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this City of New York (where its ideas and vital aims were more generally cherished than even in South Carolina or Louisiana), that I confidently hoped for an immediate and palpable, rather than a remote and circuitous triumph of the Union, now and evermore blended inseparably with Emancipation-with the legal and National recognition of every man's right to himself. Thenceforward, with momentary intervals of anxiety, depression, and doubt, it has been to me a labor of love to devote every available hour to the history of the American Conflict.

This Volume is essentially Military, as the former was Civil: that is, it treats mainly of Armies, Marches, Battles, Sieges, and the alternations of good and ill fortune that, from January, 1862, to May, 1865, befell the contending forces respectively of the Union and the Confederacy. But he who reads with attention will discern that I have regarded even these under a moral rather than a purely material aspect. Others have doubtless surpassed me in the vividness, the graphic power, of their delineations of 'the noise of the captains, and the shouting:' I have sought more especially to portray the silent influence of these collisions, with the efforts, burdens, sacrifices, bereavements, they involved, in gradually molding and refining Public Opinion to accept, and ultimately demand, the overthrow and extinction of Human Slavery, as the one vital, implacable enemy of our Nationality and our Peace. Hence, while at least three-fourths of this Volume narrates Military or Naval occurrences, I presume a larger space of it than of any rival is devoted to tracing, with all practicable brevity, the succession of Political events; the sequences of legislation in Congress with regard to Slavery and the War; the varying phases of Public Sentiment; the rise, growth, and decline, of hopes that the War would be ended through the accession of its adversaries to power in the Union. I labor under a grave mistake if this be not judged by our grandchildren (should any of them condescend to read it) the most important and interesting feature of my work.

I have differed from most annalists, in preferring to follow a campaign or distinct military movement to its close before interrupting its narration to give accounts of simultaneous movements or campaigns in distant regions, between other armies, led by other commanders. In my historical reading, I have often been perplexed and confused by the facility wherewith chroniclers leap from the Euphrates to the Danube, and from the Ebro to the Vistula. In full view of the necessary inter-dependence of events occurring on widely separated arenas, it has seemed to me preferable to follow one movement to its culmination before dealing with another; deeming the inconveniences and obscurities involved in this method less serious than those unavoidable (by me, at least) on any different plan. Others will judge between my method and that which has usually been followed.

I have bestowed more attention on marches, and on the minor incidents of a campaign, than is common: historians usually devoting their time and force mainly to the portrayal of great, decisive (or at least destructive) battles. But battles are so often won or lost by sagaciously planned movements, skillful combinations, well-conducted marches, and wise dispositions, that I have extended to these a prominence which seemed to me more clearly justified than usually conceded. He was not an incapable general who observed that he chose to win battles with his soldiers' legs rather than their muskets.

As to dates, I could wish that commanders on all hands were more precise than they usually are; but, wherever dates were accessible, I have given them, even though invested with no special or obvious consequence. Printed mainly as foot-notes, they con-* sume little space, and do not interrupt the flow of the narrative. The reader who does

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not value need not heed them; while the critical student will often find them of decided Should any one demur to this, I urge him to examine thoughtfully the dates of the dispatches received and sent by McClellan between his retreat to Harrison's bar and Pope's defeat at Groveton; also, those given in my account of his movements from the hour of his arrival at Frederick to that of Lee's retreat from Sharpsburg across the Potomac.

I trust it will be observed by candid critics that, while I seek not to disguise the fact that I honor and esteem some of our commanders as I do not others, I have been blind neither to the errors of the former nor to the just claims of the latter-that my high estimation of Grant and Sherman (for instance) has not led me to conceal or soften the lack of reasonable precautions which so nearly involved their country in deplorable if not irremediable disaster at Pittsburg Landing. So with Banks's mishap at Sabine Cross-roads and Butler's failure at Fort Fisher. On the other hand, I trust my lack of faith in such officers as Buell and Fitz John Porter has not led me to represent them as incapable or timorous soldiers. What I believe in regard to these and many more of their school is, that they were misplaced-that they halted between their love of country and their traditional devotion to Slavery-that they clung to the hope of a compromise which should preserve both Slavery and the Union, long after all reasonable ground of hope had vanished; fighting the Rebellion with gloved hands and relaxed sinews because they mistakenly held that so only was the result they sighed for (deeming it most beneficent) to be attained. If the facts do not justify my conviction, I trust they will be found so fairly presented in the following pages as to furnish the proper corrective for my errors.

