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Chapter 25: spring of 1865.
We are near the end of the tremendous struggle for Southern independence.
In the last month of winter the famous Hampton Roads' Conference was held between
President Lincoln and the
Southern Commissioners.
The only terms offered were unconditional submission to the
Federal authorities, and it proved an utter failure.
In Richmond gloom and anxiety filled the minds of the people.
The noble army of
Gen. Lee, reduced to thirty thousand men, had a line forty miles long in front of
Gen. Grant, with his splendidly equipped force of a hundred and fifty thousand men.
Gen. Johnston, in command of the remnant of
Hood's army and portions of other forces, could count only twenty-five thousand men to confront forty thousand, flushed with victory, moving from th. South under
Gen. Sherman.
In the midst of disasters, and under the thickening gloom of war clouds, the people of the
South lifted up their voice to Him that ruleth the nations.
The President, in accordance with a resolution of the Confederate Congress, appointed the 10th day of March as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with thanksgiving.
In the spirit of a Christian patriot he addressed his proclamation to the suffering people of the
Confederate States:
It is our solemn duty, at all times, and more especially in a season of public trial and adversity, to acknowledge our dependence on His mercy, and to bow in humble submission before His footstool, confessing our manifold sins, supplicating His gracious pardon, imploring His divine help, and devoutly rendering thanks for
