PREFACE. No event has occurred on the American continent since the glorious Revolution of 1776, equal in magnitude and interest to the contest which has taken place between opposite and hostile portions of the Federal Union; and which all true patriots stigmatize by the unequivocal and significant epithet of the Southern Rebellion. So important was this struggle, that it not only enlisted the most vigorous energies of the National Government, and summoned its armies into the field, but it became the paramount topic in every mind. All classes and professions regarded it with intense interest, and watched the progress of events with profound anxiety. For this purpose, scholars suspended their studies in recondite and learned subjects of inquiry; synods and general assemblies discussed the issues involved with solemn earnestness; the ordinary pursuits of the community seemed in a great measure to be modified and controlled by the novel and startling aspect of the times. This universally prevalent feeling was amply justified by the immense interests and the vital principles which were to be disposed of by the conflict. Nor is it singular that the war should ultimately engage the attention of mankind in all civilized countries, and that it should be regarded as the event of chief importance then transpiring on the globe. There can be little doubt that a reliable history of the incidents connected with this memorable drama, and even more than one such history, would be acceptable to the public. In the following work, therefore, the writer has undertaken to describe its thrilling and marvellous scenes. He has set forth, at some length, the most potent of the causes which gave it birth. He has introduced, from time to time, biographical sketches of those soldiers and statesmen who distinguished themselves by their heroism, or by their patriotism, during its progress. He has followed the march of the Federal armies, as they achieved one victory, or suffered one temporary reverse after another; and the narrative will be continued, Deo volente, until the record is complete, and he has described how the Republic was conducted, by firm and skilful hands, through all the storms which have assailed it, to the attainment of a permanent and honorable peace. The general rule, according to which the following work has been written, was to describe events with more or less minuteness of detail, according to the proportion of their historical importance. Many incidents 5 necessarily happen in such a struggle-spreading, as it does, over so vast an area—which may possess an intense, though momentary interest, and greatly excite the public mind at the period of their occurrence, which are, nevertheless, insignificant in their essential nature, and trivial in their ultimate consequences. As it was the design of the present writer to prepare a history of the war within a convenient and moderate compass, it became necessary to omit all, or, at least, any extended allusion to such events, so that the necessary space might remain in which to dwell, with appropriate fulness, upon the really decisive incidents of the contest. For the same reason, no reference is made, in the biographical sketches which are introduced, to those ephemeral and factitious reputations, which were created from time to time; which, going up suddenly, and glaring portentously, like rockets, descended again as quickly, and relapsed into their legitimate oblivion. An effort has thus been made throughout the work to do justice to those events and persons to whom a genuine and permanent immortality appertains; at the same time to realize and exemplify the excellent maxim, Parva sed apta, not voluminous, but condensed and comprehensive. The author has been assiduous and careful in regard to the materials from which the contents of the work have been derived. He has applied to his use every attainable source of information which was worthy of confidence and attention. Official reports of eminent commanders, and the narratives of intelligent and truthful eye-witnesses of the scenes described, together with various other depositories of facts, have been thoroughly examined, compared, and appropriated. The author has not the presumption to imagine that he has in all cases attained perfect accuracy; but he does not hesitate to assert, that he has left no effort or expedient unemployed to avoid error and misstatement in every part of the work. An historical narrative of events of recent date labors under some disadvantages, while, at the same time, it may possess facilities and merits of which the record of more remote and unfamiliar transactions will be destitute. It has been affirmed that a correct history of a war like that against Secession could not be written until after the lapse of many years. We believe this statement to be erroneous. If the writer be impartial, laborious, and possessed of the necessary literary skill, he will have all the qualities essential to the elaboration of a satisfactory history of such a series of events; and these qualities he may possess immediately after their occurrence, as well as at a more distant period. At the same time, he will enjoy a superior advantage in the vividness and strength