What in the United States from "A History of the Nineteenth Century Year by Year" by Edwin Emerson, Jr., edited by C.A. Venturi

The first of this year is memorable as the date on which Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued as an act of war by Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief. It did not apply to the border States or parts of States which had not seceded. it could have no practical effect, but its moral effect was great. Davis promptly replied by declaring that persons attempting to execute Lincoln's order of emancipation would be treated as criminals.

The Unionists were especially eager to reduce Charleston, as one of the hot beds of the secession. A naval squadron, including several monitors, kept up a continuous blockade on the city. The Confederates mined the approaches to the harbor. On the last day of January, in the mist of early morning, a small ironclad, the "Palmetto State", ran out and engaged the "Mercedia". The first broadside disabled the "Mercedia." Swinging around with her ram, the "Palmetto State" challenged: "Surrender, or I will sink you." The Federal captain hauled down his flag. Thereupon the "Palmetto State" ran off to engage the Federal "Keystone State." The captain of the "Mercedia" rehoisted the Star and Stripes. Meanwhile the "Keystone State" was taken between the crossed fire of the "Palmetto State" and a second small ironclad, the "Chicora." Sinking, she was towed out of the action by the "Housatonic." The French and Spanish consuls were ridden out in a steamer to establish that the blockading squadron had been driven off. The consuls reported that they could see nothing of the blockaders. The blockade was speedily re-set.

Late in May, a combined assault was made upon Vicksburg. The "Cincinnati" was sent to silence the Confederate battery, and came under the fire of a powerful masked battery on a bluff. The first Confederate shot entered her below the water line. Drifting, shot after shot was put into her, with the colors nailed to the flag pole, the "Cincinnati" went down.

Democratic journals began a crusade against Lincoln. The Chicago "Times" was suppressed for one day for inciting disloyalty. Vallandigham made a speech at Mount Vernon, Ohio, against "King Lincoln," and urged the people to hurl the tyrant from the throne. Anti-War Democrats expressed great indignation at the "overthrow of free institutions" by Lincoln. In May, great meetings were held in New York and Philadelphia to express sympathy with Vallandigham, who had been arrested. The Democratic State Convention, on June 11, in Ohio nominated Vallandigham for Governor.

On March 3, President Lincoln had approved the act enrolling citizens between twenty and forty-five, and the calling out of the draft without the intervention of the States. in June, under a draft for 300,000 men, only 50,000 were obtained. The draft threw New York into the hands of an enraged anti-draft mob. Similar riots occurred elsewhere. In reply to Governor Seymour's request that the draft be suspended, President Lincoln proclaimed that the drafting of troops would have to continue.

Joe Hooker on April 27th, threw his men across the Rappahannock, at above and below Chancellorsville, with a view to taking Lee's entire system of defenses. He seemed to have Lee at a disadvantage, the latter being placed between two armies, which far outnumbered his own force. Once more he had recourse to a daring flank movement. while Lee, keeping between Hooker and Sedgwick, prevented the latter from advancing to support, Jackson started off to the left, which Hooker mistook for a retreat. Jackson came, in the late afternoon of May 2, upon Howard's division which formed the right, and really considered itself the rear of Hooker's army. Howard was crushed, and Jackson had got very close to Hooker's headquarters.

Jackson, pressing on ahead of his line, was accidentally shot by his own men and died in a few days. The next morning, the 3d, Stuart, taking command of Jackson's men renewed the attack, while Lee struck Hooker from the other side. Sedgwick and Hooker both retreated across the river. Lee, elated, intended to "transfer the scene of hostilities north of the Potomac." On June 3, he started from Culpepper. Hooker telegraphed to the President who replied, "I think Lee's army, and not Richmond, is your true objective point. Fight him when opportunity offers. If he stays where he is, fret him and fret him," Lee sent a force under Ewell and captured Winchester. His army was soon crossing the Potomac. Hooker now swung his army around to confront Lee and hold his own base at one and the same time. Lee pushed forward, threatening Harrisburg. Hooker advanced parallel with the enemy and determined to strike Lee on the rear. He asked Halleck to permit him to abandon Maryland Heights and use its garrison. Halleck overruled him, and Hooker asked to be relieved. The President accepted his resignation without delay, and assigned General Meade to the command.

The fifth change of commanders within a year was made on the eve of a decisive battle. Meade was a man of resources and indisposed to retreat. He moved northward, his front stretching for thirty miles. Neither Meade nor Lee made choice of the position in which they at last stood face to face. Stuart, being detached on a cavalry raid, was not on the field, and this was a great disadvantage to his chief.

