Page images
PDF
EPUB

Union.-The Moral Veneration of the Union Peculiarly a Sentiment of the South.What the South had done for the Union.-Senator Hammond's Speech.-Tl: States not Schools of Provincialism and Estrangement.-The Development of America, a North and South, not Hostile States.-Peculiar Ideas of Yankee Civilzation.-Ideas Nursed in "Free Schools."-Yankee Materialism.-How it has Developed in the War.-Yankee Falsehoods and Yankee Cruelties.-His Commercial Politics.-Price of his Liberties.-Ideas of the Confederates in the War.-How the Washington Routine was introduced.-The Richmond Government, Weak and Negative. No Political Novelty in the Confederacy.-The Future of Confederate Ideas.-Intellectual Barrenness of the War.-Materia of the Confederate Army. -The Birth of Great Ideas.-The Old Political Idolators.-The Recompense of Suffering... ....PAGE 293

CHAPTER XIV.

Condition of the Confederacy in the early summer of 1864.-The expectations and hopes of the South.-GRANT's "QN TO RICHMOND."-Ulysses S. Grant and his command.-His services and character.-THE BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS.-A heroic stand.-Heth's and Wilcox's divisions.-A critical conjuncture.-Grant's whole army on the threshold of ruin.-Grant's change of front and General Lee's new line. The Northern newspapers go into ecstasies.-THE BATTLES OF SPOTTSYLVANIA COURTHOUSE.-A crisis.-A thrilling scene.-"General Lee to the rear!”— Six days of battle.-Grant's obstinacy.-Sheridan's expedition. A fight at Yellow Tavern.-Death of General "Jeb" Stuart.-Butler's movement up the James.Beauregard drives him to Bermuda Hundred." The Buzzard and the Falcon."— THE ENEMY'S OPERATIONS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.-The combination there.-Three movements.-Sigel's defeat at Newmarket.-McCausland checks Crook at Dublin Depot.-Morgan defeats Averill at Wytheville.-Grant moves down the Valley of the Rappahannock.-Engagements near Hanover Junction.-Grant crosses the Pamunkey. He is within a few miles of Richmond.-The true theory of his movements, defeat, not victory.--His immense losses.-Lee's admirable movements and positive successes.-Nonsense of the newspapers.. PAGE 809

CHAPTER XV.

Grant essays the passage of the Chickahominy.-BATTLE OF COLD HARBOR.-A brilliant and extraordinary victory for the Confederates.-Grant's stock of expedients. -He decides to move to the south side of the James.-OPERATIONS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.-Shocking improvidence of the Richmond authorities.-Hunter captures Staunton.-Death of General Jones.-Grant's new combination.-Hunter's part.-Sheridan's part.-THE BATTLES OF PETERSBURG.-Butler attempts to steal a march upon "the Cockade City."-Engagements of the 16th, 17th, and 18th of June.-Port Walthal Junction.-Defeat of Sheridan at Trevillian Station.-Defeat of Hunter near Lynchburg.-Morgan draws Burbridge into Kentucky.-Two affairs on the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad.-THE GREAT MINE EXPLOSION.-A scene of infernal horror.-Yankee comments on Grant's failures.-Great depression in the North.-Mr. Chase's declarations.-General Lee's sense of success. -His singular behavior.-THE SINKING OF THE PRIVATEER ALABAMA.-A Yan kee trick of concealed armor.-The privateer service of the Confederates.-Interesting statistics..... PAGE $25

CHAPTER XVI.

Sherman's campaign in Georgia.-How parallel with that in Virginia. The tasks of Grant and Sherman compared.-Numerical inferiority of General Johnston's forces. His proposition to the Richmond authorities.-Pragmatism of President Davis and his secretary.-Engagement in Resaca Valley-General Johnston's designs.-Why he retreated. His disappointment of a battle at Cassville.-ENgagement at NEW HOPE CHURCH.-True theory of the retrograde movement of Johnston.-BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN.-Sherman's confession-Sherman 4 master of the Chattahoochee. Johnston falls back to Atlanta. The vexed question of Johnston's retreat.-What it surrendered.-What it secured.-Its strategie advantages.-The enemy's movements in Virginia and Georgia both in check.federate success.-Defeat of Sturgis.-"The Avengers of Fort Pillow."-Barbarities of the enemy's summer campaign.-Augmentation of Yankee ferocity.—Its effect on the Confederates.-Offensive operation of the Confederates.-Three projects of invasion.-EARLY'S INVASION OF MARYLAND, &c.-Sigel's retreat.BATTLE OF MONOCACY BRIDGE.-Early loses the great opportunity of 1864.-Results of his expedition.-Engagement at Kernstown.-MORGAN'S INVASION OF KENTUOKY.-His failure.-PRICE'S INVASION OF MISSOURI.-Pilot Knob.-General Ew ing's retreat.-Price retires.....

