American Progress

FALL OF RICHMOND, VA., THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL.-The Entrenched City 1865
Closely Encompassed for Months by General Grant's Brave Legions and Walls of Steel.-Flight of
Jefferson Davis, and Surrender of General Lee's Army.-Overthrow of the Four Years' Gigantic
Rebellion. The Ægis and Starry Ensigns of the Republic Everywhere Dominant.-Transports of
Joy Fill the Land.—A Nation's Laurels Crown the Head of the Conqueror of Peace.— Memorable
Day in Human Affairs.-Momentous Issues Involved.-Heavy Cost of this Triumph.-Without It, a
Lost Republic.-Unequaled Valor Displayed.-Sherman's Grand Conceptions.-Sheridan's Splendid
Generalship.-Onward March of Events -Strategy, Battles, Victories.-Lee's Lines Fatally Broken.
-Approach of the Final Crisis. – Richmond Evacuated by Night.-Retreat of Lee: Vigorous Pur-
suit. His Hopeless Resistance to Grant.-Their Correspondence and Interview.-The Two Great
Generals Face to Face.-What was Said and Done.-Announcing the Result.-Parting of Lee with
His Soldiers.-President Lincoln's Visit to Richmond.-Raising the United States Flag at Fort Sum-
ter.-Davis a Prisoner in Fortress Monroe.
607

OUR FIRST VICTORY ON THE SEA.-John Paul Jones Fights and Captures the English 1779

Ship-of War, Serapis, in British Waters.-Crowds of Spectators Line the Coast.-The Most Sangui-

nary Battle Ever Fought Between Single Ships.-Britain's Flag Struck to America.-Jones is Hailed

as "The Washington of the Sea."-World-wide Interest of this Combat.
82

AMERICA AND ENGLAND MATCHED AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR THE FIRST 1813

TIME IN A SQUADRON FIGHT.-Lake Erie the Scene of the Encounter.-Sixteen Vessels En-

gaged -The British, under Captain Barclay, one of Lord Nelson's Veteran Officers, and with a Su-

perior Force, are Thoroughly Beaten by the Americans, under Commodore Oliver H. Perry.-Every

British Vessel Captured.-General Harrison Completes the Victorious Work on Land.-American

Prowess Invincible..

168

EXTRAORDINARY COMBAT BETWEEN THE IRON-CLADS MERRIMAC AND MON- 1862

ITOR, IN HAMPTON ROADS.—Sudden Appearance of the Merrimac Among the Federal Frig-

ates. Their Swift and Terrible Destruction by Her Steel Prow.-Unexpected Arrival of the "Lit

tle Monitor" at the Scene of Action -She Engages and Disables the Monster Craft in a Four Hours'

Fight. Total Revolution in Naval Warfare the World Over by this Remarkable Contest.-How the

Merrimac Changed Hands.-Burned and Sunk at Norfolk, Va.-Her Hull Raised by the Confeder-

ates. She is Iron Roofed and Plated -Proof Against Shot and Shell.-A Powerful Steel Beak in

Her Prow.-Most Formidable Vessel Afloat -In Command of Commodore Buchanan -Departs

from Norfolk, March Eighth-Pierces and Sinks the Cumberland.-Next Attacks the Congress.-

The Noble Frigate Destroyed-Fight Begun with the Minnesota. -Suspended at Nightfall -Trip

of the Monitor from New York.-Her New and Singular Build -Lieutenant Worden Hears of the

Battles-Resolves to Grapple with the Monster-The Two Together Next Day A Scene Never

to be Forgotten.-Worden Turns the Tide of Fortune.-Repulse and Retreat of the Merrimac. 526

COMBAT BETWEEN THE ALABAMA, CAPTAIN SEMMES, AND THE KEAR- 1864

SARGE, CAPTAIN WINSLOW, OFF CHERBOURG.-The Alabama is Sunk after an Hour's

Engagement, in Sight of the Two Great Maritime Powers of Europe.-Semmes Throws His Sword

Away, Jumps Overboard, and Escapes. -Relative Equality, in Size and Armament, of the Two Ves-

sels.-The Previous Destructive Career of the Alabama Against Northern Commerce.-Causeless

Raid on Marine Property -Fault in the Law of Nations-British Origin of the Alabama —Her Un-

mistakable Character.-Peculiar Model and Equipment.-Adapted to Destroy, Fight, or Run.-

Adroit Shipment of Stores and Guns -Ready for a Start -All Hands Mustered Aft.-Semmes

Reads Aloud His Commission -Cheers for Davis, Semmes, Etc.-Salute Fired: Hoisting the Flag.