Meade had in July adopted a defensive line along Pipe Creek. Buford encountered a fragment of the enemy host, Hill's division, on the Chambersburg road, and informed Reynolds, who ordered the rest of his command to hurry up to Gettysburg from the distant rear.

While Reynolds held Hill in check he was killed. Buford's cavalry bore the brunt of the onset and forced Hill to wait for Ewell, The Confederates, pressed on hotly when Howard arrived with his 11th corps and assumed command. But Ewell, assaulting in front and on both flanks, pressed it through the town. Hancock presence at 4 P.M. gave renewed confidence. He and Howard arranged a new line on Cemetery Hill, and along the ridge commanding the road from the south. Lee suggested Ewell attack if he deemed it practicable. Hill spent the afternoon waiting and missed a great opportunity. Slocum now reached the scene with Sickle's dusty veterans. Hancock turned the command over to Slocum and galloped back to urge on Meade. Seeing the advantages, Meade moved promptly to the rescue. All night the Union troops came in and took position. Meade arrived at I A.M. of the 2d, worn with loss of sleep.

The fight of July 2 did not begin until far in the afternoon. Sedgwick, making a night march, came in sight after the battle was begun. About a mile distant, Lee's army swept around the curve, to the high ground in front of Round Top. Little Round Top was the key to the Union position. The Confederates lay behind thick woods, but revealed themselves at four o'clock with an outflanking line. Upon Sickles' division was made the first furious assault, and a bloody conflict raged for two hours. Reinforcements arrived just in time, and protected the withdrawal. Hood was advancing on Little Round Top, when Warren, chief of engineers, after a fierce encounter, drove the enemy down the precipitous slopes. The firing did not cease until ten at night. The whole Union line from Round Top to Cemetery Ridge was unbroken.

Meade renewed the attack. After several hours' fighting, he dislodged the enemy from near Culp's Hill. Lee employed the entire forenoon in preparing. The post of honor for Lee's final assault was given to Pickett's division, The midday silence was broken by 130 Confederate cannon, to which half as many guns replied. This artillery duel lasted from 12 to 2. Then, a dreadful silence fell. Pickett and his veterans, moved wedge-like among the green fields for over a mile. When halfway across the valley, they bore to the left toward Hancock's front. The Union artillery opened from right to left with a terribly destructive fire, but Pickett's assaulting force moved steadily nearer the Union lines. Pettigrew's troops were attacked by men from Hancock's corps with such fury that their order was broken, and they mingled with the troops of Pickett. An advanced point, held by Webb's small force, behind a stone fence, was carried. Webb fell back among his guns, and, aided by relieving regiments, fought like wild beasts. More than 2,000 of his men were disabled in thirty minutes. The remnant of Pickett's division dashed against the union lines. Armistead crossed the first line and fell; but no supporting column appeared. The great charge failed.

On the morning of the 5th the Confederates retreated, and Meade moved southward to intercept their passage of the Potomac. Arrived at the river, Lee, finding his pontoons practically destroyed and the river high, entrenched. Meade called a council of war, which decided against attacking Lee, and Meade yielded. On the 14th, Lee was safely across the Potomac.

General Grant felt that Vicksburg could be turned only from the south. McClernand, who had superseded Sherman in the advance on Vicksburg, captured Arkansas Post, January 11, and camped above Vicksburg. On March 14, Farragut passed Port Hudson with his flagship, the "Hartford," and an ironclad. A month later Porter's fleet ran past the guns of Vicksburg. The Confederates made a gallant stand at Port Gibson on May 1, but were driven back. Seizing a bridge, McPherson commanded the road to Vicksburg.

On May 7, Grant advanced, McPherson holding the right, while McClernand and Sherman, with the left and center, moved abreast. At Raymond, Clinton and Jackson the Confederates were defeated. The Confederates massed before Vicksburg in formidable array. Grant assaulted Vicksburg's defenses and secured advanced positions, but with terrible loss; and on May 22, a second assault with the loss of 3,000 men convinced him that a siege was necessary. On June 8, he announced the investment of Vicksburg to be complete, with 30,000 extra troops to "repel anything from the rear."

Meanwhile, Johnston to the eastward was trying to gather a force to raise the siege. Goaded to action by the Richmond authorities, he marched toward the Big Black and planned an attack for July 7, which turned out to be three days too late. A message from Pemberton proposed negotiating a surrender. Pemberton's men had been for 34 nights in the trenches on reduced rations.