PAGE 841

CHAPTER XVII.

Great revulsion in the public mind of the North in the summer of 1864.-A gener outcry for peace.-Spirit of Yankee newspapers.-The Niagara Falls "Commision."-The Jacques-Gilmore Affair.-Sorry figure of the Confederacy in ther negotiations. The question of peace negotiations in the Confederacy.-Truo method of peace.-Manifesto of the Confederate Congress.-Position of President Davis-His letter to Governor Vance, of North Carolina.-The CHICAGO CONVENTION, etc.-Speeches, etc.-The real programme of the Democratic party.-Why it broke down.-No virtue in public opinion in the North.-The true peace men of the North.-Their Convention at Cincinnati.-A reaffirmation of Jeffersonian Democracy.-A masterpiece of statesmanship.-The Presidential campaign of 1864.-The RIVAL ADMINISTRATIONS AT RICHMOND AND WASHINGTON.-A COMPARATIVE VIEW OF NORTHERN DESPOTISM.-The conscription and impressment laws of the Confederacy. The offerings of Southern patriotism.-The Yankee record in the matter of slavery." Military necessity."-The Yankee record in the matter of civil liberty. An outrage upon history.... PAGE 859

CHAPTER XVIII

...

The business of blockade-running.-Its risks.-Interesting statistics.-Value of the port of Mobile.-NAVAL FIGHT AND CAPTURE OF THE FORTS IN MOBILE BAY.-A frightful disparity of force.-Heroic fight of the ram Tennessee.-Absurd boasts of the Yankees.-Surrender of Fort Gaines.-Fall of Fort Morgan.-THE GEORGIA CAMPAIGN. Its importance.-Johnston's situation at Atlanta.-His removal by President Davis.-A fatal error.-Lieutenant-General Hood.-THE BATTLES OF ATLANTA-THE FALL OF "THE GATE CITY."-Reckless and desperate fighting

Yankee raid on the Macon road.-Hood's "magnificent advance."-Bɔribardment of Atlanta.-Hood's fatal mistake.—Sherman's new movement.—He "cuts the Confederates in two."-The Yankees in Atlanta.-Sherman's cruelties.-Hia depopulation of Atlanta.-Enormity of the order.-Sherman as a pacificator... Governor Brown's letter.-Position of Vice-President Stephens.-Effects of the fall of Atlanta.--President Davis' Macon speech. Its swollen tone.-CAPTURE OF THE CONFEDERATE PRIVÁTEER FLORIDA.-Its cowardice and outrage.-Yankee idea of glory. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CONFEDERATE RAM ALBEMARLE.-Yankee estimation of the exploit.-The North Carolina Sounds. THE ST. ALBANS RAID.-Stories of the savage vengeance of the Confederates.-How much truth there was in them..... PAGE 377

[ocr errors][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

CHAPTER XIX.

The Richmond lines.-THE FALL OF FORT HARRISON, ETC.-The attempt to retake it. -Why it failed.-ENGAGEMENT ON THE CHARLES CITY ROAD.-Death of General Gregg.-ENGAGEMENT ON THE WILLIAMSBURG AND BOYDTON ROADS.-ANOTHER GRAND ATTEMPT ON RICHMOND.-A shameful failure.-The "electoral necessity" at Washington. THE CAMPAIGN IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.-Early's mission in the Valley. How a part of the combination to protect Richmond.-Sheridan's command. His strategy,-BATTLE NEAR WINCHESTER.--A critical moment.-The enemy's centre broken.--He recovers.-Misconduct of the Confederate cavalry.Early retreats to Fisher's Hill,-THE BATTLE OF FISHER'S HILL.-A most unexpected reverse to the Confederates.-Misgivings and alarm in Richmond.--The capture of Staunton.-Sheridan's devastations of the Valley.-" Barn-burning."An affair of Rosser's cavalry." Thel Savior of the Valley."-BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEE. Two-thirds of Sheridan's army completely routed.-Early's awkward pause. Plunder of the Yankee camp.-The enemy regains the day.-Shameful rout of the Confederates.-The Valley campaign virtually ended.-SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA. Breckinridge's campaign.-The Yankees capture the salt-works at Saltville-Destruction of the works... .PAGE 394

1

CHAPTER XX.

