CHAPTERVI
Thisdepartment was beautifully draped with bunting, Revolutionary, Mexican and other old war flags, and also a few Confederate flags, captured by regiments, still in the field, that had yet many a bloody battle to fight. A number of distinguished, elegantly-gowned women toiled here indefatigably, brimming over with excitement and patriotism, quite regardless of the unusual fatigue of standing and working so many hours daily, in their anxiety to allow no one to pass without contributing in some way to the fund, now reaching thousands of dollars.
Here was to be decided the “sword test,” that would indicate the most popular general, by the number of votes cast at one dollar each. The sword was to be presented to the winner of the largest number of votes. How these attractive ladies worked for their favorites! A magnetic thrill pervaded this room, where men of fashion and reputation crowded, ostensibly to learn how the vote was going.
Mrs. Grant, a noble-looking woman, accepted graciously, but without solicitation, all who offered votes for General Grant, of whom she invariably spoke as “Mr. Grant.” Mrs. McClellan, with elegant society manner, lost no opportunity in gaining a vote for General McClellan; her vivacity, personal charm, and courteous flattery won many a vote for her husband. I think if her son, our ex-mayor, could have seen his mother at the height of her matured beauty he would have been justly proud.
McClellansMAJOR-GENERAL AND MRS. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN
MAJOR-GENERAL AND MRS. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN
The polls were to close at midnight on the last day of the fair. Excitement ran high as the hour approached. At ten minutes before the hour the McClellan vote was far ahead, and that party was already exulting, confident of success; but at five minutes before the final closing of the polls, the Union League, of Philadelphia, telegraphed, ordering “five hundred votes for Grant,” and the sword was his.
UNION LEAGUE HOUSEUNION LEAGUE HOUSE
UNION LEAGUE HOUSE
Indignant Democrats pronounced this an act of treachery; an ominous dissent spread over the restless crowd, and for a time it seemed as if there might be some dangerous demonstration. Only the general refinement and restraint of the surging, self-respecting crowd prevented an outbreak.
Mrs. McClellan was pitifully disappointed, as her vision of the White House grew dim; and after the popular election of Grant, and the defeat of McClellan, she indignantly declared that she would not live in such an ungrateful country. She actually lived abroad for some years but, like all good Americans, she was happy to return to enjoy the freedom of her own native land.
In the month of February, 1909, I had the pleasure of seeing again, in the Smithsonian Museum at Washington, the veritable sword of that memorable contest, which had been presented in April, 1863. Other swords and equipments of General Grant were preserved in a large glass case. A silver head of Liberty formed the handle, set with diamonds, garnets and turquoises, the hilt and shield in bas-relief of a helmeted knight, the blade and scabbard highly wrought in oxidized silver and gold. The Chattanooga is the largest and finest of six or eight swords, all highly wrought and jewelled, which were presented by admiring friends at different dates to General Grant.
At the beginning of the Fair I had obtained permission for the three men, Smith, Berry and Mudge, to remain in the trophy department, where, each day, many greenbacks were crowded into their pockets. I had asked Mesdames Grant and McClellan to head subscription lists and to solicit money for the three helpless soldiers. Both ladies cheerfully and effectively urged people to subscribe at one dollar each, and at the close of the last evening they were happy to hand over to me, to be divided among these living martyrs of our cruel war, the sum of about five hundred dollars.
A citizen, employed by the New England Rooms, had charge of the finances and of the safe. He came every night with the ambulance to take me and the mutilated men back to the New England Rooms to sleep. On this last night I handed him the great roll of five hundred one-dollar bills to carry home and put into the safe. Instantly, however, an impulse came to me, and I said: “Just let me look at that money to see if it is all right.” Grasping it firmly, I did not return it to the man, but carried it safely to the Rest, and kept it during the night. Before morning the scamp had robbed the safe and vanished, and of course was never more heard of. Was it telepathy or a finer psychic perception that saved the boys their money?
