Revisions to Early Chapters, part one

Tolkien began to restructure and rewrite the beginning of his Hobbit sequel. Much of the rewriting was prompted by the shift in ideas of what Gandalf was doing, behind the scenes, in his absence. Other shifts, such as the finalization of Trotter as a man, also influenced what had previously been written. I will highlight some shifts I found interesting as noted in The Treason of Isengard:

Chapter One: A long-expected party

• Christopher Tolkien noted this was now the 6th version of the opening chapter
•  The tense show of wills between Bilbo and Gandalf is not yet present but the Ring's grip on Bilbo is becoming clearer: "He held out the envelope, but just as Gandalf was about to take it,  Bilbo's hand jerked and the envelope fell on the floor" (p. 20, The Treason of Isengard).
• The Dwarf Lofar finally disappears

Chapter Two: An Ancient History

• This chapter was substantially rewritten but parts of the history had not yet appeared (for example: the making of the Rings of Power)
• Overall it moves, in most parts, nearly identical to the published work: "'I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you were also meant to have it, and that may be an encouraging thought, or it may not'" (p. 25, The Treason of Isengard).
• There is still great difficulty resolving Gollum and Bilbo's interaction from The Hobbit

Chapter Three: Three's Company

• This is the 3rd title of this chapter (Delays are Dangerous and Three's Company, Four's More)
• Perhaps the biggest development: "...'Pippin' appears for the first time as the text was written" (p. 30, The Treason of Isengard). Indeed, the lovable Pippin took finally lands on page never to leave.

Chapter Four: A Shortcut to Mushrooms

• The final form of this chapter was already completed; no significant changes or the correcting names.

Chapter Five: A Conspiracy Unmasked with The Dream of the Tower

• Frodo no longer leaves a note for Gandalf at Crickhollow fearing it was too dangerous
• Several texts exist from this time regarding Frodo's dream of Gandalf's imprisonment. Christopher Tolkien noted that his father struggled with where exactly to insert this dream into the text. 
• The dream itself has some eery and unsettling features: "...outside the wall sat silent watchers: black-robed figures on black horses, gazing at the gate of the tower without moving, as if they had sat there forever" (p. 33-34, The Treason of Isengard). Let that sink in and picture it; gives me the creeps!

Chapter Six: The Old Forest

• Most of the changes involved in this revision involved name changes with various characters

Chapter Seven: In the House of Tom Bombadil

• The attack at Crickhollow was originally associated with this chapter; but with the shift in Gandalf's movements this was struck out and would be incorporated around the time Frodo and friends arrived in Bree.

Chapter Eight: Fog on the Barrow-downs

• Little revision to this chapter was made at this time. However it was not yet in the final Fellowship form.
• The idea that Butterbur knew Bombadil was struck out however as Tolkien likely remembered Gandalf's words at Elrond's council that Bombadil did not leave his borders