-A Long Cruise: Terrible Ravages -Puts in at Cherbourg, France -The United States Ship

Kearsarge on His Track.-Semmes Boldly Offers to Fight -Preliminary Maneuvers of the Ships-

Seven Circles Round Each Other.-Semmes's Rapid and Furious Fire-Superior Gunnery of the

Kearsarge-Its Fatal Effect on the Alabama.-Incidents of this Renowned Fight.

581

ADMIRAL FARRAGUT'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1862 AND IN 1864; AND ADMIRAL 1864
PORTER'S IN 1865.-Fierce and Sanguinary Contest between the Admiral's Flagship, and
Admiral Buchanan's Monster Ram.-The Latter Proves Herself, for a Time, a Match for the Whole
Union Fleet.-Farragut's Overwhelming Victory.-Farragut Pressed to Join the South.-His
Unswerving Fidelity to the Old Flag.-High Trust Committed to Him.-Sailing of His Fleet.-
Bold and Successful Plan of Battle.-Admiral Porter's Services.-New Orleans Again Under the
United States Flag.-Forts, Rams, Ironclads, etc., to Fight.-Powerful Build of the Tennessee.—
Makes for Her Antagonist at Full Speed.-Farragut's Masterly Maneuvers.-Unexpected Feature
in His Tactics.-Deadly Contact of the Various Craft.-The "Glory" and Horrors of War.-
Stubborn Bravery of the Great Ram.—Crippled at Last: The White Flag.-The Stars and Stripes
on Her Staff.-Buchanan Yields His Sword.

590

III.

SUPERB ACHIEVEMENTS OF ORATORY.

THE "GREAT DEBATE” BETWEEN WEBSTER AND HAYNE IN CONGRESS.-Vi-1830

tal Constitutional Issues Discussed.-Unsurpassed Power and Splendor of Senatorial Eloquence.—

Webster's Speech Acknowledged to be the Grandest Forensic Achievement in the Whole Range of

Modern Parliamentary Efforts.-His Magnificent Personal Appearance.-Unprecedented Interest

and Excitement Produced in the Public Mind.-No Debate Comparable with This.-Known as the

Battle of the Giants.”—Rival Orators; Pleasant Courtesies.- Golden Age of American Oratory. 205

STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT OF PETITION IN CONGRESS.-John Quincy Adams, the 1836

"Old Man Eloquent," Carries on a Contest of Eleven Days, Single Handed, in its Defense in the

House of Representatives.-Passage of the “Gag Rule.”—Expulsion and Assassination Threatened.

-His Unquailing Courage.-A Spectacle Unwitnessed before in the Halls of Legislation.—Triumph

of his Master Mind.

252

POLITICAL DEBATE BETWEEN ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND STEPHEN A. DOUG- 1858

LAS, IN ILLINOIS.-Cause of this Remarkable Oratorical Contest.-Intense Interest in All Parts

of the Land.-The Heart of Every American Citizen Enlisted in the Momentous Issue Involved.-

Eminent Character of the Combatants.-Their Extraordinary Ability and Eloquence Universally

Acknowledged.-The Discussions Attended by Friends and Foes.-Victory, Defeat, Life and

Death.-Condition of the New Territories.-Form of Constitution to be Decided.-Domestic Institu-

tions: Slavery. Mr. Douglas Advocates "Popular Sovereignty."-" Prohibition Urged by Mr.

Lincoln.-National Importance of the Question.-The Public Mind Divided.-Joint Debates Pro-

posed.-Agreement between the two Leaders.-Personal Appearance and Style.-Plans, Places,

Scenes.-Theories and Arguments Advanced.-Skill and Adroitness of the Disputants.—Immense

Concourses.-Result Impartially Stated.—Mr. Douglas Re-elected Senator.—Mr. Lincoln Nominated

for President. His Election to that Office.-Douglas's Magnanimity.-The Olive Branch.-Shoulder

to Shoulder as Unionists.-Sudden Decease of the Great Senator.
. 469

ORATORICAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF AMERICA'S CAUSE IN ENGLAND, BY REV. H. 1863

W. BEECHER.—His Olympian Speeches, in Defiance of British Sentiment, in the Great Cities of

the Kingdom.-Superb Exhibition of Forensic Power in Liverpool.-He Wrestles, Single-Handed

and Triumphantly, for Three Hours with a Vast Mob in that City.-Reception at Exeter Hall,

London. Mr. Beecher's Tour Abroad for His Health.-Civil Conflict Raging in America.—Mr.

