were great men, on both the sides
to it; and, to-day, the little men on either--"May profit by their
example. If _this_ be treason, make the most of it!"

The sole object kept in view was to paint honestly the inner life of
the South; the general tone of her people, under strain and privation
unparalleled; the gradual changes of society and character in the
struggling nation--in a clear, unshaded outline of _things as they
were_.

Should this volume at all succeed in giving this; should it uproot one
false impression, to plant a single true one in its place, then has it
fully equaled the aspiration of

THE AUTHOR.

MOBILE, ALA., June 25, 1890.

_TABLE OF CONTENTS._

PAGE.

CHAPTER I.--The Forehead of the Storm 11-20

Washington City in 1861. Her two Social Circles. Was she a new Sodom?
Lobbyists and Diplomats. Eve of the Storm. Echo from Charleston Harbor.
A Dinner and a Ball. Popular Views of the Situation. Buchanan's Policy
and the "Peace Congress". Separation a Certainty. Preparations for the
Hejira. Precautions for Lincoln's Inauguration. Off for Dixie.

CHAPTER II.--The Cradle of the Confederacy 21-29

Through Richmond, the Carolinas and Georgia. Wayside Notes. The Masses
Willing but Unprepared. Where were the Leaders? The First Capital. A
New Flag. Hotels and their Patrons. Jefferson Davis. The Man and the
Government. Social Matters. The Curbstone Congress. Early Views of the
Struggle. A Notable "Mess."

CHAPTER III.--Congress and Cabinet 30-35

Bloodless Revolution. Glances at the Congress. Its Personnel and its
Work. Party Hacks in Place. Wind vs. Work. What People said of the
Solons. The New Cabinet. Heads of Departments Sketched. The President's
Advisers. Popular Opinion. The First Gun at Sumter.

CHAPTER IV.--"The Awakening of the Lion ." 36-41

Sumter's Effect on Public Feeling. Would There be a Long War--or any?
Organizing an Army. The Will of the People. How Women Worked. The Camps
a Novel Show. Mr. Davis handles Congress. His Energy and Industry.
Society and the Strangers. Joy over Virginia's Secession.

CHAPTER V.--A Southern River Boat Race 42-48

An Alabama Steamer. General Van Dorn. What River Travel is. A Calliope
and its Master. Banter for a Race. Excitement of all on Board. A Close