CHAPTER XXII.

SOLDIERS' FAIR OF CHICAGO.

Treason at Home - The Soldier's Call-The Generals-O. L. MannM. R. M. Wallace - His Honor Mayor Rice - General R. W. Smith-Reverend Doctor Swazey-Reverend E. M. Boring-General T. O. Osborne-Judge Bradwell -Skating Rink-Mrs. General Smith"Sweet Rebecca"- General White-Colonel Whittlesey and Lady-Mrs. Mulligan-Closing Day-Receipts Omnibus Booth-Mrs. General Beveridge― Mrs. Judge Bradwell - Colonel John L. Thorne- Mrs. Sarah Thorne Davison-Captain DavisonDoctor Patterson-Doctor Eddy - Doctor Coatsworth's ArmyJournal-Mrs. General Frank Sherman,

WHAT SO painful to a dying soldier as thoughts of leaving to the cold world his cherished family, and what dearer to a brother soldier than the promises made by him to the dying comrade who fell at his side? It was doubtless the promptings of this noble sentiment that called together the first military leaders of our country, who proclaimed aloud the need. for aid to soldier's families. Many of the families had suffered long and much, and snares that will crowd their way around every broken fire-side, had assumed obnoxious and perilous forms. Traitors who failed to defeat their husbands on the field, were vigilant to destroy the peace and honor of defenceless families at home. Thus the breath of treason fanned many a dormant spark into a burning flame that threatened to consume the innocent victims. The

bereaved murmured not, but for the sake of their country and the husband who fell for it, patiently and prayerfully accepted the sacrifice. Though all loyal hearts were in sympathy with them, yet few comprehended the real condition of some of these families until the noble patriots of the West called public attention to it. To a general appeal a general response was made, and on the first of September, 1867, a meeting of the congregations of the various churches of Chicago was held in the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. General O. L. Mann presided, and after prayer by Reverend Chas. Fowler, D.D., announced the object of the meeting to be the taking measures toward a fair to be held in November, for the aid of soldier's families.

General M. R. M. Wallace said that this was a subject which lay near his heart. The necessity of the work he thought no one could be ignorant of. It was more than he could do to restrain the tears at some of the suffering he had witnessed. This was not a mere work of charity, but the fulfillment of a promise. Where would that audience be to-night if the brave heads of these families, whose bones now lie in Southern graves, had not gone out to fight for us? He related in touching words what had been done last winter, and the imperative call for more to be done the coming winter. He was sure if Chicago understood the subject aright she would come at once to the rescue.

His Honor Mayor Rice was introduced. He said many men went away from this city to fight for us

who never came back. Four years ago the battle of Chickamauga was fought. Eight days after it he was at Chattanooga. He had seen hundreds of Chicago sons there wounded, and hundreds were no more to be seen. Those who were alive had but one anxiety, and that was for their families. They left them with us, taking away their means of support. They certainly have a claim upon us. The intention of this meeting is to raise money enough to aid those families as long as needed. He hoped that one and all would meet together and decide upon the best way of raising the money, and go to work and make the plan a success."

General R. W. Smith said that it was sometimes a pleasure and sometimes a sorrow for a soldier to recall the scenes of war. They all remembered that when, a few years ago, men were asked to join the army, the most solemn pledges were made to them and their families that their wives and children should not want. These men went into battle and sealed the contract with their blood. The helpless condi tion of these families now asks us to fulfill ours. They had wives and children as dear to them as ours are to us, and had he fallen in battle and perchance his family had come to want, rather than have them treated as subjects of charity, he should feel like stretching out his hand from the grave and drawing them into its embrace. He thought the Christian people of Chicago would not allow these families to be treated as paupers.

Reverend Doctor Swazey said he was here to learn