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CONTENTS OF VOLUME III.
CHAPTER XXV.
General view of situation after fall of Atlanta-Defences of Richmond and
Petersburg-National entrenchments-Depression of public spirit at the
North-Political situation-Approach of Presidential election-Difficulties
in drafting troops-Anxiety about Washington-Grant's strategy covers
the capital-Early reinforced by Anderson-Sheridan's manœuvres in the
Valley-Relations between Grant and Sheridan-Anderson recalled to
Richmond-Grant's visit to Sheridan-Confidence of both commanders-
Battle of Winchester-Blunder of Early-Sheridan's plan-Sheridan's
attack-Original success of rebels-Sheridan restores the day-Torbert's
cavalry charge-Victory of national forces-Retreat of Early, "whirling
through Winchester "-Pursuit by Sheridan-Battle of Fisher's Hill-
Second defeat of Early-Further retreat of rebels-Effect of success at
the North-Grant's orders to Sheridan-Early abandons the Valley-Cen-
sures of Lee-Disappointment in Richmond
1
CHAPTER XXVI.
Grant's original plan at the West to move to the sea-Plan turned over to
Sherman when Grant became general-in-chief-Co-operation of Banks and
Canby prevented by Red river disaster-Sherman first proposes destruction
of railroad to the rear-Unity of instinct between Grant and Sherman-
Sherman reverts to original plan-Grant first suggests movement to
Savannah, instead of Mobile-Sherman promptly accepts suggestion-
Development of views of the two commanders-Hood moves to rear and
threatens Sherman's communications-Sherman obliged to follow-Grant
makes a movement before Richmond to prevent Lee reinforcing Hood
-Sherman still anxious for his onward march-Sherman first suggests
leaving Hood in his rear-Hood attacks Chattanooga railroad and Sher-
man again compelled to follow-Grant meanwhile arranges for Sherman's
march to the sea-Attack and defence of Allatoona-Repulse of rebels-
Sherman again suggests moving to Savannah, leaving Thomas to contend
with Hood-Grant at first prefers Sherman to destroy Hood before moving
to sea-Sherman repeats suggestion-Grant sanctions movement, if line
of Tennessee can be held-Mutual confidence of Sherman and Grant
-Superior responsibility of Grant-Daring of Sherman's conception-
Comparison of Sherman's plan with that of Grant behind Vicksburg-
Difference between Grant's original plan and modifications of Sherman-
Originality of Sherman-Movement of Grant on the James in support of
Sherman and Sheridan-Orders to Butler and Meade-Grant has small
expectation of capturing Richmond at this time-Hopes to gain advantage
before Petersburg-Complicated responsibilities of general-in-chief-Move-
ment of Butler from Deep Bottom-Capture of Fort Harrison-Ord
wounded-National advance interrupted-Grant enters captured work-
Assault by Birney repelled-No further advantage gained north of James
-Correspondence of Grant with President in regard to Sheridan-Sheri-
dan's operations facilitated by movement on James-Meade moves out
to left-Warren captures work on Peeble's farm-Ninth corps at first
forced back, but afterwards rallies-Warren holds his position-Three
rebel assaults on Fort Harrison-Butler retains his prize-Rebels with-
draw within their lines-Advantage gained by Grant on both flanks-
Balancing character of operations-Consternation in Richmond-Anxiety
of Lee
39
CHAPTER XXVII.
