USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > The Norwich memorial; the annals of Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, in the great rebellion of 1861-65 > Part 21
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Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, in connection with this strange measure, said he voted for the bill to arm and emancipate negroes, under instructions from the Virginia Legislature, but entered a protest against it, as an abandonment of the contest, and a surrender of the ground upon which the South seceded.
"When we left the old Government, we thought we had got rid forever of the slavery agitation ; but, to my surprise, I find that this (Confederate) government assumes the power to arm the slaves, which involves also the power of emancipation. This proposition would be regarded as a confession of despair. If we are right in passing this measure, we were wrong in denying to the old Government the right to interfere with slavery and to emancipate slaves. If we offer the slaves their freedom as a boon, we confess that we are insincere and hypocritical in saying slavery was the best state for the negroes themselves. I believe that the arming and emancipating the slaves will be an abandon- ment of the contest."
Time, and stern necessity had at last made unwilling con- verts of the Confederate authorities, and the " black corner- stone" of their government was reluctantly removed, and those who had heaped unmeasured abuse on Mr. Lincoln for his edict of emancipation, and had ridiculed the sugges- tion that negro slaves could ever be transformed into effec- tive soldiers, now turned in the hour of their direst need to these same despised menials, and sought to replenish the thinned ranks of their armies with blacks.
It was time now that the Confederacy came to its de- served downfall. It had hauled in the flag it gave to the breeze with such defiance of all the best thought and civi-
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lization of the world, in the Spring of 1861. The Provi- dence of the Almighty had made the fated chiefs of this wicked rebellion take back their infamous proclamation, and brought them to where they were glad to seek aid of the 'inferior race,' and proffer freedom to them if they would help save their crumbling government.
The Richmond "Examiner," proclaiming with its char- acteristic boldness, what were " Southern Principles," thus spoke forth in no equivocal language in May, 1863 :-
" The establishment of the Confederacy is verily a distinct reaction against the whole course of the mistaken civilization of the age. For Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, we have deliberately substituted Slavery, Subordination, and Government. These social and political problems which rack and torture modern society, we have undertaken to solve for ourselves, in our own way, upon our own principles. There are slave races born to serve ; mas- ter races born to govern. Such are the fundamental principles which we inherit from the ancient world, which we lifted up in the face of a perverse generation that has forgotten the wisdom of its Fathers. By these principles we live, and in their defense we have shown ourselves ready to die."
Behold the sequel ! Two years of terrible war, and their boasted principles neither save them, nor for them are they ready to die. Now they will concede liberty and military service, if their former bondsmen will only die for them. Here indeed is the pitiable spectacle of the Confederacy, whose corner-stone gave way, whose new doctrine of human rights was to correct and enlighten the "mistaken civiliza- tion of the age." The "lost cause," may it disappear among the vanished barbarisms, which in earlier centuries, and before the mild teachings of the Gospel appeared, had some apology for seeking to exist. Yea! may it be so lost, that none will be found to acknowledge they struck a blow, or shed a drop of blood in behalf of what brought back on
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man the gloom and shame and servitude, from which it had taken long ages of suffering and struggle to escape. Heaven pity the deluded men, who periled life for their anomalous, their ever infamous cause.
We cannot feel otherwise than indignant, that at this late period, a prominent English Review (The Edinburgh), should attempt to hold up for the admiration of the world one of the leaders of the Rebellion. For the men who fought in the ranks, much can be said in their behalf. They had no choice in the main, as to whether they would es- pouse the cause or not. They were conscripted, overborne by the governments that soon left them but one alternative, - either to fight or else suffer such persecutions as the desperateness of the usurping rulers could invent.
Englishmen, it is but reasonable to suppose, might by this time show some intelligent appreciation of the peculiar criminality of those who inaugurated the rebellion, who committed the meanest and extremest crime of which army honor is cognizant, - that is, treason. Yet that was the unblushing deed of the chieftain of the Confederate armies. He broke his oath of fealty to the Government that edu- cated and honored him, and with politic equivocalness, delayed the doing of it, till he might add to the role of traitor the part of spy.
And yet Lee is held up to us even at this day by this reviewer as a man who was a victim of fate, an "innocent expiator of the truth he told, of wrongs done in ages past to helpless Africans." He died, we are informed, "without the sign of ailment outwardly, without a word of pain ; that great heart that repined not for his own loss of dignity or of ancestral fortune, giving way at last, under the continued pressure of the ruin and degradation of the beloved State to the freedom of which the prospects of his whole life had been sacrificed." Lee was fighting for Virginia, which the
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Federal Government was trying to enslave. To that point has the once liberal "Edinburgh Review " arrived, eight years after the final defeat of the great struggle of the South in behalf of the peculiar institution.
