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could remain at his work except as a 〃detail〃 under orders of the
President： he might be called to the colors at a moment's notice。
We shall see； presently； how the revoking of details； toward the
end of what may truly be called the terrible year； was one of the
major incidents of Confederate history。
Together with the new conscription act； the President approved on
February 17； 1864； a reenactment of the tax in kind； with some
slight concessions to the convenience of the farmers。 The
President's appeal for a law directly taxing slaves and land had
been ignored by Congress； but another of his suggestions had been
incorporated in the Funding Act。 The state of the currency was
now so grave that Davis attributed to it all the evils growing
out of the attempts to enforce impressment。 As the value of the
paper dollar had by this time shrunk to six cents in specie and
the volume of Confederate paper was upward of seven hundred
millions； Congress undertook to reduce the volume and raise the
value by compelling holders of notes to exchange them for bonds。
By way of driving the note…holders to consent to the exchange；
provision was made for the speedy taxation of notes for one…third
their face value。
Such were the main items of the government program for 1864。
Armed with this； Davis braced himself for the great task of
making head against the enemies that now surrounded the
Confederacy。 It is an axiom of military science that when one
combatant possesses the interior line； the other can offset this
advantage only by exerting coincident pressure all round； thus
preventing him from shifting his forces from one front to
another。 On this principle； the Northern strategists had at last
completed their gigantic plan for a general envelopment of the
whole Confederate defense both by land and sea。 Grant opened
operations by crossing the Rapidan and telegraphing Sherman to
advance into Georgia。
The stern events of the spring of 1864 form such a famous page in
military history that the sober civil story of those months
appears by comparison lame and impotent。 Nevertheless； the
Confederate Government during those months was at least equal to
its chief obligation： it supplied and recruited the armies。 With
Grant checked at Cold Harbor； in June； and Sherman still unable
to pierce the western line； the hopes of the Confederates were
high。
In the North there was corresponding gloom。 This was the moment
when all Northern opponents of the war drew together in their
last attempt to shatter the Lincoln Government and make peace
with the Confederacy。 The value to the Southern cause of this
Northern movement for peace at any price was keenly appreciated
at Richmond。 Trusted agents of the Confederacy were even then in
Canada working deftly to influence Northern sentiment。 The
negotiations with those Northern secret societies which
befriended the South belong properly in the story of Northern
politics and the presidential election of 1864。 They were
skillfully conducted chiefly by Jacob Thompson and C。 C。 Clay。
The reports of these agents throughout the spring and summer were
all hopeful and told of 〃many intelligent men from the United
States〃 who sought them out in Canada for political
consultations。 They discussed 〃our true friends from the Chicago
（Democratic） convention〃 and even gave names of those who； they
were assured； would have seats in McClellan's Cabinet。 They were
really not well informed upon Northern affairs； and even after
the tide had turned against the Democrats in September； they were
still priding themselves on their diplomatic achievement； still
confident they had helped organize a great political power； had
〃given a stronger impetus to the peace party of the North than
all other causes combined； and had greatly reduced the strength
of the war party。〃
While Clay and Thompson built their house of cards in Canada； the
Richmond Government bent anxious eyes on the western battlefront。
Sherman； though repulsed in his one frontal attack at Kenesaw
Mountain； had steadily worked his way by the left flank of the
Confederate army； until in early July he was within six miles of
Atlanta。 All the lower South was a…tremble with apprehension。
Deputations were sent to Richmond imploring the removal of
Johnston from the western command。 What had he done since his
appointment in December but retreat？ Such was the tenor of public
opinion。 〃It is all very well to talk of Fabian policy；〃 said one
of his detractors long afterward； 〃and now we can see we were
rash to say the least。 But at the time； all of us went wrong
together。 Everybody clamored for Johnston's removal。〃 Johnston
and Davis were not friends； but the President hesitated long
before acting。 And yet； with each day； political as well as
military necessity grew more imperative。 Both at Washington and
Richmond the effect that the fighting in Georgia had on Northern
opinion was seen to be of the first importance。 Sherman was
staking everything to break the Confederate line and take
Atlanta。 He knew that a great victory would have incalculable
effect on the Northern election。 Davis knew equally well that the
defeat of Sherman would greatly encourage the peace party in the
North。 But he had no general of undoubted genius whom he could
put in Johnston's place。 However； the necessity for a bold stroke
was so undeniable； and Johnston appeared so resolute to continue
his Fabian policy； that Davis reluctantly took a desperate chance
and superseded him by Hood。
During August； though the Democratic convention at Chicago drew
up its platform favoring peace at any price； the anxiety of the
Southern President did not abate his activities。 The safety of
the western line was now his absorbing concern。 And in mid…August
that line was turned； in a way； by Farragut's capture of Mobile
Bay。 As the month closed； Sherman； despite the furious blows
delivered by Hood； was plainly getting the upper hand。 North and
South； men watched that tremendous duel with the feeling that the
foundations of things were rocking。 At last； on the 2d of
September； Sherman； victorious； entered Atlanta。
Chapter VIII。 A Game Of Chance
With dramatic completeness in the summer and autumn of 1864； the
foundations of the Confederate hope one after another gave way。
Among the causes of this catastrophe was the failure of the
second great attempt on the part of the Confederacy to secure
recognition abroad。 The subject takes us back to the latter days
of 1862； when the center of gravity in foreign affairs had
shifted from London to Paris。 Napoleon III； at the height of his
strange career； playing half a dozen dubious games at once； took
up a new pastime and played at intrigue with the Confederacy。 In
October he accorded a most gracious interview to Slidell。 He
remarked that his sympathies were entirely with the South but
added that； if he acted alone； England might trip him up。 He
spoke of his scheme for joint intervention by England； France；
and Russia。 Then he asked why we had not created a navy。 Slidell
snapped at the bait。 He said that the Confederates would be glad
to build ships in France； that 〃if the Emperor wo