A military genius

The long years come and go, And the Past, The sorrowful splendid Past, With its glory and its woe, Seems never to have been. Seems never to have been! O somber days and grand, How ye crowd back once more, Seeing our heroes graves are green By the Potomac, and the Cumberland And in the valley of the Shenandoah!

When we remember how they died, In dark ravine and on the mountain side, In leaguered fort and fire-encircled town, And where the iron ships went down. How their dear lives were spent In the weary hospital tent, In the cockpit's crowded hive, ---- it seems Ignoble to be alive!

THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH.

CONTENTS.

Chapter I.

Ancestry and Old Plantation Life............................... 1

Chapter II.

Childhood and Early Life -- Miss Carroll's Youthful Letters to Her Father -- Religious Tendencies -- Letters from Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge -- Sale of Kingston Hall -- Early Writings -- Letter of Hon. Edward Bates -- Breaking Out of the Civil War -- Preoccupation in Military Affairs............................. 14

Chapter III.

Rise of the Secession Movement -- The Capital in Danger -- Miss Carroll's Literary Labors for the Cause of the Union -- Testimonials from Eminent Men................................. 31

Chapter IV.

The Military Situation -- Goes to St. Louis -- Inception of the Plan of the Tennessee Campaign -- Gives in The Plan at the War Department -- President Lincoln's Delight at the Solution of the Problem -- Account Written in 1889 -- Judge Wade at Bull Run -- Formation of the Committee for the Conduct of the War......... 59

Chapter V.

Miss Carroll's Papers to the War Department -- Plan of Campaign -- Letters from Scott, Wade, and Others -- Discussions -- Papers as the Campaign Progresses.................................... 81

Chapter VI.

Congressional Revelations -- Great Results -- Discussions -- Miss Carroll Presents Her Claim -- Political Opposition -- Letters and Testimony.................................................... 105

Chapter VII.

Miss Carroll's Pamphlets in Aid of the Administration -- The Presentation of the Bill..................................... 124

Chapter VIII.

Miss Carroll Before Congress................................. 132

Chapter IX.

A Wounded Veteran Retires from the Field -- Interview with Grant -- The Women of America make the Cause Their Own -- A National Lesson....................................................... 150

PREFACE.

In commencing the attempt to portray a very remarkable career I had hoped for the cooeperation of the person concerned so far, at least, as the supervision of any statements I might find it necessary to make. But it was decided by her friends that it would not be well for her at present to be troubled with new projects, or even informed of them. It was at first a serious disappointment to me and seemed to increase my difficulties, but as I was allowed access to sources of family information I have been enabled to present a sketch, slight and inadequate, but authentic, and greatly desired by many distant friends. With continued improvement in health I trust that the wishes of Miss Carroll's friends may be better met by an autobiography taking the place of the present meager and imperfect sketch.

It should be at once understood that this is not a plea for Miss Carroll.

Her work has but to be fairly presented to speak for itself.