PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S SPEECH AT THE FAIR. 397

its duration, is one of the most terrible. It has deranged business totally in many localities, and partially in all localities. It has destroyed property, and ruined homes; it has produced a national debt and taxation, unprecedented, at least in this country; it has carried mourning to almost every home, until it can be said the "heavens are hung in black;" yet it continues, and several relieving coincidents have accompanied it from the beginning, which have not been known, as I have understood, or have any knowledge of, in any former wars in the history of the world. The Sanitary Commission, with all its benevolent labors; the Christian Commission, with all its. Christian and benevolent labors; and the various places, arrangements, so to speak, and institutions, have contributed to the comfort and relief of the soldiers. You have two of these places in this city— the Cooper Shop and Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloons. [Great applause and cheers.] And lastly, these Fairs, which, I believe, began only in last August, if I mistake not in. Chicago; then at Boston, at Cincinnati, at Brooklyn, at New York, at Baltimore, and those at present held at St. Louis, Pittsburg and Philadelphia.

"The motive and object that lie at the bottom of all these are most worthy, for say what you will, after all, the most is due to the soldier, who takes his life in his hand, and goes to fight the battles of his country. [Cheers.] In what is contributed to his comfort, when he passes to and fro, and in what is contributed to him when he is sick and wounded, in whatever shape it comes, whether from the fair and tender hand of woman, or from any other source, is much, very much; but I think there is still that which has as much value to

him-he is not forgotten. [Cheers.] Another view of these various institutions is worthy of consideration, I think. They are voluntary contributions, given freely, zealously and earnestly, on top of all the disturbances of business, the taxation and burdens that the war has imposed upon us, giving proof that the national resources are not at all exhausted[Cheers] that the national spirit of patriotism is even stronger than at the commencement of the rebellion."

GENERAL GRANT COMMANDS THE UNION ARMIES. 399

CHAPTER XXII.

Gen. Grant assumes command of the Union Armies.-Continued fighting. Great need of sanitary supplies.-U. S. Sanitary Commission and Soldiers' Home resolve to hold a fair.-Great plans.-Close of the war.-Less enthusiasm.-President Lincoln.-Trip to Washington.-Visit to Mr. Lincoln.-Interview.-President's levée.-Interview with Secretary Stanton.-Admiral Farragut and Charles Sumner.-Miss Peabody.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT took command of the entire Union armies, east and west, March, A.D. 1864. To use the expressive language in his report, they had "heretofore acted independently, like a balky team, no two ever pulling together, enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his interior lines of communication for transporting troops from east to west, reënforcing the army most vigorously pressed, and to furlough large numbers, during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes, and do the work of producing for the support of their armies. It was a question whether our numerical strength and resources were not more than balanced by these disadvantages and the enemy's superior position." General Grant planted himself on the banks of the Rapidan, and announced his policy of massing the largest possible bodies of troops against the enemy, and hammering them incessantly, till they should be ground to

powder. On this line he proposed to fight it out; and he did, after a year's perpetual attrition.

At this time, the Mississippi river was opened its entire length, and all the States west and north of it were within the Union lines. Louisiana, Arkansas south of the Arkansas river, and Texas, were in possession of the enemy, with an armed force of 80,000 men, and the entire disloyal population to guard them, and harass our troops. West Virginia was within our lines; but the whole of Virginia, except its boundary, the Potomac river, and a small area at the mouth of the James, and the border of the Rapidan, occupied by our troops, was in possession of the enemy. East Tennessee was held by our troops, and a foothold had been gained in Georgia, and on the coasts of North and South Carolina and Florida; but the interior of this vast area of country, with its communications and defences, was in the enemy's hands.

To accomplish the subjugation of so vast an extent of country, required not only great intellectual comprehension, administrative ability, and military skill, but numerous bloody battles, that taxed to the utmost the powers of the benevolent organizations pledged to assist the Government in its care of the sick and wounded. From the 4th of May, when the Army of the Potomac began to move, the Lieutenant-General kept the trip-hammer pounding. The mighty engine accomplished its work, but in so doing rapidly filled hospitals and graves. The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor, while they effectually crippled and demoralized the enemy, made bloody work in the Union ranks, and called for unlimited sanitary supplies. In like manner, the brilliant campaign and

sanguinary battles of Gen. Sherman, from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and the fierce battle at Nashville, between Generals Thomas and Hood, had almost exhausted the funds and supplies of the North-Western Sanitary Commission, and rendered extraordinary effort necessary, to meet these increased demands.

At the same time, the Soldiers' Home of Chicago was greatly in need of funds, for the erection of a permanent dwelling for disabled soldiers. Upon deliberation between the representatives of these respective organizations, it was determined to hold a joint mammoth Fair, for their benefit; the Soldiers' Home to receive $25,000, and the balance to go to the Sanitary Commission. The board for this joint Fair was elected by representatives chosen from each body, and its executive committee was constituted as follows:

Thomas B. Bryan, President; E. B. McCagg, Vice-President; E. W. Blatchford, Treasurer; Mrs. D. P. Livermore, Mrs. A. H. Hoge, Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, Mrs. C. P. Dickinson, Corresponding Secretaries. Its inauguration was deferred till June, when the weather in the neighborhood of Lake Michigan would be more conducive to comfort and the beauty of the Fair. The movement was hailed with enthusiasm, and promised to be the crowning Fair of the series.

The heavy blows of our army had proved too much for the rebellion, reduced to a mere shell, and its crust was broken on the 9th of April, A. D. 1865, when the rebel Gen. Lee surrendered his army to Gen. Grant. The nation was convulsed with joy and gratitude to God, and the brave leaders, and equally brave men in the ranks.

The effect of the sudden collapse of the rebellion was