Beecher Urged to Speak on United States Affairs.-Opening Speech in Manchester.-Great

Audience. Attempts to Silence Him.-Powerlessness of the Opposition.-Discussions in Glasgow

and Edinburgh.-Battle Waged by Mr. Beecher in Liverpool.-Violent Efforts to Gag Him.-

Taunts, Curses, Hisses, Fury-Stampings, Hootings, Yellings.-Beecher's Pluck, and Good

Humor.-Grand Closing Scene in the Capital.

IV.

573

WONDERFUL PHENOMENA OF THE EARTH, OCEAN, AND HEAVENS.
THE WONDERFUL DARK DAY.-One of Nature's Marvels.-The Northern States Wrapt in 1780

a Dense Black Atmosphere for Fifteen Hours.-The Herds Retire to their Stalls, the Fowls to their

Roosts, and the Birds Sing their Evening Songs at Noonday.-Alarm of the Inhabitants.-The Day

of Judgment Supposed to have Come. Science at a Loss to Account for the Mysterious Phenome-

non.-Incidents and Anecdotes..

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.-The Darkness of Night Falls upon the Earth at Mid-day.-Stars 1806

and Planets in Full Radiance.-Magnificent Spectacle of the Glittering Corona around the Moon and

the Brilliant Rosy Protuberances Flaming from the Sun.-Business Pursuits Abandoned.-Millions

of Faces Turned Upward.-The Phenomenon Viewed with Curiosity, Wonder, and Absorbed De-

light.-Triumphs of Astronomical Science.-Revelations of the Spectroscope.-Spots on the Sun

Examined.-Climax of the Impressive Scene.

134

EXTENSIVE AND CALAMITOUS EARTHQUAKE AT THE WEST.-Its Convulsive 1811

Force Felt all Over the Valley of the Mississippi and to the Atlantic Coast.—The Earth Suddenly

Bursts Open and a Vast Region of Country is Sunk and Lost.-Awful Chasms and Upheavels.-

Ruin and Desolation Brought upon the Inhabitants.-Account of the More Recent Earthquakes in

California, their Characteristics and Destructiveness.-Humboldt's Interesting Opinion. . . . 156

THE EVER-MEMORABLE GALE OF SEPTEMBER.-Bright Skies in the Midst of the 1815

Tempest.-Suffocating Current of Hot Air.—All New England Desolated.

178

SUBLIME METEORIC SHOWER ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.-The Most Grand 1833

and Brilliant Celestial Phenomenon Ever Beheld and Recorded by Man.-The Whole Firmament of

the Universe in Fiery Commotion for Several Hours.-Amazing Velocity, Size and Profusion of

the Falling Bodies.-Their Intense Heat, Vivid Colors, and Strange, Glowing Beauty.-The People

Wonder Struck.-Admiration Among the Intelligent.—Alarm Among the Ignorant.-Conflagration

of the World Feared.

228

MAGNIFICENT AURORA BOREALIS OF 1837.-A Vast Canopy of Gorgeous Crimson 1857

Flames Encircles the Earth.-Arches of Resplendent Auroral Glories Span the Hemisphere.—Innu-

merable Scarlet Columns of Dazzling Beauty Rise from the Horizon to the Zenith.-The Face of

Nature Everywhere Appears, to an Astonished World, as if Dyed in Blood.-Uncommon Extent and

Sublimity. Millions of Wondering Observers.

269

SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF A GREAT AND FIERY COMET IN THE SKIES AT 1843

NOONDAY.-It Sweeps Through the Heavens, for Several Weeks, with a Luminous Train

108,000,000 Miles in Length.-Almost Grazes the Sun, and, after Whirling Around that Orb with

Prodigious Velocity, Approaches the Earth with a Fearful Momentum. Its Mysterious disappear-

ance in the Unknown Realms and Depths of Space.-Most Notable of all Comets.

