CHAPTER XX

BEGINNING OF THE GREAT STRUGGLE

The Combatants Face to Face-The First Battle of Bull Run

-The Sting of Defeat —George B. McClellan—Effect of the

Great Disaster-A Message to Congress-Men and Money

Voted-How Foreign Nations Regarded the Struggle-

Seizure and Release of Mason and Slidell .

CHAPTER XXI

THE SLAVERY QUESTION ARISES

PAGE

275

Frémont's Troubles in Missouri-His Policy Disapproved by

the President General Hunter's Proclamation Revoked

Irritation in the Border States Lincoln Invites a Con-

ference Arming the Freedmen Proposed—Lincoln's Letter

to Horace Greeley-The Emancipation Proclamation Issued 293

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CHAPTER XXII

A DIFFICULT MILITARY SITUATION

Creation and Equipment of an Army The Federal Military

Plan - Retirement of General Scott - General McClellan

in Full Command - Appearance of General U. S. Grant-

Fall of Forts Henry and Donelson-Criticism of McClellan

-Death of the President's Son Willie-Military Operations

on the Peninsula-McClellan's Extraordinary Delays-His

Advice to the President-Halleck Made General-in-Chief

-A Conference of Loyal Governors-The Second Bull Run

Defeat-Antietam-McClellan Relieved of His Command

CHAPTER XXIII

THE TURNING OF THE TIDE

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318

The Battle of Fredericksburg Rise of the Peace Party-Fac-

tions in Congress-The Battle of Chancellorsville-A Con-

scription Ordered and Martial Law Declared-Colored

Troops Enlisted-Great Financial Measures Afoot-Vallan-

digham's Expulsion and Return-Growth of the Anti-War

Sentiment-Fall of Vicksburg and Battle of Gettysburg—

Popular Rejoicings-The President's Proclamation of Thanks-

giving Draft Riots in New York - Lincoln's Address on

the Field of Gettysburg-Grant and Sherman in the West 349

CHAPTER XXIV

POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS

A "President-Making" Congress -Activity of Lincoln's Op-

ponents-Grant Appointed Lieutenant-General-Beginning

of an Aggressive Campaign — Federal Successes in the

Southwest Sheridan in the Valley of the Shenandoah-

Political Troubles in Missouri-Lincoln Renominated-Mc-

Clellan the Democratic Nominee - A Diversion in Favor

of Frémont-Peace Negotiations at Niagara-Five Hundred

Thousand Men Called Out-Lincoln Re-elected-Renewed

Talk of Peace-A Peace Conference at Hampton Roads

-"The President's Last, Shortest, and Best Speech".

The Second Inauguration

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382

CHAPTER XXV

THE FAMILY IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Plain Living and Simple Manners-Lincoln's Kindness and

His Righteous Wrath-The Sons of Lincoln-The Boy of

the White House-Threats of Assassination-The President's

Dealings with Office-Seekers-Sundry Anecdotes

CHAPTER XXVI

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET

Popular Expectation that Secretary Seward would be the

Leading Spirit of the New Administration-Mr. Lincoln's

Firmness and Kindness with the Secretary of State- Mr.

Stanton's Criticisms of Lincoln Why Secretary Cameron

left the Cabinet-The Exit of Postmaster-General Blair—

Secretary Chase's Restiveness-His Subsequent Appoint-

ment as Chief-Justice- The President Deferred to the

Ministers

CHAPTER XXVII

END OF A STRANGE EVENTFUL HISTORY

Symptoms of a Collapse of the Confederacy-Lee Seeks a Parley

with Grant - The Fall of Richmond - Flight of the Rebel

415

427

Government

He

- Lincoln in the Former Rebel Capital

Goes to the Front-The Surrender of Lee · Great Joy of

the People-The National Capital in a Frenzy of Delight

Lincoln's Last Public Speech - His Death and Funeral-

Conclusion.

PAGE

441

Abraham Lincoln and His Son "Tad"

From an oil painting by F. B. Carpenter.
(Courtesy of W. C. Crane, Esq.)

120

200

384