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PREFACE

UNLIKE anything heretofore presented to the reader of history is the arrangement and plan of this memorial volume. It has not been the aim of the author to follow the beaten track pursued by other writers; but rather to present a work which would be found especially adapted to the wants and tastes of the age in which we live.

To describe the shifting conflicts of party, international complications, or the profound problems of public policy which have agitated the country since its very foundation, has not been attempted, except in those special features which admit of attractive narrative and the embodying of genial anecdote and pleasing memory. It is designed rather, to preserve and perpetuate those special events in the first century of our nation's existence, which have had a controlling influence in shaping the destiny and moulding the present greatness and grandeur of the American Republic-those events that have called forth the most intense interest, curiosity, admiration or terror on the part of the people; and also to illustrate and bring into striking relief, the prevailing spirit or excitement of the period marked by their occurrence. The character of the work is, in the fullest sense, romantic, stimulating and instructive-adapted in the highest degree to enlist the wrapt emotions and attention of the American citizen so long as the Republic shall endure.

That the reader of these pages may be assured of the fidelity and accuracy of the narrative in each of the scenes portrayed, we will say that eleven years have been industriously devoted to the preparation and completion of the volume. The teeming libraries of the country, both public and private, have been diligently searched-incidents and data have been taken from individuals who have been foremost participants in the scenes depicted; and authors, statesmen, military and other officials have given a hearty co-operation, and without which many items of interest could not have been obtained. In fact, the whole storehouse of history in every department has been

industriously explored, and its contents carefully examined and summarized, and has been made tributary to these pages. While there have been many pens to carry on the continued story of our country's history, it has been left to the author of this work to glean from the massive volumes of the past, and from other available and reliable sources, the momentous events around which the history of the United States as a nation centers, and to present them in descriptive portraiture, that each event in all its reality may be photographed, as it were, on the mind, and thus be individually impressed in the memory of the reader.

To the American citizen there can hardly be a more inviting and instructive topic in the whole field of historical research than the study of the Great Events which have been the key to that unexampled success which has made the American name the synonym for tireless energy and matchless industry, and which stand out like landmarks in the first century of our national existence.

For those advanced in years, and who may have been identified with many of the scenes here portrayed, this memoriam will be invaluable. It will bring freshly to their minds, those occurrences with which they were familiar in their younger days, and give them a pleasant, reality which it is pleasant to enjoy.

For those who are just coming into the active duties of life it will be a reminder of the past,-graphically painting in words. the deeds and heroic acts of men whose lives were most prominent in the building up of this Western Empire, and whose examples stand as a perpetual encouragement and incentive to morality, patriotism and industry.

To those whose means or time is limited, this book will indeed be valuable, as it is a library in itself, comprising every feature in the development of our country's history, each having its proper place, -Political, Military, Mechanical, Social, Scientific and Commercial. Here are skillfully grouped the triumphs of peace

and of war, the triumphs of legislation and oratory; of invention and discovery; of justice and industry; of science and of religion. It will show what has been done, what has been suffered, what has been seen, and what has been felt in this youngest and most vigorous of the nations of the earth. It, in fact, records the most wonderful events of the most wonderful century.

While it is true that many of the subjects selected for this work are mentioned in one or other of the histories of the country, still from necessity they must be but brief and unsatisfactory sketches, as no single volume written after the usual form could be expected to give more than a passing glance, if mentioned at all, of a large portion of the subiects found in the present collection.

The Author has borne in mind the varied tastes of all classes and ages, and has labored to present a work which shall have an honored place in every family circle. The business man, with but a few minutes to spend, may find the subject that most interests him, and in that short time read and finish it. The professional man and public speaker will also find in it the best features of a History and Cyclopedia combined. To those who have but little taste for reading it will be specially beneficial; for while it carries the reader along with the fascination of a novel, it is still the very truth of history. Not being filled with dry discussions, or documentary array, it is not tedious, but restful and refreshing. To make it still more valuable, the Publishers have expended many thousands of dollars in illustrating the subjects, presenting views and portraits of each event. and their chief actors, by the best artists. in the land, such as Granville Perkins, W. L. Sheppard, Thomas Moran and others, whose names stand at the head of their profession, thus giving specimens of those different schools of art. Numerous copies have also been taken from the masterpieces of Trumbull, Copley and Healy.

