diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:40:45 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:40:45 -0700 |
| commit | 0f273077d8317e6eca65161408278945e4f2f067 (patch) | |
| tree | d55e8b3d75cb99268b9d8f7a0c12c4c2da5cbc2c /12801-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '12801-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/12801-h.htm | 16007 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/img/illus0416.jpg | bin | 0 -> 44501 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/img/illus0418.jpg | bin | 0 -> 51998 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/img/illus0420.jpg | bin | 0 -> 71171 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/img/illus0422.jpg | bin | 0 -> 56758 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/img/illus0424.jpg | bin | 0 -> 44302 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 12801-h/img/illusfront.jpg | bin | 0 -> 41050 bytes |
7 files changed, 16007 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/12801-h/12801-h.htm b/12801-h/12801-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf41efa --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/12801-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16007 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of American Statesmen, by John T. Morse, Jr.. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +img { + border: none; +} + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { + text-align: center; +} + +hr { + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; +} + +hr.long { + width: 70%; +} + +hr.short { + width: 50% +} + +/* page numbers float in the margin */ +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} + +.indexterm { + margin-bottom: 0em; + font-weight: bold; +} + +.indexentry { + margin-left: 2em; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em; +} + +.footnote { + font-size: 0.9em; +} + +.display { + margin-left: 2em; + margin-right: 2em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + +.figure { + padding: 1em; + margin: 0; + text-align: center; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II, by John T. Morse + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II + +Author: John T. Morse + +Release Date: July 1, 2004 [EBook #12801] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VOL. II *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + +<br /> + +<p><!-- Image No 1 --><a name='Png1'></a> + +<p class="figure"> +<a href="img/illus0416.jpg"> +<img width="50%" src='img/illus0416.jpg' alt='Stephen A. Douglas.'/></a><br/> +Stephen A. Douglas. +</p> + +<!-- Image No 2 --><a name='Png2'></a> +<!-- Image No 3 --><a name='Png3'></a> + +<h3>American Statesmen</h3> +<h4>STANDARD LIBRARY EDITION</h4> + +<br /> + +<p class="figure"> +<a href="img/illusfront.jpg"> +<img width="50%" src='img/illusfront.jpg' alt='The Home of Abraham Lincoln.'/></a><br/> +The Home of Abraham Lincoln. +</p> + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 4 --><a name='Png4'></a> +<!-- Image No 5 --><a name='Png5'></a>> + +<h1>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>JOHN T. MORSE, JR.</h2> + +<h3>IN TWO VOLUMES</h3> +<h3>VOL. II.</h3> + +<h3>1899</h3> + +<!-- Image No 6 --><a name='Png6'></a> +<!-- Image No 7 --><a name='Png7'></a> + +<hr class='long' /> +<a name='CONTENTS'></a> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="contents"> + +<p> <a href='#CONTENTS'>CONTENTS</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#ILLUSTRATIONS'>ILLUSTRATIONS</a> +</p> + +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_I'>I. EMANCIPATION AND POLITICS</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_II'>II. THE SECOND ACT OF THE MCCLELLAN DRAMA</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_III'>III. THE THIRD AND CLOSING ACT OF THE MCCLELLAN DRAMA</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_IV'>IV. THE AUTUMN ELECTIONS OF 1862, AND THE PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_V'>V. BATTLES AND SIEGES: DECEMBER, 1862 — DECEMBER, 1863</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_VI'>VI. SUNDRIES</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_VII'>VII. THE TURN OF THE TIDE</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'>VIII. RECONSTRUCTION</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_IX'>IX. RENOMINATION</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_X'>X. MILITARY SUCCESSES, AND THE REËLECTION OF THE PRESIDENT</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_XI'>XI. THE END COMES INTO SIGHT: THE SECOND INAUGURATION</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_XII'>XII. EMANCIPATION COMPLETED</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'>XIII. THE FALL OF RICHMOND, AND THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN</a> +</p> +<p> <a href='#INDEX'>INDEX</a> +</p> + +</div> + +<hr class='long' /> + +<!-- Image No 8 --><a name='Png8'></a> +<!-- Image No 9 --><a name='Png9'></a> + +<a name='ILLUSTRATIONS'></a> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<p><a href="img/illus0416.jpg">STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS</a></p> + +<p>From a photograph by Brady in the Library of the +State Department at Washington.</p> + +<p>Autograph from the Chamberlain collection, Boston +Public Library.</p> + +<p><a href="img/illusfront.jpg">VIGNETTE OF LINCOLN'S HOME</a> +</p> + +<p>The vignette of Mr. Lincoln's home, corner Eighth and +Jackson streets, Springfield, Ill., is from a photograph.</p> + +<p><a href="img/illus0418.jpg">SIMON CAMERON</a></p> + +<p>From a photograph by Mr. Le Rue Lemer, Harrisburg, +Pa.</p> + +<p>Autograph from the Chamberlain collection, Boston +Public Library.</p> + +<p><a href="img/illus0420.jpg">LINCOLN SUBMITTING THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION +TO HIS CABINET</a></p> + +<p>From the painting by Carpenter in the Capitol at +Washington.</p> + +<p><a href="img/illus0422.jpg">ISAAC N. ARNOLD</a></p> + +<p>From a photograph by Brady in the Library of the +State Department at Washington.</p> + +<p>Autograph from one furnished by his daughter, Mrs. +Mary A. Scudder, Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<p><a href="img/illus0424.jpg">MONTGOMERY BLAIR</a></p> + +<p>From a photograph by Brady in the Library of the +State Department at Washington.</p> + +<p>Autograph from the Chamberlain collection, Boston +Public Library.</p> + +<hr class='long' /> + +<!-- Image No 10 --><a name='Png10'></a> +<!-- Image No 11 --><a name='Png11'></a> +<a name='Page001'></a><span class="pagenum">001</span> + +<a name='ABRAHAM_LINCOLN'></a> +<h2>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</h2> + +<hr class='long' /> + +<a name='CHAPTER_I'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h2>EMANCIPATION AND POLITICS</h2> + +<p>During the spring and summer of 1861 the +people of the North presented the appearance of +a great political unit. All alleged emphatically +that the question was simply of the Union, and +upon this issue no Northerner could safely differ +from his neighbors. Only a few of the more +cross-grained ones among the Abolitionists were +contemptuously allowed to publish the selfishness +of their morality, and to declare that they were +content to see the establishment of a great slave +empire, provided they themselves were free from +the taint of connection with it. If any others let +Southern proclivities lurk in the obscure recesses +of their hearts they were too prudent to permit +these perilous sentiments to appear except in the +masquerade of dismal presagings. So in appearance +the Northern men were united, and in fact +were very nearly so—for a short time.</p> + +<p>This was a fortunate condition, which the President +<!-- Image No 12 --><a name='Png12'></a><a name='Page002'></a><span class="pagenum">002</span> +and all shrewd patriots took great pains to +maintain. It filled the armies and the Treasury, +and postponed many jeopardies. But too close to +the surface to be long suppressed lay the demand +that those who declared the Union to be the sole +issue should explain how it came about that the +Union was put in issue at all, why there was any +dissatisfaction with it, and why any desire anywhere +to be rid of it. All knew the answer to that +question; all knew that if the war was due to disunion, +disunion in turn was due to slavery. Unless +some makeshift peace should be quickly patched +up, this basic cause was absolutely sure to force +recognition for itself; a long and stern contest +must inevitably wear its way down to the bottom +question. It was practical wisdom for Mr. Lincoln +in his inaugural not to probe deeper than +secession; and it was well for multitudes to take +arms and contribute money with the earnest asseveration +that they were fighting and paying only for +the integrity of the country. It was the truth, or +rather it was <i>a</i> truth; but there was also another +and a deeper truth: that he who fought for the +integrity of the country, also, by a necessity inherent +in the case and far beyond the influence of +his volition, fought for the destruction of slavery. +Just as soon as this second truth came up and +took distinct shape beside the other, angry political +divisions sundered the Unionists. Abolition +of slavery never displaced Union as a purpose of +the war; but the two became mingled, in a duality +<!-- Image No 13 --><a name='Png13'></a><a name='Page003'></a><span class="pagenum">003</span> +which could not afterward be resolved into its component +parts so that one could be taken and the +other could be left. The union of the two issues +meant the disunion of the people of the Middle +and even of the Northern States.</p> + +<p>In the Border States a considerable proportion +of the people was both pro-slavery and pro-Union. +These men wished to retain their servile laborers +under their feet and the shelter of the Union over +their heads. At first they did not see that they +might as well hope to serve both God and Mammon. +Yet for the moment they seemed to hold the +balance of power between the contestants; for had +all the pro-slavery men in the Border States gone +over in a mass to the South early in the war, they +might have settled the matter against the North in +short order. The task of holding and conciliating +this important body, with all its Northern sympathizers, +became a controlling purpose of the President, +and caused the development of his famous +"border-state policy," for which he deserved the +highest praise and received unlimited abuse.</p> + +<p>The very fact that these men needed, for their +comfort, reiterated assurances of a policy not hostile +to slavery indicated the jeopardy of their situation. +The distinct language of the President +alleviated their anxiety so far as the Executive was +concerned, but they desired to commit the legislative +branch to the same doctrine. Among all +those who might have been Secessionists, but were +not, no other could vie in respect and affection with +<!-- Image No 14 --><a name='Png14'></a><a name='Page004'></a><span class="pagenum">004</span> +the venerable and patriotic John J. Crittenden +of Kentucky. This distinguished statesman now +became the spokesman for the large body of loyal +citizens who felt deeply that the war ought not to +impinge in the least upon the great institution +of the South. In the extra session of Congress, +convened in July, 1861, he offered a resolution +pledging Congress to hold in mind: "That this +war is not waged upon our part in any spirit of +oppression, nor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, +nor with any purpose of overthrowing +or interfering with the rights or established institutions +of those [the revolted] States; but to +defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, +and to preserve the Union with all the +dignity, equality, and rights of the several States +unimpaired." After the example of the Constitution, +this resolution was carefully saved from the +contamination of a certain offensive word; but +every one knew its meaning and its purpose; and +with this knowledge all the votes save two in the +House of Representatives, and all save five in the +Senate, were given for it.<a name='FNanchor_1_1'></a><a href='#Footnote_1_1'><sup>[1]</sup></a> +"It was," says Mr. +Blaine, "a fair reflection of the popular sentiment +throughout the North." So Mr. Lincoln's +inaugural was ratified.</p> + +<p>But events control. The Northern armies ran +against slavery immediately. Almost in the very +hours when the resolution of Mr. Crittenden was +<!-- Image No 15 --><a name='Png15'></a><a name='Page005'></a><span class="pagenum">005</span> +gliding so easily through the House, thousands of +slaves at Manassas were doing the work of laborers +and servants, and rendering all the whites of the +Southern army available for fighting. The handicap +was so severe and obvious that it immediately +provoked the introduction of a bill freeing slaves +belonging to rebels and used for carrying on the +war. The Democrats and the men of the Border +States generally opposed the measure, with very +strong feeling. No matter how plausible the reason, +they did not wish slavery to be touched at all. +They could not say that this especial bill was +wrong, but they felt that it was dangerous. Their +protests against it, however, were of no avail, and +it became law on August 6. The extreme anti-slavery +men somewhat sophistically twisted it into +an assistance to the South.</p> + +<p>The principle of this legislation had already been +published to the country in a very fortunate way +by General Butler. In May, 1861, being in command +at Fortress Monroe, he had refused, under +instructions from Cameron, to return three fugitive +slaves to their rebel owner, and he had ingeniously +put his refusal on the ground that they +were "contraband of war." The phrase instantly +became popular. General Butler says that, "as +a lawyer, [he] was never very proud of it;" but +technical inaccuracy does not hurt the force of an +epigram which expresses a sound principle. "Contraband" +underlay the Emancipation Proclamation.</p> + +<p>Thus the slaves themselves were forcing the +<!-- Image No 16 --><a name='Png16'></a><a name='Page006'></a><span class="pagenum">006</span>issue, regardless of polities and diplomacy. With +a perfectly correct instinctive insight into the true +meaning of the war, they felt that a Union camp +ought to be a place of refuge, and they sought +it eagerly and in considerable numbers. Then, +however, their logical owners came and reclaimed +them, and other commanders were not so apt at +retort as General Butler was. Thus it came to +pass that each general, being without instructions, +carried out his own ideas, and confusion ensued. +Democratic commanders returned slaves; Abolitionist +commanders refused to do so; many were +sadly puzzled what to do. All alike created embarrassing +situations for the administration.</p> + +<p>General Fremont led off. On August 30, being +then in command of the Western Department, +he issued an order, in which he declared that he +would "assume the administrative powers of the +State." Then, on the basis of this bold assumption, +he established martial law, and pronounced +the slaves of militant or active rebels to be "free +men." The mischief of this ill-advised proceeding +was aggravated by the "fires of popular enthusiasm +which it kindled." The President wrote to +Fremont, expressing his fear that the general's +action would "alarm our Southern Union friends, +and turn them against us; perhaps ruin our rather +fair prospect in Kentucky." Very considerately +he said: "Allow me, therefore, to ask that you +will, as of your own motion, modify that paragraph +so as to conform to" the Act of August 6. +<!-- Image No 17 --><a name='Png17'></a><a name='Page007'></a><span class="pagenum">007</span>Fremont replied, in substance, that the President +might do this, but that he himself would not! +Thereupon Mr. Lincoln, instead of removing the +insubordinate and insolent general, behaved in his +usual passionless way, and merely issued an order +that Fremont's proclamation should be so modified +and construed as "to conform with and not to +transcend" the law. By this treatment, which +should have made Fremont grateful and penitent, +he was in fact rendered angry and indignant; for +he had a genuine belief in the old proverb about +laws being silent in time of war, and he really +thought that documents signed in tents by gentlemen +wearing shoulder-straps were deserving of +more respect, even by the President, than were +mere Acts of Congress. This was a mistaken +notion, but Fremont never could see that he had +been in error, and from this time forth he became +a vengeful thorn in the side of Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p>Several months later, on May 9, 1862, General +Hunter proclaimed martial law in Georgia, Florida, +and South Carolina, and said: "Slavery and +martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible. +The persons in these States, heretofore +held as slaves, are therefore declared forever +free." At once, though not without reluctance, +Mr. Lincoln revoked this order, as unauthorized. +He further said that, if he had power to "declare +the slaves of any State or States free," the propriety +of exercising that power was a question which +he reserved exclusively to himself. These words +<!-- Image No 18 --><a name='Png18'></a><a name='Page008'></a><span class="pagenum">008</span> +he fully made good. The whole country, wild +with excitement and teeming with opinions almost +co-numerous with its citizens, threatened to bury +him beneath an avalanche of advice. But while +all talked and wrote madly and endlessly, he +quietly held his peace, did what he chose when he +chose, and never delegated any portion of his +authority over this most important business to any +one. He took emancipation for his own special +and personal affair; it was a matter about which +he had been doing much thinking very earnestly +for a long while, and he had no notion of forming +now any partnership for managing it.</p> + +<p>The trend, however, was not all in one direction. +While Butler, Fremont, and Hunter were +thus befriending the poor runaways, Buell and +Hooker were allowing slave-owners to reclaim +fugitives from within their lines; Halleck was +ordering that no fugitive slave should be admitted +within his lines or camp, and that those already +there should be put out; and McClellan was promising +to crush "with an iron hand" any attempt +at slave insurrection. Amid such confusion, some +rule of universal application was sorely needed. +But what should it be?</p> + +<p>Secretary Cameron twice nearly placed the administration +in an embarrassing position by taking +very advanced ground upon the negro question. +In October, 1861, he issued an order to General +Sherman, then at Port Royal, authorizing him to +employ negroes in any capacity which he might +"<!-- Image No 19 --><a name='Png19'></a><a name='Page009'></a><span class="pagenum">009</span> +deem most beneficial to the service." Mr. Lincoln +prudently interlined the words: "This, however, +not to mean a general arming of them for +military service." A few weeks later, in the Report +which the secretary prepared to be sent with +the President's message to Congress, he said: "As +the labor and service of their slaves constitute the +chief property of the rebels, they should share the +common fate of war.... It is as clearly a right +of the government to arm slaves, when it becomes +necessary, as it is to use gunpowder taken from +the enemy. Whether it is expedient to do so is +purely a military question." He added more to +the same purport. He then had his report printed, +and sent copies, by mail, to many newspapers +throughout the country, with permission to publish +it so soon as the telegraph should report the +reading before Congress. At the eleventh hour a +copy was handed to Mr. Lincoln, to accompany +his message; and then, for the first time, he saw +these radical passages. Instantly he directed that +all the postmasters, to whose offices the printed +copies had been sent on their way to the newspaper +editors, should be ordered at once to return +these copies to the secretary. He then ordered +the secretary to make a change, equivalent to an +omission, of this inflammatory paragraph. After +this emasculation the paragraph only stated that +"slaves who were abandoned by their owners on +the advance of our troops" should not be returned +to the enemy.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 20 --><a name='Png20'></a><a name='Page010'></a><span class="pagenum">010</span> +When the Thirty-seventh Congress came together +for the regular session, December 2, 1861, +anti-slavery sentiment had made a visible advance. +President Lincoln, in his message, advised recognizing +the independence of the negro states of +Hayti and Liberia. He declared that he had +been anxious that the "inevitable conflict should +not degenerate into a violent and remorseless revolutionary +struggle," and that he had, therefore, +"thought it proper to keep the integrity of the +Union prominent as the primary object of the contest +on our part." Referring to his enforcement +of the law of August 6, he said: "The Union must +be preserved, and hence all indispensable means +must be employed." The shadow which pro-slavery +men saw cast by these words was very +slightly, if at all, lightened by an admission which +accompanied it,—that "we should not be in haste +to determine that radical and extreme measures, +which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, +are indispensable." Further he said that already, +by the operation of the Act of August 6, numbers +of persons had been liberated, had become dependent +on the United States, and must be provided +for. He anticipated that some of the States might +pass similar laws for their own benefit; in which +case he recommended Congress to "provide for +accepting such persons from such States, according +to some mode of valuation, in lieu, <i>pro tanto</i>, +of direct taxes, or upon some other plan to be +agreed on." He desired that these negroes, being +<!-- Image No 21 --><a name='Png21'></a><a name='Page011'></a><span class="pagenum">011</span> +"at once deemed free," should be colonized in some +"climate congenial to them," and he wished an +appropriation for acquiring territory for this purpose. +Thus he indicated with sufficient clearness +the three cardinal points of his own theory for +emancipation: voluntary action of the individual +slave States by the exercise of their own sovereign +power; compensation of owners; and colonization. +Congress soon showed that it meant to strike a +pace much more rapid than that set by the President; +and the friends of slavery perceived an +atmosphere which made them so uneasy that they +thought it would be well to have the Crittenden +resolution substantially reaffirmed. They made the +effort, and they failed, the vote standing 65 yeas +to 71 nays. All which this symptom indicated as +to the temper of members was borne out during +the session by positive and aggressive legislation. +Only a fortnight had passed, when Henry Wilson, +senator from Massachusetts, introduced a bill to +emancipate the slaves in the District of Columbia, +and to pay a moderate compensation to owners. +The measure, rightly construed as the entering +point of the anti-slavery wedge, gave rise to bitter +debates in both houses. The senators and representatives +from the slave States manifested intense +feeling, and were aided with much spirit by the +Democrats of the free States. But resistance was +useless; the bill passed the Senate by a vote of +29 to 14, and the House by 92 to 38. On April +16 the President signed it, and returned it with a +<!-- Image No 22 --><a name='Png22'></a><a name='Page012'></a><span class="pagenum">012</span> +message, in which he said: "If there be matters +within and about this Act which might have taken +a course or shape more satisfactory to my judgment, +I do not attempt to specify them. I am +gratified that the two principles of compensation +and colonization are both recognized and practically +applied in the Act." It was one of the coincidences +of history that by his signature he now +made law that proposition which, as a member of +the House of Representatives in 1849, he had embodied +in a bill which then hardly excited passing +notice as it went on its quick way to oblivion.</p> + +<p>The confused condition concerning the harboring +and rendition of fugitive slaves by military +commanders, already mentioned, was also promptly +taken in hand. Various bills and amendments +offered in the Senate and in the House were substantially +identical in the main purpose of making +the recovery of a slave from within the Union +lines practically little better than impossible. The +shape which the measure ultimately took was the +enactment of an additional article of war, whereby +all officers in the military service of the United +States were "prohibited from using any portion +of the forces under their respective commands for +the purpose of returning fugitives from service or +labor;" any officer who should violate the article +was to be dismissed from the service. Again the +men from the Border States, rallying their few +Democratic allies from the North to their assistance, +made vehement opposition, and again they +<!-- Image No 23 --><a name='Png23'></a><a name='Page013'></a><span class="pagenum">013</span> +were overwhelmed beneath an irresistible majority: +83 to 42 in the House, 29 to 9 in the Senate. +The President signed the bill on March 13, 1862, +and thereafter "nigger hunting" was a dangerous +sport in the Union camps.</p> + +<p>On March 24, Mr. Arnold<a name='FNanchor_2_2'></a><a href='#Footnote_2_2'><sup>[2]</sup></a> +of Illinois introduced +a bill ambitiously purporting "to render +freedom national and slavery sectional." It prohibited +slavery wherever Congress could do so, +that is to say, in all Territories, present and +future, in all forts, arsenals, dockyards, etc., in +all vessels on the high seas and on all national +highways beyond the territory and jurisdiction of +the several States. Both by its title and by its +substance it went to the uttermost edge of the +Constitution and, in the matter of Territories, +perhaps beyond that edge. Mr. Arnold himself +supported it with the bold avowal that slavery was +in deadly hostility to the national government, and +therefore must be destroyed. Upon a measure so +significant and so defended, debate waxed hot, so +that one gentleman proposed that the bill should +be sent back to the committee with instructions +not to report it back "until the cold weather." +The irritation and alarm of the Border States +rendered modification necessary unless tact and +caution were to be wholly thrown to the winds. +Ultimately, therefore, the offensive title was exchanged +for the simple one of "An Act to secure +<!-- Image No 24 --><a name='Png24'></a><a name='Page014'></a><span class="pagenum">014</span> +freedom to all persons within the Territories of the +United States," and the bill, curtailed to accord +with this expression, became law by approval of +the President on June 19.</p> + +<p>A measure likely in its operation to affect a +much greater number of persons than any other of +those laws which have been mentioned was introduced +by Senator Trumbull of Illinois. This was +"for the confiscation of the property of rebels, and +giving freedom to the persons they hold in slavery." +It made the slaves of all who had taken up +arms against the United States "forever thereafter +free." It came up for debate on February 25, +and its mover defended it as "destroying to a great +extent the source and origin of the rebellion, and +the only thing which had ever seriously threatened +the peace of the Union." The men of the Border +States, appalled at so general a manumission, declared +that it would produce intolerable conditions +in their States, leading either to reënslavement or +extermination. So strenuous an anti-slavery man +as Senator Hale also suggested that the measure +was unconstitutional. Similar discussion upon +similar propositions went forward contemporaneously +in the House. For once, in both bodies, the +Democrats won in many skirmishes. Ultimately, +as the outcome of many amendments, substitutes, +recommitments, and conferences, a bill was patched +up, which passed by 27 to 12 in the Senate and +82 to 42 in the House, and was approved by the +President July 17. It was a very comprehensive +<!-- Image No 25 --><a name='Png25'></a><a name='Page015'></a><span class="pagenum">015</span>measure; so much so, that Mr. Blaine has said of +it: "Even if the war had ended without a formal +and effective system of emancipation, it is believed +that this statute would have so operated as to render +the slave system practically valueless."</p> + +<p>The possibility of enlisting negroes as soldiers +received early consideration. Black troops had +fought in the Revolution; why, then, should not +black men now fight in a war of which they themselves +were the ultimate provocation? The idea +pleased the utilitarian side of the Northern mind +and shocked no Northern prejudice. In fact, as +early as the spring of 1862 General Hunter, in +the Department of the South, organized a negro +regiment. In July, 1862, pending consideration +of a bill concerning calling forth the militia, +reported by the Senate Committee on Military +Affairs, amendments were moved declaring that +"there should be no exemption from military +service on account of color," permitting the +enlistment of "persons of African descent," and +making "forever thereafter free" each person so +enlisted, his mother, his wife, and his children. No +other measure so aroused the indignation of the +border-state men. Loyalty to the Union could +not change their opinion of the negro. To put +arms into the hands of slaves, or ex-slaves, was a +terrible proposition to men who had too often +vividly conceived the dread picture of slave insurrection. +To set black men about the business of +killing white men, to engage the inferior race to +<!-- Image No 26 --><a name='Png26'></a><a name='Page016'></a><span class="pagenum">016</span>destroy the superior race, seemed a blasphemy +against Nature. A few also of the Northerners +warmly sympathized with this feeling. Black men +shooting down white men was a spectacle which +some who were friends of the black men could +not contemplate without a certain shudder. Also +many persons believed that the white soldiers of +the North would feel degraded by having regiments +of ex-slaves placed beside them in camp and +in battle. Doubts were expressed as to whether +negroes would fight, whether they would not be a +useless charge, and even a source of peril to those +who should depend upon them. Language could +go no farther in vehemence of protest and denunciation +than the words of some of the slave-state +men in the House and Senate. Besides this, +Garrett Davis of Kentucky made a very effective +argument when he said: "There is not a rebel in +all Secessia whose heart will not leap when he +hears that the Senate of the United States is originating +such a policy. It will strengthen his +hopes of success by an ultimate union of all the +slave States to fight such a policy to the death." +It was, however, entirely evident that, in the present +temper of that part of the country which was +represented in Congress, there was not much use +in opposing any anti-slavery measure by any kind +of argument whatever; even though the special +proposition might be distasteful to many Republicans, +yet at last, when pressed to the issue, they +all faithfully voted Yea. In this case the measure, +<!-- Image No 27 --><a name='Png27'></a><a name='Page017'></a><span class="pagenum">017</span>finally so far modified as to relate only to slaves +of rebel owners, was passed and was signed by the +President on July 17. Nevertheless, although it +thus became law, the certainty that, by taking +action under it, he would alienate great numbers +of loyalists in the Border States induced him to +go very slowly. At first actual authority to enlist +negroes was only extorted from the administration +with much effort. On August 25 obstinate +importunity elicited an order permitting General +Saxton, at Hilton Head, to raise 5,000 black +troops; but this was somewhat strangely accompanied, +according to Mr. Wilson, with the suggestive +remark, that it "must never see daylight, +because it was so much in advance of public sentiment." +After the process had been on trial for +a year, however, Mr. Lincoln said that there was +apparent "no loss by it in our foreign relations, +none in our home popular sentiment, none in our +white military force,—no loss by it anyhow or +anywhere." On the other hand, it had brought +a reinforcement of 130,000 soldiers, seamen, and +laborers. "And now," he said, "let any Union +man who complains of this measure test himself +by writing down in one line that he is for subduing +the rebellion by force of arms, and in the next +that he is for taking these 130,000 men from the +Union side, and placing them where they would +be best for the measure he condemns." Yet so +ineradicable was the race prejudice that it was +not until the spring of 1864, after all efforts for +<!-- Image No 28 --><a name='Png28'></a><a name='Page018'></a><span class="pagenum">018</span>action by Congress had failed, that the attorney-general +declared black soldiers to be entitled to the +same pay as white soldiers. Regarding a soldier +merely as a marketable commodity, doubtless the +white was worth more money; yet life was about +the same to each, and it was hard to see why one +should be expected to sell his life for fewer dollars +than satisfied the other.</p> + +<p>Besides these measures, Congress gave evidence +of its sentiments by passing an act for appointing +diplomatic representatives to Hayti and Liberia; +also further evidence by passing certain legislation +against the slave trade.</p> + +<p>The recital of all these doings of the legislators +sufficiently indicates the hostility of Congress +towards slavery. In fact, a large majority both +in the Senate and in the House had moved out +against it upon nearly every practicable line to the +extremity of the constitutional tether. Neither +arguments, nor the entreaties of the border-state +men, nor any considerations of policy, had exercised +the slightest restraining influence. It is observable +that this legislation did not embody that +policy which Mr. Lincoln had suggested, and to +which he had become strongly attached. On the +contrary, Congress had done everything to irritate, +where the President wished to do everything to +conciliate; Congress made that compulsory which +the President hoped to make voluntary. Mr. +Lincoln remained in 1862, as he had been in 1858, +tolerant towards the Southern men who by inheritance, +<!-- Image No 29 --><a name='Png29'></a><a name='Page019'></a><span class="pagenum">019</span> +tradition, and the necessity of the situation, +constituted a slaveholding community. To treat +slave-ownership as a crime, punishable by confiscation +and ruin, seemed to him unreasonable and +merciless. Neither does he seem ever to have accepted +the opinion of many Abolitionists, that the +negro was the equal of the white man in natural +endowment. There is no reason to suppose that +he did not still hold, as he had done in the days +of the Douglas debates, that it was undesirable, if +not impossible, that the two races should endeavor +to abide together in freedom as a unified community. +In the inevitable hostility and competition +he clearly saw that the black man was likely to +fare badly. It was by such feelings that he was +led straight to the plan of compensation of owners +and colonization of freedmen, and to the hope +that a system of gradual emancipation, embodying +these principles, might be voluntarily undertaken +by the Border States under the present stress. +If the executive and the legislative departments +should combine upon the policy of encouraging +and aiding such steps as any Border State could +be induced to take in this direction, the President +believed that he could much more easily extend +loyalty and allegiance among the people of those +States,—a matter which he valued far more highly +than other persons were inclined to do. Such were +his views and such his wishes. To discuss their +practicability and soundness would only be to +wander in the unprofitable vagueness of hypothesis, +<!-- Image No 30 --><a name='Png30'></a><a name='Page020'></a><span class="pagenum">020</span>for in spite of all his efforts they were never tested +by trial. It must be admitted that general opinion, +both at that day and ever since, has regarded +them as visionary; compensation seemed too costly, +colonization probably was really impossible.</p> + +<p>After the President had suggested his views in +his message he waited patiently to see what action +Congress would take concerning them. Three +months elapsed and Congress took no such action. +On the contrary, Congress practically repudiated +them. Not only this, it was industriously putting +into the shape of laws many other ideas, which +were likely to prove so many embarrassments and +obstructions to that policy which the President +had very thoughtfully and with deep conviction +marked out for himself. He determined, therefore, +to present it once more, before it should be rendered +forever hopeless. On March 6, 1862, he sent +to Congress a special message, recommending the +adoption of a joint resolution: "That the United +States ought to cooperate with any State which +may adopt gradual abolishment of slavery, giving +to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such +State in its discretion, to compensate for the inconvenience, +both public and private, produced by +such change of system." The first paragraph in +the message stated briefly the inducements to the +North: "The Federal government would find its +highest interest in such a measure, as one of the +most efficient means of self-preservation. The +leaders of the existing insurrection entertain the +<!-- Image No 31 --><a name='Png31'></a><a name='Page021'></a><span class="pagenum">021</span>hope that this government will ultimately be forced +to acknowledge the independence of some part of +the disaffected region, and that all the slave States +north of such part will then say: 'The Union for +which we have struggled being already gone, we +now choose to go with the Southern section.' To +deprive them of this hope substantially ends the +rebellion; and the initiation of Emancipation completely +deprives them of it as to all the States +initiating it. The point is that ... the more +northern [States] shall, by such initiation, make it +certain to the more southern that in no event will +the former ever join the latter in their proposed +Confederacy. I say 'initiation,' because in my +judgment gradual and not sudden emancipation is +better for all. In the mere financial or pecuniary +view, any member of Congress, with the census +tables and Treasury reports before him, can readily +see for himself how very soon the current expenditures +of this war would purchase, at fair valuation, +all the slaves in any named State."</p> + +<p>The second paragraph hinted at that which it +would have been poor tact to state plainly,—the +reasons which would press the Border States to +accept the opportunity extended to them. "If +resistance continues, the war must also continue; +and it is impossible to foresee all the incidents +which may attend, and all the ruin which may follow +it. Such as may seem indispensable, or may +obviously promise great efficiency toward ending +the struggle, must and will come. The proposition +<!-- Image No 32 --><a name='Png32'></a><a name='Page022'></a><span class="pagenum">022</span>now made, though an offer only, I hope it may be +esteemed no offense to ask whether the pecuniary +consideration tendered would not be of more value +to the States and private persons concerned than +are the institution and property in it, in the present +aspect of affairs." The suggestion, between +the lines, to the border slave-owners could not be +misunderstood: that they would do better to sell +their slaves now than to be deprived of them later. +The President's proposition was not cordially +received. Pro-slavery men regarded it as an underhand +movement against the institution. Mr. +Crittenden expressed confidence in the President +personally, but feared that the resolution "would +stir up an emancipation party" in the loyal slave +States. Thus the truth was made plain that emancipation, +by any process, was not desired. In a +debate upon a cognate measure, another Kentuckian +said that there was "no division of sentiment +on this question of emancipation, whether it is to be +brought about by force, by fraud, or by purchase +of slaves out of the public treasury." Democrats +from Northern States, natural allies of the border-state +men, protested vehemently against taxing +their constituents to buy slave property in other +States. Many Republicans also joined the Democracy +against Mr. Lincoln, and spoke even with +anger and insult. Thaddeus Stevens, the fierce +and formidable leader of the Radicals, gave his +voice against "the most diluted milk-and-water +gruel proposition that had ever been given to the +<!-- Image No 33 --><a name='Png33'></a><a name='Page023'></a><span class="pagenum">023</span>American nation." Hickman of Pennsylvania, +until 1860 a Democrat, but now a Republican, +with the characteristic vehemence of a proselyte +said: "Neither the message nor the resolution is +manly and open. They are both covert and insidious. +They do not become the dignity of the +President of the United States. The message is +not such a document as a full-grown, independent +man should publish to the nation at such a time +as the present, when positions should be freely +and fully defined." In the Senate, Mr. Powell of +Kentucky translated the second paragraph into +blunt words. He said that it held a threat of ultimate +coercion, if the cooperative plan should fail; +and he regarded "the whole thing" as "a pill of +arsenic, sugar-coated."</p> + +<p>But, though so many insisted upon uttering their +fleers in debate, yet, when it came to voting, they +could not well discredit their President by voting +down the resolution on the sole ground that it was +foolish and ineffectual. So, after it had been +abused sufficiently, it was passed by about the usual +party majority: 89 to 34 in the House; 32 to 10 +in the Senate. Thus Congress somewhat sneeringly +handed back to the President his bantling, +with free leave to do what he could with it.</p> + +<p>Not discouraged by such grudging and unsympathetic +permission, Mr. Lincoln at once set about +his experiment. He told Lovejoy and Arnold, +strenuous Abolitionists, but none the less his near +friends, that they would live to see the end of +<!-- Image No 34 --><a name='Png34'></a><a name='Page024'></a><span class="pagenum">024</span>slavery, if only the Border States would cooperate +in his project. On March 10, 1862, he gathered +some of the border-state members and tried to win +them over to his views. They listened coldly; but +he was not dismayed by their demeanor, and on +July 12 he again convened them, and this time +laid before them a written statement. This paper +betrays by its earnestness of argument and its +almost beseeching tone that he wrote it from his +heart. The reasons which he urged were as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Believing that you of the Border States hold +more power for good than any other equal number +of members, I felt it a duty which I cannot justifiably +waive to make this appeal to you.</p> + +<p>"I intend no reproach or complaint when I +assure you that, in my opinion, if you all had +voted for the resolution in the gradual emancipation +message of last March, the war would now be +substantially ended.</p> + +<p>"And the plan therein proposed is yet one of +the most potent and swift means of ending it. +Let the States which are in rebellion see definitely +and certainly that in no event will the States you +represent ever join their proposed Confederacy, +and they cannot much longer maintain the contest. +But you cannot divest them of their hope to ultimately +have you with them as long as you show a +determination to perpetuate the institution within +your own States; beat them at election as you have +overwhelmingly done, and, nothing daunted, they +<!-- Image No 35 --><a name='Png35'></a><a name='Page025'></a><span class="pagenum">025</span>still claim you as their own. You and I know +what the lever of their power is. Break that lever +before their faces, and they can shake you no more +forever. Most of you have treated me with kindness +and consideration; and I trust you will not +now think I improperly touch what is exclusively +your own, when, for the sake of the whole country, +I ask: can you, for your States, do better than to +take the course I urge? Discarding punctilio and +maxims adapted to more manageable times, and +looking only to the unprecedentedly stern facts of +our case, can you do better in any possible event? +You prefer that the constitutional relation of the +States to the nation shall be practically restored +without disturbance of the institution; and if this +were done, my whole duty in this respect under +the Constitution and my oath of office would be +performed. But it is not done, and we are trying +to accomplish it by war.</p> + +<p>"The incidents of the war cannot be avoided. +If the war continues long, as it must if the object +be not sooner attained, the institution in your +States will be extinguished by mere friction and +abrasion,—by the mere incidents of the war. It +will be gone, and you will have nothing valuable +in lieu of it. Much of its value is gone already. +How much better for you and your people to take +the step which at once shortens the war, and +secures substantial compensation for that which +is sure to be wholly lost in any other event. How +much better to thus save the money which else we +<!-- Image No 36 --><a name='Png36'></a><a name='Page026'></a><span class="pagenum">026</span>sink forever in the war. How much better to do +it while we can, lest the war erelong render us +pecuniarily unable to do it. How much better +for you, as seller, and the nation, as buyer, to +sell out and buy out that without which the war +never could have been, than to sink both the thing +to be sold and the price of it in cutting one another's +throats. I do not speak of emancipation +at once, but of a decision at once to emancipate +gradually."</p> + +<p>He closed with an ardent appeal to his hearers, +as "patriots and statesmen," to consider his proposition, +invoking them thereto as they "would +perpetuate popular government for the best people +in the world."</p> + +<p>Thirty gentlemen listened to this paper and took +two days to consider it. Then twenty of them +signed a response which was, in substance, their +repudiation of the President's scheme. They told +him that hitherto they had been loyal "under the +most discouraging circumstances and in face of +measures most distasteful to them and injurious to +the interests they represented, and in the hearing +of doctrines, avowed by those who claimed to be +his friends, most abhorrent to themselves and their +constituents." They objected that the measure +involved "interference with what exclusively belonged +to the States;" that perhaps it was unconstitutional; +that it would involve an "immense +outlay," beyond what the finances could bear; that +it was "the annunciation of a sentiment" rather +<!-- Image No 37 --><a name='Png37'></a><a name='Page027'></a><span class="pagenum">027</span>than a "tangible proposition;" they added that the +sole purpose of the war must be "restoring the +Constitution to its legitimate authority." Seven +others of the President's auditors said politely, but +very vaguely, that they would "ask the people of +the Border States calmly, deliberately, and fairly +to consider his recommendations." Maynard, of +the House, and Henderson, of the Senate, alone +expressed their personal approval.</p> + +<p>Even this did not drive all hope out of Mr. +Lincoln's heart. His proclamation, rescinding +that order of General Hunter which purported to +free slaves in certain States, was issued on May +19. In it he said that the resolution, which had +been passed at his request, "now stands an authentic, +definite, and solemn proposal of the nation +to the States and people most interested in the +subject-matter. To the people of these States I +now earnestly appeal. I do not argue; I beseech +you to make the arguments for yourselves. You +cannot, if you would, be blind to the signs of the +times. I beg of you a calm and enlarged consideration +of them, ranging, if it may be, far above +personal and partisan politics. This proposal +makes common cause for a common object, casting +no reproaches upon any. It acts not the Pharisee. +The change it contemplates would come gently as +the dews from Heaven, not rending or wrecking +anything. Will you not embrace it? So much +good has not been done by one effort in all past +time as in the providence of God it is now your +<!-- Image No 38 --><a name='Png38'></a><a name='Page028'></a><span class="pagenum">028</span>high privilege to do. May the vast future not +have to lament that you have neglected it!"</p> + +<p>This eloquent and beautiful appeal sounds deeply +moving in the ears of those who read it in these +days, so remote from the passions and prejudices +of a generation ago; but it stirred little responsive +feeling and no responsive action in 1862. In fact, +the scheme was not practicable.</p> + +<p>It may be—it probably must be—believed that +compensated emancipation and colonization could +never have been carried out even if Northern +Republicans had been willing to pay the price and +Southern slave-owners had been willing to accept +it, and if both had then cordially united in the task +of deporting the troublesome negro from the country. +The vast project was undoubtedly visionary; +it was to be criticised, weighed, and considered +largely as a business enterprise, and as such it +must be condemned. But Mr. Lincoln, who had +no capacity for business, was never able to get at +this point of view, and regarded his favorite plan +strictly in political and humanitarian lights. Yet +even thus the general opinion has been that the +unfortunate negroes, finding themselves amid the +hard facts which must inevitably have attended +colonization, would have heartily regretted the lost +condition of servitude. Historically the merits of +the experiment, which the Southern Unionists declined +to have put to the test of trial, are of no +consequence; it is only as the scheme throws light +upon the magnanimity of Mr. Lincoln's temperament +<!-- Image No 39 --><a name='Png39'></a><a name='Page029'></a><span class="pagenum">029</span> +and upon certain limitations of his intellect, +that the subject is interesting. That he should +rid himself of personal vindictiveness and should +cherish an honest and intense desire to see the +question, which had severed the country, disposed +of by a process which would make possible a sincere +and cordial reunion, may be only moderately +surprising; but it is most surprising to note the +depth and earnestness of his faith that this condition +could really be reached, and that it could +be reached by the road which he had marked out. +This confidence indicated an opinion of human +nature much higher than human nature has yet +appeared entitled to. It also anticipated on the +part of the Southerners an appreciation of the +facts of the case which few among them were sufficiently +clear-minded to furnish. It is curious to +observe that Lincoln saw the present situation and +foresaw the coming situation with perfect clearness, +at the same time that he was entirely unable to +see the uselessness of his panacea; whereas, on the +other hand, those who rejected his impracticable +plan remained entirely blind to those things which +he saw. It seems an odd combination of traits +that he always recognized and accepted a fact, and +yet was capable of being wholly impractical.</p> + +<p>In connection with these efforts in behalf of the +slaveholders, which show at least a singular goodness +of heart towards persons who had done everything +to excite even a sense of personal hatred, it +may not be seriously out of place to quote a paragraph +<!-- Image No 40 --><a name='Png40'></a><a name='Page030'></a><span class="pagenum">030</span> +which does not, indeed, bear upon slavery, +but which does illustrate the remarkable temper +which Mr. Lincoln maintained towards the seceding +communities. In December, 1861, in his +annual message to this Congress, whose searching +anti-slavery measures have just been discussed, he +said:—</p> + +<p>"There are three vacancies on the bench of the +Supreme Court.... I have so far forborne +making nominations to fill these vacancies for reasons +which I will now state. Two of the outgoing +judges resided within the States now overrun by +revolt; so that if successors were appointed in the +same localities, they could not now serve upon +their circuits; and many of the most competent +men there probably would not take the personal +hazard of accepting to serve, even here, upon the +Supreme Bench. I have been unwilling to throw +all the appointments northward, thus disabling +myself from doing justice to the South on the return +of peace; although I may remark that to +transfer to the North one which has heretofore +been in the South would not, with reference to +territory and population, be unjust."<a name='FNanchor_3_3'></a><a href='#Footnote_3_3'><sup>[3]</sup></a> To comment +upon behavior and motives so extraordinary +is, perhaps, as needless as it is tempting.</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_1_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_1_1'>[1]</a> Also in the House Thaddeus Stevens and Lovejoy, and in the +Senate Sumner, did not vote.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_2_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_2_2'>[2]</a> Lincoln's intimate personal and political friend, and afterward +his biographer.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_3_3'></a><a href='#FNanchor_3_3'>[3]</a> Annual Message to Congress, December, 1861.</p></div> + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 41 --><a name='Png41'></a><a name='Page031'></a><span class="pagenum">031</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_II'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h2>THE SECOND ACT OF THE MCCLELLAN DRAMA</h2> + +<p>It is time now to return to the theatre of war +in Virginia, where, it will be remembered, we left +the Confederate forces in the act of rapidly withdrawing +southward from the line of intrenchments +which they had so long held at Manassas. This +unexpected backward movement upon their part +deprived the Urbana route, which McClellan had +hitherto so strenuously advocated, of its chief +strategic advantages, and therefore reopened the +old question which had been discussed between +him and Mr. Lincoln. To the civilian mind a +movement after the retreating enemy along the +direct line to Richmond, now more than ever before, +seemed the natural scheme. But to this +McClellan still remained unalterably opposed. In +the letter of February 3 he had said: "The worst +coming to the worst, we can take Fort Monroe +as a base and operate with complete security, although +with less celerity and brilliancy of results, +up the Peninsula." This route, low as he had +then placed it in order of desirability, he now +adopted as the best resource, or rather as the +only measure; and his judgment was ratified upon +<!-- Image No 42 --><a name='Png42'></a><a name='Page032'></a><span class="pagenum">032</span>March 13 by unanimous approval on the part of +his four corps commanders. They however made +their approval dependent upon conditions, among +which were: that, before beginning the advance +along this line, the new rebel ram Merrimac (or +Virginia), just finished at Norfolk on the James +River, should be neutralized, and that a naval +auxiliary force should silence, or be ready to aid in +silencing, the rebel batteries on the York River. +In fact, and very unfortunately, the former of +these conditions was not fulfilled until the time of +its usefulness for this specific purpose was over, +and the latter condition was entirely neglected. It +was also distinctly stipulated that "the force to be +left to cover Washington shall be such as to give +an entire feeling of security for its safety from +menace." Keyes, Heintzelman and McDowell conceived +"that, with the forts on the right bank of +the Potomac fully garrisoned, and those on the +left bank occupied, a covering force, in front of +the Virginia line, of 25,000 men would suffice." +Sumner said: "A total of 40,000 for the defense +of the city would suffice."<a name='FNanchor_4_4'></a><a href='#Footnote_4_4'><sup>[4]</sup></a> On the same day +Stanton informed McClellan that the President +"made no objection" to this plan, but directed that +a sufficient force should be left to hold Manassas +Junction and to make Washington "entirely secure." +<!-- Image No 43 --><a name='Png43'></a><a name='Page033'></a><span class="pagenum">033</span> +The closing sentence was: "At all events, +move ... at once in pursuit of the enemy by +some route." Thus at last two important facts +were established: that the route up the Peninsula +should be tried; and that the patience of the administration +was exhausted.</p> + +<p>Though the enemy upon his retreat was burning +bridges and destroying railroads behind him, and +making his possible return towards Washington a +slow, difficult process, which he obviously had no +mind to undertake, still this security of the capital +rested as weightily as ever upon Lincoln's +mind. His reiteration and insistence concerning +it made perfectly plain that he was still nervous +and disquieted about it, though now certainly with +much less reason than heretofore. But with or +against reason, it was easy to see that he was far +from resting in the tranquillity of conviction that +Washington could never be so safe as when the +army of Virginia was far away upon the Peninsula. +Nevertheless, after the condition in its foregoing +shape had been so strenuously imposed by +Mr. Lincoln and tacitly accepted by McClellan, +the matter was left as if definitely settled; and the +President never demanded<a name='FNanchor_5_5'></a><a href='#Footnote_5_5'><sup>[5]</sup></a> from the general any +distinct statement concerning the numerical or +<!-- Image No 44 --><a name='Png44'></a><a name='Page034'></a><span class="pagenum">034</span>specific allotment of the available forces between +the two purposes. The neglect was disastrous in +its consequences; and must also be pronounced +both blameworthy and inexplicable, for the necessity +of a plain understanding on the subject was +obvious.</p> + +<p>The facts seem to be briefly these: in his letter +of February 3, McClellan estimated the force +necessary to be taken with him for his campaign +at 110,000 to 140,000 men, and said: "I hope to +use the latter number by bringing fresh troops +into Washington." On April 1 he reported<a name='FNanchor_6_6'></a><a href='#Footnote_6_6'><sup>[6]</sup></a> the +forces left behind him as follows:—</p> + +<div class="display"> +<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> + <tr> + <td>At Warrenton, there is to be</td> + <td align="right">7,780</td> + <td align="left"> men</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>At Manassas, there is to be</td> + <td align="right">10,859</td> + <td align="left"> men</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>In the Valley of the Shenandoah</td> + <td align="right"> 35,467</td> + <td align="left"> men</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>On the Lower Potomac</td> + <td align="right">1,350</td> + <td align="left"> men</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td align="right"> </td> + <td align="left"> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>In all</td> + <td align="right"> 55,456</td> + <td align="left"> men</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>He adds: "There will thus be left for the garrisons, +and the front of Washington, under General +Wadsworth, 18,000 men, exclusive of the batteries +under instruction." New levies, nearly 4,000 +strong, were also expected. He considered all +these men as properly available "for the defense +of the national capital and its approaches." The +<!-- Image No 45 --><a name='Png45'></a><a name='Page035'></a><span class="pagenum">035</span>President, the politicians, and some military men +were of opinion that only the 18,000 ought to be +considered available for the capital. It was a +question whether it was proper to count the corps +of Banks in the Shenandoah Valley. McClellan's +theory was that the rebels, by the circumstances +attendant upon their present retreating movement, +had conclusively annulled any chance of their own +return by way of Manassas. Banks greatly outnumbered +Stonewall Jackson, who had only about +15,000 men, or less, in the Shenandoah Valley. +Also Washington was now entirely surrounded by +satisfactory fortifications. McClellan, therefore, +was entirely confident that he left everything in +good shape behind him. In fact, it was put into +even better shape than he had designed; for on +March 31 the President took from him Blenker's +division of 10,000 men in order to strengthen Fremont, +who was in the mountain region westward +of the Shenandoah Valley. "I did so," wrote Mr. +Lincoln, "with great pain.... If you could +know the full pressure of the case, I am confident +that you would justify it." It was unfortunate +that the President could not stand against this +"pressure," which was not military, but political. +Fremont could do, and did, nothing at all, and to +reinforce him was sheer absurdity.<a name='FNanchor_7_7'></a><a href='#Footnote_7_7'><sup>[7]</sup></a> Against it +McClellan protested almost indignantly, but was +"partially relieved by the President's positive and +emphatic assurance" that no more troops "should +<!-- Image No 46 --><a name='Png46'></a><a name='Page036'></a><span class="pagenum">036</span>in any event be taken from" him, or "in any way +detached from [his] command."</p> + +<p>Orders had been issued on February 27, to Mr. +Tucker, assistant secretary of war, to prepare +means of transporting down the Potomac, troops, +munitions, artillery, horses, wagons, food, and all +the vast paraphernalia of a large army. He +showed a masterly vigor in this difficult task, and +by March 17 the embarkation began. On April 2 +McClellan arrived at Fortress Monroe. On the +very next day he was disturbed by the revocation +of the orders which had left him in command of +that place and had allowed him to "draw from the +troops under General Wool a division of about +10,000 men, which was to be assigned to the First +Corps." Another and a serious disappointment +also occurred at once; he found that the navy +could not be utilized for assisting in an attack on +Yorktown, or for running by it so as to land forces +in rear of it. He must therefore depend wholly +upon his army to force a way up the Peninsula. +This he had stated to be an unsatisfactory alternative, +because it involved delay at Yorktown. Nevertheless, +having no choice, he began his advance on +April 4. He had with him only 58,000 men; but +more were on the way, and McDowell's corps was +to be brought forward to join him as rapidly as +transportation would permit. His total nominal +force was smaller than the minimum which, on +February 3, he had named as necessary; yet it was +a fine body of troops, and he had lately said to +<!-- Image No 47 --><a name='Png47'></a><a name='Page037'></a><span class="pagenum">037</span>them: "The army of the Potomac is now a real +army, magnificent in material, admirable in discipline, +excellently equipped and armed. Your +commanders are all that I could wish."</p> + +<p>In two days he was before the fortifications +which the rebels had erected at Yorktown, and +which stretched thence across the Peninsula to the +James River. He estimated the force behind these +intrenchments, commanded by General Magruder, +at 15,000 to 20,000 men, easily to be reinforced; +in fact, it was much less. Thereupon, he set about +elaborate preparations for a siege of that city, according +to the most thorough and approved system +of military science. He was afterward severely +blamed for not endeavoring to force his way +through some point in the rebel lines by a series +of assaults.<a name='FNanchor_8_8'></a><a href='#Footnote_8_8'><sup>[8]</sup></a> This was what Mr. Lincoln wished +him to do, and very nearly ordered him to do; +for on April 6 he sent this telegram: "You now +have over 100,000 troops with you.... I think +you better break the enemy's line from Yorktown +to Warwick River at once." An entry in McClellan's +"Own Story," under date of April 8, +comments upon this message and illustrates the +unfortunate feeling of the writer towards his +official superior: "I have raised an awful row +about McDowell's corps. The President very +coolly telegraphed me yesterday that he thought I +had better break the enemy's lines at once! I was +much tempted to reply that he had better come +<!-- Image No 48 --><a name='Png48'></a><a name='Page038'></a><span class="pagenum">038</span>and do it himself." Thus is made evident the +lamentable relationship between the President, +who could place no confidence in the enterprise +and judgment of the military commander, and the +general, who had only sneers for the President's +incapacity to comprehend warfare. It so happened, +however, that the professional man's sarcasm was +grossly out of place, and the civilian's proposal +was shrewdly right, as events soon plainly proved. +In fact what Mr. Lincoln urged was precisely what +General Johnston anticipated and feared would +be done, because he knew well that if it were +done it would be of fatal effect against the Confederates. +But, on the other hand, even after the +clear proof had gone against him, McClellan was +abundantly supplied with excuses, and the vexation +of the whole affair was made the greater by the +fact that these excuses really seemed to be good. +His excuses always were both so numerous and so +satisfactory, that many reasonably minded persons +knew not whether they had a right to feel so angry +towards him as they certainly could not help doing. +The present instance was directly in point. General +Keyes reported to him that no part of the +enemy's line could "be taken by assault without +an enormous waste of life;" and General Barnard, +chief engineer of the army, thought it uncertain +whether they could be carried at all. Loss of +life and uncertainty of result were two things so +abhorred by McClellan in warfare, that he now +failed to give due weight to the consideration that +<!-- Image No 49 --><a name='Png49'></a><a name='Page039'></a><span class="pagenum">039</span>the design of the Confederates in interposing an +obstacle at this point was solely to delay him as +much as possible, whereas much of the merit of +his own plan of campaign lay in rapid execution +at the outset. The result was, of course, that he +did not break any line, nor try to, but instead +thereof "presented plausible reasons" out of his +inexhaustible reservoir of such commodities. It +was unfortunate that the naval coöperation, which +McClellan had expected,<a name='FNanchor_9_9'></a><a href='#Footnote_9_9'><sup>[9]</sup></a> could not be had at this +juncture; for by it the Yorktown problem would +have been easily solved without either line-breaking +or reason-giving.</p> + +<p>Precisely at this point came into operation the +fatal effect of the lack of understanding between +the President and the general as to the division of +the forces. In the plan of campaign, it had been +designed to throw the corps of McDowell into the +rear of Yorktown by such route as should seem +expedient at the time of its arrival, probably landing +it at Gloucester and moving it round by West +Point. This would have made Magruder's position +untenable at once, long before the natural end +of the siege. But at the very moment when McClellan's +left, in its advance, first came into actual +collision with the enemy, he received news that +the President had ordered McDowell to retain his +division before Washington—"the most infamous +thing that history has recorded," he afterward +<!-- Image No 50 --><a name='Png50'></a><a name='Page040'></a><span class="pagenum">040</span>wrote.<a name='FNanchor_10_10'></a><a href='#Footnote_10_10'><sup>[10]</sup></a> Yet the explanation of this surprising +news was so simple that surprise was unjustifiable. +On April 2, immediately after McClellan's +departure, the President inquired as to what had +been done for the security of Washington. General +Wadsworth, commanding the defenses of the +city, gave an alarming response: 19,000 or 20,000 +entirely green troops, and a woeful insufficiency +of artillery. He said that while it was "very improbable" +that the enemy would attack Washington, +nevertheless the "numerical strength and the +character" of his forces rendered them "entirely +inadequate to and unfit for their important duty." +Generals Hitchcock and Thomas corroborated this +by reporting that the order to leave the city "entirely +secure" had "not been fully complied with." +Mr. Lincoln was horror-struck. He had a right +to be indignant, for those who ought to know assured +him that his reiterated and most emphatic +command had been disobeyed, and that what he +chiefly cared to make safe had not been made safe. +He promptly determined to retain McDowell, and +the order was issued on April 4. Thereby he seriously +attenuated, if he did not quite annihilate, +<!-- Image No 51 --><a name='Png51'></a><a name='Page041'></a><span class="pagenum">041</span>the prospect of success for McClellan's campaign. +It seems incredible and unexplainable that amid +this condition of things, on April 3, an order was +issued from the office of the secretary of war, to +stop recruiting throughout the country!</p> + +<p>This series of diminutions, says McClellan, had +"removed nearly 60,000 men from my command, +and reduced my force by more than one third.... +The blow was most discouraging. It frustrated +all my plans for impending operations. It +fell when I was too deeply committed to withdraw.... +It was a fatal error."</p> + +<p>Error or not, it was precisely what McClellan +ought to have foreseen as likely to occur. He had +not foreseen it, however, and nothing mitigated +the disappointment. Unquestionably the act was +of supreme gravity. Was Mr. Lincoln right or +wrong in doing it? The question has been answered +many times both Yea and Nay, and each +side has been maintained with intense acrimony +and perfect good faith. It is not likely that it will +ever be possible to say either that the Yeas have +it, or that the Nays have it.<a name='FNanchor_11_11'></a><a href='#Footnote_11_11'><sup>[11]</sup></a> For while it is certain +<!-- Image No 52 --><a name='Png52'></a><a name='Page042'></a><span class="pagenum">042</span> +that what actually <i>did</i> happen coincided very +accurately with McClellan's expectations; on the +other hand, it can never be known what <i>might have</i> +happened if Lincoln had not held McDowell, and +if, therefore, facts had not been what they were.</p> + +<p>So far as Mr. Lincoln is concerned, the question, +what military judgment was correct,—that +is, whether the capital really was, or was not, +absolutely secure,—is of secondary consequence. +The valuation which he set on that safety was +undeniably correct; it certainly was of more importance +than McClellan's success. If he had +made a mistake in letting McClellan go without +a more distinct understanding, at least that mistake +was behind him. Before him was the issue +whether he should rest satisfied with the deliberate +judgment given by McClellan, or whether, at considerable +cost to the cause, he should make the +assurance greater out of deference to other advice. +He chose the latter course. In so doing, if he +was not vacillating, he was at least incurring the +evils of vacillation. It would have been well if +he could have found some quarter in which permanently +to repose his implicit faith, so that one +consistent plan could have been carried out without +interference. Either he had placed too much +confidence in McClellan in the past, or he was +placing too little in him now. If he could not +accept McClellan's opinion as to the safety of +<!-- Image No 53 --><a name='Png53'></a><a name='Page043'></a><span class="pagenum">043</span>Washington, in preference to that of Wadsworth, +Thomas, and Hitchcock, then he should have removed +McClellan, and replaced him with some +one in whom he had sufficient confidence to make +smooth coöperation a possibility. The present +condition of things was illogical and dangerous. +Matters had been allowed to reach a very advanced +stage upon the theory that McClellan's judgment +was trustworthy; then suddenly the stress became +more severe, and it seemed that in the bottom +of his mind the President did not thus implicitly +respect the general's wisdom. Yet he did not +displace him, but only opened his ears to other +counsels; whereupon the buzz of contradictory, +excited, and alarming suggestions which came to +him were more than enough to unsettle any human +judgment. General Webb speaks well and with +authority to this matter: "The dilemma lay here,—whose +plans and advice should he follow, where +it was necessary for him to approve and decide?... +Should he lean implicitly on the general +actually in command of the armies, placed there +by virtue of his presumed fitness for the position, +or upon other selected advisers? We are bold to +say that it was doubt and hesitation upon this +point that occasioned many of the blunders of the +campaign. Instead of one mind, there were many +minds influencing the management of military +affairs." A familiar culinary proverb was receiving +costly illustration.</p> + +<p>But, setting the dispute aside, an important fact +<!-- Image No 54 --><a name='Png54'></a><a name='Page044'></a><span class="pagenum">044</span>remains: shorn as he was, McClellan was still +strong enough to meet and to defeat his opponents. +If he had been one of the great generals of the +world he would have been in Richmond before +May Day; but he was at his old trick of exaggerating +the hostile forces and the difficulties in his +way. On April 7 he thought that Johnston and +the whole Confederate army were at Yorktown; +whereas Johnston's advance division arrived there +on the 10th; the other divisions came several days +later, and Johnston himself arrived only on the +14th.</p> + +<p>On April 9 Mr. Lincoln presented his own view +of the situation in this letter to the general:—</p> + +<p>"Your dispatches complaining that you are not +properly sustained, while they do not offend me, +do pain me very much.</p> + +<p>... "After you left I ascertained that less than +20,000 unorganized men, without a single field +battery, were all you designed to be left for the +defense of Washington and Manassas Junction, +and part of this even was to go to General Hooker's +old position. General Banks's corps, once +designed for Manassas Junction, was diverted and +tied up on the line of Winchester and Strasburg, +and could not leave it without again exposing +the upper Potomac and the Baltimore and Ohio +Railroad. This presented, or would present, +when McDowell and Sumner should be gone, a +great temptation to the enemy to turn back from +<!-- Image No 55 --><a name='Png55'></a><a name='Page045'></a><span class="pagenum">045</span>the Rappahannock and sack Washington. My +implicit order that Washington should, by the +judgment of all the commanders of army corps, be +left entirely secure, had been neglected. It was +precisely this that drove me to detain McDowell.</p> + +<p>"I do not forget that I was satisfied with your +arrangement to leave Banks at Manassas Junction; +but when that arrangement was broken up, +and nothing was substituted for it, of course I was +constrained to substitute something for it myself. +And allow me to ask, do you really think I should +permit the line from Richmond, via Manassas +Junction, to this city, to be entirely open, except +what resistance could be presented by less than +20,000 unorganized troops? This is a question +which the country will not allow me to evade.</p> + +<p>"There is a curious mystery about the number +of troops now with you. When I telegraphed you +on the 6th, saying you had over a hundred thousand +with you, I had just obtained from the secretary +of war a statement taken, as he said, from +your own returns, making 108,000 then with you +and en route to you. You now say you will have +but 85,000 when all en route to you shall have +reached you. How can the discrepancy of 23,000 +be accounted for?</p> + +<p>"As to General Wool's command,<a name='FNanchor_12_12'></a><a href='#Footnote_12_12'><sup>[12]</sup></a> I understand +<!-- Image No 56 --><a name='Png56'></a><a name='Page046'></a><span class="pagenum">046</span>it is doing for you precisely what a like number +of your own would have to do if that command +was away.</p> + +<p>"I suppose the whole force which has gone +forward for you is with you by this time. And if +so, I think it is the precise time for you to strike +a blow. By delay the enemy will relatively gain +upon you,—that is, he will gain faster by fortifications +and reinforcements than you can by reinforcements +alone. And once more let me tell you, +it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow. +I am powerless to help this. You will do me the +justice to remember I always insisted that going +down the bay in search of a field, instead of fighting +at or near Manassas, was only shifting, and +not surmounting, a difficulty; that we would find +the same enemy, and the same or equal intrenchments, +at either place. The country will not fail +to note, is now noting, that the present hesitation +to move upon an intrenched enemy is but the story +of Manassas repeated.</p> + +<p>"I beg to assure you that I have never written +you or spoken to you in greater kindness of feeling +than now, nor with a fuller purpose to sustain you, +so far as, in my most anxious judgment, I consistently +can. But you must act."</p> + +<p>McClellan, in consternation and almost despair +at the repeated pruning of his force, now begged +for at least a part of McDowell's corps, which, +he said on April 10, was "indispensable;" "the +fate of our cause depends upon it." Accordingly +<!-- Image No 57 --><a name='Png57'></a><a name='Page047'></a><span class="pagenum">047</span>Franklin's division was sent to him; and then, +after all this palaver, he kept it a fortnight on +shipboard, until Yorktown was evacuated!</p> + +<p>On May 1 the President, tortured by the political +gadflies in Washington, and suffering painfully +from the weariness of hope so long deferred, telegraphed: +"Is anything to be done?" A pitiful +time of it Mr. Lincoln was having, and it called +for a patient fortitude surpassing imagination. +Yet one little bit of fruit was at this moment +ripe for the plucking! After about four weeks +of wearisome labor the general had brought matters +to that condition which was so grateful to his +cautious soul. At the beginning of May he had +reduced success to a certainty, so that he expected +to open fire on May 5, and to make short work of +the rebel stronghold. But it so happened that +another soldier also had at the same time finished +his task. General Magruder had delayed +the Union army to the latest possible hour, he had +saved a whole valuable month; and now, quite +cheerfully and triumphantly, in the night betwixt +May 3 and May 4, he quietly slipped away. As +it had happened at Manassas, so now again the +Federals marched unopposed into deserted intrenchments; +and a second time the enemy had so +managed it that their retreat seemed rather to cast +a slur upon Union strategy than to bring prestige +to the Union arms.</p> + +<p>McClellan at once continued his advance, with +more or less fighting, the rebels steadily drawing +<!-- Image No 58 --><a name='Png58'></a><a name='Page048'></a><span class="pagenum">048</span>back without offering battle on a large scale, +though there was a sharp engagement at Williamsburg. +He had not even the smaller number of +men which he had originally named as his requirement, +and he continued pertinaciously to demand +liberal reinforcements. The President, grievously +harassed by these importunate appeals, declared to +McClellan that he was forwarding every man that +he could, while to friends nearer at hand he complained +that sending troops to McClellan was like +shoveling fleas across a barnyard; most of them +didn't get there! At last he made up his mind +to send the remainder of McDowell's corps; not +because he had changed his mind about covering +Washington, but because the situation had become +such that he expected to arrange this matter by +other resources.</p> + +<p>The fight at Williamsburg took place on May 5. +McClellan pushed after the retiring enemy, too +slowly, as his detractors said, yet by roads which +really were made almost impassable by heavy +rains. Two days later, May 7, Franklin's force +disembarked and occupied West Point. This advance +up the Peninsula now produced one important +result which had been predicted by McClellan +in his letter of February 3. On May 8 news came +that the Confederates were evacuating Norfolk, +and two days later a Union force marched into the +place. The rebels lost many heavy guns, besides +all the advantages of the navy yard with its workshops +and stores; moreover, their awe-inspiring +<!-- Image No 59 --><a name='Png59'></a><a name='Page049'></a><span class="pagenum">049</span>ram, the Merrimac, alias the Virginia, was obliged +to leave this comfortable nestling-place, whence +she had long watched and closed the entrance +to the James River. Her commander, Tatnall, +would have taken her up that stream, but the +pilots declared it not possible to float her over the +shoals. She was therefore abandoned and set on +fire; and early in the morning of May 11 she blew +up, leaving the southern water-way to Richmond +open to the Union fleet.<a name='FNanchor_13_13'></a><a href='#Footnote_13_13'><sup>[13]</sup></a> It was a point of immense +possible advantage. Later McClellan intimated +that, if he had been left free to act upon his +own judgment, he would probably have availed +himself of this route; and some writers, with predilections +in his favor, have assumed that he was +prevented from doing so by certain orders, soon to +be mentioned, which directed him to keep the +northerly route for the purpose of effecting a junction +with McDowell. But this notion seems incorrect; +for though he doubtless had the James River +route under consideration, yet dates are against +the theory that he wished to adopt it when at last +it lay open. On the contrary, he continued his +advance precisely as before. On May 16 his leading +columns reached White House; headquarters +were established there, and steps were immediately +taken to utilize it as a depot and base of supplies. +The York River route was thus made the definitive +choice. Also the advance divisions were immediately +<!-- Image No 60 --><a name='Png60'></a><a name='Page050'></a><span class="pagenum">050</span> +pushed out along the York River and Richmond +Railroad, which they repaired as they went. +On May 20 Casey's division actually crossed the +Chickahominy at Bottom's Bridge, and the next +day a large part of the army was in position upon +the north bank of that stream. Obviously these +operations, each and all, ruled out the James River +route, at least as a part of the present plan. Yet +it was not until they were well under way, viz., on +May 18, that the intelligence reached McClellan, +on the strength of which he and others afterward +assumed that he had been deprived of the power +to select the James River route. What this intelligence +was and how it came to pass must now +be narrated.</p> + +<p>By this time, the advance along the Peninsula +had so completely "relieved the front of Washington +from pressure," that Mr. Lincoln and his advisers, +reassured as to the safety of that city, now +saw their way clear to make McDowell's corps, +strengthened to a force of 41,000 men, contribute +actively to McClellan's assistance. They could +not, indeed, bring themselves to move it by water, +as McClellan desired; but the President ordered +McDowell to move down from Fredericksburg, +where he now lay, towards McClellan's right wing, +which McClellan was ordered to extend to the +north of Richmond in order to meet him. But, +in the words of the Comte de Paris, "an absurd +restriction revealed the old mistrusts and fears." +For McDowell was strictly ordered not to uncover +<!-- Image No 61 --><a name='Png61'></a><a name='Page051'></a><span class="pagenum">051</span>the capital; also, with a decisive emphasis indicative +of an uneasy suspicion, McClellan was forbidden +to dispose of McDowell's force in contravention +of this still primary purpose. Whether McDowell +was under McClellan's control, or retained an +independent command, was left curiously vague, +until McClellan forced a distinct understanding.</p> + +<p>Although McClellan, writing to Lincoln, condemned +rather sharply the method selected for +giving to him the aid so long implored, yet he felt +that, even as it came to him, he could make it +serve his turn. Though he grumbled at the President's +unmilitary ways, he afterward admitted +that the "cheering news" made him "confident" +of being "sufficiently strong to overpower the large +army confronting" him. There was no doubt of +it. He immediately extended his right wing; May +24, he drove the Confederates out of Mechanicsville; +May 26, General Porter took position at +Hanover Junction only fifteen miles from McDowell's +head of column, which had advanced eight +miles out of Fredericksburg. The situation was +not unpromising; but unfortunately that little interval +of fifteen miles was never to be closed up.</p> + +<p>May 24, Mr. Lincoln wrote to McClellan, and +after suggesting sundry advisable movements, he +said: "McDowell and Shields<a name='FNanchor_14_14'></a><a href='#Footnote_14_14'><sup>[14]</sup></a> both say they +can, and positively will, move Monday morning." +Monday was the 26th. In point of fact, McDowell, +feeling time to be of great value, urged the +<!-- Image No 62 --><a name='Png62'></a><a name='Page052'></a><span class="pagenum">052</span>President to let him move on the morning of Sunday, +the 25th; but Mr. Lincoln positively refused; +the battle of Bull Run had been fought on a +Sunday, and he dreaded the omen.<a name='FNanchor_15_15'></a><a href='#Footnote_15_15'><sup>[15]</sup></a> This feeling +which he had about days was often illustrated, and +probably the reader has observed that he seemed +to like dates already marked by prestige or good +luck; thus he had convened Congress for July 4, +and had ordered the general advance of the armies +for February 22; it was an indication of the curious +thread of superstition which ran through his +strange nature,—a remnant of his youth and the +mysterious influence of the wilderness. But worse +than a superstitious postponement arrived before +nightfall on Saturday. A dispatch from Lincoln +to McClellan, dated at four o'clock that afternoon, +said: "In consequence of General Banks's +critical position, I have been compelled to suspend +General McDowell's movements to join you. The +enemy are making a desperate push upon Harper's +Ferry, and we are trying to throw General Fremont's +force and part of General McDowell's in +their rear." The brief words conveyed momentous +intelligence. It is necessary to admit that Mr. +Lincoln was making his one grand blunder, for +which there is not even the scant salvation of possible +doubt. All that can be said in palliation is, +<!-- Image No 63 --><a name='Png63'></a><a name='Page053'></a><span class="pagenum">053</span>that he was governed, or at least strongly impelled, +by the urgent advice of the secretary of war, +whose hasty telegrams to the governors of several +States show that he was terror-stricken and had +lost his head. Mr. Blaine truly says that McDowell, +thus suddenly dispatched by Mr. Lincoln +upon a "fruitless chase," "was doing precisely +what the President of the Confederate States would +have ordered, had he been able to issue the orders +of the President of the United States." There is +no way to mitigate the painful truth of this statement, +made by a civilian, but amply sustained by +the military authorities on both sides.<a name='FNanchor_16_16'></a><a href='#Footnote_16_16'><sup>[16]</sup></a></p> + +<p>The condition was this. The retention of +McDowell's corps before Washington published +the anxiety of the administration. The Confederate +advantage lay in keeping that anxiety alive and +continuing to neutralize that large body of troops. +Strategists far less able than the Southern generals +could not have missed so obvious a point, neither +could they have missed the equally obvious means +at their disposal for achieving these purposes. +At the upper end of the valley of the Shenandoah +Stonewall Jackson had an army, raised by recent +accretions to nearly or quite 15,000 men. The +Northern generals erelong learned to prognosticate +Jackson's movements by the simple rule that at +the time when he was least expected, and at the +<!-- Image No 64 --><a name='Png64'></a><a name='Page054'></a><span class="pagenum">054</span>place where he was least wanted, he was sure to +turn up.<a name='FNanchor_17_17'></a><a href='#Footnote_17_17'><sup>[17]</sup></a> The suddenness and speed with which +he could move a body of troops seemed marvelous +to ordinary men. His business now was to make +a vigorous dashing foray down the valley. To the +westward, Fremont lay in the mountains, with an +army which checked no enemy and for the existence +of which in that place no reasonable explanation +could be given. In front was Banks, with a +force lately reduced to about 5,000 men. May 14, +Banks prudently fell back and took position in +Strasburg.<a name='FNanchor_18_18'></a><a href='#Footnote_18_18'><sup>[18]</sup></a> Suddenly, on May 23, Jackson appeared +at Front Royal; on the next day he attacked +Banks at Winchester, and of course defeated him; +on the 25th Banks made a rapid retreat to the Potomac, +and Jackson made an equally rapid pursuit +to Halltown, within two miles of Harper's Ferry. +The news of this startling foray threw the civilians +of Washington into a genuine panic, by which +Mr. Lincoln was, at least for a few hours, not +altogether unaffected.<a name='FNanchor_19_19'></a><a href='#Footnote_19_19'><sup>[19]</sup></a> Yet, though startled and +<!-- Image No 65 --><a name='Png65'></a><a name='Page055'></a><span class="pagenum">055</span>alarmed, he showed the excellent quality of promptitude +in decision and action; and truly it was hard +fortune that his decision and his action were both +for the worst. He at once ordered McDowell to +move 20,000 troops into the Shenandoah Valley, +and instructed Fremont also to move his force +rapidly into the valley, with the design that the +two should thus catch Jackson in what Mr. Lincoln +described as a "trap."<a name='FNanchor_20_20'></a><a href='#Footnote_20_20'><sup>[20]</sup></a> McDowell was dismayed +at such an order. He saw, what every man +having any military knowledge at once recognized +with entire certainty, and what every military +writer has since corroborated, that the movement of +Jackson had no value except as a diversion, that it +threatened no serious danger, and that to call off +McDowell's corps from marching to join McClellan +in order to send it against Jackson was to do +exactly that thing which the Confederates desired +to have done, though they could hardly have been +sanguine enough to expect it. It was swallowing +a bait so plain that it might almost be said to be +labeled. For a general to come under the suspicion +of not seeing through such a ruse was humiliating. +In vain McDowell explained, protested, +and entreated with the utmost vehemence and insistence. +When Mr. Lincoln had made up his +mind, no man could change it, and here, as ill +<!-- Image No 66 --><a name='Png66'></a><a name='Page056'></a><span class="pagenum">056</span>fortune would have it, he had made it up. So, +with a heavy heart, the reluctant McDowell set +forth on his foolish errand, and Fremont likewise +came upon his,—though it is true that he was +better employed thus than in doing nothing,—and +Jackson, highly pleased, and calculating his +time to a nicety, on May 31 slipped rapidly between +the two Union generals,—the closing jaws +of Mr. Lincoln's "trap,"—and left them to close +upon nothing.<a name='FNanchor_21_21'></a><a href='#Footnote_21_21'><sup>[21]</sup></a> Then he led his pursuers a fruitless +chase towards the head of the valley, continuing +to neutralize a force many times larger than +his own, and which could and ought to have been +at this very time doing fatal work against the Confederacy. +Presumably he had saved Richmond, +and therewith also, not impossibly, the chief army +of the South. The chagrin of the Union commanders, +who had in vain explained the situation +with entire accuracy, taxes the imagination.</p> + +<p>There is no use in denying a truth which can be +proved. The blunder of Mr. Lincoln is not only +undeniable, but it is inexcusable. Possibly for a +few hours he feared that Washington was threatened. +He telegraphed to McClellan May 25, at +two o'clock P.M., that he thought the movement +down the valley a "general and concerted one," +inconsistent with "the purpose of a very desperate +defense of Richmond;" and added, "I think the +time is near when you must either attack Richmond, +<!-- Image No 67 --><a name='Png67'></a><a name='Page057'></a><span class="pagenum">057</span> +or give up the job and come to the defense +of Washington." How reasonable this view was +at the moment is of little consequence, for within +a few hours afterward the character of Jackson's +enterprise as a mere foray became too palpable to +be mistaken. Nevertheless, after the President +was relieved from such fear for the capital as he +might excusably have felt for a very brief period, +his cool judgment seemed for once in his life, perhaps +for the only time, to be disturbed. The truth +is that Mr. Lincoln was a sure and safe, almost an +infallible thinker, when he had time given him; +but he was not always a quick thinker, and on this +occasion he was driven to think quickly. In consequence +he not only erred in repudiating the opinions +of the best military advisers, but even upon +the basis of his own views he made a mistake. The +very fact that he was so energetic in the endeavor +to "trap" Jackson in retreat indicates his understanding +of the truth that Jackson had so small a +force that his prompt retreat was a necessity. This +being so, he was in the distinct and simple position +of making a choice between two alternatives, viz.: +either to endeavor to catch Jackson, and for this +object to withhold what was needed by and had +been promised to McClellan for his campaign +against Richmond; or, leaving Jackson to escape +with impunity, to pursue with steadiness that plan +which it was Jackson's important and perfectly +understood errand to interrupt. It is almost incredible +that he chose wrong. The statement of +<!-- Image No 68 --><a name='Png68'></a><a name='Page058'></a><span class="pagenum">058</span>the dilemma involved the decision. Yet he took +the little purpose and let the great one go. Nor +even thus did he gain this lesser purpose. He +had been warned by McDowell that Jackson could +not be caught, and he was not. Yet even had this +been otherwise, the Northerners would have got +little more than the shell while losing the kernel. +Probably Richmond, and possibly the Southern +army, fell out of the President's hand while he +tried without success to close it upon Jackson and +15,000 men.</p> + +<p>The result of this civilian strategy was that +McClellan, with his projects shattered, was left +with his right wing and rear dangerously exposed. +Jackson remained for a while a mysterious <i>bête +noire</i>, about whose force, whereabouts, and intentions +many disturbing rumors flew abroad; at last, +on June 26, he settled these doubts in his usual +sharp and conclusive way by assailing the exposed +right wing and threatening the rear of the Union +army, thus achieving "the brilliant conclusion of +the operations which [he] had so successfully conducted +in the Valley of Virginia."</p> + +<p>Simultaneously with the slipping of Jackson betwixt +his two pursuers on May 31, General Johnston +made an attack upon the two corps<a name='FNanchor_22_22'></a><a href='#Footnote_22_22'><sup>[22]</sup></a> which +lay south of the Chickahominy, in position about +Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. Battle was waged +during two days. Each side claimed a victory; the +Southerners because they had inflicted the heavier +<!-- Image No 69 --><a name='Png69'></a><a name='Page059'></a><span class="pagenum">059</span>loss, the Northerners because ultimately they held +their original lines and foiled Johnston's design of +defeating and destroying the Northern army in +detail. The result of this battle ought to have +proved to McClellan two facts: that neither in discipline +nor in any other respect were the Southern +troops more formidable than his own; also that the +Southerners were clearly not able to overwhelm +him with such superior numbers as he had supposed; +for in two days they had not been able to +overwhelm much less than half of his army. These +considerations should have encouraged him to energetic +measures. But no encouragement could +counteract the discouragement inflicted by the loss +of McDowell's powerful corps and the consequent +wrecking of his latest plan. Nearly to the end of +June he lay immovable. "June 14, midnight. All +quiet in every direction,"—thus he telegraphed +to Stanton in words intended to be reassuring, +but in fact infinitely vexatious. Was he, then, set +at the head of this great and costly host of the +nation's best, to rest satisfied with preserving an +eternal quietude,—like a chief of police in a disorderly +quarter? Still he was indefatigable in +declaring himself outnumbered, and in demanding +more troops; in return he got assurances, with +only the slight fulfillment of McCall's division. +Every two or three days he cheeringly announced +to the administration that he was on the verge of +advancing, but he never passed over the verge. +Throughout a season in which blundering seemed +<!-- Image No 70 --><a name='Png70'></a><a name='Page060'></a><span class="pagenum">060</span>to become epidemic, no blunder was greater than +his quiescence at this time.<a name='FNanchor_23_23'></a><a href='#Footnote_23_23'><sup>[23]</sup></a> As if to emphasize +it, about the middle of June General Stuart, with +a body of Confederate cavalry, actually rode all +around the Union army, making the complete circuit +and crossing its line of communication with +White House without interruption. The foray +achieved little, but it wore the aspect of a signal +and unavenged insult.</p> + +<p>In Washington the only powerful backing upon +which McClellan could still rely was that of the +President, and he was surely wearing away the +patience of his only friend by the irritating attrition +of promises ever reiterated and never redeemed. +No man ever kept his own counsel more +closely than did Mr. Lincoln, and the indications +of his innermost sentiments concerning McClellan +at this time are rare. But perhaps a little ray is +let in, as through a cranny, by a dispatch which +he sent to the general on June 2: "With these +continuous rains I am very anxious about the +Chickahominy,—so close in your rear, and crossing +your line of communication. Please look to +it." This curt prompting on so obvious a point +was a plain insinuation against McClellan's military +competence, and suggests that ceaseless harassment +had at last got the better of Lincoln's +usually imperturbable self-possession; for it lacked +little of being an insult, and Mr. Lincoln, in all his +<!-- Image No 71 --><a name='Png71'></a><a name='Page061'></a><span class="pagenum">061</span>life, never insulted any man. As a spot upon a +white cloth sets off the general whiteness, so this +dispatch illustrates Lincoln's unweariable patience +and long-suffering without parallel. McClellan, +never trammeled by respect, retorted sharply: +"As the Chickahominy has been almost the only +obstacle in my way for several days, your excellency +may rest assured that it has not been overlooked." +When finally the general became active, +it was under the spur of General Jackson, not of +President Lincoln. Jackson compelled him to +decide and act; and the result was his famous +southward movement to the James River. Some, +adopting his own nomenclature, have called this a +change of base; some, less euphemistically, speak +of it as a retreat. According to General Webb, +it may be called either the one or the other with +equal propriety, for it partook of the features of +each.<a name='FNanchor_24_24'></a><a href='#Footnote_24_24'><sup>[24]</sup></a> It is no part of the biographer of Lincoln +to narrate the suffering and the gallantry of the +troops through those seven days of continuous +fighting and marching, during which they made +their painful way, in the face of an attacking +army, through the dismal swamps of an unwholesome +region, amid the fierce and humid heats of +the Southern summer. On July 1 they closed the +dread experience by a brilliant victory in the desperate, +prolonged, and bloody battle of Malvern +Hill.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 72 --><a name='Png72'></a><a name='Page062'></a><span class="pagenum">062</span> +In the course of this march a letter was sent by +McClellan to Stanton which has become famous. +The vindictive lunge, visibly aimed at the secretary, +was really designed, piercing this lesser functionary, +to reach the President. Even though +written amid the strain and stress of the most critical +and anxious moment of the terrible "Seven +Days," the words were unpardonable. The letter +is too long to be given in full, but the closing sentences +were:—</p> + +<p>"I know that a few thousand more men would +have changed this battle<a name='FNanchor_25_25'></a><a href='#Footnote_25_25'><sup>[25]</sup></a> from a defeat to a victory. +As it is, the government must not and cannot +hold me responsible for the result. I feel too +earnestly to-night. I have seen too many dead +and wounded comrades to feel otherwise than that +the government has not sustained this army. If +you do not do so now, the game is lost. If I save +this army now, I tell you plainly that I owe no +thanks to you or to any other persons in Washington. +You have done your best to sacrifice this +army."<a name='FNanchor_26_26'></a><a href='#Footnote_26_26'><sup>[26]</sup></a> It was safe to write thus to Mr. Lincoln, +whose marvelous magnanimity was never +<!-- Image No 73 --><a name='Png73'></a><a name='Page063'></a><span class="pagenum">063</span>soiled by a single act of revenge; but the man who +addressed such language to Stanton secured a +merciless and unscrupulous enemy forever.</p> + +<p>Though, at the close of this appalling week, the +troops at last were conquerors on the banks of the +James, they were in a position not permanently +tenable, and before they could rest they had to +fall back another march to Harrison's Landing. +The rear guard reached this haven on the night of +July 3, and the army, thus at last safely placed +and in direct communication with the fleet and the +transports, was able to recuperate,<a name='FNanchor_27_27'></a><a href='#Footnote_27_27'><sup>[27]</sup></a> while those in +authority considered of the future. Certain facts +were established: first, concerning the army,— +that before it met the baptism of heavy fighting +it had been brought into a splendid condition of +drill and efficiency, and that by that baptism, so +severe and so long continued, it had come as near +as volunteers could come to the excellence of veterans +and regulars; also that it was at least a match +for its opponents; and, finally, strange to say, it +was very slightly demoralized, would soon again +be in condition for an advance, and felt full confidence +and strong affection for its commander. +Brilliant and enthusiastic tributes have been paid +to these men for their endurance amid disease +and wounds and battle; but not one word too +<!-- Image No 74 --><a name='Png74'></a><a name='Page064'></a><span class="pagenum">064</span>much has been said. It is only cruel to think of +the hideous price which they had paid, and by +which they had bought only the capacity to endure +further perils and hardship. Second, concerning +McClellan; it was to be admitted that his predictions +as to points of strategy had been fulfilled; +that he had managed his retreat, or "change of +base," with skill, and had shown some qualities +of high generalship; but it was also evident that +he was of a temperament so unenterprising and +apprehensive as to make him entirely useless in an +offensive campaign. Yet the burden of conducting +a successful offense lay upon the North. Must +Mr. Lincoln, then, finally accept the opinion of +those who had long since concluded that McClellan +was not the man for the place?</p> + +<p>A collateral question was: What should be done +next? McClellan, tenacious and stubborn, was for +persisting in the movement against Lee's army and +Richmond. He admitted no other thought than +that, having paused to gather reinforcements and +to refresh his army, he should assume the offensive, +approaching the city by the south and southwest +from the James River base. Holding this +purpose, he was impolitic in sending very dolorous +dispatches on July 4 and 7, intimating doubts as +to his power to maintain successfully even the defensive. +Two or three days later, however, he +assumed a better tone; and on July 11 and 12 he +reported "all in fine spirits," and urged that his +army should be "promptly reinforced and thrown +<!-- Image No 75 --><a name='Png75'></a><a name='Page065'></a><span class="pagenum">065</span>again upon Richmond. If we have a little more +than half a chance, we can take it." He continued +throughout the month to press these views by +arguments which, though overruled at the time, +have since been more favorably regarded. Whether +or not they were correct is an item in the long +legacy of questions left by the war to be disputed +over by posterity; in time, one side or the other +may desist from the discussion in weariness, but, +from the nature of the case, neither can be vanquished.</p> + +<p>Whether McClellan was right or wrong, his +prestige, fresh as it still remained with his devoted +troops, was utterly gone at Washington, where the +political host was almost a unit against him. The +Committee on the Conduct of the War had long +been bitterly denouncing him; and he had so +abused the secretary of war that even the duplicity +of Mr. Stanton was unequal to the strain of +maintaining an appearance of good understanding. +New military influences also fell into the +same scale. General Pope, the latest "favorite," +now enjoying his few weeks of authority, endeavored +to make it clear to Mr. Lincoln that to bring +McClellan back from the Peninsula was the only +safe and intelligent course. Further, on July 11, +President Lincoln appointed General Halleck general-in-chief. +It may be said, in passing, that the +appointment turned out to be a very bad mistake; +for Halleck was as dull a man as ever made use of +grand opportunities only to prove his own incompetence. +<!-- Image No 76 --><a name='Png76'></a><a name='Page066'></a><span class="pagenum">066</span> +Now, however, he came well recommended +before Lincoln, and amid novel responsibilities +the merit of any man could only be known +by trial. Halleck did not arrive in Washington +till near the end of the month, then he seemed for +a while in doubt, or to be upon both sides of the +question as to whether the army should be advanced +or withdrawn; but ultimately, in the contemptuous +language of Mr. Swinton, he "added his strident +voice in favor of the withdrawal of the army from +the Peninsula." This settled the matter; for the +President had decided to place himself under the +guidance of his new military mentor; and, moreover, +his endurance was worn out.</p> + +<p>In the way of loyalty the President certainly +owed nothing further to the general. All such +obligations he had exhaustively discharged. In +spite of the covert malicious suggestions and the +direct injurious charges which tortured the air of +the White House and vexed his judgment, he had +sustained McClellan with a constancy which deserved +warm gratitude. This the general never +gave, because he could never forgive Mr. Lincoln +for refusing to subordinate his own views to those +of such a military expert as himself. This point, +it is true, Lincoln never reached; but subject only +to this independence of opinion and action, so long +as he retained McClellan in command, he fulfilled +toward him every requirement of honor and generosity. +The movement across the Peninsula, whatever +construction might possibly be put upon it, +<!-- Image No 77 --><a name='Png77'></a><a name='Page067'></a><span class="pagenum">067</span>seemed in Washington a retreat, and was for the +President a disappointment weighty enough to +have broken the spirit of a smaller man. Yet +Lincoln, instead of sacrificing McClellan as a +scapegoat, sent to him on July 1 and 2 telegrams +bidding him do his best in the emergency and save +his army, in which case the people would rally and +repair all losses; "we still have strength enough +in the country and will bring it out," he said,—words +full of cheering resolution unshaded by a +suspicion of reproach, words which should have +come like wine to the weary. The next day, July +3, he sent a dispatch which even McClellan, in +his formal report, described as "kind:" "I am +satisfied that yourself, officers, and men have done +the best you could. All accounts say better fighting +was never done. Ten thousand thanks for it." +But when it came to judgment and action the +President could not alleviate duty with kindness. +To get information uncolored by passage through +the minds of others, he went down to Harrison's +Landing on July 7, observed all that he could see, +and talked matters over. Prior to this visit it is +supposed that he had leaned towards McClellan's +views, and had inclined to renew the advance. +Nor is it clearly apparent that he learned anything +during this trip which induced him to change +his mind. Rather it seems probable that he maintained +his original opinion until General Halleck +had declared against it, and that then he yielded +to General Halleck as he had before yielded to +<!