upon the various Soldiers' Aid Societies of the State for active co-operation, and in view of all the surroundings, they were not disappointed. The general outline for the "Fair" having been arranged, the work of preparation commenced. Buildings were to be erected, a hall in which articles were to be exhibited and sold to the assembled thousands, and an extensive dining-room for visitors, were to be built, and considering the fact that the lumber was to be brought by teams a distance of 28 miles, the circumstances seemed to be embarrassing. The ladies had determined that all obstacles should be overcome, and their efforts were crowned with success. Contributions in money, merchandise, produce, animals, implements and works of art, were furnished with a good degree of liberality, from various portions of this State, and in a few instances from beyond the limits of Michigan. Words of encouragement, with gifts of money or articles for sale, came alike from the rich and the poor. In not a few instances, the widowed mother, whose only son had gone down in the storm of battle, in the Army of the Potomac, or the Army of the West, sent forward her humble contribution, with an invocation that God would bless the soldier who stood ready to yield his life in defense of that Government which had given him protection from infancy to manhood. A little child from an adjoining county, in humble circumstances, furnished her gift, in value the fraction of a dollar, with the simple but earnest request that she might be permitted to give something; she wished to do more, but they were poor; her mother was ill, and her father and only brother were soldiers in the war. This gift, in fact the most liberal of all, was sold and returned by purchasers, again and again, until the amount realized was a handsome addition to the general fund. On Thursday, the 22d day of September, the "Fair" was duly inaugurated under the direction of the Hon. James B. Crippen, of Coldwater, Michigan, who, after appropriate religious services, in a brief address congratulated the assembled thousands upon the liberality which had been evidenced throughout the loyal states in caring for the men of the Union army, and in terms of merited compliment extended to the ladies of the State of Michigan commendation for their zeal and active effort in behalf of the sick and wounded soldier. His Excellency Austin Blair was then introduced, and in an address able, patriotic, eloquent, and replete with interesting incidents of the war, he held the close attention of his audience for an hour. After singing, of rare excellence, by the "Musical Association of Kalamazoo," the vast crowd was dismissed, every man and woman seemingly congratulating themselves that the public exercises had been to them of great interest, and worthy of the cause for which the "Sanitary Fair" had been planned and arranged. No objects in the "Fair" seemed to excite so much of interest and fix the attention of the thousands who visited the "Sanitary Hall," as the torn and battle-scarred banners, which had been borne by the regiments of Michigan. during the war, and which had been kindly furnished from the Adjutant General's office. As the multitude gazed on these silent emblems of the brave deeds of the men of Michigan, again and again was heard from mother and father the exclamation, as the flag of some particular regiment was noted, "My son fought under that banner;" and not unfrequently the sad, accompanying remark, "he fell in battle," or "died in hospital." "The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, of Kalamazoo," desire to express their heartfelt thanks to all who generously contributed to this "Michigan State Sanitary Fair," for the benefit of the sick, wounded, and disabled soldier. To the delegations of ladies and gentlemen from Wayne, St. Clair, Macomb, Lapeer, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Calhoun, Jackson, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Cass, and Allegan counties, who attended during the "Fair," and kindly contributed by active effort to its success, they specially desire to express their great obligation. It will be perceived by the accompanying account that the net proceeds of the "Fair," already distributed, amount to $9,300, leaving with the treasurer a small balance to cover any possible outstanding liability, or for future distribution. Credit. By amount received, admission tickets, for Sanitary Hall.. $1,213 15 454 25 11,097 40 Total.... $12,764 80 Debit. To Kalamazoo Horse Association for rent of ground.. To amount paid Kellogg & Co. for lumber for buildings... $1,243 91 502 11 276 50 1,123 50 To" Kalamazoo Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society". To "United States Christian Commission," Detroit. To" Michigan Soldiers' Relief Committee," Detroit... To" Michigan Soldiers' Relief Association," Washington City, per Hon. J. To cash, balance on hand. 600 00 2,900 00 Total.. 