CHAPTER I
FROM ST. LOUIS TO BELMONT
My object in tlie present narrative is to exhibitan outline of the military events which broughtabout the overthrow of the Southern Confederacyby turning its left flank. In this mighty workthe successive conquests of Vicksburg and Chatta nooga were cardinal events of no less importancethan the final conquest of Richmond. We havehere to follow, from their first small beginnings inthe state of Missouri , the military trans- , ,
** ' scope ot the
actions, growing ever vaster in dimen- present nar-
sions, which culminated in the course ratlve -of the year 1863 in the capture of the two greatstrongholds that dominated the lower waters ofthe Mississippi and the upper reaches of the Ten nessee . After the close of this continuous story,a crowning episode will claim our attention, inthe decisive victory at Nashville , which left Sher-man’s army free to advance upon the rear of Vir-