-- Image No 78 --><a name='Png78'></a><a name='Page068'></a><span class="pagenum">068</span>General McClellan, though certainly with much +less reluctance. At the same time the question +was not considered wholly by itself, but was almost +necessarily complicated with the question of +deposing McClellan from the command. For the +inconsistency of discrediting McClellan's military +judgment and retaining him at the head of the +army was obvious.</p> + +<p>Thus at last it came about that McClellan's plan +lost its only remaining friend, and on August 3 +came the definite order for the removal of the +army across the Peninsula to Acquia Creek. The +campaign against Richmond was abandoned. McClellan +could not express his indignation at a +policy "almost fatal to our cause;" but his strenuous +remonstrances had no effect; his influence had +passed forever. The movement of the army was +successfully completed, the rear guard arriving at +Yorktown on August 20. Thus the first great +Peninsula campaign came to its end in disappointment +and almost in disaster, amid heart-burnings +and criminations. It was, says General Webb, +"a lamentable failure,—nothing less." There +was little hope for the future unless some master +hand could control the discordant officials who +filled the land with the din of their quarreling. +The burden lay upon the President. Fortunately +his good sense, his even judgment, his unexcitable +temperament had saved him from the appearance +or the reality of partisanship and from any entangling +or compromising personal commitments.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 79 --><a name='Png79'></a><a name='Page069'></a><span class="pagenum">069</span> +In many ways and for many reasons, this story +of the Peninsula has been both difficult and painful +to write. To reach the truth and sound conclusions +in the many quarrels which it has provoked +is never easy, and upon some points seems impossible; +and neither the truth nor the conclusions +are often agreeable. Opinion and sympathy have +gradually but surely tended in condemnation of +McClellan and in favor of Lincoln. The evidence +is conclusive that McClellan was vain, disrespectful, +and hopelessly blind to those non-military but +very serious considerations which should have been +allowed to modify the purely scientific strategy of +the campaign. Also, though his military training +was excellent, it was his misfortune to be placed +amid exigencies for which neither his moral nor +his mental qualities were adapted. Lincoln, on +the other hand, displayed traits of character not +only in themselves rare and admirable, but so +fitted to the requirements of the times that many +persons have been tempted to conceive him to have +been divinely led. But against this view, though +without derogating from the merits which induce +it, is to be set the fact that he made mistakes +hardly consistent with the theory of inspiration by +Omniscience. He interfered in military matters; +and, being absolutely ignorant of military science, +while the problems before him were many and +extremely perplexing, he blundered, and on at +least one occasion blundered very badly. After he +has been given the benefit of all the doubt which +<!-- Image No 80 --><a name='Png80'></a><a name='Page070'></a><span class="pagenum">070</span>can be suggested concerning the questions which he +disposed of, the preponderance of expert authority +shows a residuum of substantial certainty against +him. It is true that many civilian writers have +given their judgments in favor of the President's +strategy, with a tranquil assurance at least equal +to that shown by the military critics. But it seems +hardly reasonable to suppose that Mr. Lincoln became +by mere instinct, and instantly, a master in +the complex science of war, and it is also highly +improbable that in the military criticism of this +especial campaign, the civilians are generally right +and the military men are generally wrong. On +the whole it is pleasanter as well as more intelligent +to throw out this foolish notion of miraculous +knowledge suddenly illuminating Mr. Lincoln with +a thorough mastery of the art of war. It is better +not to believe that he became at once endowed +with acquirements which he had never had an +opportunity to attain, and rather to be content +with holding him as a simple human being like the +rest of us, and so to credit our common humanity +with the inspiring excellence of the moral qualities +displayed by him in those months of indescribable +trial.</p> + +<p>How much of expectation had been staked upon +that army of the Potomac! All the Northern +people for nearly a year kept their eyes fastened +with aching intensity upon it; good fortunes which +befell elsewhere hardly interrupted for a moment +the absorption in it. The feeling was well illustrated +<!-- Image No 81 --><a name='Png81'></a><a name='Page071'></a><span class="pagenum">071</span> +by the committee of Congress, which said +that in the history of this army was to be found all +that was necessary for framing a report on the +Conduct of the War; and truly added that this +army had been "the object of special care to every +department of the government." It occurred to +many who heard this language, that matters would +have gone better with the army if the political and +civil departments had been less lavish of care and +attention. None the less the fact remained that the +interest and anticipation of the whole loyal part +of the nation were concentrated in the Virginia +campaign. Correspondingly cruel was the disappointment +at its ultimate miscarriage. Probably, +as a single trial, it was the most severe that Mr. +Lincoln ever suffered. Hope then went through +the painful process of being pruned by failure, and +it was never tortured by another equal mutilation. +Moreover, the vastness of the task, the awful cost +of success, were now, for the first time, appreciated. +The responsibility of a ruler under so appalling +a destiny now descended with a weight that +could never become greater upon the shoulders of +that lonely man in the White House. A solitary +man, indeed, he was, in a solitude impressive and +painful to contemplate. Having none of those +unofficial counselors, those favorites, those privy +confidants and friends, from whom men in chief +authority are so apt to seek relief, Mr. Lincoln +secretively held his most important thoughts in his +own mind, wrought out his conclusions by the toil +<!-- Image No 82 --><a name='Png82'></a><a name='Page072'></a><span class="pagenum">072</span>of his own brain, carried his entire burden wholly +upon his own shoulders, and in every part and way +met the full responsibility of his office in and by +himself alone. It does not appear that he ever +sought to be sustained or comforted or encouraged +amid disaster, that he ever endeavored to shift +upon others even the most trifling fragment of the +load which rested upon himself; and certainly he +never desired that any one should ever be a sharer +in any ill repute attendant upon a real or supposed +mistake. Silent as to matters of deep import, +self-sustained, facing alone all grave duties, +solving alone all difficult problems, and enduring +alone all consequences, he appears a man so isolated +from his fellow men amid such tests and +trials, that one is filled with a sense of awe, almost +beyond sympathy, in the contemplation.</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_4_4'></a><a href='#FNanchor_4_4'>[4]</a> This language was too vague to make known to us now what +Sumner's demand was; for one of the questions bitterly in dispute +soon became: what forces were properly to be regarded as available +"for the defense of the city."</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_5_5'></a><a href='#FNanchor_5_5'>[5]</a> McClellan says that he offered to General Hitchcock, "who +at that time held staff relations with his excellency, the President, +and the secretary of war," to submit a list of troops, to be left for +the defense of Washington, with their positions; but Hitchcock +replied that McClellan's judgment was sufficient in the matter. +McClellan's <i>Report</i>, 683. +VOL. II.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_6_6'></a><a href='#FNanchor_6_6'>[6]</a> By letter to the adjutant-general, wherein he requested the +transmission of the information to the secretary of war. <i>Report +of Comm. on Conduct of the War</i>, ii. pt. i. 13. The addition in the +<i>Report</i> is erroneous, being given as 54,456 instead of 55,456.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_7_7'></a><a href='#FNanchor_7_7'>[7]</a> See Comte de Paris, <i>Civil War in America</i>, i. 626, 627.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_8_8'></a><a href='#FNanchor_8_8'>[8]</a> See discussion by Swinton, <i>Army of Potomac</i>, 108 <i>et seq</i>.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_9_9'></a><a href='#FNanchor_9_9'>[9]</a> Perhaps he was not justified in counting upon it with such +apparent assurance as he had done. Webb, <i>The Peninsula</i>, 37-42.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_10_10'></a><a href='#FNanchor_10_10'>[10]</a> General Webb says that this question is "the leading point +of dispute in the campaign and may never be satisfactorily set at +rest." But he also says: "To allow the general to remain in +command, and then cut off the very arm with which he was about +to strike, we hold to have been inexcusable and unmilitary to the +last degree." Swinton condemns the withholding McDowell +<i>(Army of the Potomac</i>, 104), adding, with fine magnanimity, that +it is not necessary to impute any "really unworthy motive" to +Mr. Lincoln!</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_11_11'></a><a href='#FNanchor_11_11'>[11]</a> It seems to me that military opinion, so far as I can get at it, +inclines to hold that the government, having let McClellan go to +the Peninsula with the expectation of McDowell's corps, ought to +have sent it to him, and not to have repaired its own oversight at +his cost. But this does not fully meet the position that, oversight +or no oversight, Peninsula-success or Peninsula-defeat, blame here +or blame there, when the President had reason to doubt the safety +of the capital, he was resolved, and rightly resolved, to put that +safety beyond <i>possibility of question</i>, by any means or at any cost. +The truth is that to the end of time one man will think one way, +and another man will think another way, concerning this unendable +dispute.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_12_12'></a><a href='#FNanchor_12_12'>[12]</a> General Wool was in command at Fortress Monroe. It had +been originally arranged that General McClellan should draw +10,000 men from him. But this was afterward countermanded. +The paragraph in the President's letter has reference to this.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_13_13'></a><a href='#FNanchor_13_13'>[13]</a> A slight obstruction by a battery at Drury's Bluff must have +been abandoned instantly upon the approach of a land force.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_14_14'></a><a href='#FNanchor_14_14'>[14]</a> Whose command had been added to McDowell's.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_15_15'></a><a href='#FNanchor_15_15'>[15]</a> Colonel Franklin Haven, who was on General McDowell's staff +at the time, is my authority for this statement. He well remembers +the reason given by Mr. Lincoln, and the extreme annoyance +which the general and his officers felt at the delay.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_16_16'></a><a href='#FNanchor_16_16'>[16]</a> "The expediency of the junction of this [McD.'s] large corps +with the principal army was manifest," says General Johnston. +<i>Narr. 131.</i></p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_17_17'></a><a href='#FNanchor_17_17'>[17]</a> Jackson used to say: "Mystery, mystery, is the secret of +success."</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_18_18'></a><a href='#FNanchor_18_18'>[18]</a> The Comte de Paris is very severe, even to sarcasm, in his +comments on the President's orders to Banks <i>(Civil War in America</i>, +ii. 35, 36, and see 44); and Swinton, referring to the disposition +of the armies, which was well known to have been made by +Mr. Lincoln's personal orders, says: "One hardly wishes to inquire +by whose crude and fatuous inspiration these things were done." +<i>Army of Potomac</i>, 123. Later critics have not repeated such +strong language, but have not taken different views of the facts.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_19_19'></a><a href='#FNanchor_19_19'>[19]</a> Observe the tone of his two dispatches of May 25 to McClellan. +McClellan's <i>Report</i>, 100, 101.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_20_20'></a><a href='#FNanchor_20_20'>[20]</a> The Comte de Paris prefers to call it a "chimerical project." +<i>Civil War in America</i>, ii. 45. Swinton speaks of "the skill of +the Confederates and the folly of those who controlled the operations +of the Union armies." <i>Army of Potomac</i>, 122.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_21_21'></a><a href='#FNanchor_21_21'>[21]</a> Yet, if Fremont had not blundered, the result might have +been different. Comte de Paris, <i>Civil War in America</i>, ii. 47.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_22_22'></a><a href='#FNanchor_22_22'>[22]</a> The Third, under Heintzelman, and the Fourth, under Keyes.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_23_23'></a><a href='#FNanchor_23_23'>[23]</a> Even his admirer, Swinton, says that any possible course would +have been better than inaction. <i>Army of Potomac</i>, 140, 141.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_24_24'></a><a href='#FNanchor_24_24'>[24]</a> <i>The Peninsula</i>, 188. Swinton seems to regard it in the same +light. <i>Army of Potomac</i>, 147.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_25_25'></a><a href='#FNanchor_25_25'>[25]</a> Gaines's Mill, contested with superb courage and constancy +by the Fifth Corps, under Porter, against very heavy odds.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_26_26'></a><a href='#FNanchor_26_26'>[26]</a> McClellan's <i>Report</i>, 131, 132. See, also, his own comments on +this extraordinary dispatch; <i>Own Story</i>, 452. He anticipated, not +without reason, that he would be promptly removed. The Comte +de Paris says that the two closing sentences were suppressed by +the War Department, when the documents had to be laid before +the Committee on the Conduct of the War. <i>Civil War in America</i>, +ii. 112. Another dispatch, hardly less disrespectful, was sent +on June 25. See McClellan's <i>Report</i>, 121.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_27_27'></a><a href='#FNanchor_27_27'>[27]</a> For a vivid description of the condition to which heat, marching, +fighting, and the unwholesome climate had reduced the men, +see statement of Comte de Paris, an eye-witness. <i>Civil War in +America,</i> ii. 130.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 83 --><a name='Png83'></a><a name='Page073'></a><span class="pagenum">073</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_III'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h2>THE THIRD AND CLOSING ACT OF THE MCCLELLAN +DRAMA</h2> + +<p>As it seems probable that Mr. Lincoln did not +conclusively determine against the plan of McClellan +for renewing the advance upon Richmond by +way of Petersburg, until after General Halleck +had thus decided, so it is certain that afterward +he allowed to Halleck a control almost wholly free +from interference on his own part. Did he, perchance, +feel that a lesson had been taught him, and +did he think that those critics had not been wholly +wrong who had said that he had intermeddled +ignorantly and hurtfully in military matters? Be +this as it might, it was in accordance with the +national character to turn the back sharply upon +failure and disappointment, and to make a wholly +fresh start; and it was in accordance with Lincoln's +character to fall in with the popular feeling. +Yet if a fresh start was intrinsically advisable, or +if it was made necessary by circumstances, it was +made in unfortunate company. One does not +think without chagrin that Grant, Sherman, Sheridan +lurked undiscovered among the officers at the +West, while Halleck and Pope were pulled forth to +<!-- Image No 84 --><a name='Png84'></a><a name='Page074'></a><span class="pagenum">074</span>the light and set in the high places. Halleck was +hopelessly incompetent, and Pope was fit only for +subordinate command; and by any valuation which +could reasonably be put upon McClellan, it was +absurd to turn him out in order to bring either +of these men in. But it was the experimental +period. No man's qualities could be known except +by testing them; and these two men came +before Lincoln with records sufficiently good to +entitle them to trial. The successes at the West +had naturally produced good opinions of the officers +who had achieved them, and among these +officers John Pope had been as conspicuous as +any other. For this reason he was now, towards +the close of June, 1862, selected to command the +"Army of Virginia," formed by uniting the corps +of Fremont, McDowell, and Banks.<a name='FNanchor_28_28'></a><a href='#Footnote_28_28'><sup>[28]</sup></a> Fremont resigned, +in a pet at having an officer who was his +junior in the service placed over his head; but he +was no loss, since his impetuous temperament did +not fit him for the duties of a corps commander. +He was succeeded by General Sigel. The fusing +of these independent commands, whose separate +existence had been a wasteful and jeopardizing +error, was an excellent measure.</p> + +<p>General Pope remained in Washington a few +weeks, in constant consultation with the administration. +How he impressed Lincoln one would +gladly know, but cannot. He had unlimited self-confidence, +<!-- Image No 85 --><a name='Png85'></a><a name='Page075'></a><span class="pagenum">075</span> +and he gave it to be understood at once +that he was a fighting man; but it showed an astounding +lack of tact upon his part that, in notifying +the troops of this, his distinguishing characteristic, +he also intimated that it would behoove +them to turn over a new leaf now that he had come +all the way from the West in order to teach Eastern +men how to win victories! The manifesto which +he issued has become famous by its folly; it was +arrogant, bombastic, little short of insulting to the +soldiers of his command, and laid down principles +contrary to the established rules of war. Yet it +had good qualities, too; for it was designed to be +stimulating; it certainly meant fighting; and fortunately, +though Pope was not a great general, he +was by no means devoid of military knowledge +and instincts, and he would not really have committed +quite such blunders as he marked out for +himself in his rhetorical enthusiasm. On the whole, +however, the manifesto did harm; neither officers +nor soldiers were inclined to receive kindly a man +who came presumably on trial with the purpose of +replacing McClellan, whom they loved with deep +loyalty; therefore they ridiculed part of his address +and took offense at the rest of it. Mr. Lincoln +could hardly have been encouraged; but he +gave no sign.</p> + +<p>On July 29 Pope left Washington and joined +his army, near Culpepper. He had not quite +45,000 men, and was watched by Jackson, who +lay near Gordonsville with a scant half of that +<!-- Image No 86 --><a name='Png86'></a><a name='Page076'></a><span class="pagenum">076</span>number. On August 9 Banks was pushed forward +to Cedar Mountain, where he encountered Jackson +and attacked him. In "a hard-fought battle, +fierce, obstinate, sanguinary," the Federals were +worsted; and such consolation as the people got +from the gallantry of the troops was more than +offset by the fact, which became obvious so soon +as the whole story was known, that our generals +ought to have avoided the engagement and were +outgeneraled both in the bringing it on and in +the conducting it.</p> + +<p>Greatly as Jackson was outnumbered by Pope, +he could hope for no reinforcements from Lee so +long as McClellan, at Harrison's Landing, threatened +Richmond. But when gratifying indications +showed the purpose to withdraw the Northern army +from the Peninsula the Southern general ventured, +August 13, to dispatch General Longstreet northward +with a strong force. Soon afterward he himself +followed and took command. Then for two or +three days ensued a sharp matching of wits betwixt +the two generals. By one of those audacious plans +which Lee could dare to make when he had such +a lieutenant as Jackson to carry it out, Jackson +was sent upon a rapid march by the northward, +around the army of Pope, to cut its communications. +He did it brilliantly; but in doing it he +necessarily offered to Pope such an opportunity for +fighting the Southern forces in detail as is rarely +given by a good general to an adversary whom he +fears. Pope would fain have availed himself of +<!-- Image No 87 --><a name='Png87'></a><a name='Page077'></a><span class="pagenum">077</span>the chance, and in the effort to do so he hurried +his troops hither and thither, mingled wise moves +with foolish ones, confused his subordinates, fatigued +his men, and finally accomplished nothing. +Jackson retired safely from his dangerous position, +rejoined the rest of the Southern army, and +then the united force had as its immediate purpose +to fight Pope before he could receive reinforcements +from McClellan's army, now rapidly coming +forward by way of Washington. <i>E converso</i>, +Pope's course should have been to retire a day's +march across Bull Run and await the additional +troops who could at once join him there. Unfortunately, +however, he still felt the sting of the +ridicule which his ill-starred manifesto had called +forth, and was further irritated by the unsatisfactory +record of the past few days, and therefore was +in no temper to fall back. So he did not, but +stayed and fought what is known as the second +battle of Bull Run. In the conflict his worn-out +men showed such constancy that the slaughter on +both sides was great. Again, however, the bravery +of the rank and file was the only feature which the +country could contemplate without indignation. +The army was beaten; and retired during the +evening of August 30 to a safe position at Centreville, +whither it should have been taken without +loss two days earlier.<a name='FNanchor_29_29'></a><a href='#Footnote_29_29'><sup>[29]</sup></a> Thus was fulfilled, with +<!-- Image No 88 --><a name='Png88'></a><a name='Page078'></a><span class="pagenum">078</span>only a trifling inaccuracy in point of time, the +prediction made by McClellan on August 10, that +"Pope will be badly thrashed within ten days."<a name='FNanchor_30_30'></a><a href='#Footnote_30_30'><sup>[30]</sup></a></p> + +<p>In all this manoeuvring and fighting the commanding +general had shown some capacity, but +very much less than was indispensable in a commander +who had to meet the generals of the South. +Forthwith, also, there broke out a series of demoralizing +quarrels among the principal officers as to +what orders had been given and received, and +whether or not they had been understood or misunderstood, +obeyed or disobeyed. Also the enemies +of General McClellan tried to lay upon him +the whole responsibility for the disaster, on the +ground that he had been dilatory, first, in moving +his army from Harrison's Landing, and afterward, +in sending his troops forward to join Pope; +whereas, they said, if he had acted promptly, the +Northern army would have been too strong to +have been defeated, regardless of any incompetence +in the handling of it. Concerning the former +charge, it may be said that dispatches had +flown to and fro between Halleck and McClellan +<!-- Image No 89 --><a name='Png89'></a><a name='Page079'></a><span class="pagenum">079</span>like bullets between implacable duelists; Halleck +ordered the army to be transported, and McClellan +retorted that he was given no transports; it +is a dispute which cannot be discussed here. Concerning +the other charge, it was also true that +the same two generals had been for some days +exchanging telegrams, but had been entirely unable +to understand each other. Whose fault it was +cannot easily be determined. The English language +was giving our generals almost as much +trouble as were the Southerners at this time; +so that in a few short weeks material for endless +discussion was furnished by the orders, telegrams, +and replies which were bandied between Pope and +Porter, McClellan and Halleck. A large part of +the history of the period consists of the critical +analysis and construing of these documents. What +did each in fact mean? What did the writer intend +it to mean? What did the recipient understand +it to 'mean? Did the writer make his meaning +sufficiently clear? Was the recipient justified +in his interpretation? Historians have discussed +these problems as theologians have discussed puzzling +texts of the New Testament, with not less +acerbity and with no more conclusive results. Unquestionably +the capacity to write two or three +dozen consecutive words so as to constitute a plain, +straightforward sentence would have been for the +moment a valuable adjunct to military learning.</p> + +<p>The news of the defeat brought dismay, but not +quite a panic, to the authorities in Washington. +<!-- Image No 90 --><a name='Png90'></a><a name='Page080'></a><span class="pagenum">080</span>In fact, there was no immediate danger for the +capital. The army from the Peninsula was by +this time distributed at various points in the immediate +neighborhood; and a force could be promptly +brought together which would so outnumber the +Confederate army as to be invincible. Yet the +situation demanded immediate and vigorous action. +Some hand must seize the helm at once, and Pope's +hand would not do; so much at least was entirely +certain. He had been given his own way, without +interference on the part of President or secretary, +and he had been beaten; he was discredited before +the country and the army; nothing useful could +now be done with him. Halleck was utterly demoralized, +and was actually reduced to telegraphing +to McClellan: "I beg of you to assist me, in +this crisis, with your ability and experience." It +was the moment for a master to take control, and +the President met the occasion. There was only +one thing to be done, and circumstances were such +that not only must that thing be done by him, but +also it must be done by him in direct opposition to +the strenuous insistence of all his official and most +of his self-constituted advisers. It was necessary +to reinstate McClellan.</p> + +<p>It was a little humiliating to be driven to this +step. McClellan had lately been kept at Alexandria +with no duty save daily to disintegrate his +own army by sending off to Washington and to +the camp of his own probable successor division +after division of the troops whom he had so long +<!-- Image No 91 --><a name='Png91'></a><a name='Page081'></a><span class="pagenum">081</span>commanded. Greatly mortified, he had begged at +least to be "permitted to go to the scene of battle." +But he was ignored, as if he were no longer of any +consequence whatsoever. In plain truth it was +made perfectly obvious to him and to all the world +that if General Pope could win a victory the administration +had done with General McClellan. +Mr. Lincoln described the process as a "snubbing." +Naturally those who were known to be the +chief promoters of this "snubbing," and to have +been highly gratified by it, now looked ruefully on +the evident necessity of suddenly cutting it short, +and requesting the snubbed individual to assume +the role of their rescuer. McClellan's more prominent +enemies could not and would not agree to +this. Three members of the cabinet even went +so far as formally to put in writing their protest +against restoring him to the command of any army +at all; while Stanton actually tried to frighten the +President by a petty threat of personal consequences. +But this was foolish. The crisis was of +the kind which induced Mr. Lincoln to exercise +power, decisively. On this occasion his impersonal, +unimpassioned temperament left his judgment +free to work with evenness and clearness +amid the whirl of momentous events and the clash +of angry tongues. No one could say that he had +been a partisan either for or against McClellan, +and his wise reticence in the past gave him in the +present the privilege of untrammeled action. So +he settled the matter at once by ordering that +<!-- Image No 92 --><a name='Png92'></a><a name='Page082'></a><span class="pagenum">082</span>McClellan should have command within the defenses +of Washington.</p> + +<p>By this act the President gave extreme offense +to the numerous and strenuous band with whom +hatred of the Democratic general had become a +sort of religion; and upon this occasion even +Messrs. Nicolay and Hay seem more inclined to +apologize for their idol than to defend him. In +point of fact, nothing can be more misplaced than +either apology or defense, except criticism. Mr. +Lincoln could have done no wiser thing. He was +simply setting in charge of the immediate business +the man who could do that especial business +best. It was not a question of a battle or a campaign, +neither of which was for the moment imminent; +but it was a question of reorganizing masses +of disorganized troops and getting them into shape +for battles and campaigns in the future. Only the +intensity of hatred could make any man blind to +McClellan's capacity for such work; and what he +might be for other work was a matter of no consequence +just now. Lincoln simply applied to the instant +need the most effective help, without looking +far afield to study remote consequences. Two remarks, +said to have been made by him at this time, +indicate his accurate appreciation of the occasion +and the man: "There is no one in the army who +can man these fortifications and lick these troops +of ours into shape half so well as he can." "We +must use the tools we have; if he cannot fight +himself, he excels in making others ready to fight."</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 93 --><a name='Png93'></a><a name='Page083'></a><span class="pagenum">083</span> +On September 1 Halleck verbally instructed +McClellan to take command of the defenses of +Washington, defining this to mean strictly "the +works and their garrisons." McClellan says that +later on the same day he had an interview with the +President, in which the President said that he had +"always been a friend" of the general, and asked +as a favor that the general would request his personal +friends among the principal officers of the +army to give to General Pope a more sincere and +hearty support than they were supposed to be actually +rendering.<a name='FNanchor_31_31'></a><a href='#Footnote_31_31'><sup>[31]</sup></a> On the morning of September 2, +McClellan says, "The President informed me that +Colonel Keelton had returned from the front; that +our affairs were in a bad condition; that the army +was in full retreat upon the defenses of Washington, +the roads filled with stragglers, etc. He instructed +me to take steps at once to stop and collect +the stragglers; place the works in a proper state +of defense, and go out to meet and take command +of the army, when it approached the vicinity of the +works, then to place the troops in the best position, +—committing everything to my hands." By this +evidence, Mr. Lincoln intrusted the fate of the +country and with it his own reputation absolutely +to the keeping of McClellan.</p> + +<p>McClellan was in his element in fusing into unity +the disjointed fragments of armies which lay about +in Virginia like scattered ruins. His bitterest +<!-- Image No 94 --><a name='Png94'></a><a name='Page084'></a><span class="pagenum">084</span>tractors have never denied him the gift of organization, +and admit that he did excellent service just +now for a few days. But circumstances soon extended +his field of action, and gave detraction fresh +opportunities. General Lee, in a bold and enterprising +mood, perhaps attributable to the encouraging +inefficiency of his Northern opponents, moved +up the banks of the Potomac and threatened an +irruption into Maryland and even Pennsylvania. +It was absolutely necessary to watch and, at the +right moment, to fight him. For this purpose +McClellan was ordered to move along the north +bank of the river, but under strict injunctions at +first to go slowly and cautiously and not to uncover +Washington. For General Halleck had not fully +recovered his nerve, and was still much disquieted, +especially concerning the capital. Thus the armies +drew slowly near each other, McClellan creeping +forward, as he had been bidden, while Lee, with +his usual energy, seemed able to do with a thousand +men more than any Northern general could +do with thrice as many, and ran with exasperating +impunity those audacious risks which, where they +cannot be attributed to ignorance on the part of a +commander, indicate contempt for his opponent. +This feeling, if he had it, must have received agreeable +corroboration from the clumsy way in which +the Federals just at this time lost Harper's Ferry, +with General Miles's garrison. The Southern +troops, who had been detailed against it, rapidly +rejoined General Lee's army; and again the people +<!-- Image No 95 --><a name='Png95'></a><a name='Page085'></a><span class="pagenum">085</span>saw that the South had outmarched and outgeneraled +the North.</p> + +<p>With all his troops together, Lee was now ready +to fight at the convenience or the pleasure of McClellan, +who seemed chivalrously to have deferred +his attack until his opponent should be prepared +for it! The armies were in presence of each other +near where the Antietam empties into the Potomac, +and here, September 17, the bloody conflict took +place.</p> + +<p>The battle of Antietam has usually been called +a Northern victory. Both the right and the left +wings of the Northern army succeeded in seizing +advanced positions and in holding them at the end +of the fight; and Lee retreated to the southward, +though it is true that before doing so he lingered +a day and gave to his enemy a chance, which was +not used, to renew the battle. His position was +obviously untenable in the face of an outnumbering +host. But though upon the strength of these facts +a victory could be claimed with logical propriety, +yet the President and the country were, and had +a right to be, indignant at the very unsatisfactory +proportion of the result to the means. Shortly before +the battle McClellan's troops, upon the return +to them of the commander whom they idolized, had +given him a soul-stirring reception, proving the +spirit and confidence with which they would fight +under his orders; and they went into the fight in +the best possible temper and condition. On the +day of the battle the Northern troops outnumbered +<!-- Image No 96 --><a name='Png96'></a><a name='Page086'></a><span class="pagenum">086</span>the Southerners by nearly two to one; in fact, the +Southern generals, in their reports, insisted that +they had been simply overwhelmed by enormous +odds against which it was a marvel of gallantry for +their men to stand at all. The plain truth was that +in the first place, by backwardness in bringing +on the battle, McClellan had left Lee to effect a +concentration of forces which ought never to have +been permitted. Next, the battle itself had not +been especially well handled, though perhaps this +was due rather to the lack of his personal attention +during its progress than to errors in his plan. Finally, +his failure, with so large an army, of which +a part at least was entirely fresh, to pursue and +perhaps even to destroy the reduced and worn-out +Confederate force seemed inexplicable and was inexcusable.</p> + +<p>The South could never be conquered in this way. +It had happened, on September 12, that President +Lincoln heard news apparently indicating the +withdrawal of Lee across the Potomac. He had at +once sent it forward to McClellan, adding: "Do +not let him get off without being hurt." Three +days later, he telegraphed: "Destroy the rebel +army if possible." But McClellan had been too +self-restrained in his obedience. He had, indeed, +hurt Lee, but he had been very careful not to hurt +him too much; and as for destroying the rebel +army, he seemed unwilling to enter so lightly on so +stupendous an enterprise. The administration and +the country expected, and perfectly fairly expected, +<!-- Image No 97 --><a name='Png97'></a><a name='Page087'></a><span class="pagenum">087</span>to see a hot pursuit of General Lee. They were +disappointed; they saw no such thing, but only +saw McClellan holding his army as quiescent as +if there was nothing more to be done, and declaring +that it was in no condition to move!</p> + +<p>It was intolerably provoking, unintelligible, and +ridiculous that a ragged, ill-shod, overworked, +under-fed, and beaten body of Southerners should +be able to retreat faster than a great, fresh, well-fed, +well-equipped, and victorious body of Northerners +could follow. Jackson said that the Northern +armies were, kept in too good condition; and +declared that he could whip any army which +marched with herds of cattle behind it. But the +North preferred, and justly, to attribute the inefficiency +of their troops to the unfortunate temperament +of the commander. Mr. Lincoln looked at +the unsatisfactory spectacle and held his hand as +long as he could, dreading perhaps again to seem +too forward in assuming control of military affairs. +Patience, however, could not endure forever, nor +common sense be always subservient to technical +science. Accordingly, on October 6, he ordered +McClellan to cross the Potomac, and either to +"give battle to the enemy, or to drive him south." +McClellan paid no attention to the order. Four +days later the Confederate general, Stuart, with +2000 cavalry and a battery, crossed into Maryland +and made a tour around the Northern army, with +the same insolent success which had attended his +like enterprise on the Peninsula. On October 13 +<!-- Image No 98 --><a name='Png98'></a><a name='Page088'></a><span class="pagenum">088</span>the President wrote to McClellan a letter, so admirable +both in temper and in the soundness of its +suggestions that it should be given entire:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>"MY DEAR SIR,—You remember my speaking +to you of what I called your over-cautiousness. +Are you not over-cautious when you assume that +you cannot do what the enemy is constantly doing? +Should you not claim to be at least his equal in +prowess, and act upon the claim?</p> + +<p>"As I understand, you telegraphed General +Halleck that you cannot subsist your army at Winchester, +unless the railroad from Harper's Ferry +to that point be put in working order. But the +enemy does now subsist his army at Winchester +at a distance nearly twice as great from railroad +transportation as you would have to do without +the railroad last named. He now wagons from +Culpepper Court House, which is just about twice +as far as you would have to do from Harper's +Ferry. He is certainly not more than half as well +provided with wagons as you are. I certainly +should be pleased for you to have the advantage of +the railroad from Harper's Ferry to Winchester; +but it wastes all the remainder of autumn to give +it to you, and, in fact, ignores the question of <i>time</i>, +which cannot and must not be ignored.</p> + +<p>"Again, one of the standard maxims of war, as +you know, is 'to operate upon the enemy's communications +as much as possible without exposing +your own.' You seem to act as if this applies +<!-- Image No 99 --><a name='Png99'></a><a name='Page089'></a><span class="pagenum">089</span><i>against</i> you, but cannot apply in your <i>favor</i>. +Change positions with the enemy, and think you +not he would break your communication with Richmond +within the next twenty-four hours? You +dread his going into Pennsylvania. But if he does +so in full force, he gives up his communication to +you absolutely, and you have nothing to do but to +follow and ruin him; if he does so with less than +full force, fall upon and beat what is left behind, +all the easier.</p> + +<p>"Exclusive of the water line, you are now nearer +Richmond than the enemy is, by the route that you +<i>can,</i> and he <i>must</i> take. Why can you not reach +there before him, unless you admit that he is more +than your equal on a march? His route is the arc +of a circle, while yours is the chord. The roads +are as good on yours as on his.</p> + +<p>"You know I desired, but did not order you, +to cross the Potomac below, instead of above, the +Shenandoah and Blue Ridge. The idea was that +this would at once menace the enemy's communications, +which I would seize, if he would permit. If +he should move northward, I would follow him +closely, holding his communications. If he should +prevent our seizing his communications, and move +towards Richmond, I would press closely to him, +fight him if a favorable opportunity should present, +and at least try to beat him to Richmond on the +inside track. I say, try; if we never try, we shall +never succeed. If he makes a stand at Winchester, +moving neither north nor south, I would fight +<!-- Image No 100 --><a name='Png100'></a><a name='Page090'></a><span class="pagenum">090</span>him there, on the idea that if we cannot beat him +when he bears the wastage of coming to us, we +never can when we bear the wastage of going to +him. This proposition is a simple truth, and is +too important to be lost sight of for a moment. +In coming to us, he tenders us an advantage which +we should not waive. We should not so operate +as to merely drive him away. As we must beat +him somewhere, or fail finally, we can do it, if at +all, easier near to us than far away. If we cannot +beat the enemy where he now is, we never can, he +again being within the intrenchments of Richmond.</p> + +<p>"Recurring to the idea of going to Richmond +on the inside track, the facility for supplying from +the side away from the enemy is remarkable, as it +were by the different spokes of a wheel extending +from the hub towards the rim; and this, whether +you moved directly by the chord or on the inside +arc, hugging the Blue Ridge more closely. The +chord line, as you see, carries you by Aldie, Haymarket, +and Fredericksburg, and you see how turnpikes, +railroads, and finally the Potomac, by Acquia +Creek, meet you at all points from Washington. +The same, only the lines lengthened a little, if you +press closer to the Blue Ridge part of the way. +The Gaps through the Blue Ridge, I understand +to be about the following distances from Harper's +Ferry, to wit: Vestala, five miles; Gregory's, +thirteen; Snicker's, eighteen; Ashby's, twenty-eight; +Manassas, thirty-eight; Chester, forty-five; +and Thornton's, fifty-three. I should think it +<!-- Image No 101 --><a name='Png101'></a><a name='Page091'></a><span class="pagenum">091</span>preferable to take the route nearest the enemy, +disabling him to make an important move without +your knowledge, and compelling him to keep his +forces together for dread of you. The Gaps would +enable you to attack if you should wish. For a +great part of the way you would be practically between +the enemy and both Washington and Richmond, +enabling us to spare you the greatest number +of troops from here. When, at length, running +for Richmond ahead of him enables him to move +this way, if he does so, turn and attack him in rear. +But I think he should be engaged long before such +point is reached. It is all easy if our troops march +as well as the enemy, and it is unmanly to say they +cannot do it. This letter is in no sense an order."</p> + +<br /> + +<p>A general who failed to respond to such a spur +as this was not the man for offensive warfare; and +McClellan did not respond. Movement was as odious +to him now as it ever had been, and by talking +about shoes and overcoats, and by other dilatory +pleas, he extended his delay until the close of the +month. It was actually the second day of November +before his army crossed the Potomac. Another +winter of inaction seemed about to begin. It was +simply unendurable. Though it was true that he +had reorganized the army with splendid energy +and skill, and had shown to the Northern soldiers +in Virginia the strange and cheerful spectacle of +the backs of General Lee's soldiers, yet it became +a settled fact that he must give place to some new +<!-- Image No 102 --><a name='Png102'></a><a name='Page092'></a><span class="pagenum">092</span>man. He and Pope were to be succeeded by a +third experiment. Therefore, on November 5, +1862, the President ordered General McClellan to +turn over the command of the army to General +Burnside; and on November 7 this was done.</p> + +<p>This action, taken just at this time, called forth +a much more severe criticism than would have +attended it if the removal had been made simultaneously +with the withdrawal from the Peninsula. +By what motive was Mr. Lincoln influenced? Not +very often is the most eager search rewarded by the +sure discovery of his opinions about persons. From +what we know that he did, we try to infer why he +did it, and we gropingly endeavor to apportion the +several measures of influence between those motives +which we choose to put by our conjecture into his +mind; and after our toilful scrutiny is over we +remain painfully conscious of the greatness of the +chance that we have scarcely even approached the +truth. Neither diary nor letters guide us; naught +save reports of occasional pithy, pointed, pregnant +remarks, evidence the most dubious, liable to +be colored by the medium of the predilections of +the hearer, and to be reshaped and misshaped by +time, and by attrition in passing through many +mouths. The President was often in a chatting +mood, and then seemed not remote from his companion. +Yet while this was the visible manifestation +on the surface, he was the most reticent of +men as to grave questions, and no confidant often +heard his inmost thoughts. Especially it would +<!-- Image No 103 --><a name='Png103'></a><a name='Page093'></a><span class="pagenum">093</span>be difficult to name an instance in which he told +one man what he thought of another; a trifling +criticism concerning some single trait was the +utmost that he ever allowed to escape him; a full +and careful estimate, never.</p> + +<p>Such reflections come with peculiar force at +this period in his career. What would not one give +for his estimate of McClellan! It would be worth +the whole great collection of characters sketched +by innumerable friends and enemies for that much-discussed +general. While others think that they +know accurately the measure of McClellan's real +value and usefulness, Lincoln really knew these +things; but he never told his knowledge. We only +see that he sustained McClellan for a long while +in the face of vehement aspersions; yet that he +never fully subjected his own convictions to the +educational lectures of the general, and that he +seemed at last willing to see him laid aside; then +immediately in a crisis restored him to authority +in spite of all opposition; and shortly afterward, as +if utterly weary of him, definitively displaced him. +Still, all these facts do not show what Lincoln +thought of McClellan. Many motives besides his +opinion of the man may have influenced him. The +pressure of political opinion and of public feeling +was very great, and might have turned him far +aside from the course he would have pursued if it +could have been neglected. Also other considerations +have been suggested as likely to have +weighed with him,—that McClellan could do +<!-- Image No 104 --><a name='Png104'></a><a name='Page094'></a><span class="pagenum">094</span>with the army what no other man could do, because +of the intense devotion of both officers and men +to him; and that an indignity offered to McClellan +might swell the dissatisfaction of the Northern +Democracy to a point at which it would seriously +embarrass the administration. These things may +have counteracted, or may have corroborated, Mr. +Lincoln's views concerning the man himself. He +was an extraordinary judge of men in their relationship +to affairs; moreover, of all the men of +note of that time he alone was wholly dispassionate +and non-partisan. Opinions tinctured with +prejudices are countless; it is disappointing that +the one opinion that was free from prejudice is +unknown.<a name='FNanchor_32_32'></a><a href='#Footnote_32_32'><sup>[32]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_28_28'></a><a href='#FNanchor_28_28'>[28]</a> The consolidation, and the assignment of Pope to the command, +bore date June 26, 1862.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_29_29'></a><a href='#FNanchor_29_29'>[29]</a> This campaign of General Pope has been the topic of very +bitter controversy and crimination. In my brief account I have +eschewed the view of Messrs. Nicolay and Hay, who seem to me +if I may say it, to have written with the single-minded purpose of +throwing everybody's blunders into the scale against McClellan, +and I have adopted the view of Mr. John C. Ropes in his volume +on <i>The Army under Pope</i>, in the Campaigns of the Civil War +Series. In his writing it is impossible to detect personal prejudice, +for or against any one; and his account is so clear and +convincing that it must be accepted, whether one likes his conclusions +or not.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_30_30'></a><a href='#FNanchor_30_30'>[30]</a> <i>Own Story</i>, 466.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_31_31'></a><a href='#FNanchor_31_31'>[31]</a> Pope retained for a few days command of the army in camp +outside the defenses</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_32_32'></a><a href='#FNanchor_32_32'>[32]</a> McClure says: "I saw Lincoln many times during the campaign +of 1864, when McClellan was his competitor for the presidency. +I never heard him speak of McClellan in any other than +terms of the highest personal respect and kindness." <i>Lincoln and +Men of War-Times,</i> 207.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 105 --><a name='Png105'></a><a name='Page095'></a><span class="pagenum">095</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_IV'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h2>THE AUTUMN ELECTIONS OF 1862, AND THE +PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION</h2> + +<p>The chapter which has been written on "Emancipation +and Politics" shows that while loyalty to +the Union operated as a bond to hold together the +people of the North, slavery entered as a wedge to +force them asunder. It was not long before the +wedge proved a more powerful force than the bond, +for the wedge was driven home by human nature; +and it was inevitable that the men of conservative +temperament and the men of progressive temperament +should erelong be easily restored to their +instinctive antagonism. Of those who had been +stigmatized as "Northern men with Southern principles," +many soon found their Southern proclivities +reviving. These men, christened "Copperheads," +became more odious to loyal Northerners +than were the avowed Secessionists. In return for +their venomous nickname and the contempt and +hatred with which they were treated, they themselves +grew steadily more rancorous, more extreme +in their feelings. They denounced and opposed +every measure of the government, harangued vehemently +against the war and against all that was +<!-- Image No 106 --><a name='Png106'></a><a name='Page096'></a><span class="pagenum">096</span>done to prosecute it, reviled with scurrilous and +passionate abuse every prominent Republican, filled +the air with disheartening forecasts of defeat, ruin, +and woe, and triumphed whenever the miserable +prophecies seemed in the way of fulfillment. General +Grant truly described them as auxiliaries to +the Confederate army, and said that the North +would have been much better off with a hundred +thousand of these men in the Southern ranks, and +the rest of their kind at home thoroughly subdued, +as the Unionists were at the South, than was the +case as the struggle was actually conducted. In +time the administration found itself forced, though +reluctantly, to arrest and imprison many of the +ringleaders in this Northern disaffection. Yet all +the while the Copperheads resolutely maintained +their affiliations with the Democratic party, and +though they brought upon it much discredit which +it did not deserve, yet they could not easily be +ejected from it. Differences of opinion shaded +into each other so gradually that to establish a line +of division was difficult.</p> + +<p>Impinging upon Copperheadism stood the much +more numerous body of those who persistently asserted +their patriotism, but with equal persistence +criticised severely all the measures of the government. +These men belonged to that well-known +class which is happily described as being "for the +law, but ag'in the enforcement of it." They were +for the Union, but against saving it. They kept +up a disapproving headshaking over pretty much +<!-- Image No 107 --><a name='Png107'></a><a name='Page097'></a><span class="pagenum">097</span>everything that the President did. With much +grandiloquent argument, in the stately, old-school +style, they bemoaned the breaches which they +charged him with making in the Constitution. +They also hotly assumed the role of champions of +General McClellan, and bewailed the imbecility +of an administration which thwarted and deposed +him. Protesting the purest and highest patriotism, +they were more evasive than the outspoken +Copperheads, and as their disaffection was less +conspicuous and offensive, so also it was more insidious +and almost equally hurtful. They constituted +the true and proper body of Democracy.</p> + +<p>In a fellowship, which really ought not to have +existed, with these obstructionists, was the powerful +and respectable body of war Democrats. These +men maintained a stubborn loyalty to the old +party, but prided themselves upon being as hearty +and thorough-going war-men as any among the +Republicans. A large proportion of the most distinguished +generals, of the best regimental officers, +of the most faithful soldiers in the field, were of +this political faith. The only criticism that Republicans +could reasonably pass upon them was, +that they did not, in a political way, strengthen +the hands of the government, that they would not +uphold its authority by swelling its majorities, nor +aid its prestige by giving it their good words.</p> + +<p>Over against this Democracy, with its two very +discordant wings, was arrayed the Republican +party, which also was disturbed by the ill-will of +<!-- Image No 108 --><a name='Png108'></a><a name='Page098'></a><span class="pagenum">098</span>those who should have been its allies; for while +the moderate Abolitionists generally sustained the +President, though only imperfectly satisfied with +him, the extreme Abolitionists refused to be so +reasonable. They were a very provoking body +of pure moralists. They worried the President, +condemned his policy, divided the counsels of the +government, and introduced injurious personal enmities +and partisanship with reckless disregard of +probable consequences. To a considerable extent +they had the same practical effect as if they had +been avowed opponents of the Republican President. +They wished immediately to place the war +upon the footing of a crusade for the abolition of +slavery. Among them were old-time Abolitionists, +with whom this purpose was a religion, men who +had hoped to see Seward the Republican President, +and who said that Lincoln's friends in the nominating +convention had represented a "superficial and +only half-hearted Republicanism." Beside these +men, though actuated by very different and much +less honorable motives, stood many recruits, some +even from the Democracy, who were so vindictive +against the South that they desired to inflict abolition +as a punishment.</p> + +<p>All these critics and dissatisfied persons soon +began to speak with severity, and sometimes with +contempt, against the President. He had said that +the war was for the Union; but they scornfully +retorted that this was to reduce it to "a mere +sectional strife for ascendency;" that "a Union, +<!-- Image No 109 --><a name='Png109'></a><a name='Page099'></a><span class="pagenum">099</span>with slavery spared and reinstated, would not be +worth the cost of saving it." It was true that to +save the Union, without also removing the cause of +disunion, might not be worth a very great price; +yet both Union and abolition were in serious danger +of being thrown away forever by these impetuous +men who desired to pluck the fruit before it +was ripe, or rather declared it to be ripe because +they so wanted to pluck it.</p> + +<p>It is not, here and now, a question of the merits +and the usefulness of these men; undoubtedly +their uncompromising ardor could not have been +dispensed with in the great anti-slavery struggle; +it was what the steam is to the engine, and if the +motive power had been absent no one can say how +long the United States might have lain dormant +as a slave-country. But the question is of their +present attitude and of its influence and effect in +the immediate affairs of the government. Their +demand was for an instant and sweeping proclamation +of emancipation; and they were angry and denunciatory +against the President because he would +not give it to them. Of course, by their ceaseless +assaults they hampered him and weakened his +hands very seriously. It was as an exercise of +the President's war-power that they demanded the +proclamation; and the difficulty in the way of it +was that Mr. Lincoln felt, and the great majority +of Northern men were positive in the opinion, that +such a proclamation at this time would not be an +honest and genuine exercise of the war-power, that +<!-- Image No 110 --><a name='Png110'></a><a name='Page100'></a><span class="pagenum">100</span>it would be only falsely and colorably so called, +and that in real truth it would be a deliberate and +arbitrary change of the war from a contest for +Union to a contest for abolition. Mr. Lincoln +could not <i>make</i> it a war measure merely by <i>calling</i> +it so; it was no mere matter of political christening, +but distinctly a very grave and substantial +question of fact. It may be suspected that very +many even of the Abolitionists themselves, had +they spoken the innermost conviction of their +minds, would have admitted that the character of +the measure as a wise military transaction, pure +and simple, was very dubious. It was certain that +every one else in all the country which still was or +ever had been the United States would regard it +as an informal and misnamed but real change of +base for the whole war. No preamble, no <i>Whereas</i>, +in Mr. Lincoln's proclamation, reciting as a fact +and a motive that which he would have known, and +ninety-nine out of every hundred loyal men would +have believed, not to be the true fact and motive, +could make the rest of his proclamation lawful, or +his act that of an honest ruler. Accordingly no +pressure could drive him to the step; he preferred +to endure, and long did endure, the abuse of the +extreme Abolitionists, and all the mischief which +their hostility could inflict upon his administration. +Yet, in truth, there was not in the North an +Abolitionist who thought worse of the institution +of slavery than did the man who had repeatedly +declared it to be "a moral, a social, and a political +<!-- Image No 111 --><a name='Png111'></a><a name='Page101'></a><span class="pagenum">101</span>evil." Referring to these times, and the behavior +of the Abolitionists, he afterward wrote:<a name='FNanchor_33_33'></a><a href='#Footnote_33_33'><sup>[33]</sup></a>—</p> + +<p>"I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not +wrong, nothing is wrong. I cannot remember when +I did not so think and feel, and yet I have never +understood that the presidency conferred upon me +an unrestricted right to act officially upon this +judgment and feeling. It was in the oath I took +that I would, to the best of my ability, preserve, +protect, and defend the Constitution of the United +States. I could not take the office without taking +the oath. Nor was it my view that I might take +an oath to get power, and break the oath in using +the power. I understood, too, that in ordinary +civil administration this oath even forbade me to +practically indulge my primary abstract judgment +on the moral question of slavery. I had publicly +declared this many times, and in many ways. And +I aver that, to this day, I have done no official +act in mere deference to my abstract judgment +and feeling on slavery. I did understand, however, +that my oath to preserve the Constitution to +the best of my ability imposed upon me the duty +of preserving, by every indispensable means, that +government,—that nation, of which that Constitution +was the organic law. Was it possible to +lose the nation and yet preserve the Constitution? +By general law, life and limb must be protected, +yet often a limb must be amputated to save a life; +<!-- Image No 112 --><a name='Png112'></a><a name='Page102'></a><span class="pagenum">102</span>but a life is never wisely given to save a limb. +I felt that measures, otherwise unconstitutional, +might become lawful by becoming indispensable +to the preservation of the Constitution through the +preservation of the nation. Right or wrong, I assumed +this ground, and now avow it. I could not +feel that, to the best of my ability, I had even tried +to preserve the Constitution, if, to save slavery +or any minor matter, I should permit the wreck +of government, country, and Constitution all together. +When, early in the war, General Fremont +attempted military emancipation, I forbade it, +because I did not then think it an indispensable +necessity. When, a little later, General Cameron, +then secretary of war, suggested the arming of the +blacks, I objected because I did not yet think it an +indispensable necessity. When, still later, General +Hunter attempted military emancipation, I +again forbade it, because I did not yet think the +indispensable necessity had come."</p> + +<p>None could deny that the North could abolish +slavery in the South only by beating the South in +the pending war. Therefore, by his duty as President +of the Union and by his wishes as an anti-slavery +man, Mr. Lincoln was equally held to win +this fight. Differing in opinion from the Abolitionists, +he believed that to turn it, at an early +stage, into a war for abolition rather than to leave +it a war for the Union would be to destroy all +hope of winning. The step would alienate great +numbers at the North. The "American Society +<!-- Image No 113 --><a name='Png113'></a> +<!-- Image No 114 --><a name='Png114'></a> +<!-- Image No 115 --><a name='Png115'></a><a name='Page103'></a><span class="pagenum">103</span> +for promoting National Unity" had lately declared +that emancipation "would be rebellion against +Providence and destruction to the colored race in +our land;" and it was certain that this feeling was +still widely prevalent in the loyal States. In July, +1862, General McClellan said, warningly, that a +declaration of radical views on the slavery question +would rapidly disintegrate and destroy the Union +armies. Finally, it seemed hardly doubtful that +fatal defections would take place in the Border +States, even if they should not formally go over to +the Confederacy. No man saw the value of those +Border States as Mr. Lincoln did. To save or to +lose them was probably to save or lose the war; to +lose them and the war was to establish a powerful +slave empire. Where did abolition come in among +these events? It was not there!</p> + +<p class="figure"> +<a href="img/illus0418.jpg"> +<img width="50%" src='img/illus0418.jpg' alt='Simon Cameron.'/></a><br/> +Simon Cameron. +</p> + +<p>Painfully, therefore, untiringly, with all the skill +and tact in his power, Mr. Lincoln struggled to +hold those invaluable, crucial States. His "border-state +policy" soon came to be discussed as the +most interesting topic of which men could talk +wherever they came together. Savage were the +maledictions which emancipationists uttered against +it, and the intensity of their feeling is indicated by +the fact that, though that policy was carried out, +and though the nation, in due time, gathered the +ripe and perfect fruit of it both in the integrity +of the country and the abolition of slavery, yet +even at the present day many old opponents of +President Lincoln, survivors of the Thirty-seventh +<!-- Image No 116 --><a name='Png116'></a><a name='Page104'></a><span class="pagenum">104</span>Congress, remain unshaken in the faith that his +famous policy was "a cruel and fatal mistake."</p> + +<p>By the summer of 1862 the opinions and the +action of Mr. Lincoln in all these matters had +brought him into poor standing in the estimation +of many Republicans. The great majority of the +politicians of the party and sundry newspaper editors, +that is to say, those persons who chiefly make +the noise and the show before the world, were busily +engaged in condemning his policy. The headquarters +of this disaffection were in Washington. +It had one convert even within the cabinet, where +the secretary of the treasury was thoroughly +infected with the notion that the President was +fatally inefficient, laggard, and unequal to the occasion. +The feeling was also especially rife in +congressional circles. Mr. Julian, than whom +there can be no better witness, says: "No one at +a distance could have formed any adequate conception +of the hostility of Republican members +toward Mr. Lincoln at the final adjournment [the +middle of July], while it was the belief of many +that our last session of Congress had been held in +Washington. Mr. Wade said the country was +going to hell, and that the scenes witnessed in the +French Revolution were nothing in comparison +with what we should see here." If most of the +people at the North had not had heads more cool +and sensible than was the one which rested upon +the shoulders of the ardent "Ben" Wade, the +alarming prediction of that lively spokesman might +<!-- Image No 117 --><a name='Png117'></a><a name='Page105'></a><span class="pagenum">105</span>have been fulfilled. Fortunately, however, as Mr. +Julian admits, "the feeling in Congress was far +more intense than [it was] throughout the country." +The experienced denizens of the large Northern +cities read in a critical temper the tirades of +journalist critics, who assumed to know everything. +The population of the small towns and the village +neighborhoods, though a little bewildered by the +echoes of denunciation which reached them from +the national capital, yet by instinct, or by a divine +guidance, held fast to their faith in their President. +Thus the rank and file of the Republican +party refused to follow the field officers in a revolt +against the general. No better fortune ever befell +this very fortunate nation. If the anti-slavery +extremists had been able to reinforce their own +pressure by the ponderous impact of the popular +will, and so had pushed the President from his +"border-state policy" and from his general scheme +of advancing only very cautiously along the anti-slavery +line, it is hardly conceivable either that +the Union would have been saved or that slavery +would have been destroyed.</p> + +<p>On August 19, 1862, the good, impulsive, impractical +Horace Greeley published in his newspaper, +the New York "Tribune," an address to the +President, to which he gave an awe-inspiring title, +"The Prayer of 20,000,000 of People." It was +an extremely foolish paper, and its title, like other +parts of it, was false. Only those persons who +were agitators for immediate emancipation could +<!-- Image No 118 --><a name='Png118'></a><a name='Page106'></a><span class="pagenum">106</span>say amen to this mad prayer, and they were far +from being even a large percentage of "20,000,000 +of people." Yet these men, being active missionaries +and loud preachers in behalf of a measure +in which they had perfect faith, made a show and +exerted an influence disproportioned to their numbers. +Therefore their prayer,<a name='FNanchor_34_34'></a><a href='#Footnote_34_34'><sup>[34]</sup></a> though laden with +blunders of fact and reasoning, fairly expressed +malcontent Republicanism. Moreover, multitudes +who could not quite join in the prayer would read +it and would be moved by it. The influence of +the "Tribune" was enormous. Colonel McClure +truly says that by means of it Mr. Greeley +"reached the very heart of the Republican party +in every State in the Union;" and perhaps he does +not greatly exaggerate when he adds that through +this same line of connection the great Republican +editor "was in closer touch with the active loyal +sentiment of the people than [was] even the President +himself." For these reasons it seemed to +Mr. Lincoln worth while to make a response to +an assault which, if left unanswered, must seriously +<!-- Image No 119 --><a name='Png119'></a><a name='Page107'></a><span class="pagenum">107</span> +embarrass the administration. He therefore +wrote:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>"DEAR SIR,—I have just read yours of the +19th instant, addressed to myself through the New +York 'Tribune.'</p> + +<p>"If there be in it any statements or assumptions +of fact which I may know to be erroneous, I +do not now and here controvert them.</p> + +<p>"If there be any inferences which I believe to +be falsely drawn, I do not now and here argue +against them.</p> + +<p>"If there be perceptible in it an impatient and +dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old +friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be +right.</p> + +<p>"As to the policy 'I seem to be pursuing,' as +you say, I have not meant to leave any one in +doubt. I would save the Union. I would save +it in the shortest way under the Constitution.</p> + +<p>"The sooner the national authority can be restored, +the nearer the Union will be,—the Union +as it was.</p> + +<p>"If there be those who would not save the +Union, unless they could at the same time save +slavery, I do not agree with them.</p> + +<p>"If there be those who would not save the +Union, unless they could at the same time destroy +slavery, I do not agree with them.</p> + +<p>"<i>My paramount object is to save the Union, +and not either to save or destroy slavery</i>.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 120 --><a name='Png120'></a><a name='Page108'></a><span class="pagenum">108</span> +"If I could save the Union without freeing any +slave, I would do it. And if I could save it by +freeing all the slaves, I would do it. And if I +could save it by freeing some, and leaving others +alone, I would also do that.</p> + +<p>"What I do about slavery and the colored race, +I do because I believe it helps to save the Union, +and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not +believe it would help to save the Union.</p> + +<p>"I shall do less whenever I believe what I am +doing hurts the cause, and shall do more whenever +I believe doing more will help the cause.</p> + +<p>"I shall try to correct errors when shown to be +errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they +shall appear to be true views.</p> + +<p>"I have here stated my purpose, according to +my view of official duty, and I intend no modification +of my oft-expressed personal wish, that all +men everywhere could be free."</p> + +<br /> + +<p>This reply, placing the Union before all else, +did "more to steady the loyal sentiment of the +country in a very grave emergency than anything +that ever came from Lincoln's pen." It was, very +naturally, "particularly disrelished by anti-slavery +men," whose views were not modified by it, +but whose temper was irritated in proportion to +the difficulty of meeting it. Mr. Greeley himself, +enthusiastic and woolly-witted, allowed this +heavy roller to pass over him, and arose behind +it unaware that he had been crushed. He even +<!-- Image No 121 --><a name='Png121'></a><a name='Page109'></a><span class="pagenum">109</span>published a retort, which was discreditably abusive. +A fair specimen of his rhetoric was his demand to +be informed whether Mr. Lincoln designed to save +the Union "by recognizing, obeying, and enforcing +the laws, or by ignoring, disregarding, and in fact +defying them." Now the precise fact which so incensed +Mr. Greeley and all his comrades was that +the President was studiously and stubbornly insisting +upon "recognizing, obeying, and enforcing +the laws;" and the very thing which they were +crying for was a step which, according to his way +of thinking, would involve that he should "ignore, +disregard, and defy" them. They had not shrunk +from taking this position, when pushed toward it. +They had contemned the Constitution, and had +declared that it should not be allowed to stand in +the way of doing those things which, in their opinion, +ought to be done. Their great warrior, the +chieftain of their forces in the House of Representatives, +Thaddeus Stevens, was wont to say, +in his defiant iconoclastic style, that there was no +longer any Constitution, and that he was weary +of hearing this "never-ending gabble about the +sacredness of the Constitution." Yet somewhat +inconsistently these same men held as an idol and +a leader Secretary Chase; and he at the close of +1860 had declared: "At all hazards and against +all opposition, the laws of the Union should be +enforced.... The question of slavery should not +be permitted to influence my action, one way or +the other." Later, perhaps he and his allies had +<!-- Image No 122 --><a name='Png122'></a><a name='Page110'></a><span class="pagenum">110</span>forgotten these words. Still many persons hold to +the opinion that the emancipationists did not give +Mr. Lincoln fair play.<a name='FNanchor_35_35'></a><a href='#Footnote_35_35'><sup>[35]</sup></a></p> + +<p>On September 13 a body of clergymen from +Chicago waited upon Mr. Lincoln to urge immediate +and universal emancipation. The occasion +was made noteworthy by his remarks to them.</p> + +<p>"I am approached with the most opposite opinions +and advice, and that by religious men, who are +equally certain that they represent the Divine will. +I am sure that either the one or the other class +is mistaken in that belief, and perhaps, in some +respect, both. I hope it will not be irreverent for +me to say that, if it is probable that God would +reveal his will to others on a point so connected +with my duty, it might be supposed He would +reveal it directly to me; for, unless I am more +deceived in myself than I often am, it is my earnest +desire to know the will of Providence in this +matter. And if I can learn what it is, I will do +it! These are not, however, the days of miracles, +and I suppose it will be granted that I am +not to expect a direct revelation. I must study +the plain physical facts of the case, ascertain what +is possible, and learn what appears to be wise and +right. The subject is difficult, and good men do +not agree.</p> + +<p>... "What good would a proclamation of emancipation +from me do, especially as we are now situated? +<!-- Image No 123 --><a name='Png123'></a><a name='Page111'></a><span class="pagenum">111</span>I do not want to issue a document that the whole +world will see must necessarily be inoperative, like +the Pope's bull against the comet! Would my +word free the slaves, when I cannot even enforce +the Constitution in the rebel States? Is there +a single court, or magistrate, or individual that +would be influenced by it there? And what reason +is there to think it would have any greater effect +upon the slaves than the late law of Congress, +which I approved, and which offers protection and +freedom to the slaves of rebel masters who come +within our lines? Yet I cannot learn that that +law has caused a single slave to come over to us.</p> + +<p>... "Now, then, tell me, if you please, what possible +result of good would follow the issuing of such a +proclamation as you desire? Understand, I raise +no objections against it on legal or constitutional +grounds, for, as commander-in-chief of the army +and navy, in time of war, I suppose I have a right +to take any measure which may best subdue the +enemy; nor do I urge objections of a moral nature, +in view of possible consequences of insurrection +and massacre at the South. I view this matter as +a practical war measure, to be decided on according +to the advantages or disadvantages it may +offer to the suppression of the rebellion.</p> + +<p>... "Do not misunderstand me because I have mentioned +these objections. They indicate the difficulties +that have thus far prevented my action in +<!-- Image No 124 --><a name='Png124'></a><a name='Page112'></a><span class="pagenum">112</span>some such way as you desire. I have not decided +against a proclamation of liberty to the slaves, but +hold the matter under advisement. And I can +assure you that the subject is on my mind, by day +and night, more than any other. Whatever shall +appear to be God's will I will do. I trust that +in the freedom with which I have canvassed your +views I have not in any respect injured your feelings."</p> + +<p>Whether or not the clerical advisers winced +under the President's irony, at least they must +have appreciated the earnestness and sincerity with +which he considered the subject.</p> + +<p>All this while that newspaper writers, religious +teachers, members of Congress, and political busy-bodies +generally were tirelessly enlightening Mr. +Lincoln concerning what was right, what was +wise, what was the will of the people, even what +was the will of God, he was again quietly making +good that shrewd Southerner's prophecy: he was +"doing his own thinking;" neither was he telling +to anybody what this thinking was. Throngs +came and went, and each felt called upon to leave +behind him some of his own wisdom, a precept, +advice, or suggestion, for the use of the President; +perhaps in return he took away with him a story +which was much more than full value for what +he had given; but no one found out the working +of the President's mind, and no one could say that +he had influenced it. History is crowded with +tales of despots, but it tells of no despot who +<!-- Image No 125 --><a name='Png125'></a><a name='Page113'></a><span class="pagenum">113</span>thought and decided with the tranquil, taciturn +independence which was now marking this President +of the free American Republic. It is a +little amusing for us, to-day, to know that while +the emancipationists were angrily growling out +their disgust at the ruler who would not abolish +slavery according to their advice, the rough draft +of the Emancipation Proclamation had already +been written. It was actually lying in his desk +when he was writing to Greeley that letter which +caused so much indignation. It had been communicated +to his cabinet long before he talked to +those Chicago clergymen, and showed them that +the matter was by no means so simple as they, in +their one-sided, unworldly way, believed it to be.</p> + +<p>It is said to have been on July 8 that the President +wrote this rough draft, on board the steamboat +which was bringing him back from his visit to +McClellan at Harrison's Landing. He then laid +it away for the days and events to bring ripeness. +By his own statement he had for some time +felt convinced that, if compensated emancipation +should fail, emancipation as a war measure must +ensue. Compensated emancipation had now been +offered, urged, and ill received; therefore the question +in his mind was no longer <i>whether</i>, but <i>when</i> +he should exercise his power. This was more a +military than a political question. His right to +emancipate slaves was strictly a war-power; he +had the right to exercise it strictly for the purpose +of weakening the enemy or strengthening his +<!-- Image No 126 --><a name='Png126'></a><a name='Page114'></a><span class="pagenum">114</span>own generals; he had not the right to exercise it +in the cause of humanity, if it would not either +weaken the enemy or strengthen his own side. If +by premature exercise he should alienate great +numbers of border-state men, while the sheet of +paper with his name at its foot would be ineffectual +to give actual liberty of action to a single black +man in the Confederacy, he would aid the South +and injure the North,—that is to say, he would +accomplish precisely the reverse of that which +alone could lawfully form the basis of his action. +The question of <i>When</i>, therefore, was a very serious +one. At what stage of the contest would a +declaration of emancipation be hurtful to the +Southern and beneficial to the Northern cause?</p> + +<p>Schuyler Colfax well said that Mr. Lincoln's +judgment, when settled, "was almost as immovable +as the eternal hills." A good illustration of +this was given upon a day about the end of July +or beginning of August, 1862, when Mr. Lincoln +called a cabinet meeting. To his assembled secretaries +he then said, with his usual simple brevity, +that he was going to communicate to them something +about which he did not desire them to offer +any advice, since his determination was taken; +they might make suggestions as to details, but +nothing more. After this imperious statement he +read the preliminary proclamation of emancipation. +The ministers listened in silence; not one of them +had been consulted; not one of them, until this +moment, knew the President's purpose; not even +<!-- Image No 127 --><a name='Png127'></a><a name='Page115'></a><span class="pagenum">115</span>now did he think it worth while to go through any +idle form of asking the opinion of any one of +them.<a name='FNanchor_36_36'></a><a href='#Footnote_36_36'><sup>[36]</sup></a> He alone had settled the matter, and simply +notified them that he was about to do the most +momentous thing that had ever been done upon +this continent since thirteen British colonies had +become a nation. Such a presentation of "one-man-power" +certainly stood out in startling relief +upon the background of popular government and +the great free republican system of the world!</p> + +<p>One or two trifling verbal alterations were made. +The only important suggestion came from Mr. +Seward, who said that, in the "depression of the +public mind consequent upon our repeated adverses," +he feared that so important a step might +"be viewed as the last measure of an exhausted +government, a cry for help; the government +stretching forth its hands to Ethiopia, instead of +Ethiopia stretching forth her hands to the government." +He dreaded that "it would be considered +our last shriek on the retreat." Therefore he +thought it would be well to postpone issuing the +proclamation till it could come before the country +with the support of some military success. Mr. +Lincoln, who had not committed himself upon the +precise point of time, approved this idea. In fact, +he had already had in mind this same notion, that +a victory would be an excellent companion for the +<!-- Image No 128 --><a name='Png128'></a><a name='Page116'></a><span class="pagenum">116</span>proclamation. In July Mr. Boutwell had said to +him that the North would not succeed until the +slaves were emancipated, and Mr. Lincoln had replied: +"You would not have it done now, would +you? Had we not better wait for something like +a victory?" This point being accordingly settled +to the satisfaction of all, the meeting then dissolved, +with the understanding that the secret was +to be closely kept for the present; and Mr. Lincoln +again put away his paper to await the coming +of leaden-footed victory.</p> + +<p>For the moment the prospects of this event were +certainly sufficiently gloomy. Less than three +weeks, however, brought the battle of Antietam. +As a real "military success" this was, fairly speaking, +unsatisfactory; but it had to serve the turn; +the events of the war did not permit the North +to be fastidious in using the word victory; if the +President had imprudently been more exacting, the +Abolitionists would have had to wait for Gettysburg. +News of the battle reached Mr. Lincoln at +the Soldiers' Home. "Here," he says, "I finished +writing the second draft. I came to Washington +on Saturday, called the cabinet together to hear +it, and it was published on the following Monday, +the 22d of September, 1862."</p> + +<p>The proclamation was preliminary or monitory +only, and it did not promise universal emancipation. +It stated that, on January 1, 1863, "all +persons held as slaves within any State or designated +part of a State, the people whereof shall then +<!-- Image No 129 --><a name='Png129'></a><a name='Page117'></a><span class="pagenum">117</span>be in rebellion against the United States, shall be +then, thenceforward, and forever free;" also, that +"the Executive will, on the first day of January +aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States +and parts of States, if any, in which the people +thereof respectively shall then be in rebellion +against the United States."</p> + +<p>The measure was entirely Mr. Lincoln's own. +Secretary Chase reports that at the cabinet meeting +on September 22 he said: "I must do the best +I can, and bear the responsibility of taking the +course which I feel I ought to take." It has been +said that he acted under a severe specific pressure, +emanating from the calling of the famous conference +of governors at Altoona. This, however, is +not true. On September 14 Governor Curtin invited +the governors of loyal States to meet on September +24 to discuss the situation and especially +the emergency created by the northward advance +of General Lee. But that this meeting was more +than a coincidence, or that the summons to it had +any influence in the matter of the proclamation, is +disproved by all that is known concerning it.<a name='FNanchor_37_37'></a><a href='#Footnote_37_37'><sup>[37]</sup></a> The +connection with the battle is direct, avowed, and +reasonable; that with the gubernatorial congress is +supposititious and improbable. Governor Curtin +says distinctly that the President, being informed +by himself and two others that such a conference +was in preparation, "did not attempt to conceal +<!-- Image No 130 --><a name='Png130'></a><a name='Page118'></a><span class="pagenum">118</span>the fact that we were upon the eve of an emancipation +policy," in response to which statement he +received from his auditors the "assurance that the +Altoona conference would cordially indorse such a +policy." As matter of fact, at the meeting, most +of the governors, in a sort of supplementary way, +declared their approval of the proclamation; but +the governors of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, +Kentucky, and Missouri would not unite in this +action. If further evidence were needed upon this +point, it is furnished by the simple statement of +President Lincoln himself. He said: "The truth +is, I never thought of the meeting of the governors +at all. When Lee came over the Potomac I made +a resolve that, if McClellan drove him back, I +would send the proclamation after him. The battle +of Antietam was fought Wednesday, but I could +not find out until Saturday whether we had won +a victory or lost a battle. It was then too late to +issue it on that day, and on Sunday I fixed it up a +little, and on Monday I let them have it." Secretary +Chase, in his Diary, under date of September +22, 1862, gives an account in keeping with the +foregoing sketch, but casts about the proclamation +a sort of superstitious complexion, as if it were +the fulfillment of a religious vow. He says that at +the cabinet meeting the President said: "When the +rebel army was at Frederick, I determined, as soon +as it should be driven out of Maryland, to issue +a proclamation of emancipation, such as I thought +most likely to be useful. I said nothing to any +<!-- Image No 131 --><a name='Png131'></a><a name='Page119'></a><span class="pagenum">119</span>one; but I made the promise to myself, and (hesitating +a little) to my Maker. The rebel army is +now driven out, and I am going to fulfill that promise." +About an event so important and so picturesque +small legends will cluster and cling like +little barnacles on the solid rock; but the rock remains +the same beneath these deposits, and in this +case the fact that the proclamation was determined +upon and issued at the sole will and discretion of +the President is not shaken by any testimony that +is given about it. He regarded it as a most grave +measure, as plainly it was; to a Southerner, who +had begged him not to have recourse to it, he +replied: "You must not expect me to give up this +government without playing my last card."<a name='FNanchor_38_38'></a><a href='#Footnote_38_38'><sup>[38]</sup></a> So +now, on this momentous twenty-second day of September, +the President, using his own judgment in +playing the great game, cast what he conceived to +be his ace of trumps upon the table.</p> + +<p>The measure took the country by surprise. The +President's secret had been well kept, and for once +rumor had not forerun execution. Doubtless the +reader expects now to hear that one immediate +effect was the conciliation of all those who had +been so long reproaching Mr. Lincoln for his delay +in taking this step. It would seem right and natural +that the emancipationists should have rallied +with generous ardor to sustain him. They did not. +They remained just as dissatisfied and distrustful +towards him as ever. Some said that he had been +<!-- Image No 132 --><a name='Png132'></a><a name='Page120'></a><span class="pagenum">120</span><i>forced</i> into this policy, some that he had drifted +with the tide of events, some that he had waited +for popular opinion at the North to give him the +cue, instead of himself guiding that opinion. To +show that he was false to the responsibility of a +ruler, there were those who cited against him his +own modest words: "I claim not to have controlled +events, but confess plainly that events have +controlled me." Others, however, put upon this +language the more kindly and more honest interpretation, +that Mr. Lincoln appreciated that both +President and people were moved by the drift of +events, which in turn received their own impulse +from an agency higher than human and to which +they must obediently yield. But whatever ingenious +excuses were devised by extremists for +condemning the man who had done the act, the +Republican party faithfully supported the act itself. +In the middle of December the House passed a +resolution ratifying the President's policy as "well +adapted to hasten the restoration of peace," and +"well chosen as a war measure."</p> + +<p>The President himself afterward declared his +"conviction" that, had the proclamation been +issued six months earlier, it would not have been +sustained by public opinion; and certainly it is +true that contemporaneous political occurrences +now failed to corroborate the soundness of those +assertions by which the irreconcilable emancipationist +critics of Mr. Lincoln had been endeavoring +to induce him to adopt their policy earlier. +<!-- Image No 133 --><a name='Png133'></a><a name='Page121'></a><span class="pagenum">121</span>They themselves, as Mr. Wilson admits, "had +never constituted more than an inconsiderable +fraction" of the whole people at the North. He +further says: "At the other extreme, larger numbers +received it [the proclamation] with deadly +and outspoken opposition; while between these extremes +the great body even of Union men doubted, +hesitated.... Its immediate practical effect did +perhaps more nearly answer the apprehensions of +the President than the expectations of those most +clamorous for it. It did, as charged, very much +'unite the South and divide the North.'"</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1862 there took place the elections +for Representatives to the Thirty-eighth Congress. +The most ingenious sophist could hardly +maintain that strenuous anti-slavery voters, who +had been angry with the government for backwardness +in the emancipation policy, ought now to +manifest their discontent by voting the Democratic +ticket. If there should be a Democratic reaction +at the polls it could not possibly be construed +otherwise than as a reaction against anti-slavery; +it would undeniably indicate that Congress and +the administration had been too hostile rather than +too friendly towards that cause of the strife, that +they had outstripped rather than fallen behind +popular sympathy. It soon became evident that a +formidable reaction of this kind had taken place, +that dissatisfaction with the anti-slavery measures +and discouragement at the military failures, together, +were even imperiling Republican ascendency. +<!-- Image No 134 --><a name='Png134'></a><a name='Page122'></a><span class="pagenum">122</span> +Now all knew, though some might not be +willing to say, that the loss of Republican ascendency +meant, in fact, the speedy settlement of the +war by compromise; and the South was undoubtedly +in earnest in declaring that there could be no +compromise without disunion. Therefore, in those +elections of the autumn months in 1862 the whole +question of Union or Disunion had to be fought +out at the polls in the loyal States, and there was +an appalling chance of its going against the Unionist +party. "The administration," says Mr. Blaine, +"was now subjected to a fight for its life;" and +for a while the fortunes of that mortal combat +wore a most alarming aspect.</p> + +<p>The Democracy made its fight on the ground +that the anti-slavery legislation of the Republican +majority in the Thirty-seventh Congress had substantially +made abolition the ultimate purpose of +the war. Here, then, they said, was a change of +base; were or were not the voters of the loyal +States willing to ratify it? Already this ground +had been taken in the platforms of the party in the +most important Northern States, before Mr. Lincoln +issued his proclamation. Was it unreasonable +to fear that this latest and most advanced step +would intensify that hostility, stimulate the too +obvious reaction, and aggravate the danger which, +against his judgment,<a name='FNanchor_39_39'></a><a href='#Footnote_39_39'><sup>[39]</sup></a> as it was understood, Congress +<!-- Image No 135 --><a name='Png135'></a><a name='Page123'></a><span class="pagenum">123</span> +had created? Was it not probable that Mr. +Blair was correct when he warned the President +that the proclamation would "cost the administration +the fall elections"? Naturally it will be +asked: if this was a reasonable expectation, why +did the President seize this critical moment to ally +the administration with anti-slavery? Mr. Blaine +furnishes a probable explanation: "The anti-slavery +policy of Congress had gone far enough to +arouse the bitter hostility of all Democrats, who +were not thoroughly committed to the war, and yet +not far enough to deal an effective blow against the +institution." The administration stood at a point +where safety lay rather in defying than in evading +the ill opinion of the malcontents, where the best +wisdom was to commit itself, the party, and the +nation decisively to the "bold, far-reaching, radical, +and aggressive policy," from which it would +be impossible afterward to turn back "without +deliberately resolving to sacrifice our nationality." +Presumably the President wished to show the people +that their only choice now lay between slavery +on the one hand and nationality on the other, so +that, of the two things, they might take that one +which they deemed the more worthy. The two +together they could never again have. This theory +tallies with the well-known fact that Mr. Lincoln +was always willing to trust the people upon a question +of right and wrong. He never was afraid to +stake his chance upon the faith that what was intrinsically +right would prove in the long run to be +<!-- Image No 136 --><a name='Png136'></a><a name='Page124'></a><span class="pagenum">124</span>politically safe. While he was a shrewd politician +in matters of detail, he had the wisdom always in +a great question to get upon that side where the +inherent morality lay. Yet, unfortunately, it takes +time—time which cannot always be afforded—for +right to destroy prejudice; the slow-grinding mill +of God grinds sometimes so slowly that man cannot +help fearing that for once the stint will not +be worked out; and in this autumn of 1862 there +was one of these crises of painful anxiety among +patriots at the North.</p> + +<p>Maine held her election early in September, and +upon the vote for governor a Republican majority, +which usually ranged from 10,000 to 19,000, was +this year cut down to a little over 4000; also, for +the first time in ten years, a Democrat secured a +seat in the national House of Representatives. +Then came the "October States." In that dreary +month Ohio elected 14 Democrats and 5 Republicans; +the Democrats casting, in the total, about +7000 more votes than the Republicans. Indiana +sent 8 Democrats, 3 Republicans. In Pennsylvania +the congressional delegation was divided, but +the Democrats polled the larger vote by about +4000; whereas Mr. Lincoln had had a majority +in the State of 60,000! In New York the famous +Democratic leader, Horatio Seymour, was elected +governor by a majority of nearly 10,000. Illinois, +the President's own State, showed a Democratic +majority of 17,000, and her congressional delegation +stood 11 Democrats to 3 Republicans. New +<!-- Image No 137 --><a name='Png137'></a><a name='Page125'></a><span class="pagenum">125</span>Jersey turned from Republicanism to Democracy. +Michigan reduced a Republican majority from +20,000 to 6000. Wisconsin divided its delegation +evenly.<a name='FNanchor_40_40'></a><a href='#Footnote_40_40'><sup>[40]</sup></a> When the returns were all in, the Democrats, +who had had only 44 votes in the House in +the Thirty-seventh Congress, found that in its successor +they would have 75. Even if the non-voting +absentees in the army<a name='FNanchor_41_41'></a><a href='#Footnote_41_41'><sup>[41]</sup></a> had been all Republicans, +which they certainly were not, such a reaction +would have been appalling.</p> + +<p>Fortunately some other Northern States—New +England's six, and Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, California, +and Oregon—held better to their Republican +faith. But it was actually the border slave +States which, in these dark and desperate days, +came gallantly to the rescue of the President's +party. If the voters of these States had seen in +him a radical of the stripe of the anti-slavery agitators, +it is not imaginable that they would have +helped him as they now did. Thus was his much +maligned "border-state policy" at last handsomely +vindicated; and thanks to it the frightened Republicans +saw, with relief, that they could command +a majority of about twenty votes in the House. +Mr. Lincoln had saved the party whose leaders had +turned against him.</p> + +<p>Beneath the dismal shadow of these autumnal +<!-- Image No 138 --><a name='Png138'></a><a name='Page126'></a><span class="pagenum">126</span>elections the Thirty-seventh Congress came together +for its final session, December 1, 1862. +The political situation was peculiar and unfortunate. +There was the greatest possible need for +sympathetic coöperation in the Republican party; +but sympathy was absent, and coöperation was imperfect +and reluctant. The majority of the Republican +members of Congress obstinately maintained +their alienation from the Republican President; an +enormous popular defection from Republicanism +had taken place in its natural strongholds; and +Republican domination had only been saved by the +aid of States in which Republican majorities had +been attainable actually because a large proportion +of the population was so disaffected as either to +have enlisted in the Confederate service, or to +have refrained from voting at elections held under +Union auspices. Therefore, whether Mr. Lincoln +looked forth upon the political or the military +situation, he beheld only gloomy prospects. But +having made fast to what he believed to be right, +he would not, in panic, cast loose from it. In the +face of condemnation he was not seen to modify +his course in order to conciliate any portion of +the people; but, on the contrary, in his message +he returned to his plan which had hitherto been +so coldly received, and again strenuously recommended +appropriations for gradual, compensated +emancipation and colonization. The scheme had +three especial attractions for him: 1. It would be +operative in those loyal States and parts of States +<!-- Image No 139 --><a name='Png139'></a><a name='Page127'></a><span class="pagenum">127</span>in which military emancipation would not take +effect. 2. In its practical result it would do away +with slavery by the year 1900, whereas military +emancipation would now free a great number of +individuals, but would leave slavery, as an institution, +untouched and liable to be revived and +reinvigorated later on. 3. It would make emancipation +come as a voluntary process, leaving a +minimum of resentment remaining in the minds of +slaveholders, instead of being a violent war measure +never to be remembered without rebellious +anger. This last point was what chiefly moved +him. He intensely desired to have emancipation +effected in such a way that good feeling between +the two sections might be a not distant condition; +the humanity of his temperament, his passion for +reasonable dealing, his appreciation of the mischief +of sectional enmity in a republic, all conspired to +establish him unchangeably in favor of "compensated +emancipation."</p> + +<p>For the accomplishment of his purpose he now +suggested three articles of amendment to the Constitution. +He spoke earnestly; for "in times like +the present," he said, "men should utter nothing +for which they would not willingly be responsible +through time and eternity." Beneath the solemnity +of this obligation he made for his plan a very +elaborate argument. Among the closing sentences +were the following:—</p> + +<p>"The plan would, I am confident, secure peace +more speedily, and maintain it more permanently, +<!-- Image No 140 --><a name='Png140'></a><a name='Page128'></a><span class="pagenum">128</span>than can be done by force alone; while all it would +cost, considering amounts, and manner of payment, +and times of payment, would be easier paid +than will be the additional cost of the war, if we +rely solely upon force. It is much, very much, +that it would cost no blood at all.</p> + +<p>... "Is it doubted, then, that the plan I propose, +if adopted, would shorten the war, and thus lessen +its expenditure of money and of blood? Is it +doubted that it would restore the national authority +and national prosperity, and perpetuate both +indefinitely? Is it doubted that we here—Congress +and Executive—can secure its adoption? +Will not the good people respond to a united and +earnest appeal from us? Can we, can they, by +any other means so certainly or so speedily assure +these vital objects? We can succeed only by concert. +It is not 'Can <i>any</i> of us <i>imagine</i> better?' +but; 'Can we <i>all do</i> better?' Object whatsoever +is possible, still the question recurs, 'Can we do +better?' The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate +to the stormy present. The occasion is +piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with +the occasion. As our case is new, so we must +think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall +ourselves, and then we shall save our country.</p> + +<p>"Fellow citizens, <i>we</i> cannot escape history. +We, of this Congress and this administration, will +[shall] be remembered in spite of ourselves. No +personal significance, or insignificance, can spare +<!-- Image No 141 --><a name='Png141'></a><a name='Page129'></a><span class="pagenum">129</span>one or another of us. The fiery trial through +which we pass will light us down, in honor or +dishonor, to the latest generation. We <i>say</i> we are +for the Union. The world will not forget that we +say this. We know how to save the Union. The +world knows we do know how to save it. We—even +<i>we here</i>—hold the power and bear the responsibility. +In <i>giving</i> freedom to the <i>slave</i> we +<i>assure</i> freedom to the <i>free</i>,—honorable alike in +what we give and what we preserve. We shall +nobly save, or meanly lose, the last, best hope of +earth. Other means may succeed; this could not +fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just,—a +way which, if followed, the world will forever +applaud, and God must forever bless."</p> + +<p>Beautiful and impressive as was this appeal, it +persuaded few or none. In fact, no effort on the +President's part now, or at any time, could win +much approval for his plan. Not many were ever +pleased by it; but afterward, in the winter of 1863, +many members of the Thirty-eighth Congress were +willing, without believing in it, to give him a +chance to try it in Missouri. Accordingly a bill +then passed the House appropriating $10,000,000 +to compensate slave-owners in that State, if abolition +of slavery should be made part of its organic +law. The Senate made the sum $15,000,000 and +returned the bill to the House for concurrence. +But the representatives from Missouri were tireless +in their hostility to the measure, and finally +killed it by parliamentary expedients of delay.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 142 --><a name='Png142'></a><a name='Page130'></a><span class="pagenum">130</span> +This was a great disappointment to Mr. Lincoln. +While the measure was pending he argued +strenuously with leading Missourians to induce +them to put their State in the lead in what he +hoped would then become a procession of slave +States. But these gentlemen seemed to fear that, +if they should take United States bonds in payment, +they might awake some morning in these +troublous times to find their promiser a bankrupt +or a repudiationist. On the other hand, such was +the force of habit that a slave seemed to them +very tangible property. Mr. Lincoln shrewdly +suggested that, amid present conditions, "<i>bonds</i> +were better than <i>bondsmen</i>," and "two-legged +property" was a very bad kind to hold. Time +proved him to be entirely right; but for the present +his argument, entreaty, and humor were all alike +useless. Missouri would have nothing to do with +"compensated emancipation;" and since she was +regarded as a test case, the experiment was not +tried elsewhere. So it came to pass afterward +that the slaveholders parted with their slaves for +nothing instead of exchanging them for the six per +cent. bonds of the United States.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>The first day of January, 1863, arrived, and no +event had occurred to delay the issue of the promised +proclamation. It came accordingly. By +virtue of his power as commander-in-chief, "in +time of actual armed rebellion,... and as a fit +and necessary war measure for suppressing said +<!-- Image No 143 --><a name='Png143'></a><a name='Page131'></a><span class="pagenum">131</span>rebellion," the President ordered that all persons +held as slaves in certain States and parts of States, +which he designated as being then in rebellion, +should be thenceforward free, and declared that +the Executive, with the army and navy, would +"recognize and maintain the freedom of said +persons." The word "maintain" was inserted at +Seward's suggestion, and somewhat against Mr. +Lincoln's wish. He said that he had intentionally +refrained from introducing it, because it was not +his way to promise what he was not entirely <i>sure</i> +that he could perform. The sentence invoking +the favor of God was contributed by Secretary +Chase. The paper was signed after the great public +reception of New Year's Day. Mr. Lincoln, +as he took the pen, remarked to Mr. Seward +that his much-shaken hand was almost paralyzed, +so that people who, in time to come, should see +that signature would be likely to say: "He hesitated," +whereas, in fact, his whole soul was in it. +The publication took place late in the day, and the +anti-slavery critics grumbled because it was not +sent out in the morning.</p> + +<p>The people at large received this important step +with some variety of feeling and expression; but, +upon the whole, approval seems to have far outrun +the dubious prognostications of the timid and +conservative class. For the three months which +had given opportunity for thinking had produced +the result which Mr. Lincoln had hoped for. It +turned out that the mill of God had been grinding +<!-- Image No 144 --><a name='Png144'></a><a name='Page132'></a><span class="pagenum">132</span>as exactly as always. Very many who would not +have advised the measure now heartily ratified it. +Later, after men's minds had had time to settle +and the balance could be fairly struck, it appeared +undeniable that the final proclamation had been of +good effect; so Mr. Lincoln himself said.</p> + +<p>It is worth noting that while many Englishmen +spoke out in generous praise, the rulers of England +took the contrary position. Earl Russell said that +the measure was "of a very strange nature," "a +very questionable kind," an act of "vengeance on +the slave-owner," and that it did no more than +"profess to emancipate slaves, where the United +States authorities cannot make emancipation a +reality." But the English people were strongly +and genuinely anti-slavery, and the danger of English +recognition of the Confederacy was greatly +diminished when the proclamation established the +policy of the administration.