But the fairest flowers fade soonest, and the rarest earthly bliss is the most fleeting. The end drew nigh. The Fair's days were numbered-the beautiful creation must go the way of all the earth, and sad hearts said, Farewell! The booths were dismantled, partitions removed, but the banners and decorations retained. Long tables were erected, and an elegant free dinner proclaimed for all the soldiers within bugle call, given by the Fair as part of the celebration of the memorable 4th of July, 1865-the anniversary of an EMANCIPATED as well as an INDEPENDENT people; and also the annual celebration of the fall of Vicksburg. On a huge inclined platform scores of organs were placed, manipulated by skilful performers, and fifteen hundred trained singers, all under the charge of the world-renowned Balatka. An audience of ten thousand enthusiastic people joined in the choruses, and made such a volume of patriotic music, as has not been heard before nor since. The Hon. Henry Winter Davis, on that sublime occasion, pronounced a thrilling oration, that he might not have altered, had he divined he would so soon be summoned where actions and utterances must be met. A Marylander by birth and education, he indorsed liberty for the captive, and took his first public position on equal suffrage, which brought forth a thundering response, that made the arches that had echoed hosannas to Grant, Sherman and Hooker, tremble as of yore.

In conclusion, I would say, that the names of indefatigable workers in the Fair, were legion; and so uniform and surpass ing was their faithfulness, selections would be invidious. The name, however, of Thomas B. Bryan, Esq., acting President of the Fair, may be mentioned, without fear of

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441

jealousy or rivalry, The innumerable perplexities consequent on the position held by him, were greater than in any of its forerunners; owing to the undertone of opposition, on the ground of alleged needlessness. Even this current ceased to flow under his genial influence, and as the Fair progressed, the shifting sands became granite, and the edifice fell not; for it was founded on the rock of humanity and patriotism.

The following published statement, from the pen of Mr. E. B. McCagg, President of the Branch at Chicago, is so pertinent, and withal so satisfactory, as a record of some of the last work of the Commission, and an answer to the questions, "What is done and what will be done with the money raised from the Fair?" that we insert it. entire:

"From the middle of April last, the work of this branch of the Sanitary Commission has been dependent on moneys received on account of the Fair, for its efficiency. At that date, its treasury became empty, and since then the larger portion of its receipts have been on Fair account.. About $12,000 were expended in the latter part of May, in aid of returned prisoners from Andersonville, at Vicksburg, besides keeping up the ordinary work of the branches; and there is now in this city, a Chaplain from Fort Smith, Arkansas, with well-authenticated statements of present suffering among families of Union soldiers, themselves sufficiently heart-rending, to make one wish the entire receipts of the Fair might be sent to that storm-driven State. This branch of the Commission has sent off, on an average, a car-load of

supplies every three days, and the demand has not yet in any way lessened.

"E. B. MCCAGG, President."

The establishment of peace and the disbandment of the Union armies, was followed, in the course of a few months, by the evacuation of hospitals, thus ending the supply work of the Commission, and releasing the workers in that department. With its termination, came the close of our army trips, visits to aid societies, and sanitary work in various forms. I have endeavored, by the narration of our army and sanitary experience, to give a faint picture of the heroism of the "rank and file" of the army, in hospital and in the field, and of the sacrifice and suffering of the women at home. The volume is necessarily discursive, as scenes, individual sketches, and the work of various organizations, are por trayed, as they fall in by the way, and naturally become part of the narrative. My aim has been, to make the general effect and scope of the work, a unit, designated by the title. Its record belongs to the private soldiers. On their account, in their behalf, inspired by their bravery and endurance, Sanitary and Christian Commissions, Sanitary Fairs, and the entire round of patriotic efforts, were made and rendered successful.

Glorious as has been the record of the military leaders, in the words of Gen. Sherman, "the 'Boys' have put on their shoulder-straps." Triumphant and resplendent as are the stripes and stars, second only to the blue and starry heavens in beauty and significance, but for the brave volunteers, these honorable emblems would still be trail

AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE BOYS IN BLUE." 443

ing in the dust, not floating proudly from every fortress and every State capitol, from Maine to Texas, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. God bless the "Boys in Blue, and the Heroes of the Rank and File"! LET NOT THE NATION SAY TO THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN, "BE YE WARMED AND FILLED," BUT LET EVERY INDIVIDUAL, EVERY STATE, AND THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, UNITE TO PAY THEIR JUST DEBT TO THE NATION'S CREDITORS-THE WORLD'S WONDER THE RETURNED, VICTORIOUS ARMIES OF THE UNION!

CHAPTER XXIV.

Mr. Howe's enlistment.-Raising a county regiment.- Speech at the meeting to raise recruits.-Enlistment of his coachman in same regiment. He is made Postmaster of the regiment.-Advances money to pay regiment for two months. His illness.-Return home to work for the boys.

I HAVE stated in the first chapter of this volume that the ranks of the Union army contained men of the highest position and worth. The following remarkable story, from the pen of James Parton, is most generously placed at my disposal, by Robert Bonner, editor of the New York Ledger, and is a powerful confirmation of the elevated character and exalted patriotism of some who entered the ranks of the Union army to battle for the right. We grant this case had few parallels, as regards wealth. Not a few, however, ap

proached and equalled it in patriotism and self-abnegation.

A MILLIONAIRE IN THE RANKS.

BY JAMES PARTON.

No army, I suppose, ever contained such a variety of characters and conditions as that of the United States during the late war. There were men in it of almost every race and color; men of every rank-from French princes lineally descended from Henry IV. to the plantation slave; men of every degree of moral worth and unworthiness—from the