The purpose of the volume is not only to describe military movements and to characterize military commanders, but also to picture the Civil War as a national experience, in which public men, governing bodies, and the whole people on both sides, were intensely engaged. The war appears in its proper setting, as a contest, not between armies or governments, but between two social systems made up at bottom of the same kind of people, having the same traditions, and capable of reconstitution into one nation.
Interwoven with the narrative of military operations during 1863 are two chapters upon internal conditions: chapter I on military law and war finance, and chapter IV on life in war time. The remarkable campaigns on the Tennessee River in the second half of 1863 are described in chapters II and III. Chapters V and VI are devoted to the reorganization of the eastern armies under Grant, and the terrible Virginia campaign of 1864. In chapter VII the western campaign of that year is followed out from Chattanooga to Atlanta. The breathing space at the end of 1864, is utilized for a narrative of attempts at reconstruction (chapter VII) and the presidential election of 1864 (chapter IX). In chapter X the blockade and naval campaigns during 1863 and 1864 are described. Chapters XI and XII are devoted to Sheridan's valley campaign and Sherman's march to the sea; chapters XIII and XIV to the renewal of plans of reconstruction, and to the vexed question of military severities both in the field and in the prisons. Chapters XV and XVI describe the life and experiences of non-combatants, North and South, in the last stages of the war. In chapter XVII the last military campaigns appear.
Contents: Military Law and War Finance (1863). The Chickamauga Campaign (August 1863-September 1863). Chattanooga and Knoxville (September 1863-December 1863). Life in War-time North and South (1863). Concentration under Grant (December 1863-April 1864). On to Richmond (May 1864-June 1864). The Atlanta Campaign (May 1864-August 1864). Attempts at Reconstruction (1863-1864). Lincoln's Second Election (1864). The Confederacy on the Sea (1861-1864). Sheridan in the Valley (July 1864-February 1865). Sherman's March to the Sea (September 1864-December 1864). Preparations for Readjustment of the States (September 1864-March 1865). Military Severities (1864-1865). Spirit of the North (1864-1865). Spirit of the South (1864-1865). Downfall of the Confederacy (April 1865).
Interwoven with the narrative of military operations during 1863 are two chapters upon internal conditions: chapter I on military law and war finance, and chapter IV on life in war time. The remarkable campaigns on the Tennessee River in the second half of 1863 are described in chapters II and III. Chapters V and VI are devoted to the reorganization of the eastern armies under Grant, and the terrible Virginia campaign of 1864. In chapter VII the western campaign of that year is followed out from Chattanooga to Atlanta. The breathing space at the end of 1864, is utilized for a narrative of attempts at reconstruction (chapter VII) and the presidential election of 1864 (chapter IX). In chapter X the blockade and naval campaigns during 1863 and 1864 are described. Chapters XI and XII are devoted to Sheridan's valley campaign and Sherman's march to the sea; chapters XIII and XIV to the renewal of plans of reconstruction, and to the vexed question of military severities both in the field and in the prisons. Chapters XV and XVI describe the life and experiences of non-combatants, North and South, in the last stages of the war. In chapter XVII the last military campaigns appear.
Contents: Military Law and War Finance (1863). The Chickamauga Campaign (August 1863-September 1863). Chattanooga and Knoxville (September 1863-December 1863). Life in War-time North and South (1863). Concentration under Grant (December 1863-April 1864). On to Richmond (May 1864-June 1864). The Atlanta Campaign (May 1864-August 1864). Attempts at Reconstruction (1863-1864). Lincoln's Second Election (1864). The Confederacy on the Sea (1861-1864). Sheridan in the Valley (July 1864-February 1865). Sherman's March to the Sea (September 1864-December 1864). Preparations for Readjustment of the States (September 1864-March 1865). Military Severities (1864-1865). Spirit of the North (1864-1865). Spirit of the South (1864-1865). Downfall of the Confederacy (April 1865).
