freeing the slaves was carried to Lincoln, to sign, by the Assistant Secretary of State. According to the custom in America on New Year's day, the President had been receiving callers, and shaking hands by hundreds. His signature indicated an unsteady hand. He looked at it for a moment, and then, smiling, exclaimed: "When people see that shaky signature they will say: 'See how uncertain he was!' But I never was surer of anything in my life!" The scabbard was now flung to the rear. Our enemies in Europe were disarmed. But the darkest and most doubtful days in the history of the Republic were not yet past. CHAPTER X. THE DOUBTFUL DAYS. "Freedom's battle once begun, Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, BYRON. OOKING back at the war through the light of history, I often marvel that a doubt never crossed my mind of the final triumph of our arms. Youth and health, and a sanguine temperament, kept steadfast my faith. Nor can I now recall a single doubt expressed by any of my comrades at the front. Later on in the war than the period of which I write -that following emancipation-I was at home in Milwaukee on leave of absence. Meeting my old friend H., of a former chapter, we turned into a saloon for a chat and a glass of Lager. We were soon joined by an ex-sergeant of my old company, who had been dis charged from the service. He undertook to convince me that the North must fail; that the war for the Union had been converted into an Abolition crusade; and that, therefore, the South would win, and deservedly so. I replied: "You seem to forget that the men at the front are made of better stuff than you are." He was a fierce-looking man, but had proved himself a miserable soldier. From past experience during over four years in the field, I question the courage of all fierce-looking men. The ex-sergeant grew wrath and eloquent at my not very complimentary remark. He would face ten thousand bayonets for his convictions! He seemed disposed to render me physically incapable of further service in Virginia. But my friend H. held him, and thus preserved me. Presently, when the coast was clear, I came into rapid collision with him (I was young and perhaps foolish then). Without going into particulars, I may say that, in consequence of the collision, the ex-sergeant rushed off to the Municipal Court and applied for a warrant for my arrest. Fortunately, H. was undersheriff of Milwaukee that year. He followed the fierce one to the court-house, and managed to dissuade him from vindicating the law upon me. At all events, the process was stopped. This ex-sergeant was a fair sample of that despicable set of people not inappropriately called "copperheads." I admire the men of the South against whom I fought. I entertain G towards them the most friendly spirit. But these Northern "copperheads," who harassed the Administration, and embarrassed the army, were a cowardly contemptible set, whom nobody could or can respect. The immediate effect of the Emancipation Proclamation was to unite the South and divide the North. Many loyal Republicans questioned the wisdom of the measure. Democrats opposed, while the daggerspeaking "copperheads" denounced it in bitter terms. They would not stand shoulder to shoulder with "niggers!" nor fight for them-as if there was the remotest possibility of their fighting by the side, or for the sake, of anybody. A mass meeting of these fastidious patriots was held in Lincoln's own State, Illinois. He addressed them a powerful letter in his characteristic, inimitable style. It closed as follows: "There will be some black men who can remember that with silent tongue and clenched teeth, and steady eye and well-poised bayonet, they have helped mankind in this great consummation; while, I fear, there will be some white ones unable to forget that with malignant heart and deceitful speech they have striven to hinder it." "The cradle and the grave" was robbed in the South to swell the army and uphold slavery. Meanwhile, the much-despised blacks were left at home to guard the property and defend the sanctity of Southern hearths and homes; and in no single instance did they violate the master's confidence! They knew the merits of the contest-that their liberty, aye, their liberty, was staked upon the issue. And yet, with simple faith in heaven, loyalty to their pledge, devotion to duty, they hoed the corn, fed the cattle, and nursed the children, "while massa was gone to de war." Such loyalty, such devotion, finds no parallel in history; and challenges the admiration of all time. Lincoln was once informed by a friend that a prominent member of his Cabinet was a rival candidate for the Presidency. "What matters it," replied Lincoln. "He is an excellent Minister." He continued: “When my brother was ploughing, in early life, I ran along with a switch to keep a lazy old horse up to his work. Suddenly the animal started at a brisk pace, uninfluenced by any beating. I suddenly discovered that he was being tormented by a large fly, and I brushed it off, whereupon my brother said: 'What did you do that for? It was the fly that made him go.' If the Presidential fly is stinging," added Lincoln, "don't brush it off." The fly had lighted upon McClellan also, but it didn't make him go. And for that reason he was relieved from command of the army. General Burn side reluctantly assumed that responsible position. Early in December, 1862, our new commander moved the army against the forces of Lee, strongly posted on the Rappahannock, at and around Fredericksburg. My regiment was in Franklin's Grand Division, and we crossed the river, over pontoon bridges, without |