Chapter 8:
- Mr. Lincoln's remark about the wolf. -- his designs upon Virginia. -- Federal occupation of Alexandria. -- tragedy at the Marshall House. -- Jackson, the martyr. -- the affair of great Bethel. -- easy victory of the Confederates. -- exaggerations of Southern newspapers. -- apparent lull of hostilities. -- New demonstrations of public opinion in the North. -- financial difficulties at Washington. -- popular clamour against President Lincoln and Gen. Scott. -- Early indications of the real objects of the war. -- the rights of humanity. -- Virginia the great theatre of the war. -- the grand army of the North. -- consultation of President Davis and Beauregard and Lee. -- Beauregard's line of defence in Northern Virginia. -- sketch of General Beauregard. -- his person and manners. -- his opinion of the Yankee. -- the army of the Potomac and the army of the Shenandoah. -- Gen. Johnson's evacuation of Harper's Ferry. -- “Stonewall” Jackson's first affair with the enemy. -- Johnston amusing the enemy. -- affair of Rich Mountain. -- McClellan's march into Northwestern Virginia. -- Rosecrans' capture of the Confederate force on Rich Mountain. -- retreat of the, Confederates from Laurel Hill. -- death of Gen. Garnett. -- extent of the disaster to the Confederates. -- the “grand army” advancing on Manassas. -- Johnston's movement to Beauregard's line. -- the battle of Manassas. -- the affair of 18th July. -- Longstreet's gallant defence. -- theatre of the great battle. -- Beauregard's change of purpose, and his plan of battle. -- the Stone Bridge. -- the “Big forest.” -- the Confederates flanked. -- the day apparently lost for them. -- the scene at the Henry House. -- timely arrival of Jackson. -- Gen. Beauregard disconcerted. -- ride from the Hill to the Henry House. -- the battle restored. -- the bloody plateau. -- three stages in the battle. -- the last effort of the enemy. -- the strange flag. -- arrival of Kirby Smith. -- the grand and final charge. -- rout and panic of the enemy. -- the fearful race to the Potomac. -- scenes of the retreat. -- failure of the Confederates to pursue, or to advance upon Washington. -- a lost opportunity
Some weeks after the secession of Virginia, Mr. Lincoln is said to have remarked that he “would soon get the wolf by the ears.” He probably meant in this figure of the backwoodsman that he would soon secure the two important passages into Virginia: that along the Orange and Alexandria and Central Railroads towards Richmond, and that along the water avenue of the James.
