offence of the armed Rebellion and of the heresies and plottings of certain Southern leaders precipitating it, yet not one word will be found, herein, condemnatory of those who, with manly candor, soldierly courage, and true patriotism, acknowledged that error when the ultimate arbitrament of the sword had decided against them. On the contrary, to all such as accept, in good faith, the results of the war of the Rebellion, the writer heartily holds out the hand of forgiveness for the past, and good fellowship for the future. WASHINGTON, D. C. April 15, 1886. CONTENTS. [For detailed Table of Contents see below] CHAPTER. I. A Preliminary Retrospect, II. Protection, and Free Trade, III. Growth of the Slavery Question, IV. Popular Sovereignty, V. Presidential Contest of 1860, VI. The Great Conspiracy Maturing, VII. "Secession" Arming, VIII. The Rejected Olive Branch, IX. Slavery's Setting Sun, X. The War Drum--"On to Washington," XI. Causes of Secession XII. Copperheadism vs. Union-Democracy, XIII. The Storm of Battle, XIV. The Colored Contraband, XV. Freedom's Early Dawn, XVI. Compensated, Gradual, Emancipation, XVII. Border-State Opposition, XVIII. Freedom Proclaimed to All, XIX. Historical Review, XX. Lincoln's Troubles and Temptations, XXI. The Armed Negro XXII. Freedom's Sun still Rising, XXIII. Thirteenth Amendment Passes the Senate XXIV. Treason in the Northern Camp, XXV. The "Fire in the Rear," XXVI. Thirteenth Amendment Defeated in House, XXVII. Slavery Doomed at the Polls, XXVIII. Freedom at last Assured, XXIX. Lincoln's Second Inauguration, XXX. Collapse of Armed Conspiracy, XXXI. Assassination! XXXII. Turning Back the Hands, XXXIII. What Next? CHAPTER I. A PRELIMINARY RETROSPECT.