Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 2

[356] longer against the North, that aid from abroad was hopeless; and who preferred to yield in time, and thus secure good terms. The bare suggestion of such a course evoked from the sterner spirits the most violent denunciations, and charges of cowardice and treachery were freely bandied. Nevertheless, attempts at compromise were made. Rebel congressmen, for advocating submission, were imprisoned; prominent men were decried for alleged sympathy with the North, and then attempted to escape from the sinking Confederacy. But for all this, the rebel government itself made overtures for peace. They were not such, however, as the national authorities, now conscious that they were rapidly advancing to supreme success, would for a moment consent to listen to. The movements of armies were not even delayed while the rebel commissioners presented their propositions.

Nevertheless, though rancors and heartburn-ings were rife, though the councils of the rebellion were divided, though its people suffered and its territory was devastated, though it was deserted in its hour of need by those who had applauded or incited its efforts at the start, neither its leaders nor its soldiers were yet conquered; if depressed, they did not despair. They determined, even at this crisis, to keep up their courage, to gather up their strength, to make still another effort, to try still another scheme. Lee was created general-in-chief, and given supreme command of the rebel armies; Johnston was recalled from the retirement in which he had remained since the Atlanta campaign; the arming of the slaves was sanctioned by the rebel congress; an attempt was made to collect the fragments