New York City considers seceding, since its economic fortunes are tied to the South. But the Union buildup brings new money into the city, and New York decides to stay in the fold.

Adam enlists in the Union Army, as an aide to General Grant. His last advice to Ned: go to Europe and study

There is no fighting going on, so Wilkes goes back to the stage. In Cincinnati, Maggie Mitchell offers to arrange an appearance for him in New York. Wilkes is afraid of that, since, to him, New York is Ned's city. But in Chicago he meets Raufer, a scenery man, who introduces him to magical new staging and lighting techniques - and Wilkes realizes that, with these, he can conquer New York.