National Union and Constitutional Crisis

Where it surfaces

• Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis

  Grant analyzes the constitutional arguments around secession, the failure of the framers to anticipate such a crisis, and the inherent right of revolution versus the illegality of secession.

• Outbreak of the Rebellion — Presiding at a Union Meeting — Mustering Officer of State Troops — Lyon at Camp Jackson — Services Tendered to the Government

  The chapter opens with the secession crisis and Lincoln's oath to maintain the Union, highlighting the constitutional struggle as states secede and Fort Sumter is attacked.

• General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry

  The campaign against Fort Henry is framed as a crucial step in preserving the Union by breaking the Confederate defensive line and opening the Tennessee River to Union forces.

• Halleck Assumes Command in the Field—The Advance Upon Corinth—Occupation of Corinth—The Army Separated

  The campaign for Corinth and the subsequent dispersal of Union forces highlight the strategic challenges of preserving the Union by controlling key transportation hubs and dividing the Confederacy.

• Chapter XXVII

  The chapter highlights the challenges of occupying Confederate territory, including dealing with Confederate laws confiscating debts and the need to maintain Union authority.

• XXVIII

  Grant discusses the broader strategic importance of holding West Tennessee to prevent the Ohio River from becoming the dividing line.

• Van Dorn's Movements — Battle of Corinth — Command of the Department of the Tennessee

  The chapter describes the Union's strategic struggle to hold territory and suppress the rebellion, with Grant noting the hostility of the local population and the difficulty of operating in enemy country.

• Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill

  The campaign to capture Vicksburg and Jackson is part of the broader effort to preserve the Union and suppress the rebellion.

• Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works

  The campaign to capture Vicksburg is a decisive step toward preserving the Union by controlling the Mississippi and splitting the Confederacy.

• Siege of Vicksburg

  The siege of Vicksburg is a pivotal event in preserving the Union by securing the Mississippi River and splitting the Confederacy.

• Retrospect of the Campaign

  The Vicksburg victory and opening of the Mississippi strengthened the Union cause and divided the Confederacy, directly addressing the crisis of secession.

• First Meeting with Secretary Stanton—General Rosecrans—Commanding Military Division of Mississippi—Andrew Johnson’s Address—Arrival at Chattanooga

  The strategic maneuvers and command changes reflect the high stakes of preserving the Union and the federal government's response to military emergencies.

• XLII

  The military operations in Tennessee and East Tennessee reflect the broader struggle to preserve the Union and control key territories.

• XLIII

  The campaign to relieve Burnside and break the siege reflects the broader struggle to preserve the Union.

• The Military Situation—Plans For the Campaign—Sheridan Assigned to Command of the Cavalry—Flank Movements—Forrest at Fort Pillow—General Banks's Expedition—Colonel Mosby—An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign

  The chapter emphasizes Grant's overarching goal of preserving the Union by defeating the Confederate armies in the field, with Washington's security and the integrity of the nation as central concerns.

• Commencement of the Grand Campaign—General Butler’s Position—Sheridan’s First Raid

  The entire campaign is framed as a coordinated effort to preserve the Union by defeating the Confederate armies and capturing their capitals.

• Sherman's Campaign in Georgia—Siege of Atlanta—Death of General McPherson—Attempt to Capture Andersonville—Capture of Atlanta

  The campaign's success directly influenced the 1864 election, a pivotal moment for the Union's political future.

• The Battle of the Wilderness

  The campaign's ultimate goal—capture of the Confederate capital—is framed as essential to preserving the Union.

• Movement by the Left Flank—Battle of North Anna—An Incident of the March—Moving on Richmond—South of the Pamunkey—Position of the National Army

  The strategic maneuvers aim to preserve the Union by capturing Richmond and defeating the Confederate army.

• Left Flank Movement Across the Chickahominy and James—General Lee—Visit to Butler—The Movement on Petersburg—The Investment of Petersburg

  The movement to besiege Petersburg is part of the broader effort to preserve the Union and defeat the Confederacy.

• Chapter LVII

  The draft resistance scheme in the North underscores the constitutional and national unity challenges during the war.

• LVIII

  The political context of the 1864 election and the threat of treasonous talk at the Democratic convention highlight the ongoing constitutional crisis.

• The Campaign in Georgia—Sherman’s March to the Sea—War Anecdotes—The March on Savannah—Investment of Savannah—Capture of Savannah

  The march and capture of Savannah directly contributed to the collapse of the Confederacy and the restoration of the Union.

• LXI: Expedition Against Fort Fisher

  The capture of Fort Fisher was vital to cutting off Confederate supplies and hastening the end of the war, preserving the Union.

• Sherman's March North

  The campaign aims to crush the rebellion and restore the Union by cutting off Confederate resources and forcing surrender.

• Arrival of the Peace Commissioners—Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners—An Anecdote of Lincoln—The Winter Before Petersburg—Sheridan Destroys the Railroad—Gordon Carries the Picket Line—Parke Recaptures the Line—The Line of Battle of White Oak Road

  Lincoln's insistence on preserving the Union as a whole and the peace negotiations highlight the central constitutional crisis of the war.

• LXIV

  The final assault on Petersburg and the imminent fall of Richmond represent the climax of the struggle to preserve the Union and resolve the constitutional crisis of secession.

• Morale of the Two Armies—President Lincoln Visits Richmond—President Lincoln's Assassination—President Johnson's Policy

  The chapter discusses the preservation of the Union, the post-war struggle between President Johnson and Congress, and the constitutional debates over Reconstruction and black suffrage.

• Conclusion

  The war is framed as a test of republican institutions and national unity against secession and European threats.

• Report of Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, of the United States Armies 1864–65

  The report frames the war as a rebellion against the Constitution, with Grant's goal being 'equal submission' of all sections to the laws of the land.