Wr. Lincoln's extraordinary triumph.-Reassembling of the Richmond Congress.President Davis' review of the situation.-A memorable boast.-New demands of the Confederate conscription.-Military resources of the North and South com pared.-Plethoric wealth of the North." Twenty against one."-Two advantages the South had in the war.-Its conditions of success.-The value of endurance on the part of the South.-THE H HOOD-SHERMAN CAMPAIGN.--Speeches at headquarters. -Hood commences his march.-Capture of Dalton.-Sherman follows as far as Gaylesville.-He turns back.-Georgia and South Carolina "at his mercy."—An extraordinary campaign. Hood and Sherman marching away from each other!Hood crosses into Tennessee. The Yankee retreat to Franklin.—THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.-Great loss in Confederate officers. The enemy retreats to Nashville.BATTLE OF NASHVILLE.—The giving way of Bates' division.-A shameful stampede. Hood's losses.--The whole scheme of Confederate defence west of the Alleghanies broken down.-The errors of Hood's campaign.....'........ ....... PAGE 412

CHAPTER XXI.

Sherman's march from the mountains to the sea.-Yankee boasts.Easy rature: Sherman's enterprise.—“ Grand" mistake of the Confederates.-The burning o Atlanta. Five thousand houses in ruins.-Sherman's route to Milledgeville.Second stage of the march to Millen.-Last stage of the march.-Wheeler's cavalry -THE FALL OF SAVANNAH.-Capture of Fort McAllister.-Probable surprise of Hardee. The Confederates evacuate Savannah.-Sherman's Christmas-gift to Mr. Lincoln. The true value of Sherman's exploit.-His own estimation of it.-Despondency in the South.-Depletion of the Confederate armies.—THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS, etc.—Bad faith of the Yankees.-Their misrepresentations.—The question of recaptured slaves.-A Yankee calculation.-The Washington Government responsible for the sufferings of Yankee prisoners.-How capital was made out of their sufferings. A game with "sick" prisoners.-How "rebel barbarities" were manufactured.-Noble conduct of General Grant.-Its commentary on the Washington cabinet-His "victory" over that body.... PAGE 426

CHAHTER XXII.

The blockade at Wilmington.-How ineffective.-FIRST EXPEDITION AGAINST FORT FISHER.-Butler's powder-ship.-The two days' bombardment.-Landing of Butler's troops.-Butler decides not to attack. His sudden departure.-He S removed from command.-SECOND EXPEDITION AGAINST FORT FISHER-FALL OF WILMINGTON.-Landing of Terry's command.-Movements of General Hoke.-The assault on the fort.-A feu d'enfer.-Desperate fighting.-The Confederates overpowered.-Surrender of Fort Fisher.-Evacuation of Fort Anderson.-Yankee occupation of Wilmington.-How a part of General Sherman's campaign in the Carolinas.-SHERMAN'S SIXTY DAYS IN THE Carolinas.-Direction of his march. Crossing the Savannah River.-Mismanagement of the Confederate troops.-Sherman at Branchville.—THE FALL OF CHARLESTON.-Hardee joins Beauregard.— 'Conflagration in Charleston.-Explosion at the railroad depot.-A scarred city.Charleston as seen through Yankee eyes.-CAPTURE AND BURNING of Columbia.— Wild and savage scenes of pillage.-The city on fire.-Four thousand citizens homeless. Sherman's march northward. His organization of "bummers.”— The column of smoke.-The Yankees at Winnsboro'. More of the enemy's atrocities. Sherman's feint upon Charlotte. His occupation of Fayetteville.-Hampton attacks Kilpatrick.—Sherman's appointment of a rendezvous with Schofield. -Hardee's fight near Averysboro'.-What he did with half a corps of Confederates.-THE Battle of BentoNVILLE.-Success of the Confederates.-No decisive results. Sherman's move towards Goldsboro'.-Schofield's movement. Sherman's success.—His congratulatory order.-A military conference at City Point, Virginia. PAGE 487