318 78 $12,764 80 H. G. WELLS, KALAMAZOO, November 10, 1864. S. W. WALKER, JOHN POTTER, Executive Com. Michigan State Sanitary Fair. Although the associations referred to were the principal sources of relief, yet much was accomplished by private individuals, as there were large amounts of money and supplies collected and sent to the front by private agents and ministers of the gospel, while many who visited the army and hospitals from time to time on errands of kindness, mercy and benevolence, largely contributed toward the great cause which was so bountifully sustained without a parallel in the histories of past wars. It may be possible that the many quiet and unseen efforts of those noble and kind-hearted people, made with so much labor and sacrifice, were not fully appreciated at the time by those outside the immediate recipients, but such have their reward, for their humane acts are recorded by Him who rewards openly the charity and kindly offerings to the needy which are given even in secret. Prominent among the laborers in the work was Chaplain Samuel Day, 8th Illinois Infantry, military agent for U. S. sanitary supplies, a citizen of Michigan, a most efficient and industrious worker in the field, who collected in this State in 1863, and forwarded to Chicago for distribution in the Western army, nearly six thousand barrels of vegetables of various kinds, together with over three thousand dollars in money. Mrs. Laura S. Haviland, an old lady of Adrian, well known throughout the State by her long and continuous efforts in behalf of suffering humanity, and so specially active and successful during the war, in administering to the necessities of soldiers and freedmen, deserves a page in the history of Michigan troops. Early in 1863 she received from Governor Blair a letter of appointment as a sanitary agent, and soon left the State with supplies for Michigan soldiers and freedmen, laboring about three months in the vicinity of Columbus, Ky., Island No. 10, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn. From there, ill health compelled her to return to Michigan, when she commenced collecting supplies, and continued until October, 1864. She then left for Vicksburg, Miss., where she distributed supplies in hospitals, prisons, and to freedmen. She also reached Baton Rouge, La., and Ship Island, where about 3,000 Union military prisoners were in confinement, under sentence for various offences, distributing tracts and books, and on her arrival at New Orleans had sanitary stores forwarded to them, and on her return to the State had additional supplies sent. Soon after, she started for the Southwest, making distributions at Fort Leavenworth, Quindaro, Wyandotte, Kansas City, Lawrence and Fort Scott, expending some $7,000 in supplies, and disbursing nearly $1,700 in money. She was greatly aided in these operations by Major General Curtis and other military officers, who extended kindness and assistance. About June 1st, 1865, she returned to the State in ill health, remaining about two months, when $600 more was raised, and with it she went to Washington. There she procured an order allowing her to purchase military clothing at auction prices, for distribution among the most destitute freedmen on the southern frontier of Virginia. On her application through Congressman F. C. Beaman and Senator B. F. Wade, she procured an order of Secretary Stanton for the release of 300 military prisoners in confinement at Ship Island and Dry Tortugas. NATIONAL CEMETERIES. The National Cemeteries, where rest the heroic dead, have always had the required aid from Michigan. The State has never failed to make ready and substantial response to all calls made for means to improve and beautify these silent cities of the dead. By an act of the legislature, approved February 3, 1864, the sum of $3,500 of the war fund was appropriated "for the purpose of paying the proportion of this State of the estimated expense of preparing the ground furnishing the Soldiers' National Cemetery, at Gettysburg, in the State of Pennsylvania, and of making improvements upon that portion thereof which is set apart to this State," which sum the Governor was authorized to disburse for said purposes. For the management of this appropriation, the Governor was vested with authority to appoint a commissioner, who should take charge of and represent the interest of the State in this matter. In accordance with this provision, the Hon. T. W. Ferry, of the United States Senate, was appointed. In 1865, by an act of the legislature, approved March 8th, an additional sum of $2,500 of the war fund was appropriated, being the proportion of this State, in completing and keeping