A unique incident occurred at this Rest, to the great amusement of the Boys. I frequently stayed here all night with the capable matron, Mrs. Russell, in her apartments on the top floor of this former store-house. One evening we were startled by unusual hilarity among the patients on the floor below. A great “well” was open through the middle of the building for the purpose of raising merchandise to the upper floors, and now it served as a fine ventilator. On stepping forward to the railing we saw to our astonishment three boys, each having lost a leg. They were great chums, always together, and sometimes the group was called “Three Legs.” Each was on a crutch, carrying in one hand an artificial government leg, and they were having a grotesque dance with these limbs and crutches. To the men it seemed very funny and caused roars of laughter, but I failed to find amusement in the gruesome antics of these boys, scarcely of age, crippled for life.
Three legs“THREE LEGS”
“THREE LEGS”
Colonel Mrs. Daily, whom I met at the New England Rooms, enjoyed the unique honor of having been appointed adjutant on the staff of Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island. Colonel Daily had just returned from a tour of inspection of Rhode Island regiments stationed near the front and had also visited sick soldiers in different hospitals. She had prepared and published a general and statistical report of the condition of the men to present officially to Governor Sprague.
Mrs. DailyCOLONEL MRS. DAILY
COLONEL MRS. DAILY
After my success in collecting funds for Mudge, Smith and Berry at the Sanitary Fair, I concluded to take them to the great exposition then being held at Philadelphia, but for some unexplained reason my efforts to secure financial aid for them met with comparative failure.
A handsome ambulance of the Wicacoe fire engine company had met us at Camden boat landing, Philadelphia, whence we were driven to the famous Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon and Hospital, where a few cots for special cases had been set up in the private offices. Here these three men were warmly welcomed and made comfortable during their visit.
Mrs. Lincoln called there one day, and, after a pleasant talk, gave twenty dollars to each of the “Twins.” They seemed to appreciate her kindly words even more than her practical gift.
When troops were approaching the city of Philadelphia, the great “Liberty Bell” rang out a welcome to coming regiments. Hundreds of kindly women, laden with good things, hastened to this large building, which was a cooper’s shop, quickly set up rough tables, and spread their generous supplies ready for the hungry men. During the war thousands of men and many regiments halted here for “a good square meal,” while passing through the city to the front. When the hungry Boys were rested and satisfied, they fell into line and marched away to the music of the jolly fife and drum, cheering and shouting their thanks, only exceeded in sound by the deafening applause of the patriotic people waiting to see them off. This “shop,” by the generosity of its owners, and the unflagging patriotism of the women, became historical. Many full regiments remembered the good things freely given by those who had not always an abundant living for themselves.
Title or description
The following is a verbatim copy of a letter written by one of the “Twins” from the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon and Hospital, generally known as the Cooper Rest Hall, referred to above:
“Philadelphia, June22d, 1864.Miss Adelaide Smith:Dear Madam:—I have just received your kind and welcome letter and now hasten to reply. I am glad to hear of your safe arrival in New York, and regret that friend Mudge cannot exercise sufficient control over himself to prevent so much useless trouble to his friends but I anticipated as much. I hope the air of the Astor House will be congenial to him. Berry has been seeking the paper you refer to but has not yet gotten it. He will go out to-day and get it, if he can, and send it to you.Shortly after Berry went out with you, the day you left, Mrs. Lincoln visited the Saloon and had a little talk with me (Smith) and a $20.00 bill was slipped into my hand. I believe there is $20.00 expected for Berry from the same source.With regard to pecuniary matters Philadelphia is looking up. In addition to the above donation I have received $25.00, and Berry about $20.00. Berry is out occasionally, hence the difference between us, but Berry will stay in the Saloon alongside of me and no doubt we will both share alike.Berry was walking along Chestnut Street on Monday when a man standing at a doorway stopped him, questioned him, did he know Miss Furness? Yes. Well Miss Furness has been everywhere trying to find us, wishing very much to see us. Miss Furness was then in the house. Berry was invited in to see her. She commenced the old story about the artificial arms and legs. We expect she will go to the fair and peddle out the rest of her old jewelry which will, she expects, enable her to give us some fifteen or twenty thousand dollars each. In fact our expectations are raised to such a pitch and we are so sanguine of Miss Furness that we shall probably have a surplus of a few thousand, dear Madam for you, as a ‘slight testimonial of our esteem and mark of our gratitude’; etc., etc. She has also a box full of artificial arms and legs.Will you please tell Price to forward all letters there may be in the hospital for Berry and me. Mr. Redner has not yet called.I hope Mr. D. will get my furlough extended, at any rate I shall stay here some time longer. We are getting along very comfortably. There is nothing particular in the way of news. Berry and I went out sailing a day or two ago.All the good folks here beg to be remembered to you, Mr. Wade in particular. Our best regards to all our friends, Mr. D. especially, and believe us, dear Madam,Yours very gratefully,ALBERT A. SMITH and JOHN H. BERRY.P. S. If you have time, in case you pass through Philadelphia, to call and see us, it will afford us much pleasure.”