CHAPTER XXIII

The date of distrust in the Southern mind.-Observation of General Lee.-A peculiar moral condition of the Confederacy.—Want of confidence in President Davis' ́ administration.—Impatience of the prolongation of the war.—Davis' unpopularity. -Weak attempts in Congress at a counter-revolution.--General Lee made com *mander-in chief. The title a nominal one.-The Virginia delegation and the Pres ident.--Mr. Seddon's resignation.-President Davis' defiance to Congress.-Th

Davis-Johnston imbroglio.-Seator Wigfall's speeches.--Johnston's restcration. —President Davis' opinion of homœopathy.—Sullen and indifferent disposition o the Southern people.-How they might have accomplished their independence.Review of the military situation.--Analysis of the peace feeling in the North.— How it was likely to be developed by a long war.-The Union not the enemy's sine qua non.-Two contingencies that limited the war.-The worthless title of Yankee invasion.-"Cob-web" occupation of the Confederacy.-Note: an address in the Richmond newspapers.-The two fatal facts in the condition of the Confederacy.-THE FORTRESS MONROE COMMISSION.-How it was brought about.--The Yankee ultimatum.-Official narrative of the Confederate commissioners.-A new attempt to rally the spirit of the South. The meeting at the African church in Richmond. -President Davis' boasts.-His noble allusion to history.--How the cause of the Confederacy was in danger.-PROPOSITION TO ARM THE SLAVES OF THE SOUTH.— Indicative of a desperate condition of the public mind.-General Lee's opinion. The slaveholding interest.-Its selfishness and insolence.-A weak conclusion of the matter.-"Catching at straws" in the Confederate Congress.-Character of this body PAGE 455

.......

CHAPTER XXIV.

The last address and appeal of the Confederate Congress.--The war in a geographical point of view.-THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT DAVIS.—THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.-A sharp recrimination.-- A committee of the Senate reply to President Davis.—Maladministration in the War Department.-Two-thirds of the Confederate Army absentees.-Lee loses nearly half his army by desertions.-The other half threatened with starvation.-Ample supply of food in the country.The fault in the Commissary Department.-Commissary Northrop a "pepper-doctor" as the favorite of Davis.-Analysis of President Davis' character for firmness. -How Northrop starved Richmond.-HISTORY OF THE CONFEDERATE COMMISSAEIAT.-Secret testimony in Congress.-President Davis' refusal to trade cotton for meat.-Persistent delusion about "king cotton."--Venality of the enemy.-Davis takes no advantage of it.--Record of the rations in Lee's army.-Startling statistics.-Attempts to get meat from Europe.-General Lee's army without meat.-His telegram to President Davis.-The necessities of the Commissary Department summed up in secret session of Congress.-But little done to meet them.-How the cause of the Confederacy would have failed without a catastrophe of arms.-The military narrative resumed.-MILITARY EVENTS IN VIRGINIA IN THE WINTER OF 1864-5.-SHERIDAN'S RAID.—Thirteen counties traversed.-Amount of destruction accomplished by the enemy.-THE RICHMOND LINES, HATCHER'S RUN.-Extension of Grant's line.-BATTLE OF HARES MILL.-Gallantry of Gordon's command.—Vigor and brilliancy of the fighting of the Confederates.-No decisive results.. PAGE 474

CHAPTER XXV.

THE BATTLES AROUND PETERSBURG.-The movement of Sheridan's cavalry.-The Five Forks.-General Lee's counter-movement.-Repulse of Sheridan.-Re-enforced by Grant. The Confederates flanked at the Five Forks.-The situation in front o Petersburg.-Lee's lines broken in three places.-Capture of Fort Mahone by the enemy.-General Lee loses his entire line of defence, and the Southside Railroad. -THE EVACUATION OF RICHMOND,-Great surprise in the Confederate capital.-The news in the churches.-Dr. Hoge's address.-Consternation and uproar in the

« PreviousContinue »