</p> + +<p>The proclamation contained a statement that ex-slaves +would be "received into the armed service +of the United States." Up to this time not much +had been done in the way of enlisting colored +troops. The negroes themselves had somewhat +disappointed their friends by failing to take the +initiative, and it became evident that they must be +stirred by influences outside their own race. The +President now took the matter in hand, and endeavored +to stimulate commanders of Southern +departments to show energy concerning it. By +degrees successful results were obtained. The +<!-- Image No 145 --><a name='Png145'></a> +<!-- Image No 146 --><a name='Png146'></a> +<!-- Image No 148 --><a name='Png148'></a> +<!-- Image No 147 --><a name='Png147'></a> +<!-- Image No 149 --><a name='Png149'></a><a name='Page133'></a><span class="pagenum">133</span> +Southerners formally declared that they would not +regard either negro troops or their officers as prisoners +of war; but that they would execute the officers +as ordinary felons, and would hand over the +negroes to be dealt with by the state authorities as +slaves in insurrection. Painful and embarrassing +questions of duty were presented by these menaces. +To Mr. Lincoln the obvious policy of retaliation +seemed abhorrent, and he held back from declaring +that he would adopt it, in the hope that events +might never compel him to do so. But on July +30 he felt compelled, in justice to the blacks and +those who led them, to issue an order that for +every Union soldier killed in violation of the laws +of war a rebel soldier should be executed; and for +every one enslaved a rebel soldier should be placed +at hard labor on the public works. Happily, however, +little or no action ever became necessary in +pursuance of this order. The Southerners either +did not in fact wreak their vengeance in fulfillment +of their furious vows, or else covered their doings +so that they could not be proved. Only the shocking +incident of the massacre at Fort Pillow seemed +to demand stern retaliatory measures, and even +this was, too mercifully, allowed gradually to sink +away into neglect.<a name='FNanchor_42_42'></a><a href='#Footnote_42_42'><sup>[42]</sup></a></p> + +<p class="figure"> +<a href="img/illus0420.jpg"> +<img width="100%" src='img/illus0420.jpg' alt='Lincoln Submitting the Emancipation Proclamation +to His Cabinet.'/></a><br/> +Lincoln Submitting the Emancipation Proclamation +to His Cabinet. +</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_33_33'></a><a href='#FNanchor_33_33'>[33]</a> To A.G. Hodges, April 4, 1864, N. and H. vi. 430; and see +Lincoln to Chase, September 2, 1863; <i>ibid</i>. 434.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_34_34'></a><a href='#FNanchor_34_34'>[34]</a> "It was," says Mr. Arnold, "full of errors and mistaken inferences, +and written in ignorance of many facts which it was the +duty of the President to consider." <i>Life of Lincoln</i>, 254. But, +<i>per contra</i>, Hon. George W. Julian says: "It was one of the most +powerful appeals ever made in behalf of justice and the rights of +man." <i>Polit. Recoil</i>. 220. Arnold and Julian were both members +of the House, and both thorough-going Abolitionists. Their +difference of opinion upon this letter of Mr. Greeley illustrates +well the discussions which, like the internecine feuds of Christian +sects, existed between men who ought to have stood side by side +against the heretics and unbelievers.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_35_35'></a><a href='#FNanchor_35_35'>[35]</a> For views contrary to mine, see Julian, <i>Polit. Recoil</i>. 221.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_36_36'></a><a href='#FNanchor_36_36'>[36]</a> The story that some members of the cabinet were opposed to +the measure was distinctly denied by the President. Carpenter, +<i>Six Months in the White House</i>, 88.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_37_37'></a><a href='#FNanchor_37_37'>[37]</a> For interesting statements about this Altoona conference see +McClure, <i>Lincoln and Men of War-Times,</i> 248-251.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_38_38'></a><a href='#FNanchor_38_38'>[38]</a> Blaine, i. 439.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_39_39'></a><a href='#FNanchor_39_39'>[39]</a> It was understood that he had not favored the principal anti-slavery measures of the Thirty-seventh Congress, on the ground +measures of the Thirty-seventh Congress, on the ground +that they were premature</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_40_40'></a><a href='#FNanchor_40_40'>[40]</a> The foregoing-statistics have been taken from Mr. Elaine, +<i>Twenty Years of Congress</i>, i. 441-444.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_41_41'></a><a href='#FNanchor_41_41'>[41]</a> Later, legislation enabled the soldiers in the field to vote; but +at this time they could not do so.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_42_42'></a><a href='#FNanchor_42_42'>[42]</a> +For account of these matters of retaliation and protection of +negroes, see N. and H. vol. vi. ch. xxi.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 150 --><a name='Png150'></a><a name='Page134'></a><span class="pagenum">134</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_V'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h2>BATTLES AND SIEGES: DECEMBER, 1862 — DECEMBER, 1863</h2> + +<p>The clouds of gloom and discouragement, which +shut so heavily about the President in the autumn +of 1862, did not disperse as winter advanced. +That dreary season, when nearly all doubted and +many despaired, is recognized now as an interlude +between the two grand divisions of the drama. +Before it, the Northern people had been enthusiastic, +united, and hopeful; after it, they saw +assurance of success within reach of a reasonable +persistence. But while the miserable days were +passing, men could not see into the mysterious +future. Not only were armies beaten, but the +people themselves seemed to be deserting their +principles. The face and the form of the solitary +man, whose position brought every part of this +sad prospect fully within the range of his contemplation, +showed the wear of the times. The eyes +went deeper into their caverns, and seemed to +send their search farther than ever away into a +receding distance; the furrows sank far into the +sallow face; a stoop bent the shoulders, as if the +burden of the soul had even a physical weight. +<!-- Image No 151 --><a name='Png151'></a><a name='Page135'></a><span class="pagenum">135</span>Yet still he sought neither counsel, nor strength, +nor sympathy from any one; neither leaned on any +friend, nor gave his confidence to any adviser; the +problems were his and the duty was his, and he +accepted both wholly. "I need success more than +I need sympathy," he said; for it was the cause, +not his own burden, which absorbed his thoughts. +The extremists, who seemed to have more than +half forgotten to hate the South in the intensity of +their hatred of McClellan, had apparently cherished +a vague faith that, if this procrastinating +spirit could be exorcised, the war might then be +trusted to take care of itself. But after they had +accomplished their purpose they were confronted +by facts which showed that in this matter, as in +that of emancipation, the President's deliberation +was not the unpardonable misdoing which they had +conceived it to be. In spite of McClellan's insolent +arrogance and fault-finding, his unreasonable +demands, and his tedious squandering of invaluable +time, Mr. Lincoln, being by nature a man +who contemplated the consequence of an action, +did not desire to make a vacancy till he could fill it +with a better man. "I certainly have been dissatisfied," +he said, "with Buell and McClellan; but +before I relieved them I had great fears I should +not find successors to them who would do better; +and I am sorry to add I have seen little since +to relieve those fears." One bloody and costly +experiment had already failed at Manassas. Two +others were soon to result even more disastrously; +<!-- Image No 152 --><a name='Png152'></a><a name='Page136'></a><span class="pagenum">136</span>and still another leader was to be superseded, +before the "man of destiny" came. McClellan had +thrown away superb opportunities; but to turn +him out was not to fill his place with an abler man.</p> + +<p>On the evening of November 7, 1862, the dispatch +came which relieved McClellan and put +Burnside in command. The moment was not well +chosen. McClellan seemed in an unusually energetic +temper. He had Lee's army divided, and +was conceivably on the verge of fighting it in detail.<a name='FNanchor_43_43'></a><a href='#Footnote_43_43'><sup>[43]</sup></a> +On the other hand, Burnside assumed the +charge with reluctance and self-distrust. A handsome, +popular gentleman, of pleasing manners and +with the prestige of some easily won successes, he +had the misfortune to be too highly esteemed.</p> + +<p>The change of commanders brought a change +of scheme, which was now to advance upon Richmond +by way of Fredericksburg. When this was +submitted to the President he said that it might +succeed if the movement was rapid, otherwise not. +The half of this opinion which concerned success +was never tested; the other half was made painfully +good. Instead of rapidity there was great +delay, with the result that the early days of December +found Lee intrenching strongly upon the +heights behind Fredericksburg on the south bank +of the Rappahannock, having his army now reunited +and reinforced to the formidable strength +of 78,288 men "present for duty." Burnside lay +upon the north bank, with 113,000 men, but having +<!-- Image No 153 --><a name='Png153'></a><a name='Page137'></a><span class="pagenum">137</span>exchanged the promising advantages which had +existed when he took command for very serious +disadvantages. He had the burden of attacking a +position which he had allowed his enemy not only +to select but to fortify. Happily it is not our task +to describe the cruel and sanguinary thirteenth +day of December, 1862, when he undertook this +desperate task. When that night fell at the +close of a fearful combat, which had been rather a +series of blunders than an intelligent plan, 10,208 +Federal soldiers were known to be lying killed or +wounded, while 2145 more were "missing." Such +was the awful price which the brave Northern +army had paid, and by which it had bought—nothing! +Nothing, save the knowledge that General +Burnside's estimate of his capacity for such +high command was correct. Even the mere brutal +comparison of "killed and wounded" showed that +among the Confederates the number of men who +had been hit was not quite half that of the Federal +loss. The familiar principle, that in war a general +should so contrive as to do the maximum of injury +to his adversary with a minimum of injury to himself, +had been directly reversed; the unfortunate +commander had done the maximum of injury to +himself with the minimum of injury to his foe.</p> + +<p>The behavior of Burnside in so bitter a trial was +such as to attract sympathy. Yet his army had +lost confidence in his leadership, and therefore +suffered dangerously in morale. Many officers +whispered their opinions in Washington, and, as +<!-- Image No 154 --><a name='Png154'></a><a name='Page138'></a><span class="pagenum">138</span>usual, Congress gave symptoms of a desire to talk. +Influenced by these criticisms and menacings, on +December 30 the President ordered Burnside not +to enter again upon active operations without first +informing him. Burnside, much surprised, hastened +to see Mr. Lincoln, and learned what derogatory +strictures were in circulation. After brief +consideration he proposed to resign. But Mr. +Lincoln said: "I do not yet see how I could profit +by changing the command of the army of the Potomac; +and, if I did, I should not wish to do it by accepting +the resignation of your commission." So +Burnside undertook further manoeuvres. These, +however, did not turn out well, and he conceived +that a contributing cause lay in the half-heartedness +of some of his subordinates. Thereupon he +designed against them a defensive or retaliatory +move in the shape of an order dismissing from the +service of the United States four generals, and +relieving from command four others, and one +colonel. This wholesale decapitation was startling, +yet was, in fact, soundly conceived. In the situation, +either the general, or those who had lost faith +in the general, must go. Which it should be was +conclusively settled by the length of the list of condemned. +The President declined to ratify this, +and Burnside's resignation inevitably followed. +His successor was the general whose name led the +list of those malcontent critics whom he had desired +to displace, and was also the same who had once +stigmatized McClellan as "a baby." Major-General +<!-- Image No 155 --><a name='Png155'></a><a name='Page139'></a><span class="pagenum">139</span> +Joseph Hooker, a graduate of West Point, +was now given the opportunity to prove his own +superiority.</p> + +<p>The new commander was popularly known as +"Fighting Joe." There was inspiration in the +nickname, and yet it was not quite thus that a +great commander, charged with weighty responsibility, +should be appropriately described. Upon +making the appointment, January 26, 1863, the +President wrote a letter remarkable in many points +of view:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>"GENERAL,—I have placed you at the head +of the army of the Potomac. Of course, I have +done this upon what appears to me to be sufficient +reasons; and yet I think it best for you to know +that there are some things in regard to which I +am not quite satisfied with you. I believe you to +be a brave and skillful soldier,—which, of course, +I like. I also believe you do not mix politics with +your profession,—in which you are right. You +have confidence in yourself,—which is a valuable, +if not an indispensable quality. You are ambitious,—which, +within reasonable bounds, does +good rather than harm; but I think that, during +General Burnside's command of the army, you +have taken counsel of your ambition and thwarted +him as much as you could, in which you did a +great wrong to the country, and to a most meritorious +and honorable brother officer. I have heard, +in such way as to believe it, of your recently saying +<!-- Image No 156 --><a name='Png156'></a><a name='Page140'></a><span class="pagenum">140</span> +that both the army and the government needed +a dictator. Of course, it was not for this, but in +spite of it, that I have given you the command. +Only those generals who gain successes can set up +as dictators. What I now ask of you is military +success, and I will risk the dictatorship. The +government will support you to the utmost of its +ability,—which is neither more nor less than it +has done and will do for all commanders. I +much fear that the spirit which you have aided +to infuse into the army, of criticising their commander +and withholding confidence from him, will +now turn upon you. I shall assist you as far as +I can to put it down. Neither you nor Napoleon, +if he were alive again, could get any good out of +an army while such a spirit prevails in it. And +now, beware of rashness. Beware of rashness, +but, with energy and sleepless vigilance, go forward +and give us victories."</p> + +<br /> + +<p>Hooker was of that class of generals who show +such capacity as lieutenants that they are supposed +to be capable of becoming independent chiefs, +until their true measure is ascertained by actual +trial. In two months he had restored to good +shape an army which he had found demoralized +and depleted by absenteeism, and at the end of +April he had under him about 124,500 men. He +still lay on the north bank of the Potomac, facing +Lee's army in its intrenchments about Fredericksburg. +His plan of campaign, says General Doubleday, +<!-- Image No 157 --><a name='Png157'></a><a name='Page141'></a><span class="pagenum">141</span> +was "simple, efficacious, and should have +been successful." Diverting the attention of Lee, +he threw the chief part of his army across the Rappahannock +several miles above Fredericksburg; +then, marching rapidly to Chancellorsville, he +threatened the left flank and rear of the Confederates. +Pushing a short distance out upon the three +roads which led from Chancellorsville to Fredericksburg, +he came to the very edge and brink, as +it were, of beginning a great battle with good promise +of success. But just at this point his generals +at the front were astounded by orders to draw +back to Chancellorsville. Was it that he suddenly +lost nerve in the crisis of his great responsibility?<a name='FNanchor_44_44'></a><a href='#Footnote_44_44'><sup>[44]</sup></a> +Or was it possible that he did not appreciate the +opportunity which he was throwing away? No +one can say. Only the fact can be stated that he +rejected the chance which offended Fortune never +offers a second time. Back came the advanced columns, +and took position at Chancellorsville, while +Lee, who had not the Northern habit of repudiating +fair opportunity, pressed close upon them.</p> + +<p>On May 1 manoeuvring for position and some +fighting took place. On Saturday, May 2, a brilliant +flanking movement by "Stonewall" Jackson +wrecked the Federal right. But the dangerous +Southerner, accidentally shot by his own soldiers, +was carried from the field a dying man. Upon +Sunday, May 3, there was a most sanguinary conflict. +<!-- Image No 158 --><a name='Png158'></a><a name='Page142'></a><span class="pagenum">142</span> +"The Federals fought like devils at Chancellorsville," +said Mahone. Still it was again the +sad and wearisome story of brave men so badly +handled that their gallantry meant only their own +slaughter. The President had expressly urged +Hooker to be sure to get all his troops at work. +Yet he actually let 37,000 of them stand all day +idle, not firing a shot, while their comrades were +fighting and falling and getting beaten. On May +4, Hooker, whose previous "collapse" had been +aggravated by a severe personal hurt, "seemed disposed +to be inactive;" and Lee seized the chance +to turn upon Sedgwick, who was coming up in the +rear of the Confederates, and to drive him across +the river. General Hooker now made up his mind +that he had been beaten; and though a majority +of his corps commanders were otherwise minded +and were for renewing the conflict, he returned to +the northern bank, leaving behind him his wounded +soldiers, 14 guns, and 20,000 stand of arms. Another +ghastly price had been paid to settle another +experiment and establish the value of another +general. The North lost in killed and wounded +12,197 men, with 5000 others "missing," and +found out that General Hooker was not the man +to beat General Lee. The Confederate loss was +10,266 killed and wounded, 2753 missing.</p> + +<p>The days in which the news from Chancellorsville +was spreading among the cities and villages of +the North were the darkest of the war. In those +countless households, by whose generous contributions +<!-- Image No 159 --><a name='Png159'></a><a name='Page143'></a><span class="pagenum">143</span> +the armies had been recruited, the talk began +to be that it was folly, and even cruelty, to send +brave and patriotic citizens to be slaughtered uselessly, +while one leader after another showed his +helpless incompetence. The disloyal Copperheads +became more bodeful than ever before; while men +who would have hanged a Copperhead as gladly +as they would have shot a Secessionist felt their +hearts sink before the undeniable Southern prestige. +But the truth was that Pope and Burnside +and Hooker, by their very defeats, became the +cause of victory; for the elated Southerners, beginning +to believe that their armies were invincible, +now clamored for "invasion" and the capture +of Washington. Apparently General Lee, too, +had drunk the poison of triumph, and dreamed +of occupying the national capital, Baltimore, and +Philadelphia, and dictating the terms of peace to +a disheartened North. The fascinating scheme—the +irretrievable and fatal blunder—was determined +upon.</p> + +<p>To carry out this plan Swell's corps was covertly +moved early in June into the Shenandoah Valley. +Hooker, anticipating some such scheme, had suggested +to Mr. Lincoln that, if it were entered +upon, he should like to cross the river and attack +the Southern rear corps in Fredericksburg. The +President suggested that the intrenched Southerners +would be likely to worst the assailants, while +the main Southern army "would in some way be +getting an advantage northward." "In one word," +<!-- Image No 160 --><a name='Png160'></a><a name='Page144'></a><span class="pagenum">144</span>he wrote, "I would not take any risk of being +entangled upon the river, like an ox jumped half +over a fence and liable to be torn by dogs front +and rear, without a fair chance to gore one way or +kick the other." Yet, very soon, when the attenuation +of Lee's line became certain, Lincoln sent +to Hooker one of his famous dispatches: "If the +head of Lee's army is at Martinsburg, and the tail +of it on the plank road between Fredericksburg +and Chancellorsville, the animal must be very slim +somewhere. Could you not break him?" But the +"animal" was moving rapidly, and the breaking +process did not take place.</p> + +<p>Hooker now conceived a plan seductive by its +audacity and its possible results. He proposed by +a sudden movement to capture Richmond, presumably +garrisoned very scantily, and to get back before +Lee could make any serious impression at the +North. It <i>might</i> have been done, and, if done, it +would more than offset all the dreary past; yet +the risk was great, and Mr. Lincoln could not +sanction it. He wrote: "I think Lee's army, and +not Richmond, is your sure objective point. If +he comes towards the Upper Potomac, follow on +his flank and on his inside track, shortening your +lines while he lengthens his; fight him, too, when +opportunity offers. If he stays where he is, <i>fret +him, and fret him</i>."</p> + +<p>This was good strategy and was adopted for the +campaign. Ewell's corps crossed the Upper Potomac, +and on June 22 was in Pennsylvania. The +<!-- Image No 161 --><a name='Png161'></a><a name='Page145'></a><span class="pagenum">145</span>corps of Longstreet and Hill quickly followed, and +Lee's triumphant army, at least 70,000 strong, +marched through the Cumberland Valley to Chambersburg +and Carlisle, gathering rich booty of +herds and grain as they went, with Harrisburg as +an immediate objective, Philadelphia in no remote +distance, Baltimore and Washington in a painfully +distinct background. The farmers of western +Pennsylvania, startled by the spectacle of gray-coated +cavalry riding northward towards their +state capital, cumbered the roads with their wagons. +The President called from the nearest States +120,000 militia. General Hooker, released from +his waiting attitude by the development of his adversary's +plan, manoeuvred well. He crossed the +Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, June 25-26, and +drew his forces together at Frederick. It was +then decided to move northward and to keep Lee +as well to the westward as possible, thereby reserving, +for the bearing of future events, the questions +of cutting the Confederate communications or +bringing on a battle.</p> + +<p>An unfortunate element in these critical days +was that Halleck and Hooker disliked each other, +and that their ideas often clashed. Mr. Lincoln +was at last obliged to say to Hooker: "To remove +all misunderstanding, I now place you in +the strict military relation to General Halleck of +a commander of one of the armies to the general-in-chief +of all the armies. I have not intended +differently; but as it seems to be differently understood, +<!-- Image No 162 --><a name='Png162'></a><a name='Page146'></a><span class="pagenum">146</span> +I shall direct him to give you orders, and +you to obey them." At the same time he wrote +him a "private" letter, endeavoring to allay the +ill-feeling. He closed it with words of kindness, +of modesty, and with one of his noble appeals for +subjection of personal irritation and for union of +effort on behalf of the country:—</p> + +<p>"I believe you are aware that, since you took +command of the army, I have not believed you had +any chance to effect anything till now. As it looks +to me, Lee's now returning towards Harper's +Ferry gives you back the chance that I thought +McClellan lost last fall. Quite possibly I was +wrong both then and now; but, in the great responsibility +resting upon me, I cannot be entirely +silent. Now, all I ask is that you will be in such +mood that we can get into our action the best cordial +judgment of yourself and General Halleck, +with my poor mite added, if, indeed, he and you +shall think it entitled to any consideration at all."</p> + +<p>The breach, however, could not be closed. +Hooker, finding his army seriously weakened by +the withdrawal of the two years' and the nine +months' troops, asked for the garrison of Harper's +Ferry, which seemed useless where it was. Halleck +refused it, and, June 27, Hooker requested +to be relieved of the command. His request was +instantly granted, and Major-General George G. +Meade was appointed in his place. Swinton says +that command was given to Meade "without any +lets or hindrances, the President expressly waiving +<!-- Image No 163 --><a name='Png163'></a><a name='Page147'></a><span class="pagenum">147</span>all the powers of the executive and the Constitution, +so as to enable General Meade to make, +untrammeled, the best dispositions for the emergency." +One would like to know the authority +upon which so extraordinary a statement is based; +probably it is a great exaggeration, and the simple +fact would prove to be that, since the situation was +such that new developments were likely to occur +with much suddenness, the President wisely and +even necessarily placed the general in full control, +free from requirements of communication and +consultation. But to represent that Mr. Lincoln +abdicated his constitutional functions is absurd! +Be this as it may, the fact is that the appointment +brought no change of plan. For three days +the armies manoeuvred and drew slowly together. +Finally it was betwixt chance and choice that the +place and hour of concussion were determined. +The place was the village of Gettysburg, and the +time was the morning of July 1.</p> + +<p>Then ensued a famous and most bloody fight! +During three long, hot days of midsummer those +two great armies struggled in a desperate grapple, +and with not unequal valor, the Confederates +fiercely assailing, the Federals stubbornly holding, +those historic ridges, and both alike, whether attacking +or defending, whether gaining or losing +ground, always falling in an awful carnage of dead +and wounded. It was the most determined fighting +that had yet taken place at the East, and the +names of Cemetery Ridge, Little Round Top, and +<!-- Image No 164 --><a name='Png164'></a><a name='Page148'></a><span class="pagenum">148</span>Culp's Hill are written deep in blood in American +memories. When the last magnificent charge of +the Southerners was hurled back in the afternoon +of July 3, the victory was decided. The next day +Lee began to send away his trains, his wounded +and prisoners. It is indeed true that during the +day he held his army in position on Seminary +Ridge, hoping that Meade would attack, and that, +with an exchange of their relative parts of assailants +and defenders, a change of result also might +come about. But Meade made no advance, and +with the first hours of darkness on the evening of +July 4 the Southern host began its retreat.</p> + +<p>The losses at Gettysburg were appalling. The +estimate is 2834 killed, 13,709 wounded, 6643 +missing, a total of 23,186 on the Federal side; the +figures were only a trifle less on the Confederate +side. But if such bloodshed carried grief into +many a Northern household, at least there was not +the cruel thought that life and limb, health and +usefulness, had been sacrificed through incompetence +and without advantage to the cause. It was +true that the Northern general ought to have won, +for he commanded more troops,<a name='FNanchor_45_45'></a><a href='#Footnote_45_45'><sup>[45]</sup></a> held a very strong +defensive position, and fought a strictly defensive +battle. But such had been the history of the war +<!-- Image No 165 --><a name='Png165'></a><a name='Page149'></a><span class="pagenum">149</span>that when that which <i>ought</i> to be done <i>was</i> done, +the people felt that it was fair cause for rejoicing. +Later there was fault-finding and criticism; but +that during so many days so many troops on unfamiliar +ground should be handled in such a manner +that afterward no critic can suggest that something +might have been done better, hardly falls +among possibilities. The fact was sufficient that +a most important and significant victory had been +won. On the battlefield a stone now undertakes +to mark the spot and to name the hour where and +when the flood tide of rebellion reached its highest +point, and where and when it began its slow and +sure ebb. Substantially that stone tells the truth. +Nevertheless the immediately succeeding days +brought keen, counteracting disappointment. Expectation +rose that the shattered army of Lee would +never cross the Potomac; and the expectation was +entirely reasonable, and ought to have been fulfilled. +But Meade seemed to copy McClellan after +Antietam. Spurred on by repeated admonitions +from the President and General Halleck, he did, +on July 10, catch up with the retreating army, +which was delayed at Williamsport on the north +bank of the river by the unusually high water. +He camped close by it, and received strenuous telegrams +urging him to attack. But he did not,<a name='FNanchor_46_46'></a><a href='#Footnote_46_46'><sup>[46]</sup></a> and +<!-- Image No 166 --><a name='Png166'></a><a name='Page150'></a><span class="pagenum">150</span>on the night of July 13 the Southern general successfully +placed the Potomac between himself and +his too tardy pursuer. Bitter then was the resentment +of every loyal man at the North. For once +the President became severe and sent a dispatch of +such tenor that General Meade replied by an offer +to resign his command. This Mr. Lincoln did not +accept. Yet he was too sorely pained not to give +vent to words which in fact if not in form conveyed +severe censure. He was also displeased because +Meade, in general orders, spoke of "driving the invaders +from our soil;" as if the whole country was +not "<i>our soil</i>"! Under the influence of so much +provocation, he wrote to General Meade a letter +reproduced from the manuscript by Messrs. Nicolay +and Hay. It is true that on cooler reflection +he refrained from sending this missive, but it is in +itself sufficiently interesting to deserve reading:—"I +have just seen your dispatch to General Halleck, +asking to be relieved of your command because +of a supposed censure of mine. I am very +grateful to you for the magnificent success you +gave the cause of the country at Gettysburg; and I +am sorry now to be the author of the slightest pain +to you. But I was in such deep distress myself +that I could not restrain some expression of it. I +have been oppressed nearly ever since the battle of +Gettysburg by what appeared to be evidences that +yourself and General Couch and General Smith +were not seeking a collision with the enemy, but +were trying to get him across the river without +<!-- Image No 167 --><a name='Png167'></a><a name='Page151'></a><span class="pagenum">151</span>another battle. What these evidences were, if you +please, I hope to tell you at some time when we +shall both feel better. The case, summarily stated, +is this: You fought and beat the enemy at Gettysburg; +and, of course, to say the least, his loss was +as great as yours. He retreated; and you did not, +as it seemed to me, pressingly pursue him; but +a flood in the river detained him till, by slow degrees, +you were again upon him. You had at least +twenty thousand veteran troops directly with you, +and as many more raw ones within supporting +distance, all in addition to those who fought with +you at Gettysburg, while it was not possible that +he had received a single recruit; and yet you stood +and let the flood run down, bridges be built, and +the enemy move away at his leisure without attacking +him. And Couch and Smith,—the latter left +Carlisle in time, upon all ordinary calculation, to +have aided you in the last battle at Gettysburg, +but he did not arrive. At the end of more than +ten days, I believe twelve, under constant urging, +he reached Hagerstown from Carlisle, which is not +an inch over fifty-five miles, if so much; and +Couch's movement was very little different.</p> + +<p>"Again, my dear general, I do not believe you +appreciate the magnitude of the misfortune involved +in Lee's escape. He was within your easy +grasp, and to have closed upon him would, in connection +with our other late successes, have ended +the war. As it is, the war will be prolonged indefinitely. +If you could not safely attack Lee last +<!-- Image No 168 --><a name='Png168'></a><a name='Page152'></a><span class="pagenum">152</span>Monday, how can you possibly do so south of the +river, when you can take with you very few more +than two thirds of the force you then had in hand? +It would be unreasonable to expect, and I do not +expect [that] you can now effect much. Your +golden opportunity is gone, and I am distressed +immeasurably because of it.</p> + +<p>"I beg you will not consider this a prosecution +or persecution of yourself. As you had learned +that I was dissatisfied, I have thought it best to +kindly tell you why."</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>There was an odd coincidence during this momentous +first week in July. During the preceding +winter Mr. Lincoln had been exceedingly bothered +by certain Democrats, notably that gentleman of +unsavory repute, Fernando Wood, who had urged +upon him all sorts of foolish schemes for "compromising" +or "settling the difficulties,"—phrases +which were euphemisms of the peace Democracy +to disguise a concession of success to the South. +The President endured these sterile suggestions +with his wonted patience. But toward the close of +June, Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President of +the Confederacy, was seized with the notion that, +if he should go to Washington on a personal mission +to Mr. Lincoln, purporting to be about prisoners +of war, he might then "indirectly ... turn +attention to a general adjustment." Accordingly +he set forth on his way to Fortress Monroe; but +very inopportunely for his purposes it fell out that +<!-- Image No 169 --><a name='Png169'></a><a name='Page153'></a><span class="pagenum">153</span>the days of his journey were the very days in which +General Lee was getting so roughly worsted at +Gettysburg. So it happened that it was precisely +on the day of the Southern retreat, July 4, that +he notified the admiral in Hampton Roads that he +was the "bearer of a communication in writing +from Jefferson Davis, commander-in-chief of the +land and naval forces of the Confederate States, to +Abraham Lincoln, commander-in-chief of the land +and naval forces of the United States;" and he +asked for leave to proceed to Washington. But +his ingenious phraseology was of no avail. Mr. +Lincoln said: "The request of A.H. Stephens is +inadmissible. The customary agents and channels +are adequate for all needful communication and +conference between the United States forces and +the insurgents." Thus the shrewd instinct of the +Northerner brought to naught a scheme conceived +in the spirit of the old-time Southern politics, a +scheme which was certainly clever, but which, +without undue severity, may also be called a little +artful and insidious; for Mr. Stephens himself +afterward confessed that it had, for its ulterior +purpose, "not so much to act upon Mr. Lincoln +and the then ruling authorities at Washington as +through them, when the correspondence should be +published, upon the great mass of the people in +the Northern States." The notion, disseminated +among the people, that Mr. Lincoln would not +listen to proposals for peace, would greatly help +malcontents of the Fernando Wood school.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 170 --><a name='Png170'></a><a name='Page154'></a><span class="pagenum">154</span> +It is necessary now to turn from the Eastern +field of operations to the Middle and Western +parts of the country, where, however, the control +exercised by Mr. Lincoln was far less constant than +at the East. After the series of successes which +culminated at Corinth, the Federal good fortune +rested as if to recuperate for a while. A large +part of the powerful army there gathered was carried +away by Buell, and was soon given occupation +by General Bragg. For Jefferson Davis had long +chosen to fancy that Kentucky was held in an +unwilling subjection to the Union, and from this +thralldom he now designed to relieve her, and to +make the Ohio River the frontier of Secession. +Accordingly cavalry raids in considerable force +were made, Cincinnati was threatened, and General +Bragg, with a powerful army, started northward +from Gainesville. At the same time the +Federals left Murfreesboro', and the two armies +raced for Louisville. Bragg, with a handsome +start, should have won, but on September 29, +1862, Buell entered the city ahead. The winning +of the goal, however, was not the end. Two hostile +armies, which had come so far and got so close +together, were bound to have a fight. This took +place at Perryville, October 8, with the result that +on the next day Bragg began a rapid retreat. He +had brought 20,000 stand of arms for the Kentuckians +who were to flock to his camp; but they +had not flocked, and the theory of Kentuckian disloyalty +was no longer tenable.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 171 --><a name='Png171'></a><a name='Page155'></a><span class="pagenum">155</span> +So soon as Bragg was out of Kentucky, Halleck, +probably at the instigation of the President, +recurred to the project of a campaign in Eastern +Tennessee. Buell said that it was not feasible, +and since by this opinion he placed himself at odds +with the authorities at Washington, he asked to +be relieved from his command. At the close of +October, Major-General William S. Rosecrans +succeeded him. But the new commander would +not, any more than his predecessor, fall in with +Halleck's schemes, and what Cist contemptuously +describes as "Halleck's brilliant paper campaign +into East Tennessee" did not take place.</p> + +<p>General Rosecrans took command of the army +at Bowling Green, November 2, 1862. Bragg fell +back to Murfreesboro', in Tennessee, and the city +of Nashville, now in Federal possession, became +the gage of battle. On December 26 Rosecrans +moved out from that city towards Murfreesboro', +and on January 2, 1863, the battle of Stone's +River took place. It was desperately contested, +and the losses were heavy. At the close of the +day the advantage rested with the Confederates; +but it was inconsiderable, and both sides considered +the battle only begun. On the next day, however, +Bragg found such dangerous demoralization +among his troops that he decided to withdraw. +Although he always persisted in describing himself +as the victor in the engagement, yet he now left +his wounded in the hospitals, and fell back to +Shelbyville. In these positions, not far apart, the +<!-- Image No 172 --><a name='Png172'></a><a name='Page156'></a><span class="pagenum">156</span>two armies lay for a long while watching each +other; there were a few raids and small encounters, +but substantially, during the first six months of +1863, quietude reigned in the region which they +dominated.</p> + +<p>But quietude was not what the government +wished, and Mr. Lincoln and General Halleck +soon fell into much the same relationship with +Rosecrans which they had previously occupied +towards McClellan. Whenever Rosecrans had +taken the field he had shown himself a skillful +strategist and an able commander in battle; but +his propensity seemed to be to remain in quarters, +and thence to present extravagant exactions, and +to conduct endless disputes with the President and +the general-in-chief. He seemed like a restive +horse, the more he was whipped and spurred the +more immovably he retained his balking attitude. +Mr. Lincoln was sorely tried by this obstinacy, +and probably had been pushed nearly to the limits +of his patience, when at last Rosecrans stirred. It +was on June 24 that he set his army in motion to +settle with Bragg those conclusions which had been +left open for half a year. With this purpose he +moved upon Shelbyville, but when he arrived there +he found that Bragg had gone back to Tullahoma; +and when he pushed on to Tullahoma, Bragg had +left there also. Thus it came to pass that on the +same famous Fourth of July on which Lee started +to get out of Pennsylvania, Bragg in like manner +was getting over the southern boundary line of +<!-- Image No 173 --><a name='Png173'></a><a name='Page157'></a><span class="pagenum">157</span>Tennessee and putting the mountain range between +himself and the pursuing Federal commander. +The converging lines of Federal good luck came +together on this great day of the nation, in a +way that touches the superstitious chord; for still +farther west another and a momentous event was +taking place.</p> + +<p>General Grant, at Corinth, had been pondering +a great scheme which he meant to undertake so +soon as his scanty army should be sufficiently reinforced. +If Richmond had an artificial value as a +token of final triumph, the Mississippi River had +scarcely less value of a practical character. Vicksburg +and Port Hudson cut out a mid-section of +about 200 miles of the great stream, which section +still remained under Confederate control. Vicksburg +was General Grant's objective point. Even +to conceive the capture of this stronghold seemed +in itself evidence of genius; no mere pedant in +warfare could have had the conception. Every +difficulty lay in the way of the assailant. The +Confederates had spared no skill, no labor, no +expense in fortifying the town; yet after all had +been done that military science could do, human +achievement counted for little in comparison with +the surpassing arrangements of Nature. If what +she intended could be inferred from what she +had done, she clearly had designed this town to be +through all time a veritable "virgin fortress;" she +had made for its resting-place a great bluff, which +jutted insolently out into the channel of the Mississippi +<!-- Image No 174 --><a name='Png174'></a><a name='Page158'></a><span class="pagenum">158</span> +River, and upon the summit of which the +cluster of buildings resembled rather an eyrie of +eagles than a place of human habitation; the great +stream, as if confounded by the daring obstruction, +before it could recover its interrupted course +spread itself far over the surrounding country in +a tangle of bayous and a vast expanse of unwholesome, +impassable swamp; the high ridges which +lay inland around the place were intersected by +frequent long, deep, and precipitous ravines, so +that by this side also hostile approach had apparently +been rendered impossible. Nevertheless, +that one of the Northern generals to whom nothing +ever seemed impossible, having cast the eye of desire +upon this especial spot, now advanced upon it, +and began operations in his silent, enduring, pertinacious +way, which no men and no intrenchments +could permanently withstand. His lieutenant, +Sherman, made one desperate assault,—not, as it +seemed, because there was a possibility of taking +the place, but rather to demonstrate that it could +not be taken. Then slower and more toilsome +methods were tried. It was obvious that a siege +must be resorted to; yet it was not easy to get +near enough even to establish a siege.</p> + +<p>General Grant had early decided that the city +would remain impregnable until by some means he +could get below it on the river and approach it +from the landward side. Ingenious schemes of +canals were tried, and failed. Time passed; the +month of April was closing, and all that had been +<!-- Image No 175 --><a name='Png175'></a><a name='Page159'></a><span class="pagenum">159</span>done seemed to amount to nothing better than an +accumulation of evidence that the Confederacy had +one spot which the Federals could never touch. +At last ingenuity was laid aside for sheer daring. +The fleet, under Admiral Porter, transported the +army down-stream, athwart the hostile batteries, +and set it ashore on the east bank, below the fortifications. +Yet this very success seemed only to +add peril to difficulty. The Confederates, straining +every nerve to save the place, were gathering a +great force in the neighborhood to break up the +besieging army. With a base of supplies which +was substantially useless, in a hostile country, +with a powerful army hovering near him, and an +unapproachable citadel as his objective, Grant +could save himself from destruction only by complete +and prompt success. Desperate, indeed, was +the occasion, yet all its exorbitant requirements +were met fully, surely, and swiftly by the commander +and the gallant troops under him. In the +task of getting a clear space, by driving the Confederates +from the neighborhood for a considerable +distance around, the army penetrated eastward +as far as Jackson, fighting constantly and living +off the country. Then, returning westward, they +began the siege, which, amid hardship and peril +and infinite difficulty, was pushed with the relentless +vigor of the most relentless and most vigorous +leader of the war. At last, on July 3, General +Pemberton, commanding within the city, opened +negotiations for a surrender. He knew that an +<!-- Image No 176 --><a name='Png176'></a><a name='Page160'></a><span class="pagenum">160</span>assault would be made the next day, and he knew +that it must succeed; he did not want to illustrate +the Fourth of July by so terrible a Confederate +loss, so magnificent a Federal gain. Yet he haggled +over the terms, and by this delay brought +about a part of that which he had wished to avoid. +It was due to his fretfulness about details, that +the day on which the Southern army marched out +and stacked their arms before the fortifications +of Vicksburg, and on which the Northern army, +having generously watched the operation without +a cheer, then marched in and took possession of +the place, was that same Fourth of July on which +two other defeated generals were escaping from +two other victorious Northern armies.</p> + +<p>In a military point of view this campaign and +siege have been pronounced by many competent +critics the greatest achievement of the war; but +the magnificent and interesting story must, with +regret, be yielded to the biographer of Grant; it +does not belong to the biographer of Lincoln. +The whole enterprise was committed to Grant to +be handled by him without let or hindrance, and +it was conducted by him from beginning to end +without interference, and almost even without suggestion. +Yet this very fact was greatly to the +credit of the administration. In the outset the +President passed judgment upon the man; and it +was a correct judgment. Afterward he stood to +it gallantly. In the middle of the business, when +the earlier expedients went wrong, a great outcry +<!-- Image No 177 --><a name='Png177'></a><a name='Page161'></a><span class="pagenum">161</span>against Grant arose. Editors and politicians, even +the secretary of the treasury himself, began to +hound the President with importunate demands +for the displacement of a general whom they fervently +alleged to be another of the incompetents; +in short, there was the beginning of just such a +crusade as that which had been made against McClellan. +But by this time the President had had +opportunity to measure the military capacity of +editors and politicians, and he was not now so +much disquieted by their clamor as he once had +been. He simply, in his quiet way, paid no attention +to them whatsoever. Only when one of them +reiterated the gossip about Grant being drunk at +Shiloh, he made his famous reply, that he should +like to send to some other generals a barrel of the +whiskey which Grant drank. In a word, the detractors +of the silent general made little impression +on the solitary President, who told them shortly +and decisively: "I can't spare this man; he +fights." They wholly failed to penetrate the protecting +fence which the civilian threw around the +soldier, and within the shelter of which that soldier +so admirably performed the feat which more than +any other illustrates the national arms. Certainly +the President comes in for his peculiar share of the +praise. When the news came to Mr. Lincoln he +wrote to General Grant this letter:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>"July 16, 1863.</p> + +<p>"My DEAR GENERAL,—I do not remember +that you and I ever met personally. I write this +<!-- Image No 178 --><a name='Png178'></a><a name='Page162'></a><span class="pagenum">162</span>now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost +inestimable services you have done the country.</p> + +<p>"I wish to say a word further. When you +reached the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you +should do what you finally did,—march the troops +across the neck, run the batteries with the transports, +and thus go below; and I never had any +faith, except in a general hope that you knew better +than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition and the +like would succeed.</p> + +<p>"When you got below and took Port Gibson, +Grand Gulf, and vicinity, I thought you should +go down the river and join General Banks; and +when you turned northward, east of the Big Black, +I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make a +personal acknowledgment that you were right and +I was wrong."</p> + +<br /> + +<p>Immediately after the ceremony of surrender was +over Sherman marched away with a strong force +to find and fight Johnston's army. But that general, +shunning the conflict, moved so far southward +into Mississippi that pursuit was imprudent +during the hot season.</p> + +<p>While Grant was finishing the siege of Vicksburg, +General Banks was besieging Port Hudson, +which lay at the southern end of the rebel section +of the river. The fall of the northern post rendered +the southern one untenable, and it was surrendered +on July 9. Henceforth the great river +was a safe roadway for unarmed craft flying the +stars and stripes.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 179 --><a name='Png179'></a><a name='Page163'></a><span class="pagenum">163</span> +It is time now to go back to Tennessee. By the +close of the first week in July, 1863, the Confederate +force was established in Chattanooga, and +thus the hostile armies were "placed back in the +relative positions occupied by them prior to Bragg's +advance into Kentucky, a little less than one year +previous." But though the Southern general had +reached his present position by a retreat at the +end of a disappointing enterprise, the issue of final +success was still an open one between him and +Rosecrans, with many advantages on his side. +He had a large army in the heart of a mountainous +region, with the opportunity to post it in +positions which ought to be impregnable. Moreover, +he received fresh troops under Johnston; +and later the inaction of Meade in Virginia encouraged +Lee to send to him a considerable force under +Longstreet, himself no small reinforcement. These +arrived just on the eve of the impending battle.</p> + +<p>Meantime Mr. Lincoln was sorely exercised at +his inability to make his generals carry out his +plans. He desired that Burnside should move +down from the north and unite with Rosecrans, +and that then the combined force should attack +Bragg promptly. But Rosecrans lay still for +about six weeks, to repair losses and fatigue, and +again played the part of the restive steed, responding +to the President's spur only with fractious +kickings. It was August 16 when he moved, but +then he showed his usual ability in action. The +march was difficult; yet, on September 6, he had +<!-- Image No 180 --><a name='Png180'></a><a name='Page164'></a><span class="pagenum">164</span>his whole force across the Tennessee and in the +mountains south of Chattanooga. Burnside, meanwhile, +had advanced to Knoxville, but had stopped +there, and was now, greatly to Mr. Lincoln's bewilderment +and annoyance, showing activity in +every direction except precisely that in which he +was directed to move.</p> + +<p>At last, after much fruitless manoeuvring, the +collision took place, and for two days there was +fierce and stubborn fighting on the famous battlefield +of Chickamauga. On the second day, September +20, Longstreet, commanding the Confederate +left, thoroughly defeated the Federal right and +centre and sent them in precipitate flight to Chattanooga. +Rosecrans, overwhelmed amid the rush +of fugitives, and thinking that all was lost, also +hastened thither to take charge of the fragments. +In truth all would have been lost, had it not been +for Thomas. This able and resolute commander +won in this fight the rhetorical but well merited +name of "the Rock of Chickamauga." Under him +the Federal left stood immovable, though furiously +assailed by odds, and tried by the rout of their +comrades. At nightfall these troops, still in position, +covered the withdrawal to Chattanooga.</p> + +<p>Rosecrans, badly demoralized, gave the President +to understand that there had been a terrible +disaster, and the President, according to his custom +in such trying moments, responded with words +of encouragement and an instant effort to restore +morale. Mr. Lincoln always cheered his generals +<!-- Image No 181 --><a name='Png181'></a><a name='Page165'></a><span class="pagenum">165</span>in the hour of disaster, which he seemed to regard +only as the starting-point for a new advance, the +incentive to a fresh exertion. Yet, in fact, there +had not been a disaster, but only a moderate +worsting of the Federal army, resulting in its +retirement a trifling distance to the place whence +its opponents had just marched out. The issue +between the two generals was still as open after +Rosecrans's misfortune as it had been after the +previous misfortunes of Bragg. Already there +was a new question, who would win that coming +battle which plainly was close at hand. The curtain +had only gone down on an act; the drama itself +had not been played out.</p> + +<p>Bragg advanced to besiege Chattanooga, and +Rosecrans's communications were so imperfect +that his troops were put on short rations. On the +other hand, Mr. Lincoln bestirred himself vigorously. +He promptly sent Sherman from the West, +and Hooker from the East, each with considerable +reinforcements, en route for the beleaguered town. +Also he saw plainly that, whether by fault or misfortune, +the usefulness of Rosecrans was over, and +on October 16 he put Thomas in place of Rosecrans,<a name='FNanchor_47_47'></a><a href='#Footnote_47_47'><sup>[47]</sup></a> +and gave to General Grant the command +of the Military Division of the Mississippi, including +the Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, +and the Tennessee. Grant at once telegraphed +to Thomas to hold Chattanooga at all hazards; to +<!-- Image No 182 --><a name='Png182'></a><a name='Page166'></a><span class="pagenum">166</span>which Thomas replied: "We will hold the town +till we starve!" Grant well knew that they were +already getting very hungry. He showed his usual +prompt energy in relieving them; and a little +fighting soon opened a route by which sufficient +food came into the place.</p> + +<p>It was now obvious that the decisive conflict +between the two armies, which had so long been +striving for the advantage of strategic position, +and fighting in hostile competition, was at last +to occur. Each had its distinctive advantage. +The Federals were led by Grant, with Sherman, +Thomas, Sheridan, and Hooker as his lieutenants,—a +list which may fairly recall Napoleon and his +marshals. On the other hand, the Southerners, +lying secure in intrenched positions upon the precipitous +sides and lofty summits of Lookout Mountain +and Missionary Ridge, seemed invulnerably +placed. It does not belong to this narrative to +describe the terrific contest in which these two +combatants furiously locked horns on November +24 and 25. It was Hooker's brave soldiers who +performed the conspicuous feat which was conclusive +of victory. Having, by command, stormed +the first line of rifle-pits on the ascent, upon the +Confederate left, they suddenly took the control +into their own hands; without orders they dashed +forward, clambered upward in a sudden and +resistless access of fighting fury, and in an hour, +emerging above the mists which shrouded the +mid-mountain from the anxious view of General +<!-- Image No 183 --><a name='Png183'></a><a name='Page167'></a><span class="pagenum">167</span>Grant, they planted the stars and stripes on top +of Lookout Mountain. They had fought and won +what was poetically christened "the battle above +the clouds." Sherman, with seven divisions, had +meanwhile been making desperate and bloody +assaults upon Missionary Ridge, and had gained +the first hilltop; but the next one seemed impregnable. +It was, however, not necessary for him to +renew the costly assault; for Hooker's victory, +which was quickly followed by a handsome advance +by Sheridan, on Sherman's right, so turned the +Confederate position as to make it untenable.</p> + +<p>The Northerners were exasperated to find, +among the Confederate troops who surrendered as +captives in these two battles, prisoners of war +taken at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, who had +been paroled and never exchanged.</p> + +<p>On the eve of this battle Longstreet had started +northward to cut off and destroy Burnside in +Knoxville, and no sooner was the actual fighting +over than Grant sent Sherman in all haste to +Burnside's assistance. Thereupon Longstreet fell +back towards Virginia, and came to a resting-place +midway, where he afterward lay unharmed and +unharming for many months. Thus at last the +long-deferred wish of the President was fulfilled, +and the chief part of East Tennessee was wrested +from Confederate occupation. Among the loyal +inhabitants the great rejoicing was in proportion +to the sufferings which they had so long been +undergoing.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 184 --><a name='Png184'></a><a name='Page168'></a><span class="pagenum">168</span> +Meanwhile, since Gettysburg, no conspicuous +event had attracted attention in Virginia. The +President had been disappointed that Meade had +not fought at Williamsport, but soon afterward he +gave decisive advice against forcing a fight at a +worse place in order to cure the blunder of having +let go the chance to fight at the right place. +About the middle of September, however, when +Lee had reduced his army by leaves of absence +and by dispatching Longstreet to reinforce Bragg, +Mr. Lincoln thought it a good time to attack him. +Meade, on the other hand, now said that he did +not feel strong enough to assault, and this although +he had 90,000 men "between him and Washington," +and by his estimate the whole force of the +enemy, "stretching as far as Richmond," was only +60,000. "For a battle, then," wrote Mr. Lincoln, +"General Meade has three men to General Lee's +two. Yet, it having been determined that choosing +ground and standing on the defensive gives so +great advantage that the three cannot safely attack +the two, the three are left simply standing on the +defensive also. If the enemy's 60,000 are sufficient +to keep our 90,000 away from Richmond, +why, by the same rule, may not 40,000 of ours +keep their 60,000 away from Washington, leaving +us 50,000 to put to some other use?... I can +perceive no fault in this statement, unless we admit +we are not the equal of the enemy man for man." +But when, a few days later, Stanton proposed to +detach 30,000 men from Meade to Rosecrans, Mr. +<!-- Image No 185 --><a name='Png185'></a><a name='Page169'></a><span class="pagenum">169</span>Lincoln demurred, and would agree only to let go +13,000, whom Hooker took with him to Chattanooga. +Probably he did not wish to diminish the +Federal strength in Virginia.</p> + +<p>Late in October, Lee, overestimating the number +of troops thus withdrawn, endeavored to move +northward; but Meade outmanoeuvred and outmarched +him, and he fell back behind the Rapidan. +General Meade next took his turn at the +aggressive. Toward the close of November he +crossed the Rapidan with the design of flanking +and attacking Lee. But an untoward delay gave +the Southerners time to intrench themselves so +strongly that an attack was imprudent, and Meade +returned to the north bank of the stream. The +miscarriage hurt his reputation with the people, +though he was not to blame for it.</p> + +<p>Now, as the severe season was about to begin, +all the armies both of the North and of the South, +on both sides of the mountain ranges, turned gladly +into winter quarters. Each had equal need to rest +and recuperate after hard campaigns and bloody +battles. For a while the war news was infrequent +and insignificant; and the cessation in the thunder +of cannon and the rattle of musketry gives opportunity +again to hear the voices of contending politicians. +For a while we must leave the warriors +and give ear to the talkers.</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_43_43'></a><a href='#FNanchor_43_43'>[43]</a> Palfrey, <i>The Antietam and Fredericksburg</i>, 132.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_44_44'></a><a href='#FNanchor_44_44'>[44]</a> Swinton says: "The moment he confronted his antagonist he +seemed to suffer a collapse of all his powers." <i>Army of Potomac</i>, 280.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_45_45'></a><a href='#FNanchor_45_45'>[45]</a> +But, says Swinton, there was less disproportion than usual; +for the great army which Hooker had had before Chancellorsville +had been greatly reduced, both by casualties and by the expiration +of terms of service. On May 13 he reported that his "marching +force of infantry" was "about 80,000 men." A little later the +cavalry was reported at 4677. <i>Army of Potomac</i>, 310.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_46_46'></a><a href='#FNanchor_46_46'>[46]</a> +Swinton says that whether Meade should have attacked or not, +"will probably always remain one of those questions about which +men will differ." He inclines to think that Meade was right. +<i>Army of Potomac, 369, 370</i>.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_47_47'></a><a href='#FNanchor_47_47'>[47]</a> Grant disliked Rosecrans, and is said to have asked for this +change.</p></div> + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 186 --><a name='Png186'></a><a name='Page170'></a><span class="pagenum">170</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_VI'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h2>SUNDRIES</h2> + +<p>It has been pleasant to emerge from the dismal +winter of 1862-63 into the sun-gleam of the Fourth +of July of the latter year. But it is necessary to +return for a while into that dusky gloom, for the +career of a "war president" is by no means wholly +a series of campaigns. Domestic politics, foreign +relations, finance, make their several demands.</p> + +<p>Concerning one of these topics, at least, there is +little to be said. One day, in a period of financial +stress, Mr. Chase expressed a wish to introduce to +the President a delegation of bankers, who had +come to Washington to discuss the existing condition +with regard to money. "Money!" exclaimed +Mr. Lincoln, "I don't know anything about +'money'! I never had enough of my own to fret +me, and I have no opinion about it any way." +Accordingly, throughout his administration he left +the whole subject in the hands of the secretary +of the treasury. The tariffs and internal revenue +bills, the legal tender notes, the "five-twenties," +the "ten-forties," and the "seven-thirties," all the +loans, the national banking system, in short, all +the financial schemes of the administration were +<!-- Image No 187 --><a name='Png187'></a><a name='Page171'></a><span class="pagenum">171</span>adopted by Mr. Lincoln upon the recommendation +of Mr. Chase, with little apparent study upon his +own part. Satisfied of the ability of his secretary, +he gave to all the Treasury measures his loyal support. +In return, he expected the necessary funds +to be forthcoming; for he had implicit confidence +in the willingness of the people to pay the bills of +the Union; and he expected the secretary to arrange +methods by which they could do so with reasonable +convenience. Mr. Chase was cast for the +role of magician, familiar with those incantations +which could keep the Treasury ever full. It was +well thus, for in fact no word or incident in Mr. +Lincoln's life indicates that he had any capacity +whatsoever in financiering. To live within his income +and pay his dues with a minute and careful +punctuality made the limit of his dealings and his +interest in money matters.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>Foreign affairs, less technical, could not in like +easy manner be committed to others, and in these +Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward labored together. +The blackest cloud was the Trent affair, yet after +that had passed the sky by no means became clear. +In the spring of 1862 the Oreto went out from +Liverpool to become the rebel privateer Florida. +Before her departure Mr. Adams complained concerning +her to the English government, but was +assured that the vessel was designed for the Sicilian +fruit trade! As it is not diplomatic to say that +gentlemen in office are telling lies, the American +<!-- Image No 188 --><a name='Png188'></a><a name='Page172'></a><span class="pagenum">172</span>minister could push the matter no farther. The +Florida, therefore, escaped, not to conduct commerce +with Sicily, but to destroy the commerce of +the United States. At the same time that she was +fitting out, a mysterious craft, oddly known only +as the "290," was also building in the Liverpool +docks, and against her Mr. Adams got such evidence +that the queen's ministers could not help deciding +that she must be detained. Unfortunately, +however, and by a strange, if not a significant +chance, they reached this decision on the day after +she had sailed! She became the notorious Alabama. +Earl Russell admitted that the affair was +"a scandal," but this did not interfere with the +career of Captain Semmes. In these incidents +there was both cause and provocation for war, and +hot-headed ones cried out for it, while prudent men +feared it. But the President and the secretary +were under the bonds of necessity to keep their +official temper. Just at this juncture England +would have found it not only very easy, but also +very congenial to her real sympathies, to play for +the South a part like that which France had once +played for certain thirteen revolted colonies, and +thereby to change a rebellion into a revolution. +So Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Seward, not willing to +give the unfriendly power this opportunity, only +wrote down in the national ledger sundry charges +against Great Britain, which were afterward paid, +not promptly, yet in full!</p> + +<p>Another provoking thing was the placing of</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 189 --><a name='Png189'></a><a name='Page173'></a><span class="pagenum">173</span> +Confederate loans in London. This could not be +interfered with. The only comfort was that the +blockaded South had much difficulty in laying +hands upon the proceeds of the bonds which English +friends of the Slave Empire were induced to +buy. Yet time, always the faithful auxiliary of +the North, took care of this matter also. When +the news of Gettysburg and Vicksburg came, the +investors, who had scarcely finished writing the +cheques with which to pay their subscriptions, +were obliged to face a drop of thirty per cent, in +the market price of their new securities. For +many years after the war was over British strong +boxes wasted space in accommodating these absurd +documents, while the idea of their worthlessness +was slowly filtering through the minds of their +owners.</p> + +<p>Another thing, which did no harm at all, but +was exceedingly vexatious, was the constant suggestion +of European mediation. For a couple of +years, at least, the air was full of this sort of talk. +Once, in spite of abundant discouragement, the +French emperor actually committed the folly of +making the proposal. It came inopportunely on +February 3, 1863, after the defeat of Fredericksburg, +like a carrion bird after a battle. It was +rejected very decisively, and if Napoleon III. appreciated +Mr. Seward's dispatch, he became aware +that he had shown gross lack of discernment. Yet +he was not without some remarkable companions +in this incapacity to understand that which he was +<!-- Image No 190 --><a name='Png190'></a><a name='Page174'></a><span class="pagenum">174</span>observing, as if from aloft, with an air of superior +wisdom. One would think that the condition of +feeling in the United States which had induced +Governor Hicks, in the early stage of the rebellion, +to suggest a reference to Lord Lyons, as arbitrator, +had long since gone by. But it had not; +and it is the surprising truth that Horace Greeley +had lately written to M. Mercier, the French minister +at Washington, suggesting precisely the step +which the emperor took; and there were other less +conspicuous citizens who manifested a similar lack +of spirit and intelligence.</p> + +<p>All this, however, was really of no serious consequence. +Talk about mediation coming from +American citizens could do little actual injury, and +from foreigners it could do none. If the foreigners +had only been induced to offer it by reason of +a friendly desire to help the country in its hour of +stress, the rejection might even have been accompanied +with sincere thanks. Unfortunately, however, +it never came in this guise; but, on the contrary, +it always involved the offensive assumption +that the North could never restore the integrity of +the Union by force. Northern failure was established +in advance, and was the unconcealed, if not +quite the avowed, basis of the whole transaction. +Now though mere unfriendliness, not overstepping +the requirements of international law, could inflict +little substantial hurt, yet there was something +very discouraging in the unanimity and positiveness +with which all these experienced European +<!-- Image No 191 --><a name='Png191'></a><a name='Page175'></a><span class="pagenum">175</span>statesmen assumed the success of the Confederacy +as the absolutely sure outcome; and in this time +of extreme trial to discourage was to injure. Furthermore, +the undisguised pleasure with which this +prospect was contemplated was sorely trying to +men oppressed by the burdens of anxiety and trouble +which rested on the President and his ministers. +The man who had begun life as a frontiersman +had need of much moral courage to sustain +him in the face of the presagings, the condemnations, +and the hostility of nearly all the sage and +well-trained statesmen of Europe. In those days +the United States had not yet fully thrown off a +certain thralldom of awe before European opinion. +Nevertheless, at whatever cost in the coin +of self-reliance, the President and the secretary +maintained the courage of their opinions, and +never swerved or hesitated in the face of foreign +antipathy or contempt. The treatment inflicted +upon them was only so much added to the weight +under which they had to stand up.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>Rebellion and foreign ill-will, even Copperheadism, +presented difficulties and opposition which +were in a certain sense legitimate; but that loyal +Republicans should sow the path of the administration +thick with annoyances certainly did seem +an unfair trial. Yet, on sundry occasions, some +of which have been mentioned, these men did this +thing, and they did it in the very uncompromising +and exasperating manner which is the natural +<!-- Image No 192 --><a name='Png192'></a><a name='Page176'></a><span class="pagenum">176</span>emanation from conscientious purpose and intense +self-faith. An instance occurred in December, +1862. The blacker the prospect became, the +more bitter waxed the extremists. Such is the +fashion of fanatics, who are wont to grow more +warm as their chances seem to grow more desperate; +and some of the leaders of the anti-slavery +wing of the Republican party were fanatics. +These men by no means confined their hostility to +the Democratic McClellan; but extended it to so +old and tried a Republican as the secretary of state +himself. It had already come to this, that the +new party was composed of, if not split into, two +sections of widely discordant views. The conservative +body found its notions expressed in the +cabinet by Seward; the radical body had a mouthpiece +in Chase. The conservatives were not aggressive; +but the radicals waged a genuine political +warfare, and denounced Seward, not, indeed, with +the vehemence which was considered to be appropriate +against McClellan, yet very strenuously. +Finally this hostility reached such a pass that, at +a caucus of Republican senators, it was actually +voted to demand the dismission of this long-tried +and distinguished leader in the anti-slavery struggle. +Later, in place of this blunt vote, a more +polite equivalent was substituted, in the shape of +a request for a reconstruction of the cabinet. +Then a committee visited the President and pressed +him to have done with the secretary, whom they +thought lukewarm. Meanwhile, Seward had heard +<!-- Image No 193 --><a name='Png193'></a><a name='Page177'></a><span class="pagenum">177</span>of what was going forward, and, in order to free +Mr. Lincoln from embarrassment, he had already +tendered his resignation before the committee arrived.</p> + +<p>The crisis was serious. The recent elections +indicated that even while, as now, the government +represented all the sections of Republicanism, +still the situation was none too good; but if it +was to be controlled by the extremist wing of a +discordant party, the chance that it could endure +to the end the tremendous strain of civil war was +reduced almost to hopelessness. The visitors who +brought this unwelcome suggestion to the President +received no immediate response or expression +of opinion from him, but were invited to come +again in the evening; they did so, and were then +much surprised to meet all the members of the +cabinet except Mr. Seward. An outspoken discussion +ensued, in which Mr. Chase found his position +embarrassing, if not equivocal. On the following +morning, he, with other members of the cabinet, +came again for further talk with the President; in +his hand he held a written resignation of his office. +He "tendered" it, yet "did not advance to deliver +it," whereupon the President stepped forward and +took it "with alacrity."<a name='FNanchor_48_48'></a><a href='#Footnote_48_48'><sup>[48]</sup></a></p> + +<p>Having now in his hands the resignations of the +chiefs of the two principal factions of the party, +the President had made the first step towards relieving +<!-- Image No 194 --><a name='Png194'></a><a name='Page178'></a><span class="pagenum">178</span> +the situation of dangerous one-sidedness. +At once he took the next step by sending to each +this note:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>December 20, 1862.</p> + +<p>HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD and HON. SALMON P. CHASE:</p> + +<p><i>Gentlemen</i>,—You have respectively tendered +me your resignations as secretary of state and secretary +of the treasury of the United States. I am +apprised of the circumstances which render this +course personally desirable to each of you; but, +after most anxious consideration, my deliberate +judgment is, that the public interest does not admit +of it.</p> + +<p>I therefore have to request that you will resume +the duties of your departments respectively.</p> + +<p>Your obedient servant,</p> + +<p>A. LINCOLN.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>The next morning Mr. Seward wrote briefly: +"I have cheerfully resumed the functions of this +department, in obedience to your command." Mr. +Chase seemed to hesitate. On December 20, in the +afternoon, he had written a letter, in which he had +said that he thought it desirable that his resignation +should be accepted. He gave as his reason +that recent events had "too rudely jostled the +unity" of the cabinet; and he intimated that, with +both himself and Seward out of it, an improved +condition might be reached. He had not, however, +actually dispatched this, when the President's +<!-- Image No 195 --><a name='Png195'></a><a name='Page179'></a><span class="pagenum">179</span> +note reached him. He then, though feeling +his convictions strengthened, decided to hold back +the letter which he had prepared and "to sleep +on" the matter. Having slept, he wrote, on the +morning of December 22, a different letter, to the +effect that, though reflection had not much, if at +all, changed his original opinion as to the desirability +of his resignation, yet he would conform to +the judgment and wishes of the President. If Mr. +Chase was less gracious than Mr. Seward in this +business, it is to be remembered that he was very +much more dissatisfied with the President's course +than was Mr. Seward, who, indeed, for the most +part was not dissatisfied at all.</p> + +<p>Thus a dangerous crisis was escaped rather than +overcome. For though after the relief given by +this plain speaking the situation did not again +become quite so strained as it had previously been, +yet disagreement between men naturally prudent +and men naturally extremist was inevitable. Nevertheless +it was something that the two sections +had encountered each other, and that neither had +won control of the government. The President +had restrained dissension within safe limits and +had saved himself from the real or apparent domination +of a faction. When it was all over, he +said: "Now I can ride; I have got a pumpkin in +each end of my bag." Later on he repeated: "I +do not see how it could have been done better. I +am sure it was right. If I had yielded to that +storm and dismissed Seward, the thing would all +<!-- Image No 196 --><a name='Png196'></a><a name='Page180'></a><span class="pagenum">180</span>have slumped over one way, and we should have +been left with a scanty handful of supporters." +Undoubtedly he had managed very skillfully a very +difficult affair, but he ought never to have been +compelled to arrange such quarrels in the camp of +his own party.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>Those counties of Virginia which lay west of +the Alleghanies contained a population which was, +by an overwhelming majority, strenuously loyal. +There had long been more of antagonism than of +friendship between them and the rest of the State, +and now, as has been already mentioned, the secession +of Virginia from the Union stimulated +them, in turn, to secede from Virginia. In the +summer of 1861 they took measures to form themselves +into a separate State; and in April, 1862, +they adopted a state Constitution by a vote of +18,862 yeas against 514 nays. A bill for the admission +of "West Virginia" was passed by the +Senate in July, and by the House in December, +and was laid before the President for signature. +There were nice questions of constitutional law +about this, and some doubt also as to whether the +move was altogether well advised. Mr. Lincoln +asked the opinions of the cabinet as to whether he +should sign the bill. Three said Yea, and three +Nay; and it was noteworthy that the three who +thought it expedient also thought it constitutional, +and that the three who thought it inexpedient also +thought it unconstitutional. Mr. Lincoln, not +<!-- Image No 197 --><a name='Png197'></a><a name='Page181'></a><span class="pagenum">181</span>much assisted, then decided in the affirmative, and +signed the bill December 31, 1862. A statement +of the reasons<a name='FNanchor_49_49'></a><a href='#Footnote_49_49'><sup>[49]</sup></a> which led him to this decision concludes +thus: "It is said that the admission of West +Virginia is secession, and tolerated only because +it is <i>our</i> secession. Well, if we call it by that +name, there is still difference enough between secession +against the Constitution and secession in +favor of the Constitution." Mr. Elaine says that +the creation of this State was sustained by "legal +fictions;" and Thaddeus Stevens declared that it +was a measure entirely outside of any provision of +the Constitution, yet said that he should vote for +it in accordance with his general principle: that +none of the States in rebellion were entitled to the +protection of the Constitution. The Republicans +themselves were divided in their views as to the +lawfulness of the measure. However the law +may have stood, it is evident to us, looking backward, +that for practical purposes the wisdom of +the President's judgment cannot be impugned. +The measure was the amputation of so much territory +from that which the Confederates, if they +should succeed, could claim as their own; and it +produced no inconvenience at all when, instead of +succeeding, they failed.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>Many causes conspired to induce an obstreperous +outbreak of "Copperheadism" in the spring of +1863. The Democratic successes in the elections +<!-- Image No 198 --><a name='Png198'></a><a name='Page182'></a><span class="pagenum">182</span>of the preceding autumn were in part a premonition +of this, in part also a cause. Moreover, +reaction was inevitable after the intense outburst +of patriotic enthusiasm which had occurred during +the earlier part of the war. But more than all +this, Mr. Lincoln wrote, and every one knew, +that, "if the war fails, the administration fails," +and thus far the war had been a failure. So the +grumblers, the malcontents, and the Southern sympathizers +argued that the administration also, at +least so far as it had gone, had been a failure; and +they fondly conceived that their day of triumph +was dawning.</p> + +<p>That which was due, punctually arrived. There +now came into prominence those secret societies +which, under a shifting variety of names, continued +to scheme and to menace until the near and +visible end of the war effected their death by inanition. +The Knights of the Golden Circle, The +Order of American Knights, the Order of the +Star, The Sons of Liberty, in turn enlisted recruits +in an abundance which is now remembered +with surprise and humiliation,—sensations felt +perhaps most keenly by the sons of those who +themselves belonged to the organizations. Mr. +Seward well said: "These persons will be trying +to forget, years hence, that they ever opposed this +war." These societies gave expression to a terrible +blunder, for Copperheadism was even more +stupid than it was vicious. But the fact of their +stupidity made them harmless. Their very names +<!-- Image No 199 --><a name='Png199'></a><a name='Page183'></a><span class="pagenum">183</span>labeled them. Men who like to enroll themselves +in Golden Circles and in Star galaxies seldom +accomplish much in exacting, especially in dangerous, +practical affairs. Mr. Lincoln took this +sensible view of these associations. His secretaries, +who doubtless speak from personal knowledge, +say that his attitude "was one of good-humored +contempt."</p> + +<p>As a rule these "Knights" showed their valor +in the way of mischief, plotting bold things, but +never doing them. They encouraged soldiers to +desert; occasionally they assassinated an enrolling +officer; they maintained communications with the +Confederates, to whom they gave information and +occasionally also material aid; they were tireless +in caucus work and wire-pulling; in Indiana, in +1863, they got sufficient control of the legislature +to embarrass Governor Morton quite seriously; +they talked much about establishing a Northwestern +Confederacy; a few of them were perhaps +willing to aid in those cowardly efforts at incendiarism +in the great Northern cities, also in +the poisoning of reservoirs, in the distribution of +clothing infected with disease, and in other like +villainies which were arranged by Confederate emissaries +in Canada, and some of which were imperfectly +carried out in New York and elsewhere; +they also made great plans for an uprising and for +the release of Confederate prisoners in Ohio, Illinois, +and Indiana. But no actual outbreak ever +occurred; for when they had come close to the +<!-- Image No 200 --><a name='Png200'></a><a name='Page184'></a><span class="pagenum">184</span>danger line, these associates of mediaeval tastes +and poetic appellatives always stopped short.</p> + +<p>The President was often urged to take decisive +measures against these devisers of ignoble treasons. +Such men as Governor Morton and General Rosecrans +strove to alarm him. But he said that the +"conspiracy merited no special attention, being +about an equal mixture of puerility and malice." +He had perfect information as to all the doings +and plottings, and as to the membership, of all +the societies, and was able to measure accurately +their real power of hurtfulness; he never could be +induced to treat them with a severity which was +abundantly deserved, but which might not have +been politic and would certainly have added to the +labor, the expense, and the complications of the +government. "Nothing can make me believe," he +once charitably said, "that one hundred thousand +Indiana Democrats are disloyal!" His judgment +was proved to be sound; for had many of these +men been in grim earnest in their disloyalty, they +would have achieved something. In fact these +bodies were unquestionably composed of a small +infusion of genuine traitors, combined with a vastly +larger proportion of bombastic fellows who liked +to talk, and foolish people who were tickled in +their shallow fancy by the element of secrecy and +the fineness of the titles.</p> + +<p>The man whose name became unfortunately preeminent +for disloyalty at this time was Clement +L. Vallandigham, a Democrat, of Ohio. General +<!-- Image No 201 --><a name='Png201'></a><a name='Page185'></a><span class="pagenum">185</span>Burnside was placed in command of the Department +of the Ohio, March 25, 1863, and having +for the moment no Confederates to deal with, he +turned his attention to the Copperheads, whom he +regarded with even greater animosity. His Order +No. 38, issued on April 13, brought these hornets +about his ears in impetuous fury; for, having made +a long schedule of their favorite offenses, which +he designed for the future severely to proscribe, +he closed it by saying that "the habit of declaring +sympathy for the enemy will not be allowed +in this Department;" and he warned persons with +treasonable tongues that, unless they should keep +that little member in order, they might expect +either to suffer death as traitors, or to be sent +southward within the lines of "their friends." +Now Mr. Vallandigham had been a member of +Congress since 1856, and was at present a prominent +candidate for any office which the Democrats +of his State or of the United States might be able +to fill; he was the popular and rising leader of the +Copperhead wing of the Democracy. Such was +his position that it would have been ignominious +for him to allow any Union general to put a military +gag in his mouth. Nor did he. On the contrary, +he made speeches which at that time might +well have made Unionists mad with rage, and +which still seem to have gone far beyond the limit +of disloyalty which any government could safely +tolerate. Therefore on May 4 he was arrested by +a company of soldiers, brought to Cincinnati, and +<!-- Image No 202 --><a name='Png202'></a><a name='Page186'></a><span class="pagenum">186</span>thrown into jail. His friends gathered in anger, +and a riot was narrowly avoided. At once, by +order of General Burnside, he was tried by a military +commission. He was charged with "publicly +expressing sympathy for those in arms against the +government of the United States, and declaring +disloyal sentiments and opinions, with the object +and purpose of weakening the power of the government +in its efforts to suppress an unlawful rebellion." +Specifications were drawn from a speech +delivered by him on or about May 1. The evidence +conclusively sustained the indictment, and +the officers promptly pronounced him guilty, whereupon +he was sentenced by Burnside to confinement +in Fort Warren. An effort to obtain his release +by a writ of habeas corpus was ineffectual.</p> + +<p>The rapidity of these proceedings had taken +every one by surprise. But the Democrats throughout +the North, rapidly surveying the situation, +seized the opportunity which perhaps had been +too inconsiderately given them. The country rang +with plausible outcries and high-sounding oratory +concerning military usurpation, violation of the +Constitution, and stifling freedom of speech. It +was painfully obvious that this combination of +rhetoric and argument troubled the minds of many +well-affected persons. If the President had been +consulted in the outset, it is thought by some that +he would not have allowed matters to proceed so +far. Soon afterward, in his reply to the New +York Democrats, he said: "In my own discretion, +<!-- Image No 203 --><a name='Png203'></a><a name='Page187'></a><span class="pagenum">187</span>I do not know whether I would have ordered the +arrest of Mr. Vallandigham." On the other hand, +Mr. Blaine states that Burnside "undoubtedly had +confidential instructions in regard to the mode of +dealing with the rising tide of disloyalty which, +beginning in Ohio, was sweeping over the West."</p> + +<p>In a very short time the violence of the fault-finding +reached so excessive a measure that Burnside +offered his resignation; but Mr. Lincoln declined +to accept it, saying that, though all the +cabinet regretted the necessity for the arrest, +"some perhaps doubting there was a real necessity +for it, yet, being done, all were for seeing you +through with it." This seems to have been his +own position. In fact it was clear that, whether +what had been done was or was not a mistake, to +undo it would be a greater mistake. Accordingly +Mr. Lincoln only showed that he felt the pressure +of the criticism and denunciation by commuting the +sentence, and directing that Vallandigham should +be released from confinement and sent within the +Confederate lines,—which was, indeed, a very +shrewd and clever move, and much better than the +imprisonment. Accordingly the quasi rebel was +tendered to and accepted by a Confederate picket, +on May 25. He protested vehemently, declared +his loyalty, and insisted that his character was that +of a prisoner of war. But the Confederates, who +had no objection whatsoever to his peculiar methods +of demonstrating "loyalty" to their opponents, +insisted upon treating him as a friend, the victim +<!-- Image No 204 --><a name='Png204'></a><a name='Page188'></a><span class="pagenum">188</span>of an enemy common to themselves and him; and +instead of exchanging him as a prisoner, they facilitated +his passage through the blockade on his way +to Canada. There he arrived in safety, and thence +issued sundry manifestoes to the Democracy. On +June 11 the Democratic Convention of Ohio nominated +him as their candidate for governor, and it +seems that for a while they really expected to elect +him.</p> + +<p>In the condition of feeling during the months in +which these events were occurring, they undeniably +subjected the government to a very severe strain. +They furnished the Democrats with ammunition +far better than any which they had yet found, and +they certainly used it well. Since the earliest days +of the war there had never been quite an end of +the protestation against arbitrary military arrests +and the suspension of the sacred writ of habeas +corpus, and now the querulous outcry was revived +with startling vehemence. Crowded meetings were +held everywhere; popular orators terrified or enraged +their audiences with pictures of the downfall +of freedom, the jeopardy of every citizen; resolutions +and votes without number expressed the +alarm and anger of the great assemblages; learned +lawyers lent their wisdom to corroborate the rhetoricians, +and even some Republican newspapers +joined the croaking procession of their Democratic +rivals. Erelong the assaults appeared to be producing +effects so serious and widespread that the +President was obliged to enter into the controversy. +<!-- Image No 205 --><a name='Png205'></a><a name='Page189'></a><span class="pagenum">189</span>On May 16 a monster meeting of "the Democrats +of New York" was told by Governor Seymour +that the question was: "whether this war is waged +to put down rebellion at the South, or to destroy +free institutions at the North." Excited by such +instigation, the audience passed sundry damnatory +resolutions and sent them to the President.</p> + +<p>Upon receiving these, Mr. Lincoln felt that he +must come down into the arena, without regard to +official conventionality. On June 12 he replied by +a full presentation of the case, from his point of +view. He had once more to do the same thing +in response to another address of like character +which was sent to him on June 11 by the Democratic +State Convention of Ohio. In both cases +the documents prepared by the remonstrants were +characterized, to more than the usual degree, by +that dignified and <i>ore rotundo</i> phraseology, that +solemnity in the presentation of imposing generalities, +which are wont to be so dear to committees +charged with drafting resolutions. The replies of +the President were in striking contrast to this +rhetorical method alike in substance and in form; +clear, concise, and close-knit, they were models of +good work in political controversy, and like most +of his writing they sorely tempt to liberal transcription, +a temptation which must unfortunately +be resisted, save for a few sentences. The opening +paragraph in the earlier paper was cleverly put:—</p> + +<p>"The resolutions are resolvable into two propositions,—first, +the expression of a purpose to +<!-- Image No 206 --><a name='Png206'></a><a name='Page190'></a><span class="pagenum">190</span>sustain the cause of the Union, to secure peace +through victory, and to support the administration +in every constitutional and lawful measure to suppress +the rebellion; and, secondly, a declaration +of censure upon the administration for supposed +unconstitutional action, such as the making of military +arrests. And, from the two propositions, a +third is deduced, which is, that the gentlemen composing +the meeting are resolved on doing their +part to maintain our common government and +country, despite the folly or wickedness, as they +may conceive, of any administration. This position +is eminently patriotic, and, as such, I thank +the meeting, and congratulate the nation for it. +My own purpose is the same, so that the meeting +and myself have a common object, and can have +no difference, except in the choice of means or +measures for effecting that object."</p> + +<p>Later on followed some famous sentences:—</p> + +<p>"Mr. Vallandigham avows his hostility to the +war on the part of the Union; and his arrest was +made because he was laboring, with some effect, +to prevent the raising of troops, to encourage desertion +from the army, and to leave the rebellion +without an adequate military force to suppress it. +He was not arrested because he was damaging the +political prospects of the administration or the +personal interests of the commanding general, but +because he was damaging the army, upon the existence +and vigor of which the life of the Nation +depends....</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 207 --><a name='Png207'></a><a name='Page191'></a><span class="pagenum">191</span> +"I understand the meeting whose resolutions I am considering to be in favor of suppressing +the rebellion by military force, by armies. Long +experience has shown that armies cannot be maintained +unless desertion shall be punished by the +severe penalty of death.</p> + +<p>"The case requires, and the law and the Constitution +sanction, this punishment. Must I shoot +a simple-minded soldier boy who deserts, while +I must not touch a hair of a wily agitator who +induces him to desert? This is none the less injurious +when effected by getting a father, or brother, +or friend, into a public meeting, and there +working upon his feelings until he is persuaded to +write the soldier boy that he is fighting in a bad +cause, for a wicked administration of a contemptible +government, too weak to arrest and punish +him if he shall desert. I think that, in such a +case, to silence the agitator, and save the boy, is +not only constitutional, but withal a great mercy."</p> + +<p>The Ohio Democrats found themselves confronted +with this:—</p> + +<p>"Your nominee for governor ... is known to +you and to the world to declare against the use +of an army to suppress the rebellion. Your own +attitude therefore encourages desertion, resistance +to the draft, and the like, because it teaches those +who incline to desert and to escape the draft to +believe it is your purpose to protect them, and to +hope that you will become strong enough to do so."</p> + +<p>The arguments of the President called out retort +<!-- Image No 208 --><a name='Png208'></a><a name='Page192'></a><span class="pagenum">192</span> +rather than reply, for in fact they really could not +be answered, and they were too accurately put to +be twisted by sophistry; that they reached the +minds of the people was soon made evident. The +Democratic managers had made a fatal blunder in +arraying the party in a position of extreme hostility +to the war. Though there were at the North +hosts of grumblers who were maliciously pleased +at all embarrassments of the administration, and +who were willing to make the prosecution of the +war very difficult, there were not hosts who were +ready to push difficulty to the point of impossibility. +On the other hand the fight was made very +shrewdly by the Union men of Ohio, who nominated +John Brough, a "war Democrat," as their +candidate. Then the scales fell from the eyes of +the people; they saw that in real fact votes for +Brough or for Vallandigham were, respectively, +votes for or against the Union. The campaign +became a direct trial of strength on this point. +Freedom of speech, habeas corpus, and the kindred +incidents of the Vallandigham case were laid aside +as not being the genuine and fundamental questions. +It was one of those instances in which the +common sense of the multitude suddenly takes +control, brushes away confusing details, and gets +at the great and true issue. The result was that +Vallandigham was defeated by a majority of over +100,000 votes; and thus a perilous crisis was well +passed. This incident had put the Republican +ascendency in extreme peril, but when the administration +<!-- Image No 209 --><a name='Png209'></a><a name='Page193'></a><span class="pagenum">193</span> +emerged from the trial with a success so +brilliant, it was thereafter much stronger than if +the test had never been made. The strain was one +of that kind to which the war was subjecting the +whole nation, a strain which strengthens rather +than weakens the body which triumphantly encounters +it. The credit for the result was generally +admitted to be chiefly due to Mr. Lincoln's +effective presentation of the Republican position.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>As the second year of the war drew towards its +close, the administration had to face a new and +grave difficulty in the recruitment of the army. +Serious errors which had been made in calling and +enlisting troops now began to bear fruit. Under +the influence of the first enthusiasm a large proportion +of the adult male population at the North +would readily have enlisted "for the war;" but +unfortunately that opportunity had not been seized +by the government, and it soon passed, never to +return. That the President and his advisers had +been blameworthy can hardly be said; but whether +they had been blameworthy or excusable became an +immaterial issue, when they found that the terms +of enlistment were soon to expire, and also that +just when the war was at its hottest, the patriotism +of the people seemed at its coldest. Defeats +in the field and Copperheadism at home combined +in their dispiriting and deadly work. Voluntary +enlistment almost ceased. Thereupon Congress +passed an act "for enrolling and calling out the +<!-- Image No 210 --><a name='Png210'></a><a name='Page194'></a><span class="pagenum">194</span>national forces." All able-bodied citizens between +twenty and forty-five years of age were to "perform +military duty in the service of the United +States, when called on by the President for that +purpose."<a name='FNanchor_50_50'></a><a href='#Footnote_50_50'><sup>[50]</sup></a> This was strenuous earnest, for it +portended a draft.</p> + +<p>The situation certainly was not to be considered +without solicitude when, in a war which peculiarly +appealed to patriotism, compulsion must be used +to bring involuntary recruits to maintain the contest. +Yet the relaxation of the patriotic temper +was really not so great as this fact might seem to +indicate. Besides many partial and obvious explanations, +one which is less obvious should also be +noted. During two years of war the people, notoriously +of a temperament readily to accept new +facts and to adapt themselves thereto, had become +accustomed to a state of war, and had learned to +regard it as a <i>condition</i>, not normal and permanent, +yet of indefinite duration. Accordingly they +were now of opinion that the government must +charge itself with the management of this condition, +that is to say, with the conduct of the war, +as a strict matter of business, to be carried on like +all other public duties and functions. In the first +months of stress every man had felt called upon +to contribute, personally, his own moral, financial, +and even physical support; but that crisis had +passed, and it was now conceived that the administration +might fairly be required to arrange for +<!-- Image No 211 --><a name='Png211'></a><a name='Page195'></a><span class="pagenum">195</span>getting men and money and supplies in the systematic +and business-like fashion in which, as history +taught, all other governments had been accustomed +to get these necessaries in time of war.</p> + +<p>At any rate, however it was to be explained or +commented upon, the fact confronted Mr. Lincoln +that he must institute enrollment and drafting. +The machinery was arranged and the very disagreeable +task was entered upon early in the summer +of 1863. If it was painful in the first instance +for the President to order this, the process was +immediately made as hateful as possible for him. +Even loyal and hearty "war-governors" seemed at +once to accept as their chief object the protection +of the people of their respective States from the +operation of the odious law. The mercantile element +was instantly and fully accepted by them. +The most patriotic did not hesitate to make every +effort to have the assigned quotas reduced; they +drew jealous comparisons to show inequalities; and +they concocted all sorts of schemes for obtaining +credits. Not marshaling recruits in the field, but +filling quotas upon paper, seemed a legitimate purpose; +for the matter had become one of figures, of +business, of competition, and all the shrewdness +of the Yankee mind was at once aroused to gain +for one's self, though at the expense of one's +neighbors. Especially the Democratic officials +were viciously fertile in creating obstacles. The +fact that the Act of Congress was based on the +precedent of an Act of the Confederate Congress, +<!-- Image No 212 --><a name='Png212'></a><a name='Page196'></a><span class="pagenum">196</span>passed a year before, did not seem in the least to +conciliate the Copperheads. Governor Seymour of +New York obtained a discreditable preeminence in +thwarting the administration. He gathered ingenious +statistics, and upon them based charges of dishonest +apportionments and of fraudulent discrimination +against Democratic precincts. He also +declared the statute unconstitutional, and asked the +President to stay all proceedings under it until it +could be passed upon by the Supreme Court of the +United States,—an ingenuous proposition, which +he neglected to make practicable by arranging +with General Lee to remain conveniently quiescent +while the learned judges should be discussing the +methods of reinforcing the Northern armies.</p> + +<p>In a word, Mr. Lincoln was confronted by every +difficulty that Republican inventiveness and Democratic +disaffection could devise. Yet the draft +must go on, or the war must stop. His reasonableness, +his patience, his capacity to endure unfair +trials, received in this business a demonstration +more conspicuous than in any other during his +presidency. Whenever apportionments, dates, +and credits were questioned, he was liberal in making +temporary, and sometimes permanent allowances, +preferring that any error in exactions should +be in the way of moderation. But in the main +business he was inflexible; and at last it came to a +direct issue between himself and the malcontents, +whether the draft should go on or stop. In the +middle of July the mob in New York city tested +<!-- Image No 213 --><a name='Png213'></a><a name='Page197'></a><span class="pagenum">197</span>the question. The drafting began there on Saturday +morning, July 11. On Monday morning, July +13, the famous riot broke out. It was an appalling +storm of rage on the part of the lower classes; +during three days terror and barbarism controlled +the great city, and in its streets countless bloody +and hideous massacres were perpetrated. Negroes +especially were hanged and otherwise slain most +cruelly. The governor was so inefficient that he +was charged, of course extravagantly, with being +secretly in league with the ringleaders. A thousand +or more lives, as it was roughly estimated, +were lost in this mad and brutal fury, before +order was again restored. The government gave +the populace a short time to cool, and then sent +10,000 troops into the city and proceeded with the +business without further interruption. A smaller +outbreak took place in Boston, but was promptly +suppressed. In other places it was threatened, +but did not occur. In spite of all, the President +continued to execute the law. Yet although by +this means the armies might be kept full, the new +men were very inferior to those who had responded +voluntarily to the earlier calls. Every knave in +the country adopted the lucrative and tolerably +safe occupation of "bounty-jumping," and every +worthless loafer was sent to the front, whence he +escaped at the first opportunity to sell himself +anew and to be counted again. The material of +the army suffered great depreciation, which was +only imperfectly offset by the improvement of the +<!-- Image No 214 --><a name='Png214'></a><a name='Page198'></a><span class="pagenum">198</span>military machine, whereby a more effective discipline, +resembling that of European professionalism, +was enforced.<a name='FNanchor_51_51'></a><a href='#Footnote_51_51'><sup>[51]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_48_48'></a><a href='#FNanchor_48_48'>[48]</a> N. and H. vi. 268; this account is derived from their twelfth +chapter.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_49_49'></a><a href='#FNanchor_49_49'>[49]</a> N. and H. vi. 309, from MS.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_50_50'></a><a href='#FNanchor_50_50'>[50]</a> The act was signed by the President, March 3, 1863.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_51_51'></a><a href='#FNanchor_51_51'>[51]</a> Concerning the deterioration of the army, in certain particulars, see an article, "The War as we see it now," by John C. Ropes, <i>Scribner's Magazine</i>, June, 1891.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 215 --><a name='Png215'></a><a name='Page199'></a><span class="pagenum">199</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_VII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h2>THE TURN OF THE TIDE</h2> + + +<p>The winter of 1862-63 was for the Rebellion +much what the winter of Valley Forge was for the +Revolution. It passed, however, and the nation +still clung fast to its purpose. The weak brethren +who had become dismayed were many, but the +people as a whole was steadfast. This being so, +ultimate success became assured. Wise and cool-headed +men, in a frame of mind to contemplate the +situation as it really was, saw that the tide was +about at its turning, and that the Union would not +drift away to destruction in this storm at any rate. +They saw that the North <i>could</i> whip the South, if +it chose; and it was now sufficiently evident that +it would choose,—that it would endure, and would +finish its task. It was only the superficial observers +who were deceived by the Virginian disasters, +which rose so big in the foreground as partially to +conceal the real fact,—that the Confederacy was +being at once strangled and starved to death. The +waters of the Atlantic Ocean and of the Gulf of +Mexico were being steadily made more and more +inaccessible, as one position after another along the +coast gradually passed into Federal hands. The +<!-- Image No 216 --><a name='Png216'></a><a name='Page200'></a><span class="pagenum">200</span>Mississippi River, at last a Union stream from its +source to its mouth, now made a Chinese wall for +the Confederacy on the west. Upon the north the +line of conflict had been pushed down to the northern +borders of Mississippi and Georgia, and the +superincumbent weight of the vast Northwest lay +with a deadly pressure upon these two States.