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PASSAGE OF BENTON'S FAMOUS "EXPUNGING RESOLUTION," IN THE UNITED 1837
STATES SENATE.-Opposition to the United States Bank.-Jackson's Message Against it.-Con-
gress Grants a Charter, and Jackson Vetoes the Bill, Denounces the Bank, and Orders the United
States Funds Removed.-Secretary Duane Declines to Act, but Taney Succeeds him and Obeys.—
Fierce Conflict in Congress.-Weeks of Strong Debate.-Resolution to Censure Jackson Passed.-
Benton's Motion to Expunge.-He Follows it up Unceasingly, and Triumphs after Three Years'
Parliamentary Struggle.

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PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION, AS A WAR MEASURE, BY PRESIDENT 1863
LINCOLN.-More than Three Millions, in Bondage at the South, Declared Forever Free.-Most
Important American State Paper Since July Fourth, 1776.-Pronounced, by the President, "The
Great Event of the Nineteenth Century."-The Whole System of Slavery Finally Swept from the
Republic, by Victories in the Field and by Constitutional Amendment.-Public Reception of the
Proclamation.-Promulgation at the South.-Scenes of Joy Among the Freedmen.-Enfranchise-
ment Added to Freedom. .

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CAMPAIGN AGAINST VICKSBURG, "THE GIBRALTAR OF THE MISSISSIPPI," 1863

BY THE UNION FORCES.-The Genius, Valor, and Resources of Both Armies Tasked to Their

Utmost-Final Capitulation of the City by General Pemberton, After a Prolonged and Brilliant

Siege -Heaviest Blow Yet Dealt the Secession Cause.-General McPherson Receives the Formal

Surrender.-37,000 Prisoners, Fifteen Generals, Arms and Munitions for 60,000 Men, the Trophies.

-Geographical Importance of Vicksburg.—Its Commanding Fortifications.—Farragut's Naval Siege

Powerless. Sherman's Attack Repulsed.—Grant Assumes Active Command.—Vigorous Operations

Undertaken.-His Series of Victorious Battles.-Futile Attempt to Storm Vicksburg.-Hours of

Terrific Cannonading.-A Systematic Siege Begun.-Thorough Investment at all Points.-Federal

Sapping and Mining -They Mine and Blow up Fort Hill.-Awful Spectacle of Blood and Ruin.-

Deadly Struggle for a Foothold.-Success of the Forty-fifth Illinois.-Their Colors Surmount the

Work.-Pemberton Sends a Flag of Truce-His Interview with Grant.-Grant's Terms: "Uncon-

ditional Surrender."-The Victors Enter the City, July Fourth.-Curious Reminiscences. . . 554

THREE DAYS' BATTLE BETWEEN THE CONCENTRATED ARMIES OF GENER- 1863

ALS MEADE AND LEE, AT GETTYSBURG, PA.-Overwhelming Invasion of Pennsylvania

by the Confederate Forces.-The Union Army Drives Them with Great Slaughter Across the Poto-

mac.-Unsuccessful Attempt to Transfer the Seat of War from Virginia to Northern Soil —One of

the Most Decisiye and Important Federal Victories in the Great American Civil Conflict.—Lee's

Army Impatient to go North.-Order of March at Last.-Consternation in the Border States.-Call

for One Hundred Thousand More Men.-Advance of Meade's Army.-Face to Face with the Foe.-

Engagement between the Vanguards.-Terrific Artillery Contests -Movements and Counter Move-

ments. Severe Reverses on Both Sides.-Carnage at Cemetery Hill.-Longstreet's Furious Onset.

-Most Destructive Cannonade.-Gettysburg a Vast Hospital.-Crawford's Grand Charge.-Stand-

ing by the Batteries!-Hand-to-Hand Conflict.-Following the Battle-Flag.-Deadly and Impetuous

Fighting. Forty-one Confederate Standards Taken.-Unbounded Joy of the Victors.-President

Lincoln's Announcement.

GRAND MARCH OF THE UNION ARMY, UNDER GENERAL SHERMAN, THROUGH 1864
THE HEART OF THE SOUTH.-Generals and Armies Baffled States and Cities Conquered.—
-Display of Military Genius Unsurpassed in any Age or Country.-Great Closing Act in the Cam-
paign. Sherman's Qualities as a Commander.-His Own Story of his Success.-A Brilliant Cam-

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