Without having given much heed to rival issues, I presume this volume will be found to contain accounts (necessarily very brief) of many minor actions and skirmishes which have been passed unheeded by other historians, on the assumption that, as they did not perceptibly affect the great issue, they are unworthy of record. But the nature and extent of that influence is matter of opinion, while the qualities displayed in these collisions were frequently deserving of grateful remembrance. And, beside, an affair of outposts or foraging expeditions has often exerted a most signal influence over the spirits of two great antagonist armies, and thus over the issues of a battle, and even of a campaign. Compressed within the narrowest limits, I have chosen to glance at nearly every conflict of armed forces, and to give time to these which others have devoted to more elaborate and florid descriptions of great battles. It has been my aim to compress within the allotted space the greatest number of notable facts and circumstances; others must judge how fully this end has been achieved.

Doubtless, many errors of fact, and some of judgment, are embodied in the following pages: for, as yet, even the official reports, &c., which every historian of this war must desire to study, are but partially accessible. I have missed especially the Confederate reports of the later campaigns; only a few of which have been made public,, though many more, it is probable, will in time be. Some of these may have been destroyed at the hasty evacuation of Richmond; but many must have been preserved, in manuscript if not in print, and will yet see the light. So far as they were attainable, I have used the reports of Confederate officers as freely as those of their antagonists, and have accorded them nearly if not quite equal credit. I judge that the habit of understating or concealing their losses was more prevalent with Confederate than with Union commanders; in over-estimating the numbers they resisted, I have not been able to perceive

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any difference. It is simple truth to say that such over-estimates seem to have been
quite common on both sides.

I shall be personally obliged to any one, no matter on what side he served, who will
furnish me with trustworthy data for the correction of any misstatement embodied in
this work. If such correction shall dictate a revision of any harsh judgment on friend
or foe, it will be received and conformed to with profound gratitude. My convictions
touching the origin, incitements, and character, of the War from which we have so
happily emerged, are very positive, being the fruits of many years' almost exclusive
devotion to National affairs; but my judgments as to occurrences and persons are held
subject to modification upon further and clearer presentments of facts. It is my pur-
pose to revise and correct the following pages from day to day as new light shall be
afforded; and I ask those who may feel aggrieved by any statement I shall herein have
given to the public, to favor me with the proofs of its inaccuracy. Unwilling to be
drawn into controversy, I am most anxious to render exact justice to each and all.

The subject of Reconstruction (or Restoration) is not within the purview of this work,
and I have taken pains to avoid it so far as possible. The time is not yet for treating it
exhaustively, or even historically; its importance, as well as its immaturity, demand for
its treatment thoughtful hesitation as well as fullness of knowledge. Should I be living
when the work is at length complete, I may submit a survey of its nature, progress, and
results: meantime, I will only avow my undoubting faith that the same Divine Benignity
which has guided our country through perils more palpable if not more formidable, will
pilot her safely, even though slowly, through those which now yawn before her, and
bring her at last into the haven of perfect Peace, genuine Fraternity, and everlasting
Union-a Peace grounded on reciprocal esteem; a Fraternity based on sincere, fervent
love of our common country; and a Union cemented by hearty and general recognition
of the truth, that the only abiding security for the cherished rights of any is to be found
in a full and hearty recognition of Human Brotherhood as well as State sisterhood-in
the establishment and assured maintenance of All Rights for All.

New York, July 21, 1866.

H. G.

INDEX BY CHAPTERS.

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IV. Burnside's Expedition to N. Carolina. 73

Roanoke Island carried-Elizabeth city submits--

Defenses of Newbern stormed-Newbern surren-

dered-Fort Macon reduced-Fight at South Mills

- Foster advances to Kinston -

Fails to carry

Goldsboro'.

V. Butler's Expedition to the Gulf-Cap-

ture of New Orleans...

Gen. B. F. Butler concentrates 15,000 men on Ship
Island-Capt. Farragut at the mouths of the Mis-
sissippi-Assails and passes Forts Jackson and St.
Philip-Destroys the Rebel Flotilla-Pushes on to
New Orleans-The Forts surrender to Capt. Porter
-Gasconade of Mayor Monroe-New Orleans suc-
cumbs Butler convinces the Rebels that he is
wanted there-General Order No. 28-Execution
of Mumford-Farragut and Gen. Williams ascend
the River to Vicksburg-Baffled there-Breckin-
ridge attacks Baton Rouge-Williams killed-
Rebels repulsed-Ram Arkansas destroyed-Weit-
zel reduces the Lafourche country-Flanders and
Hahn chosen to Congress-Butler superseded by
Banks-Butler's parting Address-Jeff. Davis dis-
satisfied with his policy.

