this City of New York (where its ideas and vital aims were more generally cherished than even in South Carolina or Louisiana), that I confidently hoped for an immediate and palpable, rather than a remote and circuitous triumph of the Union, now and evermore blended inseparably with Emancipation-with the legal and National recognition of every man's right to himself. Thenceforward, with momentary intervals of anxiety, depression, and doubt, it has been to me a labor of love to devote every available hour to the history of the American Conflict. This Volume is essentially Military, as the former was Civil: that is, it treats mainly of Armies, Marches, Battles, Sieges, and the alternations of good and ill fortune that, from January, 1862, to May, 1865, befell the contending forces respectively of the Union and the Confederacy. But he who reads with attention will discern that I have regarded even these under a moral rather than a purely material aspect. Others have doubtless surpassed me in the vividness, the graphic power, of their delineations of 'the noise of the captains, and the shouting:' I have sought more especially to portray the silent influence of these collisions, with the efforts, burdens, sacrifices, bereavements, they involved, in gradually molding and refining Public Opinion to accept, and ultimately demand, the overthrow and extinction of Human Slavery, as the one vital, implacable enemy of our Nationality and our Peace. Hence, while at least three-fourths of this Volume narrates Military or Naval occurrences, I presume a larger space of it than of any rival is devoted to tracing, with all practicable brevity, the succession of Political events; the sequences of legislation in Congress with regard to Slavery and the War; the varying phases of Public Sentiment; the rise, growth, and decline, of hopes that the War would be ended through the accession of its adversaries to power in the Union. I labor under a grave mistake if this be not judged by our grandchildren (should any of them condescend to read it) the most important and interesting feature of my work. I have differed from most annalists, in preferring to follow a campaign or distinct military movement to its close before interrupting its narration to give accounts of simultaneous movements or campaigns in distant regions, between other armies, led by other commanders. In my historical reading, I have often been perplexed and confused by the facility wherewith chroniclers leap from the Euphrates to the Danube, and from the Ebro to the Vistula. In full view of the necessary inter-dependence of events occurring on widely separated arenas, it has seemed to me preferable to follow one movement to its culmination before dealing with another; deeming the inconveniences and obscurities involved in this method less serious than those unavoidable (by me, at least) on any different plan. Others will judge between my method and that which has usually been followed. I have bestowed more attention on marches, and on the minor incidents of a campaign, than is common: historians usually devoting their time and force mainly to the portrayal of great, decisive (or at least destructive) battles. But battles are so often won or lost by sagaciously planned movements, skillful combinations, well-conducted marches, and wise dispositions, that I have extended to these a prominence which seemed to me more clearly justified than usually conceded. He was not an incapable general who observed that he chose to win battles with his soldiers' legs rather than their muskets. As to dates, I could wish that commanders on all hands were more precise than they usually are; but, wherever dates were accessible, I have given them, even though invested with no special or obvious consequence. Printed mainly as foot-notes, they consume little space, and do not interrupt the flow of the narrative. The reader who does not value need not heed them; while the critical student will often find them of decided use. Should any one demur to this, I urge him to examine thoughtfully the dates of the dispatches received and sent by McClellan between his retreat to Harrison's bar and Pope's defeat at Groveton; also, those given in my account of his movements from the hour of his arrival at Frederick to that of Lee's retreat from Sharpsburg across the Potomac. I trust it will be observed by candid critics that, while I seek not to disguise the fact that I honor and esteem some of our commanders as I do not others, I have been blind neither to the errors of the former nor to the just claims of the latter that my high estimation of Grant and Sherman (for instance) has not led me to conceal or soften