| CHAPTER I |
| PAGE |
| Washington in the Fifties—Literary Society during Fillmore's Administration—John P. Kennedy, G. P. R. James, Mrs. Gales, and Mrs. Seaton—Anna Cora Mowatt | 3 |
| CHAPTER II |
| President 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 Result | 15 |
| CHAPTER III |
| Mr. 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 Washington | 38 |
| CHAPTER IV |
| The 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 States | 47 |
| CHAPTER V |
| Great 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"—DÉcolletÉ Bodices—A Society Dame's Opinion thereon | 66 |
| CHAPTER VI |
| Beautiful Women in Washington during Mr. Buchanan's Administration—Influence of Southern Women in Society—Conversational Talent—Over the Demi-tasse after Dinner—Over the Low Tea-table—Hon. John Y. Mason and the Lady who changed her Mind—The Evening Party—Brilliant Talkers and Good Suppers | 80 |
| CHAPTER VII |
| The 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" | 93 |
| CHAPTER VIII |
| Memorable 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 Day | 107 |
| CHAPTER IX |
| The Fall of Fort Sumter—Virginia sends "Peace Ambassadors" to Washington—Conventions in Richmond—Ordinance of Secession—Rally of Virginians—Enthusiasm of the Women—Soldiers' Outfits | 120 |
| CHAPTER X |
| March of the Volunteers—Sail down James River—Firing the First Gun of the Regiment—A Peaceful Volley | 134 |
| CHAPTER XI |
| A Virginia Tobacco Plantation—"Health, Peace, and Competence"—Country Dinners—A Negro Funeral—General McClellan and the Boys' Regiment | 146 |
| CHAPTER XII |
| Battle 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 War | 160 |
| CHAPTER XIII |
| The 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 saved | 174 |
| CHAPTER XIV |
| Campaign 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 Taylor | 193 |
| CHAPTER XV |
| The 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" | 210 |
| CHAPTER XVI |
| The 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 Vicksburg | 237 |
| CHAPTER XVII |
| The 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" | 251 |
| CHAPTER XVIII |
| Siege of Petersburg—Fight at Petersburg, June 9—General Lee arriv
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