Chapter XVIII: (Page 533-562.)

INDICATIONS OF POPULAR FEELING AT THE BEGINNING OF 1864--APATHY AND
DESPONDENCY OF THE NORTH--IMPROVED FEELING IN THE CONFEDERACY--THE
PROBLEM OF ENDURANCE--PREPARATIONS OF THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT--
MILITARY SUCCESS THE GREAT DESIDERATUM--A SERIES OF SUCCESSES--
FINNEGAN'S VICTORY IN FLORIDA--SHERMAN'S EXPEDITION--FORREST'S
VICTORY--THE RAID OF DAHLGREN--TAYLOR DEFEATS BANKS--FORREST'S
TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN--HOKE'S VICTORY--THE VALUE OF THESE MINOR
VICTORIES--CONCENTRATION FOR THE GREAT STRUGGLES IN VIRGINIA AND
GEORGIA--FEDERAL PREPARATIONS--GENERAL GRANT--HIS THEORY OF WAR--HIS
PLANS--THE FEDERAL FORCES IN VIRGINIA--SHERMAN--FEEBLE RESOURCES OF
THE CONFEDERACY--THE "ON TO RICHMOND" AND "ON TO ATLANTA"--GENERAL
GRANT BAFFLED--HE NARROWLY ESCAPES RUIN--HIS OVERLAND MOVEMENT A TOTAL
FAILURE--SHERIDAN THREATENS RICHMOND--DEATH OF STUART--BUTLER'S
ADVANCE UPON RICHMOND--THE CITY IN GREAT PERIL--BEAUREGARD'S PLAN OF
OPERATIONS--VIEWS OF MR. DAVIS--DEFEAT OF BUTLER, AND HIS CONFINEMENT
IN A "CUL DE SAC"--FAILURE OF GRANT'S COMBINATIONS--CONSTANTLY BAFFLED
BY LEE--TERRIBLE LOSSES OF THE FEDERAL ARMY--GRANT CROSSES THE
JAMES--HIS FAILURES REPEATED--HIS NEW COMBINATIONS--EARLY'S OPERATIONS
IN THE VALLEY AND ACROSS THE POTOMAC--THE FEDERAL COMBINATIONS AGAIN
BROKEN DOWN--FAVORABLE SITUATION IN VIRGINIA--THE MISSION OF MESSRS.
CLAY, THOMPSON, AND HOLCOMBE--CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. LINCOLN--THE
ARROGANT AND MOCKING REPLY OF THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT.