CHAP. battle could not be avoided." The answer was, LXV. 1865. 66 "That depended on Jefferson Davis and General Lee." During the interim Mr. Lincoln said, "All he wanted for us was to defeat the opposing armies, and to get the men composing the Confederate armies back to their homes, at work on their farms and in their shops," and restore all the men of both sections to their homes." In accordance with this sentiment General Grant, as soon as Lee surrendered, advised the reduction of the armies, that the men might return to civil life and their duties as citizens; he even did not visit Richmond, but hastened to Washington to facilitate the disbandment. During the last weeks of April and the first of May were witnessed many imposing scenes, the returning soldiers undergoing their last reviews before leaving for their distant homes to be mustered out of the service, and to resume their duties as citizens. Such an imposing sight was never before seen of armies so large, the soldiers of which had so intelligent a view of the great principles for the establishment of which they had freely risked their lives in the perils of battle. They were greeted by ovations all along their route, and welcomed home as the saviors of the Union-that heirloom handed down from the fathers. Yet, also, how sad the occasion; amid the joy many an eye filled with tears and breast heaved with sorrow for the numbers who went at their country's call but who had laid down their lives. on distant battle-fields. Many a regiment with its full complement of men which had set out inspired with hope and patriotism, came back with its banners draggled and battered by hostile balls, and perhaps with not more than onefourth of its original number. The following is a record copied from the lists at the War Office, at Washington, of the killed and wounded on the Union side during the Rebellion: BLOCKADE RAISED-AMNESTY PROCLAMATION. 1029 There has not been kept a perfect roll or list of the CHAP. Confederate killed and wounded, but the number is esti- LXV. mated at very nearly the same. 1865. The nation incurred a debt of nearly three thousand million dollars, which has been so far paid as to amount 1902. now to about $964,893,000,-or less than one thousand millions; the nation having paid more than two thirds of its debt in the last thirty-six years. The Government, as soon as it was proper, raised the 1865. blockade of the Southern ports and reduced both the army and navy. The men of the army, in a remarkably short time, returned to their homes and families, and entered upon their civil duties with the self-respect natural to those who honestly have performed services in defense of their common country. The immense number of ships, now no longer wanted by the Government, were disposed of to the highest bidders; all property thus useless was sold, and the proceeds appropriated to paying the debt incurred. Charleston was evacuated, and the Stars and Stripes once more floated over the city of nullification and secession. The heart of the city had been burned during the bombardment, and "the rebel garrison, when leaving, fired the railroad depots, which fire had spread, and was only subdued by our troops after they had reached the city." On the fourth anniversary of the surrender of Fort Sumter the veritable flag-tattered and torn-which floated over "that fort during the rebel assault" was replaced by Major, now Major-General, Robert Anderson with imposing ceremonies, and was honored by a salute of one hundred national guns from every fort and rebel battery that fired on Fort Sumter."? 66 Feb. 18. Apr. 14. President Johnson issued an amnesty proclamation, in which pardon was offered to all who would take an oath of May allegiance to the United States, except certain specified classes who had held offices in the cause of the rebellion. 1 Sherman's Memoirs, Vol. II., p. 269. 29. LXV. CHAP. On the 4th of July, 1868, the President granted pardon unconditionally to all who were not at that time under indictment for treason, and finally, December 25th, he extended pardon to all without exception. 1865. A number of cruisers, among which were the Alabama, Florida, and the Georgia, were fitted out in English shipyards to prey on American commerce, under the flag of the so-called Confederacy-it not having a single port into which they could enter. These vessels were more or less manned by English seamen under Confederate captains, and into whatever port they entered in the British Empire they were welcomed, furnished supplies and armaments, and permitted to make repairs if needed, and also to enlist men if necessary. Though the English Government had issued a proclamation against the reception and aiding these vessels, yet it was a dead letter; neither did the Government itself make an efficient effort to enforce the law or to punish those who violated it. The Alabama was built expressly for this purpose, and was permitted to steam out of the Mersey, whence she went to the Azores, and there, by appointment, received her full armament of guns and stores sent from London. Raphael Semmes there took command, with a crew of 26 officers and 85 men, mostly Aug. British seamen. She, eluding her pursuers, roamed over the ocean for two years, destroying nearly seventy American vessels; storeships from Liverpool, by arrangement, furnishing her from time to time with war material and provisions. At length she appeared at Cherbourg in France, but the American Minister protested so strenuously that the French Government gave her permission to obtain coaì and provisions, but not to use the national mravy-yard in which to be repaired. Meanwhile, Captain John A. WinsJune low, of the United States gunboat Kearsarge-lying in a port of Holland-learned that the famous cruiser was at Cherbourg, and he immediately steamed out and soon appeared off that harbor, watching for the cruiser to put to sea. Semmes, finding he could not escape-as the Kear 24. 1864. 10. |