The political history of a nation, when it merges into armed strife, is generally a record of prejudices and of passion: civil war is the result. In this work the author deals not with causes, but with the terrible events that spring out of them; avoiding so far as possible the threatening clouds of political dissension that preceded and still follow the tempest. Time, which will clear up obscurities and remove passion, and the intellect of a great statesman, are necessary, before the political and military history of this war can be fittingly united.

In this book there is a positive rejection of those partizan dissensions which have burst asunder the sacred ties of the greatest nation on earth, and deluged the soil trodden by millions of happy men with the blood of as brave a soldiery as ever drew breath. This history of the War for the Union is written for no faction—no party—no combination of men, but for the people of every portion of the Union. Political passions die—History lives; and in an enlightened age like this, it must be written in simple truth, or the clear-sighted generations that follow us will detect the sophistry and falsehood. Impartial history demands honest facts. The opinions of an historian are but the assumptions of one mind attempting to control multitudes. The author’s duty is to give details, allowing the intelligent reader to draw his own conclusions unembarrassed by obtrusive opinions, which are in all cases liable to be influenced by prejudices.

The History of the War for the Union is a record of stupendous events which have given grandeur to the American arms and sorrow to every good American heart. Taking up the thread of events where the political history of the nation left them on the fourth of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, the author has followed the ensanguined track, giving to every battle-field its place, and every heroic act its record. The sources of information in which the work has found its existence, have been authentic reports from the War Department, the official statements of commandants on the battle-field, and the many thrilling and graphic descriptions furnished by eye-witnesses.

In giving due credit to those persons who have aided her in the rapid completion of her first volume, the author acknowledges her great obligation to Wm. Oland Bourne, Esq., who has devoted much time to the work, and whose ample collection of material for history has been freely used in its preparation; and to J. J. Golder, Esq., whose research and clear judgment in sifting truth from error, arranging facts, and superintending the work in its progress through the press, has enabled her to place it before the public in less than three months from its commencement. To Mr. Golder’s critical care the reader is indebted for the compact and excellent Chronology attached to this volume, in which all the historical events of the war are placed in their order of succession.

In the mechanical and artistic execution of the work, the publisher has evinced an enthusiasm which corresponds nobly with the great subject of the history, and has been even lavish in pictorial embellishments. These have been all drawn and engraved expressly for this work, at great cost; and in the truthfulness and beauty of their execution, add to the high reputation already attained by the artists, Messrs. Waters and Son.

New York, October 1, 1862. ANN S. STEPHENS.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
Introduction [7]
Inauguration of President Lincoln [17]
The coming tempest—The national forbearance—Mustering of rebel troops—Efforts for conciliation—The Border States—South Carolina—Investment of Fort Sumter—The Star of the West—Gen. Beauregard.
Fortifications in Charleston Harbor [25]
The iron floating battery—Cummings Point battery—Castle Pinckney.
Bombardment of Fort Sumter [28]
Storming of Fort Sumter, viewed from the land—Naval expedition for the relief of Fort Sumter.
The Nation’s Response [40]
Startling effect of the news of the attack on Sumter—The President’s Proclamation—Departure of troops for Washington—Enthusiasm of the people—Their devotion to the national Union—Large contributions to aid the Government.
Reinforcement of Fort Pickens [46]
The harbor of Pensacola—Forts McRae and Barrancas—Description of Fort Pickens—Its investment by rebel troops under Gen. Bragg—The Federal fleet in the harbor—Successful landing of troops and supplies.
Burning of Harper’s Ferry Arsenal [49]
Through Baltimore [50]
Arrival of the Massachusetts Sixth, Col. Jones, in Baltimore—Blockade of the streets—Attack by the mob—Defence of the military—Terrible results—The regimental band—The city authorities—Intense excitement of the citizens—Pennsylvania troops—Mayor Brown and Marshal Kane.
Military Occupation of Annapolis, Md. [61]
The Eighth Massachusetts and the Seventh New York—Gen. Butler—Gov. Hicks—the frigate Constitution—the Naval Academy—March to the Junction.
Maryland [66]
Efforts of secessionists to involve the State in rebellion—Patriotic devotion of loyal citizens—Gov. Hicks—The State Legislature—Gen. Butler in Maryland—Gen. Cadwallader—The habeas corpus act—Chief-Justice Taney.
Destruction of Gosport Navy Yard [73]
The State of the Nation before its Troops entered Virginia [76]
Response of the Governors of Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, to the President’s Proclamation—The position of Virginia—The Confederate Congress, at Montgomery—Jefferson Davis—The Confederate army—Letters of Marque—Postal communication—Tennessee and Arkansas—Border States Convention—Position of Missouri.
