of Commerce, as proud memorials of the brave men who upheld them. These regiments and batteries furnished three brevet-brigadiers, and large numbers of officers from their ranks.

For the various purposes of keeping an agent in the field, sending sanitary stores, vegetables, rubber blankets, etc., etc., this body raised over $100,000. In every exigency, the Board of Trade stood ready with its money and its influence, and on one day raised $3,600, to purchase vegetables for the army at Young's Point. The name of Col. John Hancock, its earnest president, became the watchword of vigilance, patriotism and liberality, and its list of members warmly seconded him in all his movements. One of its prominent members was elected colonel of the 72d regiment. With rare magnanimity and honesty, he declined the honor, on account of his limited military knowledge, and took the secondary place of Lieut.-colonel, which he held with great honor, till he lost a limb in the first assault on Vicksburg, May 19, 1864. This wound eventuated in his death. Few men have made a more honorable record, or been more widely mourned than Lieut.-Col. J. C. Wright. He was a brave officer and humble Christian, fond husband and father, and left not only a great breach in his regiment, but in the Church and family. The city of Chicago mourned his loss and paid reverence to his memory; and the Board of Trade may feel honored at having furnished from their number an officer so universally esteemed and deeply lamented. Its able and efficient secretary, Col. Beattie, has occupied an important place in its record, and with faithfulness and earnestness, used the influence of his official position to carry out its patriotic schemes.

WOMAN'S COUNCIL AT WASHINGTON.

81

CHAPTER V.

The Woman's Council at Washington.-Resolutions voted.-NorthWestern work.-Visit to President Lincoln.-Soldiers' Home at Washington.-U. S. Sanitary Commission warehouses in Washington.-Douglas Hospital.-Convalescent camp incidents.-Too early removals from hospitals illustrated.-National buildings at Washington.-Long Bridge.-Martyrdom of Col. Ellsworth.

THE Woman's Council that met at Washington, November, 1862, was composed of women whose ability, earnestness, and self-sacrifice would have done honor to any organization. During its progress, full opportunity was given for free discussion and interchange of views. The presence and statements of Mr. Olmstead, General Secretary of the Commission; Dr. Newberry, Associate Secretary and Superintendent of the Western Department of the Commission; Mr. Knapp, Special Relief Agent; and Mr. Bloor, Corresponding Secretary, enabled us to profit by their wisdom and experience. A plan for associate managers, from the Boston Branch, had been prepared by Miss Abby May, submitted, and adopted before our arrival, as we had been detained by broken connections. When called upon for our opinion, we were obliged to say that the North-West was an independent, vigorous, and somewhat conceited scion of a noble stock; that she was rather impatient of strict rules, and had a prodigious fancy for doing things in her own way. Still we

heartily approved the plan, but had permission granted to vary it according to circumstances. We stated the truth when we said the North West had unfathomable depths of patriotism and benevolence, which, if wisely managed, must produce large results. We promised to do what we could in thoroughly organizing and developing its supplies.

At the close of the session, it was proposed, as we were a delegation from an organization engaged in the relief of the army, that we should ask for an interview with the President. The request was promptly granted, and eight o'clock, P.M., designated as the hour for the interview. We were accompanied by Mr. Olmstead, Mr. Bloor, and an officer of the U. S. Army. We waited some minutes in the private drawing-room before the President appeared.

Times were gloomy then at Washington. The army was intrenching or intrenched-burning to advance, but held back alternately by its leader and the autumnal rains, and little substantial advantage had been gained. The men were suffering greatly from low fevers and chronic dysentery, and its unsatisfactory conduct impaired confidence. As we sat in silence, partaking of the general gloom, Abraham Lincoln, the emancipator, the honest patriot, the Christ-like man, entered. His brow was deeply furrowed, his face oppressively sad, his form slightly bowed, and his step feeble. He seemed to be literally staggering under a nation's burden, and we surmised had just left a perplexed and depressed meeting of the cabinet. As we rose to greet him, he shook each one's hand, with his awkward but touching cordiality, as Mr. Olmstead introduced us one by one. When he took his seat, Mr. Olmstead remarked we were a company of

INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

83

women, representing the patriotic benevolence of various sections of the country, and had come to pay our respects to our honored chief magistrate, and receive words of encouragement from him that would stimulate home effort. His face did not relax, and a pause ensued. He then said: 'Ladies, no one has the interests of the army more at heart than I have. I always rejoice to know they are remembered and cherished; still, great care must be taken not to tangle the lines of the big team. You know, when a coach-and-six runs off down hill, 'tis a desperate struggle to stop it; still one hand must hold the reins." We said we were well aware of that, and were happy to say we represented an organization that deprecated any interference with Government. We afterwards learned that so great had been the fears of intermeddling entertained by the Medical Bureau, that even our good President had imbibed the doubt, which was afterwards fully dispelled. After this wise caution, he proceeded to talk most kindly of the humanity, energy, and perseverance of good women, all the world over. I said, "Mr. President, have you not an encouraging word as to our country's prospects, that we may take back to the North-West? A token from you would inspire the people." With the sadness deepening on his worn face, he replied, "What if I have none to give?" A silence that might be felt followed these ominous words. A lady of the delegation broke the stillness by asking: "Mr. President, what is the most fruitful source of discouragement?" The President replied, "Desertion." "And what the penalty of desertion?" "Death!" he answered. "Why not enforce it?" He hesitated, looked weary, and said with

the simplicity of a child: "I don't like to; I can't." I thought him too merciful, then. He may have been. I believed that justice to the few would be mercy to the many. Still, it is a blessed memory he has left to us, that no personal grievance nor abuse aroused his vengeance; and that without fail, he exercised executive clemency, whenever possible, especially to the poor and lowly. Had not the assassin's ball paralyzed his dying tongue, he would have cried: "Father, forgive him, he knows not what he does."

After another pause, I said, "Mr. President, how is it among the rebels?" A humorous smile lighted his dark visage, as he said, rubbing his hands: "That's all our comfort; there are more of theirs than of ours." He talked freely of the army, praised the common soldiers with warmth, spoke highly of many prominent officers, and was silent where he could not praise. As we bade him farewell, he said: "I thank you for coming; I am glad I have seen you. Go on in your good work! God bless you!" Thus ended this interview with the President. I saw him the next day, under different circumstances. He appeared more cheerful; still intense sadness prevailed, and left a memory that I rejoiced to have removed by my last interview with him, but a short time before his death.

After the close of the session, we remained two days in Washington, to visit hospitals, and the various places of the Commission's work, and other points of interest. Our first visit was to the "Soldiers' Home," just what its name indidicates; a place of refreshment, kind care, and gentle treatment to the honorably discharged soldiers, who held an intermediate position between civil and military life. It was