Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/483



HE second session of the Confederate Congress began August 18, 1862, under the buoyant influences of the late victories achieved by the Southern army, relieving Richmond from siege and again driving the invading army back to the protection of the Potomac. The United States Congress had adjourned July 17th, one month before, and the Confederate States government was in full possession of all its proceedings.

The message of President Davis was read to both houses without delay. In its opening, the sufferings endured by the people, and the gallantry of the troops on hard-fought battle fields, were referred to with grateful expressions. Our army had not faltered, and the great body of the people had continued to manifest zeal and unanimity. The vast armies which threatened the capital of the Confederacy, had been defeated and driven from the lines of investment, and the enemy repeatedly foiled in his efforts for its capture, is now seeking to raise new armies on a scale such as modern history does not record to effect that subjugation of the South so often proclaimed as on the verge of fulfillment. With vigorous language the message described &quot; the changed character of the hostilities waged by the enemy, reciting the destruction