CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.-ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

PAGE.

The Men of our Time-Lincoln Foremost-The War was the Working-Man's

Revolution-Abraham Lincoln's Birth and Youth-The Books he Read-

The Thirty Thousand Dollars for Tender-The Old Stocking of Govern-

ment Money-A Just Lawyer; Anecdotes-His First Candidacy and Speech

-Goes to Legislature and Congress-The Seven Debates and Campaign

against Douglass in 1858-Webster's and Lincoln's Language Compared-

The Cooper Institute Speech-The Nomination at Chicago-Moral and

Physical Courage-The Backwoodsman President and the Diplomatists-

Significance of his Presidential Career-Religious Feelings-His Kindness

---"The Baby Did It"-The First Inaugural-The Second Inaugural, and

other State Papers-The Conspiracy and Assassination-The Opinions of

A General Wanted-A Short War Expected-The Young Napoleon-God's

Revenge Against Slavery-The Silent Man in Galena-"Tanning Leath-

er"-Gen. Grant's Puritan Descent-How he Loaded the Logs-His West

Point Career-Service in Mexico-Marries, and Leaves the Army-Wood-

Cutting, Dunning and Leather-Selling-Enlists against the Rebellion-Mis-

souri Campaign-Paducah Campaign-Fort Donelson Campaign-Battle

of Shiloh-How Grant Lost his Temper-Vicksburg Campaign-Lincoln

on Grant's "Drinking" -Chattanooga-Grant's Method of Making a Speech

-Appointed Lieutenant-General-The Richmond Campaign-"Mr. Grant

is a Very Obstinate Man"-Grant's Qualifications as a Ruler-Honesty-

Generosity to Subordinates-Sound Judgment of Men-Power of Holding

his Tongue-Grant's Sidewalk Platform-Talks Horse to Senator Wade-

"Wants Nothing Said "- The Best Man for Next President.

CHAPTER III. - WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.

Mr. Garrison's Birth and Parents-His Mother-Her Conversion-His Boy-

hood-Apprenticed to a Printer-First Anti-Slavery Address-Advice to

Dr. Beecher-Benjamin Lundy-Garrison Goes to Baltimore-First Battle

with Slavery-In Jail-First Number of the Liberator-Threats and Rage

from the South-The American Anti-Slavery Society-First Visit to Eng-

land-The Era of Mob Violence-The Respectable Boston Mob-Mr. Gar-

rison's Account-Again in Jail-The Massachusetts Legislature Uncivil to

the Abolitionists-Logical Vigor of the Slaveholders-Garrison's Disunion-

ism-Denounces the Church-Liberality of the Liberator-The Southern-

ers' own Testimony--Mr. Garrison's Bland Manners-His Steady Nerves-

11

111

His use of Language-Things by their Right Names-Abolitionist "Hard

Language;" Garrison's Argument on it-Protest for Woman's Rights-The

Triumph of his Cause-"The Liberator" Discontinued-Second Visit to

England-Letter to Mrs. Stowe.

-

CHAPTER IV. - CHARLES SUMNER.

-

Mr. Sumner an instance of Free State High Culture-The "Brahmin Caste"

of New England-The Sumner Ancestry; a Kentish Family-Governor

Increase Sumner; His Revolutionary Patriotism-His Stately Presence; "A

Governor that can Walk"-Charles Sumner's Father-Mr. Sumner's Edu-

cation, Legal and Literary Studies-Tendency to Ideal Perfection-Sumner

and the Whigs-Abolitionism Social Death-Sumner's Opposition to the

Mexican War-His Peace Principles-Sumner Opposes Slavery Within the

Constitution, as Garrison Outside of it-Anti-Slavery and the Whigs-The

Political Abolitionist Platform-Webster asked in vain to Oppose Slavery

- Sumner's Rebuke of Winthrop Joins the Free Soil Party-Succeeds

Webster in the Senate-Great Speech against the Fugitive Slave Law-The

Constitution a Charter of Liberty-Slavery not in the Constitution-First

Speech after the Brooks Assault-Consistency as to Reconstruction.