of the impression which the events have made, both upon his own mind, and upon the minds of those whose productions he consults in the preparation of his work. S. M. S. CONTENTS. Origin of the Southern Rebellion-Classification of its several causes-The Act of 1816 respecting a tariff-Agency of Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams- Position of John C. Calhoun-He first conceives his project of Nullification— His memorial to Governor Hamilton-The operation of a High Tariff-The Legislature of South Carolina-Outbreak of the Nullification movement- Vigorous measures of President Jackson--Mr. Calhoun in the United States Senate-A memorable debate-Final settlement of the difficulty-American slavery-Its origin―The proposition of Thomas Jefferson-Slavery in the Territories—The Compact of 1787-Compromise of Henry Clay-Annexation of Texas-The Wilmot proviso-Compromise of 1850-Slavery in Kansas- Rise of the Republican Party-Its principles and policy-Administration of James Buchanan-Treason in the Federal Cabinet-Preliminary operations of the Conspirators-Policy of Mr. Buchanan respecting Secession-Presidential Campaign of 1860-Election of Mr. Lincoln-The doctrine of State Sovereignty as opposed to Federal centralization-Discussion of the subject.. Effect of Mr. Lincoln's election in the South-Political movements in South Carolina and Georgia-Excitement in Charleston-Preliminary acts and events —Resignation of Federal officers-Election of members to the State Conven- tion-Opponents of Secession-Alexander H. Stephens-Federal property seized in Charleston-Conventions summoned in Georgia and Alabama-As- sembling of the Convention of South Carolina-The first act of Secession from the Union passed-A pathetic statement of grievances-Secession logic-Re- flections on the result-Popular feelings at this time in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida-Levity and recklessness of the Secession leaders...... 57 Treasonable Proclamation of Governor Pickens-Resignation of the Representa- tives of South Carolina in Congress-The Crittenden propositions of Com- promise―Their provisions-Scramble for Federal property-Commissioners of South Carolina to the Federal Government-Major Anderson—The removal of his command to Fort Sumter-Mr. Secretary Floyd-His resignation—De- meanor of the Rebel Commissioners at Washington-The Convention of the Slaveholding States-Important events at Savannah-Secession of Mississippi -Pernicious influence of Jefferson Davis-Resignation of his seat in the United States Senate―The secession of Alabama-Of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and (7) Various efforts made for compromise and settlement-Conciliatory meetings held in the Northern States-Their ultimate failure-Apostacy of Alexander H. Stephens-Resignation of the Southern Representatives in the Federal Con- gress-The Rebel Congress convened at Montgomery-Its organization- Adoption of a Provisional Constitution-The organization of the Southern Confederacy-Jefferson Davis elected President—A. H. Stephens chosen Vice President-Prophecies of Senator Wigfall-Biographical sketches of Jefferson Davis, of Stephens, of the Cabinet Ministers of the Southern Confederacy, Memminger, Toombs, Mallory, Walker, Benjamin-The personal qualities and Assembling of the Peace Congress at Washington-Their proposals of com- promise-Their rejection and failure-Attitude of President Buchanan- Public sentiment respecting Fort Sumter--Mission of the "Star of the West"- Final establishment of the Confederate Government at Montgomery-Inaugu- ration of Jefferson Davis as President-His address-Inauguration of President Lincoln-His address-His Cabinet Officers-The famous oration of A. H. Stephens at Savannah-Its historical importance-His first position—He refutes Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison-His second position-The foundation stone of the Southern Confederacy-Absurdity and fallacy of that foundation-The The mission of Mr. Yancey and his associates to Europe-Their representations to the French and English people-Events at Charleston-The Rebel Commis- sioners at Washington-Their absurd deportment-General Beauregard de- mands the surrender of Fort Sumter-Major Anderson respectfully declines- Preparations for the bombardment of the fort-Size and strength of the works -Sketch of Major Anderson-Sketch of General Beauregard-Commencement of the bombardment-Heroism of the garrison-Incidents of the first day's attack--Events of the ensuing night-The continuance of the bombardment during the next day-Sufferings of the garrison-Ex-Senator Wigfall-A deputation from General Beauregard-Propositions of surrender-They are accepted by Major Anderson-Exultation of the Rebels-Why the garrison was not reinforced-Proclamation of Governor Letcher-Proclamation of Enthusiasm of the Rebel States-Projected conquest of Washington-Proofs that it was contemplated-Why it was not accomplished-Seventy-five thousand Federal troops ordered out-Davis issues letters of marque and reprisal-Pro- clamation of Governor Letcher-Secession of Virginia-Blockade of the Southern ports-Aspect of the loyal States-First in the field—The attack on Federal troops in Baltimore-Fury of the Rebel mob-Results of the attack- |