P. G. T. Beauregard takes sick leave, loses his command to Braxton Bragg, and condemns Jefferson Davis in a private letter. Catton then widens the view to Federal advances in Mississippi and Virginia, where armies under Henry Halleck and George B. McClellan seem close to decisive opportunities. Late May 1862 appears as a brief point when the war might end before further destruction changed its political meaning. The outcome still depends on commanders, opposing armies, river crossings, weather, and chance. Catton's maps help readers follow simultaneous campaigns across the distances involved.
Chapter · 13:34-17:16
Terrible Swift Sword and the decision point of 1862
Catton links Confederate command disputes to simultaneous Union advances and treats May 1862 as a brief chance to end the war before it became more destructive.