CHAPTER V. - SALMON P. CHASE.

England and our Finances in the War-President Wheelock and Mr. Chase's

Seven Uncles-His Uncle the Bishop-His Sense of Justice at College-His

Uncle the Senator-Admitted to the Bar for Cincinnati-His First Argu-

ment before a U.S. Court-Society in Cincinnati-The Ohio Abolitionists-

Cincinnati on Slavery-The Church admits Slavery to be "an Evil"-Mr.

Chase and the Birney Mob-The Case of the Slave Girl Matilda-How

Mr. Chase "Ruined Himself"--He Affirms the Sectionality of Slavery-

The Van Zandt Case-Extracts from Mr. Chase's Argument-Mr. Chase

in Anti-Slavery Politics-His Qualifications as a Financier.

CHAPTER VI. -HENRY WILSON.

Lincoln, Chase and Wilson as Illustrations of Democracy-Wilson's Birth

and Boyhood-Reads over One Thousand Books in Ten Years-Learns

Shoemaking-Earns an Education Twice Over-Forms a Debating Society

-Makes Sixty Speeches for Harrison-Enters into Political Life on the

Working-Men's Side-Helps to form the Free Soil Party-Chosen United

States Senator over Edward Everett-Aristocratic Politics in those Days-

Wilson and the Slaveholding Senators-The Character of his Speaking-

Full of Facts and Practical Sense-His Usefulness as Chairman of the

Military Committee-His "History of the Anti-Slavery Measures in Con-

gress"-The 37th and 38th Congresses-The Summary of Anti-Slavery

Legislation from that Book-Other Abolitionist Forces-Contrast of Senti-

ments of Slavery and of Freedom-Recognition of Hayti and Liberia;

Specimen of the Debate-Slave and Free Doctrine on Education-Equality

in Washington Street Cars-Pro-Slavery Good Taste-Solon's Ideal of

Democracy Reached in America.

-

-

•

154

214

241

269

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.-HORACE GREELEY.

xi

:

The Scotch-Irish Race in the United States-Mr. Greeley a Partly Reversed

Specimen of it-His Birth and Boyhood-Learns to Read Books Upside

Down-His Apprenticeship on a Newspaper-The Town Encyclopedia-

His Industry at his Trade-His First Experience of a Fugitive Slave Chase

His First Appearance in New York-The Work on the Polyglot Testament

-Mr. Greeley as "The Ghost"-The First Cheap Daily Paper-The Firm

of Greeley & Story-The New Yorker, the Jeffersonian and the Log Cabin

-Mr. Greeley as Editor of the New Yorker--Beginning of The Tribune--

Mr. Greeley's Theory of a Political Newspaper-His Love for The Tribune

The First Week of that Paper-The Attack of the Sun and its Result-

Mr. McElrath's Partnership-Mr. Greeley's Fourierism- "The Bloody

Sixth-The Cooper Libel Suits-Mr. Greeley in Congress-He Goes to

Europe-His Course in the Rebellion-His Ambition and Qualifications for

Office-The Key-Note of his Character.

-

CHAPTER VIII.-DAVID G. FARRAGUT.

-

The Lesson of the Rebellion to Monarchs-The Strength of the United States

-The U. S. Naval Service-The Last War-State of the Navy in 1861-

Admiral Farragut Represents the Old Navy and the New-Charlemagne's

Physician, Farraguth-The Admiral's Letter about his Family-His Birth

-His Cruise with Porter when a Boy of Nine-The Destruction of the Es-

sex-Farragut in Peace Times-Expected to go with the South-Refuses,

is Threatened, and goes North-The Opening of the Mississippi-The Bay

Fight at Mobile-The Admiral's Health-Farragut and the Tobacco Bish-

293

311

Governor Andrew's Death Caused by the War-The Governors Dr. Beecher

Prayed for-Governor Andrew a Christian Governor-Gov. Andrew's Birth

-He goes to Boston to Study Law-Not Averse to unfashionable and Un-

popular Causes-His Cheerfulness and Social Accomplishments-His Sun-

day School Work-Lives Plainly-His Clear Foresight of the War-Sends

a Thousand Men to Washington in One Day-The Story of the Blue

Overcoats-The Telegram for the Bodies of the Dead of Baltimore-Gov.

