Effects of Sumter’s Fall--President’s Call for Troops-- Response in the Loyal States--In the Border States--Baltimore Riots--Maryland’s Position--President’s Letter to Maryland Authorities--Blockade Proclamation--Additional Proclamation-- Comments Abroad--Second Call for Troops--Special Order for Florida--Military Movements 108 CHAPTER VIII. THE FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS. Opening of Congress--President’s First Message--Its Nature-- Action of Congress--Resolution Declaring the Object of the War--Bull Run--Its Effect 117 CHAPTER IX. CLOSE OF 1861. Election of the Rebels--Davis’ Boast--McClellan appointed Commander of Potomac Army--Proclamation of a National Fast-- Intercourse with Rebels Forbidden--Fugitive Slaves--Gen. Butler’s Views--Gen. McClellan’s Letter from Secretary Cameron--Act of August 6th, 1861--Gen. Fremont’s Order-- Letter of the President Modifying the Same--Instructions to Gen. Sherman--Ball’s Bluff--Gen. Scott’s Retirement--Army of the Potomac 137 CHAPTER X. THE CONGRESS OF 1861-62. The Military Situation--Seizure of Mason and Slidell-- Opposition to the Administration--President’s Message-- Financial Legislation--Committee on the Conduct of the War-- Confiscation Bill 148 CHAPTER XI. THE SLAVERY QUESTION. Situation of the President--His Policy--Gradual Emancipation-- Message--Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia-- Repudiation of Gen. Hunter’s Emancipation Order--Conference with Congressmen from the Border Slave States--Address to the Same-- Military Order--Proclamation under the Conscription Act 171 CHAPTER XII. THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. President’s War Order--Reason for the Same--Results in West and South-west--Army of the Potomac--Presidential Orders-- Letter to McClellan--Order for Army Corps--The Issue of the Campaign--Unfortunate Circumstances--President’s Speech at Union Meeting--Comments--Operations in Virginia and Maryland--In the West and South-west 181 CHAPTER XIII. FREEDOM TO MILLIONS. Tribune Editorial--Letter to Mr. Greeley--Announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation--Suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_ in certain Cases--Order for Observance of the Sabbath--The Emancipation Proclamation 190 CHAPTER XIV. LAST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Situation of the Country--Opposition to the Administration-- President’s Message 199 CHAPTER XV. THE TIDE TURNED.