the lack of reasonable precautions which so nearly involved their country in deplorable if not irremediable disaster at Pittsburg Landing. So with Banks's mishap at Sabine Cross-roads and Butler's failure at Fort Fisher. On the other hand, I trust my lack of faith in such officers as Buell and Fitz John Porter has not led me to represent them as incapable or timorous soldiers. What I believe in regard to these and many more of their school is, that they were misplaced-that they halted between their love of country and their traditional devotion to Slavery-that they clung to the hope of a compromise which should preserve both Slavery and the Union, long after all reasonable ground of hope had vanished; fighting the Rebellion with gloved hands and relaxed sinews because they mistakenly held that so only was the result they sighed for (deeming it most beneficent) to be attained. If the facts do not justify my conviction, I trust they will be found so fairly presented in the following pages as to furnish the proper corrective for my errors. Without having given much heed to rival issues, I presume this volume will be found to contain accounts (necessarily very brief) of many minor actions and skirmishes which have been passed unheeded by other historians, on the assumption that, as they did not perceptibly affect the great issue, they are unworthy of record. But the nature and extent of that influence is matter of opinion, while the qualities displayed in these collisions were frequently deserving of grateful remembrance. And, beside, an affair of outposts or foraging expeditions has often exerted a most signal influence over the spirits of two great antagonist armies, and thus over the issues of a battle, and even of a campaign. Compressed within the narrowest limits, I have chosen to glance at nearly every conflict of armed forces, and to give time to these which others have devoted to more elaborate and florid descriptions of great battles. It has been my aim to compress within the allotted space the greatest number of notable facts and circumstances; others must judge how fully this end has been achieved. Doubtless, many errors of fact, and some of judgment, are embodied in the following pages: for, as yet, even the official reports, &c., which every historian of this war must desire to study, are but partially accessible. I have missed especially the Confederate reports of the later campaigns; only a few of which have been made public, though many more, it is probable, will in time be. Some of these may have been destroyed at the hasty evacuation of Richmond; but many must have been preserved, in manuscript if not in print, and will yet see the light. So far as they were attainable, I have used the reports of Confederate officers as freely as those of their antagonists, and have accorded them nearly if not quite equal credit. I judge that the habit of understating or concealing their losses was more prevalent with Confederate than with Union commanders; in over-estimating the numbers they resisted, I have not been able to perceive any difference. It is simple truth to say that such over-estimates seem to have been quite common on both sides. I shall be personally obliged to any one, no matter on what side he served, who will furnish me with trustworthy data for the correction of any misstatement embodied in this work. If such correction shall dictate a revision of any harsh judgment on friend or foe, it will be received and conformed to with profound gratitude. My convictions touching the origin, incitements, and character, of the War from which we have so happily emerged, are very positive, being the fruits of many years' almost exclusive devotion to National affairs; but my judgments as to occurrences and persons are held subject to modification upon further and clearer presentments of facts. It is my purpose to revise and correct the following pages from day to day as new light shall be afforded; and I ask those who may feel aggrieved by any statement I shall herein have given to the public, to favor me with the proofs of its inaccuracy. Unwilling to be drawn into controversy, I am most anxious to render exact justice to each and all. The subject of Reconstruction (or Restoration) is not within the purview of this work, and I have taken pains to avoid it so far as possible. The time is not yet for treating it exhaustively, or even historically; its importance, as well as its immaturity, demand for its treatment thoughtful hesitation as well as fullness of knowledge. Should I be living when the work is at length complete, I may submit a survey of its nature, progress, and results meantime, I will only avow my