81

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212

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XI. Slavery in the War-Emancipation.....232

Patrick Henry on Federal Power over Slavery-

Edmund Randolph--John Quincy Adams—Joshua

R. Giddings-Mr. Lincoln-Gov. Seward - Gen.

Butler-Gen. Fremont-Gen. T. W. Sherman-Gen.

Wool-Gen. Dix-Gen. Halleck-Gen. Cameron-

His Report revised by President Lincoln-Seward

to McClellan-Gen. Burnside-Gen. Buell-Gen.

Hooker-Gen. Sickles-Gen, McCook-Gen. Double-

day-Gen. Williains-Col. Anthony-Gen. Hunter

-Överruled by the President-Gen. McClellan on

the Negro-Horace Greeley to Lincoln-The Re-

spense-Do. to the Chicago Clergymen-Lincoln's

First Proclamation of Freedom-The Elections of

1862-Second Proclamation of Freedom-Edward

Everett on its Validity.

XII. Slavery and Emancipation in Congress. 256

E. R. Potter on Emancipation by War-Lincola

for colonizing the Blacks-Congress forbids Mili-

tary Officers returning Fugitives from Slavery—

Abolishes Slavery in the District of Columbia-

Lincoln proposes, and Congress enacts, Compen-

sated Emancipation-Prohibits Slavery in the Ter-

ritories-Confiscates the Slaves of Rebels-Opens

Diplomatic Intercourse with Liberia and Hayti-

Requires Equality in Education and Punishment

between Whites and Blacks-Right of Search on

the African Coast conceded-Fugitive Slave Act

repealed-Confinement of suspected Slaves in Fed-

eral Jails forbidden-Coastwise Slave-Trade for-

bidden-Color no Impediment to giving Testimony.

XIII. Rosecrans's Winter Campaign, 1862-3.270

The Army of the Ohio at Bowling Green-Reorgan-

ized by Rosecrans-Morgan's Raids-Surprise of

Moore at Hartsville-Our Advance from Nash-

ville-Battle of Stone River, near Murfreesboro'—

Bragg retreats-Cavalry Raids on our rear--Innes's

Defense of Lavergne-Losses-Forrest routed by

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XIV. Siege and Capture of Vicksburg....286

Position and Importance of Vicksburg-Grant

moves against it from Lagrange-Advances to Ox-

ford, Miss.-Van Dorn captures Holly Springs—

Murphy's Cowardice-Grant compelled to fall

back-Hovey and Washburn on the Coldwater--

Gen. Wm. T. Sherman embarks 30,000 men at

Memphis-Debarks on the Yazoo, north of Mem-

phis Com. Porter's Gunboats-Sherman storms.

the Yazoo Bluffs-Repulsed at all points with

heavy loss-Attempts to flank by Drumgould's

Bluff-Is baffled-Superseded by Gen.McClernand

-Who invests and captures the Post of Arkansas-

Gen. Grant assumes command-Debarks-Digging

the Canal-Proves an Abortion-Yazoo Pass Ex-

pedition-Stopped at Greenwood-Compelled to

return-Grant tries the Sunflower route-Baffled

again-The Queen of the West raids up Red River

-Disabled and abandoned-The Indianola cap-

tured by the Webb and Queen of the West-The

Indianola blown up in a panic-The Webb flees up

Red River-Grant moves down the Mississippi-

Com. Porter runs the Vicksburg Batteries-Grier-

son's Raid to Baton Rouge-Porter attacks the Bat-

teries at Grand Gulf-Grant crosses at Bruinsburg

-Sherman feints on Haines's Bluff-Crosses the

Mississippi at Hankinson's Ferry-Fight at Port
Gibson-Fight at Raymond-Fight at and capture
of Jackson-Battle of Champion Hills-Fight at
the Big Black-Haines's Bluff abandoned-Vicks.
burg invested-General Assault repulsed-The
Siege vigorously pressed-Pemberton calls a par-
ley-Surrenders-Grant drives Jo. Johnston from
Jackson-Fight at Milliken's Bend-Holmes as-
sails Helena, and is routed.

