APPENDIX.

THE SONS OF CONNECTICUT RESIDING IN NEW YORK.

THE Sons of Connecticut residing in other States, whom business or personal circumstances kept from actual army service, were active and faithful as our best citizens in the State.

In New York and in Washington, Connecticut men had frequent opportunity to aid and encourage the soldiers of Connecticut, and formed organizations for the purpose.

It is proper to say at the outset, that the Sons of Connecticut rendered these services to their native State in addition to doing their full share of what belonged to the community in which they resided.

Mr. Robert H. McCurdy, the honored president of the society in New York, a native of Lyme, was active in originating and giving practical effect to the first patriotic movement in that city, the great meeting of the people at Union Square on the 20th of April, 1861; a meeting, which, speaking so grandly the voice of the great commercial metropolis, exerted an influence perhaps as powerful as that of any public meeting ever held on

the globe.

Mr. McCurdy was at that meeting appointed a member of the well-known UnionDefense Committee, and thereafter gave time and money, without stint, to the great cause. Mr. Simeon B. Chittenden, a native of Guilford, whose name appears on the first subscription-list in New York for the equipment of the New-York 7th Regiment, was untiring and generous throughout the war. As a single instance, we quote from a letter written by him to Hon. Moses F. Odell, then a member of Congress, in October, 1863, when the war had become a dread and a burdensome business: "It is my conviction that it is the solemn duty and the high privilege of all who love their country, instantly to lend their cheerful, willing, and effective aid to the great and noble effort to which the President now summons the nation; and I ask you, sir, to co-operate with me in such ways as your knowledge of the condition of the regiment (Brooklyn 14th) may suggest. I propose to raise two hundred men for the Brooklyn 14th as my share of the work, and will contribute teu thousand dollars to be divided among them; fifty dollars to each man in addition to all national, state, and municipal bounties which may be available to such volunteers.” The two hundred men were enlisted, the bounties paid, and recruiting further stimulated by this prompt and liberal action.

Equally prompt and efficient, according to their means, unto the very close of the war, were hundreds of natives of Connecticut located in New York. Indeed, out of the general patriotic work grew the special efforts for Connecticut soldiers.

Gen. Prosper M. Wetmore of Stratford, also a member of the Union-Defense Committee, had labored night and day in recruiting the Harris Light Cavalry, in which two companies from Connecticut were enlisted. He learned to esteem and admire among others the noble face and soldierly bearing of Sergeant Edward F. Lyon, who was killed on the cars while passing to the front, in a brave attempt to save the lives of his fellow-soldiers. Gen. Wetmore, learning that the body had reached New York on the way home, after a long search, fourd a rude pine coffin containing the remains, in the open air, watched by

two faithful comrades, - Sergeants Daniel Whitaker and P. O. Jones. An appropriate guard of honor was promptly secured, entertainment provided for the two sergeants, and every facility freely furnished.

Gen. Wetmore at once resolved that there should not again be such an apparent neglect of proper respect to the heroic dead and due attention to the comforts of the brave living soldiers of his native State.

He conceived the design of an organization of the Sons of Connecticut in New York, to extend fitting courtesies and all needed aid to regiments passing to and from the front through New York, to the sick and wounded, and to the noble dead of our gallant regiments. The plan was heartily approved by Mr. McCurdy, who had, at intervals of his pressing duties, been contemplating something of the sort. Others fell in promptly and cordially.

The first meeting was held at the Astor House, on the 25th of September, 1861. Robert H. McCurdy, Pelatiah Perit, Jonathan Sturges, Prosper M. Wetmore, David Hoadley, R. M. Blatchford, S. Baldwin, I. N. Phelps, W. C. Wetmore, Henry Chauncey, F. Bronson, John E. Forbes, Rufus L. Lord, Samuel D. Babcock,Charles W. Elliott, Thomas Lord, George Griswold, Henry H. Elliott, J. W. Alsop, W. E. Dodge, W. C. Gilman, Charles Gould, Simcon B. Chittenden, Waldo Hutchins, A. H. Almy, Elias Howe, jr., Joseph Battell, and others among the most eminent business-men of New York, participated in the organization.

A permanent organization was effected by electing as officers,

President, Robert H. McCurdy; Vice-President, Prosper M. Wetmore; Secretary, Charles Gould; Treasurer, William C. Gilman; Standing-Committee, Robert H. McCurdy, Waldo Hutchins, Prosper M. Wetmore, Charles W. Elliott, Elias Howe, jr., Joseph Battell, Jonathan Sturges, A. H. Almy, J. J. Phelps, S. B. Chittenden, and Charles Gould. The duties of the secretary were so arduous, that Richard A. McCurdy was soon appointed assistant secretary.

Gov. Buckingham was immediately notified of the organization and purposes of the society, and assured them of his hearty gratification and co-operation. He soon after appointed John H. Almy as agent to act for the State, in connection with the Sons of Connecticut, to forward the interests and aid the soldiers of Connecticut.

The active work of the society at once began. Of this work, Gen. P. M. Wetmore, a genuine and an accomplished Son of Connecticut, the vice-president of the society, has furnished a lengthy and carefully-written sketch, which has been reluctantly abridged to conform to the space allotted; and we desire to acknowledge our indebtedness while we gratefully take from it the main facts.

Mr. Wetmore modestly refrains in his sketch from self-praise; but the remaining officers unite in saying that he was, from the outset, the chief intellectual life and motor of the society. He was so situated that he could, or at any rate did, give more time and effort than any other man. He is genial and eloquent; "knows everybody," and is a general favorite; is a sterling and tireless patriot; and thus in all respects eminently adapted to the noble work to which he gave the greater part of his valuable time for four years.

The Eighth Regiment was the first to receive the courtesy and attention of the Sons of Connecticut. A warm breakfast was furnished on the morning of Oct. 18; and on the 25th the Sons of Connecticut visited their temporary camp at Jamaica, L.I., to present the regiment with a superb stand of colors. We have already adverted briefly to this event, and also to the organization of the society, in one of the early chapters of this volume, as it naturally connects itself with the history of the regiment at that time.

The delegation of Sons of Connecticut was quite large. Col. J. H. Almy with a few earnest words introduced Gen. Wetmore, who rose in response, and delivered a most eloquent and touching address, worthy of his high reputation and marked abilities. Few men, however privileged their life or gifted their tongue, can speak to the heart, or stir the souls of men, with more effect than he.

Col. Harland in a few graceful words accepted the beautiful banner, and pledged his command to guard and protect it.

The Tenth Regiment was provided with a substantial and agreeable breakfast, addressed by Col. Almy and Gen. Burnside, and presented with the national colors by S. B. Chit