CHAPTER XV. (Page 450-476.)

CONFEDERATE PROSPECTS AFTER THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE--THE MILITARY SITUATION--PRIMARY OBJECTS OF THE CONFEDERATES--AFFAIRS IN THE WEST--A BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL PLANS OF CAMPAIGN SUGGESTED TO THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES--VISIONARY STRATEGY--AN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ADOPTED--THE INVASION OF PENNSYLVANIA JUSTIFIED--CONDITION OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA AT THIS PERIOD--THE MOVEMENT FROM THE RAPPAHANNOCK--LEADING FEATURES OF THE CONFEDERATE PLAN--LEE'S STRATEGY AGAIN ILLUSTRATED--GETTYSBURG--A FATAL BLOW TO THE SOUTH--LEE RETURNS TO VIRGINIA--THE SURRENDER OF VICKSBURG--OTHER REVERSES--EXULTATION OF THE NORTH--THE CONFEDERATE ADMINISTRATION AGAIN ARRAIGNED BY ITS OPPONENTS--THE CASE OF GENERAL PEMBERTON--POPULAR INJUSTICE TO A GALLANT OFFICER--A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE SUBJECT--PEMBERTON'S APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDED BY DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS--HIS ABLE ADMINISTRATION IN MISSISSIPPI--HIS RESOLUTION TO HOLD VICKSBURG, AS THE GREAT END OF THE CAMPAIGN--HIS GALLANTRY AND RESOURCES--NOBLE CONDUCT OF THIS PERSECUTED OFFICER--A FURTHER STATEMENT--THE MISSION OF VICE-PRESIDENT STEPHENS--ITS OBJECTS--PRESIDENT DAVIS SEEKS TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERINGS OF WAR--MAGNANIMITY AND HUMANITY OF THE OFFER--PROUD POSITION IN THIS MATTER OF THE SOUTH AND HER RULER--THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECLINES INTERCOURSE WITH MR. STEPHENS--EXPLANATION OF ITS MOTIVES--CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MESSRS. DAVIS AND STEPHENS.