</p> + +<p>It was, therefore, only in Virginia that the Confederates +had held their own, and here, with all +their victories, they had done no more than just +hold their own. They had to recognize, also, that +from such battlefields as Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville +they gathered no sustenance, however +much they might reap in the way of glory. Neither +had they gained even any ground, for the +armies were still manoeuvring along the same roads +over which they had been tramping and swaying +to and fro for more than two years. By degrees +the Southern resources in the way of men, money, +food, and supplies generally, were being depleted. +The Confederacy was like a lake, artificially inclosed, +which was fed by no influx from outside, +while it was tapped and drained at many points.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, within the North, affairs +were coming into a more satisfactory condition. It +was true that all the military successes of July +had not discouraged the malcontents; and during +the summer they had been busily preparing for the +various state elections of the autumn, which they +hoped would strongly corroborate their congressional +triumphs of 1862. But when the time came +<!-- Image No 217 --><a name='Png217'></a><a name='Page201'></a><span class="pagenum">201</span>they were exceedingly disappointed. The law now, +fairly enough, permitted soldiers in the field to +vote, and this was, of course, a reinforcement for +the Republican party; but even among the voters +at home the Democratic reaction of the preceding +year had spent its force. In October Pennsylvania +gave Governor Curtin, the Republican +candidate for reëlection, a majority of 15,000. +In the same month, under the circumstances described +in the preceding chapter, Ohio buried Vallandigham +under a hostile majority of more than +100,000. The lead thus given by the "October +States" was followed by the "November States." +In New York no governor was to be elected; but +the Republican state ticket showed a majority of +30,000, whereas the year before Seymour had +polled a majority of 10,000. The Northwest fell +into the procession, though after a hard fight. A +noteworthy feature of the struggle, which was fierce +and for a time doubtful in Illinois, was a letter +from Mr. Lincoln. He was invited to attend a +mass meeting at Springfield, and with reluctance +felt himself obliged to decline; but in place of a +speech, which might not have been preserved, the +good fortune of posterity caused him to write this +letter:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>August 26, 1863.</p> + +<p>HON. JAMES C. CONKLING:</p> + +<p><i>My dear Sir</i>,—Your letter inviting me to attend +a mass meeting of unconditional Union men, +to be held at the capital of Illinois, on the third +<!-- Image No 218 --><a name='Png218'></a><a name='Page202'></a><span class="pagenum">202</span>day of September, has been received. It would be +very agreeable for me thus to meet my old friends +at my own home, but I cannot just now be absent +from here as long as a visit there would require.</p> + +<p>The meeting is to be of all those who maintain +unconditional devotion to the Union, and I am sure +my old political friends will thank me for tendering, +as I do, the nation's gratitude to those other +noble men whom no partisan malice or partisan +hope can make false to the nation's life.</p> + +<p>There are those who are dissatisfied with me. +To such I would say: you desire peace, and you +blame me that we do not have it. But how can we +attain it? There are but three conceivable ways: +First, to suppress the rebellion by force of arms. +This I am trying to do. Are you for it? If you +are, so far we are agreed. If you are not for it, a +second way is to give up the Union. I am against +this. Are you for it? If you are, you should say +so plainly. If you are not for <i>force</i>, nor yet for +<i>dissolution</i>, there only remains some imaginable +<i>compromise</i>.</p> + +<p>I do not believe that any compromise embracing +the maintenance of the Union is now possible. All +that I learn leads to a directly opposite belief. +The strength of the rebellion is its military, its +army. That army dominates all the country and +all the people within its range. Any offer of +terms made by any man or men within that range, +in opposition to that army, is simply nothing for +the present; because such man or men have no +<!-- Image No 219 --><a name='Png219'></a><a name='Page203'></a><span class="pagenum">203</span>power whatever to enforce their side of a compromise, +if one were made with them.</p> + +<p>To illustrate: suppose refugees from the South +and peace men of the North get together in convention, +and frame and proclaim a compromise +embracing a restoration of the Union. In what +way can that compromise be used to keep Lee's +army out of Pennsylvania? Meade's army can +keep Lee's army out of Pennsylvania, and, I +think, can ultimately drive it out of existence. +But no paper compromise, to which the controllers +of Lee's army are not agreed, can at all affect that +army. In an effort at such compromise we would +[should] waste time, which the enemy would improve +to our disadvantage, and that would be all.</p> + +<p>A compromise, to be effective, must be made +either with those who control the rebel army, or +with the people, first liberated from the domination +of that army by the success of our own army. +Now, allow me to assure you that no word or intimation +from that rebel army, or from any of the +men controlling it, in relation to any peace compromise, +has ever come to my knowledge or belief. +All charges and insinuations to the contrary are +deceptive and groundless. And I promise you +that if any such proposition shall hereafter come, +it shall not be rejected and kept a secret from you. +I freely acknowledge myself to be the servant of +the people, according to the bond of service, the +United States Constitution; and that, as such, I +am responsible to them. But to be plain, you are +<!-- Image No 220 --><a name='Png220'></a><a name='Page204'></a><span class="pagenum">204</span>dissatisfied with me about the negro. Quite likely +there is a difference of opinion between you and +myself upon that subject. I certainly wish that +all men could be free, while you, I suppose, do not. +Yet I have neither adopted nor proposed any measure +which is not consistent with even your views, +provided that you are for the Union. I suggested +compensated emancipation, to which you replied: +you wished not to be taxed to buy negroes. But +I had not asked you to be taxed to buy negroes, +except in such a way as to save you from greater +taxation to save the Union exclusively by other +means.</p> + +<p>You dislike the emancipation proclamation, and +perhaps would have it retracted. You say it is +unconstitutional. I think differently. I think the +Constitution invests its commander-in-chief with +all the law of war in time of war. The most that +can be said, if so much, is, that slaves are property. +Is there, has there ever been, any question +that by the law of war, property, both of enemies +and friends, may be taken when needed? And is +it not needed whenever it helps us and hurts the +enemy? Armies, the world over, destroy enemies' +property when they cannot use it, and even destroy +their own to keep it from the enemy.</p> + +<p>... But the proclamation, as law, either is valid or +is not valid. If it is not valid it needs no retraction. +If it is valid, it cannot be retracted, any +more than the dead can be brought to life. Some +<!-- Image No 221 --><a name='Png221'></a><a name='Page205'></a><span class="pagenum">205</span>of you profess to think its retraction would operate +favorably for the Union. Why better after the +retraction than before the issue? There was more +than a year and a half of trial to suppress the +rebellion before the proclamation was issued, the +last one hundred days of which passed under an +explicit notice that it was coming, unless averted +by those in revolt returning to their allegiance. +The war has certainly progressed as favorably for +us since the issue of the proclamation as before. +I know, as fully as one can know the opinion of +others, that some of the commanders of our armies +in the field, who have given us our most important +victories, believe the emancipation policy and the +use of colored troops constitute the heaviest blows +yet dealt to the rebellion, and that at least one +of those important successes could not have been +achieved, when it was, but for the aid of black +soldiers.</p> + +<p>Among the commanders who hold these views +are some who have never had an affinity with what +is called "abolitionism," or with "Republican +party politics," but who hold them purely as military +opinions. I submit their opinions as entitled +to some weight against the objections often urged +that emancipation and arming the blacks are unwise +as military measures, and were not adopted +as such in good faith.</p> + +<p>You say that you will not fight to free negroes. +Some of them seem willing to fight for you; but +no matter. Fight you, then, exclusively to save +<!-- Image No 222 --><a name='Png222'></a><a name='Page206'></a><span class="pagenum">206</span>the Union. I issued the proclamation on purpose +to aid you in saving the Union. Whenever you +shall have conquered all resistance to the Union, +if I shall urge you to continue fighting it will be +an apt time then for you to declare you will not +fight to free negroes. I thought that, in your +struggle for the Union, to whatever extent the +negroes should cease helping the enemy, to that +extent it weakened the enemy in his resistance to +you. Do you think differently?</p> + +<p>I thought that whatever negroes can be got to +do as soldiers, leaves just so much less for white +soldiers to do in saving the Union. Does it appear +otherwise to you? But negroes, like other people, +act upon motives. Why should they do anything +for us, if we will do nothing for them? If they +stake their lives for us, they must be prompted by +the strongest motive, even the promise of freedom. +And the promise, being made, must be kept.</p> + +<p>The signs look better. The Father of Waters +again goes unvexed to the sea. Thanks to the +great Northwest for it; nor yet wholly to them. +Three hundred miles up they met New England, +Empire, Keystone, and Jersey, hewing their way +right and left. The sunny South, too, in more +colors than one, also lent a helping hand. On the +spot their part of the history was jotted down in +black and white. The job was a great national +one, and let none be slighted who bore an honorable +part in it. And while those who have cleared +the great river may well be proud, even that is not +<!-- Image No 223 --><a name='Png223'></a><a name='Page207'></a><span class="pagenum">207</span>all. It is hard to say that anything has been more +bravely or well done than at Antietam, Murfreesboro', +Gettysburg, and on many fields of less note. +Nor must Uncle Sam's web-feet be forgotten. At +all the watery margins they have been present, +not only on the deep sea, the broad bay, and the +rapid river, but also up the narrow muddy bayou, +and wherever the ground was a little damp, they +have been and made their tracks. Thanks to all. +For the great Republic,—for the principle it lives +by and keeps alive,—for man's vast future,—thanks +to all.</p> + +<p>Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I +hope it will come soon, and come to stay, and so +come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. +It will then have been proved that among free men +there can be no successful appeal from the ballot +to the bullet, and that they who take such appeal +are sure to lose their case and pay the cost. And +there will be some black men who can remember +that with silent tongue, and clinched teeth, and +steady eye, and well-poised bayonet, they have +helped mankind on to this great consummation; +while I fear there will be some white men unable +to forget that with malignant heart and deceitful +speech they have striven to hinder it.</p> + +<p>Still, let us not be over-sanguine of a speedy final +triumph. Let us be quite sober. Let us diligently +apply the means, never doubting that a just God, in +his own good time, will give us the rightful result.</p> + +<p>Yours very truly,</p> + +<p>A. LINCOLN.</p> + +<br /> + +<p><!-- Image No 224 --><a name='Png224'></a><a name='Page208'></a><span class="pagenum">208</span> +This was a fair statement of past facts and of +the present condition; and thus the plain tokens +of the time showed that the menace of disaffection +had been met and sufficiently conquered. The +President had let the nation see the strength of his +will and the immutability of his purpose. He had +faced bullying Republican politicians, a Democratic +reaction, Copperheadism, and mob violence, +and by none of these had he been in the +least degree shaken or diverted from his course. +On the contrary, from so many and so various +struggles he had come out the victor, a real ruler +of the country. He had shown that whenever and +by whomsoever, and in whatever part of the land +he was pushed to use power, he would use it. Temporarily +the great republic was under a "strong +government," and Mr. Lincoln was the strength. +Though somewhat cloaked by forms, there was for +a while in the United States a condition of "one-man +power," and the people instinctively recognized +it, though they would on no account admit +it in plain words. In fact every malcontent knew +that there was no more use in attempting to resist +the American President than in attempting to +resist a French emperor or a Russian czar; there +was even less use, for while the President managed +on one plausible ground or another to have and +to exercise all the power that he needed, he was +sustained by the good-will and confidence of a +majority of the people, which lay as a solid substratum +beneath all the disturbance on the surface. +<!-- Image No 225 --><a name='Png225'></a><a name='Page209'></a><span class="pagenum">209</span>It was well that this was so, for a war conducted +by a cabinet or a congress could have ended only +in disaster. This peculiar character of the situation +may not be readily admitted; it is often convenient +to deny and ignore facts in order to assert +popular theories; and that there was a real <i>master</i> +in the United States is a proposition which many +will consider it highly improper to make and very +patriotic to contradict. None the less, however, it +is true, and by the autumn of 1863 every intelligent +man in the country <i>felt</i> that it was true. +Moreover, it was because this was true, and because +that master was immovably persistent in the +purpose to conquer the South, that the conquest of +the South could now be discerned as substantially +a certainty in the future.</p> + +<p>Some other points should also be briefly made +here. The war is to be divided into two stages. +The first two years were educational; subsequently +the fruits of that education were attained. The +men who had studied war as a profession, but had +had no practical experience, found much to learn +in warfare as a reality after the struggle began. +But before the summer of 1863 there were in the +service many generals, than whom none better +could be desired. "Public men" were somewhat +slow in discovering that their capacity to do pretty +much everything did not include the management +of campaigns. But by the summer of 1863 these +"public" persons made less noise in the land +than they had made in the days of McClellan; +<!-- Image No 226 --><a name='Png226'></a><a name='Page210'></a><span class="pagenum">210</span>and though political considerations could never +be wholly suppressed, the question of retaining +or displacing a general no longer divided parties, +or superseded, and threatened to wreck, the vital +question of the war. Moreover, as has been remarked +in another connection, the nation began to +appreciate that while war was a science so far as +the handling of armies in the field was concerned, +it was strictly a business in its other aspects. By, +and in fact before, the summer of 1863 this business +had been learned and was being efficiently +conducted.</p> + +<p>Time and experience had done no less for the +President than for others. A careful daily student +of the topography of disputed regions, of every +proposed military movement, of every manoeuvre, +every failure, every success, he was making himself +a skillful judge in the questions of the campaigns. +He had also been studying military literature. +Yet as his knowledge and his judgment grew, his +modesty and his abstention from interference likewise +grew. He was more and more chary of +endeavoring to control his generals. The days of +such contention as had thwarted the plans of McClellan +without causing other plans to be heartily +and fully adopted had fortunately passed, never +to return. Of course, however, this was in part +due to the fact that the war had now been going +on long enough to enable Mr. Lincoln to know +pretty well what measure of confidence he could +place in the several generals. He had tried his +<!-- Image No 227 --><a name='Png227'></a><a name='Page211'></a><span class="pagenum">211</span>experiments and was now using his conclusions. +Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Hancock, and +Meade were no longer undiscovered generals; while +Fremont, McClellan, Halleck—and perhaps two +or three more might be named—may be described +in a counter-phrase as generals who were now +quite thoroughly discovered. The President and +the country were about to get the advantage of +this acquired knowledge.</p> + +<p>A consequence of these changed conditions, of +the entrance upon this new stage of the war, becomes +very visible in the life of Mr. Lincoln. The +disputation, the hurly-burly, the tumultuous competition +of men, opinions, and questions, which +made the first eighteen months of his presidency +confusing and exciting as a great tempest on the +sea, have gone by. For the future his occupation +is rather to keep a broad, general supervision, to +put his controlling touch for the moment now here, +now there. He ceases to appear as an individual +contestant; his personality, though not less important, +is less conspicuous; his influence is exerted +less visibly, though not less powerfully. In short, +the business-like aspect affects him and his functions +as it does all else that concerns the actual +conduct of the war; he too feels, though he may +not formulate, the change whereby a crisis has +passed into a condition. This will be seen from +the character of the remainder of this narrative. +There are no more controversies which call for +other chapters like those which told of the campaigns +<!-- Image No 228 --><a name='Png228'></a><a name='Page212'></a><span class="pagenum">212</span> +of McClellan. There are no more fierce +intestine dissensions like those which preceded +the Proclamation of Emancipation,—at least not +until the matter of reconstruction comes up, and +reconstruction properly had not to do with the war, +but with the later period. In a word, the country +had become like the steed who has ceased fretfully +to annoy the rider, while the rider, though exercising +an ever-watchful control, makes less apparent +exertion.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>By one of the odd arrangements of our governmental +machine, it was not until December 7, +1863, that the members of the Thirty-eighth Congress +met for the first time to express those political +sentiments which had been in vogue more than +a year before that time, that is to say during the +months of October and November, 1862, when +these gentlemen had been elected, at the close of +the summer's campaign. It has been said and +shown that a very great change in popular feeling +had taken place and made considerable advance +during this interval. The autumn of 1863 was +very different from the autumn of 1862! A Congress +coming more newly from the people would +have been much more Republican in its complexion. +Still, even as it was, the Republicans had an +ample working majority, and moreover were disturbed +by fewer and less serious dissensions among +themselves than had been the case occasionally +in times past. McClellan and the Emancipation +<!-- Image No 229 --><a name='Png229'></a><a name='Page213'></a><span class="pagenum">213</span>Proclamation had not quite yet been succeeded by +any other questions of equal potency for alienating +a large section of the party from the President. +Not that unanimity prevailed by any means; that +was impossible under the conditions of human nature. +The extremists still distrusted Mr. Lincoln, +and regarded him as an obstruction to sound +policies. Senator Chandler of Michigan, a fine +sample of the radical Republican, instructed him +that, by the elections, Conservatives and traitors +had been buried together, and begged him not to +exhume them, since they would "smell worse than +Lazarus did after he had been buried three days." +Apparently he ranked Seward among these defunct +and decaying Conservatives; certainly he regarded +the secretary as a "millstone about the neck" of +the President.<a name='FNanchor_52_52'></a><a href='#Footnote_52_52'><sup>[52]</sup></a> Still, in spite of such denunciations, +times were not in this respect so bad as they +had been, and the danger that the uncompromising +Radicals would make wreck of the war was no +longer great.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>Another event, occurring in this autumn of 1863, +was noteworthy because through it the literature +of our tongue received one of its most distinguished +acquisitions. On November 19 the national military +cemetery at Gettysburg was to be consecrated; +Edward Everett was to deliver the oration, and the +President was of course invited as a guest. Mr. +Arnold says that it was actually while Mr. Lincoln +<!-- Image No 230 --><a name='Png230'></a><a name='Page214'></a><span class="pagenum">214</span> +was "in the cars on his way from the White +House to the battlefield" that he was told that he +also would be expected to say something on the +occasion; that thereupon he jotted down in pencil +the brief address which he delivered a few hours +later.<a name='FNanchor_53_53'></a><a href='#Footnote_53_53'><sup>[53]</sup></a> But that the composition was quite so extemporaneous +seems doubtful, for Messrs. Nicolay +and Hay transcribe the note of invitation, written +to the President on November 2 by the master of +the ceremonies, and in it occurs this sentence: "It +is the desire that, after the oration, you, as Chief +Executive of the Nation, formally set apart these +grounds to their sacred use, by a few appropriate +remarks." Probably, therefore, some forethought +went to the preparation of this beautiful and +famous "Gettysburg speech." When Mr. Everett +sat down, the President arose and spoke as follows:<a name='FNanchor_54_54'></a><a href='#Footnote_54_54'><sup>[54]</sup></a>—</p> + +<p>"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers +brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived +in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition +that all men are created equal. Now we are +engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that +nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, +can long endure. We are met on a great +battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate +<!-- Image No 231 --><a name='Png231'></a><a name='Page215'></a><span class="pagenum">215</span> +a portion of that field as a final resting-place +for those who here gave their lives that that nation +might live. It is altogether fitting and proper +that we should do this. But in a larger sense we +cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot +hallow, this ground. The brave men, living and +dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far +above our poor power to add or detract. The +world will little note, nor long remember, what we +say here, but it can never forget what they did +here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated +here to the unfinished work which they who +fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It +is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great +task remaining before us;—that from these honored +dead, we take increased devotion to that cause +for which they gave the last full measure of devotion;—that +we here highly resolve that these dead +shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under +God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that +government of the people, by the people, for the +people, shall not perish from the earth."</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_52_52'></a><a href='#FNanchor_52_52'>[52]</a> N. and H. vii. 389.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_53_53'></a><a href='#FNanchor_53_53'>[53]</a> Arnold, <i>Lincoln</i>, 328. This writer gives a very vivid description +of the delivery of the speech, derived in part from Governor +Dennison, afterward the postmaster-general, who was present on +the occasion.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_54_54'></a><a href='#FNanchor_54_54'>[54]</a> Mr. Arnold says that in an unconscious and absorbed manner, +Mr. Lincoln "adjusted his spectacles" and read his address.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 232 --><a name='Png232'></a><a name='Page216'></a><span class="pagenum">216</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h2>RECONSTRUCTION</h2> + + +<p>In his inaugural address President Lincoln said: +"The union of these States is perpetual.... No +State, upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get +out of the Union; resolves and ordinances to that +effect are legally void." In these words was imbedded +a principle which later on he showed his +willingness to pursue to its logical conclusions +concerning the reconstruction of the body politic. +If no State, by seceding, had got itself out of the +Union, there was difficulty in maintaining that +those citizens of a seceding State, who had not disqualified +themselves by acts of treason, were not +still lawfully entitled to conduct the public business +and to hold the usual elections for national and +state officials, so soon as the removal of hostile +force should render it physically possible for them +to do so. Upon the basis of this principle, the +resumption by such citizens of a right which had +never been lost, but only temporarily interfered +with by lawless violence, could reasonably be delayed +by the national government only until the +loyal voters should be sufficient in number to +relieve the elections from the objection of being +<!-- Image No 233 --><a name='Png233'></a><a name='Page217'></a><span class="pagenum">217</span>colorable and unreal. This philosophy of "reconstruction" +seemed to Mr. Lincoln to conform +with law and good sense, and he was forward in +meeting, promoting, almost even in creating opportunities +to apply it. From the beginning of +the war he had been of opinion that the framework +of a state government, though it might be scarcely +more than a skeleton, was worth preservation. It +held at least the seed of life. So after West Virginia +was admitted into statehood, the organization +which had been previously established by the loyal +citizens of the original State was maintained in +the rest of the State, and Governor Pierpoint was +recognized as the genuine governor of Virginia, +although few Virginians acknowledged allegiance +to him, and often there were not many square +miles of the Old Dominion upon which the dispossessed +ruler could safely set his foot. For the present +he certainly was no despot, but in the future he +might have usefulness. He preserved continuity; +by virtue of him, so to speak, there still was a State +of Virginia.</p> + +<p>Somewhat early in the war large portions of +Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas were recovered +and kept by Union forces, and beneath such protection +a considerable Union sentiment found expression. +The President, loath to hold for a long +time the rescued parts of these States under the +sole domination of army officers, appointed "military +governors."<a name='FNanchor_55_55'></a><a href='#Footnote_55_55'><sup>[55]</sup></a> The anomalous office found an +<!-- Image No 234 --><a name='Png234'></a><a name='Page218'></a><span class="pagenum">218</span>obscure basis among those "war powers" which, as +a legal resting-place, resembled a quicksand, and +as a practical foundation were undeniably a rock; +the functions and authority of the officials were as +uncertain as anything, even in law, possibly could +be. Legal fiction never reached a droller point +than when these military governorships were defended +as being the fulfillment by the national +government "of its high constitutional obligation +to guarantee to every State in this Union <i>a republican +form of government</i>!"<a name='FNanchor_56_56'></a><a href='#Footnote_56_56'><sup>[56]</sup></a> Yet the same +distinguished gentleman, who dared gravely to +announce this ingenious argument, drew a picture +of facts which was in itself a full justification of almost +any scheme of rehabilitation; he said: "The +state government has disappeared. The Executive +has abdicated; the Legislature has dissolved; the +Judiciary is in abeyance." In this condition of +chaos Mr. Lincoln was certainly bound to prevent +anarchy, without regard to any comicalities which +might creep into his technique. So these hermaphrodite +officials, with civil duties and military +rank, were very sensibly and properly given a +vague authority in the several States, as from time +to time these were in part redeemed from rebellion +by the Union armies. So soon as possible they +were bidden, in collaboration with the military +<!-- Image No 235 --><a name='Png235'></a><a name='Page219'></a><span class="pagenum">219</span>commanders in their respective districts, to make +an enrollment of loyal citizens, with a view to holding +elections and organizing state governments in +the customary form. The President was earnest, +not to say pertinacious, in urging forward these +movements. On September 11, 1863, immediately +after the battle of Chattanooga, he wrote to Andrew +Johnson that it was "the nick of time for +reinaugurating a loyal state government" in Tennessee; +and he suggested that, as touching this +same question of "time when," it was worth while +to "remember that it cannot be known who is next +to occupy the position I now hold, nor what he will +do." He warned the governor that reconstruction +must not be so conducted "as to give control of +the State, and its representation in Congress, to +the enemies of the Union.... It must not be so. +You must have it otherwise. Let the reconstruction +be the work of such men only as can be trusted +for the Union. Exclude all others; and trust that +your government, so organized, will be recognized +here as being the one of republican form to be +guaranteed to the State."<a name='FNanchor_57_57'></a><a href='#Footnote_57_57'><sup>[57]</sup></a></p> + +<p>At the same time these expressions by no means +indicated that the President intended to have, or +would connive at, any sham or colorable process. +Accordingly, when some one suggested a plan for +setting up as candidates in Louisiana certain Federal +<!-- Image No 236 --><a name='Png236'></a><a name='Page220'></a><span class="pagenum">220</span> +officers, who were not citizens of that State, +he decisively forbade it, sarcastically remarking to +Governor Shepley: "We do not particularly want +members of Congress from there to enable us to +get along with legislation here. What we do want +is the conclusive evidence that respectable citizens +of Louisiana are willing to be members of Congress, +and to swear support to the Constitution, +and that other respectable citizens there are willing +to vote for them and send them. To send a parcel +of Northern men here as representatives, elected, +as would be understood (and perhaps really so), at +the point of the bayonet, would be disgraceful and +outrageous." Again he said that he wished the +movement for the election of members of Congress +"to be a movement of the people of the district, +and not a movement of our military and quasi-military +authorities there. I merely wish our +authorities to give the people a chance,—to protect +them against secession interference." These +instructions were designed as genuine rules of +action, and were not to be construed away. Whatever +might be said against the theory which the +President was endeavoring to establish for state +restoration, no opponent of that theory was to be +given the privilege of charging that the actual conduct +of the proceedings under it was not rigidly +honest. In December, 1862, two members of Congress +were elected in Louisiana, and in February, +1863, they were admitted to take seats in the +House for the brief remnant of its existence. This +<!-- Image No 237 --><a name='Png237'></a><a name='Page221'></a><span class="pagenum">221</span>was not done without hesitation, but the fact that it +was done at all certainly was in direct line with the +President's plan. Subsequently, however, other +candidates for seats, coming from rehabilitated +States, were not so fortunate.</p> + +<p>As reorganizations were attempted the promoters +generally desired that the fresh start in state life +should be made with new state Constitutions. The +conventions chosen to draw these instruments were +instructed from Washington that the validity of +the Emancipation Proclamation and of all the +legislation of Congress concerning slavery must be +distinctly admitted, if their work was to receive +recognition. Apart from this, so strenuous were +the hints conveyed to these bodies that they would +do well to arrange for the speedy abolition of slavery, +that no politician would have been so foolish +as to offer a constitution, or other form of reorganization, +without some provision of this sort. This +practical necessity sorely troubled many, who still +hoped that some happy turn of events would occur, +whereby they would be able to get back into the +Union with the pleasant and valuable group of +their slaves still about them, as in the good times +of yore. Moreover, in other matters there were +clashings between the real military commanders +and the quasi-military civilian officials; and it was +unfortunately the case that, in spite of Mr. Lincoln's +appeal to loyal men to "eschew cliquism" +and "work together," there were abundant rivalries +and jealousies and personal schemings. All +<!-- Image No 238 --><a name='Png238'></a><a name='Page222'></a><span class="pagenum">222</span>these vexations were dragged before the President +to harass him with their pettiness amid his more +conspicuous duties; they gave him infinite trouble, +and devoured his time and strength. Likewise +they were obstacles to the advancement of the business +itself, and, coming in addition to the delays +inevitable upon elections and deliberations, they +ultimately kept all efforts towards reconstruction +dallying along until a late period in the war. +Thus it was February 22, 1864, when the state +election was held in Louisiana; and it was September +5 in the same year when the new Constitution, +with an emancipation clause, was adopted. +It was not until January, 1865, that, in Tennessee, +a convention made a constitution, for purposes of +reconstruction, and therein abolished slavery.</p> + +<p>Pending these doings and before practical reconstruction +had made noticeable progress, Mr. Lincoln +sent in, on December 8, 1863, his third annual +message to Congress. To this message was appended +something which no one had anticipated,—a +proclamation of amnesty. In this the President +recited his pardoning power and a recent act +of Congress specially confirmatory thereof, stated +the wish of certain repentant rebels to resume +allegiance and to restore loyal state governments, +and then offered, to all who would take a prescribed +oath, full pardon together with "restoration of all +rights and property, except as to slaves, and ... where +rights of third parties shall have intervened." +The oath was simply to "support, protect, and +<!-- Image No 239 --><a name='Png239'></a><a name='Page223'></a><span class="pagenum">223</span>defend" the Constitution and the Union, and to +abide by and support all legislation and all proclamations +concerning slavery made during the +existing rebellion. There were, of course, sundry +exceptions of persons from this amnesty; but the +list of those excepted was a moderate and reasonable +one. He also proclaimed that whenever in +any seceded State "a number of persons not less +than one tenth in number of the votes cast in such +State at the presidential election of the year of our +Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, each +having taken the oath aforesaid and not having +since violated it, and being a qualified voter by the +election law of the State existing immediately before +the so-called act of secession, and excluding +all others, shall reëstablish a state government +which shall be republican, and in no wise contravening +said oath, such shall be recognized as the +true government of the State, and the State shall +receive thereunder the benefits of the constitutional +provision which declares that 'the United States +shall guarantee to every State in this Union a +republican form of government, and shall protect +each of them against invasion; and, on application +of the legislature, or the executive (when the +legislature cannot be convened), against domestic +violence.'"</p> + +<p>Also further: "that any provision that may be +adopted by such state government, in relation to +the freed people of such State, which shall recognize +and declare their permanent freedom, provide +<!-- Image No 240 --><a name='Png240'></a><a name='Page224'></a><span class="pagenum">224</span>for their education, and which may yet be consistent, +as a temporary arrangement, with their present +condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless +class, will not be objected to by the national executive. +And it is suggested as not improper that, +in constructing a loyal state government in any +State, the name of the State, the boundary, the +subdivisions, the constitution, and the general code +of laws, as before the rebellion, be maintained, +subject only to the modifications made necessary +by the conditions hereinbefore stated, and such +others, if any, not contravening said conditions, +and which may be deemed expedient by those +framing the new state government."</p> + +<p>Concerning this proclamation, the message which +communicated it noted: that it did not transcend +the Constitution; that no man was coerced to take +the oath; and that to make pardon conditional +upon taking it was strictly lawful; that a test of +loyalty was necessary, because it would be "simply +absurd" to guarantee a republican form of government +in a State "constructed in whole, or in +preponderating part, from the very element against +whose hostility and violence it is to be protected;" +that the pledge to maintain the laws and proclamations +as to slavery was a proper condition, because +these had aided and would further aid the Union +cause; also because "to now abandon them would +be not only to relinquish a lever of power, but +would also be a cruel and astounding breach of +faith."</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 241 --><a name='Png241'></a><a name='Page225'></a><span class="pagenum">225</span> +He continued: "But why any proclamation, +now, upon the subject? This question is beset +with the conflicting views that the step might be +delayed too long or be taken too soon. In some +States the elements for resumption seem ready for +action, but remain inactive, apparently for want +of a rallying point,—a plan of action. Why shall +A adopt the plan of B rather than B that of A? +And if A and B should agree, how can they +know but that the general government here will +reject their plan? By the proclamation a plan is +presented which may be accepted by them as a rallying +point, and which they are assured in advance +will not be rejected here. This may bring them to +act sooner than they otherwise would.</p> + +<p>"The objection to a premature presentation of +a plan by the national executive consists in the +danger of committals on points which could be +more safely left to further developments.</p> + +<p>"Care has been taken to so shape the document +as to avoid embarrassments from this source. +Saying that, on certain terms, certain classes will +be pardoned, with rights restored, it is not said +that other classes or other terms will never be +included. Saying that reconstruction will be accepted +if presented in a specified way, it is not +said it will never be accepted in any other way.</p> + +<p>"The movements, by state action, for emancipation +in several of the States, not included in the +emancipation proclamation, are matters of profound +gratulation. And while I do not repeat in +<!-- Image No 242 --><a name='Png242'></a><a name='Page226'></a><span class="pagenum">226</span>detail what I have heretofore so earnestly urged +upon this subject, my general views and feelings +remain unchanged; and I trust that Congress will +omit no fair opportunity of aiding these important +steps to a great consummation.</p> + +<p>"In the midst of other cares, however important, +we must not lose sight of the fact that the +war power is still our main reliance. To that +power alone we can look yet for a time, to give +confidence to the people in the contested regions, +that the insurgent power will not again overrun +them. Until that confidence shall be established, +little can be done anywhere for what is called +reconstruction.</p> + +<p>"Hence our chiefest care must be directed to +the army and navy, who have thus far borne their +harder part so nobly and well. And it may be +esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest efficiency +to these indispensable arms, we do also +honorably recognize the gallant men, from commander +to sentinel, who compose them, and to +whom, more than to others, the world must stand +indebted for the home of freedom disenthralled, +regenerated, enlarged, and perpetuated."</p> + +<p>This step, this offer of amnesty and pardon, and +invitation to state reconstruction, took every one +by surprise. As usual the President had been +"doing his own thinking," reaching his own conclusions +and acting upon them with little counsel +asked from any among the multitudes of wise men +who were so ready to furnish it. For a moment +<!-- Image No 243 --><a name='Png243'></a><a name='Page227'></a><span class="pagenum">227</span>his action received a gratifying welcome of praise +and approval. The first impulsive sentiment was +that of pleasure because the offer was in so liberal, +so conciliatory, so forgiving a spirit; moreover, +people were encouraged by the very fact that the +President thought it worth while to initiate reconstruction; +also many of the more weak-kneed, who +desired to see the luring process tried, were gratified +by a generous measure. Then, too, not very +much thought had yet been given, at least by the +people in general, to actual processes of reconstruction; +for while many doubted whether there +would ever be a chance to reconstruct at all, very +few fancied the time for it to be nearly approaching. +Therefore the President occupied vacant +ground in the minds of most persons.</p> + +<p>But in a short time a very different temper was +manifested among members of Congress, and from +them spread forth and found support among the +people. Two reasons promoted this. One, which +was avowed with the frankness of indignation, was +a jealousy of seeing so important a business preempted +by the executive department. The other +was a natural feeling of mingled hostility and +distrust towards rebels, who had caused so much +blood to be shed, so much cost to be incurred. In +this point of view, the liberality which at first had +appeared admirable now began to be condemned +as extravagant, unreasonable, and perilous.</p> + +<p>Concerning the first of these reasons, it must be +admitted that it was entirely natural that Congress +<!-- Image No 244 --><a name='Png244'></a><a name='Page228'></a><span class="pagenum">228</span>should desire to take partial or, if possible, even +entire charge of reconstruction. Which department +had the better right to the duty, or how it +should be distributed between the legislative and +executive departments, was uncertain, and could +be determined only by inference from the definite +functions of each as established by the Constitution. +The executive unquestionably had the power +to pardon every rebel in the land; yet it was a +power which might conceivably be so misused as to +justify impeachment. The Senate and the House +had the power to give or to refuse seats to persons +claiming to have been elected to them. Yet they +could not dare to exercise this power except for a +cause which was at least colorable in each case. +Furthermore, the meaning of "recognition" was +vague. Exactly what was "recognition" of a state +government, and by what specific process could it +be granted or withheld? The executive might +recognize statehood in some matters; Congress +might refuse to recognize it in other matters. +Every one felt that disagreement between the two +departments would be most unfortunate and even +dangerous; yet it was entirely possible; and what +an absurd and alarming condition might be created, +if the President, by a general amnesty, +should reinstate the ex-rebels of a State as citizens +with all their rights of citizenship, and Congress +should refuse to seat the senators and representatives +elected by these constituents on the alleged +ground of peril to the country by reason of their +<!-- Image No 245 --><a name='Png245'></a><a name='Page229'></a><span class="pagenum">229</span>supposed continuing disloyalty. Even worse still +might be the case; for the Senate and the House +might disagree. There was nothing in law or logic +to make this consummation impossible.</p> + +<p>People differed much in feeling as well as +opinion upon this difficult subject, this problem +which was solved by no law. Treason is a crime +and must be made odious, said Andrew Johnson, +sternly uttering the sentiments of many earnest +and strenuous men in Congress and in the country. +Others were able to eliminate revengefulness, but +felt that it was not safe in the present, nor wise +for the future, to restore to rebels all the rights +of citizenship upon the moment when they should +consent to abandon rebellion, more especially when +all knew and admitted that the abandonment was +made not in penitence but merely in despair of +success. It was open to extremists to argue that +the whole seceded area might logically, as conquered +lands, be reduced to a territorial condition, +to be recarved into States at such times and +upon such conditions as should seem proper. But +others, in agreement with the President, insisted +that if no State could lawfully secede, it followed +that no State could lawfully be deprived of statehood. +These persons reinforced their legal argument +with the sentimental one that lenity was the +best policy. As General Grant afterward put it: +"The people who had been in rebellion must necessarily +come back into the Union, and be incorporated +as an integral part of the nation. Naturally +<!-- Image No 246 --><a name='Png246'></a><a name='Page230'></a><span class="pagenum">230</span>the nearer they were placed to an equality with the +people who had not rebelled, the more reconciled +they would feel with their old antagonists, and the +better citizens they would be from the beginning. +They surely would not make good citizens if they +felt that they had a yoke around their necks." +The question, in what proportions mercy and justice +should be, or safely could be, mingled, was +clearly one of discretion. In the wide distance +betwixt the holders of extreme opinions an infinite +variety of schemes and theories was in time +broached and held. Very soon the gravity of the +problem was greatly enhanced by its becoming +complicated with proposals for giving the suffrage +to negroes. Upon this Mr. Lincoln expressed his +opinion that the privilege might be wisely conferred +upon "the very intelligent, and especially +those who have fought gallantly in our ranks," +though apparently he intended thus to describe no +very large percentage. Apparently his confidence +in the civic capacity of the negro never became +very much greater than it had been in the days of +the joint debates with Douglas.</p> + +<p>Congress took up the matter very promptly, +and with much display of feeling. Early in May, +1864, Henry Winter Davis, a vehement opponent +of the President, introduced a bill, of which the +anti-rebel preamble was truculent to the point of +being amusing. His first fierce <i>Whereas</i> declared +that the Confederate States were waging a war so +glaringly unjust "that they have no right to claim +<!-- Image No 247 --><a name='Png247'></a><a name='Page231'></a><span class="pagenum">231</span>the mitigation of the extreme rights of war, which +are accorded by modern usage to an enemy who +has a right to consider the war a just one." But +Congress, though hotly irritated, was not quite +willing to say, in terms, that it would eschew civilization +and adopt barbarism, as its system for the +conduct of the war; and accordingly it rejected +Mr. Davis's fierce exordium. The words had very +probably only been used by him as a sort of safety +valve to give vent to the fury of his wrath, so that +he could afterward approach the serious work of +the bill in a milder spirit; for in fact the actual +effective legislation which he proposed was by +no means unreasonable. After military resistance +should be suppressed in any rebellious State, the +white male citizens were to elect a convention for +the purpose of reëstablishing a state government. +The new organization must disfranchise prominent +civil and military officers of the Confederacy, +establish the permanent abolition of slavery, and +prohibit the payment by the new State of any +indebtedness incurred for Confederate purposes. +After Congress should have expressed its assent to +the work of the convention, the President was to +recognize by proclamation the reorganized State. +This bill, of course, gave to the legislative department +the whole valuable control in the matter of +recognition, leaving to the President nothing more +than the mere empty function of issuing a proclamation, +which he would have no right to hold +back; but in other respects its requirements were +<!-- Image No 248 --><a name='Png248'></a><a name='Page232'></a><span class="pagenum">232</span>entirely fair and unobjectionable, from any point +of view, and it finally passed the House by a vote +of 74 to 59. The Senate amended it, but afterward +receded from the amendment, and thus the +measure came before Mr. Lincoln on July 4, 1864. +Congress was to adjourn at noon on that day, and +he was at the Capitol, signing bills, when this one +was brought to him. He laid it aside. Zachariah +Chandler, senator from Michigan, a dictatorial +gentleman and somewhat of the busybody order, +was watchfully standing by, and upon observing +this action, he asked Mr. Lincoln, with some show +of feeling, whether he was not going to sign that +bill. Mr. Lincoln replied that it was a "matter +of too much importance to be swallowed in that +way." Mr. Chandler warned him that a veto +would be very damaging at the Northwest, and +said: "The important point is that one prohibiting +slavery in the reconstructed States." "This is +the point," said Mr. Lincoln, "on which I doubt +the authority of Congress to act." "It is no more +than you have done yourself," said the senator. +"I conceive," replied Mr. Lincoln, "that I may in +an emergency do things on military grounds which +cannot be done constitutionally by Congress." A +few moments later he remarked to the members of +the cabinet: "I do not see how any of us now +can deny and contradict what we have always said: +that Congress has no constitutional power over +slavery in the States.... This bill and the position +of these gentlemen seem to me, in asserting +<!-- Image No 249 --><a name='Png249'></a><a name='Page233'></a><span class="pagenum">233</span>that the insurrectionary States are no longer in +the Union, to make the fatal admission that States, +whenever they please, may of their own motion +dissolve their connection with the Union. Now +we cannot survive that admission, I am convinced. +If that be true, I am not President; these gentlemen +are not Congress. I have laboriously endeavored +to avoid that question ever since it first +began to be mooted.... It was to obviate this +question that I earnestly favored the movement +for an amendment to the Constitution abolishing +slavery.... I thought it much better, if it were +possible, to restore the Union without the necessity +for a violent quarrel among its friends as to +whether certain States have been in or out of the +Union during the war,—a merely metaphysical +question, and one unnecessary to be forced into +discussion."<a name='FNanchor_58_58'></a><a href='#Footnote_58_58'><sup>[58]</sup></a> So the bill remained untouched at +his side.</p> + +<p>A few days after the adjournment, having then +decided not to sign the bill, he issued a proclamation +in which he said concerning it, that he was +"unprepared by a formal approval of [it] to be +inflexibly committed to any single plan of restoration;" +that he was also "unprepared to declare +that the free-state constitutions and governments, +already adopted and installed in Arkansas and +Louisiana, [should] be set aside and held for +naught, thereby repelling and discouraging the +<!-- Image No 250 --><a name='Png250'></a><a name='Page234'></a><span class="pagenum">234</span>loyal citizens, who have set up the same, as to +further effort;" also that he was unprepared to +"declare a constitutional competency in Congress +to abolish slavery in the States." Yet he also +said that he was fully satisfied that the system proposed +in the bill was "<i>one</i> very proper plan" for +the loyal people of any State to adopt, and that he +should be ready to aid in such adoption upon any +opportunity. In a word, his objection to the bill +lay chiefly in the fact that it established one single +and exclusive process for reconstruction. The +rigid exclusiveness seemed to him a serious error. +Upon his part, in putting forth his own plan, he +had taken much pains distinctly to keep out this +characteristic, and to have it clearly understood +that his proposition was not designed as "a procrustean +bed, to which exact conformity was to be +indispensable;" it was not <i>the only</i> method, but +only <i>a</i> method.</p> + +<p>So soon as it was known that the President +would not sign the bill, a vehement cry of wrath +broke from all its more ardent friends. H.W. +Davis and B.F. Wade, combative men, and leaders +in their party, who expected their opinion to be +respected, published in the New York "Tribune" +an address "To the Supporters of the Government." +In unbridled language they charged "encroachments +of the executive on the authority of +Congress." They even impugned the honesty of +the President's purpose in words of direct personal +insult; for they said: "The President, by preventing +<!-- Image No 251 --><a name='Png251'></a><a name='Page235'></a><span class="pagenum">235</span> +this bill from becoming a law, holds the electoral +votes of the rebel States at the dictation of his +personal ambition.... If electors for president +be allowed to be chosen in either of those States +[Louisiana or Arkansas], a sinister light will be +cast on [his] motives." They alleged that "a more +studied outrage on the legislative authority of the +people has never been perpetrated." They stigmatized +this "rash and fatal act" as "a blow at +the friends of the administration, at the rights +of humanity, and at the principles of republican +government." They warned Mr. Lincoln that, if +he wished the support of Congress, he must "confine +himself to his executive duties,—to obey and +execute, not make the laws; to suppress by arms +armed rebellion, and leave political reorganization +to Congress." If they really meant what they +said, or any considerable part of it, they would +have been obliged to vote "Guilty" had the House +of Representatives seen fit to put these newspaper +charges of theirs into the formal shape of articles +of impeachment against the President.</p> + +<p>To whatever "friends" Mr. Lincoln might have +dealt a "blow," it is certain that these angry +gentlemen, whether "friends" or otherwise, were +dealing him a very severe blow at a very critical +time; and if its hurtfulness was diminished by +the very fury and extravagance of their invective, +they at least were entitled to no credit for the salvation +thus obtained. They were exerting all their +powerful influence to increase the chance, already +<!-- Image No 252 --><a name='Png252'></a><a name='Page236'></a><span class="pagenum">236</span>alarmingly great, of making a Democrat the next +President of the United States. Nevertheless Mr. +Lincoln, with his wonted imperturbable fixedness +when he had reached a conviction, did not modify +his position in the slightest degree.</p> + +<p>Before long this especial explosion spent its +force, and thereafter very fortunately the question +smouldered during the rest of Mr. Lincoln's lifetime, +and only burst forth into fierce flame immediately +after his death, when it became more +practical and urgent as a problem of the actually +present time. The last words, however, which he +spoke in public, dealt with the matter. It was on +the evening of April 11, and he was addressing in +Washington a great concourse of citizens who had +gathered to congratulate him upon the brilliant +military successes, then just achieved, which insured +the immediate downfall of the Confederacy. +In language as noteworthy for moderation as that +of his assailants had been for extravagance, he +then reviewed his course concerning reconstruction +and gave his reasons for still believing that he had +acted for the best. Admitting that much might +justly be said against the reorganized government +of Louisiana, he explained why he thought that +nevertheless it should not be rejected. Concede, +he said, that it is to what it should be only what +the egg is to the fowl, "we shall sooner have the +fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it." +He conceived that the purpose of the people might +be fairly stated to be the restoration of the proper +<!-- Image No 253 --><a name='Png253'></a><a name='Page237'></a><span class="pagenum">237</span>practical relations between the seceded States and +the Union, and he therefore argued that the question +properly took this shape: Whether Louisiana +could "be brought into proper practical relation +with the Union <i>sooner</i> by <i>sustaining</i> or by <i>discarding</i> +her new state government."<a name='FNanchor_59_59'></a><a href='#Footnote_59_59'><sup>[59]</sup></a></p> + +<p>By occurrences befalling almost immediately +after Mr. Lincoln's death his opinions were again +drawn into debate, when unfortunately he could +neither explain nor develop them further than he +had done. One of the important events of the war +was the conference held on March 28, 1865, at +Hampton Roads, between the President, General +Grant, General Sherman, and Admiral Porter, and +at which no other person was present. It is sufficiently +agreed that the two generals then declared +that one great final battle must yet take place; and +that thereupon Mr. Lincoln, in view of the admitted +fact that the collapse of the rebellion was inevitably +close at hand, expressed great aversion and +pain at the prospect of utterly useless bloodshed, +and asked whether it could not by some means +be avoided. It is also tolerably certain that Mr. +<!-- Image No 254 --><a name='Png254'></a><a name='Page238'></a><span class="pagenum">238</span>Lincoln gave very plainly to be understood by his +remarks, and also as usual by a story, his desire +that Jefferson Davis and a few other of the leading +rebels should not be captured, but rather should +find it possible to escape from the country. It is +in other ways well known that he had already +made up his mind not to conclude the war with +a series of hangings after the historic European +fashion of dealing with traitors. He preferred, +however, to evade rather than to encounter the +problem of disposing of such embarrassing captives, +and a road for them out of the country would +be also a road for him out of a difficulty. What +else was said on this occasion, though it soon became +the basis of important action, is not known +with accuracy; but it may be regarded as beyond +a doubt that, in a general way, Mr. Lincoln took +a very liberal tone concerning the terms and treatment +to be accorded to the rebels in the final arrangement +of the surrendering, which all saw to +be close at hand. It is beyond doubt that he +spoke, throughout the conference, in the spirit of +forgetting and forgiving immediately and almost +entirely.</p> + +<p>From this interview General Sherman went back +to his army, and received no further instructions +afterward, until, on April 18, he established with +General Johnston the terms on which the remaining +Confederate forces should be disbanded. This +"Memorandum or basis of agreement,"<a name='FNanchor_60_60'></a><a href='#Footnote_60_60'><sup>[60]</sup></a> then entered +into by him, stipulated for "the recognition +<!-- Image No 255 --><a name='Png255'></a><a name='Page239'></a><span class="pagenum">239</span>by the executive of the United States, of the several +state governments, on their officers and legislatures +taking the oaths prescribed by the Constitution +of the United States;" also that the inhabitants +of the Southern States should "be guaranteed, so +far as the executive can, their political rights and +franchises, as well as their rights of person and +property;" also that the government would not +"disturb any of the people by reason of the late +war," if they should dwell quiet for the future; +and, in short, that there should be "a general +amnesty," so far as it was within the power of the +executive of the United States to grant it, upon +the return of the South to a condition of peace.</p> + +<p>No sooner were these engagements reported in +Washington than they were repudiated. However +they might have accorded with, or might +have transcended, the sentiments of him who had +been president only a few days before, they by no +means accorded with the views of Andrew Johnson, +who was president at that time, and still less +with the views of the secretary of war, who well +represented the vengeful element of the country. +Accordingly Mr. Stanton at once annulled them +by an order, which he followed up by a bulletin +containing ten reasons in support of the order. +This document was immediately published in the +newspapers, and was so vituperative and insulting +towards Sherman<a name='FNanchor_61_61'></a><a href='#Footnote_61_61'><sup>[61]</sup></a> that the general, who naturally +<!-- Image No 256 --><a name='Png256'></a><a name='Page240'></a><span class="pagenum">240</span>did not feel himself a fitting object for insolence +at this season of his fresh military triumphs, soon +afterward showed his resentment; at the grand +parade of his army, in Washington, he conspicuously +declined, in the presence of the President +and the notabilities of the land, to shake the hand +which Secretary Stanton did not hesitate then and +there to extend to him,—for Stanton had that +peculiar and unusual form of meanness which endeavors +to force a civility after an insult. But +however General Sherman might feel about it, his +capitulation had been revoked, and another conference +became necessary between the two generals, +which was followed a little later by still another +between Generals Schofield and Johnston. At +these meetings the terms which had been established +between Generals Grant and Lee were substantially +repeated, and by this "military convention" +the war came to a formal end on April 26, +1865.</p> + +<p>By this course of events General Sherman was, +of course, placed in a very uncomfortable position, +and he defended himself by alleging that the terms +which he had made were in accurate conformity +with the opinions, wishes, and programme expressed +by Mr. Lincoln on March 28. He reiterates +this assertion strongly and distinctly in his +"Memoirs," and quotes in emphatic corroboration +Admiral Porter's account of that interview.<a name='FNanchor_62_62'></a><a href='#Footnote_62_62'><sup>[62]</sup></a> The +<!-- Image No 257 --><a name='Png257'></a><a name='Page241'></a><span class="pagenum">241</span>only other witness who could be heard on this point +was General Grant; he never gave his recollection +of the expressions of President Lincoln concerning +the matters in dispute; but on April 21 he +did write to General Sherman that, after having +carefully read the terms accorded to Johnston he +felt satisfied that they "could not possibly be approved."<a name='FNanchor_63_63'></a><a href='#Footnote_63_63'><sup>[63]</sup></a> +He did not, however, say whether or +not they seemed to him to contravene the policy of +the President, as he had heard or understood that +policy to be laid down in the famous interview. +In the obscurity which wraps this matter, individual +opinions find ample room to wander; it is +easy to believe that what General Sherman undertook +to arrange was in reasonable accordance with +the broad purposes of the President; but it certainly +is not easy to believe that the President ever +intended that so many, so momentous, and such +complex affairs should be conclusively disposed of, +with all the honorable sacredness attendant upon +military capitulations, by a few hasty strokes of +General Sherman's pen. The comprehensiveness +of this brief and sudden document of surrender +was appalling! Mr. Lincoln had never before +shown any inclination to depute to others so much +of his own discretionary authority; his habit was +quite the other way.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 258 --><a name='Png258'></a><a name='Page242'></a><span class="pagenum">242</span> +It is not worth while to discuss much the merits +or demerits of President Lincoln's schemes for +reconstruction. They had been only roughly and +imperfectly blocked out at the time of his death; +and in presenting them he repeatedly stated that +he did not desire to rule out other schemes which +might be suggested; on the contrary, he distinctly +stated his approval of the scheme developed in the +bill introduced by Senator Davis and passed by +Congress. Reconstruction, as it was actually conducted +later on, was wretchedly bungled, and was +marked chiefly by bitterness in disputation and +by clumsiness in practical arrangements, which +culminated in that miserable disgrace known as +the regime of the "carpet-baggers." How far +Lincoln would have succeeded in saving the country +from these humiliating processes, no one can +say; but that he would have strenuously disapproved +much that was done is not open to reasonable +doubt. On the other hand, it is by no means +certain that his theories, at least so far as they had +been developed up to the time of his death, either +could have been, or ought to have been carried out. +This seems to be generally agreed. Perhaps they +were too liberal; perhaps he confided too much in +a sudden change of heart, an immediate growth of +loyalty, among persons of whom nearly all were +still embittered, still believed that it was in a righteous +cause that they had suffered a cruel defeat.</p> + +<p>But if the feasibility of Mr. Lincoln's plan is +matter of fruitless disputation, having to do only +<!-- Image No 259 --><a name='Png259'></a><a name='Page243'></a><span class="pagenum">243</span>with fancied probabilities, and having never been +put to the proof of trial, at least no one will deny +that it was creditable to his nature. A strange +freak of destiny arranged that one of the most +obstinate, sanguinary wars of history should be +conducted by one of the most humane men who +ever lived, and that blood should run in rivers at +the order of a ruler to whom bloodshed was repugnant, +and to whom the European idol of military +glory seemed a symbol of barbarism. During the +war Lincoln's chief purpose was the restoration +of national unity, and his day-dream was that it +should be achieved as a sincere and hearty reunion +in feeling as well as in fact. As he dwelt with +much earnest aspiration upon this consummation, +he perhaps came to imagine a possibility of its instant +accomplishment, which did not really exist. +His longing for a genuinely reunited country was +not a pious form of expression, but an intense sentiment, +and an end which he definitely expected +to bring to pass. Not improbably this frame of +mind induced him to advance too fast and too far, +in order to meet with welcoming hand persons who +were by no means in such a condition of feeling +that they could grasp that hand in good faith, or +could fulfill at once the obligations which such a +reconciliation would have imposed upon them, as +matter of honor, in all their civil and political relations. +The reaction involved in passing from a +state of hostilities to a state of peace, the deep +gratification of seeing so mortal a struggle determined +<!-- Image No 260 --><a name='Png260'></a><a name='Page244'></a><span class="pagenum">244</span> +in favor of the national life, may have carried +him somewhat beyond the limitations set by +the hard facts of the case, and by the human +nature alike of the excited conquerors and the +impenitent conquered. On the other hand, however, +it is dangerous to say that Mr. Lincoln made +a mistake in reading the popular feeling or in +determining a broad policy. If he did, he did so +for the first time. Among those suppositions in +which posterity is free to indulge, it is possible +to fancy that if he, whom all now admit to have +been the best friend of the South living in April, +1865, had continued to live longer, he might have +alleviated, if he could not altogether have prevented, +the writing of some very painful chapters +in the history of the United States.</p> + +<br /> + +<p>NOTE.—In writing this chapter, I have run somewhat ahead of +the narrative in point of time; but I hope that the desirability of +treating the topic connectedly, as a whole, will be obvious to the +reader.</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_55_55'></a><a href='#FNanchor_55_55'>[55]</a> These appointments were as follows: Andrew Johnson, +Tennessee, February 23, 1862; Edward Stanley, North Carolina, +May 19, 1862; Col. G.F. Shepley, Louisiana, June 10, 1862.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_56_56'></a><a href='#FNanchor_56_56'>[56]</a> So said Andrew Johnson, military governor of Tennessee, +March 18, 1862.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_57_57'></a><a href='#FNanchor_57_57'>[57]</a> In a contest in which emancipation was indirectly at stake, in +Maryland, he expressed his wish that "all loyal qualified voters" +should have the privilege of voting.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_58_58'></a><a href='#FNanchor_58_58'>[58]</a> N. and H. ix. 120-122, quoting from the diary of Mr. John +Hay.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_59_59'></a><a href='#FNanchor_59_59'>[59]</a> He had used similar language in a letter to General Canby, +December 12, 1864; N. and H. ix. 448; also in his letter to Trumbull +concerning the Louisiana senators, January 9, 1865; <i>ibid</i>. 454. +Colonel McClure, on the strength of conversations with Lincoln, +says that his single purpose was "the speedy and cordial restoration +of the dissevered States. He cherished no resentment against +the South, and every theory of reconstruction that he ever conceived +or presented was eminently peaceful and looking solely to +reattaching the estranged people to the government." <i>Lincoln +and Men of War-Times,</i> 223.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_60_60'></a><a href='#FNanchor_60_60'>[60]</a> Sherman, <i>Memoirs</i>, ii. 356.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_61_61'></a><a href='#FNanchor_61_61'>[61]</a> Grant stigmatizes this as "cruel and harsh treatment ... unnecessarily ... inflicted," +<i>Mem.</i> ii. 534, and as "infamous," +Badeau, <i>Milit. Hist. of Grant</i>, iii. 636 n.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_62_62'></a><a href='#FNanchor_62_62'>[62]</a> Sherman, <i>Memoirs</i>, ii. 328. The admiral says that, if Lincoln +had lived, he "would have shouldered all the responsibility" for +Sherman's action, and Secretary Stanton would have +"issued no false telegraphic dispatches." See also Senator Sherman's +corroborative statement; McClure, <i>Lincoln and Men of War-Times,</i> 219 n.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_63_63'></a><a href='#FNanchor_63_63'>[63]</a> Sherman, <i>Memoirs</i>, ii. 360.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 261 --><a name='Png261'></a><a name='Page245'></a><span class="pagenum">245</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_IX'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h2>RENOMINATION</h2> + +<p>In a period of fervid political feeling it was +natural that those Republicans who were dissatisfied +with President Lincoln should begin, long +before the close of his term of office, to seek consolation +by arrangements for replacing him by a +successor more to their taste. Expressions of this +purpose became definite in the autumn of 1863. +Mr. Arnold says that the coming presidential +election was expected to bring grave danger, if not +even anarchy and revolution.<a name='FNanchor_64_64'></a><a href='#Footnote_64_64'><sup>[64]</sup></a> Amid existing circumstances, +an opposition confined to the legitimate +antagonism of the Democracy would, of +course, have brought something more than the +customary strain inherent in ordinary times in +government by party; and it was unfortunate that, +besides this, an undue gravity was imported into +the crisis by the intestinal dissensions of the +Republicans themselves. It seemed by no means +impossible that these disagreements might give to +the friends of peace by compromise a victory +<!-- Image No 262 --><a name='Png262'></a><a name='Page246'></a><span class="pagenum">246</span>which they really ought not to have. Republican +hostility to Mr. Lincoln was unquestionably very +bitter in quality, whatever it might be in quantity. +It was based in part upon the discontent of the +radicals and extremists, in part upon personal irritation. +In looking back upon those times there is +now a natural tendency to measure this opposition +by the weakness which it ultimately displayed +when, later on, it was swept out of sight by the +overwhelming current of the popular will. But +this weakness was by no means so visible in the +winter of 1863-64. On the contrary, the cry for +a change then seemed to come from every quarter, +and to come loudly; for it was echoed back and +forth by the propagandists and politicians, and +as these persons naturally did most of the talking +and writing in the country, so they made a show +delusively out of proportion to their following +among the people.</p> + +<p>The dislike toward the President flourished +chiefly in two places, and with two distinct bodies +of men. One of these places was Missouri, which +will be spoken of later on. The other was Washington, +where the class of "public men" was for +the most part very ill-disposed towards him.<a name='FNanchor_65_65'></a><a href='#Footnote_65_65'><sup>[65]</sup></a> Mr. +Julian, himself a prominent malcontent, bears his +valuable testimony to the extent of the disaffection, +saying that, of the "more earnest and thorough-going +Republicans in both Houses of Congress, +<!-- Image No 263 --><a name='Png263'></a><a name='Page247'></a><span class="pagenum">247</span>probably not one in ten really favored"<a name='FNanchor_66_66'></a><a href='#Footnote_66_66'><sup>[66]</sup></a> the renomination +of Mr. Lincoln. In fact, there were +few of them whom the President had not offended. +They had brought to him their schemes and their +policies, had made their arguments and demands, +and after all had found the President keeping his +counsel to himself and acting according to his own +judgment. This seemed exasperatingly unjustifiable +in a country where anybody might happen to +be president without being a whit abler than any +other one who had not happened to fall into the +office. In a word, the politicians had, and hated, +a master. Mr. Chase betrayed this when he complained +that there was no "administration, in the +true sense of the word;" by which he understood, +"a president conferring with his cabinet and <i>taking +their united judgments</i>." The existence of +that strange moat which seems to isolate the capital +and the political coteries therein gathered, and +to shut out all knowledge of the feelings of the +constituent people, is notorious, and certainly was +never made more conspicuous than in this business +of selecting the Republican candidate for the campaign +of 1864. When Congress came together +the political scheming received a strong impetus. +Everybody seemed to be opposed to Mr. Lincoln. +Thaddeus Stevens, the impetuous leader of the +House of Representatives, declared that, in that +body, Arnold of Illinois was the only member who +<!-- Image No 264 --><a name='Png264'></a><a name='Page248'></a><span class="pagenum">248</span>was a political friend of the President; and the +story goes that the President himself sadly admitted +the fact. Visitors at Washington, who got their +impressions from the talk there, concluded that +Mr. Lincoln's chance of a second term was small.</p> + +<p>This opposition, which had the capital for its +headquarters and the politicians for its constituents, +found a candidate ready for use. Secretary +Chase was a victim to the dread disease of presidential +ambition. With the usual conventional +expressions of modesty he admitted the fact. +Thereupon general talk soon developed into political +organization; and in January, 1864, a "Committee +of prominent Senators, Representatives, and +Citizens," having formally obtained his approval, +set about promoting his interests in business-like +fashion.</p> + +<p>The President soon knew what was going forward; +but he gave no sign of disquietude; on the +contrary, he only remarked that he hoped the +country would never have a worse president than +Mr. Chase would be. Not that he was indifferent +to renomination and reëlection. That would have +been against nature. His mind, his soul, all that +there was of force and feeling in him had been +expended to the uttermost in the cause and the +war which were still pending. At the end of that +desperate road, along which he had dared stubbornly +and against so much advice to lead the +nation, he seemed now to discern the goal. That +he should be permitted to guide to the end in that +<!-- Image No 265 --><a name='Png265'></a> +<!-- Image No 266 --><a name='Png266'></a> +<!-- Image No 267 --><a name='Png267'></a><a name='Page249'></a><span class="pagenum">249</span> +journey, and that his judgment and leadership +should receive the crown of success and approval, +was a reward, almost a right, which he must intensely +desire and which he could not lose without +a disappointment that outruns expression. Yet he +was so self-contained that, if he had cared not at +all about the issue, his conduct would have been +much the same that it was.</p> + +<p class="figure"> +<a href="img/illus0422.jpg"> +<img width="50%" src='img/illus0422.jpg' alt='Isaac N. Arnold.'/></a><br/> +Isaac N. Arnold. +</p> + +<p>Besides his temperament, other causes promoted +this tranquillity. What Mr. Lincoln would have +been had his career fallen in ordinary times, amid +commonplace political business, it is difficult to +say. The world never saw him as the advocate or +assailant of a tariff, or other such affair. From +the beginning he had bound himself fast to a great +moral purpose, which later became united with the +preservation of the national life. Having thus +deliberately exercised his judgment in a question +of this kind, he seemed ever after content to have +intrusted his fortunes to the movement, and always +to be free from any misgiving as to its happy conclusion. +Besides this, it is probable that he accurately +measured the narrow limits of Mr. Chase's +strength. No man ever more shrewdly read the +popular mind. A subtle line of communication +seemed to run between himself and the people. +Nor did he know less well the politicians. His +less sagacious friends noted with surprise and +anxiety that he let the work of opposition go on +unchecked. In due time, however, the accuracy of +his foresight was vindicated; for when the secretary's +<!-- Image No 268 --><a name='Png268'></a><a name='Page250'></a><span class="pagenum">250</span> +friends achieved a sufficient impetus they +tumbled over, in manner following:—</p> + +<p>Mr. Pomeroy, senator from Kansas, was vindictive +because the President had refused to take +his side in certain quarrels between himself and +his colleague. Accordingly, early in 1864, he +issued a circular, stating that the efforts making +for Mr. Lincoln's nomination required counter +action on the part of those unconditional friends +of the Union who disapproved the policy of the +administration. He said that Mr. Lincoln's reëlection +was "practically impossible;" that it was +also undesirable, on account of the President's +"manifest tendency towards compromises and +temporary expedients of policy," and for other +reasons. Therefore, he said, Mr. Chase's friends +had established "connections in all the States," +and now invited "the hearty coöperation of all +those in favor of the speedy restoration of the +Union upon the basis of universal freedom." The +document, designed to be secret, of course was +quickly printed in the newspapers.<a name='FNanchor_67_67'></a><a href='#Footnote_67_67'><sup>[67]</sup></a> This was +awkward; and Mr. Chase at once wrote to the +President a letter, certainly entirely fair, in which +he expressed his willingness to resign. Mr. Lincoln +replied kindly. He said that he had heard +of the Pomeroy circular, but had not read it, and +did not expect to do so. In fact, he said, "I +have known just as little of these things as my +friends have allowed me to know." As to the +<!-- Image No 269 --><a name='Png269'></a><a name='Page251'></a><span class="pagenum">251</span>proposed resignation, that, he said, "is a question +which I will not allow myself to consider from any +standpoint other than my judgment of the public +service, and in that view I do not perceive occasion +for a change." There was throughout a quiet +undertone of indifference to the whole business, +which was significant enough to have puzzled the +secretary, had he noticed it; for it was absolutely +impossible that Mr. Lincoln should be really +indifferent to dangerous competition. The truth +was that the facts of the situation lay with the +President, and that the enterprise, which was +supposed by its friends to be only in its early +stage, was really on the verge of final disposition. +Mr. Chase had said decisively that he would +not be a candidate unless his own State, Ohio, +should prefer him. To enlighten him on this +point the Republican members of the Ohio legislature, +being in much closer touch with the people +than were the more dignified statesmen at Washington, +met on February 25, and in the name of +the people and the soldiers of their State renominated +Mr. Lincoln. The nail was driven a stroke +deeper into the coffin by Rhode Island. Although +Governor Sprague was Mr. Chase's son-in-law, +the legislature of that State also made haste to +declare for Mr. Lincoln. So the movement in +behalf of Mr. Chase came suddenly and utterly +to an end. Early in May he wrote that he wished +no further consideration to be given to his name; +and his wish was respected. After this collapse +<!-- Image No 270 --><a name='Png270'></a><a name='Page252'></a><span class="pagenum">252</span>Mr. Lincoln's renomination was much less opposed +by the politicians of Washington. Being naturally +a facile class, and not so narrowly wedded to +their own convictions as to be unable to subordinate +them to the popular will or wisdom, they now +for the most part gave their superficial and uncordial +adhesion to the President. They liked him +no better than before, but they respected a sagacity +superior to their own, bowed before a capacity +which could control success, and, in presence of the +admitted fact of his overwhelming popularity, they +played the part which became wise men of their +calling.</p> + +<p>However sincerely Mr. Chase might resolve to +behave with magnanimity beneath his disappointment, +the disappointment must rankle all the +same. It was certainly the case that, while he +professed friendship towards Mr. Lincoln personally, +he was honestly unable to appreciate him as a +president. Mr. Chase's ideal of a statesman had +outlines of imposing dignity which Mr. Lincoln's +simple demeanor did not fill out. It was now inevitable +that the relationship between the two men +should soon be severed. The first strain came +because Mr. Lincoln would not avenge an unjustifiable +assault made by General Blair upon the +secretary. Then Mr. Chase grumbled at the free +spending of the funds which he had succeeded in +providing with so much skill and labor. "It seems +as if there were no limit to expense.... The +spigot in Uncle Abe's barrel is made twice as big +<!-- Image No 271 --><a name='Png271'></a><a name='Page253'></a><span class="pagenum">253</span>as the bung-hole," he complained. Then ensued +sundry irritations concerning appointments in the +custom-houses, one of which led to an offer of +resignation by the secretary. On each occasion, +however, the President placated him by allowing +him to have his own way. Finally, in May and +June, 1864, occurred the famous imbroglio concerning +the choice of a successor to Mr. Cisco, the +assistant treasurer at New York. Though Mr. +Chase again managed to prevail, yet he was made +so angry by the circumstances of the case, that +he again sent in his resignation, which this time +was accepted. For, as Mr. Lincoln said: "You +and I have reached a point of mutual embarrassment +in our official relation, which it seems cannot +be overcome or longer sustained consistently +with the public service." This occurrence, taking +place on June 29-30, at the beginning of the difficult +political campaign of that anxious summer, +alienated from the President's cause some friends +in a crisis when all the friends whom he could +muster seemed hardly sufficient.</p> + +<p>The place of Mr. Chase was not easy to fill. +Mr. Lincoln first nominated David Tod of Ohio. +This was very ill received; but fortunately the +difficulty which might have been caused by it was +escaped, because Governor Tod promptly declined. +The President then named William Pitt Fessenden, +senator from Maine, and actually forced the +office upon him against that gentleman's sincere +wish to escape the honor. A better choice could +<!-- Image No 272 --><a name='Png272'></a><a name='Page254'></a><span class="pagenum">254</span>not have been made. Mr. Fessenden was chairman +of the Committee on Finance, and had filled +the position with conspicuous ability; every one +esteemed him highly; the Senate instantly confirmed +him, and during his incumbency in office +he fully justified these flattering opinions.</p> + +<p>There were other opponents of the President +who were not so easily diverted from their purpose +as the politicians had been. In Missouri an old +feud was based upon his displacement of Fremont; +the State had ever since been rent by fierce +factional quarrels, and amid them this grievance +had never been forgotten or forgiven. Emancipation +by state action had been chief among the +causes which had divided the Union citizens into +Conservatives and Radicals. Their quarrel was +bitter, and in vain did Mr. Lincoln repeatedly endeavor +to reconcile them. The Radicals claimed +his countenance as a matter of right, and Mr. Lincoln +often privately admitted that between him +and them there was close coincidence of feeling. +Yet he found their specific demands inadmissible; +especially he could not consent to please them +by removing General Schofield. So they, being +extremists, and therefore of the type of men who +will have every one against them who is not for +them, turned vindictively against him. They +found sympathizers elsewhere in the country, +sporadic instances of disaffection rather than indications +of an epidemic; but in their frame of +mind they easily gained faith in the existence of a +<!-- Image No 273 --><a name='Png273'></a><a name='Page255'></a><span class="pagenum">255</span>popular feeling which was, in fact, the phantasm +of their own heated fancy. As spring drew on +they cast out lines of affiliation. Their purpose +was not only negatively against Lincoln, but positively +for Fremont. Therefore they made connection +with the Central Fremont Club, a small +organization in New York, and issued a call for a +mass convention at Cleveland on May 31. They +expressed their disgust for the "imbecile and +vacillating policy" of Mr. Lincoln, and desired +the "immediate extinction of slavery ... by +congressional action," contemning the fact that +Congress had no power under the Constitution +to extinguish slavery. Their call was reinforced +by two or three others, of which one came from a +"People's Committee" of St. Louis, representing +Germans under the lead of B. Gratz Brown.</p> + +<p>The movement also had the hearty approval of +Wendell Phillips, who was very bitter and sweeping +in his denunciations of an administration which +he regarded "as a civil and military failure." +Lincoln's reëlection, he said, "I shall consider the +end of the Union in my day, or its reconstruction +on terms worse than disunion." But Mr. Phillips's +friendship ought to have been regarded by +the Fremonters as ominous, for it was his custom +always to act with a very small minority. Moreover +he had long since ceased to give voice to the +intelligence of his party or even fairly to represent +it. How far it had ever been proper to call the +Abolitionists a party may be doubted; before the +<!-- Image No 274 --><a name='Png274'></a><a name='Page256'></a><span class="pagenum">256</span>war they had been compressed into some solidity +by encompassing hostility; but they would not +have been Abolitionists at all had they not been +men of exceptional independence both in temper +and in intellect. They had often dared to differ +from each other as well as from the mass of their +fellow citizens, and they had never submitted to +the domination of leaders in the ordinary political +fashion. The career of Mr. Lincoln had of course +been watched by them keenly, very critically, and +with intense and various feeling. At times they +had hopefully applauded him, and at times they +had vehemently condemned what had seemed to +them his halting, half-hearted, or timid action. As +the individual members of the party had often +changed their own minds about him, so also they +had sometimes and freely disagreed with each +other concerning his character, his intentions, +his policies. In the winter and spring of 1864, +however, it seemed that, by slow degrees, observation, +their own good sense, and the development of +events had at last won the great majority of the +party to repose a considerable measure of confidence +in him, both in respect of his capacity and +of his real anti-slavery purposes. Accordingly in +the present discussions such men as Owen Lovejoy,<a name='FNanchor_68_68'></a><a href='#Footnote_68_68'><sup>[68]</sup></a> +William Lloyd Garrison, and Oliver Johnson came +out fairly for him,—not, indeed, because he was +altogether satisfactory to them, but because he was +in great part so; also because they easily saw that +<!-- Image No 275 --><a name='Png275'></a><a name='Page257'></a><span class="pagenum">257</span>as matter of fact his personal triumph would probably +lead to abolition, that he was the only candidate +by whom the Democracy could be beaten, and +that if the Democracy should not be beaten, abolition +would be postponed beyond human vision. +Lovejoy said that, to his personal knowledge, the +President had "been just as radical as any of his +cabinet," and in view of what the Abolitionists +thought of Chase, this was a strong indorsement. +The old-time charge of being impractical could +not properly be renewed against these men, now +that they saw that events which they could help to +bring about were likely to bring their purpose to +the point of real achievement in a near future. In +this condition of things they were found entirely +willing to recognize and accept the best practical +means, and their belief was clear that the best +practical means lay in the renomination and reëlection +of Abraham Lincoln. Their adhesion brought +to him a very useful assistance, and beyond this it +also gave him the gratification of knowing that he +had at last won the approval of men whose friendly +sympathy he had always inwardly desired. Sustained +by the best men in the party, he could +afford to disregard the small body of irreconcilable +and quarrelsome fault-finders, who went over to +Fremont, factious men, who were perhaps unconsciously +controlled more by mere contradictoriness +of temperament than by the higher motives which +they proclaimed.</p> + +<p>At Cleveland on the appointed day the "mass +<!-- Image No 276 --><a name='Png276'></a><a name='Page258'></a><span class="pagenum">258</span>convention" assembled, only the mass was wanting. +It nominated Fremont for the presidency and General +John Cochrane for the vice-presidency; and +thus again the Constitution was ignored by these +malcontents; for both these gentlemen were citizens +of New York, and therefore the important +delegation from that State could lawfully vote for +only one of them. Really the best result which +the convention achieved was that it called forth a +bit of wit from the President. Some one remarked +to him that, instead of the expected thousands, +only about four hundred persons had assembled. +He turned to the Bible which, say Nicolay and +Hay, "commonly lay on his desk,"<a name='FNanchor_69_69'></a><a href='#Footnote_69_69'><sup>[69]</sup></a> and read the +verse: "And every one that was in distress, and +every one that was in debt, and every one that was +discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and +he became a captain over them: and there were +with him about four hundred men."<a name='FNanchor_70_70'></a><a href='#Footnote_70_70'><sup>[70]</sup></a></p> + +<p>The Fremonters struck no responsive chord +among the people. The nomination was received +by every one with the same tranquil indifference, +tinged with ridicule, which the President had +shown. In vain did Fremont seek to give to his +candidacy a serious and dignified character. Very +few persons cared anything about it, except the +Democrats, and their clamorous approval was as +unwelcome as it was significant. Under this humiliation +the unfortunate candidate at last decided +to withdraw, and so notified his committee about +<!-- Image No 277 --><a name='Png277'></a><a name='Page259'></a><span class="pagenum">259</span>the middle of September. He still stood by his +principles, however, and asserted that Mr. Lincoln's +administration had been "politically, militarily, +and financially a failure;" that the President +had paralyzed the generous unanimity of the +North; and that, by declaring that "slavery should +be protected," he had "built up for the South a +strength which otherwise they could have never +attained." The nation received the statement +placidly and without alarm.</p> + +<p>A feeble movement in New York to nominate +General Grant deserves mention, chiefly for the +purpose of also mentioning the generous manner +in which the general decisively brushed it aside. +Mr. Lincoln quietly said that if Grant would take +Richmond he might also have the presidency. But +it was, of course, plain to every one that for the +present it would be ridiculous folly to take Grant +out of his tent in order to put him into the White +House.</p> + +<p>During this same troubled period a few of the +Republican malcontents went so far as to fancy +that they could put upon Mr. Lincoln a pressure +which would induce him to withdraw from the +ticket. They never learned the extreme absurdity +of their design, for they never got enough encouragement +to induce them to push it beyond the stage +of preliminary discussion.</p> + +<p>All these movements had some support from +newspapers in different parts of the country. +Many editors had the like grievance against Mr. +<!-- Image No 278 --><a name='Png278'></a><a name='Page260'></a><span class="pagenum">260</span>Lincoln which so many politicians had. For they +had told him what to do, and too often he had not +done it. Horace Greeley, it is needless to say, +was conspicuous in his unlimited condemnation of +the President.</p> + +<p>The first indications of the revolt of the politicians +and the radicals against Mr. Lincoln were +signals for instant counteracting activity among +the various bodies which more closely felt the popular +impulse. State conventions, caucuses, of all +sizes and kinds, and gatherings of the Republican +members of state legislatures, overstepped their +regular functions to declare for the renomination +of Mr. Lincoln. Clubs and societies did the same. +Simon Cameron, transmitting to the President a +circular of this purport, signed by every Unionist +member of the Pennsylvania legislature, said: +"Providence has decreed your reëlection;" and if +it is true that the <i>vox populi</i> is also the <i>vox Dei</i>, +this statement of the political affiliations of Providence +was entirely correct. Undoubtedly the number +of the President's adherents was swelled by +some persons who would have been among the disaffected +had they not been influenced by the reflection +that a change of administration in the present +condition of things must be disastrous. This feeling +was expressed in many metaphors, but in none +other so famous as that uttered by Mr. Lincoln +himself: that it was not wise to swap horses while +crossing the stream. The process was especially +dangerous in a country where the change would +<!-- Image No 279 --><a name='Png279'></a><a name='Page261'></a><span class="pagenum">261</span>involve a practical interregum of one third of a +year. The nation had learned this lesson, and had +paid dearly enough for the schooling, too, in the +four months of its waiting to get rid of Buchanan, +after it had discredited him and all his ways. In +the present crisis it was easy to believe that to +leave Mr. Lincoln to carry on for four months an +administration condemned by the people, would +inflict a mortal injury to the Union cause. Nevertheless, +though many persons not wholly satisfied +with him supported him for this reason, the great +majority undeniably felt implicit faith and intense +loyalty towards him. He was the people's candidate, +and they would not have any other candidate; +this present state of popular feeling, which soon +became plain as the sun in heaven, settled the +matter.</p> + +<p>Thereupon, however, the malcontents, unwilling +to accept defeat, broached a new scheme. The +Republican nominating convention had been summoned +to meet on June 7, 1864; the opponents of +Mr. Lincoln now sought to have it postponed until +September. William Cullen Bryant favored this. +Mr. Greeley also artfully said that a nomination +made so early would expose the Union party to a +dangerous and possibly a successful flank movement. +But deception was impossible; all knew +that the postponement itself was a flank movement, +and that it was desired for the chance of some +advantage turning up for those who now had absolutely +nothing to lose.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 280 --><a name='Png280'></a><a name='Page262'></a><span class="pagenum">262</span> +Mr. Lincoln all the while preserved the same +attitude which he had held from the beginning. +He had too much honesty and good sense to commit +the vulgar folly of pretending not to want what +every one knew perfectly well that he did want +very much. Yet no fair enemy could charge him +with doing any objectionable act to advance his +own interests. He declined to give General Schurz +leave of absence to make speeches in his behalf. +"Speaking in the North," he said, "and fighting +in the South at the same time are not possible; +nor could I be justified to detail any officer to the +political campaign during its continuance, and then +return him to the army." When the renomination +came to him, he took it with clean hands and a +clear conscience; and it did come surely and +promptly. The postponers were quenched by general +disapproval; and promptly on the appointed +day, June 7, the Republican Convention met at +Baltimore. As Mr. Forney well said: the body +had not to originate, but simply to republish, a +policy; not to choose a candidate, but only to +adopt the previous choice of the people. Very +wisely the "Radical-union," or anti-Lincoln, delegation +from Missouri was admitted, as against the +contesting pro-Lincoln delegates. The delegations +from Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana were also +admitted. The President had desired this. Perhaps, +as some people charged, he thought that it +would be a useful precedent for counting the votes +of these States in the election itself, should the +<!-- Image No 281 --><a name='Png281'></a><a name='Page263'></a><span class="pagenum">263</span>Republican party have need to do so. The platform, +besides many other things, declared against +compromise with the rebels; advocated a constitutional +amendment to abolish slavery; and praised +the President and his policy. The first ballot +showed 484 for Lincoln, 22 for Grant. The Missouri +radicals had cast the vote for Grant; they +rose and transferred it to Lincoln, and thus upon +the first ballot he was nominated unanimously.</p> + +<p>There was some conflict over the second place. +A numerous body felt, and very properly, that Mr. +Hamlin deserved the approval of renomination. +But others said that policy required the selection +of a war Democrat. The President's advice was +eagerly and persistently sought. Messrs. Nicolay +and Hay allege that he not only ostensibly refused +any response, but that he would give no private +hint; and they say that therefore it was "with +minds absolutely untrammeled by even any knowledge +of the President's wishes, that the convention +went about its work of selecting his associate on +the ticket." Others assert, and, as it seems to me, +strongly sustain their assertion, that the President +had a distinct and strong purpose in favor of Andrew +Johnson,—not on personal, but on political +grounds,—and that it was due to his skillful but +occult interference that the choice ultimately fell +upon the energetic and aggressive war Democrat +of Tennessee.<a name='FNanchor_71_71'></a><a href='#Footnote_71_71'><sup>[71]</sup></a> The first ballot showed for Mr. +<!-- Image No 282 --><a name='Png282'></a><a name='Page264'></a><span class="pagenum">264</span>Johnson 200, for Mr. Hamlin 150, and for Daniel +S. Dickinson, a war Democrat of New York, +108. The nomination of Mr. Johnson was at once +made unanimous.</p> + +<p>To the committee who waited upon Mr. Lincoln +to notify him formally of his nomination, he +replied briefly. His only noteworthy remark was +made concerning that clause in the platform which +proposed the constitutional abolition of slavery; +of which he said, that it was "a fitting and necessary +conclusion to the final success of the Union +cause."</p> + +<p>During the ensuing summer of 1864 the strain +to which the nation was subjected was excessive. +The political campaign produced intense excitement, +and the military situation caused profound +anxiety. The Democrats worked as men work +when they anticipate glorious triumph; and even +the Republicans conceded that the chance of their +opponents was alarmingly good. The frightful +conflict which had devoured men and money without +stint was entering upon its fourth year, and +the weary people had not that vision which enabled +the leaders from their watch-tower to see the +end. Wherefore the Democrats, stigmatizing the +war policy as a failure, and crying for peace and a +settlement, held out an alluring purpose, although +they certainly failed to explain distinctly their plan +for achieving this consummation without sacrificing +the Union. Skillfully devoting the summer +to assaults on the Republicans, they awaited the +<!-- Image No 283 --><a name='Png283'></a><a name='Page265'></a><span class="pagenum">265</span>guidance of the latest phase of the political situation +before making their own choice. Then, at +the end of August, their convention nominated +General George B. McClellan. At the time it +seemed probable that the nomination was also the +gift of the office. So unpromising was the outlook +for the Republicans during these summer months +that many leaders, and even the President himself, +felt that their only chance of winning in November +lay in the occurrence before that time of some military +success great enough to convince the people +that it was not yet time to despair of the war.</p> + +<p>It was especially hard for the Republicans to +make head against their natural enemies, because +they were so severely handicapped by the bad feeling +and division among themselves. Mr. Wade, +Henry Winter Davis, Thaddeus Stevens, and a +host more, could not do otherwise than accept the +party nominee; yet with what zeal could they work +for the candidate when they felt that they, the +leaders of the party, had been something worse +than ignored in the selection of him? And what +was their influence worth, when all who could be +reached by it knew well their extreme hostility and +distrust towards Mr. Lincoln? Stevens grudgingly +admitted that Lincoln would not be quite so +bad a choice as McClellan, yet let no chance go by +to assail the opinions, measures, and policy of the +Republican President. In this he was imitated +by others, and their reluctant adhesion in the mere +matter of voting the party ticket was much more +<!-- Image No 284 --><a name='Png284'></a><a name='Page266'></a><span class="pagenum">266</span>than offset by this vehemence in condemning the +man in whose behalf they felt it necessary to go +to the polls. In a word the situation was, that +the common soldiers of the party were to go into +the fight under officers who did not expect, and +scarcely desired, to win. Victory is rare under +such circumstances.</p> + +<p>The opposition of the Democratic party was +open and legitimate; the unfriendliness of the +Republican politicians was more unfortunate than +unfair, because it was the mistake of sincere and +earnest men. But in the way of Mr. Lincoln's +success there stood still other opponents whose +antagonism was mischievous, insidious, and unfair +both in principle and in detail. Chief in this band +appeared Horace Greeley, with a following and an +influence fluctuating and difficult to estimate, but +considerable. His present political creed was a +strange jumble of Democratic and Republican doctrines. +No Democrat abused the administration +or cried for "peace on almost any terms" louder +than he did; yet he still declaimed against slavery, +and proposed to buy from the South all its slaves +for four hundred millions of dollars. Unfortunately +those of his notions which were of importance +in the pending campaign were the Democratic +ones. If he had come out openly as a free +lance, which was his true character, he would have +less seriously injured the President's cause. This, +however, he would not do, but preferred to fight +against the Republicans in their own camp and +<!-- Image No 285 --><a name='Png285'></a><a name='Page267'></a><span class="pagenum">267</span>wearing their own uniform, and in this guise to +devote all his capacity to embarrassing the man +who was the chosen president and the candidate of +that party. Multitudes in the country had been +wont to accept the editorials of the "Tribune" as +sound political gospels, and the present disaffected +attitude of the variable man who inspired those +vehement writings was a national disaster. He +created and led the party of peace Republicans. +Peace Democracy was a legitimate political doctrine; +but peace Republicanism was an illogical +monstrosity. It lay, with the mortal threat of a +cancer, in the political body of the party. It was +especially unfortunate just at this juncture that +clear thinking was not among Mr. Greeley's gifts. +In single-minded pursuit of his purpose to destroy +Mr. Lincoln by any possible means, he had at first +encouraged the movement for Fremont, though it +was based on views directly contrary to his own. +But soon losing interest in that, he thereafter gave +himself wholly to the business of crying aloud for +immediate peace, which he continued to do throughout +the presidential campaign, always unreasonably, +sometimes disingenuously, but without rest, +and with injurious effect. The vivid picture which +he loved to draw of "our bleeding, bankrupt, and +almost dying country," longing for peace and +shuddering at the "prospect of new rivers of human +blood," scared many an honest and anxious +patriot.</p> + +<p>In July and August Mr. Greeley was misled +<!