XV. Texas and Louisiana in 1863-Cap-

ture of Port Hudson..

Galveston-Retaken by Com. Renshaw-Sur-
prised by Magruder, and carried-Our Fleet dis-
abled and beaten-Disaster at Sabine Pass-The
Alabama captures the Hatteras-Gen. Banks in
command at New Orleans-Clearing the Atchafa-
laya-Fight at Carney's Bridge-Farragut passes
the Batteries at Port Hudson-Banks returns to
Berwick's Bay-Advances to Opelousas and Alex-
andria, La.-Moves thence to Bayou Sara, and
crosses the Mississippi-Invests Port Hudson-
Combined Attack on its Defenses-Repulsed with
a loss of 2,000-Banks presses the Siege-Second
Attack-The Rebel supplies exhausted-Gardner
surrenders-Dick Taylor surprises Brashear City
-Fighting at Donaldsonville-Franklin attacks
Sabine Pass, and is beaten off-Dana surprised at
Morganzia-Burbridge surprised near Opelousas
-Gen. Banks embarks for the Rio Grande-De-
barks at Brazos Santiago, and takes Brownsville
-Capture of Aransas Pass and Pass Cavallo-Fort
Esperanza abandoned-Indianola in our hands-
Banks returns to New Orleans.

XVI. Army of the Potomac under Burn-

side and Hooker-Fredericksburg

-Chancellorsville..

Gen. Burnside in command in Virginia-Crosses
the Rappahannock-Attacks Lee's Army, strongly
posted on the Southern Heights-Is repulsed with
heavy loss-Recrosses the River-A fresh Ad-
vance arrested by the President-The Mud March
-Rebel Raids in Virginia-Burnside gives place
to Hooker-Stoneman's Raid on Lee's rear
Hooker crosses the Rappahannock, and advances
to Chancellorsville-His right wing turned and
shattered by Jackson-Pleasanton checks the
Enemy-Jackson mortally wounded-Desperate
fighting around Chancellorsville-Hooker stunned
Our Army recoils-Sedgwick storms Marye's
Heights Strikes Lee's Rear-Is driven across the
River-Hooker rëcrosses also-Stoneman's Raid a
Failure Longstreet assails Peck at Suffolk-Is
beaten off with loss.

XVII. Lee's Army on Free Soil-Gettys-

burg

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Lee silently flanks Hooker's right, and moves
northward-Cavalry Fight near Fairfax-Milroy,
at Winchester, surprised and driven over the
Potomac, with heavy loss-Cavalry encounters
along the Blue Ridge-Jenkins raids to Cham-
bersburg-Lee crosses the Potomac-Hooker and
Halleck at odds-Hooker relieved-Meade in
command- Ewell at York-Collision of van-
guards at Gettysburg-Reynolds killed-Union-
ists outnumbered and driven, Howard halts on
Cemetery Hill-Sickles comes up-Hancock takes
command-Meade arrives-Both Armies coucen-

trated-Sickles driven back with loss-Rebel Ad-
vance checked-Night falls-Rebel Grand Charge
led by Pickett-Terribly repulsed-Lee retreats-
Heavy losses-Feeble pursuit by Sedgwick-Lee
halts at Williamsport-Meade hesitates-Lee gets
across the Potomac-Kilpatrick routs the Rebel
rear-guard-Meade crosses at Berlin, and moves
down to the Rappahannock-Fight at Manassas
Gap-Dix's Advance on Richmond-Pleasanton
crosses the Rapidan-Lee flanks Meade, who re-
treats to Centerville-Warren worsts A. P. Hill
-Lee retires across the Rappahannock-Imboden
surprises Charlestown-Gen. D. A. Russell storms
Rappahannock Station, capturing 1,600 prisoners
Meade crosses the Rapidan - Affair of Mine
Run-Toland's raid to Wytheville-Averill's to
Lewisburg-Fight at Droop Mountain.

