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.