-- Image No 286 --><a name='Png286'></a><a name='Page268'></a><span class="pagenum">268</span>into lending himself to the schemes of some Southerners +at Niagara Falls, who threw out intimations +that they were emissaries from the Confederacy +and authorized to treat for peace. He believed +these men, and urged that negotiations should be +prosecuted with them. By the publicity which he +gave to the matter he caused much embarrassment +to Mr. Lincoln, who saw at once that the whole +business was certainly absurd and probably treacherous. +The real purpose of these envoys, he afterwards +said, was undoubtedly "to assist in selecting +and arranging a candidate and a platform for the +Chicago Convention." Yet clearly as he understood +this false and hollow scheme, he could not +altogether ignore Greeley's demands for attention +to it without giving too much color to those statements +which the editor was assiduously scattering +abroad, to the effect that the administration did +not desire peace, and would not take it when proffered. +So there were reasons why this sham offer +must be treated as if it were an honest one, vexatious +as the necessity appeared to the President. +Perhaps he was cheered by the faith which he had +in the wisdom of proverbs, for now, very fortunately, +he permitted himself to be guided by a +familiar one; and he decided to give to his annoyer +liberal rope. Accordingly he authorized +Mr. Greeley himself to visit in person these emissaries, +to confer with them, and even to bring +them to Washington in case they should prove +really to have from Jefferson Davis any written +<!-- Image No 287 --><a name='Png287'></a><a name='Page269'></a><span class="pagenum">269</span>proposition "for peace, embracing the restoration +of the Union and abandonment of slavery." It +was an exceedingly shrewd move, and it seriously +discomposed Mr. Greeley, who had not counted +upon being so frankly met, and whose disquietude +was amusingly evident as he reluctantly fluttered +forth to Niagara upon his mission of peace, less +wise than a serpent and unfortunately much less +harmless than a dove.</p> + +<p>There is no room here to follow all the intricacies +of the ensuing "negotiations." The result +was an utter fiasco, fully justifying the President's +opinion of the fatuity of the whole business. The +so-called Southern envoys had no credentials at +all; they appeared to be mere adventurers, and +members of that Southern colony in Canada which +became even more infamous by what it desired to +do than mischievous by what it actually did during +the war. If they had any distinct purpose on +this occasion, it was to injure the Republican party +by discrediting its candidate in precisely the way +in which Mr. Greeley was aiding them to do these +things. But he never got his head sufficiently +clear to appreciate this, and he faithfully continued +to play the part for which he had been cast +by them, but without understanding it. He persistently +charged the responsibility for his bootless +return and ignominious situation upon Mr. Lincoln; +and though his errand proved conclusively +that the South was making no advances,<a name='FNanchor_72_72'></a><a href='#Footnote_72_72'><sup>[72]</sup></a> and +<!-- Image No 288 --><a name='Png288'></a><a name='Page270'></a><span class="pagenum">270</span>though no man in the country was more strictly +affected with personal knowledge of this fact than +he was, yet he continued to tell the people, with +all the weight of his personal authority, that the +President was obstinately set against any and all +proffers of peace. Mr. Lincoln, betwixt mercy +and policy, refrained from crushing his antagonist +by an ungarbled publication of all the facts and +documents; and in return for his forbearance he +long continued to receive from Mr. Greeley vehement +assurances that every direful disaster awaited +the Republican party. The cause suffered much +from these relentless diatribes of the "Tribune's" +influential manager, for nothing else could make +the administration so unpopular as the belief that +it was backward in any possible exertion to secure +an honorable peace.</p> + +<p>If by sound logic the Greeley faction should +have voted with the Democrats,—since in the +chief point in issue, the prosecution of the war, +they agreed with the Democracy,—so the war +Democrats, being in accord with the Republicans, +upon this same overshadowing issue should, at the +coming election at least, have voted with that +party. Many of them undoubtedly did finally +prefer Lincoln, coupled with Andrew Johnson, to +McClellan. But they also had anxieties, newly +stirred, and entirely reasonable in men of their +political faith. It was plain to them that Mr. +<!-- Image No 289 --><a name='Png289'></a><a name='Page271'></a><span class="pagenum">271</span>Lincoln had been finding his way to the distinct +position that the abolition of slavery was an essential +condition of peace. Now this was undeniably +a very serious and alterative graft upon the original +doctrine that the war was solely for the restoration +of the Union. The editor of a war-Democratic +newspaper in Wisconsin sought information +upon this point. In the course of Mr. Greeley's +negotiatory business Mr. Lincoln had offered to +welcome "any proposition which embraces the +restoration of peace, the integrity of the whole +Union, and the abandonment of slavery." Now +this, said the interrogating editor, implies "that +no steps can be taken towards peace ... unless +accompanied with an abandonment of slavery. +This puts the whole war question on a new basis +and takes us war Democrats clear off our feet, +leaving us no ground to stand upon. If we sustain +the war and war policy, does it not demand the +changing of our party politics?" Nicolay and +Hay print the draft of a reply by Mr. Lincoln +which, they say, was "apparently unfinished and +probably never sent." In this he referred to his +past utterances as being still valid. But he said +that no Southerner had "intimated a willingness +for a restoration of the Union in any event or on +any condition whatever.... If Jefferson Davis +wishes for himself, or for the benefit of his friends +at the North, to know what I would do if he were +to offer peace and reunion, saying nothing about +slavery, let him try me." It must be admitted +<!-- Image No 290 --><a name='Png290'></a><a name='Page272'></a><span class="pagenum">272</span>that this was not an answer, but was a clear waiver +of an answer. The President could not or would +not reply categorically to the queries of the editor. +Perhaps the impossibility of doing so both satisfactorily +and honestly may explain why the paper +was left unfinished and unsent. It was not an easy +letter to write; its composition must have puzzled +one who was always clear both in thought and in +expression. Probably Mr. Lincoln no longer expected +that the end of the war would leave slavery +in existence, nor intended that it should do so; +and doubtless he anticipated that the course of +events would involve the destruction of that now +rotten and undermined institution, without serious +difficulty at the opportune moment. The speeches +made at the Republican nominating convention +had been very outspoken, to the effect that slavery +must be made to "cease forever," as a result of the +war. Yet a blunt statement that abolition would +be a <i>sine qua non</i> in any arrangements for peace, +emanating directly from the President, as a declaration +of his policy, would be very costly in the +pending campaign, and would imperil rather than +advance the fortunes of him who had this consummation +at heart, and would thereby also diminish +the chance for the consummation itself. So at +last he seems to have left the war Democrats to +puzzle over the conundrum, and decide as best +they could. Of course the doubt affected unfavorably +the votes of some of them.</p> + +<p>A measure of the mischief which was done by +<!-- Image No 291 --><a name='Png291'></a><a name='Page273'></a><span class="pagenum">273</span>these suspicions and by Greeley's assertions that +the administration did not desire peace, may be +taken from a letter, written to Mr. Lincoln on +August 22 by Mr. Henry J. Raymond, chairman +of the National Executive Committee of the +Republican party. From all sides, Mr. Raymond +says, "I hear but one report. The tide is setting +strongly against us." Mr. Washburne, he writes, +despairs of Illinois, and Mr. Cameron of Pennsylvania, +and he himself is not hopeful of New York, +and Governor Morton is doubtful of Indiana; +"and so of the rest." For this melancholy condition +he assigns two causes: the want of military +successes, and the belief "that we are not to have +peace in any event under this administration until +slavery is abandoned. In some way or other the +suspicion is widely diffused that we can have peace +with union, if we would." Then even this stanch +Republican leader suggests that it might be good +policy to sound Jefferson Davis on the feasibility +of peace "on the sole condition of acknowledging +the supremacy of the Constitution,—all other +questions to be settled in a convention of the people +of all the States." The President might well +have been thrown into inextricable confusion of +mind, betwixt the assaults of avowed enemies, the +denunciations and predictions of inimical friends, +the foolish advice of genuine supporters. It is +now plain that all the counsel which was given to +him was bad, from whatsoever quarter it came. It +shows the powerfulness of his nature that he +<!-- Image No 292 --><a name='Png292'></a><a name='Page274'></a><span class="pagenum">274</span>retained his cool and accurate judgment, although +the crisis was such that even he also had to admit +that the danger of defeat was imminent. To Mr. +Raymond's panic-stricken suggestions he made a +very shrewd response by drafting some instructions +for the purpose of sending that gentleman himself +on the mission to Mr. Davis. It was the same +tactics which he had pursued in dispatching Mr. +Greeley to meet the Southerners in Canada. The +result was that the fruitlessness of the suggestion +was admitted by its author.</p> + +<p>As if all hurtful influences were to be concentrated +against the President, it became necessary +just at this inopportune time to make good the terrible +waste in the armies caused by expiration of +terms of service and by the bloody campaigns of +Grant and Sherman. Volunteering was substantially +at an end, and a call for troops would have +to be enforced by a draft. Inevitably this would +stir afresh the hostility of those who dreaded that +the conscription might sweep into military service +themselves or those dear to them. It was Mr. +Lincoln's duty, however, to make the demand, and +to make it at once. He did so; regardless of personal +consequences, he called for 500,000 more +men.</p> + +<p>Thus in July and August the surface was covered +with straws, and every one of them indicated +a current setting strongly against Mr. Lincoln. +Unexpectedly the Democratic Convention made a +small counter-eddy; for the peace Democrats, led +<!-- Image No 293 --><a name='Png293'></a><a name='Page275'></a><span class="pagenum">275</span>by Vallandigham, were ill advised enough to force +a peace plank into the platform. This was at once +repudiated by McClellan in his letter of acceptance, +and then again was reiterated by Vallandigham +as the true policy of the party. Thus war +Democrats were alarmed, and a split was opened. +Yet it was by no means such a chasm as that +which, upon the opposite side, divided the radicals +and politicians from the mass of their Republican +comrades. It might affect ratios, but did not seem +likely to change results. In a word, all political +observers now believed that military success was +the only medicine which could help the Republican +prostration, and whether this medicine could be +procured was very doubtful.</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_64_64'></a><a href='#FNanchor_64_64'>[64]</a> Arnold, <i>Lincoln</i>, 384, 385. Nicolay and Hay seem to me to +go too far in belittling the opposition to Mr. Lincoln within the +Republican party.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_65_65'></a><a href='#FNanchor_65_65'>[65]</a> See Arnold, <i>Lincoln</i>, 385. But the fact is notorious among +all who remember those times.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_66_66'></a><a href='#FNanchor_66_66'>[66]</a> <i>Polit. Recoll. 243 et seq</i>. Mr. Julian here gives a vivid sketch +of the opposition to Mr. Lincoln.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_67_67'></a><a href='#FNanchor_67_67'>[67]</a> In the <i>National Intelligencer</i>, February 22, 1864.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_68_68'></a><a href='#FNanchor_68_68'>[68]</a> Lovejoy had generally stood faithfully by the President.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_69_69'></a><a href='#FNanchor_69_69'>[69]</a> N. and H. ix. 40.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_70_70'></a><a href='#FNanchor_70_70'>[70]</a> I Samuel xxii. 2.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_71_71'></a><a href='#FNanchor_71_71'>[71]</a> See, more especially, McClure, <i>Lincoln and Men of +War-Times,</i> +chapter on "Lincoln and Hamlin," 104-118. This writer says +(p. 196) that Lincoln's first selection was General Butler.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_72_72'></a><a href='#FNanchor_72_72'>[72]</a> Further illustration of this unquestionable fact was furnished +by the volunteer mission of Colonel Jaquess and Mr. Gilmore to +Richmond in July. N. and H. vol. ix. ch. ix.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 294 --><a name='Png294'></a><a name='Page276'></a><span class="pagenum">276</span> + + +<a name='CHAPTER_X'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h2>MILITARY SUCCESSES, AND THE REËLECTION OF +THE PRESIDENT</h2> + +<p>It is necessary now to return to military matters, +and briefly to set forth the situation. No +especial fault was found with General Meade's +operations in Virginia; yet it was obvious that a +system quite different from that which had hitherto +prevailed must be introduced there. To fight a +great battle, then await entire recuperation of +losses, then fight again and wait again, was a process +of lingering exhaustion which might be prolonged +indefinitely. In February, 1864, Congress +passed, though with some reluctance, and the +President much more readily signed, a bill for the +appointment of a lieutenant-general, "authorized, +under the direction and during the pleasure of the +President, to command the armies of the United +States."<a name='FNanchor_73_73'></a><a href='#Footnote_73_73'><sup>[73]</sup></a> All understood that the place was made +for General Grant, and it was at once given to him +by Mr. Lincoln. On March 3 the appointment +was confirmed by the Senate. By this Halleck +was substantially laid aside; his uselessness had +<!-- Image No 295 --><a name='Png295'></a><a name='Page277'></a><span class="pagenum">277</span>long since become so apparent, that though still +holding his dignified position, he seemed almost +forgotten by every one.</p> + +<p>Grant came to Washington,<a name='FNanchor_74_74'></a><a href='#Footnote_74_74'><sup>[74]</sup></a> arriving on March +8, and there was induced by what he heard and +saw to lay aside his own previous purpose and the +strenuous advice of Sherman, and to fall in with +Mr. Lincoln's wishes; that is to say, to take personal +control of the campaign in Virginia. He did +this with his usual promptness, and set Sherman +in command in the middle of the country, the only +other important theatre of operations. It is said +that Grant, before accepting the new rank and +taking Virginia as his special province, stipulated +that he was to be absolutely free from all interference, +especially on the part of Stanton. Whether +this agreement was formulated or not, it was +put into practical effect. No man hereafter interfered +with General Grant. Mr. Lincoln occasionally +made suggestions, but strictly and merely as +suggestions. He distinctly and pointedly said that +he did not know, and did not wish to know, the +general's plans of campaign.<a name='FNanchor_75_75'></a><a href='#Footnote_75_75'><sup>[75]</sup></a> When the new +commander had duly considered the situation, he +adopted precisely the same broad scheme which +had been previously devised by Mr. Lincoln and +General McClellan; that is to say, he arranged a +<!-- Image No 296 --><a name='Png296'></a><a name='Page278'></a><span class="pagenum">278</span>simultaneous vigorous advance all along the line. +It was the way to make weight and numbers tell; +and Grant had great faith in weight and numbers; +like Napoleon, he believed that Providence +has a shrewd way of siding with the heaviest battalions.</p> + +<p>On April 30, all being ready for the advance, the +President sent a note of God-speed to the general. +"I wish to express," he said, "my entire satisfaction +with what you have done up to this time, so +far as I understand it. The particulars of your +plan I neither know, nor seek to know.... If +there is anything wanting which is within my +power to give, do not fail to let me know it." The +general replied in a pleasant tone: "I have been +astonished at the readiness with which everything +asked for has been yielded, without even an explanation +being asked. Should my success be less +than I desire and expect, the least I can say is, +the fault is not with you." When the President +read these strange words his astonishment must +have far exceeded that expressed by the general. +Never before had he been thus addressed by any +commander in Virginia! Generally he had been +told that a magnificent success was about to be +achieved, which he had done nothing to promote +and perhaps much to retard, but which would +nevertheless be secured by the ability of a general +in spite of unfriendly neglect by a president.</p> + +<p>On May 4 General Grant's army started upon +its way, with 122,146 men present for duty. +<!-- Image No 297 --><a name='Png297'></a><a name='Page279'></a><span class="pagenum">279</span>Against them General Lee had 61,953. The odds +seemed excessive; but Lee had inside lines, the +defensive, and intrenchments, to equalize the disparity +of numbers. At once began those bloody +and incessant campaigns by which General Grant +intended to end, and finally did end, the war. +The North could afford to lose three men where +the South lost two, and would still have a balance +left after the South had spent all. The expenditure +in this proportion would be disagreeable; but +if this was the inevitable and only price, Grant +was willing to pay it, justly regarding it as cheaper +than a continuation of the process of purchase by +piecemeal. In a few hours the frightful struggle +in the Wilderness was in progress. All day on +the 5th, all day on the 6th, the terrible slaughter +continued in those darksome woods and swamps. +"More desperate fighting has not been witnessed +on this continent," said Grant. The Union troops +could not force their way through those tangled +forests. Thereupon, accepting the situation in +his imperturbable way, he arranged to move, on +May 7, by the left flank southerly towards Spottsylvania. +Lee, disappointed and surprised that +Grant was advancing instead of falling back, could +not do otherwise than move in the same course; +for, in fact, the combatants were locked together +in a grappling campaign. Then took place more +bloody and determined fighting. The Union +losses were appalling, since the troops were attacking +an army in position. Yet Grant was sanguine; +<!-- Image No 298 --><a name='Png298'></a><a name='Page280'></a><span class="pagenum">280</span>it was in a dispatch of May 11 that he said that +he had been getting the better in the struggle, and +that he proposed to fight it out on that line if it +took all summer. The result of the further slaughter +at Spottsylvania was not a victory for either +leader, but was more hurtful to Lee because he +could less well afford to have his men killed and +wounded. Grant, again finding that he could not +force Lee out of his position, also again moved by +the left flank, steadily approaching Richmond and +dragging Lee with him. The Northern loss had +already reached the frightful total of 37,335 men; +the Confederate loss was less, but enormous. +Amid the bloodshed, however, Grant scented success. +On May 26 he wrote: "Lee's army is really +whipped.... Our men feel that they have gained +the morale over the enemy.... I may be mistaken, +but I feel that our success over Lee's army +is already assured." He even gratified the President +by again disregarding all precedent in Virginian +campaigns, and saying that the promptness +with which reinforcements had been forwarded +had contributed largely to the promising situation! +But almost immediately after this the North shuddered +at the enormous and profitless carnage at +Cold Harbor. Concurrently with all this bloodshed, +there also took place the famous and ill-starred +movement of General Butler upon Richmond, +which ended in securely shutting up him and +his forces at Bermuda Hundred, "as in a bottle +strongly corked."</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 299 --><a name='Png299'></a><a name='Page281'></a><span class="pagenum">281</span> +Such was the Virginian situation early in June. +By a series of most bloody battles, no one of which +had been a real victory, Grant had come before +the defenses of Richmond, nearly where McClellan +had already been. And now, like McClellan, he +proposed to move around to the southward and +invest the city. It must be confessed that in all +this there was nothing visible to the inexperienced +vision of the citizens at home which made much +brighter in their eyes the prestige of Mr. Lincoln's +war policy. Nor could they see, as that summer +of the presidential campaign came and went, that +any really great change or improvement was +effected.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, there took place in July +what is sometimes lightly called General Early's +raid against Washington. In fact, it was a genuine +and very serious campaign, wherein that general +was within a few hours of capturing the city. +Issuing out of that Shenandoah Valley whence, as +from a cave of horrors rather than one of the loveliest +valleys in the world, so much of terror and +mischief had so often burst out against the North, +Early, with 17,000 veteran troops, moved straight +and fast upon the national capital. On the evening +of July 10 Mr. Lincoln rode out to his summer +quarters at the Soldiers' Home. But the Confederate +troops were within a few miles, and Mr. +Stanton insisted that he should come back. The +next day the Confederates advanced along the +Seventh Street road, in full expectation of marching +<!-- Image No 300 --><a name='Png300'></a><a name='Page282'></a><span class="pagenum">282</span> +into the city with little opposition. There was +brisk artillery firing, and Mr. Lincoln, who had +driven out to the scene of action, actually came +under fire; an officer was struck down within a +few feet of him.</p> + +<p>The anticipation of General Early was sanguine, +yet by no means ill founded. The veterans in +Washington were a mere handful, and though the +green troops might have held the strong defenses +for a little while, yet the Southern veterans would +have been pretty sure to make their way. It was, +in fact, a very close question of time. Grant had +been at first incredulous of the reports of Early's +movements; but when he could no longer doubt, +he sent reinforcements with the utmost dispatch. +They arrived none too soon. It was while General +Early was making his final arrangements for an +attack, which he meant should be irresistible, that +General Wright, with two divisions from the army +of the Potomac, landed at the river wharves and +marched through the city to the threatened points. +With this the critical hours passed away. It had +really been a crisis of hours, and might have been +one of minutes. Now Early saw that the prize +had slipped through his fingers actually as they +closed upon it, and so bitter was his disappointment +that—since he was disappointed—even a +Northerner can almost afford him sympathy. So, +his chance being gone, he must go too, and that +speedily; for it was he who was in danger now. +Moving rapidly, he saved himself, and returned up +<!-- Image No 301 --><a name='Png301'></a><a name='Page283'></a><span class="pagenum">283</span>the Shenandoah Valley. He had accomplished no +real harm; but that the war had been going on for +three years, and that Washington was still hardly +a safe place for the President to live in, was another +point against the war policy.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>Sherman had moved out against Johnston, at +Dalton, at the same time that Grant had moved +out against Lee, and during the summer he made +a record very similar to that of his chief. He +pressed the enemy without rest, fought constantly, +suffered and inflicted terrible losses, won no signal +victory, yet constantly got farther to the southward. +Fortunately, however, he was nearer to a +specific success than Grant was, and at last he was +able to administer the sorely needed tonic to the +political situation. Jefferson Davis, who hated +Johnston, made the steady retreat of that general +before Sherman an excuse for removing him and +putting General Hood in his place. The army +was then at Atlanta. Hood was a fighting man, +and immediately he brought on a great battle, +which happily proved to be also a great mistake; +for the result was a brilliant and decisive victory +for Sherman and involved the fall of Atlanta. +This was one of the important achievements of the +war; and when, on September 3, Sherman telegraphed, +"Atlanta is ours, and fairly won," the +news came to the President like wine to the weary. +He hastened to tender the "national thanks" to +the general and his gallant soldiers, with words of +<!-- Image No 302 --><a name='Png302'></a><a name='Page284'></a><span class="pagenum">284</span>gratitude which must have come straight and warm +from his heart. There was a chance now for the +Union cause in November.</p> + +<p>About ten days before this event Farragut, in +spite of forts and batteries, iron-clads and torpedoes, +had possessed himself of Mobile Bay and +closed that Gulf port which had been so useful a +mouth to the hungry stomach of the Confederacy. +No efficient blockade of it had ever been possible. +Through it military, industrial, and domestic supplies +had been brought in, and invaluable cotton +had gone out to pay for them. Now, however, the +sealing of the South was all but hermetical. As +a naval success the feat was entitled to high admiration, +and as a practical injury to the Confederacy +it could not be overestimated.</p> + +<p>Achievements equally brilliant, if not quite so +important, were quickly contributed by Sheridan. +In spite of objections on the part of Stanton, +Grant had put this enterprising fighter in command +of a strong force of cavalry in the Shenandoah +Valley, where Lee was keeping Early as a +constant menace upon Maryland, Pennsylvania, +and Washington. Three hard-fought battles followed, +during September and October. In each +the Federals were thoroughly victorious. The last +of the three was that which was made famous by +"Sheridan's ride." He had been to Washington +and was returning on horseback, when to his surprise +he encountered squads of his own troops +hurrying back in disorderly flight from a battle +<!-- Image No 303 --><a name='Png303'></a><a name='Page285'></a><span class="pagenum">285</span>which, during his brief absence, had unexpectedly +been delivered by Early. Halting them and carrying +them back with him, he was relieved, as he +came upon the field, to find a part of his army still +standing firm and even pressing the Confederates +hard. He communicated his own spirit to his +troops, and turned partial defeat into brilliant victory. +By this gallant deed was shattered forever +the Confederate Army of the Valley; and from +that time forth there issued out of that fair concealment +no more gray-uniformed troopers to foray +Northern fields or to threaten Northern towns. +For these achievements Lincoln made Sheridan a +major-general, dictating the appointment in words +of unusual compliment.</p> + +<p>Late as the Democrats were in holding their +nominating convention, they would have done well +to hold it a little later. They might then have +derived wisdom from these military and naval +events, and not improbably they would have been +less audacious in staking their success upon the +issue that the war was a failure, and would have +so modified that craven proposition as to make it +accord with the more patriotic sentiment of their +soldier candidate. But the fortunes alike of the +real war and of the political war were decidedly +and happily against them. Even while they were +in session the details of Farragut's daring and +victorious battle in Mobile Bay were coming to +hand. Scarcely had they adjourned when the roar +of thunderous salvos in every navy yard, fort, and +<!-- Image No 304 --><a name='Png304'></a><a name='Page286'></a><span class="pagenum">286</span>arsenal of the North hailed the triumph of Sherman +at Atlanta. Before these echoes had died +away the people were electrified by the three battles +in Virginia which Sheridan fought and won +in style so brilliant as to seem almost theatrical. +Thus from the South, from the West, and from +the East came simultaneously the fierce contradiction +of this insulting Copperhead notion, that the +North had failed in the war. The political blunder +of the party was now much more patent than +was any alleged military failure on the part of its +opponents. In fact the Northerners were beholding +the sudden turning over of a great page in the +book of the national history, and upon the newly +exposed side of it, amid the telegrams announcing +triumphs of arms, they read in great plain letters +the reëlection of Mr. Lincoln. Before long most +persons conceded this. He himself had said, a few +months earlier, that the probabilities indicated +that the presidential campaign would be a struggle +between a Union candidate and a Disunion candidate. +McClellan had sought to give to it a complexion +safer for his party and more honorable for +himself, but the platform and events combined +to defeat his wise purpose. In addition to these +difficulties the South also burdened him with an +untimely and compromising friendship. The +Charleston "Courier," with reckless frankness, +declared that the armies of the Confederacy and +the peace-men at the North were working together +for the procurement of peace; and said: "Our +<!-- Image No 305 --><a name='Png305'></a><a name='Page287'></a><span class="pagenum">287</span>success in battle insures the success of McClellan. +Our failure will inevitably lead to his defeat." No +words could have been more imprudent; the loud +proclamation of such an alliance was the madness +of self-destruction. In the face of such talk +the Northerners could not but believe that the +issue was truly made up between war and Union +on the one side, peace and disunion on the other. +If between the two, when distinctly formulated, +there could under any circumstances have been +doubt, the successes by sea and land turned the +scale for the Republicans.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>During the spring and summer many prominent +Republicans strenuously urged Mr. Lincoln to +remove the postmaster-general, Montgomery Blair, +from the cabinet. The political purpose was to +placate the Radicals, whose unnatural hostility +within the party greatly disturbed the President's +friends. Many followers of Fremont might be +conciliated by the elimination of the bitter and +triumphant opponent of their beloved chieftain; +and besides this leader, the portentous list of those +with whom the postmaster was on ill terms included +many magnates,—Chase, Seward, Stanton, Halleck, +and abundance of politicians. Henry Wilson +wrote to the President: "Blair every one hates. +Tens of thousands of men will be lost to you, or +will give a reluctant vote, on account of the Blairs." +Even the Republican National Convention had +covertly assailed him; for a plank in the platform, +<!-- Image No 306 --><a name='Png306'></a><a name='Page288'></a><span class="pagenum">288</span>declaring it "essential to the general welfare that +harmony should prevail in the national councils," +was known to mean that he should no longer remain +in the cabinet. Yet to force him out was +most distasteful to the President, who was always +slow to turn against any man. Replying to a +denunciatory letter from Halleck he said: "I propose +continuing to be myself the judge as to when +a member of the cabinet shall be dismissed." He +made a like statement, curtly and decisively, in a +cabinet meeting. Messrs. Nicolay and Hay say +that he did not yield to the pressure until he was +assured of his reëlection, and that then he yielded +only because he felt that he ought not obstinately +to retain an adviser in whom the party had lost +confidence. On September 23 he wrote to Mr. +Blair a kindly note: "You have generously said +to me more than once that whenever your resignation +could be a relief to me, it was at my disposal. +The time has come. You very well know that this +proceeds from no dissatisfaction of mine with you, +personally or officially. Your uniform kindness +has been unsurpassed by that of any friend." Mr. +Blair immediately relieved the President from the +embarrassing situation, and he and his family +behaved afterward with honorable spirit, giving +loyal support to Mr. Lincoln during the rest of the +campaign. Ex-Governor Dennison of Ohio was +appointed to the vacant office.</p> + + +<p class="figure"> +<a href="img/illus0424.jpg"> +<img width="50%" src='img/illus0424.jpg' alt='M. Blair.'/></a><br/> +M. Blair. +</p> + +<p>Many and various were the other opportunities +which the President was urged to seize for helping +<!-- Image No 307 --><a name='Png307'></a> +<!-- Image No 308 --><a name='Png308'></a> +<!-- Image No 309 --><a name='Png309'></a><a name='Page289'></a><span class="pagenum">289</span> +both himself and other Republican candidates. +But he steadfastly declined to get into the mud of +the struggle. It was a jest of the campaign that +Senator King was sent by some New York men to +ask whether Lincoln meant to support the Republican +ticket. He did: he openly admitted that he +believed his reëlection to be for the best interest of +the country. As an honest man he could not think +otherwise. "I am for the regular nominee in all +cases," he bluntly said, in reply to a request for +his interference concerning a member of Congress; +and the general principle covered, of course, his +own case. To the postmaster of Philadelphia, +however, whose employees displayed suspicious +Republican unanimity, he administered a sharp +and imperious warning. He even would not extend +to his close and valued friend, Mr. Arnold, +assistance which that gentleman too sorely needed. +More commendable still was his behavior as to +the draft. On July 18, as has been said, he issued +a call for 500,000 men, though at that time he +might well have believed that by so doing he was +burying beyond resurrection all chance of reëlection. +Later the Republican leaders entreated him, +with earnest eloquence and every melancholy +presage, to suspend the drafting under this call +for a few weeks only. It seemed to him, however, +that the army could not wait a few weeks. +"What is the presidency worth to me, if I have +no country?" he said; and the storm of persuasion +could not induce him to issue the postponing order.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 310 --><a name='Png310'></a><a name='Page290'></a><span class="pagenum">290</span> +Campaign slanders were rife as usual. One of +them Mr. Lincoln cared to contradict. Some +remarks made by Mr. Seward in a speech at +Auburn had been absurdly construed by Democratic +orators and editors to indicate that Mr. Lincoln, +if defeated at the polls, would use the remainder +of his term for doing what he could to +ruin the government. This vile charge, silly as +it was, yet touched a very sensitive spot. On +October 19, in a speech to some serenaders, and +evidently having this in mind, he said:—</p> + +<p>"I am struggling to maintain the government, +not to overthrow it. I am struggling especially +to prevent others from overthrowing it.... +Whoever shall be constitutionally elected in November +shall be duly installed as President on the +fourth of March.... In the interval I shall do +my utmost that whoever is to hold the helm for +the next voyage shall start with the best possible +chance to save the ship. This is due to the people +both on principle and under the Constitution.... +If they should deliberately resolve to have immediate +peace, even at the loss of their country and +their liberty, I know [have?] not the power or +the right to resist them. It is their business, and +they must do as they please with their own."</p> + +<p>In this connection it is worth while to recall +an incident which occurred on August 26, amid +the dark days. Anticipating at that time that +he might soon be compelled to encounter the sore +trial of administering the government during four +<!-- Image No 311 --><a name='Png311'></a><a name='Page291'></a><span class="pagenum">291</span>months in face of its near transmission to a successor +all whose views and purposes would be +diametrically opposite to his own, and desiring +beforehand clearly to mark out his duty in this +stress, Mr. Lincoln one day wrote these words:—</p> + +<p>"This morning, as for some days past, it seems +exceedingly probable that this administration will +not be reëlected. Then it will be my duty to so +cooperate with the President-elect as to save the +Union between the election and the inauguration, +as he will have secured his election on such ground +that he cannot possibly save it afterwards."</p> + +<p>He then closed the paper so that it could not be +read, and requested each member of the cabinet +to sign his name on the reverse side.</p> + +<p>In the end, honesty was vindicated as the best +policy, and courage as the soundest judgment. +The preliminary elections in Vermont and Maine +in September, the important elections in Pennsylvania, +Ohio, and Indiana in October, showed +that a Republican wave was sweeping across the +North. It swept on and gathered overwhelming +volume in the brief succeeding interval before +November 8. On that momentous day, the voting +in the States showed 2,213,665 Republican +votes, to which were added 116,887 votes of soldiers +in the field, electing 212 presidential electors; +1,802,237 Democratic votes, to which were added +33,748 votes of soldiers in the field, electing 21 +presidential electors. Mr. Lincoln's plurality was +therefore 494,567; and it would have been swelled +<!-- Image No 312 --><a name='Png312'></a><a name='Page292'></a><span class="pagenum">292</span>to over half a million had not the votes of the +soldiers of Vermont, Kansas, and Minnesota arrived +too late to be counted, and had not those of +Wisconsin been rejected for an informality. Thus +were the dreary predictions of the midsummer so +handsomely confuted that men refused to believe +that they had ever been deceived by them.</p> + +<p>On the evening of election day Mr. Lincoln +went to the War Department, and there stayed +until two o'clock at night, noting the returns as +they came assuring his triumph and steadily swelling +its magnitude. Amid the good news his feelings +took on no personal complexion. A crowd +of serenaders, meeting him on his return to the +White House, demanded a speech. He told them +that he believed that the day's work would be the +lasting advantage, if not the very salvation, of the +country, and that he was grateful for the people's +confidence; but, he said, "if I know my heart, +my gratitude is free from any taint of personal +triumph. I do not impugn the motives of any +one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to +triumph over any one; but I give thanks to the +Almighty for this evidence of the people's resolution +to stand by free government and the rights of +humanity." A hypocrite would, probably enough, +have said much the same thing; but when Mr. +Lincoln spoke in this way, men who were themselves +honest never charged him with hypocrisy. +On November 10 a serenade by the Republican +clubs of the District called forth this:—</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 313 --><a name='Png313'></a><a name='Page293'></a><span class="pagenum">293</span> +"It has long been a grave question whether any +government, not too strong for the liberties of its +people, can be strong enough to maintain its own +existence in great emergencies. On this point the +present rebellion brought our republic to a severe +test, and a presidential election occurring in regular +course during the rebellion added not a little +to the strain. If the loyal people united were put +to the utmost of their strength by the rebellion, +must they not fail when divided and partially +paralyzed by a political war among themselves? +But the election was a necessity. We cannot have +free government without elections; and if the +rebellion could force us to forego or postpone a +national election, it might fairly claim to have +already conquered and ruined us. The strife of +the election is but human nature practically applied +to the facts of the case. What has occurred in +this case must ever recur in similar cases. Human +nature will not change. In any future great +national trial, compared with the men of this, we +shall have as weak and as strong, as silly and as +wise, as bad and as good. Let us, therefore, +study the incidents of this, as philosophy to learn +wisdom from, and none of them as wrongs to be +revenged. But the election, along with its incidental +and undesirable strife, has done good, too. +It has demonstrated that a people's government +can sustain a national election in the midst of a +great civil war. Until now, it has not been +known to the world that this was a possibility. It +<!-- Image No 314 --><a name='Png314'></a><a name='Page294'></a><span class="pagenum">294</span>shows, also, how sound and how strong we still +are. It shows that, even among candidates of the +same party, he who is most devoted to the Union +and most opposed to treason can receive most of +the people's votes. It shows, also, to the extent +yet known, that we have more men now than we +had when the war began. Gold is good in its +place; but living, brave, patriotic men are better +than gold.</p> + +<p>"But the rebellion continues; and, now that the +election is over, may not all having a common +interest reunite in a common effort to save our +common country? For my own part, I have +striven and shall strive to avoid placing any +obstacle in the way. So long as I have been here, +I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man's +bosom. While I am deeply sensible to the high +compliment of a reëlection, and duly grateful, as +I trust, to Almighty God for having directed my +countrymen to a right conclusion, as I think, for +their own good, it adds nothing to my satisfaction +that any other man may be disappointed or pained +by the result.</p> + +<p>"May I ask those who have not differed with +me to join with me in this same spirit towards +those who have? And now let me close by asking +three hearty cheers for our brave soldiers and seamen, +and their gallant and skillful commanders."</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>The unfortunate disputes about reconstruction +threatened to cause trouble at the counting of the +<!-- Image No 315 --><a name='Png315'></a><a name='Page295'></a><span class="pagenum">295</span>votes in Congress. Of the States which had +seceded, two, Arkansas and Tennessee, had endeavored +to reconstruct themselves as members of +the Union; and their renewed statehood had received +some recognition from the President. He, +however, firmly refused to listen to demands, which +were urgently pushed, to obtain his interference in +the arrangements made for choosing presidential +electors. To certain Tennesseeans, who sent him +a protest against the action of Governor Johnson, +he replied that, "by the Constitution and the +laws, the President is charged with no duty in the +conduct of a presidential election in any State; +nor do I in this case perceive any military reason +for his interference in the matter.... It is +scarcely necessary to add that if any election shall +be held, and any votes shall be cast, in the State +of Tennessee, ... it will belong not to the military +agents, nor yet to the executive department, +but exclusively to another department of the government, +to determine whether they are entitled +to be counted, in conformity with the Constitution +and laws of the United States." His prudent +abstention from stretching his official authority +afterward saved him from much embarrassment +in the turn which this troublesome business soon +took. In both Arkansas and Tennessee Republican +presidential electors were chosen, who voted, +and sent on to Washington the certificates of their +votes to be counted in due course with the rest. +But Congress jealously guarded its position on +<!-- Image No 316 --><a name='Png316'></a><a name='Page296'></a><span class="pagenum">296</span>reconstruction against this possible flank movement, +and in January, 1865, passed a joint resolution +declaring that Virginia, North and South +Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, +Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee were +in such a condition on November 8 that no valid +election of presidential electors was held in any of +them, and that therefore no electoral votes should +be received or counted from any of them. When +this resolution came before Mr. Lincoln for his +signature it placed him in an embarrassing position, +because his approval might seem to be an +implied contradiction of the position which he had +taken concerning the present status of Tennessee +and Arkansas. It was not until February 8, the +very day of the count, that he conquered his +reluctance, and when at last he did so and decided +to sign the resolution, he at the same time carefully +made his position plain by a brief message. +He said that he conceived that Congress had lawful +power to exclude from the count any votes +which it deemed illegal, and that therefore he +could not properly veto a joint resolution upon the +subject; he disclaimed "all right of the executive +to interfere in any way in the matter of canvassing +or counting electoral votes;" and he also disclaimed +that, by signing the resolution, he had +"expressed any opinion on the recitals of the +preamble, or any judgment of his own upon the +subject of the resolution." That is to say, the +especial matter dealt with in this proceeding was +<!-- Image No 317 --><a name='Png317'></a><a name='Page297'></a><span class="pagenum">297</span><i>ultra vires</i> of the executive, and the formal signature +of the President was affixed by him without +prejudice to his official authority in any other +business which might arise concerning the restored +condition of statehood.</p> + +<p>When the counting of the votes began, the +members of the Senate and House did not know +whether Mr. Lincoln had signed the resolution or +not; and therefore, in the doubt as to what his +action would be, the famous twenty-second joint +rule, regulating the counting of electoral votes, +was drawn in haste and passed with precipitation.<a name='FNanchor_76_76'></a><a href='#Footnote_76_76'><sup>[76]</sup></a> +It was an instance of angry partisan legislation, +which threatened trouble afterward and was useless +at the time. No attempt was made to present +or count the votes of Arkansas and Tennessee, and +the president of the Senate acted under the joint +resolution and not under the joint rule. Yet the +vote of West Virginia was counted, and it was not +easy to show that her title was not under a legal +cloud fully as dark as that which shadowed +Arkansas and Tennessee.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>When Mr. Lincoln said concerning his reëlection, +that the element of personal triumph gave +him no gratification, he spoke far within the +<!-- Image No 318 --><a name='Png318'></a><a name='Page298'></a><span class="pagenum">298</span>truth. He was not boasting of, but only in an +unintentional way displaying, his dispassionate +and impersonal habit in all political relationships,—a +distinguishing trait, of which history is so +chary of parallels that perhaps no reader will +recall even one. A striking instance of it occurred +in this same autumn. On October 12, 1864, the +venerable Chief Justice Taney died, and at once +the friends of Mr. Chase named him for the succession. +There were few men whom Mr. Lincoln +had less reason to favor than this gentleman, who +had only condescended to mitigate severe condemnation +of his capacity by mild praise of his character, +who had hoped to displace him from the +presidency, and who, in the effort to do so, had +engaged in what might have been stigmatized even +as a cabal. Plenty of people were ready to tell +him stories innumerable of Chase's hostility to +him, and contemptuous remarks about him; but +to all such communications he quietly refused to +give ear. What Mr. Chase thought or felt concerning +him was not pertinent to the question +whether or no Chase would make a good chief +justice. Yet it was true that Montgomery Blair +would have liked the place, and the President had +many personal reasons for wishing to do a favor +to Blair. It was also true that the opposition to +Mr. Chase was so bitter and came from so many +quarters, and was based on so many alleged reasons, +that had the President chosen to prefer +another to him, it would have been impossible to +<!-- Image No 319 --><a name='Png319'></a><a name='Page299'></a><span class="pagenum">299</span>attribute the preference to personal prejudice. In +his own mind, however, Mr. Lincoln really believed +that, in spite of all the objections which +could be made, Mr. Chase was the best man for +the position; and his only anxiety was that one so +restless and ambitious might still scheme for the +presidency to the inevitable prejudice of his judicial +duties. He had some thought of speaking +frankly with Chase on this subject, perhaps seeking +something like a pledge from him; but he was +deterred from this by fear of misconstruction. +Finally having, after his usual fashion, reached +his own conclusion, and communicated it to no +one, he sent the nomination to the Senate, and it +received the honor of immediate confirmation without +reference to a committee.</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_73_73'></a><a href='#FNanchor_73_73'>[73]</a> The rank had been held by Washington; also, but by brevet +only, by Scott.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_74_74'></a><a href='#FNanchor_74_74'>[74]</a> For curious account of his interview with Mr. Lincoln, see +N. and H. viii. 340-342.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_75_75'></a><a href='#FNanchor_75_75'>[75]</a> In this connection, see story of General Richard Taylor, and +contradiction thereof, concerning choice of route to Richmond, +N. and H. viii. 343.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_76_76'></a><a href='#FNanchor_76_76'>[76]</a> This was the rule which provided that if, at the count, any +question should arise as to counting any vote offered, the Senate +and House should separate, and each should vote on the question +of receiving or not receiving the vote; and it should not be received +and counted except by concurrent assent.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 320 --><a name='Png320'></a><a name='Page300'></a><span class="pagenum">300</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_XI'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h2>THE END COMES INTO SIGHT: THE SECOND +INAUGURATION</h2> + +<p>When Congress came together in December, +1864, the doom of the Confederacy was in plain +view of all men, at the North and at the South. +If General Grant had sustained frightful losses +without having won any signal victory, yet the +losses could be afforded; and the nature of the +man and his methods in warfare were now understood. +It was seen that, with or without victory, +and at whatever cost, he had moved relentlessly +forward. His grim, irresistible persistence oppressed, +as with a sense of destiny, those who tried +to confront it; every one felt that he was going to +"end the job." He was now beleaguering Petersburg, +and few Southerners doubted that he was +sure of taking it and Richmond. In the middle +country Sherman, after taking Atlanta, had soon +thereafter marched cheerily forth on his imposing, +theatrical, holiday excursion to the sea, leaving +General Thomas behind him to do the hard fighting +with General Hood. The grave doubt as to +whether too severe a task had not been placed upon +Thomas was dispelled by the middle of the month, +<!-- Image No 321 --><a name='Png321'></a><a name='Page301'></a><span class="pagenum">301</span>when his brilliant victory at Nashville so shattered +the Southern army that it never again attained +important proportions. In June preceding, the +notorious destroyer, the Alabama, had been sunk +by the Kearsarge. In November the Shenandoah, +the last of the rebel privateers, came into Liverpool, +and was immediately handed over by the +British authorities to Federal officials; for the +Englishmen had at last found out who was going +to win in the struggle. In October, the rebel +ram Albemarle was destroyed by the superb gallantry +of Lieutenant Cushing. Thus the rebel +flag ceased to fly above any deck. Along the coast +very few penetrable crevices could still be found +even by the most enterprising blockade-runners; +and already the arrangements were making which +brought about, a month later, the capture of Fort +Fisher and Wilmington.</p> + +<p>Under these circumstances the desire to precipitate +the pace and to reach the end with a rush +possessed many persons of the nervous and eager +type. They could not spur General Grant, so they +gave their vexatious attention to the President, +and endeavored to compel him to open with the +Confederate government negotiations for a settlement, +which they believed, or pretended to believe, +might thus be attained. But Mr. Lincoln was +neither to be urged nor wheedled out of his simple +position. In his message to Congress he referred +to the number of votes cast at the recent election +as indicating that, in spite of the drain of war, +<!-- Image No 322 --><a name='Png322'></a><a name='Page302'></a><span class="pagenum">302</span>the population of the North had actually increased +during the preceding four years. This fact shows, +he said, "that we are not exhausted nor in process +of exhaustion; that we are <i>gaining</i> strength, +and may, if need be, maintain the contest indefinitely. +This as to men. Material resources are +now more complete and abundant than ever. The +natural resources, then, are unexhausted, and, as +we believe, inexhaustible. The public purpose to +reëstablish and maintain the national authority +is unchanged, and, as we believe, unchangeable. +The manner of continuing the effort remains to +choose. On careful consideration of all the evidence +accessible, it seems to me that no attempt at +negotiation with the insurgent leader could result +in any good. He would accept nothing short of +severance of the Union,—precisely what we will +not and cannot give. His declarations to this +effect are explicit and oft-repeated. He does not +attempt to deceive us. He affords us no excuse +to deceive ourselves. He cannot voluntarily re-accept +the Union; we cannot voluntarily yield it. +Between him and us the issue is distinct, simple, +and inflexible. It is an issue which can only be +tried by war, and decided by victory. If we yield, +we are beaten; if the Southern people fail him, he +is beaten. Either way, it would be the victory and +defeat following war.</p> + +<p>"What is true, however, of him who heads the +insurgent cause is not necessarily true of those +who follow. Although he cannot re-accept the +<!-- Image No 323 --><a name='Png323'></a><a name='Page303'></a><span class="pagenum">303</span>Union, they can; some of them, we know, already +desire peace and reunion. The number of such +may increase. They can at any moment have +peace simply by laying down their arms and submitting +to the national authority under the Constitution.</p> + +<p>"After so much, the government could not, if +it would, maintain war against them. The loyal +people would not sustain or allow it. If questions +should remain, we would adjust them by the peaceful +means of legislation, conference, courts, and +votes, operating only in constitutional and lawful +channels. Some certain, and other possible, questions +are, and would be, beyond the executive +power to adjust,—as, for instance, the admission +of members into Congress, and whatever might +require the appropriation of money.</p> + +<p>"The executive power itself would be greatly +diminished by the cessation of actual war. Pardons +and remissions of forfeitures, however, would +still be within executive control. In what spirit +and temper this control would be exercised can be +fairly judged of by the past."</p> + +<p>If rebels wished to receive, or any Northerners +wished to extend, a kindlier invitation homeward +than this, then such rebels and such Northerners +were unreasonable. Very soon the correctness of +Mr. Lincoln's opinion was made so distinct, and +his view of the situation was so thoroughly corroborated, +that all men saw clearly that no reluctance +or unreasonable demands upon his part +<!-- Image No 324 --><a name='Png324'></a><a name='Page304'></a><span class="pagenum">304</span>contributed to delay peace. Mr. Francis P. Blair, +senior, though in pursuit of a quite different +object, did the service of setting the President in +the true and satisfactory light before the people. +This restless politician was anxious for leave to +seek a conference with Jefferson Davis, but could +not induce Mr. Lincoln to hear a word as to his +project. On December 8, however, by personal +insistence, he extorted a simple permit "to pass +our lines, go South, and return." He immediately +set out on his journey, and on January 12 he had +an interview with Mr. Davis at Richmond and +made to him a most extraordinary proposition, +temptingly decorated with abundant flowers of +rhetoric. Without the rhetoric, the proposition +was: that the pending war should be dropped by +both parties for the purpose of an expedition to +expel Maximilian from Mexico, of which tropical +crusade Mr. Davis should be in charge and reap +the glory! So ardent and so sanguine was Mr. +Blair in his absurd project, that he fancied that he +had impressed Mr. Davis favorably. But in this +undoubtedly he deceived himself, for in point of +fact he succeeded in bringing back nothing more +than a short letter, addressed to himself, in which +Mr. Davis expressed willingness to appoint and +send, or to receive, agents "with a view to secure +peace to the two countries." The last two words +lay in this rebel communication like the twin +venom fangs in the mouth of a serpent, and made +of it a proposition which could not safely be +<!-- Image No 325 --><a name='Png325'></a><a name='Page305'></a><span class="pagenum">305</span>touched. It served only as distinct proof that the +President had correctly stated the fixedness of Mr. +Davis.</p> + +<p>Of more consequence, however, than this useless +letter was the news which Mr. Blair brought: +that other high officials in Richmond—"those +who follow," as Mr. Lincoln had hopefully said—were +in a temper far more despondent and yielding +than was that of their chief. These men might +be reached. So on January 18, 1865, Mr. Lincoln +wrote a few lines, also addressed to Mr. Blair, +saying that he was ready to receive any Southern +agent who should be informally sent to him, "with +the view of securing peace to the people of our +one common country." The two letters, by their +closing words, locked horns. Yet Mr. Davis nominated +Alexander H. Stephens, R.M.T. Hunter, +and John A. Campbell, as informal commissioners, +and directed them, "in conformity with +the letter of Mr. Lincoln," to go to Washington +and informally confer "for the purpose of +securing peace to the two countries." This was +disingenuous, and so obviously so that it was also +foolish; for no conference about "two countries" +was "in conformity" with the letter of Mr. Lincoln. +By reason of the difficulty created by this +silly trick the commissioners were delayed at General +Grant's headquarters until they succeeded in +concocting a note, which eliminated the obstacle +by the simple process of omitting the objectionable +words. Then, on January 31, the President sent +<!-- Image No 326 --><a name='Png326'></a><a name='Page306'></a><span class="pagenum">306</span>Mr. Seward to meet them, stating to him in writing +"that three things are indispensable, to wit: +1. The restoration of the national authority +throughout all the States. 2. No receding by the +executive of the United States on the slavery +question from the position assumed thereon in the +late annual message to Congress, and in preceding +documents. 3. No cessation of hostilities short of +an end of the war and the disbanding of all forces +hostile to the government. You will inform them +that all propositions of theirs, not inconsistent +with the above, will be considered and passed upon +in a spirit of sincere liberality. You will hear all +they may choose to say, and report it to me. You +will not assume to definitely consummate anything."</p> + +<p>The following day Mr. Lincoln seemed to become +uneasy at being represented by any other +person whomsoever in so important a business; +for he decided to go himself and confer personally +with the Southerners. Then ensued, and continued +during four hours, on board a steamer in +Hampton Roads, the famous conference between +the President and his secretary of state on the one +side and the three Confederate commissioners on +the other. It came to absolutely nothing; nor was +there at any time pending its continuance any +chance that it would come to anything. Mr. Lincoln +could neither be led forward nor cajoled sideways, +directly or indirectly, one step from the +primal condition of the restoration of the Union. +<!-- Image No 327 --><a name='Png327'></a><a name='Page307'></a><span class="pagenum">307</span>On the other hand, this was the one impossible +thing for the Confederates. The occasion was +historic, and yet, in fact, it amounted to nothing +more than cumulative evidence of a familiar fact, +and really its most interesting feature is that it +gave rise to one of the best of the "Lincoln stories." +The President was persisting that he could +not enter into any agreement with "parties in arms +against the government;" Mr. Hunter tried to +persuade him to the contrary, and by way of doing +so, cited precedents "of this character between +Charles I. of England and the people in arms +against him." Mr. Lincoln could not lose such an +opportunity! "I do not profess," he said, "to be +posted in history. On all such matters I will turn +you over to Seward. All I distinctly recollect +about the case of Charles I. is, <i>that he lost his +head!"</i> Then silence fell for a time upon Mr. +Hunter.</p> + +<p>Across the wide chasm of the main question the +gentlemen discussed the smaller topics: reconstruction, +concerning which Mr. Lincoln expressed +his well-known, most generous sentiments; confiscation +acts, as to which also he desired to be, +and believed that Congress would be, liberal; the +Emancipation Proclamation, and the Thirteenth +Amendment, concerning which he said, that the +courts of law must construe the proclamation, and +that he personally should be in favor of appropriating +even so much as four hundred millions of +dollars to extinguish slavery, and that he believed +<!-- Image No 328 --><a name='Png328'></a><a name='Page308'></a><span class="pagenum">308</span>such a measure might be carried through. West +Virginia, in his opinion, must continue to be a +separate State. Yet there was little practical use +in discussing, and either agreeing or disagreeing, +about all these dependent parts; they were but +limbs which it was useless to set in shape while +the body was lacking. Accordingly the party +broke up, not having found, nor having ever had +any prospect of finding, any common standing-ground. +The case was simple; the North was +fighting for Union, the South for disunion, and +neither side was yet ready to give up the struggle. +Nevertheless, it is not improbable that Mr. +Lincoln, so far as he personally was concerned, +brought back from Hampton Roads all that he +had expected and precisely what he had hoped to +bring. For in the talk of those four hours he had +recognized the note of despair, and had seen that +Mr. Davis, though posing still in an imperious +and monumental attitude, was, in fact, standing +upon a disintegrated and crumbling pedestal. It +seemed not improbable that the disappointed supporters +of the rebel chief would gladly come back +to the old Union if they could be fairly received, +although at this conference they had felt compelled +by the exigencies of an official situation and their +representative character to say that they would +not. Accordingly Mr. Lincoln, having no idea +that a road to hearty national re-integration either +should or could be overshadowed by Caudine forks, +endeavored to make as easy as possible the return +<!-- Image No 329 --><a name='Png329'></a><a name='Page309'></a><span class="pagenum">309</span>of discouraged rebels, whether penitent or impenitent. +If they were truly penitent, all was as it +should be. If they were impenitent, he was willing +to trust to time to effect a change of heart. +Accordingly he worked out a scheme whereby +Congress should empower him to distribute between +the slave States $400,000,000, in proportion +to their respective slave populations, on +condition that "all resistance to the national authority +[should] be abandoned and cease on or +before the first day of April next;" one half the +sum to be paid when such resistance should so +cease; the other half whenever, on or before July +1 next, the Thirteenth Amendment should become +valid law. So soon as he should be clothed with +authority, he proposed to issue "a proclamation +looking to peace and reunion," in which he would +declare that, upon the conditions stated, he would +exercise this power; that thereupon war should +cease and armies be reduced to a peace basis; that +all political offenses should be pardoned; that all +property, except slaves, liable to confiscation or +forfeiture, should be released therefrom (except in +cases of intervening interests of third parties); and +that liberality should be recommended to Congress +upon all points not lying within executive control. +On the evening of February 5 he submitted to +his cabinet a draft covering these points. His +disappointment may be imagined when he found +that not one of his advisers agreed with him; that +his proposition was "unanimously disapproved." +<!-- Image No 330 --><a name='Png330'></a><a name='Page310'></a><span class="pagenum">310</span> +"There may be such a thing," remarked Secretary +Welles, "as so overdoing as to cause a distrust +or adverse feeling." It was also said that +the measure probably could not pass Congress; +that to attempt to carry it, without success, would +do harm; while if the offer should really be made, +it would be misconstrued by the rebels. In fact +scarcely any Republican was ready to meet the +rebels with the free and ample forgiveness which +Lincoln desired to offer; and later opinion seems +to be that his schemes were impracticable.</p> + +<p>The fourth of March was close at hand, when +Mr. Lincoln was a second time to address the people +who had chosen him to be their ruler. That +black and appalling cloud, which four years ago +hung oppressively over the country, had poured +forth its fury and was now passing away. His +anxiety then had been lest the South, making itself +deaf to reason and to right, should force upon +the North a civil war; his anxiety now was lest +the North, hardening itself in a severe if not +vindictive temper, should deal so harshly with a +conquered South as to perpetuate a sectional antagonism. +To those who had lately come, bearing +to him the formal notification of his election, he +had remarked: "Having served four years in the +depths of a great and yet unended national peril, +I can view this call to a second term in no wise +more flattering to myself than as an expression of +the public judgment that I may better finish a +difficult work, in which I have labored from the +<!-- Image No 331 --><a name='Png331'></a><a name='Page311'></a><span class="pagenum">311</span>first, than could any one less severely schooled to +the task." Now, mere conquest was not, in his +opinion, a finishing of the difficult work of restoring +a Union.</p> + +<p>The second inaugural was delivered from the +eastern portico of the Capitol, as follows:—</p> + +<br /> + +<p>"FELLOW COUNTRYMEN,—At this second appearing +to take the oath of the presidential office, +there is less occasion for an extended address than +there was at the first. Then, a statement, somewhat +in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed +fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four +years, during which public declarations have been +constantly called forth on every point and phase +of the great contest which still absorbs the attention +and engrosses the energies of the nation, little +that is new could be presented. The progress of +our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is +as well known to the public as to myself; and it +is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging +to all. With high hope for the future, no +prediction in regard to it is ventured.</p> + +<p>"On the occasion corresponding to this four +years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to +an impending civil war. All dreaded it,—all +sought to avert it. While the inaugural address +was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether +to saving the Union without war, insurgent +agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without +war—seeking to dissolve the Union, and +<!-- Image No 332 --><a name='Png332'></a><a name='Page312'></a><span class="pagenum">312</span>divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated +war; but one of them would make war +rather than let the nation survive; and the other +would accept war rather than let it perish. And +the war came.</p> + +<p>"One eighth of the whole population were +colored slaves, not distributed generally over the +Union, but localized in the southern part of it. +These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful +interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, +the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, +and extend this interest was the object for +which the insurgents would rend the Union, even +by war; while the government claimed no right +to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement +of it. Neither party expected for the war +the magnitude or the duration which it has already +attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of +the conflict might cease with, or even before, the +conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an +easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and +astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray +to the same God; and each invokes his aid against +the other. It may seem strange that any men +should dare to ask a just God's assistance in +wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's +faces; but let us judge not, that we be not judged. +The prayers of both could not be answered,—that +of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty +has his own purposes. 'Woe unto the world +because of offenses! for it must needs be that +<!-- Image No 333 --><a name='Png333'></a><a name='Page313'></a><span class="pagenum">313</span>offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the +offense cometh.' If we shall suppose that American +slavery is one of those offenses which, in the +providence of God, must needs come, but which, +having continued through his appointed time, He +now wills to remove, and that He gives to both +North and South this terrible war, as the woe due +to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern +therein any departure from those divine attributes +which the believers in a living God always +ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently +do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may +speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it +continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's +two hundred and fifty years of unrequited +toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood +drawn with the lash shall be paid by another +drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand +years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judgments +of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'</p> + +<p>"With malice toward none, with charity for all, +with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see +the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are +in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for +him who shall have borne the battle, and for his +widow, and his orphan,—to do all which may +achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among +ourselves, and with all nations."</p> + +<br /> + +<p>This speech has taken its place among the most +famous of all the written or spoken compositions +<!-- Image No 334 --><a name='Png334'></a><a name='Page314'></a><span class="pagenum">314</span>in the English language. In parts it has often +been compared with the lofty portions of the Old +Testament. Mr. Lincoln's own contemporaneous +criticism is interesting. "I expect it," he said, +"to wear as well as, perhaps better than, anything +I have produced; but I believe it is not immediately +popular. Men are not flattered by being +shown that there has been a difference of purpose +between the Almighty and them. To deny it, +however, in this case is to deny that there is a +God governing the world. It is a truth which I +thought needed to be told; and as whatever of +humiliation there is in it falls most directly on +myself, I thought others might afford for me to +tell it."</p> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII'></a> +<!-- Image No 335 --><a name='Png335'></a> +<a name='Page315'></a><span class="pagenum">315</span> + +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h2>EMANCIPATION COMPLETED</h2> + +<p>On January 1, 1863, when the President issued +the Proclamation of Emancipation, he stepped to +the uttermost boundary of his authority in the +direction of the abolition of slavery. Indeed a +large proportion of the people believed that he had +trespassed beyond that boundary; and among the +defenders of the measure there were many who +felt bound to maintain it as a legitimate exercise +of the war power, while in their inmost souls they +thought that its real basis of justification lay in +its intrinsic righteousness. Perhaps the President +himself was somewhat of this way of thinking. +He once said: "I felt that measure, otherwise +unconstitutional, might become lawful by becoming +indispensable to the preservation of the Constitution +through the preservation of the Union.... I +was, in my best judgment, driven to the +alternative of either surrendering the Union, and +with it the Constitution, or of laying strong hand +upon the colored element." Time, however, +proved that the act had in fact the character which +Mr. Lincoln attributed to it as properly a war +measure. It attracted the enlistment of negroes, +<!-- Image No 336 --><a name='Png336'></a><a name='Page316'></a><span class="pagenum">316</span>chiefly Southern negroes, in the army; and though +to the end of the war the fighting value of negro +troops was regarded as questionable, yet they were +certainly available for garrisons and for many +duties which would otherwise have absorbed great +numbers of white soldiers. Thus, as the President +said, the question became calculable mathematically, +like horse-power in a mechanical problem. +The force of able-bodied Southern negroes +soon reached 200,000, of whom most were in the +regular military service, and the rest were laborers +with the armies. "We have the men," said +Mr. Lincoln, "and we could not have had them +without the measure." Take these men from +us, "and put them in the battlefield or cornfield +against us, and we should be compelled to abandon +the war in three weeks."</p> + +<p>But the proclamation was operative only upon +certain individuals. The President's emancipatory +power covered only those persons (with, perhaps, +their families) whose freedom would be a +military loss to the South and a military gain to +the North in the pending war. He had no power +to touch the <i>institution of slavery</i>. That survived, +for the future, and must survive in spite of anything +that he alone, as President, could do. +Nevertheless, in designing movements for its permanent +destruction he was not less earnest than +were the radicals and extremists, though he was +unable to share their contempt for legalities and +for public opinion. It has been shown how strong +<!-- Image No 337 --><a name='Png337'></a><a name='Page317'></a><span class="pagenum">317</span>was his desire that legislative action for abolition +should be voluntarily initiated among the border +slave States themselves. This would save their +pride, and also would put a decisive end to all +chance of their ever allying themselves with the +Confederacy. He was alert to promote this purpose +whenever and wherever he conceived that any +opportunity offered for giving the first impulse. +In time rehabilitated governments of some States +managed with more or less show of regularity to +accomplish the reform. But it was rather a forced +transaction, having behind it an uncomfortably +small proportion of the adult male population of +the several States; and by and by the work, thus +done, might be undone; for such action was lawfully +revocable by subsequent legislatures or conventions, +which bodies would be just as potent at +any future time to reëstablish slavery as the present +bodies were now potent to disestablish it. It +was entirely possible that reconstruction would +leave the right of suffrage in such shape that in +some States pro-slavery men might in time regain +control.</p> + +<p>In short, the only absolute eradicating cure was +a constitutional amendment;<a name='FNanchor_77_77'></a><a href='#Footnote_77_77'><sup>[77]</sup></a> and, therefore, it +was towards securing this that the President bent +all his energies. He could use, of course, only +personal influence, not official authority; for the +<!-- Image No 338 --><a name='Png338'></a><a name='Page318'></a><span class="pagenum">318</span>business, as such, lay with Congress. In December, +1863, motions for such an amendment were +introduced in the House; and in January, 1864, +like resolutions were offered in the Senate. The +debate in the Senate was short; it opened on +March 28, and the vote was taken April 8; it +stood 38 ayes, 6 noes. This was gratifying; but +unfortunately the party of amendment had to face +a very different condition of feeling in the House. +The President, says Mr. Arnold, "very often, +with the friends of the measure, canvassed the +House to see if the requisite number could be +obtained, but we could never count a two-thirds +vote." The debate began on March 19; not until +June 15 was the vote taken, and then it showed 93 +ayes, 65 noes, being a discouraging deficiency of +27 beneath the requisite two thirds. Thereupon +Ashley of Ohio changed his vote to the negative, +and then moved a reconsideration, which left the +question to come up again in the next session. +Practically, therefore, at the adjournment of Congress, +the amendment was left as an issue before +the people in the political campaign of the summer +of 1864; and in that campaign it was second only +to the controlling question of peace or war.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lincoln, taking care to omit no effort in +this business, sent for Senator Morgan, the chairman +of the Republican National Committee, which +was to make the Republican nomination for the +presidency and to frame the Republican platform, +and said to him: "I want you to mention in your +<!-- Image No 339 --><a name='Png339'></a><a name='Page319'></a><span class="pagenum">319</span>speech, when you call the convention to order, as +its keynote, and to put into the platform, as the +keystone, the amendment of the Constitution abolishing +and prohibiting slavery forever." Accordingly +the third plank in that platform declared +that slavery was the cause and the strength of the +rebellion, that it was "hostile to the principle of +republican government," and that the "national +safety demanded its utter and complete extirpation +from the soil of the Republic," and that to this +end the Constitution ought to be so amended as to +"terminate and forever prohibit the existence of +slavery within the limits or the jurisdiction of the +United States." Thus at the special request of +the President the issue was distinctly presented to +the voters of the country. The Copperheads, the +conservatives, and reactionaries, and many of the +war Democrats, promptly opened their batteries +against both the man and the measure.</p> + +<p>The Copperhead Democracy, as usual, went so +far as to lose force; they insisted that the Emancipation +Proclamation should be rescinded, and all +ex-slaves restored to their former masters. This, +in their opinion, would touch, a conciliatory chord +in Southern breasts, and might lead to pacification. +That even pro-slavery Northerners should +urgently advocate a proposition at once so cruel +and so disgraceful is hardly credible. Yet it was +reiterated strenuously, and again and again Mr. +Lincoln had to repeat his decisive and indignant +repudiation of it. In the message to Congress, +<!-- Image No 340 --><a name='Png340'></a><a name='Page320'></a><span class="pagenum">320</span>December, 1863, he said that to abandon the +freedmen now would be "a cruel and astounding +breach of faith.... I shall not attempt to retract +or modify the Emancipation Proclamation, +nor shall I return to slavery any person who is +free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any +of the acts of Congress." In May, 1864, he +spurned the absurdity of depending "upon coaxing, +flattery, and concession to get them [the Secessionists] +back into the Union." He said: +"There have been men base enough to propose to +me to return to slavery our black warriors of Port +Hudson and Olustee, and thus win the respect of +the masters they fought. Should I do so, I should +deserve to be damned in time and eternity. Come +what will, I will keep my faith with friend and +foe." He meant never to be misunderstood on +this point. Recurring to it after the election, in +his message to Congress in December, 1864, he +quoted his language of the year before and added: +"If the people should, by whatever mode or means, +make it an executive duty to reinslave such persons, +another, and not I, must be their instrument +to perform it." All this was plain and spirited. +But it is impossible to praise Mr. Lincoln for contemning +a course which it is surprising to find any +person sufficiently ignoble to recommend. It was, +nevertheless, recommended by many, and thus +we may partly see what extremities of feeling were +produced by this most debasing question which has +ever entered into the politics of a civilized nation.</p> + +<p><!-- Image No 341 --><a name='Png341'></a><a name='Page321'></a><span class="pagenum">321</span> +The anxieties of the war Democrats, who feared +that Mr. Lincoln was making abolition an essential +purpose of the war, have already been set +forth. In truth he was not making it so, but by +the drifting of events and the ensnarlment of facts +it had practically become so without his responsibility. +His many utterances which survive seem +to indicate that, having from the beginning hoped +that the war would put an end to slavery, he now +knew that it must do so. He saw that this conclusion +lay at the end of the natural course of +events, also that it was not a goal which was set +there by those to whom it was welcome, or which +could be taken away by those to whom it was +unwelcome. It was there by the absolute and +uncontrollable logic of facts. His function was +only to take care that this natural course should +not be obstructed, and this established goal should +not be maliciously removed away out of reach. +When he was asked why his expressions of willingness +to negotiate with the Confederate leaders +stipulated not only for the restoration of the Union +but also for the enfranchisement of all slaves, he +could only reply by intimating that the yoking of +the two requirements was unobjectionable from +any point of view, because he was entirely assured +that Mr. Davis would never agree to reunion, +either with or without slavery. Since, therefore, +Union could not be had until after the South had +been whipped, it would be just as well to demand +abolition also; for the rebels would not then be +<!-- Image No 342 --><a name='Png342'></a><a name='Page322'></a><span class="pagenum">322</span>in a position to refuse it, and we should practically +buy both in one transaction. To him it seemed +an appalling blunder to pay the price of this great +war simply in order to cure this especial outbreak +of the great national malady, and still to leave +existing in the body politic that which had induced +this dissension and would inevitably afterward +induce others like unto it. The excision of +the cause was the only intelligent action. Yet +when pushed to the point of declaring what he +would do in the supposed case of an opportunity +to restore the Union, with slavery, he said: "My +enemies pretend I am now carrying on the war for +the sole purpose of abolition. So long as I am +President, it shall be carried on for the sole purpose +of restoring the Union." The duty of his +official oath compelled him to say this, but he often +and plainly acknowledged that he had no fear of +ever being brought face to face with the painful +necessity of saving both the Union and slavery.</p> + +<p>It is worth noticing that the persons who charged +upon the President that he would never assent to +a peace which was not founded upon the abolition +of slavery as one of its conditions or stipulations, +never distinctly stated by what right he could insist +upon such a condition or stipulation, or by +what process he could establish it or introduce it +into a settlement. Mr. Lincoln certainly never +had any thought of negotiating with the seceded +States as an independent country, and making +with them a treaty which could embody an article +<!-- Image No 343 --><a name='Png343'></a><a name='Page323'></a><span class="pagenum">323</span>establishing emancipation and permanent abolition. +He had not power to enter with them into +an agreement of an international character, nor, +if they should offer to return to the Union, retaining +their slave institutions, could he lawfully +reject them. The endeavor would be an act of +usurpation, if it was true that no State could go +out. The plain truth was that, from any save a +revolutionary point of view, the constitutional +amendment was the only method of effecting the +consummation permanently. When, in June, +1864, Mr. Lincoln said that abolition of slavery +was "a fitting and necessary condition to the final +success of the Union cause," he was obviously +speaking of what was logically "fitting and necessary," +and in the same sentence he clearly specified +a constitutional amendment as the practical +process. There is no indication that he ever had +any other scheme.</p> + +<p>In effect, in electing members of Congress in +the autumn of 1864, the people passed upon the +amendment. Votes for Republicans were votes +for the amendment, and the great Republican gain +was fairly construed as an expression of the popular +favor towards the measure. But though the +elections thus made the permanent abolition of +slavery a reasonably sure event in the future, yet +delay always has dangers. The new Congress +would not meet for over a year. In the interval +the Confederacy might collapse, and abolition +become ensnarled with considerations of reconciliation, +<!-- Image No 344 --><a name='Png344'></a><a name='Page324'></a><span class="pagenum">324</span> +of reconstruction, of politics generally. +All friends of the measure, therefore, agreed on +the desirability of disposing of the matter while +the present Congress was in the way with it, if this +could possibly be compassed. That it could be +carried only by the aid of a contingent of Democratic +votes did not so much discourage them as +stimulate their zeal; for such votes would prevent +the mischief of a partisan or sectional aspect. In +his message to Congress, December 6, 1864, the +President referred to the measure which, after its +failure in the preceding session, was now to come +up again, by virtue of that shrewd motion for +reconsideration. Intelligibly, though not in terms, +he appealed for Democratic help. He said:—</p> + +<p>"Although the present is the same Congress +and nearly the same members, and without questioning +the wisdom or patriotism of those who +stood in opposition, I venture to recommend the +reconsideration and passage of the measure at the +present session. Of course the abstract question +is not changed; but an intervening election shows, +almost certainly, that the next Congress will pass +the measure if this does not. Hence there is only +a question of <i>time</i> as to when the proposed amendment +will go to the States for their action; and as +it is so to go, at all events, may we not agree that +the sooner the better. It is not claimed that the +election has imposed a duty on members to change +their views or their votes, any further than, as an +additional element to be considered, their judgment +<!-- Image No 345 --><a name='Png345'></a><a name='Page325'></a><span class="pagenum">325</span> +may be affected by it. It is the voice of the +people now for the first time heard upon the question. +In a great national crisis like ours unanimity +of action among those seeking a common end +is very desirable,—almost indispensable. And +yet no approach to such unanimity is attainable +unless some deference shall be paid to the will of +the majority. In this case the common end is the +maintenance of the Union, and among the means +to secure that end, such will, through the election, +is more clearly declared in favor of such a constitutional +amendment."</p> + +<p>In the closing sentence the word "maintenance" +is significant. So far as the <i>restoration</i> of Union +went, the proclamation had done nearly all that +could be done. This amendment was to insure +the future <i>maintenance</i> of the Union by cutting +out the cause of disunion.</p> + +<p>The President did not rest content with merely +reiterating sentiments which every man had long +known that he held. Of such influence as he could +properly exert among members of the House he +was not chary. The debate began on January 6, +1865, and he followed it closely and eagerly. On +the 27th it was agreed that the voting should take +place on the following day. No one yet felt sure +of the comparative strength of the friends and +opponents of the measure, and up to the actual +taking of the vote the result was uncertain. We +knew, says Arnold, "we should get some Democratic +votes; but whether enough, none could tell." +<!-- Image No 346 --><a name='Png346'></a><a name='Page326'></a><span class="pagenum">326</span>Ex-Governor English of Connecticut, a Democrat, +gave the first Aye from his party; whereupon loud +cheers burst forth; then ten others followed his +example. Eight more Democrats gave their indirect +aid by being absent when their names were +called. Thus both the great parties united to +establish the freedom of all men in the United +States. As the roll-call drew to the end, those +who had been anxiously keeping tally saw that the +measure had been carried. The speaker, Mr. +Colfax, announced the result; ayes 119, noes 56, +and declared that "the joint resolution is passed." +At once there arose from the distinguished crowd +an irrepressible outburst of triumphant applause; +there was no use in rapping to order, or trying to +turn to other business, and a motion to adjourn, +"in honor of this immortal and sublime event," +was promptly made and carried. At the same +moment, on Capitol Hill, artillery roared loud +salutation to the edict of freedom.</p> + +<p>The crowds poured to the White House, and +Mr. Lincoln, in a few words, of which the simplicity +fitted well with the grandness of the occasion, +congratulated them, in homely phrase, that "the +great job is ended." Yet, though this was substantially +true, he did not live to see the strictly +legal completion. Ratification by the States was +still necessary, and though this began at once, and +proceeded in due course as their legislatures came +into session, yet the full three quarters of the +whole number had not passed the requisite resolutions +<!-- Image No 347 --><a name='Png347'></a><a name='Page327'></a><span class="pagenum">327</span> +at the time of his death. This, however, +was mere matter of form. The question was really +settled when Mr. Colfax announced the vote of +the representatives.<a name='FNanchor_78_78'></a><a href='#Footnote_78_78'><sup>[78]</sup></a></p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_77_77'></a><a href='#FNanchor_77_77'>[77]</a> A constitutional amendment requires for its passage a two +thirds vote in the Senate and the House of Representatives, and +ratification by three fourths of the States.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_78_78'></a><a href='#FNanchor_78_78'>[78]</a> Thirteenth Amendment. <i>First</i>: Neither slavery nor involuntary +servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the +party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the +United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. <i>Second</i>: +Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate +legislation.</p></div> + + + +<hr class='long' /> +<!-- Image No 348 --><a name='Png348'></a><a name='Page328'></a><span class="pagenum">328</span> + +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h2>THE FALL OF RICHMOND, AND THE ASSASSINATION +OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN</h2> + + +<p>From the Capitol, where he had spoken his +inaugural on March 4, 1865, Mr. Lincoln came +back to the White House with less than five weeks +of life before him; yet for those scant weeks most +men would have gladly exchanged their full lifetimes. +To the nation they came fraught with all +the intoxicating triumph of victory; but upon the +President they laid the vast responsibility of rightly +shaping and using success; and it was far less easy +to end the war wisely than it had been to conduct +it vigorously. Two populations, with numbers +and resources amply enough for two powerful +nations, after four years of sanguinary, relentless +conflict, in which each side had been inspired and +upheld by a faith like that of the first crusaders, +were now to be reunited as fellow citizens, and to +be fused into a homogeneous body politic based +upon universal suffrage. As if this did not verge +closely enough on the impossible, millions of +people of a hitherto servile race were suddenly +established in the new status of freedom. It was +very plain that the problems which were advancing +<!-- Image No 349 --><a name='Png349'></a><a name='Page329'></a><span class="pagenum">329</span>with approaching peace were more perplexing than +those which were disappearing with departing war. +Much would depend upon the spirit and terms of +the closing of hostilities.</p> + +<p>If the limits of the President's authority were +vague, they might for that very reason be all the +more extensive; and, wherever they might be set, +he soon made it certain that he designed to part +with no power which he possessed. On the evening +of March 3 he went up, as usual, to the Capitol, +to sign bills during the closing hours of the +last session of the Thirty-eighth Congress. To +him thus engaged was handed a telegram from +General Grant, saying that General Lee had suggested +an interview between himself and Grant in +the hope that, upon an interchange of views, they +might reach a satisfactory adjustment of the present +unhappy difficulties through a military convention. +Immediately, exchanging no word with +any one, he wrote:—</p> + +<p>"The President directs me to say that he wishes +you to have no conference with General Lee, unless +it be for the capitulation of General Lee's +army, or on some minor or purely military matter. +He instructs me to say that you are not to decide, +discuss, or confer upon any political questions. +Such questions the President holds in his own +hands, and will submit them to no military conferences +or conventions. Meanwhile, you are to +press to the utmost your military advantages."</p> + +<p>This reply he showed to Seward, then handed it +<!-- Image No 350 --><a name='Png350'></a><a name='Page330'></a><span class="pagenum">330</span>to Stanton and ordered him to sign and dispatch +it at once.</p> + +<p>About this same time General Lee notified Mr. +Davis that Petersburg and Richmond could not be +held many more days. Indeed, they would probably +have been evacuated at once, had not the capital +carried so costly a freight of prestige as well +as of pride. It was no surprising secret which +was thus communicated to the chief rebel; all the +common soldiers in the Confederate army had for +a long while known it just as well as the general-in-chief +did; and they had been showing their +appreciation of the situation by deserting and +coming within the Union lines in such increasing +numbers that soon General Grant estimated that +the Confederate forces were being depleted by the +equivalent of nearly a regiment every day. The +civilian leaders had already suggested the last +expedients of despair,—the enrolling of boys of +fourteen years and old men of sixty-five, nay, +even the enlistment of slaves. But there was no +cure for the mortal dwindling. The Confederacy +was dying of anaemia.</p> + +<p>Grant understood the situation precisely as his +opponents did. That Petersburg and Richmond +were about to be his was settled. But he was reaching +out for more than only these strongholds, and +that he could get Lee's army also was by no means +settled. As March opened he lay down every +night in the fear that, while he was sleeping, the +evacuation might be furtively, rapidly, in progress, +<!-- Image No 351 --><a name='Png351'></a><a name='Page331'></a><span class="pagenum">331</span>and the garrison escaping. He dreaded that, any +morning, he might awake to find delusive picket +lines, guarding nothing, while Lee and his soldiers +were already well in the lead, marching for the +South. For him, especially, it was a period of +extreme tension. Since the capture of Savannah +and the evacuation of Charleston several weeks +ago, Sherman with his fine army had been moving +steadily northward. In front of Sherman was +Johnston, with a considerable force which had +been got together from the remnants of Hood's +army and other sources. At Bentonsville a battle +took place, which resulted in Johnston's falling +back, but left him still formidable. General Grant +had not yet been able to break the Richmond and +Danville Railroad, which ran out from Richmond +in a southwesterly direction; and the danger was +that by this and the "South Side" railroad, Lee +might slip out, join Johnston, and overwhelm +Sherman before Grant could reach him. In time, +this peril was removed by the junction of Schofield's +army, coming from Wilmington, with that +of Sherman at Goldsboro. Yet, even after this +relief, there remained a possibility that Lee, uniting +with Johnston, and thus leading a still powerful +army of the more determined and constant +veterans, might prolong the war indefinitely.</p> + +<p>Not without good reason was Grant harassed by +this thought, for in fact it was precisely this thing +that the good soldier in Petersburg was scheming +to do. The closing days of the month brought the +<!-- Image No 352 --><a name='Png352'></a><a name='Page332'></a><span class="pagenum">332</span>endeavor and the crisis. To improve his chances +Lee made a desperate effort to demoralize, at least +temporarily, the left or western wing of the Union +army, around which he must pass in order to get +away, when he should actually make his start. +March 25, therefore, he made so fierce an assault, +that he succeeded in piercing the Union lines and +capturing a fort. But it was a transitory gleam +of success; the Federals promptly closed in upon +the Confederates, and drove them back, capturing +and killing 4000 of them. In a few hours the +affair was all over; the Northern army showed the +dint no more than a rubber ball; but the Confederates +had lost brave men whom they could not +spare.</p> + +<p>On March 22 Mr. Lincoln went to City Point; +no one could say just how soon important propositions +might require prompt answering, and it was +his purpose to be ready to have any such business +transacted as closely as possible in accordance with +his own ideas. On March 27 or 28, the famous +conference<a name='FNanchor_79_79'></a><a href='#Footnote_79_79'><sup>[79]</sup></a> was held on board the River Queen, +on James River, hard by Grant's headquarters, +between the President, General Grant, General +Sherman, who had come up hastily from Goldsboro, +and Admiral Porter. Not far away Sheridan's +fine body of 13,000 seasoned cavalrymen, +fresh from their triumphs in the Shenandoah Valley, +was even now crossing the James River, on +their way into the neighborhood of Dinwiddie +<!-- Image No 353 --><a name='Png353'></a><a name='Page333'></a><span class="pagenum">333</span>Court House, which lies southwest of Richmond, +and where they could threaten that remaining +railroad which was Lee's best chance of escape. +General Sherman reported that on April 10 he +should be ready to move to a junction with Grant. +But Grant, though he did not then proclaim it, +did not mean to wait so long; in fact he had the +secret wish and purpose that the Eastern army, +which had fought so long and so bloodily in Virginia, +should have all to itself the well-deserved +glory of capturing Richmond and conquering Lee, +a purpose which Mr. Lincoln, upon suggestion of +it, accepted.<a name='FNanchor_80_80'></a><a href='#Footnote_80_80'><sup>[80]</sup></a> The President then returned to +City Point, there to stay for the present, awaiting +developments.</p> + +<p>On April 1 General Sheridan fought and won +the important battle at Five Forks. Throughout +that night, to prevent a too vigorous return-assault +upon Sheridan, the Federal batteries thundered all +along the line; and at daybreak on the morning +of April 2 the rebel intrenchments were fiercely +assaulted. After hard fighting the Confederates +were forced back upon their inner lines. Then +General Grant sent a note to City Point, saying: +"I think the President might come out and pay +us a visit to morrow;" and then also General Lee, +upon his part, sent word to Jefferson Davis that +the end had come, that Petersburg and Richmond +must be abandoned immediately.</p> + +<p>The news had been expected at any moment by +<!-- Image No 354 --><a name='Png354'></a><a name='Page334'></a><span class="pagenum">334</span>the Confederate leaders, but none the less it produced +intense excitement. Away went Mr. Davis, +in hot haste, also the members of his cabinet and +of his congress, and the officials of the rebel State +of Virginia, and, in short, every one who felt himself +of consequence enough to make it worth his +while to run away. The night was theirs, and +beneath its friendly shade they escaped, with archives +and documents which had suddenly become +valuable chiefly for historical purposes. Grant had +ordered that on the morning of April 3 a bombardment +should begin at five o'clock, which was to be +followed by an assault at six o'clock. But there +was no occasion for either; even at the earlier hour +Petersburg was empty, and General Grant and +General Meade soon entered it undisturbed. A +little later Mr. Lincoln joined them, and they +walked through streets in which neither man nor +animal, save only this little knot, was to be seen.<a name='FNanchor_81_81'></a><a href='#Footnote_81_81'><sup>[81]</sup></a></p> + +<p>At quarter after eight o'clock, that same morning, +General Weitzel, with a few attendants, rode +into the streets of Richmond. That place, however, +was by no means deserted, but, on the contrary, +it seemed Pandemonium. The rebels had +been blowing up and burning warships and stores; +they had also gathered great quantities of cotton +<!-- Image No 355 --><a name='Png355'></a><a name='Page335'></a><span class="pagenum">335</span>and tobacco into the public storehouses and had +then set them on fire. More than 700 buildings +were feeding a conflagration at once terrible and +magnificent to behold, and no one was endeavoring +to stay its advance. The negroes were intoxicated +with joy, and the whites with whiskey; the +convicts from the penitentiary had broken loose; a +mob was breaking into houses and stores and was +pillaging madly. Erelong the Fifth Massachusetts +Cavalry, a negro regiment under Colonel C.F. +Adams, Jr., paraded through the streets, and +then the Southern whites hid themselves within +doors to shun the repulsive spectacle. It may be +that armed and hostile negroes brought to them +the dread terror of retaliation and massacre in the +wild hour of triumph. But if so, their fear was +groundless; the errand of the Northern troops +was, in fact, one of safety and charity; they began +at once to extinguish the fires, to suppress the +riot, and to feed the starving people.</p> + +<p>On the following day President Lincoln started +on his way up the river from City Point, upon an +excursion to the rebel capital. Obstructions which +had been placed in the stream stopped the progress +of his steamer; whereupon he got into a barge and +was rowed to one of the city wharves. He had +not been expected, and with a guard of ten sailors, +and with four gentlemen as comrades, he +walked through the streets, under the guidance of +a "contraband," to the quarters of General Weitzel. +This has been spoken of as an evidence of +<!-- Image No 356 --><a name='Png356'></a><a name='Page336'></a><span class="pagenum">336</span>bravery; but, regarded in this light, it was only +superfluous evidence of a fact which no one ever +doubted; it really deserves better to be called foolhardiness, +as Captain Penrose, who was one of the +party, frankly described it in his Diary. The +walk was a mile and a half long, and this gentleman +says: "I never passed a more anxious time +than in this walk. In going up [the river] ... we +ran the risk of torpedoes and the obstructions; +but I think the risk the President ran in going +through the streets of Richmond was even greater, +and shows him to have great courage. The streets +of the city were filled with drunken rebels, both +officers and men, and all was confusion.... A +large portion of the city was still on fire." Probably +enough the impunity with which this great +risk was run was due to the dazing and bewildering +effect of an occasion so confused and exciting. +Meantime, Lee, abandoning Petersburg, but by +no means abandoning "the Cause," pushed his +troops with the utmost expedition to gain that +southwestern route which was the slender thread +whence all Confederate hope now depended. His +men traveled light and fast; for, poor fellows, they +had little enough to carry! But Grant was an +eager pursuer. Until the sixth day that desperate +flight and chase continued. Lee soon saw that he +could not get to Danville, as he had hoped to do, +and thereupon changed his plan and struck nearly +westward, for open country, via Appomattox Court +House. All the way, as he marched, Federal +<!-- Image No 357 --><a name='Png357'></a><a name='Page337'></a><span class="pagenum">337</span>horsemen worried the left flank of his columns, +while the infantry came ever closer upon the rear, +and kept up a ceaseless skirmishing. It had become +"a life and death struggle with Lee to get +south to his provisions;" and Grant was struggling +with not less stern zeal, along a southerly +line, to get ahead of him in this racing journey. +The Federal troops, sanguine and excited, did their +part finely, even marching a whole day and night +without rations. On April 6 there was an engagement, +in which about 7000 Southerners, with six +general officers, surrendered; and perhaps the +captives were not deeply sorry for their fate. +Sheridan telegraphed: "If the thing is pressed, I +think that Lee will surrender." Grant repeated +this to the President, who replied: "Let the thing +be pressed,"—not that there was any doubt about +it! Yet, April 7, General Lee was cheered by an +evanescent success in an engagement. It was +trifling, however, and did not suffice to prevent +many of his generals from uniting to advise him +to capitulate. Grant also sent to him a note saying +that resistance was useless, and that he desired +to shift from himself the responsibility of further +bloodshed by asking for a surrender. Lee denied +the hopelessness, but asked what terms would be +offered. At the same time he continued his rapid +retreat. On April 8, about sunset, near Appomattox +Station, his advance encountered Sheridan's +cavalry directly across the road. The corral +was complete. Nevertheless, there ensued a few +<!-- Image No 358 --><a name='Png358'></a><a name='Page338'></a><span class="pagenum">338</span>critical hours; for Sheridan could by no means +stand against Lee's army. Fortunately, however, +these hours of crisis were also the hours of darkness, +in which troops could march but could not +fight, and at dawn, on April 9, the Southerners +saw before them a great force of Federal soldiery +abundantly able to hold them in check until +Grant's whole army could come up. "A sharp +engagement ensued," says General Grant, "but +Lee quickly set up a white flag." He then notified +Sheridan, in his front, and Meade, in his rear, +that he had sent a note to General Grant with a +view to surrender, and he asked a suspension of +hostilities. These commanders doubted a ruse, +and reluctantly consented to hold their troops back +for two hours. That was just enough; pending +the recess Grant was reached by the bearer of the +dispatch, and at once rode in search of Lee.