The document summarizes several chapters from a book about the American Civil War. It describes key battles and events in 1861-1862, including Union victories capturing forts and cities in Tennessee and the Mississippi River valley. However, the Confederates had successes in the Shenandoah Valley and at Bull Run. The Union suffered devastating losses when General Lee invaded Maryland in September 1862, culminating in the bloody Battle of Antietam. Lincoln then issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for slaves in Confederate states.