it in repair. From the report of Commissioner Ferry the following is taken: To his Excellency, Henry H. Crapo, Governor of the State of Michigan: The act incorporating the "Soldiers' National Cemetery," at Gettysburg, Pa., required the classification, by lot, of the Commissioners of the several States, incorporated into three classes, whose terms of office respectively should be one, two and three years. Michigan drew the longest term, which expires on the 1st day of January, A. D. 1867. I have, therefore, the honor herewith of submitting my terminating report: The work in progress, indicated in my last report, has been completed. The seventeen acres dedicated to the Cemetery have been inclosed upon the north, west and south sides by a substantial granite wall, two feet thick at its base, and tapering outwardly to 19 inches at the top, with an average height of 4 feet 4 inches, which, with a surmounting coping of dressed granite 8 inches in thickness by 23 in width, pointed, cemented, and clamped together by iron clamps, gives an extreme height of 5 feet. The division fence, separa ting the National from "Evergreen Cemetery," is of wrought iron rails, supported by cast iron posts, securely imbedded. A substantial and ornamental iron fence, with ample gate-ways, fronts and completes the inclosure. Its pillars bear the names of all the participating states, with the National emblem conspicuously displayed. Immediately at the right of the entrance stands the gate-house, or keeper's lodge, built of stone, but in my judgment, inadequate to the purpose. I am happy to add, however, that at our recent annual meeting, such modification was directed as will secure a much better adaptation. Re-interment has been finished. All the graves are uniformly graded. The granite head-stones of equal dimensions-nine inches above ground, with an upper surface width of ten inches, upon which the name and rank of each of the dead, neatly cut and colored to be readily read, form continuous semicircular lines of granite blocks, broken only by the division walks separating the respective State lots. Additional to this, each State lot has as its front centre a conspicuous slab bearing the State inscription. The lots holding the "unknown" dead are marked by corner stones and tablets, upon which are noted the number buried. It will be remembered that the burial ground is arranged in semi-circular form, in the centre of which is to stand the Monument, with all the State-dividing walks converging to the monumental centre. The main encompassing avenue of the Cemetery has been macadamized to a depth of ten inches, and the foot walks suitably graveled. The surface of the graves and unoccupied grounds are well seeded down, and the growth of grass is to be kept by frequent clipping, of short, uniform height. Decorative trees and shrubbery have been planted in isolated and clustered disposition, while interspersing lawns, enhancing in their quiet beauty, by spreading and extending growth of trees, will contribute solemnity to the general harmony of landscape effect. The cemetery contains 3,559 bodies, of which 979 are in the "unknown" lots, and 2,580 identified, are lying in the State lots. Numerically, Michigan stands third in the number slain; and proportionably to population she ranks first in this sacrifice to be made memorable forever by a Nation's gratitude. The work contemplated is substantially completed, the monument being under contract. Its foundation is already deeply and firmly laid. The corner stone, with imposing military and civic ceremonies, was formally laid on the National anniversary, July 4th, 1865. It was most gratifying to witness Michigan's interest in this solemn trust, by the personal participation upon that eventful day, of his Excellency, Governor Henry H. Crapo, aided by his Adjutant General, John Robertson, and special Marshal, Captain A. X. Cary. Invitations had been extended, through the commissioners, to the several States to prepare and deposite in the corner stone, such emblematic relics as they might elect. Michigan, it gives me great pleasure to say, was unparalleled in her response. In truth, several of the States, fairly outdone by her, solicited the privilege of adding to what seemed comparatively their meagre contribution. Our State fairly owes an acknowledgment to your efficient Adjutant General for a large share of merit in the preparation of her creditable deposit. Very fitly may the following initial list of the articles thus deposited be appended, for the inspection of the citizens of a State noted for her lively interest in all the hallowed places and associations of the Nation's noble dead: Silver Medallion, with State coat-of-arms on one side, and on the other the number of soldiers furnished by Michigan for the war, (91,193) with this |