Andrew's Tender Care for the Poor-The British Minister and the Colored

Women-The Governor's Kindness to the Soldier's Wife-His Biblical

Proclamations-The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1861-The Proclama-

tion of 1862-His Interest in the Schools for the Richmond Poor-Cotton

Mather's Eulogy on Gov. Winthrop-Gov. Andrew's Farewell Address to

the Massachusetts Legislature-State Gratitude to Gov. Andrew's Family. 325

CHAPTER X.-SCHUYLER COLFAX.

General William Colfax, Washington's Friend-Mr. Colfax his Grandson-

Mr Colfax's Birth and Boyhood-Removes to Indiana-Becomes Deputy

County Auditor-Begins to Deal with Politics-Becomes an Editor-The

Period of Maximum Debt-Mr. Colfax's First Year-He is Burnt Out-

His Subsequent Success as an Editor-His Political Career as a Whig-

Joins the Republican Party-Popularity in his own District-The Nebraska

Bill-Mr. Colfax goes into Congress-The Famous Contest for Speakership

-Mr. Colfax Saves his Party from Defeat-Banks Chosen Speaker-Mr.

Colfax's Great Speech on the Bogus Laws of Kansas-The Ball and Chain

for Free Speech-Mr. Colfax Shows the Ball, and A. H. Stephens Holds

it for him-Mr. Colfax Renominated Unanimously-His Remarkable Suc-

cess in his own District-Useful Labors in Post Office Committee-Early

for Lincoln for President-Mr. Colfax urged for Post Master General-His

Usefulness as Speaker---The Qualifications for that Post-Mr. Colfax's Pub-

Rebel Advantages at Opening of the War-They Knew all about the Army

Officers-Early Contrast of Rebel Enthusiasm and Union Indifference-

Importance of Mr. Stanton's Post-His Birth and Ancestry-His Educa-

tion and Law Studies-County Attorney-State Reporter--Defends Mr.

McNulty-Removes to Pittsburg-His Line of Business-The Wheeling

Case-He Removes to Washington-His Qualifications as a Lawyer-He

Enters Buchanan's Cabinet-His Unexpected Patriotism-His Own Ac-

count of the Cabinet at News of Anderson's Move to Sumter-The Lion

before the Old Red Dragon-Appointed Secretary of War-"Bricks in his

Pockets"-Stanton's Habitual Reserve-His Wrath-"The Angel Gabriel

as Paymaster"-Anecdotes of Lincoln's Confidence in Stanton-Lincoln's

Affection for him-The Burdens of his Office-His Kindness of Heart

within a Rough Outside-The Country his Debtor.

-

-

CHAPTER XII. -FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

The Opportunity for Every Man in a Republic-The Depth Below a White

Man's Poverty-The Starting Point whence Fred Douglass Raised Himself

-His Mother-Her Noble Traits-Her Self Denial for the sake of Seeing

him--She Defends him against Aunt Katy-Her Death-Col. Loyd's Plant-

ation-The Luxury of his own Mansion-The Organization of his Estate

-"Old Master"-How they Punished the Women-How Young Douglass

Philosophized on Being a Slave-Plantation Life-The Allowance of Food

-The Clothes-An Average Plantation Day-Mr. Douglass' Experience

as a Slave Child-The Slave Children's Trough-The Slave Child's

Thoughts-The Melancholy of Slave Songs-He Becomes a House Ser-

vant-A Kind Mistress Teaches him to Read-How he Completed his Ed-

ucation-Effects of Learning to Read-Experiences Religion and Prays for

Liberty-Learns to Write-Hires his Time, and Absconds-Becomes a

Free Working-Man in New Bedford-Marries-Mr. Douglass on Garrison

-Mr. Douglass' Literary Career. -

-

-

CHAPTER XIII. -PHILIP H. SHERIDAN.

