Richmond.-Notes of Presidents
Davis and Lincoln.-Conversation of the former with Alexander H. Stephens.-
Official narrative of the conference in Hampton Roads.-A rhetorical appeal to
the people of the Confederacy.-A day of speeches in Richmond.-President Davis'
speech at the African Church. Its extravagant and swollen tone.-A remark on
the temper and vanity of the President.-Battle of Hare's Hill.-Design of the
action on the part of Gen. Lee.-The general disposition of his forces.-Capture of
Fort Steadman.-The Confederates falter.-What the day proved. The last
battles around Petersburg. Why Grant hurried the final operations.-The prelim-
inary expedition of Sheridan's cavalry.-What it accomplished.-The attempt
upon Lee's right.-Desperate resource of the Confederate commander.—Battle of
Five Forks.-Misbehaviour of the Confederates.-Gen. Lee's reproach.-Bombard-
ment of the Petersburg lines.-The assault.-The Confederates' lines broken.-
Defence of Fort Gregg.-A thrilling scene of self-devotion.-The Confederates
forced back upon Petersburg.-Death of Gen. A. P. Hill.-Evacuation of Richmond.
-The city unprepared for the news.-Fright and disorder in the streets.-A
curious scene in the Capitol.-Gen. Ewell's withdrawal from the city. He fires
a number of warehouses.-A frightful conflagration.-Scenes of sublime horrour.
-Grand entree of the Federals.-Ravages of the gre.-Exultation in Northern
cities.-Stuff of Yankee newspapers.-Due estimate of Grant's achievement in the
fall of Richmond.-Definition of generalship.-The qualities of mind exhibited by
the North in the war... 679
CHAPTER XLII.
Public feeling in Richmond after evacuation day.-President Davis' proclamation at
Danville.-New and sanguine theory of Confederate defence.-Moral effect of the
fall of Richmond.-Retreat and final surrender of Lee's army.-Crossing of the
Appomattox.-Explosion of magazines.-The wagon-train from Richmond.-
Order of Grant's pursuit.-General Lee's new hopes.-They are dashed at Amelia
Court-house.-The confederates in a starving condition.-Lee abandons the route
to Danville and makes for Lynchburg, by way of Farmville.-Sufferings on the
march.-Demoralization of the troops. Some spirited episodes.-The action of
Sailors' Creek.-The Confederates in the vicinity of Farmville.-Affairs with the
enemy. The Confederates retreat to Appomattox Court-house, without molesta-
tion.-Sense of relief among the troops.-Ominous sounds of cannon.-The exit
to Lynchburg closed by Sheridan.-Desperate adventure of Gordon's corps.-The
recoil. A flag of truce on the scene.-Correspondence between Gens. Grant and
Lee, leading to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.-The conference
at M'Lean's house.-Gen. Lee announcing the terms of surrender.-A touching
scene at his headquarters.-Gen. Lee's farewell address to his army.-Magnani-
mous and delicate behaviour of Grant.-Gen. Lee's return to his home.--Great
exultation at Washington.-Secretary Stanton's congratulations.-Scene at the Pres-
ident's house.-Characteristic speech and last joke of Abraham Lincoln....... 700
Gen. Lee's surrender the decisive event of the war.-Strength and situation of the
Confederate forces South of Virginia.-Surrender of Johnston's army.-Gen.
Johnston's line of retreat from Raleigh.-Sherman's pursuit.-The conference at
Durham Station.-Sherman's "memorandum or basis of agreement."-He attempts
an extraordinary game of hypocrisy.-His astounding eonfessions at Washington.
-Curious speech at a soldiers' festival.-Sherman's convention with Johnston
repudiated at Washington.-Johnston compelled to surrender on the terms given
Lee.-Review of the sections of Confederate defence.-Operations in the Southwest.
-Capture of Mobile.-Wilson's expedition.-The expedition of Gen. Canby against
Mobile and Central Alabama.-Statements of his force.-The works and garrison
of Mobile.-Siege of Spanish Fort.-Gen. Maury orders its evacuation.-Capture of
Fort Blakely.-Evacuation of Mobile.-How Wilson's cavalry was to co-operate
with Canby.-Disposition of the forces of Gens. Forrest and Roddy.-Capture of
Selma, Montgomery and Columbus.-The Heroic episode of West Point.-Wilson
advances upon Macon.-News of Sherman's truce.-Surrender of all the confed-
erate forces in Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana.-The Trans-Mississippi.-
Surrender of Gen. Smith.-Hope of prolonging the war west of the Mississippi
River. The last calculation of "European recognition."-Surrender of the Trans-
Mississippi army to Gen. Canby.-The downfall of the Confederacy complete.-Some
reflections on the termination of the war.-Its flat conclusion.-No grand catas-
trophe.-Explanation of this.-Theories, to account for the failure of the Confederacy.
-The vulgar argument of the numerical superiority of the North.-How this
argument is defective.-The true basis of comparison between the military forces
of North and South.-The numerical inequality not sufficient to determine the war
against the South.-Inconsistency of this argument on the part of Southern leaders.
-The relation of numbers to other elements of armed contest.-What advantages
the South had in the extent and features of her territory.-General conclusion and
an important reflection consequent upon it........ 714
CHAPTER XLIV.
Proper limit of the narrative of the war.-A glance at its political consequences-
General condition of the South after the war.-Alternative of policies at Washing-
ton. Hideous programme of the radicals.-The policy of reconciliation.-En-
lightened lesson of history.--The problem of "reconstruction."-Coincidence of
moderate Republicans with the Conservative plan.-Position of President Johnson.
-Estimate of the views and character of the new President.-His school of
politics, midway between those of Calhoun and Hamilton.-A happy position.-
The great historical issue.-Series of Radical measures in Congress.-The blindness
of despotism.-Plain consequences of the Radical policy.-The residuum of State
Rights claimed by the South.-President Johnson's declaration of another war.—
Have the Americans a government?-Differences of opinion in the South, corres-
pondent to the division of parties in the North.-A small and detestable faction
of time-servers.-Noble declaration of Ex-President Davis.-Eloquent appeal of
Henry A. Wise.-Basis for a new Southern party.-The South to surrender only
what the war conquered.-What the war determined, and what it did not deter-
mine. The new arena of contest and "the War of Ideas."-Coarse and superficial
advice to the South about material prosperity.-An aspiration of Gov. Orr of
South Carolina.-The South should not lose its moral and intellectual distinct-
iveness as a people.-Questions outside the pale of the war.-Rights, duties and
hopes of the South.-What would be the extremity of her humiliation.........743