300

EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS, SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITIONS,
AND THE SPLENDID TRIUMPHS OF MECHANICAL GENIUS.
WHITNEY'S COTTON-GIN INVENTION.-The Inventor's Obscure Circumstances.-His 1793
Early Mechanical Genius.-Determined to get an Education.-Goes to the South as a Teacher.-
Befriended by a Widow.-His Inventive Efforts Produce the Cotton-Gin.-It Revolutionizes the In-
dustrial Prospects and Political Power of the South.-How Cotton Became "King."-Its Relation
to the Great Themes and Events in American History.

FULTON'S TRIUMPHANT APPLICATION OF STEAM TO NAVIGATION.-Fulton's 1807
Early Mechanisms. His Experiments and Trials.-Discovery of Steam Propulsion at Last.-Pub-
lic Ridicule of the Scheme.-Construction of the First Steamboat.-Incidents at the Launch.-Sail-
ing of the "New-Fangled Craft."-Complete Success of the Trip.-Fulton's Checkered Fortunes.-
First Steamboat at the West.-The World Indebted to American Ingenuity and Enterprise for this
Mighty Agent in Human Progress and Power.-The Whole Scale of Civilization Enlarged.

150

MORSE'S INVENTION OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-Realization of the Highest 1835

Ideal of a Mechanical Miracle.-Principle, Structure and Operation of the Machine.-Net-Work of

Lines Established Over the Four Continents.-The Inventor's Experiments, Labors, Discourage-

ments, and Triumphs.-" Orders of Glory," Gifts, and Other Honors, Bestowed upon Him by

Crowned Heads.

244

FREMONT'S HEROIC EXPEDITION OF DISCOVERY TO THE UNTRACKED RE- 1842
GION OF THE NORTH-WEST, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, ETC.-Fremont a Pioneer of Em-
pire.-National Objects of this Tour. Enchanting Record of Adventures. Surveys and Researches.
-His Exploration of the Sierra Nevada, and of that Wonderful Gateway in the Rocky Mountains,

the South Pass.-Plants the American Flag on the Highest Peak of that Lofty Range. He Enriches

Every Branch of Natural Science, and Illustrates a Remote and Boundless Country before Entirely

Unknown.

285

DISCOVERY OF THE INHALATION OF ETHER AS A PREVENTIVE OF PAIN. 1846

Instinctive Dread of Pain.-Persistent Search for a Preventive.-Discovery of the Long-Sought Se-

cret.-Honor Due to the Medical Science of America.-Curious Religious Objections.-Account of

the First Capital Demonstration before a Crowded and Breathless Assembly.-Its Signal Success.—

Most Beneficent Boon Ever Conferred by Science upon the Human Race.
324

INVENTION OF THAT WONDROUS PIECE OF MECHANISM, THE SEWING- 1846

MACHINE.-The Woman's Friend.-Romantic Genius and Perseverance Displayed in its Produc-

tion. Toils of the Inventor in His Garret.-His Ingenuity, Struggles and Triumphs.-A Machine

at Last.-World-Wide Introduction of the Device.-The Industrial Interests of the Country Affected

to the Amount of $500,000,000 Annually.-The Humble Inventor Becomes a Millionaire. . . 332

EXPEDITION TO THE RIVER JORDAN AND THE DEAD SEA, BY LIEUT. W. F. 1847

LYNCH, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.--Inter-

est in the Holy Land.-Equipment of the United States Expedition.-On Its Way to the Orient.—

Anchoring Under Mount Carmel.-Passage Down the Jordan.-The Sacred River Successfully Cir-

cumnavigated, Surveyed, and Traced to Its Source.-Wild and Impressive Scenery.-Twenty Days

and Nights upon the "Sea of Death.”—It is Explored, and Sounded, and its Mysteries Solved.-

Important Results to Science.

354

DISCOVERY OF GOLD AT SUTTER'S MILL, CALIFORNIA.-First Practical Discovery 1849

of the Precious Metal.-Simple Accident that Led to It.-The Discovery Kept Secret.-How it was

Disclosed. The News Spreads Like Wild-Fire to the Four Quarters of the Globe.-Overwhelming

Tide of Emigrants from all Countries.-Their Trials.-Life Among the Diggers.-Nucleus of a

Great Empire on the Pacific.-California Becomes the El Dorado of the World and the Golden

Commonwealth of the American Union.