Occupation of Alexandria, Va. [83]
Assassination of Col. Ellsworth—The Marshall House—J. W. Jackson—Brownell Sketch of Ellsworth—Defection of Gen. Lee—Lieut. Tompkins’ scout to Fairfax Court House.
Battle of Great Bethel [88]
Death of Major Winthrop and Lieut. Greble.
The Ambuscade at Vienna, Va. [91]
Review at Washington [93]
Advance of the Grand Army [94]
Position of the belligerent forces—Gen. McDowell—Gen. Patterson—Gen. Johnston—Gen. Beauregard—Advance to Fairfax and Centreville—Battle of Blackburn’s Ford.
The Battle of Bull Run [98]
The Federal Commanders and the movements of their forces—The engagement—Arrival of rebel reinforcements—The climax and the retreat—The battle on the left wing—The battle-field at night.
Western Virginia [129]
Battle of Phillipi, Va. [131]
Destruction of Railroad Property [133]
Gen. McClellan in Western Virginia [133]
Battle of Scareytown [134]
Battle of Rich Mountain [135]
Battle of Carrick’s Ford [137]
Gen. Rosecrans and Col. Lander—Gen. Morris—Capt. Benham—Defeat of the rebel forces and death of Gen. Garnett.
The West [141]
Missouri [143]
Capture of Camp Jackson [144]
Decisive action of Capt. Lyon—Gen. Frost—The Missouri Legislature—Gov. Jackson—Gen. Harney—Gen. Price—Gen. Lyon appointed to command the Department.
Cairo [150]
Battle of Booneville [151]
Battle of Carthage [152]
Battle of Monroe, Mo. [154]
Guerrilla Bands in Missouri [155]
Gen. Pope in Northern Missouri—State Convention at Jefferson City—Gen. Fremont at St. Louis—Invasion of the State by Gens. Pillow and Jeff. Thompson—Address of the State Convention.
Battle of Dug Springs [156]
Skirmish at Athens, Mo. [157]
Battle of Wilson’s Creek [159]
Gen. Lyon at Springfield—Gens. Price and McCulloch—Critical position of the Federal army—The battle—The death of Gen Lyon—Retreat of the Union army.
Kentucky [164]
The neutrality of the State—Position of Gov. Magoffin—Gen. Buckner—Gen. McClellan—The State Legislature—Decisive Union measures.
The Occupation of Paducah [168]
Rebel troops ordered to withdraw from Kentucky—Attempt to form a revolutionary government in the State—Military movements of the rebels in Kentucky—The loyal State government.
Naval Operations [175]
The Expedition to Cape Hatteras [177]
Capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark [180]
Western Virginia [182]
Surprise at Cross Lanes [183]
Battle of Carnifex Ferry [183]
Battle of Cheat Mountain Pass [186]
Engagement at Chapmansville [188]
Reconnaissance at Green Brier, Western Virginia [190]
Defence of Lexington, Mo. [193]
The Federal forces for the defence of the town—Col. Mulligan and the Chicago brigade—Cols. Marshall and Peabody—Advance of Gen. Price’s army—The investment—The attack—Bravery of the Federal garrison—Their endurance and privations—The surrender.
Attack on Santa Rosa Island, Fla. [199]
Battle of Ball’s Bluff, Va. [200]
Position of the Federal forces on the Potomac—Gen. Stone—Col. Baker—The proposed reconnoissance—Transportation of the troops—The topography of the Virginia shore—The engagement—Death of Col. Baker—Defeat of the Federal troops—Disastrous retreat—Gens. McClellan and Banks at Edwards Ferry—Sketch of Col. Baker.
Battle at Camp Wild Cat, Ky. [210]
Battle of Romney, Va. [212]
Battle of Frederickton, Mo. [213]
Charge of Fremont’s Body-Guard at Springfield, Mo. [217]
The Department of Missouri [220]
General review of the Department—Gen. Lyon—Gen. Fremont—His proclamation and its modification by the President—Organization of the Federal forces—Their advance—Negotiations with Gen. Price—Gen. Fremont removed—Appointment of Gen. Hunter—Retreat of the Federal army—The disloyal Legislature—Advance of the rebel forces—Recruiting—Gen. Halleck.
The Stone Fleet [225]
Battle of Camp Alleghany, Western Virginia [228]
Battle of Munfordsville, Ky. [230]
Capture of Rebel Recruits at Milford, Mo. [232]
Battle of Dranesville, Va. [238]
Expedition to Ship Island [241]
Engagement at Mount Zion, Mo. [242]
Arkansas and the Indians [243]
Bombardment at Fort Pickens [245]
Rout of Gen. Marshall at Paintsville, Ky. [247]
Battle of Middle Creek, Ky. [248]
Battle of Silver Creek, Mo. [251]
Battle of Mill Spring, Ky. [255]
Investment of Fort Pulaski, Ga. [262]
New Mexico and Arizona [266]
Battle of Valvende, N. M. [267]
Battle of Apache Cañon [270]
Fight at Blooming Gap, Va. [273]
East Tennessee under Confederate rule [275]
The loyalty and devotion of the people—Despotism of the rebel leaders—Parson Brownlow—Sufferings of the Unionists—General Zollicoffer—Andrew Johnson—Horace Maynard—Bridge-burning.