PAGK

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XVIII. The Chattanooga Campaign............404

Morgan's Raid through Kentucky into Indiana

and Ohio-He is surrounded, routed, and captured

-His Imprisonment and Escape-Rosecrans ad-

vances from Murfreesboro' by Shelbyville and

Tullahoma, to the Tennessee at Bridgeport

Bragg flanked out of Chattanooga-Rosecrans

eagerly pursue-Bragg concentrates at Lafayette,

and turns upon his pursuers-Rosecrans concen-

trates on the Chickamauga-Desperate battle there

-Rosecrans, worsted, retreats to Chattanooga-

Losses-Rosecrans superseded-Pegram's raid in-

to Kentucky-Saunders's into East Tennessee→→

Burnside crosses the Cumberland Mountains-

Knoxville liberated — Burnside rētakes Cumber-

land Gap, with 2,000 prisoners-Longstreet impel-

led by Bragg against him-Wolford struck at Phil-

adelphia, Tenn.-Fight at Campbell's Station→→→→

Burnside withdraws into Knoxville-Longstreet

besieges and assaults-Is repulsed with loss-

Raises the Siege and retreats-Grant relieves Rose-.

crans-Hooker and Slocum hurried to the Tennes-

see-Wheeler's and Roddy's raids-Grant reaches

Chattanooga — Hooker crosses the Tennessee

Fight at Wauhatchie Sherman arrives from

Vicksburg-Grant impels attacks on Bragg by

Granger, Hooker, and Sherman-Hooker carries

Lookout Mountain-Bragg, on Mission Ridge, at-

tacked from all sides and routed-His Bulletin-

Hooker pursues to Ringgold-Cleburne checks him

in a gap in White Oak Ridge-Sherman and Grap-

ger dispatched to Knoxville-Losses at Mission

Ridge.

XIX. The War in Missouri and Arkansas,

in 1863.

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Marmaduke attacks Springfield, Mo.-Is repulsed
-Again at Hartsville-Waring routs him at Bates-
ville, Ark.-The Sam Gaty captured-Fayetteville
attacked by Cabell - Marmaduke assails Cape
Girardeau McNeil repels him- Coffey assails
Fort Blunt-Standwatie repulsed at Cabin Creek
-Coffey repulsed by Catherwood, at Pineville,
Mo. Quantrell's Arson and Butchery at Law-
rence, Kansas-Gen. Steele moves on Little Rock
-Fight at Bayou Metea-Davidson defeats Mar-
maduke at Bayou Fourche-Price abandons Little
Rock to Steele-Blunt's Escort destroyed by Quan-
trell-Col. Clayton defeats Marmaduke at Pine
Bluff-Gen. E. B. Brown defeats Cabell and Coffey
at Arrow Rock-McNeil chases them to Clarks-
ville-Standwatie and Quantrell repulsed by Col.
Phillips at Fort Gibson-Sioux Butcheries in Min-
nesota-Gen. Sibley routs Little Crow at Wood
Lake-500 Indians captured and tried for murder
-Gen. Pope in command-Sibley and Sully pur-
sue and drive the Savages-Gen. Conner in Utah
-Defeats Shoshonees on Bear River- Enemies
vanish.

XX. The Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida

in 1862-3-Siege of Charleston..455

Siege and Capture of Fort Pulaski by Gillmore-

Sinking of Stone Fleet in Charleston Harbor-

Com. Dupont sweeps down the Coast to St. Au-

gustine-Union Movement at Jacksonville-Pen-

sacola and Jacksonville abandoned-Edisto Island

relinquished-Gen. Hunter attacks Secessionville,

and is repulsed-Gen. Brannan threatens the Sa-

vannah Railroad-Fight at Coosawhatchie-De-

struction of the Nasliville-Dupont repulsed at

Fort McAllister-The Isaac Smith lost near Le-

garéville-Iron-clad Raid from Charleston-The

Mercedita and Keystone State disabled-Beau-

regard and Ingraham proclaim the Blockade of

Charleston raised-Dupont with his Iron-clads at-

tacks Fort Sumter, and is repulsed-Col. Montgom-

ery's Raid up the Combahee-The Atlanta comes

out from Savannah-Capt. Rogers, in the Wee-

hawken, disables and captures her-Gen. Gillmore

seizes half of Morris Island-Gen. Strong assaults

Fort Wagner, and is bloodily repulsed-Gillmore

opens Trenches-The 'Swamp Angel' talks to

Charleston-The Rebels driven out of Fort Wagner

-Com. Stephens assaults Fort Sumter-Charles-

ton bombarded from Wagner-Foundering of the
Weehawken-D. H. Hill repelled at Newbern-
Attacks Washington, N. C.- Is driven off by
Foster-Fight at Gun Swamp.

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