Scene of Campaign in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, 1862 Vicinity of Richmond, 1862 The Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862 The Proposed Routes from Washington to Richmond, 1862 Vicksburg and Vicinity, 1863 . . Battle of Chickamauga, September 19, 20, 1863 Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, November 23-25, 1863 495 500 501 General Thomas 527 View in the Main Exhibition Building Interior View of Machinery Hall Interior View of the United States Government Building Interior View of Agricultural Hall. 593 595 INTRODUCTION. 1. THE history of every nation is divided into periods. For a while the genius of a people will be turned to some particular pursuit. Men will devote themselves to certain things and labor to accomplish certain results. Then the spirit of the age will change, and historical facts will assume a different character. Thus arises what is called A PERIOD IN HISTORY. In studying the history of the United States it is of the first importance to understand the periods into which it is divided. 2. First of all, there was a time when the New World was under the dominion of the aborigines. From ocean to ocean the copper-colored children of the woods ruled with undisputed sway. By bow and arrow, by flint and hatchet, the Red man supported his rude civilization and waited for the coming of the pale-faced races. 3. After the discovery of America, the people of Europe were hundreds of years in making themselves acquainted with the shape and character of the New World. During that time explorers and adventurers went everywhere and settled nowhere. To make new discoveries was the universal passion; but nobody cared to plant a colony. As long as this spirit prevailed, historical events bore a common character, being produced by common causes. Hence arose the second period in our history-the Period of Voyage and Discovery. 4. As soon as the adventurers had satisfied themselves with tracing sea-coasts, ascending rivers and scaling mountains, they began to form permanent settlements. And each settlement was a new State in the wilderness. Every voyager now became ambitious to plant a colony. Kings and queens grew anxious to confer their names on the towns and commonwealths of the New World. Thus arose a third period-the Period of Colonial History. (xxxvii) 5. Then the colonies grew strong and multiplied. There were thirteen little sea-shore republics. The people began to consult about their privileges and to talk of the rights of freemen. Oppression on the part of the mother-country was met with resistance, and tyranny with defiance. There was a revolt against the king; and the patriots of the different colonies fought side by side, and won their freedom. Then they built them a Union, strong and great. This is the Period of Revolution and Confederation. 6. Then the United States of America entered upon their career as a nation. Three times tried by war and many times vexed with civil dissensions, the Union of our fathers still remains for us and for posterity. Such is the Period of Nationality. 7. Collecting these results, we find five distinctly marked periods in the history of our country: First. THE ABORIGINAL PERIOD; from remote antiquity to the coming of the White men. Second. THE PERIOD OF VOYAGE AND DISCOVERY; A. D. 986-1607. Third. THE COLONIAL PERIOD; A. D. 1607-1775. Fourth. THE PERIOD OF REVOLUTION AND CONFEDERATION; A. D. 1775-1789. Fifth. THE NATIONAL PERIOD; A. D. 1789-1877. In this order the History of the United States will be presented in the following pages. |