encounter denunciation. That man has fallen very low who is regardless of the good opinion of his fellow-men. But reproach can be easily borne when the soul is sustained by the conviction of right. There never was a clearer case of right and of wrong, than in the conflict now raging throughout our land. The question is to be settled, and by the arbitrament of the sword, whether aristocratic usurpation, in its most low, vulgar and groveling form, that of the slaveholder wielding the plantation lash, is to be established upon the ruins of our free Constitution-or whether that glorious charter of human rights, destined to lift up all the downtrodden to dignity, culture and religion, shall make the United States the pioneer nation in ushering in the dawn of millennial glory.* The comprehensive maps which embellish these pages, were designed by Mr. Ephraim Wells, of New York, and engraved by Messrs. Lossing & Barritt. The steel engravings were designed by Messrs. F. O. C. Darley, and Wm. Mumberger, and engraved by Messrs. J. C. Buttre, J. C. McRae, Geo. E. Perine, S. V. Hunt, W. G. Jackman and H. B. Hall. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. NEW HAVEN, CONN., December, 1862. Union men. * The following extract from the Cincinnati Enquirer, very frankly states the concessions which the so-called Peace Party were ready to make, to win back the slaveholders to the Union: "If the Southern Confederates would lay down their arms and come back again into the old Union, we should not haggle very closely about the terms. We are pretty good unconditional We would be willing to repeal, for instance, all abolition personal liberty bills that nullify the fugitive slave law. We would allow the South to take all their property, slaves included, into the common territories of the Union, and hold it while the territorial condition lasted. We would not molest a slaveholder traveling with his servants and temporarily sojourning in a free State. We would repeal the law abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, and we would pass all necessary acts to prevent an interference by Northern fanatics with Southern property of any description. All this we would give, if the rebels would lay down their arms and come back again under the old flag, and be once more loyal members of the Union." CONTENTS OF VOLUME I. CHAPTER I. CAUSE OF THE CONFLICT. Aristocrats of the Old World.-Causes of the French Revolution.-American Revolution.- PAGE 15 CHAPTER II. PROGRESS OF THE CONSPIRACY. Treachery of Buchanan's Cabinet.-Peace Congress.-Plan of Hon. J. J. Crittenden.-Num- 42 CHAPTER III. THE WAR COMMENCED. Energy of the Conspirators.-Views of Secessionists and Unionists.-Testimony of Webster 77 CHAPTER IV. UPRISING OF THE NORTH. Riot in Baltimore.-The Annapolis Route opened.-March of the Seventh, New York.—En- 104 CHAPTER V. THE ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA John Bell.-Breckinridge.—Warlike Preparations.-Taking of Alexandria.-Murder of Ells- PAGF 130 CHAPTER VI. WAR AND ITS HORRORS. Foreign Reception of Southern Agents.-Speech of A. H. Stephens.-The French Lady.-Call 157 CHAPTER VII. HAMPTON, CARNIFEX FERRY, AND HATTERAS INLET. CHAPTER VIII. BALL'S BLUFF AND HILTON HEAD. Repose of the Army on the Potomac.-Uneasiness at the North.-Mistake of the Government. 211 CHAPTER IX. THE REBELLION IN MISSOURI. Claims of Slavery in Missouri.-Steps Preparatory to Secession in Missouri.-Heroism of Capt. 239 CHAPTER X. GEN. FREMONT'S CAMPAIGN IN MISSOURI. PAGE Recall of Fremont from Europe, and Appointment to the Command of the Western Depart- CHAPTER XI. GEN. FREMONT'S CAMPAIGN.-CONTINUED. Far-reaching Plans of Gen. Fremont.-Troubles Multiplying. His unceasing Labors.-Cap- 280 CHAPTER XII. THE TRENT AFFAIR. Secession Plans for Securing Foreign Aid.-Privateers.-Treaty at Paris in 1856.-Issue of 296 CHAPTER XIII. ROANOKE AND NEWBERN. Fleet of Com. Goldsborough and Army of Gen. Burnside.-Sailing from Hampton Roads.- 314 CHAPTER XIV. THE MERRIMAC AND THE MONITOR. Building of the Galena.—Origin of the Monitor.-Difficulties to be Overcome.—Fears of its 336 CHAPTER XV. FLORIDA. PAGE Coast of Florida.-Appeal of South Carolina.-Massive Fortifications of Pensacola Harbor.- CHAPTER XVI. PULASKI AND THE CONTRABANDS. Reconnoissance of Tybee Island.-Fort Pulaski and its Bombardment.-Preparations for its 377 CHAPTER XVII. CAMPAIGN OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. Right of Secession.-Its Accomplishment in Louisiana.-Blockading the Mississippi.-Steam Incident...... 394 CHAPTER XVIII. CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS. Challenge given to the United States Gun-boats by Fort Jackson.-Terrific Bombardment in 412 CHAPTER XIX. BATTLES IN MISSOURI AND THE CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY. 436 |