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blue, the crimson drapery; the splendid paraphernalia on which fed so many greedy eyes—all that incomparable imagery, on which was so artistically woven those instruments of war which generally inspire terror, was withdrawn.

I had, in the performance of my self-imposed duties as an attendant of the celebrated Temple, which stood in the middle of the Hall, been so long surrounded by these objects, that I could hardly realize the fact that I should go among them no more. It was almost like closing Eden's gates against our first parents. All things must have an end, however, and this great enterprise had been nobly conducted throughout, and nobly answered its purpose. Mrs. and Judge Bradwell, my devoted friends, were the heart and soul of this Bryan Hall Department-untiring in their attentions and industry, always courteous to every inquirer, and deserving of the highest praise for their generous devotion to the great cause which they had espoused. Nor must I forget to mention Thomas B. Bryan, President of the fair, to whose exertions, advice and means, the fair was so largely indebted.

Thus ended this vast pageant, the memory of which history will ever hold dear-the largest that the world ever saw, arranged for a patriotic object. In a short time the Union Hall was dismantled. The roofs were once more bare; clean gone forever were the flags and banners, two long miles of bunting which had decorated it. The stalls were all pulled down, and the goods conveyed to the warehouses for

general disposal. Never more would the feet of the citizens pace those aisles; never more would the fair women and girls show themselves at the sale-booths. The musical instruments, the long stalls of silver and gold, the costly fabrics, the hundreds of sewing machines, and the tens of thousands of articles which filled up the shelves and platforms, were all gone; and, in a few more days, the mighty framework of the building was taken down, the materials sold, and not a plank was left to show to posterity where the great Temple which America built to testify her love for her brave soldiers had stood.

17

CHAPTER XVI.

INCIDENTS OF THE FAIR.

Interesting Letter from Gen. Grant-He presents his War-Horse to the Fair-Description of Jack-Lincoln Catafalque-Implements of Chivalry-Jeff. Davis's Bell -Jeff. Davis's Dress-Lincoln Log-HouseGeneral Grant at the Fair-Salute of One Hundred Guns on his Arrival-Wild Enthusiasm-Grant at Union Hall-Grant at Church in Chicago-Other Churches Come in, and file down one Aisle and up the other, to see Grant-The Great Hero at Bryan Hall-Honorable Judge Bradwell—“General, these Girls are Dying to Kiss You”— "Well, I don't See any of Them Trying to Do It"-General Grant at the Board of Trade-Union Hall, again-Grant at the New England Farm-House-Grant Requested to Thrust a Carving Knife into a Big Squash-Its Seeds Sold for Twenty-five Cents EachCæsar's Ovation out-Cæsared.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, May 31, 1865.

Mrs. Ellen E. Sherman:

DEAR MADAM-As a slight testimonial of the interest I feel in the great North-Western Fair, now being held in Chicago, for the benefit of sick and disabled soldiers, who have endured so much for the maintenance of our Government, permit me, through your agency, to present to this loyal and charitable enterprise, the horse "Jack," well known in the Western armies. I left Illinois on him in July, 1861, when commanding the 21st Regiment of Volunteer Infantry of that State. I rode the horse more than all others put together, from the time of leaving Springfield, on the 3rd of July, 1861, until called East, in March 1864.

On my promotion to the command of the armies of the United States, I left "Jack" in the West, latterly with J. R. Jones, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois, residing in Chicago. Mr. Jones has been directed to deliver the horse to your order. If I was not deceived in the purchase of Jack," he is now near eleven years old. He is a very fine

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