</p> + +<p>The two met at the house of a villager and easily +came to terms, for Grant's offer transcended in +liberality anything which Lee could fairly have +expected. General Grant hastily wrote it out in +the form of a letter to Lee: The Confederates, +officers and men, were to be paroled, "not to take +up arms against the government of the United +States until properly exchanged;" arms, artillery, +and public property were to be turned over to the +Federals except the side-arms of the officers, their +private horses, and baggage. "This done, each +officer and man will be allowed to return to their +homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority +<!-- Image No 359 --><a name='Png359'></a><a name='Page339'></a><span class="pagenum">339</span> +so long as they observe their parole and the +laws in force where they may reside." This closing +sentence practically granted amnesty to all +persons then surrendering, not excluding even the +rebel general-in-chief. It was afterward severely +criticised as trenching upon the domain of the +President, and perhaps, also, on that of Congress. +For it was practically an exercise of the pardoning +power; and it was, or might be, an element in +reconstruction. Not improbably the full force of +the language was not appreciated when it was written; +but whether this was so or not, and whether +authority had been unduly assumed or not, an +engagement of General Grant was sure to be respected, +especially when it was entirely in harmony +with the spirit of the President's policy, though it +happened to be contrary to the letter of his order.</p> + +<p>General Lee had no sooner surrendered than he +asked for food for his starving troops; and stated, +by way of estimate, that about twenty-five thousand +rations would be needed. The paroles, as +signed, showed a total of 28,231. To so trifling +a force had his once fine army been reduced by +the steady drain of battles and desertions.<a name='FNanchor_82_82'></a><a href='#Footnote_82_82'><sup>[82]</sup></a> The +veterans had long since understood that their lives +were a price which could buy nothing, and which +therefore might as well be saved.</p> + +<p>The fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee +<!-- Image No 360 --><a name='Png360'></a><a name='Page340'></a><span class="pagenum">340</span>were practically the end of the war. Remnants +of secession indeed remained, of which Mr. Lincoln +did not live to see the disposition. Johnston's +army was still in the field; but on learning that +there really was no longer either a Confederacy or +a cause to fight for, it surrendered on April 26. +Jefferson Davis also arranged for himself<a name='FNanchor_83_83'></a><a href='#Footnote_83_83'><sup>[83]</sup></a> the +most effectual of all amnesties by making himself +ridiculous; for though some persons had designed +a serious punishment for this dethroned ruler, they +recognized that this became impossible after he +had put himself into petticoats. It was hardly fair +that Mr. Lincoln was robbed of the amusement +which he would have gathered from this exploit.</p> + +<p>On April 11, in the evening, a multitude gathered +before the White House, bringing loud congratulations, +and not to be satisfied without a +speech from the President. Accordingly he came +out and spoke to the cheering crowd, and by a few +simple, generous words, turned over the enthusiastic +acclamation, which seemed to honor him, to +those "whose harder part" had given the cause of +rejoicing. "Their honors," he said, "must not +be parceled out with others. I myself was near +the front, and had the high pleasure of transmitting +much of the good news to you; but no part +of the honor, for plan or execution, is mine. To +General Grant, his skillful officers and brave men, +all belongs. The gallant navy stood ready, but +was not in reach to take an active part." He then +<!-- Image No 361 --><a name='Png361'></a><a name='Page341'></a><span class="pagenum">341</span>at once turned to the subject of reconstruction, +and the last words which he addressed to the people +were mingled of argument and appeal in behalf +of the humane and liberal policy which he had +inaugurated in Louisiana, which was still in the +experimental stage, yet which had already excited +the bitter denunciations of the politicians.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>So soon as it was known in the autumn of 1860 +that Abraham Lincoln was to be the next president +of the United States, he was at once beset by +two pests: the office-seekers, and the men who +either warned him to fear assassination or anonymously +threatened him with it. Of the two, the +office-seekers annoyed him by far the more; they +came like the plague of locusts, and devoured his +time and his patience. His contempt and disgust +towards them were unutterable; he said that the +one purpose in life with at least one half of the +nation seemed to be that they should live comfortably +at the expense of the other half. But it was +the fashion of the people, and he was obliged to +endure the affliction, however it might stir his +indignation and contempt. The matter of assassination +he was more free to treat as he chose. A +curious incident, strangely illustrating the superstitious +element in his nature, was narrated by him +as follows:—</p> + +<p>"It was just after my election in 1860, when +the news had been coming in thick and fast all +day, and there had been a great 'hurrah boys!' +<!-- Image No 362 --><a name='Png362'></a><a name='Page342'></a><span class="pagenum">342</span>so that I was well tired out and went home to rest, +throwing myself upon a lounge in my chamber. +Opposite to where I lay was a bureau with a swinging +glass upon it; and, in looking in that glass, I +saw myself reflected nearly at full length; but my +face, I noticed, had two separate and distinct images, +the tip of the nose of one being about three +inches from the tip of the other. I was a little +bothered, perhaps startled, and got up and looked +in the glass; but the illusion vanished. On lying +down again I saw it a second time, plainer, if +possible, than before; and then I noticed that one +of the faces was a little paler—say five shades—than +the other. I got up and the thing melted +away; and I went off, and in the excitement of +the hour forgot all about it,—nearly, but not +quite, for the thing would once in a while come up, +and give me a little pang, as though something +uncomfortable had happened. When I went home, +I told my wife about it; and a few days after I +tried the experiment again, when, sure enough, +the thing came back again; but I never succeeded +in bringing the ghost back after that, though I +once tried very industriously to show it to my wife, +who was worried about it somewhat. She thought +it was 'a sign' that I was to be elected to a second +term of office, and that the paleness of one of the +faces was an omen that I should not see life +through the last term."</p> + +<p>From this time forth anonymous threats and +friendly warnings came thick and fast up to the +<!-- Image No 363 --><a name='Png363'></a><a name='Page343'></a><span class="pagenum">343</span>fatal day when the real event befell. Some of +these he kept, and after his death they were found +in his desk, labeled "Assassination Letters." +Before he left Springfield for his journey to +Washington, many ingenious fears were suggested +to him; but, except for his change of route toward +the close of his journey, none of these presagings +visibly influenced him, and his change of purpose +concerning the passage through Baltimore was +never afterward recalled by him without vexation. +From that time forth he resolutely ignored all +danger of this kind. During most of the time +that he was in office any one could easily call upon +him, unguarded, at the White House; he moved +through the streets of Washington like any private +citizen; and he drove about the environs, and +habitually in the warm season took the long drive +to and from the Soldiers' Home, with substantially +no protection. When, at last, a guard at +the White House and an escort upon his drives +were fairly forced upon him by Mr. Stanton (who +was declared by the gossip of the unfriendly to +be somewhat troubled with physical timidity), he +rebelled against these incumbrances upon his freedom, +and submitted, when he had to do so, with +an ill grace. To those who remonstrated with +him upon his carelessness he made various replies. +Sometimes, half jocosely, he said that it was +hardly likely that any intelligent Southerner would +care to get rid of him in order to set either Vice-President +Hamlin or, later, Vice-President Johnson, +<!-- Image No 364 --><a name='Png364'></a><a name='Page344'></a><span class="pagenum">344</span> +in his place. At other times he said: "What +is the use of setting up the <i>gap</i>, when the fence is +down all round?" or, "I do not see that I can +make myself secure except by shutting myself up +in an iron box, and in that condition I think I +could hardly satisfactorily transact the business of +the presidency." Again he said: "If I am killed, +I can die but once; but to live in constant dread +of it, is to die over and over again." This was an +obvious reflection, easy enough of suggestion for +any one who was not within the danger line; but +to live every day in accordance with it, when the +danger was never absent, called for a singular +tranquillity of temperament, and a kind of courage +in which brave men are notoriously apt to be +deficient.</p> + +<p>On April 9 the President was coming up the +Potomac in a steamer from City Point; the Comte +de Chambrun was of the party and relates that, +as they were nearing Washington, Mrs. Lincoln, +who had been silently gazing toward the town, +said: "That city is filled with our enemies;" +whereupon Mr. Lincoln "somewhat impatiently +retorted: 'Enemies! we must never speak of +that!'" For he was resolutely cherishing the +impossible idea that Northerners and Southerners +were to be enemies no longer, but that a pacification +of the spirit was coming throughout the +warring land contemporaneously with the cessation +of hostilities,—a dream romantic and hopelessly +incapable of realization, but humane and beautiful. +<!-- Image No 365 --><a name='Png365'></a><a name='Page345'></a><span class="pagenum">345</span>Since he did not live to endeavor to transform +it into a fact, and thereby perhaps to have his +efforts cause even seriously injurious results, it is +open to us to forget the impracticability of the +fancy and to revere the nature which in such an +hour could give birth to such a purpose.</p> + +<p>The fourteenth day of April was Friday,—Good +Friday. Many religious persons afterward +ventured to say that if the President had not been +at the theatre upon that sacred day, the awful +tragedy might never have occurred at all. Others, +however, not less religiously disposed, were impressed +by the coincidence that the fatal shot was +fired upon that day which the Christian world had +agreed to adopt as the anniversary of the crucifixion +of the Saviour of mankind. General Grant +and his wife were in Washington on that day and +the President invited them to go with him to see +the play at Ford's theatre in the evening, but personal +engagements called them northward. In the +afternoon the President drove out with his wife, +and again the superstitious element comes in; for +he appeared in such good spirits, as he chatted +cheerfully of the past and the future, that she +uneasily remarked to him: "I have seen you thus +only once before; it was just before our dear +Willie died." Such a frame of mind, however, +under the circumstances at that time must be regarded +as entirely natural rather than as ominous.</p> + +<p>About nine o'clock in the evening the President +entered his box at the theatre; with him were his +<!-- Image No 366 --><a name='Png366'></a><a name='Page346'></a><span class="pagenum">346</span>wife, Major Rathbone, and a lady; the box had +been decorated with an American flag, of which +the folds swept down to the stage. Unfortunately +it had also been tampered with, in preparation for +the plans of the conspirators. Between it and the +corridor was a small vestibule; and a stout stick +of wood had been so arranged that it could in an +instant be made to fasten securely, on the inside, +the door which opened from the corridor into this +vestibule. Also in the door which led from the +vestibule into the box itself a hole had been cut, +through which the situation of the different persons +in the box could be clearly seen. Soon after +the party had entered, when the cheering had subsided +and the play was going forward, just after +ten o'clock, a man approached through the corridor, +pushed his visiting card into the hands of the +attendant who sat there, hastily entered the vestibule, +and closed and fastened the door behind him. +A moment later the noise of a pistol shot astounded +every one, and instantly a man was seen at the +front of the President's box; Major Rathbone +sprang to grapple with him, but was severely +slashed in the arm and failed to retard his progress; +he vaulted over the rail to the stage, but +caught his spur in the folds of the flag, so that he +did not alight fairly upon his feet; but he instantly +recovered himself, and with a visible limp in his +gait hastened across the stage; as he went, he +turned towards the audience, brandished the bloody +dagger with which he had just struck Rathbone, +<!-- Image No 367 --><a name='Png367'></a><a name='Page347'></a><span class="pagenum">347</span>and cried "<i>Sic semper tyrannis!</i>" Some one +recognized John Wilkes Booth, an actor of melodramatic +characters. The door at the back of the +theatre was held open for him by Edward Spangler, +an employee, and in the alley hard by a boy, +also employed about the theatre, was holding the +assassin's horse, saddled and bridled. Booth +kicked the boy aside, with a curse, climbed into +the saddle with difficulty,—for the small bone of +his leg between the knee and ankle had been +broken in his fall upon the stage,—and rode +rapidly away into the night. Amid the confusion, +no efficient pursuit was made.</p> + +<p>The President had been shot at the back of the +head, on the left side; the bullet passed through +the brain, and stopped just short of the left eye. +Unconsciousness of course came instantaneously. +He was carried to a room in a house opposite the +theatre, and there he continued to breathe until +twenty-two minutes after seven o'clock in the +morning, at which moment he died.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>The man Booth, who had done this deed of +blood and madness, was an unworthy member of +the family of distinguished actors of that name. +He was young, handsome, given to hard drinking, +of inordinate vanity, and of small capacity in his +profession; altogether, he was a disreputable fellow, +though fitted to seem a hero in the eyes of +the ignorant and dissipated classes. Betwixt the +fumes of the brandy which he so freely drank and +<!-- Image No 368 --><a name='Png368'></a><a name='Page348'></a><span class="pagenum">348</span>the folly of the melodramatic parts which he was +wont to act, his brain became saturated with a +passion for notoriety, which grew into the very +mania of egotism. His crime was as stupid as it +was barbarous; and even from his own point of +view his achievement was actually worse than a +failure. As an act of revenge against a man +whom he hated, he accomplished nothing, for he +did not inflict upon Mr. Lincoln so much as one +minute of mental distress or physical suffering. +To the South he brought no good, and at least ran +the risk of inflicting upon it much evil, since he +aroused a vindictive temper among persons who +had the power to carry vindictiveness into effect; +and he slew the only sincere and powerful friend +whom the Southerners had among their conquerors. +He passed a miserable existence for eleven +days after the assassination, moving from one hiding-place +to another, crippled and suffering, finding +concealment difficult and escape impossible. +Moreover, he had the intense mortification to find +himself regarded with execration rather than admiration, +loathed as a murderer instead of admired +as a hero, and charged with having wrought irreparable +hurt to those whom he had foolishly +fancied that he was going to serve conspicuously. +It was a curious and significant fact that there was +among the people of the North a considerable body +of persons who, though undoubtedly as shocked +as was every one else at the method by which the +President had been eliminated from the political +<!-- Image No 369 --><a name='Png369'></a><a name='Page349'></a><span class="pagenum">349</span>situation, were yet well pleased to see Andrew +Johnson come into power;<a name='FNanchor_84_84'></a><a href='#Footnote_84_84'><sup>[84]</sup></a> and these persons +were the very ones who had been heretofore most +extreme in their hostility to slavery, most implacable +towards the people of the Confederacy. +There were no persons living to whom Booth +would have been less willing to minister gratification +than to these men. Their new President, it +is true, soon disappointed them bitterly, but for +the moment his accession was generally regarded +as a gain for their party.</p> + +<p>Late on April 25 a squad of cavalry traced +Booth to a barn in Virginia; they surrounded it, +but he refused to come out; thereupon they set +fire to it, and then one of them, Boston Corbett, +contrary to orders, thrust his musket through a +crevice and fired at Booth. Probably he hit his +mark, though some think that the hunted wretch +at this last desperate moment shot himself with +his own revolver. Be this as it may, the assassin +was brought forth having a bullet in the base of +his brain, and with his body below the wound +paralyzed. He died on the morning of April 26.</p> + +<p>While the result of Booth's shot secured for +him that notoriety which he loved, the enterprise +<!-- Image No 370 --><a name='Png370'></a><a name='Page350'></a><span class="pagenum">350</span>was in fact by no means wholly his own. A conspiracy +involving many active members, and known +also to others, had been long in existence. For +months plans had been laid and changed, and +opportunities had been awaited and lost. Had +the plot not been thus delayed, its success might +have done more practical mischief. Now, in +addition to what the plotters lost by reason of +this delay, only a part of their whole great scheme +was carried out. At the same time that the tragedy +was enacting at Ford's Theatre an assault +was perpetrated upon Mr. Seward, who was then +confined to his bed by hurts lately received in an +accident. The assassin gained admission into the +house under pretense of bringing medicine; thus +he reached the bedroom, and at once threw himself +upon the secretary, whom he stabbed about the +face and neck; then encountering in turn two sons +of Mr. Seward and two men nurses, he wounded +them all more or less seriously, and escaped. But +much as had been done, as much or more was +left undone; for there can be little doubt that the +plot also included the murder of the Vice-President, +General Grant, and Secretary Stanton; the +idea being, so far as there was any idea or any +sense at all in the villainy, that the sudden destruction +of all these men would leave the government +with no lawful head, and that anarchy would +ensue.</p> + +<p>Not many days elapsed before the government +had in custody seven men, Herold, Spangler, +<!-- Image No 371 --><a name='Png371'></a><a name='Page351'></a><span class="pagenum">351</span>Payne, O'Laughlin, Arnold, Atzerodt, and Mudd, +and one woman, Mary E. Surratt, all charged with +being concerned in the conspiracy. But though +they had been so happily caught, there was much +difficulty in determining just how to deal with +them. Such was the force of secession feeling in +the District of Columbia that no jury there could +be expected to find them guilty, unless the panel +should be packed in a manner which would be +equally against honesty and good policy. After +some deliberation, therefore, the government decided +to have recourse to a military commission, +provided this were possible under the law, and +the attorney-general, under guise of advising the +administration, understood distinctly that he must +find that it was possible. Accordingly he wrote +a long, sophistical, absurd opinion, in which he +mixed up the law of nations and the "laws of +war," and emerged out of the fog very accurately +at the precise point at which he was expected to +arrive. Not that fault should be found with him +for performing this feat; it was simply one of +many instances, furnished by the war, of the +homage which necessity pays to law and which law +repays to necessity. That which must be done +must also be stoutly and ingeniously declared to +be legal. It was intolerable that the men should +escape, yet their condemnation must be accomplished +in a respectable way. So the Military +Commission was promptly convened, heard the +evidence which could be got together at such short +<!-- Image No 372 --><a name='Png372'></a><a name='Page352'></a><span class="pagenum">352</span>notice, and found all the accused guilty, as undoubtedly +they were. The men were a miserable +parcel of fellows, belonging in that class of the +community called "roughs," except only Mudd, +who was a country doctor. Mrs. Surratt was a +fit companion for such company. Herold, Atzerodt +and Payne were hanged on July 7; O'Laughlin, +Spangler, Arnold, and Mudd were sent to the +Dry Tortugas, there to be kept at hard labor in +the military prison for life, save Spangler, whose +term was six years. Mrs. Surratt was also found +guilty and condemned to be hanged. Five members +of the commission signed a petition to President +Johnson to commute this sentence, but he +refused, and on July 7 she also met the fate which +no one could deny that she deserved. John H. +Surratt escaped for the time, but was apprehended +and tried in the District of Columbia, in 1867; +he had then the advantage of process under the +regular criminal law, and the result was that on +September 22, 1868, a <i>nolle prosequi</i> was entered, +and he was set free, to swell the multitude of +villains whose impunity reflects no great credit +upon our system of dealing with crime.</p> + +<p>Besides those who have been named, the government +also charged several other persons with +complicity in the plot. Among these were Jefferson +Davis and some members of that notorious +colony of Confederates who, in the wholesome and +congenial safety of Canada, had been plotting +mean crimes during the war. Of course, since +<!-- Image No 373 --><a name='Png373'></a><a name='Page353'></a><span class="pagenum">353</span>these men could not be captured and actually +placed upon trial, there was little object in seeking +evidence against them, and only so much was +produced as came to the possession of the government +incidentally in the way of its endeavor to +convict those prisoners who were in its possession. +Under these circumstances there was not sufficient +evidence to prove that any one of them aided or +abetted, or had a guilty knowledge of, the conspiracy; +yet certainly there was evidence enough +to place them under such suspicion, that, if they +were really innocent, they deserve commiseration +for their unfortunate situation.</p> + +<hr class='short' /> + +<p>It is startling to contemplate the responsibility +so lightly taken by the mad wretch who shortly +and sharply severed the most important life which +any man was living on the fourteenth day of April, +1865. Very rarely, in the course of the ages, have +circumstances so converged upon a single person +and a special crisis as to invest them with the importance +which rested upon this great leader at this +difficult time. Yet, in the briefest instant that +can be measured, an ignoble tippler had dared to +cut the life-thread from which depended no small +portion of the destinies of millions of people. +How the history of this nation might have been +changed, had Mr. Lincoln survived to bear his +influential part in reconstructing and reuniting +the shattered country, no man can tell. Many +have indulged in the idle speculation, though to +<!-- Image No 374 --><a name='Png374'></a><a name='Page354'></a><span class="pagenum">354</span>do so is but to waste time. The life which he had +already lived gives food enough for reflection and +for study without trying to evolve out of arbitrary +fancy the further things which might have been +attempted by him, which might have been of wise +or of visionary conception, might have brilliantly +succeeded or sadly failed.</p> + +<p>It is only forty years since Abraham Lincoln +became of much note in the world, yet in that +brief time he has been the subject of more varied +discussion than has been expended upon any other +historical character, save, perhaps, Napoleon; and +the kind of discussion which has been called forth +by Lincoln is not really to be likened to that which +has taken place concerning Napoleon or concerning +any other person whomsoever. The great men +of the various eras and nations are comprehensible, +at least upon broad lines. The traits to +which each owes his peculiar power can be pretty +well agreed upon; the capacity of each can be +tolerably well expressed in a formula; each can be +intelligibly described in fairly distinct phrases; +and whether this be in the spirit of admiration or +of condemnation will, in all cases which admit of +doubt, be largely a question of the personal sympathies +of the observer. But Lincoln stands apart +in striking solitude,—an enigma to all men. The +world eagerly asks of each person who endeavors +to write or speak of him: What illumination have +you for us? Have you solved the mystery? Can +you explain this man? The task has been essayed +<!-- Image No 375 --><a name='Png375'></a><a name='Page355'></a><span class="pagenum">355</span>many times; it will be essayed many times more; +it never has been, and probably it never will be +entirely achieved. Each biographer, each writer or +speaker, makes his little contribution to the study, +and must be content to regard it merely as a contribution. +For myself, having drawn the picture +of the man as I see him, though knowing well that +I am far from seeing him all, and still farther from +seeing inwardly through him, yet I know that I +cannot help it by additional comments. Very much +more than is the case with other men, Lincoln +means different things to different persons, and the +aspect which he presents depends to an unusual +degree upon the moral and mental individuality of +the observer. Perhaps this is due to the breadth +and variety of his own nature. As a friend once +said to me: Lincoln was like Shakespeare, in that +he seemed to run through the whole gamut of +human nature. It was true. From the superstition +of the ignorant backwoodsman to that profoundest +faith which is the surest measure of man's greatness, +Lincoln passed along the whole distance. In +his early days he struck his roots deep down into +the common soil of the earth, and in his latest years +his head towered and shone among the stars. Yet +his greatest, his most distinctive, and most abiding +trait was his humanness of nature; he was the +expression of his people; at some periods of his +life and in some ways it may be that he expressed +them in their uglier forms, but generally he displayed +them in their noblest and most beautiful +<!-- Image No 376 --><a name='Png376'></a><a name='Page356'></a><span class="pagenum">356</span>developments; yet, for worse or for better, one is +always conscious of being in close touch with him +as a fellow man. People often call him the greatest +man who ever lived; but, in fact, he was not +properly to be compared with any other. One +may set up a pole and mark notches upon it, and +label them with the names of Julius Caesar, William +of Orange, Cromwell, Napoleon, even Washington, +and may measure these men against each +other, and dispute and discuss their respective +places. But Lincoln cannot be brought to this +pole, he cannot be entered in any such competition. +This is not necessarily because he was greater +than any of these men; for, before this could be +asserted, the question would have to be settled: +How is greatness to be estimated? One can +hardly conceive that in any age of the world or +any combination of circumstances a capacity and +temperament like that of Caesar or Napoleon would +not force itself into prominence and control. On +the other hand, it is easy to suppose that, if precisely +such a great moral question and peculiar +crisis as gave to Lincoln his opportunity had not +arisen contemporaneously with his years of vigor, +he might never have got farther away from obscurity +than does the ordinary member of Congress. +Does this statement limit his greatness, by requiring +a rare condition to give it play? The question +is of no serious consequence, since the condition +existed; and the discussion which calls it forth is +also of no great consequence. For what is gained +<!-- Image No 377 --><a name='Png377'></a><a name='Page357'></a><span class="pagenum">357</span>by trying to award him a number in a rank-list +of heroes? It is enough to believe that probably +Lincoln alone among historical characters could +have done that especial task which he had to do. +It was a task of supreme difficulty, and like none +which any other man ever had to undertake; and +he who was charged with it was even more distantly +unlike any other man in both moral and +mental equipment. We cannot force lines to be +parallel, for our own convenience or curiosity, +when in fact they are not parallel. Let us not +then try to compare and to measure him with +others, and let us not quarrel as to whether he +was greater or less than Washington, as to whether +either of them, set to perform the other's +task, would have succeeded with it, or, perchance, +would have failed. Not only is the competition +itself an ungracious one, but to make Lincoln a +competitor is foolish and useless. He was the +most individual man who ever lived; let us be +content with this fact. Let us take him simply +as Abraham Lincoln, singular and solitary, as we +all see that he was; let us be thankful if we can +make a niche big enough for him among the +world's heroes, without worrying ourselves about +the proportion which it may bear to other niches; +and there let him remain forever, lonely, as in his +strange lifetime, impressive, mysterious, unmeasured, +and unsolved.</p> + +<!-- Image No 378 --><a name='Png378'></a><a name='Page358'></a><span class="pagenum">358</span> +<!-- Image No 379 --><a name='Png379'></a><a name='Page359'></a><span class="pagenum">359</span> + +<p>FOOTNOTES:</p> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_79_79'></a><a href='#FNanchor_79_79'>[79]</a> See <i>ante</i>, pp. 237-241 (chapter on Reconstruction).</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_80_80'></a><a href='#FNanchor_80_80'>[80]</a> Grant, <i>Memoirs</i>, ii. 460.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_81_81'></a><a href='#FNanchor_81_81'>[81]</a> Grant, <i>Memoirs</i>, ii. 459. This differs from the statement of +N. and H. x. 216, that "amid the wildest enthusiasm, the President +again reviewed the victorious regiments of Grant, marching +through Petersburg in pursuit of Lee." Either picture is good; +perhaps that of the silent, deserted city is not the less effective.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_82_82'></a><a href='#FNanchor_82_82'>[82]</a> Between March 29 and the date of surrender, 19,132 Confederates +had been captured, a fate to which it was shrewdly +suspected that many were not averse.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_83_83'></a><a href='#FNanchor_83_83'>[83]</a> May 11, 1865.</p></div> + +<div class='footnote'> +<p><a name='Footnote_84_84'></a><a href='#FNanchor_84_84'>[84]</a> Hon. George W. Julian says: "I spent most of the afternoon +in a political caucus, held for the purpose of considering the necessity +for a new cabinet and a line of policy less conciliatory than +that of Mr. Lincoln; and while everybody was shocked at his +murder, the feeling was nearly universal that the accession of +Johnson to the presidency would prove a godsend to the country." +<i>Polit. Recoll.</i> 255.</p></div> + + +<hr class='long'/> +<a name='INDEX'></a> +<h2>INDEX</h2> + +<p style='text-align: center;'> +<a href='#INDEX_A'>A</a> +<a href='#INDEX_B'>B</a> +<a href='#INDEX_C'>C</a> +<a href='#INDEX_D'>D</a> +<a href='#INDEX_E'>E</a> +<a href='#INDEX_F'>F</a> +<a href='#INDEX_G'>G</a> +<a href='#INDEX_H'>H</a> +<a href='#INDEX_I'>I</a> +<a href='#INDEX_J'>J</a> +<a href='#INDEX_K'>K</a> +<a href='#INDEX_L'>L</a> +<a href='#INDEX_M'>M</a> +<a href='#INDEX_N'>N</a> +<a href='#INDEX_O'>O</a> +<a href='#INDEX_P'>P</a> +Q +<a href='#INDEX_R'>R</a> +<a href='#INDEX_S'>S</a> +<a href='#INDEX_T'>T</a> +<a href='#INDEX_U'>U</a> +<a href='#INDEX_V'>V</a> +<a href='#INDEX_W'>W</a> +X +<a href='#INDEX_Y'>Y</a> +Z +</p> + + + +<a name='INDEX_A'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Abolitionists,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by Illinois legislature, i. 55;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disapprove emancipation with compensation, 80;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wish to induce Lincoln to join them, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unpopular at North, 115;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>difference of Lincoln from, 137, 138;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuse to support Lincoln in 1860, 176, 177;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urge peaceful secession in 1861, 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounce Lincoln for not making war an anti-slavery crusade, ii. <a href='#Page098'>98</a>, <a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demand a proclamation of emancipation, <a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unwisdom of their course, <a href='#Page102'>102</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unappeased, even after emancipation proclamation, <a href='#Page119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page120'>120</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>their small numbers, <a href='#Page121'>121</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>their attitude toward Lincoln, <a href='#Page255'>255</a>-<a href='#Page257'>257</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Adams, Charles Francis,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Seward to, on impossibility of war, i. 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed minister to England, 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructions, 373-375;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>complains to England of privateers, ii. <a href='#Page171'>171</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>complains of the Alabama, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Adams, Charles F., Jr.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Richmond with negro cavalry regiment, ii. <a href='#Page335'>335</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Adams, John Quincy,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Alabama,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not ready to secede, but opposed to coercion, i. 182, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Southern convention, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secedes, 186.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Alabama,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Confederate privateer, ii. <a href='#Page172'>172</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sunk by Kearsarge, <a href='#Page301'>301</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Albert, Prince,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>revises Palmerston's dispatch on Trent affair, i. 383.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Anderson, Robert,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>signs Lincoln's certificate of discharge in Black Hawk war, i. 36;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at Fort Moultrie in 1860, 185;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moves forces to Sumter, 243;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks instructions in vain, 343;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appeals to Lincoln, 244;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to surrender Sumter, 248.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Andrew, Governor John A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares Massachusetts militia, i. 256;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks United States for muskets, 257;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends on troops, 257.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Anthony, Henry B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Antietam,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page085'>85</a>, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Arkansas,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to furnish Lincoln troops, i. 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at first Unionist, finally secedes, 269;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign of Curtis in, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reconstructed, ii. <a href='#Page295'>295</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>chooses electors, <a href='#Page295'>295</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Armstrong, Jack,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his wrestling match with Lincoln, i. 18, 19;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his later friendship with Lincoln, 19;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>aids him in politics, 19.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Arnold, Isaac N.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>describes drilling of Army of Potomac, 307;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on importance of Lincoln's action in Trent case, 385;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces bill abolishing slavery under federal jurisdiction, ii. <a href='#Page013'>13</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on composition of Gettysburg address, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dreads danger in election of 1864, <a href='#Page245'>245</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's only supporter in Congress, <a href='#Page247'>247</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refusal of Lincoln to help in campaign, <a href='#Page289'>289</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's attempt to push thirteenth amendment through Congress, <a href='#Page318'>318</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on second vote on thirteenth amendment, <a href='#Page325'>325</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Arnold, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accomplice of Booth, tried and condemned, ii. <a href='#Page351'>351</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ashley, James M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moves to reconsider thirteenth amendment, ii. <a href='#Page318'>318</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ashmun, George,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>presides over Republican Convention of 1860, i. 167.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Assassination of Lincoln,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plot of 1861, i. 209-216;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threats during term of office, ii. <a href='#Page342'>342</a>-<a href='#Page344'>344</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>successful plot of 1865, <a href='#Page345'>345</a>-<a href='#Page353'>353</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>death of Booth, <a href='#Page349'>349</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>trial and punishment of other persons concerned, <a href='#Page350'>350</a>-<a href='#Page353'>353</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Atlanta,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page283'>283</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Atzerodt, Geo. A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accomplice of Booth, tried and condemned, ii. <a href='#Page350'>350</a>-<a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_B'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Baker, Edward D.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'> in Illinois campaign of 1838, i. 59;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> at Illinois bar, 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> candidate for Congress, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> elected, 72;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> his agreement with Lincoln and others, 72;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> introduces Lincoln at inauguration, 220;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> killed at Ball's Bluff, 308;</p> +<p class='indexentry'> responsible for disaster, 309.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ball's Bluff,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, i. 308, 309.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Banks, Nathaniel P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Federal army, i. 319;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his corps in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page044'>44</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by Jackson, <a href='#Page054'>54</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes Port Hudson, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Barnard, General John G.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on impossibility of taking Yorktown, ii. <a href='#Page038'>38</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bates, Edward,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Republican nomination, i. 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favored by Greeley, 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his chances as a moderate candidate, 168;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>vote for, 169, 170;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attorney-general, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes reinforcing Sumter, 245.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bayard, James A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Beauregard, General P.G.T.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at Charleston i. 244;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>notified by Lincoln of purpose to reinforce Sumter, 248;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>requests surrender of Sumter, 248;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands bombardment, 249;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands Confederate army at Manassas, 299;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Bull Run, 301;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Shiloh, 362;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>evacuates Corinth, 364.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bell, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate of Constitutional Union party, i. 166;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>vote for, 178.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Benjamin, Judah P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Buchanan, i. 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Confederate cabinet, 206.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bentonsville,</p> +<p class='indexentry'> battle of, ii. <a href='#Page331'>331</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Berry, Wm. F.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his partnership with Lincoln, and failure, i. 39, 40.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Big Bethel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, i. 298.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Black, Jeremiah S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 188;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Cass in State Department, 198;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>after vacillation turns toward coercion, 199, 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forces Buchanan to alter reply to South Carolina commissioners, 200.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Black Hawk war, i. 35, 36.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Blaine, James G.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on purpose of war, ii. <a href='#Page004'>4</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's order to McDowell to pursue Jackson, <a href='#Page053'>53</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on crisis in congressional elections of 1862, <a href='#Page122'>122</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on admission of West Virginia, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Vallandigham case, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Blair, F.P., Jr.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to keep Lee in Union army, i. 263;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leads Unionist party in Missouri, 269;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>confers with Davis, ii. <a href='#Page304'>304</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Blair, Montgomery,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Lincoln's cabinet, i. 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to relieve Sumter, 245, 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at council of war, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of war, 330;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>visits Missouri to investigate Fremont, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>arrested by Fremont, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>warns Lincoln that emancipation proclamation will lose fall elections, ii. <a href='#Page123'>123</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hated by radicals, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his dismissal urged, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>upheld by Lincoln, <a href='#Page288'>288</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns at Lincoln's request, <a href='#Page288'>288</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes chief-justiceship, <a href='#Page298'>298</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Blenker, General Louis,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to strengthen Fremont, ii. <a href='#Page035'>35</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Booth, John Wilkes,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>murders Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page346'>346</a>, <a href='#Page347'>347</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his character, <a href='#Page347'>347</a>, <a href='#Page348'>348</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his end, <a href='#Page348'>348</a>, <a href='#Page349'>349</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Border States,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>necessity of retaining in Union, i. 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dealings of Lincoln with, in 1861, 265-268;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>their neutrality policy explained in annual message, 292;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>both pro-slavery and Unionist, ii. <a href='#Page003'>3</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desire to conciliate controls Lincoln's policy, <a href='#Page003'>3</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>with their slave property guaranteed by North, <a href='#Page003'>3</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>oppose bill freeing slaves used in war, <a href='#Page005'>5</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>oppose other anti-slavery bills, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>-<a href='#Page015'>15</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritated by congressional policy, <a href='#Page018'>18</a>, <a href='#Page019'>19</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by Lincoln to agree to emancipation, <a href='#Page021'>21</a>, <a href='#Page022'>22</a>, <a href='#Page024'>24</a>-<a href='#Page027'>27</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuse to approve, <a href='#Page022'>22</a>, <a href='#Page026'>26</a>, <a href='#Page027'>27</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's policy toward, denounced by Abolitionists, <a href='#Page103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>their support in 1862 saves Lincoln, <a href='#Page125'>125</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Boutwell, George S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges emancipation upon Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page116'>116</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bragg, General Braxton,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>invades Kentucky, ii. <a href='#Page154'>154</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>outmarched by Buell, <a href='#Page154'>154</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Stone's River, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreats, <a href='#Page156'>156</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reinforced, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>besieges Chattanooga, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by Grant, <a href='#Page166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Breckenridge, John C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected Vice-President, i. 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated by South for President, 164;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carries Southern States, 178;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>announces election of Lincoln, 208;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expelled from Senate, 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bright, Jesse D.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expelled from Senate, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Brooks, Preston S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>assaults Sumner, i. 99;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>praised at the South, 100.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Brough, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for governor in Ohio and elected, ii. <a href='#Page192'>192</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Brown, Aaron V.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 188.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Brown, B. Gratz,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supports Fremont against Lincoln in 1864, ii. <a href='#Page255'>255</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Brown, Mayor Geo. W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks Maryland will secede, i. 258;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>burns bridges and cuts wires north of Baltimore, 259.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Browning, O.H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Illinois bar, i. 68.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bryant, William Cullen,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces Lincoln in New York, i. 153;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors postponement of Republican convention in 1864, ii. <a href='#Page261'>261</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Buchanan, James,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated by Democrats, i. 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected President, his character, 102;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refers to Dred Scott decision in inaugural address, 102;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his recognition of Lecompton Constitution in Kansas, 105;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>despised by Douglas, 108;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused by Lincoln of plotting to make slavery national, 126;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his hard situation in 1860, 180;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>distracted in body and mind, 181;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives secession commissioners of South Carolina, 186;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>a Unionist in feeling, 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his message on secession, 188, 189;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to shirk responsibility, 189;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declares coercion unconstitutional, 189;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ridiculed by Republicans, 190;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>excuse for his position, 190, 195;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declines to receive Southern commissioners, 199;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>virtually abdicates power to cabinet, 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by South, 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced to appoint Dix to Treasury Department, 200, 201;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls extra session of Senate to aid Lincoln, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his futile policy towards Fort Sumter, 243.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Buckner, General Simon B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrenders Fort Donelson, i. 354.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Buell, General D.C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his resemblance in character to McClellan, i. 352;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to seize East Tennessee, 352, 353;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>snubbed by McClellan, 353;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recommended by Halleck for promotion, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes Nashville, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>saves battle of Shiloh, 362;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>allows slave-owners to reclaim fugitives, ii. <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>seizes Louisville before Bragg, <a href='#Page154'>154</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes Halleck's plan to invade Tennessee, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Bull Run,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>first battle of, i. 300-302;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>second battle of, ii. <a href='#Page077'>77</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Burlingame, Anson D.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes that Douglas will join Republicans, i. 116.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Burns, Anthony,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>seized as a slave in Boston, i. 99.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Burnside, General Ambrose E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands in North Carolina, i. 348;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>given command of Army of Potomac, ii. <a href='#Page092'>92</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Fredericksburg, <a href='#Page136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page137'>137</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses confidence of army, <a href='#Page137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ordered by Lincoln to do nothing without informing him, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers to resign, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to dismiss several generals, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaign in East Tennessee, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieved by Sherman, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alarmed at Copperheads, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands in Ohio, <a href='#Page185'>185</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues order threatening traitors, <a href='#Page185'>185</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries and condemns Vallandigham, <a href='#Page186'>186</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>comment of Lincoln on, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers resignation, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Butler, Benjamin F.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes possession of hill commanding Baltimore, i. 260;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at Fortress Monroe, 298;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at New Orleans, 358;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>keeps slaves as "contraband of war," ii. <a href='#Page005'>5</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>"bottled" at Bermuda Hundred, <a href='#Page280'>280</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Butterfield, Justin,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Illinois bar, i. 68.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_C'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Cadwalader, General George,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to liberate Merryman on Taney's writ, i. 288.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Calhoun, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints Lincoln deputy surveyor, i. 41.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Calhoun, John C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his speech on Compromise of 1850, i. 90.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>California,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annexed, i. 86;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gold fever in, 87;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks admission as State, 87;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prohibits slavery, 87;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refusal of South to admit, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admitted, 91.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cameron, Simon,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Republican presidential nomination in 1860, i. 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sells his vote for promise of a place in cabinet, 169, 170;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>willing to sacrifice anything to save Union, 197;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secretary of war, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>difficulty over his appointment, 236;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes relieving Fort Sumter, 245;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses muskets to Massachusetts militia, 257;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to leave War Department, 326;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed minister to Russia, 326;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructs Butler not to return slaves, ii. <a href='#Page005'>5</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorizes Sherman to use negroes, <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests arming slaves in annual report, <a href='#Page009'>9</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his report suppressed by Lincoln, <a href='#Page009'>9</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supports Lincoln for reëlection, <a href='#Page260'>260</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Campbell, Judge John A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>acts as intermediary between Seward and Confederate commissioners, i. 239, 245;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Confederate Peace Commission, ii. <a href='#Page305'>305</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cartwright, Peter,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by Lincoln for Congress, i. 73;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his character as itinerant preacher, 73.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cass, Lewis,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attacked by Lincoln in Congress, i. 79;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to coerce South, 198;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns when Buchanan refuses to garrison Southern forts, 198.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Caucus,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by Whigs in Illinois, i. 49.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cedar Mountain,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page076'>76</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chambrun, Comte de,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's magnanimity, ii. <a href='#Page344'>344</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chancellorsville,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page142'>142</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chandler, Zachariah,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces conservatives, ii. <a href='#Page213'>213</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens Lincoln, <a href='#Page232'>232</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chase, Salmon P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in debate on Compromise, i. 90;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Republican nomination in 1860, 167, 169, 170;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secretary of treasury, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>objected to by Pennsylvania protectionists, 236;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to reinforce Sumter, 245, 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dislikes subordination to Lincoln, 275, 276;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes McClellan to advance, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks him his plans and is snubbed, 325;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors Lincoln's plan of campaign, 330;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on ease of a victory, 341;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers Lincoln inefficient, ii. <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leader of discontented Republicans, <a href='#Page109'>109</a>, <a href='#Page176'>176</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's responsibility for emancipation proclamation, <a href='#Page117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page118'>118</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests an addition to it, <a href='#Page131'>131</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to present bankers to Lincoln, <a href='#Page170'>170</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>left undisturbed in control of Treasury, <a href='#Page170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page171'>171</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his resignation taken by Lincoln, <a href='#Page177'>177</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, <a href='#Page178'>178</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hesitates to withdraw resignation, <a href='#Page178'>178</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finally does so, <a href='#Page179'>179</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritated by Lincoln's independence, <a href='#Page247'>247</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>becomes candidate for Republican nomination, <a href='#Page248'>248</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not feared by Lincoln, <a href='#Page248'>248</a>, <a href='#Page249'>249</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his offer to resign declined, <a href='#Page250'>250</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to obtain support, <a href='#Page251'>251</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>withdraws name, <a href='#Page251'>251</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>continues to dislike Lincoln, <a href='#Page252'>252</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>frequently offers resignation, <a href='#Page253'>253</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finally leaves office, <a href='#Page253'>253</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on bad terms with Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed chief justice, <a href='#Page298'>298</a>, <a href='#Page299'>299</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chestnut, James,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defies North in 1860, i. 196.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chickamauga,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page164'>164</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Chittenden, L.E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on danger of a recognition of Confederacy by England, i. 387.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cisco, John J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>quarrel over appointment of his successor, ii. <a href='#Page253'>253</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Clay, Henry,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admired by Lincoln, i. 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>less admired after his visit at Ashland, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers Compromise of 1850, 89.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Clinton, George,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced in New York for calling secession "rebellion," i. 194.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cobb, Howell,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on "making better terms out of the Union than in it," 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for presidency of South, 188;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns from cabinet, 198.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cochrane, General John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for Vice-President, ii. <a href='#Page258'>258</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cold Harbor,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page280'>280</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Colfax, Schuyler,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expects Douglas to join Republicans, i. 116;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's tenacity, ii. <a href='#Page114'>114</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>announces passage of thirteenth amendment, <a href='#Page326'>326</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Collamer, Jacob,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>vote for, in Republican Convention of 1860, 169;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Colonization,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favored by Lincoln, i. 139;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ii. 11, 126.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Compromise of 1850,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>history of, i. 89-91.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Confederate States,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>formed by convention, i. 205;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>organization of, 205, 206;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends commissioners to United States, 238;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its envoys rejected by Lincoln, 238-240;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares to seize Fort Sumter, 244;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>amused at Lincoln's call for volunteers, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives Virginia, 264;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>belligerency of, recognized by England and France, 371, 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refusal of Lincoln to receive Stephens embassy from, ii. <a href='#Page152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page153'>153</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sells bonds in England, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>, <a href='#Page173'>173</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dealings of supposed emissaries from, with Greeley, <a href='#Page268'>268</a>-<a href='#Page270'>270</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refusal of Lincoln to negotiate with, <a href='#Page302'>302</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dealings of Blair with, <a href='#Page304'>304</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends commissioners, <a href='#Page305'>305</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>conference of Lincoln and Seward with commissioners of, <a href='#Page305'>305</a>, <a href='#Page306'>306</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>government of, collapses, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>, <a href='#Page334'>334</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Congress,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes amendment to Constitution to protect slavery, i. 201, 202;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>counts electoral votes, 207, 208;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>extra session called, 254;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>votes to support Lincoln, 298;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>creates Committee on Conduct of War, 321, 322;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discusses battle of Shiloh, 362;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes Crittenden resolution disavowing slavery as cause of war, ii. <a href='#Page004'>4</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes bill freeing slaves used in war, <a href='#Page005'>5</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to reaffirm Crittenden resolution, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes bill for emancipation in District, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prohibits officers to return fugitive slaves, <a href='#Page012'>12</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abolishes slavery in Territories, etc., <a href='#Page013'>13</a>, <a href='#Page014'>14</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes act freeing slaves of rebels, <a href='#Page014'>14</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes act to arm negroes, <a href='#Page015'>15</a>-<a href='#Page017'>17</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to provide equal pay, <a href='#Page018'>18</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ignores Lincoln's wishes to conciliate Border States, <a href='#Page020'>20</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes resolution to cooperate with States adopting emancipation, <a href='#Page023'>23</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unpopularity of Lincoln with, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>continues in 1862 to oppose Lincoln, <a href='#Page126'>126</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to pass bill offering compensated emancipation to Missouri, <a href='#Page129'>129</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character of, in 1863, <a href='#Page212'>212</a>, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accepts Representatives from reconstructed Louisiana, <a href='#Page220'>220</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>jealous of Lincoln's plan of reconstruction, <a href='#Page227'>227</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desires to control matter itself, <a href='#Page228'>228</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes reconstruction bill, <a href='#Page230'>230</a>-<a href='#Page232'>232</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to supplant Lincoln by Chase, <a href='#Page246'>246</a>-<a href='#Page248'>248</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>creates lieutenant-general, <a href='#Page276'>276</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to recognize electors from Southern reconstructed States, <a href='#Page295'>295</a>, <a href='#Page296'>296</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to adopt thirteenth amendment, <a href='#Page318'>318</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>after election of 1864, passes amendment, <a href='#Page324'>324</a>-<a href='#Page327'>327</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Conkling, James C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, ii. <a href='#Page201'>201</a>-<a href='#Page207'>207</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Conkling, Roscoe,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Constitution,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>slavery compromises in, i. 82;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to doctrine of non-intervention, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to slavery in States, 132, 133;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to emancipation, 133, 134;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to popular sovereignty and Dred Scott decision, 142, 143;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attitude of Abolitionists and Republicans toward, 176;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its relation to secession, Buchanan's view, 188-190;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposal to amend, in 1861, 201, 202;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its relation to secession, Lincoln's view, 219, 221, 293;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to blockade, 284, 285;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>strained by civil war, 285;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>war powers of, used by Lincoln, 285, 286;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in connection with suspension of habeas corpus, 286-291;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes President commander-in-chief, 318;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to act abolishing slavery in Territories, ii. <a href='#Page014'>14</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desire of Abolitionists to ignore, <a href='#Page100'>100</a>, <a href='#Page109'>109</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's view of, as forcing issue of war to be the Union, <a href='#Page101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to emancipation proclamation, <a href='#Page111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page315'>315</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>strained by admission of West Virginia, <a href='#Page180'>180</a>, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>really in abeyance, <a href='#Page208'>208</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in relation to reconstruction, <a href='#Page216'>216</a>, <a href='#Page217'>217</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>justifies "military governors," <a href='#Page217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page218'>218</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in regard to relative powers of executive and Congress in reconstruction, <a href='#Page232'>232</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>as to power of Congress over electoral count, <a href='#Page296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page297'>297</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposal to amend so as to abolish slavery, <a href='#Page317'>317</a>, <a href='#Page318'>318</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passage of thirteenth amendment by Congress, <a href='#Page324'>324</a>-<a href='#Page327'>327</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Constitutional Union party,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its origin and aims, i. 165, 166;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its subsequent fate, 166;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its vote in 1860, 178.</p> + +<p class='indexentry'>"Copperheads,"</p> +<p class='indexentry'>developed in second year of war, ii. <a href='#Page095'>95</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>their principles and policy, <a href='#Page095'>95</a>, <a href='#Page096'>96</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>active after Chancellorsville, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>organization of, to oppose war, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>-<a href='#Page183'>183</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>feared in Indiana, <a href='#Page183'>183</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fail to accomplish anything, <a href='#Page183'>183</a>, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>despised by Lincoln, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>led by Vallandigham, <a href='#Page185'>185</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt to put down, <a href='#Page186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's opinion of, <a href='#Page190'>190</a>, <a href='#Page191'>191</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demand revocation of emancipation proclamation, <a href='#Page319'>319</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Corbett, Boston,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>kills Booth, ii. <a href='#Page349'>349</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Covode, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 298.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cox, Samuel S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Crittenden, John J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers compromise in 1861, i. 202;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers resolution that war is not against slavery, ii. <a href='#Page004'>4</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes Lincoln's plan of emancipation in Kentucky, <a href='#Page022'>22</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Curtin, Governor Andrew G.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>invites governors to meet at Altoona, ii. <a href='#Page117'>117</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on connection of conference with emancipation proclamation, <a href='#Page118'>118</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reflected, <a href='#Page201'>201</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Curtis, Benjamin R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his opinion in Dred Scott case, i. 103.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Curtis, General Samuel R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaign in Missouri and Arkansas, i. 351.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Cushing, Lieutenant William B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>destroys the Albemarle, ii. <a href='#Page301'>301</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_D'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Davis, David,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Illinois bar, i. 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disgusted at election of Trumbull in 1855, 98;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's manager in convention of 1860, 167.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Davis, Garrett,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Breckenridge in Senate, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plea against arming negroes, ii. <a href='#Page016'>16</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Davis, Henry Winter,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces reconstruction bill, ii. <a href='#Page230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page231'>231</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues address denouncing Lincoln for vetoing bill, <a href='#Page234'>234</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obliged to support Lincoln rather than McClellan, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Davis, Jefferson,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advocates extension of Missouri Compromise in 1850, i. 89, 90;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sneers at attempted compromise in 1861, 204;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected President of Confederate States, 205;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defies North, 205, 206;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes to entrap Seward into debate with commissioners, 238;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by South to do something, 241, 242;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prefers to make North aggressor, 242;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to win over Kentucky, 266, 268;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers to issue "letters of marque and reprisal," 282;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>when secretary of war, sent McClellan to Europe, 303;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends troops to seize East Tennessee, 353;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to free Kentucky, ii. <a href='#Page154'>154</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his escape wished by Lincoln, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces Johnston by Hood, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposition of Blair to, <a href='#Page304'>304</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expresses willingness to treat for peace, <a href='#Page304'>304</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominates commissioners to treat for peace with independence, <a href='#Page305'>305</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>notified by Lee of approaching fall of Richmond, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>escapes from city, <a href='#Page334'>334</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes himself ridiculous and escapes punishment, <a href='#Page340'>340</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suspected of complicity in Booth's plot, <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dawson, ——,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leads Lincoln in vote for legislature in 1834, 42.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dayton, William L.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated by Republicans in 1856, i. 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for nomination in 1860, 167, 169, 170.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Democratic party,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>controls Illinois, i. 38, 59-61;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wins in 1852, 93;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>factions in, 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elects Buchanan in 1856, 101, 102;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in. Illinois, nominates Douglas for Senate, 114;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>torn with factions, 116;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>breaks up in 1860 into Northern and Southern wings, 163-165;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominates two sets of candidates, 164;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign of, in 1860, 174;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempts to reunite, 175;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in North, members of, become Union men, 226;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effort of Lincoln to placate, by giving recognition in cabinet, 235;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Copperhead and other factions of, ii. <a href='#Page095'>95</a>-<a href='#Page097'>97</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>"War Democrats," <a href='#Page097'>97</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes campaign in 1862 on opposition to anti-slavery legislation, <a href='#Page121'>121</a>-<a href='#Page123'>123</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains in Congressional elections, <a href='#Page124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page125'>125</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Lincoln to compromise, <a href='#Page152'>152</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces seizure of Vallandigham, <a href='#Page186'>186</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>agitates against military tyranny, <a href='#Page188'>188</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commits error in opposing war, <a href='#Page192'>192</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses ground in 1863, <a href='#Page201'>201</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>applauds Fremont's candidacy, <a href='#Page258'>258</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes for success in 1864, <a href='#Page264'>264</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces war as failure and nominates McClellan, <a href='#Page264'>264</a>, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>war faction of, hesitates to vote for Lincoln, on slavery grounds, <a href='#Page270'>270</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>divided over peace plank, <a href='#Page274'>274</a>, <a href='#Page275'>275</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>damaged by Federal military successes, <a href='#Page285'>285</a>, <a href='#Page286'>286</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hurt by Southern approval, <a href='#Page286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated in election, <a href='#Page291'>291</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>members of, in Congress, aid in passage of thirteenth amendment, <a href='#Page325'>325</a>, <a href='#Page326'>326</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dennison, William,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Blair as postmaster-general, ii. <a href='#Page288'>288</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dickinson, Daniel S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for vice-presidential nomination, ii. <a href='#Page264'>264</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Diplomatic history,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Seward's proposed foreign wars to prevent disunion, i. 276-278;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognition of Southern belligerency by England and France, 371, 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructions of Seward to Adams, 373-375;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>difficulties over English privateers, 376;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>message of Lincoln on foreign relations, 377, 378;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the Trent affair, 380-387;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the Oreto affair, ii. <a href='#Page171'>171</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the Alabama affair, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>District of Columbia,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>bill to emancipate slaves in, advocated by Lincoln, i. 80, 81;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>slave trade in, abolished, 91;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abolition in, favored by Lincoln, 133;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>emancipation in, carried, ii. <a href='#Page011'>11</a>, <a href='#Page012'>12</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dix, John A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on possible secession of New York, i. 197;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed to Treasury Department, 200, 201;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his order to protect American flag, 201.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dixon, Archibald,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers amendment repealing Missouri Compromise, i. 94.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Donelson, Andrew J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for presidency by Whigs and Know-Nothings, i. 100.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Donelson, Fort,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, i. 354, 355.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Doolittle, James R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Doubleday, General Abner,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Hooker's plan in Chancellorsville campaign, ii. <a href='#Page140'>140</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Douglas, Stephen A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>meets Lincoln in 1835, i. 43;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>encounters him in campaign of 1840, 61;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's rival in love affair, 63;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his position at Illinois bar, 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>charges Lincoln with lacking patriotism in opposing Mexican war, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 94;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>mobbed in Chicago, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>debates with Lincoln in campaign of 1854, 95, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes a truce, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Democratic nomination in 1856, 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes Lecompton Constitution, 106;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leading figure in public life, 106;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his character and ability, 106;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his doctrine of "popular sovereignty," 107;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>avoids consequences of Dred Scott decision, 107;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defies Buchanan, 108;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his conduct in Lecompton case dictated by desire to secure reëlection to Senate, 108;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attacks "English Bill" as unfair, 109;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his candidacy for reëlection gives Lincoln opportunity, 113;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renominated by Democrats, 114;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by South, 116;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposed by administration, 116;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accepts Lincoln's challenge to joint debates, 121;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his attacks upon Lincoln, 124, 130;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused by Lincoln of a plot to make slavery national, 126, 128;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denies any plot, 129;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on status of negro under Declaration of Independence, 131;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sneered at by Lincoln, 137;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>keeps temper with difficulty, 137;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempts to reconcile Dred Scott decision with popular sovereignty, 141;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to satisfy South, 142;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>cornered by Lincoln, 143;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains reëlection, 149;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on difficulty of debating with Lincoln, 150;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>speaks in Ohio, 151;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in debate ignores secession, 157;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated by Democrats in 1860, 163, 164;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reasons why repudiated by South, 164, 165;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his vigorous canvass in 1860, 174, 175;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>vote for, 178;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers to aid Lincoln after fall of Sumter, 251;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>value of his assistance, 251.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Dred Scott case,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>decision in, i. 102, 103;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>equivocal attitude of Douglas toward, 107;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussed by Lincoln, 126, 127, 128-130, 141-143, 153.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Duane, Captain,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>escorts Lincoln at inauguration, i. 220.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_E'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Early, General Jubal A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to capture Washington, ii. <a href='#Page281'>281</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repulsed, <a href='#Page282'>282</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreats, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by Sheridan, <a href='#Page284'>284</a>, <a href='#Page285'>285</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>East,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ignorant of Lincoln, i. 113, 173;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>led to respect Lincoln by his speeches, 152, 155.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Edwards, Ninian W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in frontier political debates, i. 51;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>member of Illinois bar, 68.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Emancipation,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's plan for, in 1849, i. 80;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compensation for, wished by Lincoln, 133;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>again proposed by Lincoln with compensation and colonization, ii. <a href='#Page010'>10</a>, <a href='#Page020'>20</a>-<a href='#Page022'>22</a>, <a href='#Page024'>24</a>-<a href='#Page027'>27</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussion of Lincoln's proposal, <a href='#Page028'>28</a>-<a href='#Page030'>30</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demanded instantly by Abolitionists, <a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of its constitutionality, <a href='#Page100'>100</a>, <a href='#Page101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page111'>111</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposition to, in North, <a href='#Page103'>103</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demanded by clergymen, <a href='#Page110'>110</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gradual decision of Lincoln to proclaim, <a href='#Page112'>112</a>-<a href='#Page115'>115</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reasons for caution in issuing proclamation, <a href='#Page114'>114</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>delay urged by Seward, <a href='#Page115'>115</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>preliminary declaration of, after battle of Antietam, <a href='#Page116'>116</a>, <a href='#Page117'>117</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not influenced by Altoona conference, <a href='#Page117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page118'>118</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its effect upon North, <a href='#Page119'>119</a>-<a href='#Page121'>121</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged again, with compensation, by Lincoln, <a href='#Page126'>126</a>-<a href='#Page129'>129</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repudiated by Missouri, <a href='#Page129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>final proclamation of, issued, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>condemned by rulers of England, though approved by people, <a href='#Page132'>132</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renewed scheme of Lincoln to gain, by compensation, <a href='#Page309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page310'>310</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>England,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ignorance of, in West, i. 368;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its aid hoped by South, 369;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its sympathy expected by North, 369;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its upper classes dislike America, 370;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejoices in anticipated destruction of United States, 370, 371;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognizes belligerency of South, 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attitude of Seward toward, 373-375;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later dealings with, 376;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>acquiesces in blockade, 376;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enraged at Trent affair, 382;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demands reparation, 383;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admitted by Lincoln to be in the right, 384;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reply of Seward, 384, 385;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Northern hatred of, 385, 386;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wisdom of Lincoln's attitude toward, 386, 387;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>people of, gratified by emancipation proclamation, ii. <a href='#Page132'>132</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to detain Oreto and Alabama, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>, <a href='#Page173'>173</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>subscribes to Confederate loan, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>, <a href='#Page173'>173</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>English, James E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>votes for thirteenth amendment, ii. <a href='#Page326'>326</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ericsson, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>designs the Monitor, i. 356.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Evarts, William M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moves to make Lincoln's nomination unanimous, i. 171.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Everett, Edward,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for Vice-President by Constitutional Union party, i. 166;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>delivers oration at Gettysburg, ii. <a href='#Page213'>213</a>, <a href='#Page214'>214</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ewell, General R.S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Shenandoah Valley, ii. <a href='#Page143'>143</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Pennsylvania, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ewing, ——,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeats Lincoln for speakership in Illinois legislature, i. 60.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_F'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Farragut, Captain D.G.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes New Orleans, i. 358;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaign on Mississippi, 358, 359;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes Mobile, ii. <a href='#Page284'>284</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fell, J.W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks Lincoln concerning his ancestry, i. 1;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Lincoln to seek presidential nomination, 161.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Felton, Samuel M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fears plot to assassinate Lincoln, i. 212;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>has wires cut to avoid sending news, 214.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fenton, Reuben E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fessenden, William P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reluctantly accepts Treasury Department, ii. <a href='#Page253'>253</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his success, <a href='#Page254'>254</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fillmore, Millard,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for presidency by Know-Nothings and Whigs in 1856, i. 101.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Financial history,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Chase's conduct of Treasury, ii. <a href='#Page170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page171'>171</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Five Forks,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page333'>333</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Florida,</p> +<p class='indexentry'> ready to secede in 1860, i. 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secedes, 186.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Florida,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Confederate privateer, ii. <a href='#Page171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Floyd, John B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes secession delayed, 198;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends arms into South, 199;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>involved in defalcation, 199;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>quarrels on question of reinforcing Sumter and resigns, 199;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>runs away from Fort Donelson, 354.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Foote, Admiral Andrew H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his operations in 1862, i. 333;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>captures Fort Henry, 354.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ford, Governor,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remark on Lincoln's political luck, i. 54.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Forney, John W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Republican Convention of 1864, ii. <a href='#Page262'>262</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Forquer, George,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>taunts Lincoln with youth, i. 51, 52;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retort of Lincoln to, 52.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fox, G.V.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plan to relieve Fort Sumter, i. 245, 247.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Franklin, General William B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>summoned by Lincoln to consultation, i. 323;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>does not tell McClellan, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of attack, 330, 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his division sent to McClellan, but not used, ii. <a href='#Page047'>47</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his force occupies West Point, <a href='#Page048'>48</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fremont, Mrs. Jessie Benton,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>her interview with Lincoln, i. 350.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fremont, John C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for presidency by Republicans, i. 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed to command in Missouri, 349;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his quarrelsomeness and inefficiency, 349, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>arrests Blair, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the idol of Abolitionists, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>removed, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declares slaves of rebels free in Missouri, ii. <a href='#Page006'>6</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asked by Lincoln to modify order, <a href='#Page006'>6</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses, and becomes enemy of Lincoln, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reinforced by Lincoln under political pressure, <a href='#Page035'>35</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands force in West Virginia, <a href='#Page054'>54</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ordered to catch Jackson, <a href='#Page055'>55</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>upheld by Lincoln's enemies in Missouri, as rival for presidency, <a href='#Page255'>255</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for presidency, <a href='#Page258'>258</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>failure of his candidacy, <a href='#Page258'>258</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>withdraws, <a href='#Page259'>259</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his followers hate Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>France,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognizes belligerency of South, i. 371, 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>would have joined England in case of war, 385;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes mediation, ii. <a href='#Page173'>173</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fredericksburg,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page137'>137</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Free Soil party,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>origin of, i. 86.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Fugitive Slave Law,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passed, i. 91;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's opinion of, 132.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_G'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Garrison, William Lloyd,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disapproves of Republican party, i. 177;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supports Lincoln in 1864, ii. <a href='#Page256'>256</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Georgia,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not ready for secession, i. 182;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes a Southern convention, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>how led to secede, 183, 186, 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Union minority in, 186.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Gettysburg,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page147'>147</a>, <a href='#Page148'>148</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's address at, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>-<a href='#Page215'>215</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Giddings, Joshua R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors Lincoln's emancipation bill in 1849, i. 80;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>member of Republican Convention of 1860, 177.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Gilmer, John A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to enter Lincoln's cabinet, i. 235.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Gist,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>governor of South Carolina, sends circular letter asking about secession feeling in South, i. 182.