On the neighboring hillside, under a stunted oak, the two commanders met. Pemberton finally had to yield. His 24,000 soldiers marched out on the 4th, stacked arms and returned. Logan's division, under orders from Grant, marched into Vicksburg, hoisted the Stars and Stripes, and took possession. "Our whole army present witnessed the scene without cheering," wrote Grant. The soldiery on both sides now fraternized like old companions in arms. Grant was made Major-General, while Sherman and McPherson became Brigadiers.

Less than a week later, on July 9, Port Hudson surrendered to General Banks, with 6,000 men, 51 pieces of artillery and 5,000 small arms, and military stores. The entire Mississippi was now open. On July 4, the Confederates suffered a bloody repulse at Helena, Arkansas. It was the turning point of the war.

Rosecrans after remaining inactive in Murfreesboro for six months, finally moved forward in June and soon forced the Confederates out of Tullahoma, and across the Tennessee to Chattanooga.

Then followed the battle of Chickamauga, the great battle of the West. in his first attempt to crush the left flank and gain the Chattanooga road, Bragg was foiled. The battle resumed on September 20. Longstreet swung forward on the Confederate left, supported by Hood at the center. After a vigorous resistance, the Union forces gave way. Rosecrans returned to Chattanooga, where McCook and Crittendon soon joined him. The steadiness of Thomas, "The Rock of Chickamauga," alone prevented the battle from becoming another Bull Run. With two-thirds of the Union army he fought successfully all day. By the 22d, the entire Union army was safely posted for a defense of Chattanooga. Rosecrans relinquished the spur of Lookout Mountain, and Bragg seized the heights and proceeded to invest Chattanooga. The Union army was brought close to starvation, and Rosecrans, dispatches were full of gloomy forebodings.

As a result, Rosecrans relieved and Thomas took his place. Grant reached Chattanooga on October 23, and his first work was to relieve the hunger of the troops. In five days he opened a new "Cracker Line,, by way of Lookout Valley and Bridgeport. New clothing, with ammunition, quickly followed.

On November 23, began the Battle of Chattanooga, a most spectacular encounter lasting for three days. South and east of Chattanooga, with the Tennessee in their rear, lay the Union troops, confronted by the Confederates, whose lines were plainly visible. Grant's purpose was to drive Bragg from the heights. In two hours, the hills were carried, and Grant held the position a mile in front of his army.

With 8,000 men, Sherman crossed the Tennessee on the 24th, and formed his troops for the grand assault on missionary Ridge. In the afternoon, he gained the foot, and later the crest of the ridge, where he fortified and prepared for the next day's battle. Meanwhile, Hooker moved with three divisions to capture Lookout Mountain. By noon he had gained the open ground on the north slope. The sound of his cannon and musketry could be heard below, but among the drifting clouds his troops were not visible. Grant sent a brigade to sustain him. As night fell, Lookout Mountain and the north end of Missionary Ridge were ablaze with camp-fires. On Wednesday, Sherman renewed the attack on the crest of the Ridge. Too late, Hooker gained the summit of the south end of Missionary Ridge to aid Sherman. The latter's condition was seen to be critical, and Grant ordered Thomas to charge at once on the front of the Ridge with the divisions of Sheridan and Wood. The first line of rifle pits was carried. Without waiting for further orders, the second line was taken. Then in a time surprisingly short, the crest of Missionary Ridge was captured by the Union troops. Grant rode up amid the tumultuous shouts of the men. The force confronting Sherman joined in the fight. Bragg retreated up the valley, while Sheridan pushed on, continuing the fight beyond the eastern slope far into the night.

Grant now turned his attention to the relief of Burnside. Against Burnside, with 12,000 men, Bragg had sent General Longstreet with 20,000. Longstreet invested the place. Hearing of Grant's success at Chattanooga, he began a furious artillery fire on the 29th, and sent four brigades to charge the parapets, losing a thousand men in the fierce assault. Under orders from Richmond, he abandoned the siege, and, on December 4, made good his retreat. Sherman arrived a day too late.

There were no naval victories comparable to these great Union successes on land. In April, Admiral Dupont, with a large fleet of ironclads, had attempted to take Charleston but the Confederates destroyed five of his seven monitors and sank the "Keokuk." On July 18, Fort Sumter was practically demolished, but the attack on Fort Wagner failed. Early in September Forts Wagner and Battery Gregg were abandoned.

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