ARMS AND TROPHY DEPARTMENT OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION FAIR
This department 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: “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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration]
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, June 22d, 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.