PREFACE. 



THE flattering reception by the public of the previous volumes of this 

 work, with the numerous testimonials of eminent individuals, has been such 

 as to induce the publishers to believe that they have been successful in fur- 

 nishing a truthful and valuable record of the great events of each year of the 

 work. The same efforts have been made as heretofore, with increased earnest- 

 ness, to secure the completeness and accuracy of the ANNUAL CYCLOPJEDIA, 

 and to preserve it free from every mark of partisanship. 



The events of the year ISGi have been more varied than those of any pre- 

 vious one during the war. The contest was carried on with an earnest purpose 

 to make it, at once, decisive and final ; and the reconstruction of States was 

 commenced in the most thorough manner. Emancipation became a subject of 

 State action, and was incorporated as a principle in the fundamental law of 

 several of the States. In other parts of the world, although no extensive war 

 has been waged, the discussions of principles and the agitation of the minds 

 of men have been no less intense than in former years. 



Among the numerous questions discussed in the United States were those 

 respecting the relations of the insurrectionary States to the Union ; the prin- 

 ciples on which the reconstruction should be effected; the powers of the Federal 

 Government ; the amendment to the Constitution ; the equality and rights of 

 the colored men ; the encroachments of military authority ; the terms of peace ; 

 the exciting topics involved in a Presidential election ; and the relations of for- 

 eign governments arising upon numerous international questions. 



A detailed statement of the vast military and naval operations in this 

 country is continued, which presents the movements of the armies day by day. 

 and step by step, illustrated with complete topographical maps of the field, 

 and the objects of those movements and their consequences ; also the efforts of 

 the humane through the Sanitary, Christian and Union Commissions to relieve 

 the hardships of the soldiers and to aid refugees from the South. 



The details of the internal affairs of the country embrace the replenishing 

 of the armies Xorth and South ; the number and condition of the troops ; 