Capture of Fort Henry, Tenn. [281]
Gen. Grant’s army—Gen. C. F. Smith—Com. Foote and the naval flotilla—Sailing of the expedition—Names of the vessels and officers—The attack and surrender—The rebel camp—Advance of the national gunboats up the Tennessee river.
The Burnside Expedition [290]
Sailing of the expedition from Hampton Roads—Com. Goldsborough—The naval forces—Gen. Burnside and the troops—Severe storm—The fleet at Hatteras Inlet.
Capture of Roanoke Island [292]
Evacuation of Bowling Green, Ky. [296]
Capture of Fort Donelson [298]
Advance of the Federal land and naval forces from Fort Henry and Cairo—Description of Fort Donelson—The naval attack—Retreat of the gunboats—The army—The land attack—The severity of the engagement—Sufferings of the Federal soldiers—Their courage and endurance—Protracted defence—The surrender.
The Occupation of Nashville [317]
Fort Clinch and Fernandina, Fla. [321]
The Merrimac and the Monitor [322]
Capture of Jacksonville, Fla. [330]
Occupation of Columbus, Ky. [332]
Battle of Pea Ridge, Ark. [334]
Battle of Newbern, N. C. [342]
Capture of New Madrid, Mo. [351]
Island No. 10 [356]
Capture of Island No. 10 and the Rebel army [358]
Battle of Winchester, Va. [362]
Position of Gen. Shield’s command—The rebel force under Gen. Jackson—Plans of the Confederate leaders—Strategy of Gen. Shields—Attack by Gen. Jackson—The rebels reinforced—Bravery of the Federal troops—Charge of Gen. Tyler’s brigade—Defeat of the rebels.
Battle of Pittsburg Landing [367]
Topography of the country—Corinth—Pittsburg—Savannah—Position of the Federal troops—The rebel army and its commanders—The battle of Sunday, March 8—Hurlbut’s division—McClernand’s division—Desperate hand-to-hand fighting—Perilous position of the national troops—Wallace’s division.
Gen. Sherman’s Reconnoissance toward Corinth [403]
Occupation of Huntsville, Ala. [404]
Capture of Fort Pulaski, Ga. [408]
Battle of South Mills, N. C. [414]
Capture of Fort Macon [418]
Siege of Yorktown, Va. [424]
Retreat of the rebel army from Centreville and Manassas, toward Richmond—Advance of Gen. McClellan’s army—Events of March, 1862—The Federal army at Old Point—Advance toward Yorktown—The Investment—Offensive and defensive operations—Labors and sufferings of the Federal soldiers.
Battle of Lee’s Mills, Va. [427]
Capture of New Orleans [429]
Bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip—The Federal fleet—The mortar boats—Coms. Farragut, Porter, and Bailey—Stupendous naval engagement—The surrender of the forts—The occupation of New Orleans—Capt. Bailey—Gen. Lovell—J. T. Monroe—Pierre Soulé—Gen. Butler.
The Evacuation of Yorktown [448]
The Battle of Williamsburg, Va. [450]
Advance of Gen. Stoneman’s cavalry from Yorktown—Gen. Hooker’s division—Gen. Kearney—Gen. Sumner—Gens. Smith and Couch—Gen. Hooker’s attack and protracted contest with superior numbers—Gen. Heintzelman—Gen. Hancock’s brilliant charge—Arrival of Gen. McClellan—Retreat of the rebels.
Battle of West Point, Va. [462]
Chronology [465]

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE
President Lincoln and his Cabinet [2]
Illustrated Title [3]
Initial Letter, with Battle Illustrations [7]
The Capitol, at Washington [17]
Fort Sumter [21]
Bombardment of Fort Sumter [29]
Attack on the Massachusetts Sixth in Baltimore [53]
Assassination of Col. Ellsworth [86]
Map of Virginia and Maryland, west of Washington [96]
„ „ „ EAST „ [97]
Brilliant Charge on a rebel Battery at Bull Run [108]
Closing Engagement at Bull Run [115]
Battle of Rich Mountain [136]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 5 [148]
„ „ „ „ „ 6 [149]
Death of Gen. Lyon [162]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 2 [166]
„ „ „ „ „ 3 [167]
Map of Atlantic Coast from Fortress Monroe to Fort Macon [178]
The Battle of Lexington, Mo. [191]
The Death of Col. Baker, at Ball’s Bluff [206]
Desperate Charge of Fremont’s Body-Guard, at Springfield, Mo. [219]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 1 [221]
Battle of Mill Spring [260]
Bombardment of Fort Henry [279]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 4 [289]
Attack on Fort Donelson, by the Gunboats [299]
Surrender of Fort Donelson [299]
Map of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, &c. [305]
Birds’-eye View of Hampton Roads, Va. [323]
Cavalry Charge at the Battle of Pea Ridge [339]
Battle of Newbern, N. C. [343]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 7 [352]
„ „ „ „ „ 8 [353]
Bombardment of Island No. 10 [359]
Bayonet Charge at the Battle of Winchester [365]
Defence of a Federal Battery at Pittsburg Landing [377]
Battle of Pittsburg Landing [387]
Map of Virginia, Southern Section [422]
„ „ „ „ [423]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 21 [430]
Bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip [439]
Map of the Mississippi River, Section 20 [446]
Birds’-eye View of the country from Richmond to Yorktown, Va. [451]
Battle of Williamsburg, Va. [455]
Rebel Cavalry Charge at the Battle of Williamsburg, Va. [460]
PORTRAITS.
Anderson, Robert, Brig.-Gen. [253]
Banks, Nathaniel P., Maj.-Gen. [405]
Bates, Edward, Attorney-Gen. [2]
Blair, Montgomery, Postmaster-Gen. [2]
Burnside, Ambrose E., Maj.-Gen. [67]
Butterfield, Dan., Maj.-Gen. [15]
Butler, Benj. F., Maj.-Gen. [67]
Buell, Don Carlos, Maj.-Gen. [215]
Casey, Silas, Brig.-Gen. [15]
Couch, Darius N., Maj.-Gen. [15]
Corcoran, Michael, Brig.-Gen. [253]
Chase, Salmon P., Sec. of Treasury [2]
Clay, Cassius M., Maj.-Gen. [315]
Dix, John A., Maj.-Gen. [405]
Doubleday, Abner, Brig.-Gen. [253]
Duryea, Abeam, Brig.-Gen. [253]
Dupont, S. F., Rear-Admiral [271]
Ellsworth, Elmer E., Col. [315]
Farragut, D. G., Rear-Admiral [173]
Foote, D. G., Rear-Admiral [173]
Fremont, John C., Maj.-Gen. [315]
Franklin, Wm. B., Maj.-Gen. [271]
Goldsborough, L. M., Rear-Admiral [173]
Grant, Ulysses S., Maj.-Gen. [215]
Halleck, Henry W., Maj.-Gen. [233]
Hancock, Winfield S., Brig.-Gen. [15]
Hamlin, Hannibal, V. Pres. of U. S. [2]
Hooker, Joseph, Maj.-Gen. [253]
Heintzelman, Saml. P., Maj.-Gen. [67]
Hunter, David, Maj.-Gen. [315]
Kenly, J. R., Brig.-Gen. [315]
Kelley, Brig.-Gen. [15]
Kearney, Philip, Maj.-Gen. [253]
Lander, Fred. W., Brig.-Gen. [253]
Lyon, Nathaniel, Brig.-Gen. [315]
Lincoln, Abraham, Pres. U. S. [2]
Mansfield, J. K. F., Brig.-Gen. [15]
McCook, Alex. McD., Brig.-Gen. [315]
McClellan, Geo. B., Maj.-Gen. [197]
McDowell, Irwin, Maj.-Gen. [405]
McCall, Geo. A., Maj.-Gen. [67]
McClernand, John A., Maj.-Gen. [271]
Pope, John, Maj.-Gen. [215]
Porter, D. D., Rear-Admiral [173]
Reno, Jesse L., Maj.-Gen. [271]
Rosecrans, W. S., Brig.-Gen. [15]
Richardson, Israel B., Brig.-Gen. [15]
Sickles, Daniel E., Maj.-Gen. [405]
Sedgwick, Maj.-Gen. [315]
Sprague, Wm., Gov. of R. I. [253]
Stringham, S. H., Rear-Admiral [173]
Stevens, Isaac I., Brig.-Gen. [15]
Schurtz, Carl, Brig.-Gen. [15]
Shields, James, Brig.-Gen. [405]
Smith, Caleb B., Sec. of the Interior [2]
Seward, Wm. H., Sec. of State [2]
Stanton, Edwin M., Sec. of War [2]
Sigel, Franz, Maj.-Gen. [215]
Scott, Winfield, Lieut.-Gen. [127]
Viele, E. L., Brig.-Gen. [253]
Wallace, Lewis, Maj.-Gen. [215]
Wool, John E., Maj.-Gen. [67]
Welles, Gideon, Sec. of Navy [2]
Winthrop, Theodore, Maj. [253]
Wilkes, Charles, Com. [271]
Weber, Max, Brig.-Gen. [313]
Wadsworth, James S., Brig.-Gen. [315]