THE AMERICAN ANNUAL CYCLOPÆDIA AND REGISTER OF IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1862. EMBRACING POLITICAL, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS; PUBLIC DOCU- VOLUME II. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 443 & 445 BROADWAY. M.DCCC.LXIII. ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by D. APPLETON & COMPANY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. PREFACE. this one. THE favorable reception given to the volume of this work for the preceding year has induced the publishers to make special efforts in the preparation of It is their aim to make an Annual Supplement not only to the New American Cyclopædia, but to all others, which shall embrace contemporaneous events, and the progress attained in the various branches of knowledge. Such a work is addressed to all classes of readers, since it includes in its contents whatever transpires in political, military, civil, and social affairs, commerce, finance, literature, science, agriculture, art, and mechanical industry. The year 1862 will probably be looked upon as the most important in a period of great events. It witnessed the struggles of great armies; the numerous battles and ceaseless skirmishes in the United States; the expedition against Mexico; the disgraceful flight of King Otho of Grecce; the unfortunate conflict at Aspromonte, in Italy; the enkindling of the Polish revolution; the French war in Cochin China; the recognition in Russia of the rights of man, by the approaching emancipation of the serfs; the Tae-ping rebellion in China; and, not least, the distress in Lancashire, and the stoppage of the looms of Lyons. Of scarcely less note were the naval conflict below New Orleans; the contest between the Monitor and Merrimac, and the destructive exploits of the Alabama. Among the peaceful events were the debates and proceedings in the Federal Congress on confiscation and emancipation; the triumph of antislavery views in the Government of the United States, and its measures for emancipation; the silent revolution shown by the ballot-box; and the measures of the seceded States to secure their independent organization. The relation of these events, especially those of a military character, it is hoped, will be found truthful and just. It is a detailed statement, day by day and step by step, of the movements of the armies, the objects of those movements, and their consequences. It has been prepared chiefly from official papers, and is accompanied with corresponding maps and plans of battles. Important documents and reports are also given. |