CHAPTER I. FOREIGN COMPLICATIONS AND DOMESTIC INTRIGUE. The Central American Imbroglio—The Napier Ball—Washington Society —Fanny Kemble Butler—Democratic Revelers—The Trial of Sickles— The Key Family—Robert Ould—Edwin M. Stanton—Other Lawyers— Verdict of Acquittal—Anson Burlingame.
CHAPTER II. VISITS FROM DISTINGUISHED FOREIGNERS. The Japanese Embassy—Its Reception by President Buchanan—Caricatures —Visit of the Prince of Wales—The Heir to the British Throne at Mount Vernon—Effect Produced on Queen Victoria—Life at the White House—How Mr. Buchanan Lived.
CHAPTER III. THE GATHERING TEMPEST. Threatening Aspect of Affairs—John Brown's Raid—Pendleton's Gambling-House Neutral Ground—The Games and the Gamblers—Honors to the Deceased King of Cards—Vice-President Breckinridge—South Carolina Chivalry—The Slave Trade Re-opened—Lady Lobbyists— Ellsworth's Zouaves—Owen Lovejoy.
CHAPTER IV. LINCOLN'S ELECTION INAUGURATES REBELLION. Election of a Republican President—Northern Willingness to Let the South Secede—Senator Seward as a Partisan Leader—His Great Speech—Farewell of Jefferson Davis to the Senate—Hale's Reply to Clingman—The Peace Commission—Twenty-second of February Parade— The Electoral Vote—Hostilities Commenced.
CHAPTER V. MR. LINCOLN AT THE HELM. Unexpected Arrival of Mr. Lincoln—Sumner Compared to a Bishop— Interviews of the President-Elect with Prominent Men—Remarkable Memory—Southern Commissioners—The Inaugural Message Lost and Found—The New Cabinet—The Inauguration.
CHAPTER VI. THE STORM BURSTS. Robert E. Lee Joins the Confederacy—Sumter Fired upon—The Uprising of the Loyal North—The First Troops to Arrive—Nick Biddle, the First Man Wounded—Arrival of the Massachusetts Sixth—The Censorship of the Press—General Butler Re-opens Communication with the North —The Massachusetts Eighth—Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves—Alexandria Occupied—A Confederate Flag Captured—Colonel Ellsworth Killed by its Owner and Promptly Avenged.
CHAPTER VII. "ON TO RICHMOND." Meeting of Congress—March of the Grand Army of the Union—The First Battle of Bull Run—Disgraceful Rout—Appeal of Senator Breckinridge—Patriotic Reply of Colonel Baker—War Preparations— General McClellan Placed in Command—General Scott's Advice to Him —Surrender of Mason and Slidell—Disastrous Engagement at Ball's Bluff.
CHAPTER VIII. WASHINGTON A VAST GARRISON. Rejection by the President of Anti-Slavery Views—Vacant Seats at Either End of the Capitol—Fessenden, the Financier—Sumner, the Diplomatist—Wilson, the Military Director—Other Prominent Senators —The Rule of Thaddeus Stevens—Notable Representatives—Democratic Opposition to the Administration—Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War.
CHAPTER IX. THE METROPOLIS IN TIME OF WAR. President Lincoln's First New Year's Reception—The Pennsylvania Lancers—Discontent of the Abolitionists—President Lincoln Favoring Colonization—Appointment of E. M. Stanton as Secretary of War— Espionage—The Secret Service—Female Confederate Spies—Capture by one of them of a Union General.