undoubting faith that the same Divine Benignity which has guided our country through perils more palpable if not more formidable, will pilot her safely, even though slowly, through those which now yawn before her, and bring her at last into the haven of perfect Peace, genuine Fraternity, and everlasting Union-a Peace grounded on reciprocal esteem; a Fraternity based on sincere, fervent love of our common country; and a Union cemented by hearty and general recognition of the truth, that the only abiding security for the cherished rights of any is to be found in a full and hearty recognition of Human Brotherhood as well as State sisterhood-in the establishment and assured maintenance of All Rights for All. New York, July 21, 1866. H. G. INDEX BY CHAPTERS. PAGK I. Texas and New Mexico in 1862...... 17 Twigga's Treason-Texas State Convention passes Ordinance of Secession-Surrender of the Regulars -Their Loyalty and Sufferings-New Mexico repeals Act legalizing Slavery-Canby in command-Prepares to hold New Mexico-Sibley BrigadeFort Craig-Sibley declines to attack-Battle of Valverde-Heroisin and Death of McRae-Fight st Apache Pass-Rebels occupy Santa Fé-They abandon New Mexico, II. Missouri and Arkansas in 1862...... 26 Price returns to Missouri-Guerrilla OperationsRains and Stein routed-Capture of Milford-Price retreats to Arkansas-Sigel's Retreat from Bentonville Battle of Pea Ridge-Rebels defeated-The War among the Indians-Fight at the CacheGuerrilla operations-Fight at Newtonia-Hindmsn driven into Arkansas-Cooper routed at Maysville-Battle of Prairie Grove. III Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama in Battle of Mill Spring-Capture of Fort Henry- 41 IV. Burnside's Expedition to N. Carolina. 73 Roanoke Island carried-Elizabeth city submits- V. Butler's Expedition to the Gulf-Cap- Gen. B. F. Butler concentrates 15,000 men on Ship 81 VI. Virginia in '62-McClellan's Advance. 107 Obstinate Delays-The Routes to Richmond-Bat- VII. McClellan before Richmond.........140 Fitz John Porter worsts Branch at Mechanicsville Swamp Bridge-Rebels attack, and are repelled with loss at Malvern Hill-McClellan retreats to Harrison's Bar-Hooker returns to MalvernMcClellan withdraws to Fortress Monroe, and embarks his Army for Alexandria. PAGK VIII. Gen. Pope's Virginia Campaign......172 Pope appointed to command the forces of Fremont, Banks, and McDowell-Advances to the RapidanBanks worsted by Jackson at Cedar MountainPope retreats across the Rappahannock-Jackson flanks his right-Strikes the Railroad in his rear at Bristow-Seizes Manassas Junction-Compelled to retreat Longstreet hurrying to his rescueJackson worsts King-Two Days' Battle of Gainesville and Groveton, or Second Bull Run - Pope driven back on Centerville Jackson flanks his right, and attacks Kearny at Chantilly-Pope retreats to the defenses of Washington, and gives place to McClellan-His Losses-McClellan's failure to support Pope-His Correspondence with Lincoln, Halleck & Co. IX. Lee's Invasion of Maryland in 1862..193 McClellan crosses the Potomac, and advances to X. Tennessee-Kentucky-Mississippi Bragg's Invasion-Corinth.......212 Bragg crosses the Tennessee and Cumberland- XI. Slavery in the War-Emancipation...232 XII. Slavery and Emancipation in Congress. 256 E. R. Potter on Emancipation by War-Lincoln for colonizing the Blacks-Congress forbids Milltary Officers returning Fugitives from SlaveryAbolishes Slavery in the District of ColumbiaLincoln proposes, and Congress enacts, Compensated Emancipation-Prohibits Slavery in the Territories-Confiscates the Slaves of Rebels-Opens Diplomatic Intercourse with Liberia and HaytiRequires Equality in Education and Punishinent between Whites and Blacks-Right of Search on the African Coast conceded-Fugitive Slave Act repealed-Confinement of suspected Slaves in Federal Jails forbidden-Coastwise Slave-Trade forbidden-Color no Impediment to giving Testimony. XIII. Rosecrans's Winter Campaign, 1862-3.270 The Army of the Ohio at Bowling Green-Reorgan- Sullivan at Parker's Cross-Roads-Morgan cap- PAGE XIV. Siege and Capture of Vicksburg....286 XV. Texas and Louisiana in 1863-Cap- .322 Galveston-Retaken by Com. Renshaw-Sur- XVI. Army of the Potomac under Burn- Gen. Burnside in command in Virginia-Crosses Our Army recoils-Sedgwick storms Marye's XVII. Lee's Army on Free Soil-Gettys- .342 .367 Lee silently flanks Hooker's right, and moves trated-Sickles driven back with loss-Rebel Ad- PAGE XVIII. The Chattanooga Campaign........404 Rosecrans, worsted, retreats to Chattanooga- XIX. The War in Missouri and Arkansas, .446 Marmaduke attacks Springfield, Mo.-Is repulsed XX. The Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida |