ContentsCHAPTER IPAGEWashington in the Fifties—Literary Society during Fillmore's Administration—John P. Kennedy, G. P. R. James, Mrs. Gales, and Mrs. Seaton—Anna Cora Mowatt3CHAPTER IIPresident Pierce's Inauguration—The New Cabinet—Mr. Marcy prescribes Court Dress with Varying Results—Jefferson Davis—Sam Houston—General Scott—Washington Irving—Adelina Patti and Mrs. Glasgow—Advice of an "Old Resident" and its Unfortunate Result15CHAPTER IIIMr. Buchanan and his Cabinet—Roger A. Pryor's Mission to Greece—The Court of Athens—The Maid of Athens—The Ball at the Hotel de Ville—Queen Victoria's Dress and Dancing—The Countess Guiccioli—Early Housekeeping in Washington38CHAPTER IVThe President at Church—Levee at the White House—A Dinner Party at the White House—Miss Harriet Lane—Lord and Lady Napier—Ball in their Honor—Baron and Madame Stoëckle—Madame Bodisco—The First Japanese Embassy to the United States47CHAPTER VGreat Names on the Rolls of the Supreme Court, Senate, and House of Representatives—Pen Picture of Stephen A. Douglas—Incident at a Ball—Mrs. Douglas—Vanity Fair, "Caps, Gowns, Petticoats, and Petty Exhibitions"—DécolletéBodices—A Society Dame's Opinion thereon66CHAPTER VIBeautiful Women in Washington during Mr. Buchanan's Administration—Influence of Southern Women in Society—Conversational Talent—Over theDemi-tasseafter Dinner—Over the Low Tea-table—Hon. John Y. Mason and the Lady who changed her Mind—The Evening Party—Brilliant Talkers and Good Suppers80CHAPTER VIIThe Thirty-sixth Congress—Stormy Scenes in the House of Representatives—Abusive and Insulting Language—Rupture of Social Relations—Visit from General Cass at Midnight—The Midnight Conference of Southern Leaders—Nominations for the Presidency—The Heated Campaign and the "Unusual Course" of Stephen A. Douglas—Author of the Memorable Words of Mr. Seward, "Irrepressible Conflict"93CHAPTER VIIIMemorable Days in the History of the Country—A Torch-light Procession in Virginia—An Uninvited Listener to a Midnight Speech—Wedding of Miss Parker and Mr. Bouligny—The President learns of the Secession of South Carolina—Admiral Porter visits his South Carolina Friends—The Last New Year's Day in Washington—Parting Words in Congress—The Setting Sun of a Happy Day107CHAPTER IXThe Fall of Fort Sumter—Virginia sends "Peace Ambassadors" to Washington—Conventions in Richmond—Ordinance of Secession—Rally of Virginians—Enthusiasm of the Women—Soldiers' Outfits120CHAPTER XMarch of the Volunteers—Sail down James River—Firing the First Gun of the Regiment—A Peaceful Volley134CHAPTER XIA Virginia Tobacco Plantation—"Health, Peace, and Competence"—Country Dinners—A Negro Funeral—General McClellan and the Boys' Regiment146CHAPTER XIIBattle of Bull Run—Life at Smithfield—General Pemberton—First Sight of the Enemy—A Sudden Change of Base—Battle of Williamsburg—General McClellan—General Joseph E. Johnston—Battle of Seven Pines—Richmond realizes the Horrors of War160CHAPTER XIIIThe Seven Days' Battles around Richmond—Pryor's Brigade ordered to the Front—Finding a Wounded Soldier—Midnight Watch after the Fight—Work in the Hospital—Ministrations of Virginia Women—Death of a Christian Soldier—Colonel Brokenborough's Sufferings, Fortitude, and Death—Richmond saved174CHAPTER XIVCampaign in Maryland and Northern Virginia—Battles of Manassas, South Mountain, and Sharpsburg (Antietam)—Winter Quarters in Culpeper—Stories around the Campfire—Devotion to General Lee—Incidents related by his Aide, Colonel Taylor193CHAPTER XVThe Foraging Party on the Blackwater—Incidents of Camp Life—A Hazardous Experiment in "Blockade Running"—Letter from "Agnes"—A Colored Man's Views of his own Place in Time of War—Fight on the Blackwater—Richmond Gossip from "Agnes"210CHAPTER XVIThe Bread Riot at Richmond, described by "Agnes"—Correspondence between the President, General Lee, and General Pryor—A Great Victory at Chancellorsville—General Lee's Order upon entering Pennsylvania—Cornwallis's Orders in 1781—Incident of Vicksburg Campaign—Dreadful Defeat at Gettysburg—Surrender of Vicksburg237CHAPTER XVIIThe Winter of 1863-1864—Personal Experiences—Patrick Henry's Granddaughter—The Spring and Summer in Petersburg—Famine, and Some of the Women who endured it—John tells of the Averill Raid—General Orders No. 7—Domestic Manufactures—General Lee's Dinner—His Service of "Plate"251CHAPTER XVIIISiege of Petersburg—Fight at Petersburg, June 9—General Lee arrives at Petersburg—General Grant shells the City—Conferenceof Pierre Soulé, General D. H. Hill, General Longstreet, and General Pryor—Battle at Port Walthall—A German Maiden and her Lover—Substitute for Medals of Honor—A Perilous Commission—Explosion of the Mine under Confederate Fortifications270CHAPTER XIXAugust in the Besieged City—The Dead Soldier—Return to Cottage Farm—General Lee makes his Headquarters near Cottage Farm—General Wilcox encamps in Yard and Garden—Picket Firing between Friendly Foes—New Uses for Champagne Glasses292CHAPTER XXCapture of General Pryor—John and the Negro Trader—Expedients for the Support of my Family—A New Use for Ball Dresses—Capture of the Rev. Dr. Pryor306CHAPTER XXIChristmas at Cottage Farm—Dark Days of Famine and Desertion in the Army—The Psalm of Life—ADéjeuner à la Fourchette—"Starvation Parties"—The Peace Commission—The Irish M.P. from Donegal—General Lee reveals the Desperate Condition of his Army—A Visit from General Lee319CHAPTER XXIIGeneral Pryor's Return from Captivity—Story of his Release from Prison and Interview with Mr. Lincoln—April 2—Defeat at Cottage Farm—Surrender of Petersburg—Entrance of Federal Troops—Personal Experiences338CHAPTER XXIIIEvacuation of Richmond described by "Agnes"—Mr. Lincoln's Entrance into Richmond as related by Admiral Porter354CHAPTER XXIVArrival of Southern Prisoners of War—General Sheridan "knows how to make the terms for a house that suits him"—"We've caught Jeff Davis"—General Sheridan's Visit—Frank Expression of a Yankee Soldier—General Warren tells us of Lee's Surrender361CHAPTER XXVIncidents and Events—Loyalty of Domestic Servants—The First Army Ration to Destitute Women—Mrs. Hartsuff—Return to Cottage Farm—A Scene of Desolation—The Lonely Vigil—Kindness of Negroes and Fidelity of Old Family Servants372CHAPTER XXVITourists—The Reverend Brother and the Young People—The Army of Norway Rats—The "Met Bullets"—General Grant—The Destruction of Fortifications and Change of Base—In the Garden at Cottage Farm—The Voice in the Night390CHAPTER XXVIIThe First Decoration Day—The Old Church at Blandford—The First Memorial Association—Covering the Soldiers' Graves with Flowers—"Until the Day Dawn"404CHAPTER XXVIIIVirginia in the Early Days of Peace—Behavior of the Freedmen—Clara's Home-coming and Death—The Welcome to the New Home—General Pryor removes to New York City412