CHAPTER XX. (Page 590-613.)

INCIDENTS ON THE LINES OF RICHMOND AND PETERSBURG DURING THE SUMMER AND AUTUMN--CAPTURE OF FORT HARRISON--OTHER DEMONSTRATIONS BY GRANT--THE SITUATION NEAR THE CONFEDERATE CAPITAL--EARLY'S VALLEY CAMPAIGN--POPULAR CENSURE OF EARLY--INFLUENCE OF THE VALLEY CAMPAIGN UPON THE SITUATION NEAR RICHMOND--WHAT THE AGGREGATE OF CONFEDERATE DISASTERS SIGNIFIED--DESPONDENCY OF THE SOUTH--THE INJURIOUS EXAMPLES OF PROMINENT MEN--THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL LEE--MR. DAVIS' POPULARITY--WHY HE DID NOT FULLY COMPREHEND THE DEMORALIZATION OF THE PEOPLE--HE HOPES FOR POPULAR REANIMATION--WAS THE CASE OF THE CONFEDERACY HOPELESS?--VACILLATING CONDUCT OF CONGRESS--THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS A WEAK BODY--MR. DAVIS' RELATIONS WITH CONGRESS--PROPOSED CONSCRIPTION OF SLAVES--FAVORED BY DAVIS AND LEE--DEFEATED BY CONGRESS--LEGISLATION DIRECTED AGAINST THE PRESIDENT--DAVIS' OPINION OF LEE--RUMORS OF PEACE--HAMPTON ROADS CONFERENCE--THE FEDERAL ULTIMATUM--THE ABSURD CHARGE AGAINST MR. DAVIS OF OBSTRUCTING NEGOTIATIONS--HIS RECORD ON THE SUBJECT OF PEACE--A RICHMOND NEWSPAPER ON THE FEDERAL ULTIMATUM--DELUSIVE SIGNS OF PUBLIC SPIRIT--NO ALTERNATIVE BUT CONTINUED RESISTANCE--REPORT OF THE HAMPTON ROADS CONFERENCE.