seven of the Southern States, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, declared that they had seceded, or separated, from the Union. On the 4th of February, 1861, they formed a separate Union, under the name of "the Confederate States of America ". Jefferson

Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen President.

11. Meanwhile, neither Congress nor the President did anything to prevent secession. The forts, arsenals, and other property in the seceded states, were seized by the Confederates, who at once began to form an army. Gloomy indeed was the state of affairs when Mr. Lincoln, on the 4th of March, 1861, took his seat in the presidential chair.

LESSON LVIII.

COMMENCEMENT OF CIVIL WAR.

1. Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor was still held by a United States garrison under Major Anderson, though threatened by a large body of Southern troops. One of Mr. Lincoln's first measures was to send supplies and men to the relief of this fort, but they were not allowed to reach it. Still Major Anderson refused to surrender; and General Beauregard [bo'-re-gard], the Confederate commander, commenced a furious bombardment on the 12th of April. After thirty-four hours the garrison were obliged to evacuate the fort, and it fell into the hands of the Confederates.

2. President Lincoln immediately called on the loyal states for men, and met with a hearty response. On the other hand, within a short time after the fall of Sumter, four more states,

events followed? Who was chosen President of the Confederate States ?-11. When did Mr. Lincoln become President? What was then the condition of affairs?

1. What southern fort was still held by the United States? What was one of Mr. Lincoln's first measures? With what success did the attempt meet? What was the fate of Fort Sumter?-2. What did President Lincoln next do? What states soon after joined the Confederacy? What steps were taken by

1861]

BATTLE OF BULL RUN.

177

Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee, joined the Confederacy. Southern forces were rapidly thrown up into Virginia, and Richmond was made the Confederate capital.

3. For a time Washington was seriously threatened by the Confederates. Volunteers, however, hastened to its defence, and the command of the Federal forces was intrusted to the veteran General Scott. He soon made a forward movement into Virginia. An army under General McClellan gained several victories, and drove out the Confederates from the western part of the state. In eastern Virginia, the Federal forces under General McDowell were not so successful.

enemy they were finally routed with great loss. Dismay seized on the friends of the Union, and the Confederate cause was greatly strengthened.

the Confederates ?-3. What city was for a time threatened by the Confederates? To whom was the command of the Federal forces intrusted? With what success did the Federal troops meet in western Virginia? With what, in eastern Virginia ?—4. Give an account of the battle of Bull Run. How is Bull Run situated? (See map.) What places between it and Washington ?-5. What

This state was still

5. The war soon extended to Missouri. loyal, but the Confederates tried hard to wrest it from the Union. After several battles, in one of which the brave General Lyon fell, they succeeded in gaining possession of the southwestern part of the state. The United States forces, on the other hand, gained several advantages on the Atlantic coast, capturing a Confederate fort at Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, and securing the fine harbor of Port Royal, South Carolina. (See map, p. 68.)

6. After the disaster at Bull Run, General McClellan was called to command the army of the Potomac. More men were raised, and the Federals again assumed the offensive. On the 21st of October, they were defeated with great loss at Ball's Bluff, on the Potomac. The next month, after gaining some advantage at first, they met with a reverse at Belmont, Missouri. Kentucky had declared itself neutral; but the Confederates invaded the state, and erected strong fortifications at Columbus, on the Mississippi River.

7. The Confederates were in great need of arms, ammunition, and many other articles. To prevent them from obtaining these, the Federal Government blockaded the whole Southern coast,that is, kept up a strong naval force, to capture all vessels coming out or going in. Yet swift steamers often succeeded in running past the Federal vessels on dark nights, carrying out cotton to the West Indies, and bringing back what was most needed.

8. One of these blockade-runners took out two of the Confederate leaders, Mason and Slidell, as envoys to England and France. They succeeded in getting on board of a British steamer, but were overhauled by Captain Wilkes in the San Jacinto, and brought back to the United States. This made the British

events took place at this time in Missouri? What advantages, on the other hand, did the Government forces gain on the Atlantic coast?-6. Who took command of the Federal forces after the battle of Bull Run? What took place October 21st? The next month, where did the Federals meet with a reverse? What was the state of things in Kentucky?-7. Give an account of the blockade of the southern coast. How was it sometimes broken ?-8. Who were Mason and Slidell? Give an account of their capture. How was war with Great Britain avoided?

angry, and nearly led to a war with England, for which the Confederates were very anxious. But when the British government demanded the surrender of the prisoners, the United States promptly gave them up, and thus war was avoided.

1. At the commencement of 1862, the Confederates had about 350,000 men in the field. Their main body lay at Manassas, not far from Bull Run (see map, p. 177); and their batteries commanded the lower Potomac. The Federal forces at this time numbered about 450,000 men. Early in the year, the Federal General, George H. Thomas, gained an important victory at Mill Springs, Kentucky, and the Confederates were driven from the eastern part of that state.

1. At the commencement of 1862, how many men had the Confederates in the field? Where was their main body? What was the number of the Federal forces? Early in the year, what advantages were gained in Kentucky?-2.

fleet of gun-boats and mortar-boats for the Federal government, at Cairo (ka'-ro), Illinois. In February, 1862, this fleet and a land force under General Grant captured Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, and Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, with many prisoners, cannon, and stores. See if you can find these forts on the map on p. 181. The enemy were thus obliged to withdraw from Kentucky; and Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, was soon after occupied by a Federal army.

3. The same month, General Burnside and Commodore Goldsborough, with a strong land and naval force, made a successful descent on Roanoke Island (see map, p. 28). They met with a brave resistance, but succeeded in capturing 3,000 Confederates stationed on the island. From this place expeditions were made to various other points on the coast of North Carolina. The enemy's vessels were destroyed, their forces scattered, and their stores captured. Among the important places taken were Newbern and Beaufort (bu'-fort).

4. A large Federal fleet lay in Hampton Roads, near the mouth of the James River. One day a powerful iron-clad ram, belonging to the Confederates and called the Virginia, issued from Norfolk and steamed up to the fleet. The wooden vessels Cumberland and Congress were soon destroyed, their broadsides making no impression on the thick armor of their ironclad foe. Darkness then came on, and the ram retired.

5. It was feared that the next day this terrible enemy would sink every vessel in the harbor, and then escape to ravage northern ports. But during the night the little floating battery Monitor, commanded by Captain Worden (wur'-den), arrived from New York. The next morning she boldly encountered the Virginia, drove her back disabled to Norfolk, and thus saved the rest of the fleet.-On the same day that the Virginia de

What had Commodore Foote been preparing at Cairo ? Who cooperated with this naval force? What forts were captured? How were these posts situated? What was the consequence of these captures ?-3. Give an account of the descent on Roanoke Island. What other places in North Carolina were taken ? -4. Where was a large Federal fleet stationed? What made its appearance one day? What was done by the ram?-5. What fears were entertained for the next day? How was the rest of the fleet saved? What battle was fought