PREFACE. 



IN preparing a Cyclopaedia of what came to pass during the year 1861, the 

 political and military events appeared to possess a greater importance than all 

 that had been developed in the different branches of knowledge. The interest 

 which they awakened soon . became so strong and engrossing that the peaceful 

 pursuits of industry were paralyzed, trade and commerce languished, the stu- 

 dent of science forsook his quiet seclusion for the tented field, and the inventive 

 genius turned to find more skilful weapons for conflict or terrible engines for 

 destruction. The consequences involved in these events are regarded as des- 

 tined to exert a permanent influence on mankind. "Whether constitutional lib- 

 erty can survive the violence of human passions ; whether institutions organized 

 to preserve and protect the rights of men, and which depend for their existence 

 upon the will and pleasure of those whom they control, can withstand the shocks 

 of military power, are questions in which the welfare of all is at issue. The 

 conflict, therefore, in the United States, forms an important part of this volume. 

 It embraces the political principles involved, with the arguments of their respect- 

 ive advocates and opponents ; the movements of the leaders of secession, from 

 their first acts to the close of the year, including the proceedings, step by step, 

 in each of the Southern States until they had resolved themselves out of the 

 Union, and their subsequent efforts ; the organization of the Confederate States ; 

 the principles upon which that organization was founded ; the civil and com- 

 mercial regulations of the Confederacy ; the movements of its Government to 

 fill its treasury, and organize and equip vast armies ; the counteracting move- 

 ments of the United States ; the organization of its armies, with the details of 

 the weapons for the infantry and artillery, and for the batteries of the ships and 

 gunboats ; together with all the original documents, from the Messages of the 

 respective Presidents ; the instructions of Cabinet officers ; the Messages and 

 proclamations of Governors ; the important acts of the United States and Con- 

 federate Congresses ; the acts and resolutions of State Legislatures ; the proc- 

 lamations and orders of commanding officers ; the contributions of men 

 and money from each State, !N~orth and South ; the details of every battle 

 and every skirmish involving a loss of life. So ample have been the re- 

 sources from which its details have been prepared, comprising publications 

 both Korth and South, that it is believed no important public measure of the 

 Federal or Confederate Governments, or of any of the States, has been over- 



