SONS OF CONNECTICUT IN NEW YORK.

835

tenden. The regiment was escorted through the city by a delegation of the Sons of Connecticut, marshaled by Gen. Wetmore. Music was furnished by Dodsworth's Band.

Next came the Eleventh. The enlisted were provided with a warm and bountiful breakfast at the Park Barracks. The Sons of Connecticut gave a complimentary breakfast at the Astor House to Gov. Buckingham and staff and the officers of the regiment. The company gathered was large and choice. The dining-room was elegantly decorated. No expense was spared to make the occasion truly complimentary, both to the distinguished governor and the officers of the Eleventh.

Mr. Charles Gould presided. In the opening address, he said,

"If ever kind and cordial welcome was due, the Sons of Connecticut in New York owe such greeting to-day. If warm and grateful hearts ever gave a cordial welcome, we, the sons and daughters of Connecticut, now give that welcome to you, Gov. Buckingham, whose considerate and unwearied care has so completely provided for the Connecticut troops; and to you, Col. Kingsbury and your fellow-soldiers, who are going to join the great army of Freedom, and stand in the 'breach between our loved homes and the war's desolation.'

"Soldiers of Connecticut, it is not alone a welcome that we give you. Our sympa thies and blessings will follow your march; and if each earnest wish for your safety and triumph could but advance your regiment a hair's-breadth towards the battle-field and the shout of victory, so many are those wishes, that our words of farewell would scarcely be uttered before this flag of yours would float in triumph over the broad field now desolated by Rebellion, announcing that the conflict was over, and the victory for freedom won, and won for ever.

Gov. Buckingham was received with prolonged and hearty applause. He gave a succinct résumé of the recruiting and legislation for the war in Connecticut, and affirmed that neither in patriotism nor efficiency was she surpassed by any State.

Speeches were made by Gen. Wetmore, Rev. H. W. Beecher, Parke Godwin, and others. At three and a half, a beautiful flag was presented to the regiment by Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson. The regiment was escorted to the boat, at the foot of Canal Street, by the Sons of Connecticut, with Dodsworth's Band. In the evening, a brilliant reception was tendered to Gov. Buckingham at the Fifth-avenue Hotel. A distinguished company of men and a goodly array of beautiful women graced the occasion.

The death of Col. Russell and Lieut. Stillman at Roanoke Island, so soon after the public reception of the Tenth by them, called forth resolutions of sympathy and patriotic eulogy.

The remains of these gallant officers were taken in charge by a committee of the Sons of Connecticut, of which John H. Almy was chairman, and reverently cared for, and escorted to New Haven. Thenceforward, but with less formality, no less care was taken of the remains of our Connecticut martyrs.

As the struggle deepened, the faith and the zeal of the Sons of Connecticut wavered not. Their efforts, both as citizens of New York and as sons of Connecticut, became matters of calm daily duty. They did what they could of whatever they deemed to be necessary to win the great conflict. The officers of the association were faithful and efficient from first to last. We have already spoken of Mr. McCurdy and Gen. Wetmore.

The secretary, Mr. Charles Gould, was a native of Litchfield, and a son of the eminent Judge Gould of that town. By his earnest and resolute spirit, his administrative ability, and his wide acquaintance, he added vigor and directness to the efforts of the society. He was equally constant, faithful, and efficient in all that he did to aid in upholding the nation's

cause.

Mr. William C. Gilman, the treasurer of Norwich, was greatly respected for his integrity, his usefulness, and his public spirit. His agreeable manners, his intelligent and faithful performance of his duties, won the warm regards of his associates in the organization. He died on the 6th of June, 1864, deeply regretted in business-circles and society by those who were so fortunate as to enjoy his acquaintance.

The active exertions of the officers and Standing Committee were gradually superseded by the untiring and judicious labors of the State Agent; and, before the close of the war, the principal function of the society was to supply means to execute what was wisely planned by him.

