CHAPTER XX Lincoln and McClellan--The Peninsular Campaign of 1862--Impatience with McClellan's Delay--Lincoln Defends McClellan from Unjust Criticism--Some Harrowing Experiences--McClellan Recalled from the Peninsula--His Troops Given to General Pope--Pope's Defeat at Manassas--A Critical Situation--McClellan again in Command--Lincoln Takes the Responsibility--McClellan's Account of His Reinstatement--The Battle of Antietam--The President Vindicated--Again Dissatisfied with McClellan--Visits the Army in the Field--The President in the Saddle--Correspondence between Lincoln and McClellan--McClellan's Final Removal--Lincoln's Summing-Up of McClellan--McClellan's "Body-Guard" CHAPTER XXI Lincoln and Slavery--Plan for Gradual Emancipation--Anti-Slavery Legislation in 1862--Pressure Brought to Bear on the Executive--The Delegation of Quakers--A Visit from Chicago Clergymen--Interview between Lincoln and Channing--Lincoln and Horace Greeley--The President's Answer to "The Prayer of Twenty Millions of People"--Conference between Lincoln and Greeley--Emancipation Resolved on--The Preliminary Proclamation--Lincoln's Account of It--Preparing for the Final Act--The Emancipation Proclamation--Particulars of the Great Document--Fate of the Original Draft--Lincoln's Outline of His Course and Views Regarding Slavery CHAPTER XXII President and People--Society at the White House in 1862-3--The President's Informal Receptions--A Variety of Callers--Characteristic Traits of Lincoln--His Ability to Say _No_ when Necessary--Would not Countenance Injustice--Good Sense and Tact in Settling Quarrels--His Shrewd Knowledge of Men--Getting Rid of Bores--Loyalty to His Friends--Views of His Own Position--"Attorney for the People"--Desire that They Should Understand Him--His Practical Kindness--A Badly Scared Petitioner--Telling a Story to Relieve Bad News--A Breaking Heart beneath the Smiles--His Deeply Religious Nature--The Changes Wrought by Grief CHAPTER XXIII Lincoln's Home-Life in the White House--Comfort in the Companionship of his Youngest Son--"Little Tad" the Bright Spot in the White House--The President and His Little Boy Reviewing the Army of the Potomac--Various Phases of Lincoln's Character--His Literary Tastes--Fondness for Poetry and Music--His Remarkable Memory--Not a Latin Scholar--Never Read a Novel--Solace in Theatrical Representation--Anecdotes of Booth and McCullough--Methods of Literary Work--Lincoln as an Orator--Caution in Impromptu Speeches--His Literary Style--Management of His Private Correspondence--Knowledge of Woodcraft--Trees and Human Character--Exchanging Views with Professor Agassiz--Magnanimity toward Opponents--Righteous Indignation--Lincoln's Religious Nature CHAPTER XXIV