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for a full year more, will test to the utmost my power of condensation to conclude the work
in another volume of the generous amplitude of this.

My subject naturally divides itself into two parts: I. How we got into the War for the
Union; and II. How we get out of it. I have respected this division in my cast of the
present work, and submit this volume as a clear elucidation of the former of these
problems, hoping to be at least equally satisfactory in my treatment of the latter.

It is the task of the historian to eliminate from the million facts that seemed important
in their day and sphere respectively, the two or three thousand that have an abiding and
general interest, presenting these in their due proportions, and with their proper relative
emphasis. Any success in this task must, of course, be comparative and approximate; and no
historical work ever was or will be written whereof a well-informed and competent critic
might not forcibly say, 'Why was this fact stated and that omitted? Why give a page to
this occurrence, and ignore that, which was of at least equal consequence? Why praise the
achievement of A, yet pass over that of B, which was equally meritorious and important?'
But, especially in dealing with events so fresh and recent as those of our great convulsion,
must the historian expose himself to such strictures. Time, with its unerring perspec-
tive, reduces every incident to its true proportions; so that we are no longer liable to mis-
conceptions and apprehensions which were once natural and all but universal. We know,
beyond question, that Braddock's defeat and death before Fort Du Quesne had not the im-
portance which they seemed to wear in the eyes of those who heard of them within the
month after their occurrence; that Bunker Hill, though tactically a defeat, was practically a
triumph to the arms of our Revolutionary fathers; that the return of Bonaparte from Elba
exerted but little influence over the destinies of Europe, and that little of questionable be-
neficence; and that ‘fillibusterism,' so called, since its first brilliant achievement in wrest-
ing Texas from Mexico and annexing her to this country, though attempting much, has
So, much
accomplished very little, toward the diffusion either of Freedom or Slavery. And
that now seems of momentous consequence will doubtless have shrunk, a century hence, to
very moderate dimensions, or perhaps been forgotten altogether.

The volume which is to conclude this work cannot, of course, appear till some time after
the close of the contest; and I hope to be able to bestow upon it at least double the time
that I was at liberty to devote to this. I shall labor constantly to guard against Mr. Pol-
lard's chief error-that of supposing that all the heroism, devotedness, humanity, chivalry,
evinced in the contest, were displayed on one side; all the cowardice, ferocity, cruelty,
rapacity, and general depravity, on the other. I believe it to be the truth, and as such I
shall endeavor to show, that, while this war has been signalized by some deeds disgraceful
to human nature, the general behavior of the combatants on either side has been calculated
to do honor even to the men who, though fearfully misguided, are still our countrymen,
and to exalt the prestige of the American name.

That the issue of this terrible contest may be such as God, in His inscrutable wis-
dom, shall deem most directly conducive to the progress of our race in knowledge, virtue,
liberty, and consequent happiness, is not more the fervent aspiration, than it is the conso-
ling and steadfast faith, of

NEW YORK, April 10, 1864.

H. G.

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XXXII. West Virginia clings to the Union 516

Convention called-State organization effected

-McClellan advances-Fight at Rich Moun-

tain-Rebel rout at Carrick's Ford-Union Re-

pulse at Scarytown-Surprise at Cross Lanes--

Carnifex Ferry-Guyandotte-Romney-Alle-

ghany Summit-Huntersville.

XXXIII. The War in Old Virginia........528

Ft. Monroe-Great Bethel-Alexandria occu-

pied-Vienna-Patterson's advance-His flank

inovement to Charlestown-Johnston rushes to

Manassas-Gen. Sanford's testimony--McDow-

ell advances to Centerville-Blackburn's Ford

-Bull Run-Union defeat and flight-Causes

thereof-Gen. Scott's plan-Criticised by Hon.

F. P. Blair-Consequences of our failure.

XXXIV. First session of the 37th Congress 555

Organization of the House-Mr. Lincoln's first

Message-Various propositions--Henry May's

visit to Richmond-Conservative Republicans

on Slavery and the Union-Mr. Crittenden's

resolve-Proposals to Compromise-Confisca-

tion of Slaves used to promote the Rebellion-

The President's acts approved-Adjournment.

XXXV. Rebellion and War in Missouri.572

State preparations to aid the Rebellion-Flight

of Jackson from Jefferson City-Fight at

Booneville-Camp Cole-State Convention-

Jackson's Proclamation of War-Dug Springs

-Battle of Wilson's Creek-Death of Lyon-

Fremont in command-Letter to the President

-Proclaims Martial Law-Mulligan besieged

at Lexington-Surrenders - Price retreats-

Fremont pursues-Zagonyi's Charge at Spring-

field-Fremont superseded-Halleck in com-

mand-Battle of Belmont.

XXXVI. War on the Seaboard and Ocean.598

The Privateer Savannah-The Petrel-Fort

Hatteras-Pensacola and Pickens-The Sum-

ter-Hollins's Ram exploit-Dupont and Sher-

man's Expedition-Capture of Port Royal—

The Trent Case-Surrender of Mason and Sli-

dell.

XXXVII. Kentucky adheres to the Union.608

Politicians-Elections-Overwhelming Union

majorities-Magoffin's neutrality-The Presi-

dent's response-Rebel Invasion-Legislature

protests-Gen. Grant occupies Paducah-Zol-

licoffer at Wild Cat-Nelson at Piketon-

Schoepf's Retreat-Rebel Government organ-

ized at Russellville-Geo. W. Johnson made

Governor-Kentucky gravely admitted into

the Southern Confederacy-Full delegation

sent to the Congress at Richmond-Richard

Hawes finally declared Governor.

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59. Rear-Adm'l ANDREW H. FOOTE 608 65. Commodore CHARLES WILKES . 608

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ILLUSTRATIONS-CONTINUED.

TEXAS AS SHE WAS, AND AS SHE CLAIMED TO BE

VIEW OF HARPER'S FERRY.

VIEW IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

. 160

288

294

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BATTLE-FIELD OF WILSON'S CREEK, NEAR SPRINGFIELD, Mo.

LEXINGTON (MISSOURI) DEFENDED BY MULLIGAN

573

578

586

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BATTLE-FIELD OF BALL'S BLUFF-HARRISON ISLAND, ETC.
BATTLE-FIELD OF DRANESVILLE, VIRGINIA

622

625

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