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Grant, Ulysses S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his operations in 1862, i. 333;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>captures Forts Henry and Donelson, 354, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recommended by Halleck for promotion, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>condemned by Halleck and relieved from command, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reinstated, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advances to Pittsburg Landing, 361;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attacked by Johnston, 361;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>does not admit defeat at Shiloh, 361;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on severity of battle, 362;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his conduct of battle criticised, 362;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>harassed by Halleck, asks to be relieved, 363;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Halleck's mistakes, 363, 364;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Copperheads, ii. <a href='#Page096'>96</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forms plan to take Vicksburg, <a href='#Page157'>157</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to approach city from south, <a href='#Page158'>158</a>, <a href='#Page159'>159</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>besieges and takes Vicksburg, <a href='#Page159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page160'>160</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his credit for campaign, <a href='#Page160'>160</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his relations with Lincoln, <a href='#Page160'>160</a>, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused of drunkenness, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>congratulated by Lincoln, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>given command of the West, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>orders Thomas to hold Chattanooga, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieves siege, <a href='#Page166'>166</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wins battle of Chattanooga, <a href='#Page166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends Sherman to relieve Burnside, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on reconstruction, <a href='#Page229'>229</a>, <a href='#Page230'>230</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his conference with Lincoln, <a href='#Page237'>237</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>movement to nominate for President in 1864, <a href='#Page259'>259</a>, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed lieutenant-general, <a href='#Page276'>276</a>, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>given free control, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares plan of campaign, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>correspondence with Lincoln, <a href='#Page278'>278</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaigns in Virginia, <a href='#Page279'>279</a>, <a href='#Page280'>280</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends force to hold Washington against Early, <a href='#Page282'>282</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends Sheridan against Early, <a href='#Page284'>284</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character of his military methods, <a href='#Page300'>300</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reports proposal of Lee for a conference, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ordered by Lincoln to refuse, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on desertions from Lee's army, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plan to entrap Lee's army, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to capture Lee without Sherman's aid, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Petersburg, <a href='#Page334'>334</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>pursues Lee, <a href='#Page336'>336</a>-<a href='#Page338'>338</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Lee to surrender, <a href='#Page337'>337</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his liberal terms to Lee, <a href='#Page338'>338</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>praised by Lincoln, <a href='#Page340'>340</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unable to accept Lincoln's invitation to theatre the evening of his assassination, <a href='#Page345'>345</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Greeley, Horace,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prefers Douglas to Lincoln in 1858, i. 112;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in convention of 1860, works against Seward, 167, 172;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his influence used against Lincoln, 191;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>willing to admit peaceable secession, 191-193;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on comparative strength of North and South, 206;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suddenly denounces compromise, 210;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>a secessionist in 1861, 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>publishes address to President, ii. <a href='#Page105'>105</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his influence, <a href='#Page106'>106</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>answered by Lincoln, <a href='#Page107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his abusive retort, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>, <a href='#Page109'>109</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests French mediation, <a href='#Page174'>174</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>condemns Lincoln in 1864, <a href='#Page260'>260</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on movement to delay nomination, <a href='#Page261'>261</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his political creed, <a href='#Page266'>266</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>claims to be a Republican while denouncing Lincoln, <a href='#Page266'>266</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors Fremont, <a href='#Page267'>267</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes peace at any price, <a href='#Page267'>267</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to treat with Confederates, <a href='#Page268'>268</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorized to do so by Lincoln, <a href='#Page268'>268</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>conditions named by Lincoln, <a href='#Page269'>269</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abuses Lincoln for causing failure of negotiations, <a href='#Page269'>269</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Green, Duff,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to induce Lincoln to support Buchanan, i. 210.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Greene, Bolin,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>lends Lincoln money, i. 42.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Grimes, James W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 296.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Grow, Galusha A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>speaker of House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_H'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Habeas Corpus,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suspension of, by Lincoln, i. 286-291.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hale, John P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sums up Buchanan's secession doctrine, i. 190;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces administration in Trent affair, 386.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Halleck, General Henry W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, on plan of war, i. 329;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands in Missouri, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends news of capture of Fort Donelson and asks for command in West, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>assumes command, 359;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>complains of Grant, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>drives Grant to request to be relieved, 363;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his slow advance upon Corinth, 363;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to fight, 364;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Corinth unopposed, 364;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to use powerful army, 364;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed general-in-chief, 365, ii. <a href='#Page065'>65</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compared with McClellan, i. 365;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains advancement because unopposed and unnoticed by politicians, 366;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expels slaves from camp, ii. <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors recall of McClellan from Peninsula, <a href='#Page065'>65</a>, <a href='#Page066'>66</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>allowed free hand by Lincoln, <a href='#Page073'>73</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>inferior to McClellan, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his telegraphic dispute with McClellan, <a href='#Page078'>78</a>, <a href='#Page079'>79</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begs McClellan's assistance after Pope's defeat, <a href='#Page080'>80</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructs McClellan to command defences of Washington, <a href='#Page083'>83</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alarmed over safety of capital, <a href='#Page084'>84</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>has friction with Hooker, <a href='#Page145'>145</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to give Hooker garrison of Harper's Ferry, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Meade to attack after Gettysburg, <a href='#Page149'>149</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Buell and Rosecrans</p> +<p class='indexentry'>to invade Tennessee, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>superseded by Grant, <a href='#Page276'>276</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on bad terms with Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>, <a href='#Page288'>288</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hamlin, Hannibal,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for Vice-President, i. 171;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reasons why not renominated, ii. <a href='#Page263'>263</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hanks, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>aids Lincoln to split rails, i. 16;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's first sight of slavery, 17;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>brings rails split by Lincoln into Republican Convention, 162.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hanks, Nancy,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>mother of Lincoln, i. 2;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>descends from a "poor white" family, 7;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>her character, 7, 8, 9;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marries Thomas Lincoln, 8;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>her death, 11.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hardin, Colonel John J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeats Lincoln and Baker for Congress, i. 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by Lincoln, 73.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Harlan, James,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 296.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Harrison, W.H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign for, in 1840, i. 61.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hawkins, George S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes compromise in 1861 as futile, i. 204.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hayti,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognized, ii. <a href='#Page018'>18</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Heintzelman, General Samuel P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed corps commander, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on force necessary to protect Washington, ii. <a href='#Page032'>32</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Henderson, John B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>approves Lincoln's emancipation scheme, ii. <a href='#Page027'>27</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Henry, Fort,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>captured, i. 354.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Herndon, William H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>law partner of Lincoln, i. 67;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prevents Lincoln from association with Abolitionists, 95, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>aids Lincoln in organizing Republican party, 111;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>visits East to counteract Greeley's influence against Lincoln, 113.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Herold, David E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tried for assassination of Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page350'>350</a>-<a href='#Page352'>352</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hanged, <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hickman, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls Lincoln's emancipation scheme unmanly, ii. <a href='#Page023'>23</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hicks, Governor Thomas H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposed to secession, i. 258;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests referring troubles to Lord Lyons as arbitrator, 281.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>"Higher Law,"</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Seward's doctrine of, i. 90.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hitchcock, General Ethan A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers Washington insufficiently protected, ii. <a href='#Page040'>40</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Holt, Joseph,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Floyd in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 199;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>joins Black and Stanton in coercing Buchanan, 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fears attempt of South to seize Washington, 209.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hood, General John Bell,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Johnston, ii. <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by Sherman, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hooker, General Joseph,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>allows slave owners to reclaim fugitives, ii. <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces Burnside in command, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, <a href='#Page139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page140'>140</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his abilities, <a href='#Page140'>140</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Chancellorsville campaign, <a href='#Page140'>140</a>-<a href='#Page142'>142</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>throws away chance of success, <a href='#Page141'>141</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to use all of troops, <a href='#Page142'>142</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>orders retreat, <a href='#Page142'>142</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to resume attack, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>first prevented, then urged by Lincoln, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to capture Richmond, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>follows Lee to North, <a href='#Page145'>145</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructed by Lincoln to obey Halleck, <a href='#Page145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritated by Halleck, resigns, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to aid Rosecrans, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>storms Lookout Mountain, <a href='#Page166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>House of Representatives,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>election of Lincoln to, and career in, i. 73-81;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>members of, 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>debates Mexican war, 74, 75;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>struggles in, over Wilmot proviso, 79;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to pass Lincoln's emancipation bill of 1849, 79-81;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>settles question of admission of Kansas, 109;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes Constitutional amendment in 1861, 202;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejects plan of Peace Congress, 203;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leaders of, in 1861, 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thanks Captain Wilkes, 381;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>approves emancipation proclamation, ii. <a href='#Page120'>120</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to pass thirteenth amendment, <a href='#Page318'>318</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later passes amendment, <a href='#Page325'>325</a>-<a href='#Page327'>327</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Houston, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes secession in Texas, i. 187.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hunter, General David,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asked by Lincoln to aid Fremont, i. 349;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Fremont, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proclaims martial law and abolishes slavery in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, ii. <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his order revoked, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>organizes a negro regiment, <a href='#Page015'>15</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hunter, R.M.T.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Confederate peace commission, ii. <a href='#Page305'>305</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retort of Lincoln to, <a href='#Page307'>307</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Hyer, Tom,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hired by Seward's supporters in Republican Convention, i. 167.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_I'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Illinois,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>early settlers and society of, i. 17-30;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Black Hawk war, 35, 36;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>early politics in, 37-39, 50, 59, 60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>land speculation in, 41, 42, 53;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>career of Lincoln in legislature of, 43-60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the career of "Long Nine" in, 52-55;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>internal improvement craze in, 53, 54;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>adopts resolutions condemning Abolitionists and emancipation in the District, 55;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suffers from financial collapse, 59, 60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Van Buren against Harrison, 61;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>legal profession in, 67, 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1844, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>upholds Mexican war, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Kansas-Nebraska Act, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>senatorial election of 1855 in, 96-98;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>popular feeling in, concerning Kansas, 108;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in campaign of 1856, 112;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>political situation in, during 1858, 113-116;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prestige of Douglas in, 116, 117;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>senatorial campaign in, 121-150;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Douglas, 149;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>movement in, to nominate Lincoln for President, 161, 162;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Indiana,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Copperheads in, <a href='#Page183'>183</a>, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Internal improvements,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>craze over, in Western States, i. 53.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Iverson, Alfred,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>works in Georgia for secession, i. 186;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens Houston with assassination, 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to keep Washington as capital of Confederacy, 209.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_J'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Jackson, Andrew,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>popularity of, in Illinois, i. 38;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attitude of Lincoln toward, 38.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Jackson, Thomas Jonathan, "Stonewall,"</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at Harper's Ferry, i. 299;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Shenandoah valley, ii. <a href='#Page053'>53</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his raid down valley in 1862, <a href='#Page054'>54</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>escapes pursuing forces, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>joins Johnston and attacks McClellan, <a href='#Page058'>58</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compels McClellan to retreat to James River, <a href='#Page061'>61</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeats Banks, <a href='#Page076'>76</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reinforced, <a href='#Page076'>76</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marches around Pope, <a href='#Page076'>76</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on too good condition of Federal armies, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>breaks Federal right at Chancellorsville, <a href='#Page141'>141</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accidentally shot by his own soldiers, <a href='#Page141'>141</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnson, Andrew,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructed by Lincoln to reorganize government in Tennessee, ii. <a href='#Page219'>219</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>stern opinion of treason, <a href='#Page229'>229</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repudiates Sherman's terms with Johnston, <a href='#Page239'>239</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his nomination for vice-presidency aided by Lincoln, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page264'>264</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protested against, by Tennesseeans, <a href='#Page295'>295</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his accession to presidency welcomed by radicals, <a href='#Page349'>349</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to commute Mrs. Surratt's sentence, <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnson, Bushrod R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>captured at Fort Donelson, i. 355.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnson, Herschel V.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for Vice-President in 1860, i. 164;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>votes against secession in 1860, 187.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnson, Oliver,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supports Lincoln in 1864, ii. <a href='#Page256'>256</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnston, General A.S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plans to crush Grant and Buell in detail, i. 361;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at battle of Shiloh, 361;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>killed, 362.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnston, Joseph</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Jackson at Harper's Ferry, i. 299;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>aids Beauregard at Bull Run, 301;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on condition of Confederate army, 302;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>evacuates Manassas, 341;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fears that McClellan will storm Yorktown, ii. <a href='#Page038'>38</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begins attack on McClellan, <a href='#Page058'>58</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreats from Sherman after Vicksburg, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>terms of Sherman with, in 1865, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign against Sherman in 1864, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>removed by Davis, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign against Sherman in Carolinas, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan of Lee to join, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrenders, <a href='#Page340'>340</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Johnston, Sally,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marries Thomas Lincoln, i. 11;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>her character, 11, 12.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Jones, Abraham,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ancestor of Lincoln, i. 4.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Judd, N.B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asked by Lincoln to help his canvass in 1860, i. 162;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Lincoln to avoid danger of assassination, 213.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Julian, George W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Republican dissatisfaction with Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page246'>246</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_K'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Kane, Marshal Geo. P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>telegraphs for Southern aid to oppose passage of troops through Baltimore, i. 258.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Kansas,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>struggle in, between free and slave-state men, i. 98, 99;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rival constitutions of, 104, 105;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admission of, under Lecompton Constitution, urged by Buchanan, 105;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposed by Douglas, 101, 108;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt of Congress to bribe into acceptance of Lecompton Constitution, 109;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejects offer, 109;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>speeches of Lincoln in, 152.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Kansas-Nebraska bill,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduced, i. 93, 94;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repeals Missouri Compromise, 94, 95.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Keitt, Lawrence M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his fight with Grow, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Kellogg, Win. Pitt,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, on extension of slavery, i. 210.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Kentucky,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desire of Lincoln to retain in Union, i. 255, 265;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to furnish troops, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt of Secessionists to carry, 265;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to be neutral, 266;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thereby intends to aid South, 266;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>skillful dealings of Lincoln with, 266, 267, 268;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remains in Union, 267;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>saved by State loyalty, 268;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its neutrality violated by South, joins North, 352;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign of Grant in, 354, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>invaded by Bragg, ii. <a href='#Page154'>154</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Keyes, General Erasmus D.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed corps commander, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on force necessary to protect Washington, ii. <a href='#Page032'>32</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on impossibility of taking Yorktown, <a href='#Page038'>38</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Know-Nothings,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>their career in 1854-1856, i. 100, 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt to draw out Lincoln in 1860, 175.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_L'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Lamon, Colonel Ward H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>connection with assassination story, i. 213, 214.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lane, James H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>senator from Kansas, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lane, Joseph,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for Vice-President on Breckinridge ticket in 1860, i. 164.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lee, Robert E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offered command of Union army, i. 263;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes secession, 264;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns from army and accepts command of State troops, 264;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>becomes Confederate general, 264;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands against Pope, ii. <a href='#Page076'>76</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares to invade Maryland, <a href='#Page084'>84</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his contempt for McClellan, <a href='#Page084'>84</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Antietam, <a href='#Page085'>85</a>-<a href='#Page087'>87</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Fredericksburg, <a href='#Page136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page137'>137</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>outmanoeuvred by Hooker, <a href='#Page141'>141</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Chancellorsville, <a href='#Page141'>141</a>, <a href='#Page142'>142</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes to conquer a peace, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Pennsylvania, <a href='#Page145'>145</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreats after Gettysburg, <a href='#Page148'>148</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends reinforcements to Bragg, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign in Virginia against Meade, <a href='#Page168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page169'>169</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaign against Grant, <a href='#Page279'>279</a>, <a href='#Page280'>280</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests a conference with Grant, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>notifies Davis that Richmond must fall, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his chance of escape, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attacks Federal lines, <a href='#Page332'>332</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to escape, <a href='#Page336'>336</a>, <a href='#Page337'>337</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrenders at Appomattox, <a href='#Page338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page339'>339</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks for food, <a href='#Page339'>339</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Liberia,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognized, ii. <a href='#Page018'>18</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Abraham,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his ignorance concerning his ancestry i. 1;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sensitive regarding it, 1, 2;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his own statements, 2, 6;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>anxious to appear of respectable stock, 2;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his genealogy as established later, 3-6;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reputed illegitimacy, 7;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his birth, 8;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his references to his mother, 8;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his childhood, 8, 9;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>befriended by his step-mother, 12;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his education, 12;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>early reading, 12, 13;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>early attempts at humorous writing, 13;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>storytelling, 14;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>youthful exploits, 14;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>let out by his father, 15;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>helps his father settle in Sangamon County, Ill., 16;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>works for himself, 16;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his trip to New Orleans for Offut, 16, 17;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>impressed with slavery, 17;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Offut's store, 18;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fights Armstrong, 18, 19;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later friendship with Armstrong, 19;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>borrows a grammar, 19;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his honesty, 19, 20;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses situation, 20;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>involved in border quarrels, 24;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his temperance considered eccentric, 25;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>careless habits of dress, 26;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in the country groceries, 28;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>coarseness of speech, 28, 29;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his sympathetic understanding of the people, 31-34;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his standards dependent on surroundings, 32;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enlists in Black Hawk war, 35;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>chosen captain, 35;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his services, 36.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Frontier Politician</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Announces himself a candidate for the legislature, 37, 38;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>a "Clay man," 38;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaign and defeat, 39;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters grocery store, fails, 39, 40;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>pays off debt, 40;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>studies law, 40;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>postmaster at New Salem, 40, 41;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>settles account with government, 41;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surveyor, 41, 42;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected to legislature, 42;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>borrows money to ride to capital, 43;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his career in legislature, 43;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>love affair with Ann Rutledge, 43, 44;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his gloom, 44-47;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its inexplicable character, 46, 47;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>affair with Mary Owens, 48 and n.;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>again a candidate, his platform, 49, 50;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calms excitement in campaign, 50, 51;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his fairness, 51;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his retort to Forquer, 52;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected as one of "Long Nine," 52;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors unlimited internal improvements, 53;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>acknowledges his blunder, 54;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his skill as log-roller, 54, 55;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains popularity in county, 55;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protests against anti-abolition resolutions, 56;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admitted to bar, settles in Springfield, 56;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>partnership with Stuart, 57;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>studies debating, 57;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>political ambitions, 57, 58;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows evidences of high ideals, 58, 59;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>incidents of his canvass in 1838, 59;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes repudiation, in legislature, 59, 60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reflected in 1840, unsuccessful candidate for speaker, 60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>jumps out of window to break a quorum, 60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in campaign of 1840, 61;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his courtship of Mary Todd, 62, 63;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to appear on wedding day, 63;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>married, 63;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character of his married life, 64, 65;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>quarrels with Shields, 65, 66;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later ashamed of it, 66;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>improves prospects by a partnership with Logan, 67;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later joins with Herndon, 67;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his competitors at the bar, 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers law secondary to politics, 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his legal ability, 68-70;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>a "case lawyer," 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his ability as jury lawyer, 69;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to conduct a bad case, 70;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Whig electoral ticket in 1844, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later disillusioned with Clay, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to get nomination to Congress, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alleged understanding with Baker and others, 72;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renews candidacy in 1846, 72;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated, 73;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected, his vote, 73.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>In Congress</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Agrees with Whig programme on Mexican war, 75;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces "Spot Resolutions" against Polk, 75;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his speech, 76;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his doctrine of right of revolution, 76, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>votes for Ashmun's amendment condemning war, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defends himself from charge of lack of patriotism, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his honesty, 77, 78;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>damages Whigs in Illinois, 78;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors candidacy of Taylor, 78;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his speech in House for Taylor against Cass, 79;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>votes for Wilmot Proviso, 79;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his bill to prohibit slave trade in District of Columbia, 79, 80;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obtains support of Giddings, 80;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to obtain commissionership in Land Office, 81;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declines governorship of Oregon, 81.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Candidate for Senate</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Accepts compromise although recognizing its futility, 92;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors Scott in 1852, 93;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>answers Douglas's defense of Nebraska bill, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>escapes connection with Abolitionists, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renews attack upon Douglas, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Senate, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leads in first ballots, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>injured by Abolitionist praise, 97;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges friends to secure election of Trumbull, 97;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his alleged bargain with Trumbull, 98;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives vote for Vice-President in Republican National Convention, 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his surprise, 101;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his opinion of Kansas question, 105;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>delivers speech at organization of Republican party, 111;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>meets disapproval at Springfield, 111, 112;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in campaign of 1856, 112;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>encounters hostility of Greeley in the East, 112;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>journey of Herndon in his behalf, 113;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated by State Convention for senatorship, 114;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>damaged by Whig support of Douglas, 116, 117;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares letter of acceptance, 117, 118;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reads paragraph on situation to friends, 118;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alarms advisers by his plainness of utterance, 119;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insists on asserting the irrepressible conflict, 119;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>statesmanship of his course, 120;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>challenges Douglas to joint debate, 121;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>misrepresentations of his position on slavery, 122-124;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his appeal to "the fathers," 124, 125;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his accusation against the South, 125-128;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his crucial question to Douglas, 128;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Douglas's reply, 128, 129;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his position on Dred Scott decision, 129, 130;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused of duplicity, 130;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his views as to slavery under the Constitution considered, 131-136;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Abolitionists, 134, 135;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on negro race, 136;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his freedom from animosity toward opponents or slaveholders, 137-139;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>does not denounce slaveholders, 138;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his fairness a mental trait, 139, 140;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on popular sovereignty, 141;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>convicts Douglas of ambiguity, 142;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alleged purpose to discredit Douglas as presidential candidate, 143, 144;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>feels himself upholder of a great cause, 144-146;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his moral denunciation of slavery, 145, 146;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his literary form, 147;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elevation of tone, 147, 148;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disappointed at defeat by Douglas, 149;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exhausted by his efforts, 150;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asked to contribute to campaign fund, 150.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Candidate for Presidency</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Makes speeches in Ohio, 151;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls Douglas pro-slavery, 151, 152;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>invited to speak in New York, prepares address, 152;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>journey through Kansas, 152, 153;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his New York address, 153-155;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>states the situation, 154, 155;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>praised by newspapers, 155;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tour in New England, 155;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>comprehensive nature of his speeches, 156, 157;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ignores disunion, 157;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>by dwelling on wrong of slavery, makes disunion wrong, 159, 160;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>slow to admit publicly a desire for presidency, 161;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters field in 1859, 160;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated as candidate by Illinois Republican Convention, 162;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his managers at National Convention, 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>yelled for by hired shouters, 168;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supposed to be more moderate than Seward, 168;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his own statement of principles, 169;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>votes secured for, by bargains, 169, 170;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated on third ballot, 170, 171;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accepts nomination in dejection, 171;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his nomination a result of "availability," 172;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>little known in country at large, 173;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>anxious to avoid discussion of side issues, 175, 176;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposed by Abolitionists, 176, 177;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by Giddings, 177;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected, 178;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the choice of a minority, 178, 179.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>President-elect.</i></b></p> +<p class='indexentry'>His trying position during interregnum, 181;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his election the signal for secession, 184;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>damaged by persistent opposition of New York "Tribune," 191;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his opinion of the proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee slavery, 202;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declared elected by electoral count, 208;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alleged plot to assassinate, 208, 210;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>maintains silence during winter, 209, 210;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>privately expresses dislike of compromise, 210;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declares against interfering with slavery, 210;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>pronounces for coercing seceded States, 211;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his journey to Washington, 211-214;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>warned of plot against, 212;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>speeches in Pennsylvania, 212;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>induced to avoid danger, 213, 214;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused of cowardice, 214;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his own opinion as to plot, 215;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his real danger, 215-217 and n.;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>visited by Peace Congress, 217-219;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>impresses visitors by his appearance, 219;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>inauguration of, 219-222;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his address, 220, 221;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>states intention to enforce laws, 221;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repeats opposition to extension only of slavery, 222;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his previous denunciations remembered by South, 223, 224;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows statesmanship in emphasizing Union, 227, 228.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>President—First Term</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Appears tranquil after entering office, 228;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not over-confident, but resolved on doing his duty, 230;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disheartened by lack of support at North, 231, 232;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not trusted by leaders of Republican party, 232, 233;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>feels isolation, 233, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his cabinet, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>seeks representatives of all views, 234, 235;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prefers individual strength to unity in cabinet, 235;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>criticised by radical Republicans, 235;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>has difficulties in satisfying Cameron, 236;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dissuades Seward from refusing to join cabinet, 237, 238;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his statement of purpose to Virginia commissioners, 240;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoys South by failing to notice it, 241;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritates Northern extremists, 242;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks opinion of Scott as to relieving Sumter, 244;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks advice of cabinet, 245, 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>promises South to take no action without warning, 245;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>again asks cabinet, 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forms plan to relieve Fort Pickens, 247;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>spoils plan to relieve Sumter by sending Powhatan to Pensacola, 248;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>announces intention to provision Sumter, 248;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admits blame for failure, 249;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his fault in delaying to relieve fort, 250;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues proclamation calling for volunteers for three months, 252, 253;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his purpose, 253;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expects Northerners to equal Southerners as fighters, 253, 254;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls Congress for special session, 254;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to gain Kentucky, 254, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dreads effect of Baltimore riot on Border States, 258;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers to send troops around Baltimore, 259;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>soothes Maryland, 260;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>cut off from North for a week, 261;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries in vain to prevent Virginia from seceding, 263;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to secure Lee, 263;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>successful in his policy for retaining Kentucky in Union, 267;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unable to reach North Carolina, Tennessee, or Arkansas, 269;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to aid Missouri loyalists, 270;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>confident in efficiency of North, 271;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his capacities unknown to people, 273;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his "inspiration," 274;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his masterfulness not realized, 274;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question as to his relations with advisers, 275;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obliged to restrain Chase and Seward, 275-280;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his relations with Chase, 276;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives Seward's "Thoughts," 276, 277;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reply to Seward, 279;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>realizes his own responsibility and accepts it, 280, 281;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives absurd advice, 281, 282;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proclaims blockade of Southern ports, 283;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advised to "close" ports, 284;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sees necessity of admitting war, 285;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>decides to act efficiently without regard to Constitution, 285, 286;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructs Scott to watch Maryland legislature, 286;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues order to arrest Maryland secessionists, 287;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>orders Scott to suspend writ of habeas corpus, 287;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by Taney, 288;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues proclamation authorizing further suspension, 289;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>states his argument to Congress, 289, 290;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls for more volunteers, 291;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes pains with message which he sends to Congress, 292;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on neutrality of Kentucky, 292;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on blockade, 293;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on secession, 293-295;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appeals for ample means to end war, 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints McClellan to command Army of Potomac, 303;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>avoids connection with Ball's Bluff affair, 309;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints McClellan to succeed Scott, 310;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sees that popular demand for action must be followed, 314;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>puzzled by McClellan's refusal to move, 316;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced to bear military responsibility, 318, 319;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his freedom from self-seeking, 320, 321;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges McClellan to advance, 322, 323;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discouraged by McClellan's illness, consults McDowell and Franklin, 323, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>consults McClellan, 325;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exasperates McClellan by his action, 325, 326;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints Stanton to succeed Cameron, 326;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his lack of personal feeling against Stanton, 326, 327;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his patience toward Stanton, 328;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his letter to Halleck, 327, 328;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes a direct attack, 330;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused by McClellan's friends of meddling, 331;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>decides to force action, 331;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues General War Order No. 1, 332;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its purpose political rather than military, 332, 333;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>orders McClellan to move South, 333;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks McClellan to justify his plan, 334;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls council of generals, 335, 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accepts McClellan's plan, 337;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insists on preservation of capital, 337;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>political reasons for his anxiety to hold Washington, 337-339;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reasons why his plan should have been adopted, 339;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>never convinced of superiority of McClellan's scheme, 340;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues General War Order to secure Washington, 341;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unmoved by abuse of McClellan's enemies, 342;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieves McClellan of general command, 343;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced by Congress to divide Army of Potomac into corps, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appreciates importance of Western operations, 347;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges on Western generals, 347;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unable to supply troops, 348;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints Fremont to command Department of West, 349;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to guide Fremont, 349;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appealed to by Mrs. Fremont, 350;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>removes Fremont, his reasons, 350, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sees military importance of Cumberland Gap, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges construction of a railroad there, 352;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Buell on, 352;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed by Buell's refusal to move, 353;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>death of his son, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discusses plan to capture New Orleans, 358;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suddenly obliged to consider foreign affairs, 368;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his corrections on Seward's instructions to Adams, 373, 375;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his statement of foreign relations in message of December, 1861, 377, 378;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>avoids either timidity or defiance, 379, 380;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>objects from beginning to seizure of Mason and Slidell, 382;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes to arbitrate the matter, 384;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks England's claim just, 384;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wisdom of his course in surrendering the envoys, 385-387;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unable to prevent slavery from entering into war, ii. <a href='#Page002'>2</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disapproves of Fremont's order freeing slaves of rebels, <a href='#Page006'>6</a>, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>by rescinding it, makes an enemy of Fremont, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>revokes order of Hunter freeing slaves, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes responsibility of matter upon himself, <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prevents Cameron from urging arming of negroes, <a href='#Page009'>9</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advises recognition of Hayti and Liberia, <a href='#Page010'>10</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in message suggests compensated emancipation and colonization, <a href='#Page010'>10</a>, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>approves bill abolishing slavery, with compensation, in District, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>, <a href='#Page012'>12</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>signs bill prohibiting return of fugitive slaves, <a href='#Page013'>13</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>signs bill abolishing slavery in United States Territories, <a href='#Page013'>13</a>, <a href='#Page014'>14</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>signs bill to emancipate slaves of rebels, <a href='#Page014'>14</a>, <a href='#Page015'>15</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>slow to execute bill to enlist slaves, <a href='#Page017'>17</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finally recognizes value of black troops, <a href='#Page017'>17</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his conciliatory policy not followed by Congress, <a href='#Page018'>18</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reasons for advocating compensated emancipation, <a href='#Page019'>19</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes to induce Border States to emancipate voluntarily, <a href='#Page019'>19</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends special message urging gradual emancipation, <a href='#Page020'>20</a>-<a href='#Page022'>22</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>practically warns Border State men, <a href='#Page022'>22</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by both sides, <a href='#Page022'>22</a>, <a href='#Page023'>23</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries in vain to persuade Border State representatives, <a href='#Page024'>24</a>-<a href='#Page026'>26</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plans repudiated, <a href='#Page026'>26</a>, <a href='#Page027'>27</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repeats appeal in proclamation, <a href='#Page027'>27</a>, <a href='#Page028'>28</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his scheme impracticable, but magnanimous, <a href='#Page028'>28</a>, <a href='#Page029'>29</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sees future better than others, <a href='#Page029'>29</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refrains from filling vacancies on Supreme Bench with Northern men, <a href='#Page030'>30</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>agrees to McClellan's peninsular campaign, <a href='#Page033'>33</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>still worried over safety of capital, <a href='#Page033'>33</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>neglects to demand any specific force to protect it, <a href='#Page033'>33</a>, <a href='#Page034'>34</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced to detach troops from McClellan to reinforce Fremont, <a href='#Page035'>35</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nearly orders McClellan to attack, <a href='#Page037'>37</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plan better than McClellan's, <a href='#Page038'>38</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>orders McDowell to return to Washington, <a href='#Page039'>39</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>alarmed at condition of defenses of capital, <a href='#Page040'>40</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his error in retaining McDowell, <a href='#Page041'>41</a>-<a href='#Page043'>43</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows apparent vacillation, <a href='#Page042'>42</a>, <a href='#Page043'>43</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>explains situation in letter to McClellan, <a href='#Page044'>44</a>-<a href='#Page046'>46</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges him to strike, <a href='#Page046'>46</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed by politicians, <a href='#Page047'>47</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to forward troops, <a href='#Page048'>48</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>orders McDowell to join McClellan without uncovering capital, <a href='#Page050'>50</a>, <a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>criticised by McClellan, <a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to let McDowell move in time, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends McDowell to rescue Banks, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses his head, <a href='#Page053'>53</a>, <a href='#Page054'>54</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insists on McDowell's movement, <a href='#Page055'>55</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his blunder a fatal one, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not a quick thinker, <a href='#Page057'>57</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ruins McClellan's campaign, <a href='#Page057'>57</a>, <a href='#Page058'>58</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begins to lose patience with McClellan's inaction, <a href='#Page060'>60</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints Halleck commander-in-chief, <a href='#Page065'>65</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his constancy in support of McClellan, <a href='#Page066'>66</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>does not sacrifice McClellan as scapegoat, <a href='#Page067'>67</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>visits Harrison's Landing, <a href='#Page067'>67</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>avoids any partisanship in whole affair, <a href='#Page068'>68</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appears better than McClellan in campaign, <a href='#Page069'>69</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>yet makes bad blunders, <a href='#Page069'>69</a>, <a href='#Page070'>70</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>stands alone in failure, <a href='#Page071'>71</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remains silent, <a href='#Page072'>72</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>allows Halleck a free hand, <a href='#Page073'>73</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reasons for appointing Halleck and Pope, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>, <a href='#Page075'>75</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>decides to reappoint McClellan, <a href='#Page081'>81</a>, <a href='#Page082'>82</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows sound judgment, <a href='#Page082'>82</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>places everything in McClellan's hands, <a href='#Page083'>83</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>indignant at slight results from Antietam, <a href='#Page085'>85</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges McClellan to pursue, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his order ignored by McClellan, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>writes McClellan a blunt letter insinuating sluggishness or cowardice, <a href='#Page088'>88</a>-<a href='#Page091'>91</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces McClellan by Burnside, <a href='#Page092'>92</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his extreme reticence as to his motives, <a href='#Page092'>92</a>-<a href='#Page094'>94</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attacked by Copperheads, <a href='#Page095'>95</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>criticised by defenders of the Constitution, <a href='#Page096'>96</a>, <a href='#Page097'>97</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>harassed by extreme Abolitionists, <a href='#Page098'>98</a>, <a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced for not issuing a proclamation of emancipation, <a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reasons for refusing, <a href='#Page100'>100</a>-<a href='#Page102'>102</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>explains his attitude as President toward slavery, <a href='#Page101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page102'>102</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>struggles to hold Border States, <a href='#Page103'>103</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>general dissatisfaction with, in 1862, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>held inefficient by Chase, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>and by Congressmen, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>but believed in by people, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>addressed by Greeley with "Prayer of 20,000,000", <a href='#Page105'>105</a>, <a href='#Page106'>106</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reply to Greeley, <a href='#Page107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reply to Abolitionist clergymen, <a href='#Page110'>110</a>-<a href='#Page112'>112</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>points out folly of a mere proclamation, <a href='#Page111'>111</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks silently for himself under floods of advice, <a href='#Page112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page113'>113</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>writes draft of Emancipation Proclamation, <a href='#Page113'>113</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>questions expediency of issuing, <a href='#Page114'>114</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reads proclamation to cabinet, <a href='#Page114'>114</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>adopts Seward's suggestion to postpone until a victory, <a href='#Page115'>115</a>, <a href='#Page116'>116</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues preliminary proclamation after Antietam, <a href='#Page116'>116</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes entire responsibility, <a href='#Page117'>117</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not influenced by meeting of governors, <a href='#Page117'>117</a>, <a href='#Page118'>118</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to appease extremists, <a href='#Page119'>119</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by party, <a href='#Page120'>120</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks an earlier proclamation would not have been sustained, <a href='#Page120'>120</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>warned that he will cause loss of fall elections, <a href='#Page123'>123</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>always willing to trust people on a moral question, <a href='#Page123'>123</a>, <a href='#Page124'>124</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by Border States in election, <a href='#Page125'>125</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renews proposals for compensated emancipation, <a href='#Page126'>126</a>, <a href='#Page127'>127</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors it as a peaceful measure, <a href='#Page127'>127</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his argument, <a href='#Page127'>127</a>-<a href='#Page129'>129</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to persuade Missouri to accept plan, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues definite proclamation, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>, <a href='#Page131'>131</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his remark on signing, <a href='#Page131'>131</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to stimulate enlistment of blacks, <a href='#Page132'>132</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens retaliation for Southern excesses, <a href='#Page133'>133</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows signs of care and fatigue, <a href='#Page134'>134</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>never asks for sympathy, <a href='#Page135'>135</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>slow to displace McClellan until sure of a better man, <a href='#Page135'>135</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>doubtful as to Burnside's plan of attack, <a href='#Page136'>136</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to accept Burnside's resignation after Fredericksburg, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declines to ratify Burnside's dismissals, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his letter to Hooker, <a href='#Page139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page140'>140</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggestions to Hooker after Chancellorsville, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes plan to dash at Richmond, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>directs Hooker to obey Halleck, <a href='#Page145'>145</a>, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints Meade to succeed Hooker, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page147'>147</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Meade to attack Lee after Gettysburg, <a href='#Page149'>149</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>angry at Meade's failure, <a href='#Page150'>150</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his letter to Meade, <a href='#Page150'>150</a>-<a href='#Page152'>152</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed by Democratic proposals for peace, <a href='#Page152'>152</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to receive Stephens. <a href='#Page153'>153</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed by inaction of Rosecrans, <a href='#Page156'>156</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged to remove Grant, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to disturb him, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his letter to Grant after Vicksburg, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Rosecrans to unite with Burnside, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to encourage Rosecrans after Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends aid to Rosecrans, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces him by Thomas and puts Grant in command in West, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Meade to attack in Virginia, <a href='#Page168'>168</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to interfere in finances, <a href='#Page170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page171'>171</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his attitude in Alabama affair, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses foreign arbitration, <a href='#Page173'>173</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asked by radicals to dismiss Seward, <a href='#Page176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page177'>177</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secures resignations of Chase and Seward, and then urges them to resume duties, <a href='#Page178'>178</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his wisdom in avoiding a rupture, <a href='#Page179'>179</a>, <a href='#Page180'>180</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks opinion of cabinet on admission of West Virginia, <a href='#Page180'>180</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his reasons for signing bill, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not alarmed by Copperhead societies, <a href='#Page183'>183</a>, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his relation to Vallandigham case, <a href='#Page186'>186</a>, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supports Burnside, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends Vallandigham within Confederate lines, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replies to addresses condemning martial law, <a href='#Page189'>189</a>-<a href='#Page191'>191</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obliged to begin draft, <a href='#Page195'>195</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insists upon its execution, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page197'>197</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his letter to Illinois Union Convention, <a href='#Page201'>201</a>-<a href='#Page207'>207</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows necessity of war, <a href='#Page202'>202</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>impossibility of compromise, <a href='#Page203'>203</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>justifies emancipation, <a href='#Page203'>203</a>-<a href='#Page206'>206</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>points to successes, <a href='#Page206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page207'>207</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>really controls government autocratically, <a href='#Page208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page209'>209</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>able to, because supported by people, <a href='#Page208'>208</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains military experience, <a href='#Page210'>210</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>has measure of generals, <a href='#Page211'>211</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>henceforward supervises rather than specifically orders, <a href='#Page211'>211</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begged by Chandler to disregard conservatives, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares address for Gettysburg, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>, <a href='#Page214'>214</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the address, <a href='#Page214'>214</a>, <a href='#Page215'>215</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his theory of "reconstruction," <a href='#Page216'>216</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognizes a state government of Virginia, <a href='#Page217'>217</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints military governors for conquered States, <a href='#Page217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page218'>218</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges them to organize state governments, <a href='#Page219'>219</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes only Union men to act, <a href='#Page219'>219</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes bona fide elections, <a href='#Page220'>220</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructs new State organizers to recognize emancipation, <a href='#Page221'>221</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to prevent quarrels, <a href='#Page221'>221</a>, <a href='#Page222'>222</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues amnesty proclamation, <a href='#Page222'>222</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes reconstruction by one tenth of voters, <a href='#Page223'>223</a>-<a href='#Page226'>226</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at first generally applauded, <a href='#Page227'>227</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later opposed by Congress, <a href='#Page227'>227</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on negro suffrage, <a href='#Page230'>230</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>doubts power of Congress over slavery in States, <a href='#Page232'>232</a>, <a href='#Page233'>233</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to sign reconstruction bill, <a href='#Page233'>233</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by radicals, <a href='#Page234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page235'>235</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defends his course, <a href='#Page236'>236</a>, <a href='#Page237'>237</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his conference with Sherman, Grant, and Porter, <a href='#Page237'>237</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to let Davis escape, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his authority appealed to by Sherman later, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>, <a href='#Page241'>241</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of practicability of his plan, <a href='#Page242'>242</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its generosity and humanity, <a href='#Page243'>243</a>, <a href='#Page244'>244</a>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Reëlection</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Opposition to his reëlection in Republican party, <a href='#Page245'>245</a>, <a href='#Page246'>246</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exasperates Congressmen by his independence, <a href='#Page246'>246</a>, <a href='#Page247'>247</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not disquieted by Chase's candidacy, <a href='#Page248'>248</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desires reëlection, <a href='#Page248'>248</a>, <a href='#Page249'>249</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>trusts in popular support, <a href='#Page249'>249</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Pomeroy against, <a href='#Page250'>250</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses Chase's resignation, <a href='#Page250'>250</a>, <a href='#Page251'>251</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renominated by Ohio and Rhode Island Republicans, <a href='#Page251'>251</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposition to, collapses, <a href='#Page252'>252</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relations with Chase strained, <a href='#Page252'>252</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accepts Chase's resignation, <a href='#Page253'>253</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominates as successor, Tod, who declines, <a href='#Page253'>253</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forces Fessenden to accept Treasury, <a href='#Page253'>253</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>angers Missourians by refusing to remove Schofield, <a href='#Page254'>254</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by them and by Phillips, <a href='#Page255'>255</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gradually wins support of Abolitionists, <a href='#Page256'>256</a>, <a href='#Page257'>257</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>witty remark on Fremont's nomination, <a href='#Page258'>258</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remark on Grant's candidacy, <a href='#Page259'>259</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>generally supported by local party organizations, <a href='#Page260'>260</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>the "people's candidate," <a href='#Page261'>261</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to interfere actively to secure renomination, <a href='#Page262'>262</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desires admission of delegates from South, <a href='#Page262'>262</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his having dictated nomination of Johnson, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accepts nomination, <a href='#Page264'>264</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>feels need of some military success, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>assailed by Greeley, <a href='#Page266'>266</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>embarrassed by Greeley's dealings with Confederate emissaries, <a href='#Page268'>268</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorizes Greeley to confer, <a href='#Page269'>269</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>charged by Greeley with failure, <a href='#Page269'>269</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asked if he intends to insist on abolition, <a href='#Page271'>271</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>for political reasons, does not reply, <a href='#Page271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page272'>272</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renews call for soldiers, <a href='#Page274'>274</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>waits for military success, <a href='#Page275'>275</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appoints Grant lieutenant-general, <a href='#Page276'>276</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>agrees not to interfere with Grant, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Grant success, <a href='#Page278'>278</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>astonished by a civil reply, <a href='#Page278'>278</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>under fire during Early's attack on Washington, <a href='#Page282'>282</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discredited by fact of Washington's being still in danger, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thanks Sherman for victory of Atlanta, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rewards Sheridan for defeating Early, <a href='#Page285'>285</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his election secured by these successes, <a href='#Page286'>286</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by radicals to remove Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses at first, later does so, <a href='#Page288'>288</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to interfere in campaign, <a href='#Page289'>289</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to postpone call for more troops, <a href='#Page289'>289</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refutes campaign slanders, <a href='#Page290'>290</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares for defeat, <a href='#Page291'>291</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>re-elected easily, <a href='#Page291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page292'>292</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his remarks on election, <a href='#Page292'>292</a>-<a href='#Page294'>294</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to intervene to secure counting of electoral</p> +<p class='indexentry'> votes of Border States, <a href='#Page295'>295</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>signs bill rejecting elections in Southern States,</p> +<p class='indexentry'> his reasons, <a href='#Page296'>296</a>, <a href='#Page297'>297</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows magnanimity in appointing Chase chief justice, <a href='#Page298'>298</a>, <a href='#Page299'>299</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to try to hasten matters, <a href='#Page301'>301</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to negotiate with Davis, <a href='#Page302'>302</a>, <a href='#Page303'>303</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>permits Blair to see Davis, <a href='#Page304'>304</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends Seward to confer with Southern peace commissioners, <a href='#Page306'>306</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later himself confers with them, <a href='#Page306'>306</a>, <a href='#Page307'>307</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insists on complete submission, <a href='#Page306'>306</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>other positions, <a href='#Page307'>307</a>, <a href='#Page308'>308</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognizes decline of Confederacy, <a href='#Page308'>308</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to hasten peace by offer of money compensation and</p> +<p class='indexentry'> an amnesty proclamation, <a href='#Page309'>309</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his scheme disapproved by cabinet, <a href='#Page310'>310</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his second inaugural address, <a href='#Page311'>311</a>-<a href='#Page314'>314</a>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Second Term</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Possibly thinks Emancipation Proclamation unconstitutional, <a href='#Page315'>315</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on its practical results, <a href='#Page316'>316</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unable to touch institution of slavery, <a href='#Page316'>316</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes a constitutional amendment, <a href='#Page317'>317</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes it mentioned in Republican platform, <a href='#Page319'>319</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on impossibility of renewing slavery, <a href='#Page320'>320</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>led to make war on slavery by situation, <a href='#Page321'>321</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sees necessity of its abolition to secure results of war, <a href='#Page322'>322</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unable to treat with seceded States, <a href='#Page322'>322</a>, <a href='#Page323'>323</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renews appeal for Constitutional amendment in 1864, <a href='#Page324'>324</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exerts influence with Congressmen, <a href='#Page325'>325</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>congratulates crowd on passage of amendment, <a href='#Page326'>326</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his responsibility in last weeks of war, <a href='#Page328'>328</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forbids Grant to treat with Lee on political matters, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>conference with Grant, Sherman, and Porter, <a href='#Page332'>332</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Petersburg, <a href='#Page334'>334</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>visits Richmond, <a href='#Page335'>335</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>speech on returning to White House, <a href='#Page340'>340</a>, <a href='#Page341'>341</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his disgust with office-seekers, <a href='#Page341'>341</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>superstitious concerning assassination, <a href='#Page341'>341</a>, <a href='#Page342'>342</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives threats, but ignores them, <a href='#Page343'>343</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>persuaded to accept a guard, <a href='#Page343'>343</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his remarks, <a href='#Page343'>343</a>, <a href='#Page344'>344</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to consider Americans as his enemies, <a href='#Page344'>344</a>, <a href='#Page345'>345</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>visits theatre, is assassinated, <a href='#Page345'>345</a>-<a href='#Page347'>347</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effect of his death upon history, <a href='#Page353'>353</a>, <a href='#Page354'>354</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>general view of his character, <a href='#Page354'>354</a>-<a href='#Page357'>357</a>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Personal Characteristics</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>General view, ii. <a href='#Page353'>353</a>-<a href='#Page357'>357</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unfriendly views, i. 127, 218, ii. <a href='#Page104'>104</a>, <a href='#Page234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page235'>235</a>, <a href='#Page246'>246</a>, <a href='#Page255'>255</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abstemiousness, i. 25;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ambition, i. 36, 37, 57, 72, 78, ii. <a href='#Page248'>248</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>business inefficiency, i. 40, ii. <a href='#Page028'>28</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>coarseness, i. 13, 28, 33, 48;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>coolness, i. 237, 259, 375, ii. <a href='#Page248'>248</a>, <a href='#Page259'>259</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>courage, i. 119, 120, 212, 214, 274, ii. <a href='#Page054'>54</a>, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>, <a href='#Page274'>274</a>, <a href='#Page289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page335'>335</a>, <a href='#Page341'>341</a>-<a href='#Page344'>344</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>development through life, i. 131-134;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>education, i. 12, 13, 19, 40;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>eloquence, i. 57, 61, 76, 147-149, 221, ii. <a href='#Page219'>219</a>, <a href='#Page313'>313</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>far-sightedness, i. 120, 144, 159, 176, 226, 274, ii. <a href='#Page029'>29</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>honesty, i. 9, 19, 20, 40, 51, 69, 70, 139, 140, 230, 249, ii. <a href='#Page262'>262</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>humor, i. 13, 14, 28, 149, ii. <a href='#Page179'>179</a>, <a href='#Page258'>258</a>, <a href='#Page260'>260</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>kindliness, i. 14, ii. <a href='#Page028'>28</a>, <a href='#Page133'>133</a>, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page243'>243</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>legal ability, i. 67-70;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loyalty, i. 314, 342, ii. <a href='#Page066'>66</a>, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page288'>288</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>magnanimity, i. 51, 139, 154, 155, 237, 320, 327, 350, ii. <a href='#Page007'>7</a>, <a href='#Page030'>30</a>, <a href='#Page060'>60</a>, <a href='#Page062'>62</a>, <a href='#Page081'>81</a>, <a href='#Page094'>94</a>, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page250'>250</a>, <a href='#Page298'>298</a>, <a href='#Page299'>299</a>, <a href='#Page344'>344</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>masterfulness, i. 274, 279, 329, ii. <a href='#Page066'>66</a>, <a href='#Page114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page226'>226</a>, <a href='#Page247'>247</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>melancholy, i. 44, 45, 63, 171, 229, ii. <a href='#Page134'>134</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>military ability, i. 250, 337, ii. <a href='#Page054'>54</a>, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>-<a href='#Page058'>58</a>, <a href='#Page069'>69</a>, <a href='#Page070'>70</a>, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page210'>210</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>modesty, i. 101, 161, 329, ii. <a href='#Page146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page161'>161</a>, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>, <a href='#Page292'>292</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>morbidness, i. 48, 63;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>patience, i. 240, 242, 267, 274, 328, 349, ii. <a href='#Page061'>61</a>, <a href='#Page066'>66</a>, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>, <a href='#Page152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page252'>252</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>physical strength, i. 14, 18;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>popular insight, i. 31-34, 232, 271, 314, 332, ii. <a href='#Page002'>2</a>, <a href='#Page029'>29</a>, <a href='#Page123'>123</a>, <a href='#Page249'>249</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reticence, i. 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ii. <a href='#Page060'>60</a>, <a href='#Page071'>71</a>, <a href='#Page072'>72</a>, <a href='#Page081'>81</a>, <a href='#Page092'>92</a>, <a href='#Page093'>93</a>, <a href='#Page112'>112</a>, <a href='#Page135'>135</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shrewdness, i. 210, 226-228, 253, 267, ii. <a href='#Page082'>82</a>, <a href='#Page124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page139'>139</a>, <a href='#Page140'>140</a>, <a href='#Page153'>153</a>, <a href='#Page177'>177</a>, <a href='#Page178'>178</a>, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page268'>268</a>, <a href='#Page279'>279</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>superstition, ii. <a href='#Page052'>52</a>, <a href='#Page118'>118</a>, <a href='#Page342'>342</a>, <a href='#Page345'>345</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tenacity, i. 219, 229, 246, 259, ii. <a href='#Page055'>55</a>, <a href='#Page114'>114</a>, <a href='#Page208'>208</a>, <a href='#Page236'>236</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unselfishness, i. 320, 321, 326, ii. <a href='#Page278'>278</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>women, relations with, i. 43, 48, 62-65.</p> +<p class='indexentry'> </p> + + +<p class='indexentry'><b><i>Political Opinions</i></b>.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Blockade, i. 285, 293;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Border State policy, i. 267, 292, 352, ii. <a href='#Page019'>19</a>, <a href='#Page021'>21</a>, <a href='#Page024'>24</a>-<a href='#Page026'>26</a>, <a href='#Page103'>103</a>, <a href='#Page125'>125</a>, <a href='#Page129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Compromise of 1850, i. 92;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Constitution, i. 132, 133, 176, 221, 287, ii. <a href='#Page109'>109</a>, <a href='#Page111'>111</a>, <a href='#Page113'>113</a>, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>, <a href='#Page232'>232</a>, <a href='#Page315'>315</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Copperheads, ii. <a href='#Page184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>-<a href='#Page191'>191</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disunion, i. 151, 211, 221, 293-295, ii. <a href='#Page010'>10</a>, <a href='#Page107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>, <a href='#Page233'>233</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>draft, ii. <a href='#Page196'>196</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Dred Scott case, i. 127, 128, 129, 141-143;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>emancipation, i. 80, 139, ii. <a href='#Page007'>7</a>, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>, <a href='#Page020'>20</a>-<a href='#Page022'>22</a>, <a href='#Page024'>24</a>-<a href='#Page026'>26</a>, <a href='#Page027'>27</a>-<a href='#Page029'>29</a>, <a href='#Page110'>110</a>-<a href='#Page119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page126'>126</a>-<a href='#Page131'>131</a>, <a href='#Page204'>204</a>-<a href='#Page206'>206</a>, <a href='#Page224'>224</a>, <a href='#Page309'>309</a>, <a href='#Page317'>317</a>-<a href='#Page321'>321</a>, <a href='#Page324'>324</a>-<a href='#Page326'>326</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>England, i. 371, 377, 378, ii. <a href='#Page172'>172</a>, <a href='#Page175'>175</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finance, i. 37, 43, 63, 54, 80, ii. <a href='#Page170'>170</a>, <a href='#Page171'>171</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>habeas corpus, suspension of, i. 289, 290;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>"house divided against itself," i. 118, 123, 124, 224;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>internal improvements, i. 37, 50;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Kansas-Nebraska Bill, i. 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Mexican war, i. 75, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>military events of war of Rebellion, ii. <a href='#Page033'>33</a>, <a href='#Page037'>37</a>, <a href='#Page039'>39</a>, <a href='#Page040'>40</a>, <a href='#Page042'>42</a>, <a href='#Page044'>44</a>-<a href='#Page046'>46</a>, <a href='#Page050'>50</a>, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>-<a href='#Page058'>58</a>, <a href='#Page067'>67</a>, <a href='#Page085'>85</a>, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>, <a href='#Page088'>88</a>-<a href='#Page091'>91</a>, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>, <a href='#Page149'>149</a>-<a href='#Page152'>152</a>, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>, <a href='#Page227'>227</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>negro soldiers, ii. <a href='#Page017'>17</a>, <a href='#Page132'>132</a>, <a href='#Page207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page230'>230</a>, <a href='#Page316'>316</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>negro suffrage, ii. <a href='#Page230'>230</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>office-seekers, ii. <a href='#Page341'>341</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>party management, i. 38, 51, 54, 59, 60, 72, 97, 162, 235, ii. <a href='#Page263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page289'>289</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>peace, terms of, ii. <a href='#Page304'>304</a>-<a href='#Page307'>307</a>, <a href='#Page311'>311</a>, <a href='#Page322'>322</a>, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reconstruction, ii. <a href='#Page217'>217</a>-<a href='#Page220'>220</a>, <a href='#Page222'>222</a>-<a href='#Page227'>227</a>, <a href='#Page232'>232</a>-<a href='#Page234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page236'>236</a>-<a href='#Page238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>, <a href='#Page242'>242</a>, <a href='#Page295'>295</a>-<a href='#Page297'>297</a>, <a href='#Page303'>303</a>, <a href='#Page309'>309</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>slavery, i. 17, 56, 58, 131-139, 145, 146, 154, 210, ii. <a href='#Page019'>19</a>, <a href='#Page101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page102'>102</a>, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>, <a href='#Page204'>204</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Southern policy, i. 125-127, 154;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>States' rights, i. 141;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suffrage, i. 50;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Trent affair, i. 382, 384;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>war, purpose of, ii. <a href='#Page187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page202'>202</a>-<a href='#Page207'>207</a>, <a href='#Page271'>271</a>, <a href='#Page290'>290</a>, <a href='#Page293'>293</a>, <a href='#Page294'>294</a>, <a href='#Page302'>302</a>, <a href='#Page312'>312</a>, <a href='#Page313'>313</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Wilmot Proviso, i. 79.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Abraham,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>grandfather of Lincoln, emigrates to Kentucky, i. 2, 5;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his marriage, 5;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shot by Indians, 5.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>son of Mordecai, inherits property in New Jersey, i. 4;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moves to Virginia, 5;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his descendants, 5, 6.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Mordecai,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>son of Samuel, lives in Scituate, Mass., i. 14;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his descendants, 4.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Mordecai,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>son of Mordecai, moves to Pennsylvania, i. 4;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his property, 4.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Mordecai,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>son of Abraham, saves life of Thomas Lincoln, i. 5.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ancestor of Lincoln, emigrates to New England, i. 3.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Solomon,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>establishes Lincoln's pedigree, i. 3.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lincoln, Thomas,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>father of Abraham, i. 5;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>life saved from Indians, 5;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denies Puritan or Quaker ancestry, 6;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his parentage of Abraham denied, 7;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marries Nancy Hanks, 8;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his children, 8;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moves from Kentucky to Indiana, 10;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marries again, 11;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moves to Illinois, 15;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later relations with Abraham, 16;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his manner of fighting, 24.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Logan, Stephen T.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>partnership with, and influence upon, Lincoln, i. 67;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leader of Illinois bar, 67, 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>agrees with Lincoln to receive election to House in turn, 72;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated for Congress, 78;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>manages Lincoln's candidacy in Republican Convention of 1860, 167.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Longstreet, General James,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to reinforce Jackson, ii. <a href='#Page076'>76</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Pennsylvania, <a href='#Page145'>145</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to reinforce Bragg, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to crush Burnside, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreats from Sherman, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Louisiana,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not ready for secession, i. 182;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>but prepared to resist coercion, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan of Lincoln to reconstruct, ii. <a href='#Page219'>219</a>, <a href='#Page220'>220</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lovejoy, Elijah P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>killed at Alton, i. 56.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lovejoy, Owen,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to commit Lincoln to joining Abolitionists, i. 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prevents Lincoln's election as senator, 97;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his rage after Trent affair, 386;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supports Lincoln in 1864, ii. <a href='#Page256'>256</a>, <a href='#Page257'>257</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Lyons, Lord,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggested by Hicks as arbitrator between North and South, i. 281;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructed to insist on instant reply in Trent affair, 383;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>confers with Seward, 384.