360

DISCOVERY OF PETROLEUM IN PENNSYLVANIA.-Discovery of Prodigious Quanti- 1859

ties of Illuminating Oil in the Depths of the Earth.-Boring of Innumerable Wells.-Fabulous Prices

Paid for Lands.-Poor Farmers Become Millionaires.-The Supply of Oil Exceeds the Wants of the

Whole Country.-Immense Exportations of the Article.-Vast Source of National Wealth and In-

dustry. Revolution in Artificial Light.-Ancient Knowledge of this Oil.-Floating on Ponds and

Creeks. Its Collection and Use.-Native Sources: Origin.

476

THIRTY THOUSAND MILES OF RAILWAY IN THIRTY YEARS, AND EIGHTY 1859

THOUSAND IN HALF A CENTURY.-Curious Chronicles Relating to the Introduction of Im-

proved Means of Transit.-The Old and the New.-Development and Progress.-Numerous and

Important Advantages.-Great Saving of Time and Expense.-Initiatory Undertakings in the

United States.-First American Railway with Steam as the Locomotive Power.-Small Beginnings:

Great Results.-Amazing Growth and Expansion in all Directions.-Social and Business Changes.

-Infancy of Mechanism in this Line.-Pioneer Coach and Locomotive.-Successive Steps of Advance-

ment.-Usual Channels of Trade Abandoned.-Power of Capital Demonstrated.-Distant Sections

and Interests Equalized.-Stimulus to Industry.-Vast Constructive Works Involved.-U. S. Enter-

prise not Behindhand.-" Breaking the Ground."-Less than 20 Miles in 1829.-Some 30,000 Miles

in 1859. Constant and Rapid Increase.-Inventive Genius Displayed.-" Improvements" by the

Thousands.-Steel Rails Substituted for Iron.-Luxury on Wheels.-Palace and Sleeping Cars.-

Tremendous Speed Attained.-American and Foreign Lines.-Railways 16,000 Feet Above the

Sea...

645

SUCCESSFUL LAYING OF THE TELEGRAPH CABLE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC 1866
OCEAN.-The Old World and the New United by Instantaneous Communication.-Pronounced the
Grandest of Human Enterprises.-Ten Years of Difficulty and Failure in the Mighty Task.-The
Name of Its Indomitable Projector Crowned with Immortal Honor.-Illustrations of the Power and
Wonders of this New-Born Agent of Civilization.-Moral Uses of the Cable.
629

COMPLETION OF THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.-Spikes of the Richest Gold and a Hammer 1869
of Pure Silver Used in Laying the Last Rail.-The Blows of the Sledge Telegraphed to All the

Great Cities.-The Wide Continent Spanned with Iron from the Farthest East to the Golden Gate.
-Junction of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.-Seven Days from New York to San Francisco.—
Greatest Railroad Route on the Face of the Earth.-" Manifest Destiny" of the United States. 637
"MIRACLES OF SCIENCE," OR FOUR NEW WONDERS OF THE WORLD.-The 1876
Electric Light, or Brilliant and Abundant Illumination by Means of Electricity.-The Telephone, or
Instantaneous Articulate Communication between Distant Points.—The Phonograph, or Talking
Machine, Reproducing and Preserving Human Utterances, whether of Speech or Song, in all their
Characteristics.-The Microphone, or Prodigious Magnifier of Sound, however Slight or Remote.-
Splendor of the Electric Rays.-Former Inventions in this Line.-Prof. Farmer's Early Success.-Ed-
ison's Improved Device.-Its Special Characteristics.-Sanguine Expectations Entertained. -Interest
Excited by the Telephone.-Encomiums from English Sources.-Principles of Construction and Use.
-Simplicity and Serviceableness.-Tens of Thousands in Operation. How the Phonograph was
Developed.-Other Inventions Fairly Eclipsed.-Its Appearance, Form, Outcome.-Words and
Tones Recorded.-Astonishment and Delight.-Its Five Chief Features.-Marvels of the Micro-
phone.-A Touch or Tick Audible for Miles.-Arrangement of the Apparatus.-Curious Feats
Accomplished.-Explanation of this Property.