Grant directs Sheridan to move upon Charlottesville-Sheridan recommends
reduction of his command-Lee reinforces Early-Sheridan moves down
the Valley-Early follows-Cavalry battle at Tom's Brook-Rout of the
rebels-Sheridan moves to Cedar Creek-Sheridan summoned to Wash-
ington-Wright left in command-Early determines to attack Sheridan's
army-Topography-Battle of Cedar Creek-Movement of Early, in night
of October 18th-Assault on left of national army-Wright driven back
in confusion seven miles-Sheridan arrives at Winchester on 18th-Rides
towards Cedar Creek on 19th-Turns the tide of fugitives-"Face the
other way"-Re-forms the line-Last attack of Early repulsed-Sheridan
attacks in his turn-Rout of the rebels-Magnitude of rebel disaster-End
of campaign in Shenandoah Valley-Sheridan's military achievements and
character-Faults of Early-End of Early's career-Grant's policy of
destroying resources of the Valley-Justified by necessity, by results, and
by course pursued by rebels-Grant moves against Lee's communications
-Instructions to Meade and Butler-Geography of country-Army of
Potomac crosses Hatcher's run-Warren fails to connect with Hancock-
Grant at Burgess's mill-Enemy's line found to extend further than ex-
pected-Grant suspends operation-Returns to City Point, supposing con-
nection made between Warren and Hancock-Enemy comes into gap
between Fifth and Second corps-Gallant behavior of Egan-Repulse of
rebels-Butler moves against fortified works, contrary to orders-Repulse
of Butler-Criticism of entire movement-General remarks on Grant's
operations before Petersburg 81
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Grant at City Point-Simplicity of camp life-Traits of President Lincoln-
Personal character of Grant-Wife and children at City Point-Military
family-Preparations for Sherman's march-Sherman falls back from
Atlanta-Pursuit of Hood-Escape of Hood-Reinforcement of Thomas-
Anxiety of government-Orders for Sherman's march delayed-Orders re-
newed-Harmony of Grant and Sherman-Supreme responsibility of Grant
-Hood moves to Tennessee river-Sherman's misgivings-Presidential
election-Political position of Grant-Views in regard to soldiers' vote-
Efforts of enemy at the North-Re-election of Lincoln-Sherman starts
for the sea-Change of military situation-Preparations of Grant to meet
Hood-Geography of Tennessee-Character of Thomas-Relations of
Sherman and Thomas-Difference of character between Grant and Thomas
-Grant and Sherman direct concentration in Tennessee-Thomas delays
to concentrate-Hood crosses the Tennessee-Forest moves into West
Tennessee-Forces of Thomas-Danger of Thomas-Reinforcement of
Thomas by Grant-Situation on the Tennessee-Grant visits the North-
Reception in New York and Philadelphia-Recommends dismissal of use-
less generals-Character of Stanton-Relations of Stanton and Grant 135
CHAPTER XXIX.
Hood moves north from the Tennessee-Thomas directs Schofield to fall back
-Schofield evacuates Columbia-Hood crosses Duck river-Affair at
Spring Hill-Schofield extricates his army-Battle of Franklin-Repulse
of Hood-Thomas directs Schofield to retreat to Nashville-Grant dis-
approves this strategy-Anxiety of government-Correspondence between
Grant and Thomas-Difference of views between the two commanders-
First news from Sherman-Proposed movement against mouth of Cape
Fear river-Orders to Butler and Weitzel-Orders to Sheridan-Move-
ment of Meade against Hicksford-Situation at Nashville-Thomas delays
to fight-Grant gives peremptory orders-Excuses of Thomas-Grant's
general supervision of armies-Butler starts in person for Fort Fisher, con-
trary to Grant's expectation-Further delay of Thomas-Correspondence
between Grant and the government-Grant orders Thomas to be relieved—
Suspends the order-Starts for Nashville-Receives news of Thomas's
success-Goes no further than Washington-Topography around Nash-
ville-Dispositions of Hood and Thomas-Thomas's plan of battle-Fight-
ing on 15th of December-Success of national movements-Battle of 16th
-Rout of Hood-Pursuit of rebel army-Hood crosses Tennessee-Con-
gratulations of Grant and the government-Further urging of Thomas-
Thomas defends his course-News of Sherman's arrival at the coast-
Thomas prepares to go into winter quarters-Grant makes different dis-
positions-Results of campaign against Nashville-Criticism of Hood-
Behavior of national troops-Criticism of Thomas-Justification of Grant's
judgment-Temperament of Thomas-Friendly relations between Grant
and Thomas-In war, nothing which is successful is wrong
. 202
CHAPTER XXX.
Sherman moves from Atlanta-Object of Sherman's march-Character of
march-Foraging-Alarm of enemy-Rebel movements in Sherman's front
-Arrival at Milledgeville-Second stage of march-Movements of cavalry—
Increased consternation of rebels-Futile efforts to obstruct Sherman-
Arrival at Millen-Policy of Sherman-Turns his columns towards Savan-
nah-Character of country on Savannah river-Arrival in front of Savan-
nah-Situation of city-Capture of Fort McAllister-Sherman communi-
cates with the fleet-Supplies awaiting him at Port Royal-Results of
march-Delight of country-Dispatches from Grant-Sherman ordered to
embark his army for Richmond-Preparations to obey-Orders revoked-
Investment of Savannah-Evacuation-Escape of garrison-Occupation of
city-Expedition against Fort Fisher starts—Butler's powder-boat-Lack
of co-operation between Butler and Porter-Explosion of powder-boat-
Situation of Fort Fisher-Strength of Defences-Garrison-Naval bom-
bardment, December 24th-Arrival of Butler-Landing of troops-Recon-
noissance-Butler determines against assault-Withdrawal of troops-
Protest of Porter-Butler sails for Fort Monroe-Grant's dispatch to
President-Butler's disobedience of orders-Unnecessary failure-Porter's
dispatches-Chagrin of Grant-Second expedition determined on-Secrecy
-Butler relieved from command-Second expedition starts-Terry's in-
structions-Arrival off Fort Fisher-Landing of troops-Movements of
Hoke-Bombardment of January 13th-National line across peninsula―
Supineness of Hoke-Reconnoissance-Arrangements for combined assault
-Bombardment of January 15th-Curtis's advance-Ames's assault-
National troops reach the parapet-Formidable character of work-Fight-
ing on the parapet-Capture of Fort Fisher-Losses-Arrival of Stanton
-Seizure of blockade runners-Conduct of troops-Gallantry of defence—
Harmony of Porter and Terry-General observations-Results
282
CHAPTER XXXI.