Sheridan a Full-Blooded Irishman-The Runaway Horse-Constitutional

Fearlessness-Sheridan Goes to West Point-Sheridan's Apprenticeship to

347

363

380

War-The Fight with the Apaches at Fort Duncan-He is Transferred to

Oregon-Commands at Fort Yamhill in the Yokima Reservation-The

Quarrel among the Yokimas-Sheridan Popular with Indians-He Thinks

he has a Chance to be Major Some Day-Sheridan's Shyness with Ladies

-He Employs a Substitute in Waiting on a Lady-Sheridan's Kindness

and Efficiency in Office Work-He Becomes a Colonel of Cavalry-His

Shrewd Defeat of Gen. Chalmers-Becomes Brigadier-The Kentucky

Campaign against Bragg-Sheridan Saves the Battle of Perrysville-Saves

the Battle of Murfreesboro-Gen. Rousseau on Sheridan's Fighting-Sher-

idan at Missionary Ridge-Joins Grant as Chief of Cavalry-His Raids

around Lee-His Campaign in the Valley of Virginia-He Moves Across

and Joins in the Final Operations-His Administration at New Orleans-

Grant's Opinion of Sheridan.

-

CHAPTER XIV. --WILLIAM T. SHERMAN.

-

405

The Result of Eastern Blood and Western Developments-Lincoln, Grant,

Chase and Sherman Specimens of it-The Sherman Family Character-

Hon. Thomas Ewing adopts Sherman-Character of the Boy-He Enters

West Point-His Peculiar Traits Showing thus Early-How he Treated

his "Pleb "-His Early Military Service-His Appearance as First Lieu-

tenant-Marries and Resigns-Banker at San Francisco-Superintendent

of Louisiana Military Academy-His Noble Letter Resigning the Super-

intendency-He Foresees a Great War-Cameron and Lincoln Think not

-Sherman at Bull Run-He Goes to Kentucky-Wan ntucky-Wants Two Hundred

Thousand Troops-The False Report of his Insanity-Joins Grant; His

Services at Shiloh-Services in the Vicksburg Campaigns-Endurance of

Sherman and his Army-Sherman's estimate of Grant-How to live on the

Enemy-Prepares to move from Atlanta-The Great March-His Courtesy

to the Colored People-His Foresight in War-Sherman on Office-Holding. 423

CHAPTER XV.-OLIVER O. HOWARD.

Can there be a Christian Soldier?-General Howard's Birth-His Military

Education-His Life Before the Rebellion-Resigns in Order to get into

the Field-Made Brigadier for Good Conduct at Bull Run-Commands

the Eleventh Corps and Joins the Army at Chattanooga-His Services in

the Army of the Potoinac-Extreme Calmness on the Field of Battle-

Services with Sherman-Sherman's high Opinion of him-Col. Bowman's

Admiration of Howard's Christian Observances-Patriotic Services while

Invalided at Home-Reproves the Swearing Teamster-Placed over the

Freedmen's Bureau-The Central Historic Fact of the War-The Rise of

Societies to Help the Freedmen-The Work of the Freedmen's Bureau-

Disadvantages Encountered by it, and by General Howard-Results of the

Bureau thus far-Col. Bowman's Description of Gen. Howard's Duties-

Gen. Sherman's Letter to Gen. Howard on Assuming the Post-Estimate

of Gen. Howard's Abilities.

-

-

447