“Philadelphia, June22d, 1864.
Miss Adelaide Smith:
Dear Madam:—
I have just received your kind and welcome letter and now hasten to reply. I am glad to hear of your safe arrival in New York, and regret that friend Mudge cannot exercise sufficient control over himself to prevent so much useless trouble to his friends but I anticipated as much. I hope the air of the Astor House will be congenial to him. Berry has been seeking the paper you refer to but has not yet gotten it. He will go out to-day and get it, if he can, and send it to you.
Shortly after Berry went out with you, the day you left, Mrs. Lincoln visited the Saloon and had a little talk with me (Smith) and a $20.00 bill was slipped into my hand. I believe there is $20.00 expected for Berry from the same source.
With regard to pecuniary matters Philadelphia is looking up. In addition to the above donation I have received $25.00, and Berry about $20.00. Berry is out occasionally, hence the difference between us, but Berry will stay in the Saloon alongside of me and no doubt we will both share alike.
Berry was walking along Chestnut Street on Monday when a man standing at a doorway stopped him, questioned him, did he know Miss Furness? Yes. Well Miss Furness has been everywhere trying to find us, wishing very much to see us. Miss Furness was then in the house. Berry was invited in to see her. She commenced the old story about the artificial arms and legs. We expect she will go to the fair and peddle out the rest of her old jewelry which will, she expects, enable her to give us some fifteen or twenty thousand dollars each. In fact our expectations are raised to such a pitch and we are so sanguine of Miss Furness that we shall probably have a surplus of a few thousand, dear Madam for you, as a ‘slight testimonial of our esteem and mark of our gratitude’; etc., etc. She has also a box full of artificial arms and legs.
Will you please tell Price to forward all letters there may be in the hospital for Berry and me. Mr. Redner has not yet called.
I hope Mr. D. will get my furlough extended, at any rate I shall stay here some time longer. We are getting along very comfortably. There is nothing particular in the way of news. Berry and I went out sailing a day or two ago.
All the good folks here beg to be remembered to you, Mr. Wade in particular. Our best regards to all our friends, Mr. D. especially, and believe us, dear Madam,
Yours very gratefully,ALBERT A. SMITH and JOHN H. BERRY.
P. S. If you have time, in case you pass through Philadelphia, to call and see us, it will afford us much pleasure.”
On our return to New York, as in going to Philadelphia, every one wished to lend a helping hand, but Smith clung to Berry, who carried him with ease, while the crowd cheered the courageous, independent fellows. On returning them safely to the New England Rooms, I longed to rest for a few days at my home in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, but I found at the Rooms a slowly dying woman who greatly excited my sympathy. She had been brought from Washington, where she had contracted dysentery while nursing her son, who died soon after she reached him. She was on her way to her home in Worcester, Massachusetts. There was no proper place for the poor soul, and Colonel Howe was anxious to have her reach her home before she died, so I took charge of her, and we went by the Fall River Line. I sat beside her stretcher all night in the ladies’ cabin, watching her pulse and constantly giving her stimulants or nourishment. At daybreak we reached Worcester. The man sent to assist me found an express wagon on which the stretcher was placed, and we all drove to a plain comfortable-looking house. Finding no responsible person about the place I took possession of the parlor on the second floor, ordering a bed from another room. The feeble woman was then carried up and placed comfortably at rest in her own home. The doctor came and, against my earnest protest, insisted on stopping the stimulants at once, saying he knew her constitution better than I. When her husband appeared he showed no particular interest save to take possession of her pocketbook, and I did not see him again.
A Mr. and Mrs. Green showed much interest for the woman. They kindly took me to their home for rest. Later in the day I went back to see the fast failing woman, who died two days later, a victim to the conceit of an ignorant doctor. I enjoyed for a day or two the hospitality of the Greens, and I shall never forget their home-grown strawberries and cream.