Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/652

612 secession, and to reunite the seceded States with the Union, he sought Mr. Seward and obtained from him such intimations concerning the policy of the new administration as to induce him to persuade the commissioners to trust the government fully. But at the time he was pledging this assurance, the administration was organizing the coercion movement which was precipitated by the descent of reinforcement vessels upon the waters in Charleston harbor. His indignation at being trifled with by Mr. Seward caused him to forward to the secretary the able historic exposure which now belongs to the history of the inauguration of the war.

President Lincoln s immediate call for a large army to invade the South was sufficient confirmation to his mind that he and the South had been dealt with deceitfully by the secretary of state, and that only war could ensue. He therefore resigned his seat on the Supreme bench and on coming home was assigned to humble but not less important duties as Confederate assistant secretary of war, which he discharged from October, 1862, until the Confederacy dissolved.

Another interesting and important event in the Confederate life of Judge Campbell was his participation in the celebrated Hampton Roads conference in February, 1865. The Hampton Roads conference was brought about at the instance of President Davis, who called the vice-president, Mr. Stephens, into confidential counsel upon the subject, with the result that Mr. Stephens suggested Judge Campbell as one of three commissioners, and Mr. Davis accepting the suggestion, appointed Mr. Stephens, Judge Campbell and Mr. Hunter to hold an interview with President Lincoln. That remarkable conference occurred between these three commissioners on the part of the South, and President Lincoln with Mr. Seward on the part of the United States. Unfortunately it resulted in no understanding through which hostilities could be suspended for a moment. Mr. Stephens did the principal