SONS OF CONNECTICUT IN NEW YORK.

835

tenden. The regiment was escorted through the city by a delegation of the Sons of Connecticut, marshaled by Gen. Wetmore. Music was furnished by Dodsworth's Band. Next came the Eleventh. The enlisted were provided with a warm and bountiful breakfast at the Park Barracks. The Sons of Connecticut gave a complimentary breakfast at the Astor House to Gov. Buckingham and staff and the officers of the regiment. The company gathered was large and choice. The dining-room was elegantly decorated. No expense was spared to make the occasion truly complimentary, both to the distinguished governor and the officers of the Eleventh.

Mr. Charles Gould presided. In the opening address, he said,

"If ever kind and cordial welcome was due, the Sons of Connecticut in New York owe such greeting to-day. If warm and grateful hearts ever gave a cordial welcome, we, the sons and daughters of Connecticut, now give that welcome to you, Gov. Buckingham, whose considerate and unwearied care has so completely provided for the Connecticut troops; and to you, Col. Kingsbury and your fellow-soldiers, who are going to join the great army of Freedom, and stand in the breach between our loved homes and the war's desolation.'

"Soldiers of Connecticut, it is not alone a welcome that we give you. Our sympathies and blessings will follow your march; and if each earnest wish for your safety and triumph could but advance your regiment a hair's-breadth towards the battle-field and the shout of victory, so many are those wishes, that our words of farewell would scarcely be uttered before this flag of yours would float in triumph over the broad field now desolated by Rebellion, announcing that the conflict was over, and the victory for freedom won, and won for ever.

Gov. Buckingham was received with prolonged and hearty applause. He gave a succinct résumé of the recruiting and legislation for the war in Connecticut, and affirmed that neither in patriotism nor efficiency was she surpassed by any State.

Speeches were made by Gen. Wetmorc, Rev. H. W. Beecher, Parke Godwin, and others. At three and a half, a beautiful flag was presented to the regiment by Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson. The regiment was escorted to the boat, at the foot of Canal Street, by the Sons of Connecticut, with Dodsworth's Band. In the evening, a brilliant reception was tendered to Gov. Buckingham at the Fifth-avenue Hotel. A distinguished company of men and a goodly array of beautiful women graced the occasion.

The death of Col. Russell and Lieut. Stillman at Roanoke Island, so soon after the public reception of the Tenth by them, called forth resolutions of sympathy and patriotic eulogy.

The remains of these gallant officers were taken in charge by a committee of the Sons of Connecticut, of which John H. Almy was chairman, and reverently cared for, and escorted to New Haven. Thenceforward, but with less formality, no less care was taken of the remains of our Connecticut martyrs.

As the struggle deepened, the faith and the zeal of the Sons of Connecticut wavered not. Their efforts, both as citizens of New York and as sons of Connecticut, became matters of calm daily duty. They did what they could of whatever they deemed to be necessary to win the great conflict. The officers of the association were faithful and efficient from first to last. We have already spoken of Mr. McCurdy and Gen. Wetmore.

The secretary, Mr. Charles Gould, was a native of Litchfield, and a son of the eminent Judge Gould of that town. By his earnest and resolute spirit, his administrative ability, and his wide acquaintance, he added vigor and directness to the efforts of the society. He was equally constant, faithful, and efficient in all that he did to aid in upholding the nation's

cause.

Mr. William C. Gilman, the treasurer of Norwich, was greatly respected for his integrity, his usefulness, and his public spirit. His agreeable manners, his intelligent and faithful performance of his duties, won the warm regards of his associates in the organization. He died on the 6th of June, 1864, deeply regretted in business-circles and society by those who were so fortunate as to enjoy his acquaintance.

The active exertions of the officers and Standing Committee were gradually superseded by the untiring and judicious labors of the State Agent; and, before the close of the war, the principal function of the society was to supply means to execute what was wisely planned by him.