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_M'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>McCall, General George A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his division sent to aid McClellan, ii. <a href='#Page059'>59</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>McClellan, George B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>given command of Army of Potomac, i. 303;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his record prior to 1861, 303, 304;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his organizing ability, 306;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>promoted to succeed Scott, 310;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his arrogance and contempt for civilians, 310, 311;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>causes discontent by inactivity, 310, 311;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers army unfit to move, 312;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unwilling from temperament to take any risks, 312, 313;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to appreciate political situation, 313, 314;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>overestimates preparations of Confederates, 315;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>overestimates Confederate numbers, 315, 316;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to end war by a crushing campaign, 317;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ignores Lincoln's suggestion to move, 323;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>falls ill, 323;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hearing of conferences, becomes well and makes appearance, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>snubs McDowell and Chase, 325;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>objects to a direct attack on Confederates, 330;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plan, 330;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his opponents become a recognized faction, 331;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his scheme repudiated by Lincoln, 332, 333;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protests and explains views, 333-335;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>liberality of Lincoln towards, 335;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks politicians plot to destroy him, 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his plan accepted by Lincoln, 337;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussion of its merit, 337-339;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes mistake in insisting on his plan against Lincoln's wish, 339-341;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hampered by Lincoln's detaching men to protect Washington, 341;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discredited by Johnston's evacuation of Manassas, 342;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced Committee on Conduct of War, 342;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begins advance, 343;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed at being relieved from general command, 343;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exasperated at action of Lincoln in forming corps and appointing commanders, 344, 345;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorizes Halleck to arrest Grant, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>approves Buell's plan, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his career compared with Halleck's, 365, 366;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>promises to put down any slave insurrection, ii. <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in spite of evacuation of Manassas, insists on Peninsular campaign, <a href='#Page031'>31</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>approved by corps commanders, <a href='#Page032'>32</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>estimate of forces needed to defend Washington, <a href='#Page034'>34</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fears no danger from Manassas, <a href='#Page035'>35</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protests against removal of Blenker's brigade, <a href='#Page035'>35</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begins campaign at Fortress Monroe, <a href='#Page036'>36</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>besieges Yorktown, <a href='#Page037'>37</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sneers at Lincoln's suggestion of storming it, <a href='#Page037'>37</a>, <a href='#Page038'>38</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his excuses always good, <a href='#Page038'>38</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exasperated at retention of McDowell before Washington, <a href='#Page039'>39</a>, <a href='#Page041'>41</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his responsibility, <a href='#Page041'>41</a>, <a href='#Page042'>42</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not really trusted by Lincoln, <a href='#Page043'>43</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>still outnumbers enemy, <a href='#Page044'>44</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, answering his complaints, <a href='#Page044'>44</a>-<a href='#Page046'>46</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes Yorktown, <a href='#Page048'>48</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advances slowly, <a href='#Page048'>48</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>predicts Confederate evacuation of Norfolk, <a href='#Page048'>48</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>continues advance, <a href='#Page049'>49</a>, <a href='#Page050'>50</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forbidden to use McDowell so as to uncover Washington, <a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protests, <a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>follows Lincoln's plan and extends right wing to meet McDowell, <a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>informed by Lincoln of withdrawal of McDowell to pursue Jackson, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attacked by Johnston and Jackson, <a href='#Page058'>58</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to move for two weeks, <a href='#Page059'>59</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wears out Lincoln's patience by delay, <a href='#Page060'>60</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retorts sharply to suggestions, <a href='#Page061'>61</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreats to James River, <a href='#Page061'>61</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>writes bitter letter to Stanton, <a href='#Page062'>62</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proves his incapacity to attack, <a href='#Page064'>64</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to resume offensive by James River, <a href='#Page064'>64</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his prestige ruined at Washington, <a href='#Page065'>65</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his recall demanded by Pope and Halleck, <a href='#Page065'>65</a>, <a href='#Page066'>66</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by Lincoln in spite of attacks, <a href='#Page066'>66</a>, <a href='#Page067'>67</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finally ordered to retreat, <a href='#Page068'>68</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussion of his conduct, <a href='#Page069'>69</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>beloved by army, <a href='#Page075'>75</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>predicts defeat of Pope, <a href='#Page078'>78</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accused of failing to support Pope, <a href='#Page078'>78</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>exchanges telegrams with Halleck, <a href='#Page078'>78</a>, <a href='#Page079'>79</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his aid asked by Halleck after Pope's defeat, <a href='#Page080'>80</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>kept inactive during Pope's campaign, <a href='#Page081'>81</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed by Lincoln, in spite of protests, to command in Washington, <a href='#Page081'>81</a>, <a href='#Page082'>82</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his fitness to reorganize army, <a href='#Page082'>82</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>describes steps taken to put him in command, <a href='#Page083'>83</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>cautious attitude toward Lee, <a href='#Page084'>84</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Antietam, <a href='#Page085'>85</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>welcomed by troops, <a href='#Page085'>85</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to use advantages, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by Lincoln to pursue, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disappoints country by inaction, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ordered by Lincoln to advance, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, <a href='#Page088'>88</a>-<a href='#Page091'>91</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to move, <a href='#Page091'>91</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieved from command, <a href='#Page092'>92</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>conduct of Lincoln towards, <a href='#Page092'>92</a>-<a href='#Page094'>94</a>, <a href='#Page135'>135</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>praised by conservative Democrats, <a href='#Page097'>97</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>endangers of emancipation, <a href='#Page103'>103</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated for President, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repudiates peace plank, <a href='#Page275'>275</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his election hoped for by South, <a href='#Page286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>McClernand, General John A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, on difficulties of equipping armies, i. 348.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>McClure, A.K.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on influence of New York "Tribune," ii. <a href='#Page106'>106</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>McDougall, James A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>McDowell, General Irwin,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands Federal army, i. 299;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obliged to attack, 300;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Bull Run, 300, 301;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>summoned by Lincoln to consultation, 323, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>does not tell McClellan, 324;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>describes McClellan's appearance at conference, 325;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors Lincoln's plan of campaign, 330, 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed to command a corps, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on force necessary to defend Washington, ii. <a href='#Page032'>32</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his corps retained at Washington, <a href='#Page039'>39</a>, <a href='#Page049'>49</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reasons of Lincoln for retaining, <a href='#Page044'>44</a>, <a href='#Page045'>45</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>again ordered to support McClellan, <a href='#Page048'>48</a>, <a href='#Page050'>50</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ordered not to uncover Washington, <a href='#Page050'>50</a>, <a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prevented from advancing by Lincoln's superstition, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ordered to turn and pursue Jackson, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protests vigorously, <a href='#Page055'>55</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obliged to abandon McClellan, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>foretells that Jackson will escape, <a href='#Page058'>58</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>McLean, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Republican nomination in 1860, i. 169, 170.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Magruder, General J.B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>confronts McClellan at Yorktown, ii. <a href='#Page037'>37</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>evacuates Yorktown, <a href='#Page047'>47</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Maine,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Democratic gains in, during 1862, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mallory, S.R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Confederate cabinet, i. 206.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Malvern Hill,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page061'>61</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Maryland,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passage of troops through, i. 257;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effect of Baltimore conflict upon, 258;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>danger of its secession, 258, 259;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>determines to stand neutral, 260, 261;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>importance of its action, 261, 262;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>furnishes South with troops, 262;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>military arrests in, to prevent secession, 286, 287;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lee's invasion of, ii. <a href='#Page084'>84</a>-<a href='#Page086'>86</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mason, James M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>captured by Wilkes, i. 380;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>imprisoned in Port Warren, 381;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrendered, 385.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Massachusetts,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepared for war by Governor Andrew, i. 256;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends troops to front, 256.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Matteson, Governor Joel A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Democratic candidate for Senator in Illinois, i. 97.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Maynard, Horace,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 298;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>approves Lincoln's emancipation scheme, ii. <a href='#Page027'>27</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Meade, General George G.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on McClellan's organizing ability, i. 306;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces Burnside in command, ii. <a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of his powers, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>, <a href='#Page147'>147</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Gettysburg, <a href='#Page147'>147</a>, <a href='#Page148'>148</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to attack, <a href='#Page148'>148</a>, <a href='#Page149'>149</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritation of Lincoln with, <a href='#Page150'>150</a>-<a href='#Page152'>152</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers to resign, <a href='#Page150'>150</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged in vain by Lincoln to attack, <a href='#Page168'>168</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>"campaign in mud," <a href='#Page169'>169</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Petersburg, <a href='#Page334'>334</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Appomattox, <a href='#Page338'>338</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Meigs, General Montgomery C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Lincoln's council of war in January, 1862, i. 324.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Memminger, C.G.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Confederate cabinet, i. 206.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mercer, Captain, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>superseded by Porter under Lincoln's orders, i. 247.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mercier, M. Henri,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Greeley to, ii. <a href='#Page174'>174</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Merryman, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>arrested in Maryland, i. 287;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt of Taney to liberate, 287, 288.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mexican war,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by Whigs, i. 74, 77;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character of, 74, 75.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mexico,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>driven into war, i. 74, 85;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abolishes slavery, 85.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Michigan,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Republican losses in election of 1862, ii. <a href='#Page125'>125</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Miles, Colonel Dixon S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Harper's Ferry, ii. <a href='#Page084'>84</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Miller, Mrs. Nancy,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>bargains with Lincoln to make a pair of trousers, i. 16.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mississippi,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not ready to secede, i. 182;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secedes, 186;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends commissioner to persuade North Carolina, 188.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Missouri,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to furnish Lincoln with troops, i. 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Unionist and Southern elements in, 269, 270;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>civil war in, 270;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to secede, 270;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Fremont's career in, 349-351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>saved from South by General Curtis, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses compensated emancipation, ii. <a href='#Page129'>129</a>, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>factional quarrels in, <a href='#Page254'>254</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declares for Fremont against Lincoln, <a href='#Page255'>255</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>delegates from, in Republican Convention, <a href='#Page262'>262</a>, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Missouri Compromise,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its sacred character, i. 83;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its extension demanded in 1850, 86, 90;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>questioned by South, 93, 94;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repealed, 94.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Morgan, Edwin D.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by Lincoln to put emancipation plank in Republican platform, ii. <a href='#Page318'>318</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Morton, Governor Oliver P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>harassed by Copperheads, ii. <a href='#Page183'>183</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to alarm Lincoln, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Mudd, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accomplice of Booth, tried and condemned, ii. <a href='#Page351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_N'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Naglee, General Henry M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Napoleon I.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln contrasted with, ii. <a href='#Page354'>354</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Napoleon III.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>agrees with Earl Russell to recognize belligerency of South, i. 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers mediation, ii. <a href='#Page173'>173</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his course suggested by Greeley, <a href='#Page174'>174</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Negroes,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>equality of, Lincoln's feeling toward, i. 131-137.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Nesmith, James W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>New England,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>speeches of Lincoln in, i. 155.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>New Jersey,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page125'>125</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>New Mexico,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan of South to occupy as slave territory, i. 86;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by Taylor to ask for admission as a State, 87;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>organized as a Territory, 91.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>New York,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's speech in, i. 153-155;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secession threatened in, 197;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to evade draft, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>draft riots in, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page197'>197</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>North,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surpasses South in development, i. 84;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begins to oppose spread of slavery, 86;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Kansas-Nebraska Act, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>anti-Southern feeling in, 99, 100;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enraged at Dred Scott decision, 103;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed at both Secessionists and Abolitionists, 115;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effect of Lincoln's "House divided" speech upon, 120;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effect of Lincoln's speeches in, 156, 157;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its attitude toward slavery the real cause of secession, 159;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Republicans in 1860, 178;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its condition between Lincoln's election and his inauguration, 181;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>panic in, during 1860, 190-195, 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged to let South secede in peace, 192, 193;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposals in, to compromise with South, 194;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>led by Lincoln to oppose South on grounds of union, not slavery, 226-228;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritated at inaction of Lincoln, 242;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effect of capture of Fort Sumter upon, 251, 252;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rushes to arms, 252;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compared with South infighting qualities, 253, 254;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>responds to Lincoln's call for troops, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>military enthusiasm, 271, 272;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>doubtful as to Lincoln's ability, 273-275;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to crush South without delay, 299, 300;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forces McDowell to advance, 300;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enlightened by Bull Run, 302;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>impatient with slowness of McClellan to advance, 311-314;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expects sympathy of England, 369;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>annoyed at recognition of Southern belligerency by England, 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejoices at capture of Mason and Slidell, 381;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its hatred of England, 386;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unity of, in 1861, ii. <a href='#Page001'>1</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>inevitably led to break on slavery question, <a href='#Page002'>2</a>, <a href='#Page003'>3</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>depressed by Peninsular campaign, <a href='#Page070'>70</a>, <a href='#Page071'>71</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opponents of the war in, <a href='#Page095'>95</a>-<a href='#Page097'>97</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>public men of, condemn Lincoln, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>popular opinion supports him, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>effect of Emancipation Proclamation upon, <a href='#Page121'>121</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced by Lincoln to choose between emancipation and failure of war, <a href='#Page123'>123</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>depressed after Chancellorsville, <a href='#Page142'>142</a>, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discouraged by European offers of mediation, <a href='#Page174'>174</a>, <a href='#Page175'>175</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>adjusts itself to war, <a href='#Page194'>194</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>waning patriotism in, <a href='#Page194'>194</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to evade draft, <a href='#Page195'>195</a>, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>draft riots in, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>, <a href='#Page197'>197</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>bounty-jumping in, <a href='#Page197'>197</a>, <a href='#Page198'>198</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Republican gains in, <a href='#Page200'>200</a>, <a href='#Page201'>201</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>really under Lincoln's dictatorship, <a href='#Page208'>208</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieved from gloom by successes of 1864, <a href='#Page286'>286</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejoicings in 1865, <a href='#Page328'>328</a>, <a href='#Page340'>340</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>North Carolina,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not at first in favor of secession, i. 182, 269;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ready to oppose coercion, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urged by Mississippi to secede, 188;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to furnish Lincoln troops, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finally secedes, 269.</p> + +<a name='INDEX_O'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Offut, Denton, sends Lincoln to New Orleans with a cargo, i. 16;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes Lincoln manager of a store, 18;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>brags of Lincoln's abilities, 18;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails and moves away, 20.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Oglesby, Governor R.J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>presides over Illinois Republican Convention, i. 162.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ohio,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign of 1858 in, i. 151;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>career of Vallandigham in, <a href='#Page184'>184</a>, <a href='#Page185'>185</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reply of Lincoln to Democrats of, <a href='#Page191'>191</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>election of 1863 in, <a href='#Page192'>192</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renominates Lincoln in 1864, <a href='#Page251'>251</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>O'Laughlin, Michael,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accomplice of Booth, tried and condemned, ii. <a href='#Page350'>350</a>-<a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Ordinance of 1787,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its adoption and effect, i. 82.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Owens, Mary,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejects Lincoln, i. 48.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_P'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Pain, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's only hearer at "mass meeting" to organize Republican party, i. 111.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Palmerston, Lord,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>drafts British ultimatum in Mason and Slidell case, i. 383;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows it to Queen, 383.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Paris, Comte de,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on condition of Union army in 1861, i. 312;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on McDowell's advance from Washington to aid McClellan, ii. <a href='#Page050'>50</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Patterson, General Robert,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands force in Pennsylvania, i. 299;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to watch Johnston, 301.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Payne, Lewis,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accomplice of Booth, tried and hanged, ii. <a href='#Page350'>350</a>-<a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Peace Congress,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its composition and action, i. 203;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repudiated by South, 203, 204.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pea Ridge,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, i. 351.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pemberton, General John C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrenders Vicksburg, ii. <a href='#Page159'>159</a>, <a href='#Page160'>160</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pendleton, George H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pennsylvania,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Democrats in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>regained by Republicans, <a href='#Page201'>201</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renominates Lincoln, <a href='#Page260'>260</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Penrose, Captain ——,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Lincoln's rashness in entering Richmond, ii. <a href='#Page336'>336</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Perryville,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page154'>154</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Peters, ——,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to trust a Republican, i. 204.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Phillips, Wendell,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remark on nomination of Lincoln, i. 173;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Lincoln, 177;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>welcomes secession, 195;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>upholds right of South to secede, 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes Lincoln's renomination, ii. <a href='#Page255'>255</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pickens, Fort,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relief of, in 1861, i. 247, 248.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pickens, Governor F.W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends commissioners to Buchanan regarding dissolution of Union by South Carolina, i. 185.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pierce, Franklin,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected President, i. 93;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated for renomination, 101.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pierpoint, Francis H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognized as governor of Virginia, ii. <a href='#Page217'>217</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pillow, Fort,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>massacre at, ii. <a href='#Page133'>133</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pillow, General Gideon J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>runs away from Fort Donelson, i. 354.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pinkerton, Allan,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discovers plot to assassinate Lincoln, i. 212</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Plug Uglies,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>feared in 1861, i. 212;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>mob Massachusetts troops, 257.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Polk, James K.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carries Illinois in 1844, i. 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>brings on Mexican war, 74, 85;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his policy attacked by Lincoln's "Spot Resolutions," 75;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks for two millions to buy territory, 86.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pomeroy, Samuel C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>senator from Kansas, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>an enemy of Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page250'>250</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges Chase's friends to organize to oppose Lincoln's renomination, <a href='#Page250'>250</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Pope, General John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recommended by Halleck for promotion, i. 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prevented by Halleck from fighting, 364;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges recall of McClellan from Peninsula, ii. <a href='#Page065'>65</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his military abilities, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands Army of Virginia, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows arrogance and lack of tact, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>, <a href='#Page075'>75</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to cut off Jackson from Lee, <a href='#Page076'>76</a>, <a href='#Page077'>77</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insists on fighting, <a href='#Page077'>77</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>beaten at Bull Run, <a href='#Page077'>77</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discredited, <a href='#Page080'>80</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Popular sovereignty,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>doctrine of, in Compromise of 1850, i. 91, 92, 94;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>used by Douglas to justify repeal of Missouri Compromise, 94, 95;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>theory of, destroyed by Dred Scott decision, 103;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt of Douglas to reconcile, with Dred Scott case, 107.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Porter, General Andrew,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan of campaign, i. 336.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Porter, David D.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>takes Powhatan under Lincoln's orders, i. 247;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to obey Seward's order, 248;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>aids Grant at Vicksburg, ii. <a href='#Page159'>159</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>confers with Lincoln, <a href='#Page237'>237</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>upholds Sherman in referring to Lincoln as authorizing Johnston's terms of surrender, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Porter, General Fitz-John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to meet McDowell, ii. <a href='#Page051'>51</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Powell, L.W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Lincoln's emancipation scheme, ii. <a href='#Page023'>23</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_R'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Rathbone, Major Henry R.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Lincoln's assassination, ii. <a href='#Page346'>346</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Raymond, Henry J.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>warns Lincoln of danger done to Republican party by emancipation policy, ii. <a href='#Page273'>273</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reply of Lincoln to, <a href='#Page274'>274</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Reagan, J.H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Confederate cabinet, i. 206.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Reconstruction,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>constitutional theory of, ii. <a href='#Page216'>216</a>, <a href='#Page217'>217</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>begun by appointment of military governors, <a href='#Page217'>217</a>, <a href='#Page218'>218</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's plan for, <a href='#Page219'>219</a>, <a href='#Page220'>220</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>blocked by refusal of Congress to receive representatives, <a href='#Page221'>221</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>usually associated with new constitutions, <a href='#Page221'>221</a>, <a href='#Page222'>222</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>method laid down in amnesty proclamation, <a href='#Page222'>222</a>-<a href='#Page226'>226</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>difficulties in way of, <a href='#Page228'>228</a>, <a href='#Page229'>229</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>extremist proposals concerning, <a href='#Page229'>229</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Reconstruction bill passed, <a href='#Page230'>230</a>-<a href='#Page232'>232</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>bill for, vetoed by Lincoln, <a href='#Page233'>233</a>, <a href='#Page334'>334</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>later statements of Lincoln concerning, <a href='#Page236'>236</a>-<a href='#Page238'>238</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>involved in Sherman's terms of surrender given to Johnston, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page239'>239</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's scheme discussed, <a href='#Page242'>242</a>-<a href='#Page244'>244</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>problem of, in 1865, <a href='#Page328'>328</a>, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>intention of Lincoln to keep, in his own control, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Republican party,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its origin, i. 100;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in campaign of 1856, 101, 102;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>organized in Illinois, 111;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defined by Lincoln, 134;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its programme put forth by Lincoln, 150, 151, 156, 157;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Illinois, nominates Lincoln for presidency, 161, 162;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>convention of, in 1860, 166-171;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidates before, 166, 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>balloting, in convention, 169, 170;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominates Lincoln, 171;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>chooses Lincoln because available, 172, 173;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its campaign methods, 173, 174;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by Abolitionists, 177;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elects Lincoln, 178, 179;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its moral attitude toward slavery the real cause of secession, 222-224;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its legal position on slavery, 221, 222;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its leaders distrust Lincoln, 233, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dissatisfied with Lincoln's cabinet, 235, 236;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dissatisfied with Lincoln's emancipation policy, ii. <a href='#Page022'>22</a>, <a href='#Page023'>23</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>torn by factions, <a href='#Page097'>97</a>-<a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Abolitionist members of, denounce Lincoln, <a href='#Page098'>98</a>, <a href='#Page099'>99</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leaders of, condemn Lincoln, <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>majority of, continues to support him, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>influence of Greeley upon, <a href='#Page105'>105</a>-<a href='#Page107'>107</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>upholds Emancipation Proclamation, <a href='#Page120'>120</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses in congressional elections of 1862, <a href='#Page124'>124</a>, <a href='#Page125'>125</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>radical wing of, demands dismissal of Seward, <a href='#Page176'>176</a>, <a href='#Page177'>177</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>regains ground in 1863, <a href='#Page201'>201</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>extreme faction of, still distrusts Lincoln and Seward, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>members of, denounce Lincoln for vetoing reconstruction bill, <a href='#Page234'>234</a>, <a href='#Page235'>235</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>movement in, to nominate Chase, <a href='#Page245'>245</a>-<a href='#Page252'>252</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>movement in, to nominate Fremont, <a href='#Page255'>255</a>-<a href='#Page258'>258</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>masses of, adhere to Lincoln, <a href='#Page260'>260</a>, <a href='#Page261'>261</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to postpone nominating convention, <a href='#Page261'>261</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominates Lincoln, <a href='#Page262'>262</a>, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominates Johnson for Vice-President, <a href='#Page263'>263</a>, <a href='#Page264'>264</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>receives reluctant support of radicals, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>damaged by Greeley's denunciations of Lincoln, <a href='#Page266'>266</a>, <a href='#Page267'>267</a>, <a href='#Page270'>270</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dreads defeat in summer of 1864, <a href='#Page273'>273</a>, <a href='#Page274'>274</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>damaged by draft, <a href='#Page274'>274</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>radical element of, forces dismissal of Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>, <a href='#Page288'>288</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>conduct of campaign by, <a href='#Page289'>289</a>, <a href='#Page290'>290</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains election in 1864, <a href='#Page291'>291</a>, <a href='#Page292'>292</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes thirteenth amendment a plank in platform, <a href='#Page318'>318</a>, <a href='#Page319'>319</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>radical members of, rejoice at accession of Johnson after murder of Lincoln, <a href='#Page349'>349</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Reynolds, Governor,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls for volunteers in Black Hawk war, i. 35.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Rhode Island,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renominates Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page251'>251</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Richardson, W.A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remark on congressional interference with armies, i. 362.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Rives, W.C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remark of Lincoln to, on coercion, i. 219.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Rosecrans, General William S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Buell, ii. <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disapproves Halleck's plan to invade East Tennessee, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fights battle of Stone's River, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reluctant to advance, <a href='#Page156'>156</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>drives Bragg out of Tennessee, <a href='#Page156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page157'>157</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to move, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>finally advances to Chattanooga, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated at Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unnerved after Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>cheered by Lincoln, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>besieged in Chattanooga, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieved by Grant, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Russell, Earl,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his prejudices in favor of South, i. 371;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognizes belligerency of South, i. 372;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>revises Palmerston's dispatch in Trent affair, 383;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>condemns Emancipation Proclamation, ii. <a href='#Page132'>132</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>calls Alabama affair a scandal, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Rutledge, Ann,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>love affair of Lincoln with, i. 43, 44.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_S'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Saulsbury, Willard,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Saxton, General Rufus,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>permitted to raise negro troops, ii. <a href='#Page017'>17</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Schofield, General John M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>treats with Johnston, ii. <a href='#Page240'>240</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his removal from Missouri refused by Lincoln, <a href='#Page254'>254</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Schurz, General Carl,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refused permission by Lincoln</p> +<p class='indexentry'>to leave army to support his canvass, ii. <a href='#Page262'>262</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Scott, Winfield,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Mexican war, i. 75;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by Lincoln for President, 93;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests division of country into four parts, 191;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his help expected by Secessionists, 207;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advises reinforcement of Southern garrisons, 207;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens Southerners with violence, 208;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>warns Lincoln of plot to murder, 213;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his military preparations, 219, 220;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks Sumter must be abandoned, 244, 245;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>assembles troops at Washington, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to induce Lee to command Northern army, 263;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>instructed to watch Maryland legislature, 286;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorized to suspend writ of habeas corpus, 287;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>has difficulties with McClellan, 310;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retires, 310.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Seaton, William W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>promises to help Lincoln's emancipation bill, i. 80.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Secession,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>mention of, avoided by Douglas and Lincoln, i. 157;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of its justification in 1860, 158-160;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>process of, in 1860-61, 182-187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussed by Buchanan, 188-190;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admitted by Northern leaders, 192, 193, 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatened by New York Democrats, 197;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's view of, 221, 293, 294;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Southern theory of, 224, 225;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its success makes union, not slavery, the issue at stake, 226-228;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>renewed by Border States, 262-269;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>recognized as not the ultimate cause of war, ii. <a href='#Page002'>2</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>again asserted by Lincoln to be cause of war, <a href='#Page107'>107</a>, <a href='#Page108'>108</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sedgwick, General John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>beaten at Chancellorsville, ii. <a href='#Page142'>142</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Semmes, Captain Raphael,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his career with the Alabama, ii. <a href='#Page172'>172</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Senate of United States,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposes "Union-saving devices," i. 202;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeats Crittenden compromise, 203;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejects plan of Peace Congress, 203;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leaders of, in 1861, 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passes thirteenth amendment, ii. <a href='#Page318'>318</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Seward, Frederick,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>warns Lincoln of plot in 1861, i. 213.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Seward, W.H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appeals to higher law, i. 90;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>candidate for Republican nomination to presidency, 166;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposed by Greeley, 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>methods of his supporters, 167;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considered too radical, 168;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated by a combination, 169-171;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>deserves the nomination, 172;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>adopts conciliatory attitude in 1860, 197;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends son to warn Lincoln, 213;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>meets Lincoln at Washington, 214;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his theory of irrepressible conflict, 223;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to submit to South, 231;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secretary of state, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to withdraw consent, 237, 238;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt of Davis to involve, in discussion with Confederate commissioners, 238, 239;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to receive them, 239;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>announces that Sumter will be evacuated, 239;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reproached by commissioners, 240;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes reinforcing Sumter, 245, 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorized to inform Confederates that Lincoln will not act without warning, 245;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes mistake in order concerning Powhatan, 248;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>said to have led Lincoln to sign papers without understanding contents, 250;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>made to feel subordination by Lincoln, 276;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>submits thoughts for President's consideration, 276-278;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes foreign war, 277;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers to direct the government, 277, 278;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reasons for his actions, 278;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repressed by Lincoln, 279, 280;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advises against a paper blockade, 284;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to maintain friendly relations with England, 371;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>angered at Russell's conduct, 373;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>writes menacing instructions to Adams, 373-375;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his attitude in Mason and Slidell affair, 382;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>drafts reply to England's ultimatum, 384;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disavows Wilkes's act and surrenders envoys, 385;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advises Lincoln to withhold Emancipation Proclamation until after a victory, ii. <a href='#Page115'>115</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests promise to maintain freedom of slaves, <a href='#Page131'>131</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>dealings with England, <a href='#Page171'>171</a>, <a href='#Page172'>172</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejects offer of French mediation, <a href='#Page173'>173</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by radicals, <a href='#Page176'>176</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan to force his resignation, <a href='#Page176'>176</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>offers resignation, <a href='#Page177'>177</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>withdraws it at Lincoln's request, <a href='#Page178'>178</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on Copperhead societies, <a href='#Page182'>182</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounced by Chandler, <a href='#Page213'>213</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on bad terms with Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his remarks used against Lincoln, <a href='#Page290'>290</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent by Lincoln to confer with Confederate peace commission, his instructions, <a href='#Page306'>306</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shown Lincoln's dispatch to Grant, <a href='#Page329'>329</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt to assassinate, <a href='#Page350'>350</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Seymour, Horatio,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected governor of New York, ii. <a href='#Page124'>124</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces tyranny of Lincoln, <a href='#Page189'>189</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to prevent draft, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asks Lincoln to delay enforcement until Supreme Court gives judgment, <a href='#Page196'>196</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>inefficient at time of draft riots, <a href='#Page197'>197</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Shackford, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>investigates Lincoln's ancestry, i. 3.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Shellabarger, Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Shepley, Governor G.F.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remark of Lincoln to, ii. <a href='#Page220'>220</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sheridan, General Philip H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at battle of Chattanooga, ii. <a href='#Page166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his campaign against Early, <a href='#Page284'>284</a>, <a href='#Page285'>285</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plans to cut off Lee, <a href='#Page232'>232</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wins Five Forks, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Appomattox, <a href='#Page337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page338'>338</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sherman, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 296.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sherman, General W.T.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>unappreciated by Halleck, i. 365;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>authorized by Cameron to use slaves, ii. <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>assaults Vicksburg, <a href='#Page158'>158</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>pursues Johnston, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent to reinforce Rosecrans, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>storms Missionary Ridge, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>relieves Burnside, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>confers with Lincoln, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his terms to Johnston in 1865 involve political reconstruction, <a href='#Page238'>238</a>, <a href='#Page239'>239</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his terms annulled by Stanton <a href='#Page239'>239</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows resentment toward Stanton, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes terms with Johnston, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refers to Lincoln as authority, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his terms disapproved by Grant, <a href='#Page241'>241</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed to command in West, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>drives Johnston southward, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeats Hood at Atlanta, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thanked by Lincoln, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marches to the sea, <a href='#Page300'>300</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marches north through Carolinas, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ready to join Grant, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Shields, General James A.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>paper duel of Lincoln with, i. 65, 66;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses reëlection to Senate, 96;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his force joined to McDowell's, ii. <a href='#Page051'>51</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Shipley, Mary,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>ancestor of Lincoln, i. 5.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Short, James,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>lends Lincoln money, i. 42.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sickles, Daniel E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens secession of New York city, i. 197.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sigel, General Franz,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces Fremont, ii. <a href='#Page074'>74</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Slavery,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its entrance into politics described, i. 82-86;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compromises concerning, in Constitution, 83;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>settled by Missouri Compromise, 83;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attitude of South toward, 84;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>necessity of extending area of, in order to preserve, 84, 85;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's description of struggle over, 124-132;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attitude of Lincoln toward, 145, 146, 159;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>moral condemnation of, by North, the real cause of secession, 222-224;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wisdom of Lincoln in passing over, as cause of war, 226-228;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced to front as real cause of war, ii. <a href='#Page002'>2</a>, <a href='#Page003'>3</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>comes into question through action of Federal generals, <a href='#Page005'>5</a>-<a href='#Page009'>9</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempts of Fremont and Hunter to abolish, revoked by Lincoln, <a href='#Page006'>6</a>, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>acts of Congress affecting, <a href='#Page011'>11</a>-<a href='#Page015'>15</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Emancipation Proclamation against, <a href='#Page110'>110</a>-<a href='#Page119'>119</a>, <a href='#Page130'>130</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>regard for, hinders War Democrats from supporting Lincoln, <a href='#Page272'>272</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not touched as an institution by Emancipation Proclamation, <a href='#Page316'>316</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>necessity of a constitutional amendment to abolish, <a href='#Page317'>317</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desire of Copperheads to reëstablish, <a href='#Page319'>319</a>, <a href='#Page320'>320</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Slaves,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>during Civil War, called "contraband" by Butler, ii. <a href='#Page005'>5</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>escape to Northern armies, <a href='#Page006'>6</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declared free by Fremont, <a href='#Page006'>6</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>this declaration revoked by Lincoln, <a href='#Page006'>6</a>, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declared free by Hunter, <a href='#Page007'>7</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>inconsistent attitude of generals toward, <a href='#Page008'>8</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proposal of Cameron to arm, cancelled by Lincoln, <a href='#Page008'>8</a>, <a href='#Page009'>9</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protected from return to owners by Congress, <a href='#Page012'>12</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>armed, <a href='#Page015'>15</a>-<a href='#Page018'>18</a>, <a href='#Page315'>315</a>, <a href='#Page316'>316</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not paid equally with whites until 1864, <a href='#Page018'>18</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>armed in 1863, <a href='#Page132'>132</a>, <a href='#Page133'>133</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatened with death by South, <a href='#Page133'>133</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Slidell, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>seized by Wilkes, i. 380;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>imprisoned in Fort Warren, 381;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>released, 385.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Smith, Caleb B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>delivers votes to Lincoln in convention of 1860, i. 170;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secretary of interior, 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes relieving Sumter, 245, 246.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Smith, General C.W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>praised by Halleck, i. 355.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Smith, General W.F.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>favors McClellan's plan of campaign, i. 336.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Smoot, Coleman,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>lends Lincoln money, i. 43.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>South,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its early sectionalism, i. 83;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demands political equality with North, 84;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its inferior development, 84;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>gains by annexation of Texas, 85, 86;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enraged at organization of California as a free State, 87, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens disunion, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demands Fugitive Slave Law, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>asserts doctrine of non-intervention in Territories, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not satisfied with Compromise of 1850, 92;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fails to secure Kansas, 98;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>applauds Brooks for his assault on Sunnier, 100;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enraged at Douglas's opposition to Lecompton Constitution. 108;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reads Douglas out of party, 116, 142;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its policy described by Lincoln, 125-128;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fairness of Lincoln toward, 138, 139;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>demands that North cease to call slavery wrong, 154, 155;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of its justification in seceding, 158, 159;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its delegates disrupt Democratic party, 163-165;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>scatters vote in 1860, 178;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>process of secession in, 182-187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>agitation of dis-unionists in, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>State loyalty in, 184;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>justified by Greeley and others, 192, 193;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>threatens North, 195, 196;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repudiates Peace Congress, 203, 204;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its leaders in Congress remain to hamper government, 204, 205;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forms Confederacy, 205;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expects Scott to aid, 207;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to seize Washington, 209;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>impressed by Lincoln's inaugural, 221;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its real grievance the refusal of North to admit validity of slavery, 222-224;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its doctrine of secession, 224, 225;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>"Union men" in, 225, 226;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes secession, not slavery, the ground of war, 225;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>irritated at failure of secession to affect North, 241;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>purpose of Lincoln to put in the wrong, 242;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rejoices over capture of Sumter, 251;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compared with North in fighting qualities, 253, 254;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elated over Bull Bun, 302;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its strength overestimated by McClellan, 315, 316;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>expects aid from Northern sympathizers, 367;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes of aid from England disappointed, 369;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>after Chancellorsville, wishes to invade North and conquer a peace, ii. <a href='#Page143'>143</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>welcomes Vallandigham, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>, <a href='#Page188'>188</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>economically exhausted in 1863, <a href='#Page199'>199</a>, <a href='#Page200'>200</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reconstruction in, <a href='#Page216'>216</a>-<a href='#Page244'>244</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>applauds McClellan, <a href='#Page286'>286</a>, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>evidently exhausted in 1864, <a href='#Page300'>300</a>, <a href='#Page308'>308</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes of Lincoln to make its surrender easy, <a href='#Page308'>308</a>, <a href='#Page309'>309</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>South Carolina,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desires secession, i. 179;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>suggests it to other States, 182;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secedes, 184, 185;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sends commissioners to treat for division of property with United States, 185;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refusal of Buchanan to receive, 199, 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to participate in Peace Congress, 204;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>besieges Fort Sumter, 243.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Spangler, Edward,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>aids Booth to escape, ii. <a href='#Page347'>347</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tried by court martial, <a href='#Page350'>350</a>, <a href='#Page351'>351</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>condemned, <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Speed, Joshua,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, on slavery, i. 17;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>goes with Lincoln to Kentucky, 63.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Spottsylvania,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page279'>279</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sprague, Governor William,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>of Rhode Island, ii. <a href='#Page251'>251</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Stanton, Edwin M.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attorney-general under Buchanan, i. 198;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>joins Black in forcing Buchanan to alter reply to South Carolina Commissioners, 200;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>share in Stone's punishment, 309;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed secretary of war, 326;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his previous insulting attitude toward Lincoln, 326, 327;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussion of his qualities, good and bad, 327, 328;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>an efficient secretary, 328;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sneers at generals who favor McClellan's plans, 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>shows incompetence in organizing army, 343, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>praises Wilkes for capturing Mason and Slidell, 381;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>communicates Lincoln's approval to McClellan, ii. <a href='#Page032'>32</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>loses head during Jackson's raid, <a href='#Page053'>53</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>bitter letter of McClellan to, <a href='#Page062'>62</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>becomes McClellan's merciless enemy, <a href='#Page063'>63</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tries to prevent reappointment of McClellan, <a href='#Page081'>81</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to take troops from Meade for Rosecrans, <a href='#Page168'>168</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repudiates Sherman's terms with Johnston, <a href='#Page239'>239</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>insults Sherman, <a href='#Page239'>239</a>, <a href='#Page240'>240</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his relations with Grant, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at time of Early's attack on Washington, <a href='#Page281'>281</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on bad terms with Blair, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>persuades Lincoln to use an escort, <a href='#Page343'>343</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan to assassinate, <a href='#Page350'>350</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Stephens, Alexander H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on reasons for Georgia's secession, 183;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes secession, 187;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected Vice-President of Confederate States, 205;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denies plot to seize Washington, 209;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letter of Lincoln to, 210, 211;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes to treat for peace with Lincoln, ii. <a href='#Page152'>152</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his attempt foiled by Lincoln, <a href='#Page153'>153</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admits desire to place Lincoln in false position, <a href='#Page153'>153</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominated by Davis on peace commission, <a href='#Page305'>305</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Stevens, Thaddeus,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leader of House in 1861, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Lincoln's emancipation scheme, ii. <a href='#Page022'>22</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers Constitution destroyed, <a href='#Page109'>109</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on admission of West Virginia, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on unpopularity of Lincoln in Congress, <a href='#Page247'>247</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admits Lincoln to be better than McClellan, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Stone, General Charles P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at Ball's Bluff, i. 308;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his punishment, 308, 309.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Stuart, John T.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>law partnership of Lincoln with, i. 56, 67.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Stuart, General J.E.B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>rides around Federal army, ii. <a href='#Page060'>60</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>repeats feat after Antietam, <a href='#Page087'>87</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sumner, Charles,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>assaulted by Brooks, i. 99;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 296.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sumner, General Edwin V.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>objects to Lincoln's trying</p> +<p class='indexentry'>to avoid murder plot, on ground of cowardice, i. 213;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes plan of Peninsular campaign, 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>appointed corps commander, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on force necessary to protect Washington, ii. <a href='#Page032'>32</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Sumter, Fort,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of its retention in 1861, i. 185, 239, 243-251.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Supreme Court,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>left to determine status of slavery in Territories, i. 91;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Dred Scott case, 102, 103;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Merryman case, 287-289;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reluctance of Lincoln to fill, exclusively with Northern men, ii. <a href='#Page030'>30</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Chase appointed chief justice of, <a href='#Page298'>298</a>, <a href='#Page299'>299</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Surratt, John H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>escapes punishment for complicity in assassination plot, ii. <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Surratt, Mary E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>accomplice of Booth, tried and executed, ii. <a href='#Page351'>351</a>, <a href='#Page352'>352</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Swinton, William,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on McClellan's self-sufficiency, i. 314;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on campaign of 1862, 339;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on extraordinary powers given Meade, ii. <a href='#Page146'>146</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_T'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Tanet, Roger B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his opinion in Dred Scott case discussed, i. 102-104;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>administers inaugural oath to Lincoln, 220;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempts to liberate Merryman by habeas corpus, 287, 288;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Lincoln's action as unconstitutional, 288;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeded by Chase, ii. <a href='#Page298'>298</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Tatnall, Captain Josiah,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>destroys Merrimac, ii. <a href='#Page049'>49</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Taylor, Dick,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>amusingly tricked by Lincoln, i. 59.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Taylor, General Zachary,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his victories in Mexican war, i. 75;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by Lincoln for President, 78, 79;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>urges New Mexico to apply for admission as a State, 88.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Tennessee,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>refuses to furnish Lincoln with troops, i. 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at first opposed to secession, 268;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>eastern counties of, Unionist, 268;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forced to secede, 269;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>desire of Lincoln to save eastern counties of, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prevented from Northern interference by Kentucky's "neutrality," 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>seized by South, 353;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan of Halleck to invade, ii. <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>eastern counties freed from Confederates, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>plan of Lincoln to reconstruct, <a href='#Page219'>219</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>chooses presidential electors, <a href='#Page295'>295</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Texas,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its rebellion and annexation, i. 85;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>claims New Mexico, 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>compensated, 91;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secedes, 187.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Thomas, General George H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers Washington insufficiently protected, ii. <a href='#Page040'>40</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>replaces Rosecrans, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares to hold Chattanooga, <a href='#Page166'>166</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeats Hood at Nashville, ii. <a href='#Page300'>300</a>, <a href='#Page301'>301</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Thomas, Philip F.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>succeeds Cobb in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 198;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns from Treasury Department, 200.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Thompson, Jacob,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 188;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>acts as Mississippi commissioner to persuade Georgia to secede, 188;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>claims Buchanan's approval, 188;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>resigns, 200.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Thompson, Colonel Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Black Hawk war, i. 36.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Tod, David,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declines offer of Treasury Department, ii. <a href='#Page253'>253</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Todd, Mary,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>her character, i. 62;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>morbid courtship of, by Lincoln, 63;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>marries Lincoln, 63, 64;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>her married life with Lincoln, 64, 65;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>involves Lincoln in quarrel with Shields, 65, 66.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Toombs, Robert,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>works for secession in 1860, 186;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>declares himself a rebel in the Senate, 204;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secretary of state under Jefferson Davis, 206.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Toucey, Isaac,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Buchanan's cabinet, i. 187.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>"Tribune," New York.</p> +<p class='indexentry'>See Greeley, Horace.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Trumbull, Lyman,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>leader of Illinois bar, i. 68;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elected senator from Illinois through Lincoln's influence, 96-98;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>said to have bargained with Lincoln, 98;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces bill to confiscate slaves of rebels, ii. <a href='#Page014'>14</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Tucker, John,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>prepares for transportation of Army of Potomac to Fortress Monroe, ii. <a href='#Page036'>36</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_U'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Utah,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>organized as a Territory, i. 90.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_V'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Vallandigham, Clement L.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his speeches in 1863, ii. <a href='#Page185'>185</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>tried and condemned for treason, <a href='#Page186'>186</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>imprisoned in Fort Warren, <a href='#Page186'>186</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sent by Lincoln to Confederate lines, <a href='#Page187'>187</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>goes to Canada, nominated for governor in Ohio, <a href='#Page188'>188</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opinion of Lincoln on, <a href='#Page190'>190</a>, <a href='#Page191'>191</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated, <a href='#Page192'>192</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forces peace plank into National Democratic platform, <a href='#Page275'>275</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Vicksburg,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>siege of, ii. <a href='#Page157'>157</a>-<a href='#Page160'>160</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Virginia,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>at first opposed to secession, i. 262;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>carried by Secessionists, 262, 263;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>makes military league with Confederate States, 264;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>becomes member of Confederacy, 264;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>northwestern counties of, secede from, 265;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>comment of Lincoln on, 292;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>nominal State government of, ii. <a href='#Page217'>217</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Voorhees, Daniel W.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, i. 297.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_W'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Wade, Benjamin F.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, i. 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>thinks country ruined in 1862, ii. <a href='#Page104'>104</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>issues address denouncing Lincoln for veto of reconstruction bill, <a href='#Page234'>234</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>obliged to support Lincoln rather than McClellan, <a href='#Page265'>265</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wadsworth, General James S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands forces to protect Washington, ii. <a href='#Page034'>34</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>considers troops insufficient, <a href='#Page040'>40</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Walker, L.P.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Confederate cabinet, i. 206.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Walworth, Chancellor R.H.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces coercion, i. 194.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>War of Rebellion,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>first call for volunteers, i. 252, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>protection of Washington, 255;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>passage of Massachusetts troops through Baltimore, 256-258;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>proclamation of blockade, 283;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>naval situation, 283, 284;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>second call for volunteers, army increased, 291;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>military episodes of 1861, 298, 299;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign of Bull Run, 300-302;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character and organization of Northern armies, 304-308;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>McClellan commander-in-chief, 310;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>civilian officers in, 319;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempt to force McClellan to advance, 322-326;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>administration of War Department by Stanton, 326-328;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's plan for, 329;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>debate as to plan of Virginia campaign, 330-336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>General War Order No. I, 332;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>adoption of McClellan's plan, 334-336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussion of McClellan's and Lincoln's plans, 337-340;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>evacuation of Manassas, 341;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>removal of McClellan from chief command, 343;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>creation of army corps, 344;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character of Western military operations, 346-348;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Northern successes along the coast, 348;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign in Missouri and Arkansas, 351;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>operations in Kentucky, 354;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>campaign of Forts Henry and Donelson, 354, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>capture of New Madrid and Island No. 10, 355;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>career of the ram Merrimac, 356;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Merrimac and Monitor, 357;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>capture of New Orleans, 358;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Memphis, 359;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>cruise of Farragut on Mississippi, 359;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Halleck commander in West, 359, 360;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advance of Grant and Buell on Corinth, 360, 361;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Shiloh, 361, 362;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Halleck's advance on Corinth, 363, 364;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>part played in war by politics, 365-367;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of protection of Washington, ii. <a href='#Page031'>31</a>-<a href='#Page035'>35</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reinforcement of Fremont, <a href='#Page035'>35</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Peninsular campaign, <a href='#Page036'>36</a>-<a href='#Page072'>72</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>transportation to Fortress Monroe, <a href='#Page036'>36</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Yorktown, <a href='#Page036'>36</a>-<a href='#Page047'>47</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retention of McDowell before Washington, <a href='#Page039'>39</a>-<a href='#Page044'>44</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advance of McClellan, <a href='#Page047'>47</a>-<a href='#Page051'>51</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Jackson's raid on Harper's Ferry, <a href='#Page052'>52</a>-<a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>McDowell ordered to pursue Jackson, <a href='#Page055'>55</a>, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>criticism of Lincoln's orders, <a href='#Page056'>56</a>-<a href='#Page058'>58</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, <a href='#Page058'>58</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>halt and retreat of McClellan, <a href='#Page059'>59</a>-<a href='#Page061'>61</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Malvern Hill, <a href='#Page061'>61</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>retreat continued, <a href='#Page063'>63</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>discussion of campaign, <a href='#Page064'>64</a>-<a href='#Page071'>71</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Halleck commander-in-chief, <a href='#Page065'>65</a>, <a href='#Page066'>66</a>, <a href='#Page071'>71</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abandonment of campaign, <a href='#Page068'>68</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Army of Virginia formed under Pope, <a href='#Page074'>74</a>, <a href='#Page075'>75</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Pope's campaign in Virginia, <a href='#Page075'>75</a>-<a href='#Page078'>78</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Cedar Mountain, <a href='#Page076'>76</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>second battle of Bull Run, <a href='#Page077'>77</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>quarrels between officers, <a href='#Page078'>78</a>, <a href='#Page079'>79</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reinstatement of McClellan, <a href='#Page080'>80</a>-<a href='#Page082'>82</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>reorganization of army, <a href='#Page082'>82</a>-<a href='#Page084'>84</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lee's campaign in Maryland, <a href='#Page084'>84</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Antietam, <a href='#Page085'>85</a>, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>McClellan fails to pursue Lee, <a href='#Page086'>86</a>-<a href='#Page088'>88</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lincoln's proposals, <a href='#Page088'>88</a>-<a href='#Page091'>91</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>McClellan superseded by Burnside, <a href='#Page092'>92</a>, <a href='#Page136'>136</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Fredericksburg campaign, <a href='#Page136'>136</a>, <a href='#Page137'>137</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>quarrels in army, <a href='#Page137'>137</a>, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Burnside succeeded by Hooker, <a href='#Page138'>138</a>-<a href='#Page140'>140</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Chancellorsville campaign, <a href='#Page140'>140</a>-<a href='#Page142'>142</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>failure of Hooker to fight Lee in detail, <a href='#Page143'>143</a>, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, <a href='#Page144'>144</a>-<a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Hooker replaced by Meade, <a href='#Page146'>146</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Gettysburg, <a href='#Page147'>147</a>-<a href='#Page149'>149</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>failure of Meade to pursue Lee, <a href='#Page149'>149</a>-<a href='#Page152'>152</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Bragg's invasion of Kentucky, <a href='#Page154'>154</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Perryville, <a href='#Page154'>154</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Buell replaced by Rosecrans, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Stone's River, <a href='#Page155'>155</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Rosecrans drives Bragg out of Tennessee, <a href='#Page156'>156</a>, <a href='#Page157'>157</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>siege and capture of Vicksburg, <a href='#Page157'>157</a>-<a href='#Page160'>160</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fall of Port Hudson, <a href='#Page162'>162</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Rosecrans' Chattanooga campaign, <a href='#Page163'>163</a>, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Chickamauga, <a href='#Page164'>164</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>siege of Chattanooga, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Rosecrans replaced by Thomas, Grant given command of West, <a href='#Page165'>165</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Chattanooga, <a href='#Page166'>166</a>, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>liberation of East Tennessee, <a href='#Page167'>167</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Meade's campaign in mud, <a href='#Page168'>168</a>, <a href='#Page169'>169</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>steps leading to draft, <a href='#Page193'>193</a>-<a href='#Page196'>196</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>diminishing influence of politicians in, <a href='#Page209'>209</a>, <a href='#Page210'>210</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Grant made lieutenant-general, <a href='#Page276'>276</a>, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>new plan of campaign, <a href='#Page277'>277</a>, <a href='#Page278'>278</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Grant's Virginia campaign, <a href='#Page278'>278</a>-<a href='#Page281'>281</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Wilderness, <a href='#Page279'>279</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle at Spottsylvania, <a href='#Page279'>279</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of Cold Harbor, <a href='#Page280'>280</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Butler "bottled up," <a href='#Page280'>280</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Early's raid against Washington, <a href='#Page281'>281</a>-<a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Sherman's Atlanta campaign, <a href='#Page283'>283</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>capture of Mobile, <a href='#Page284'>284</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Sheridan's Valley campaign, <a href='#Page284'>284</a>, <a href='#Page285'>285</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Sherman's march to the sea, <a href='#Page300'>300</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Thomas's destruction of Hood's army, <a href='#Page300'>300</a>, <a href='#Page301'>301</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>sinking of the Alabama and of the Albemarle, <a href='#Page301'>301</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>decay of Confederate army in 1865, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>siege of Petersburg, <a href='#Page330'>330</a>-<a href='#Page332'>332</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>march of Sherman through Carolinas, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Bentonsville, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>attempts of Lee to escape, <a href='#Page331'>331</a>, <a href='#Page332'>332</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Five Forks, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>abandonment of Petersburg and Richmond, <a href='#Page333'>333</a>-<a href='#Page335'>335</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>flight of Lee to Southwest, <a href='#Page336'>336</a>, <a href='#Page337'>337</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Appomattox, <a href='#Page337'>337</a>, <a href='#Page338'>338</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrender of Lee, <a href='#Page338'>338</a>, <a href='#Page339'>339</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>surrender of Johnston, <a href='#Page340'>340</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Washburne, Elihu B.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>letters of Lincoln to, on senatorial election of 1855, i. 97;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on compromise in 1861, 210;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>meets Lincoln at Washington, 214;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in House in 1861, 297.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Washington, George,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>futility of attempt to compare Lincoln with, ii. <a href='#Page357'>357</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Webb, General A.S.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on effects of politics in Virginia campaigns, i. 336;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on the consequences of Lincoln's relation to McClellan, ii. <a href='#Page043'>43</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on McClellan's change of base, <a href='#Page061'>61</a>-<a href='#Page068'>68</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Webster, Daniel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>his 7th of March speech, i. 90.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Weed, Thurlow,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advocates revision of Constitution in 1860, i. 193.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Weitzel, General Godfrey,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>enters Richmond, ii. <a href='#Page334'>334</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Welles, Gideon,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>secretary of navy, i. 234;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>opposes relieving Sumter, 245;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>changes opinion, 246;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>not told by Lincoln of plan to relieve Pensacola, 247;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>learns that Lincoln has spoiled his plan to relieve Sumter, 247;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Lincoln to close Southern ports by proclamation, 284;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>disapproves of Lincoln's scheme of amnesty, ii. <a href='#Page310'>310</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>West,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>social characteristics of frontier life in, i. 17-30;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>democracy in, 22;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>vagrants in, 23;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>violence and barbarity of, 24;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>manners and customs, 24-26;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>grows in civilization, 26;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>economic conditions of, 27;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>frontier law and politics, 28-30;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>popular eloquence in, 57;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its ignorance of foreign countries, 368.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>West Virginia,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>origin of, i. 265; campaign of McClellan in, 304;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>forms a state Constitution, ii. <a href='#Page180'>180</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>question of its admission, <a href='#Page180'>180</a>, <a href='#Page181'>181</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>its vote counted in 1864, <a href='#Page297'>297</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Whigs,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>character of, in Illinois, i. 38;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>support Lincoln for speaker, 59, 60;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>fail to carry Illinois in 1840, 61;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>and in 1844, 71;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elect Lincoln to Congress, 73;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>oppose Mexican war, 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>elect Taylor, 79;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>defeated in 1852, 93;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>join Know-Nothings in 1856, 100.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>White, Hugh L.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>supported by Lincoln in 1836, i. 50.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Whiteside, General Samuel,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Black Hawk war, i. 36.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wigfall, Lewis T.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>jeers at North in 1860, i. 196.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wilderness,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>battle of, ii. <a href='#Page279'>279</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wilkes, Captain Charles,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>seizes Mason and Slidell, i. 380;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>applauded in North, 381;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>condemned by Lincoln, 382.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wilmot, David,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Congress with Lincoln, i. 74;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 296.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wilson, Henry,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>hopes that Douglas will become Republican in 1858, i. 116;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>in Senate in 1861, 296;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>introduces bill to emancipate slaves in District, ii. <a href='#Page011'>11</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>on negro troops, <a href='#Page017'>17</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admits small number of radical emancipationists, <a href='#Page121'>121</a>;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>denounces Blair to Lincoln, <a href='#Page287'>287</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Winthrop, Robert C.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>chosen speaker of House, i. 74.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wisconsin,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>admitted as free State to balance Texas, i. 88;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>Democratic gains in, ii. <a href='#Page125'>125</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wood, Fernando,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>advocates secession of New York City, i. 197;</p> +<p class='indexentry'>wishes Lincoln to compromise, ii. <a href='#Page152'>152</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Wool, General John E.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>commands at Fortress Monroe, ii. <a href='#Page045'>45</a>.</p> + + +<a name='INDEX_Y'></a> +<p class='indexterm'>Yorktown,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>siege of, ii. <a href='#Page036'>36</a>-<a href='#Page047'>47</a>.</p> + +<p class='indexterm'>Yulee, David L.,</p> +<p class='indexentry'>remains in Senate in 1861 to embarrass government, i. 204.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II, by John T. Morse + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VOL. II *** + +***** This file should be named 12801-h.htm or 12801-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/8/0/12801/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> + + diff --git a/12801-h/img/illus0416.jpg b/12801-h/img/illus0416.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..900c025 --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/img/illus0416.jpg diff --git a/12801-h/img/illus0418.jpg b/12801-h/img/illus0418.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..77d31a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/img/illus0418.jpg diff --git a/12801-h/img/illus0420.jpg b/12801-h/img/illus0420.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..43802d2 --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/img/illus0420.jpg diff --git a/12801-h/img/illus0422.jpg b/12801-h/img/illus0422.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b5d609 --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/img/illus0422.jpg diff --git a/12801-h/img/illus0424.jpg b/12801-h/img/illus0424.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..40614f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/img/illus0424.jpg diff --git a/12801-h/img/illusfront.jpg b/12801-h/img/illusfront.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6b93414 --- /dev/null +++ b/12801-h/img/illusfront.jpg |