Approach of the end-Consternation of rebels-Desertions from Lee's army
-Discord in Richmond-Arming of slaves-Attempts at compromise-
Preparations to evacuate Richmond-Renewed efforts of Grant-Sher-
man to march northward-Relations of Sherman and Grant-Comprehen-
sive strategy of Grant-Schofield transferred to North Carolina-Dissat-
isfaction with Thomas-Canby ordered to move into Alabama-Schofield
to co-operate with Sherman-Stoneman ordered into East Tennessee-Po-
sition of Sherman in January-Moves to Pocotaligo-Grover brought
from the Shenandoah to Savannah-Strength of Sherman's army-
Strength of his enemy-Difficulties and dangers of Sherman's new cam-
paign-Sherman starts-Dispositions of Grant in his support-General
control of Grant-Cavalry movement ordered from West Tennessee to
support Canby-First news from Sherman-Schofield arrives in North
Carolina-Capture of Wilmington-Sheridan ordered to move west of
Richmond-Anxiety of President and Secretary of War-Advance of
Sherman-Characteristics of Grant-Operations west of Mississippi-
Instructions to Canby - Strategical principles of Grant-Delays of
Thomas-Situation in Richmond-Distraction and desperation of rebels
- Preparations to abandon Richmond - Preposterous suggestions of
Breckenridge and Beauregard-Beauregard relieved by Johnston-Deser-
tions from rebel army-Lee's attempt to negotiate with Grant-Corre-
spondence between Lee and Grant, and between Grant and the govern-
ment-Subordination of Grant-Lee's overtures repelled-Lee's statement
of rebel condition-News from Sheridan-Grant's prescience of Lee's
movements-Gradual envelopment of both Lee and Johnston's com-
mands-Dissatisfaction with Canby-First dispatches from Sherman-
Further delay of Thomas-Sheridan arrives at White House-Sheridan's
Raid-Last defeat of Early-Skilful strategy of Sheridan-Enormous
loss inflicted on enemy-Approaching consummation of Grant's plans-
Preparations for final blow-Sheridan to co-operate with army of Poto-
mac-Junction of Sherman and Schofield-Sherman's northward march
-Difficulties at outset-Advances directly north-Enters Columbia-
Conflagration caused by Hampton's orders-Sherman's troops extinguish
flames-Fall of Charleston- Sherman pursues Beauregard as far as
Winnsboro-Turns eastward-Arrives at Cheraw-Great captures of ord-
nance-Arrives at Fayetteville-Receives supplies from Wilmington-
Communicates with Grant-Hardee crosses Sherman's front to join Beau-
regard Sherman starts for Goldsboro-Johnston supersedes Beauregard
-Battle of Averysboro-Retreat of rebels-Battle of Bentonsville-At-
tack by Johnston-Repulse of Slocum-Arrival of Howard-Position of
Johnston-Attack by Miles-Opportunity of Sherman-He prefers to wait
arrival of Schofield-Retreat of Johnston-Sherman arrives at Goldsboro
-Character and results of march through Carolinas-Operations of Scho-
field prior to joining Sherman-Success of Grant's combinations-Orders
to all his generals-Meeting of Lincoln and Sherman at Grant's head-
quarters Self-reliance of Grant 350
CHAPTER XXXII.
Forces before Richmond and Petersburg, March 25, 1865-Grant's disposi-
tions in Virginia and North Carolina-Order for movement in front of
Petersburg-Rebel attack on Fort Steadman-Repulse of rebels-Desper-
ate strategy of Lee-Movement of Grant to left, March 29th-Relations
of Grant and Sheridan-Characteristics of Grant's strategy-Situation,
March 30th-Sheridan ordered to take Five Forks-Lee masses one-third
of his army against Grant's left-Warren disposes his forces contrary to
orders-Attack on Warren-Repulse of Warren-Dissatisfaction of Grant
-Unfortunate peculiarities of Warren-Advance of Humphreys and
Warren-Pickett sent against Sheridan-Battle of Dinwiddie-Advance
of Pickett-Repulse of rebels on Chamberlain's creek-Pickett pierces
Sheridan's centre-Sheridan attacks in return-Sheridan forced back to
Dinwiddie Sheridan holds Dinwiddie-Generalship of Sheridan-Situa