During the winter there were unauthorized attempts to make terms with the Confederates, by some of the irre- pressible peace-men, under the lead of Mr. Blair. The latter made out a rather melancholy view of our situation and prospects, and approached Mr. Lincoln with the query, " Assuming that Grant is baffled and delayed in his efforts to take Richmond, will it not be better to accept peace on favorable terms than to prolong the war ?" etc. To which the President replied with that imperturbed calm- ness that made him long-suffering towards these annoy- ing " go-betweens," who were eager for a peace they knew would practically destroy the integrity of the Union, " There are, first, two indispensable conditions to peace, - national unity and national liberty. The national authority must be restored through all the States, and I will never recede from the position I have taken on the slavery question." The steadfast purpose of Mr. Lincoln to secure the re- establishment of the federal authority, made him a safe leader ; no wiles of politicians could turn him aside from this supreme object. And when a dispatch came to him from General Grant, on the third of March, saying Gen- eral Lee desired an interview with him to arrange terms of peace, the Secretary of War promptly telegraphed back Mr. Lincoln's reply : "The President directs me to say to you, that he wishes you to have no conference with General Lee, unless it be for the capitulation of General Lee's army. He instructs me to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political question. . .. . Meantime you are to press to the utmost your military advantages."
The sublime devotion of the man to his one grand pur-
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pose, the courage and hopefulness with which he adhered to it, shows of what stuff he was made. Less firmness, less faith, less consecrated effort to effect one great end, might have lost for us the cause, for which four years of battling was not too much to pay.
And now, as the fourth of March dawned, this man, tried as few men in his position before him had been, and trusted by the people with a new lease of office, was to pronounce his second inaugural. It was delivered not as the first had been, to a nation on the eve of civil war, but to one about to come forth victoriously from it. It was spoken, not in a city filled with traitors, seeking to betray it, but in the Capital, which had been preserved from its foes, and was now more than ever the seat of a great and free government. It was short, but full of the grandest sentiment, the pro- foundest wisdom, and characterized by a deeply Christian spirit. No state paper, in American annals, ever made such an impression upon those who heard or read it. A distin- guished jurist of New York said, " A century from to-day that inaugural will be read as one of the most sublime ut- terances ever spoken by man." How often has the follow- ing magnificent passage in it been quoted : " Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may pass away. Yet if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether ;" while with equal frequency has that other golden sentence, the best epitome of his own moral nature, been repeated, passing into a proverb among our people : " With malice toward none, with charity for all."
The English people were slow in coming to appreciate
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Mr. Lincoln ; but by this time his rare merit as a man, and the head of a Great Republic, was by the best part of the British press recognized. The London " Spectator " paid this discriminating tribute to him : -
"There is something in that steady borne persistence, that re- solve so iron, that it cannot even bend to make phrases, which is indefinitely impressive to the spectator, which, in the South must, more even than defeat on the field, produce a sense of the hope- lessness of the contest. The President does not boast, shows no hate, indulges in no cries of triumph over the steady advance of his armies, threatens no foreign powers, makes no promises of speedy success, comforts the people with no assurance of a Uto- pian future, but, as if compelled by a force other than his own will, slides quietly but irresistibly along the rails."
Meanwhile the armies of the Republic had not been idle General Sherman, after a victorious though hazardous march through the very heart of the Confederacy, exposing its ex- hausted condition, had presented himself, and his bronzed veterans, as a Christmas gift to the city of Savannah, and left it no option as to whether it would accept. The most brilliant exploit of the war, the capture of Fort Fisher by the combined forces of the army and navy, marked the opening of the campaign for 1865. General Sherman, in February, resumed his march from Savannah northward, capturing Columbus, S. C., Goldsboro, N. C., and forcing the enemy to evacuate Charleston, S. C., and effected a junction with Generals Terry and Schofield. The romance of war has nothing comparable to this triumphant march of Sherman through the rebel territory, gleaning the belt of country he covered with his columns of all that could be used or destroyed. The Union flag now floated over Sum- ter, and the once rebellious city, where treason always had its most fiery advocates, while the rebel territory was decidedly narrowed. The admirable strategy of the Commander-in-
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chief now began to be recognized by all ; for, differ as we may as to the fighting and manœuvering of the last campaign, it was the splendid conclusion of the war, the successful combinations, which bore witness to the far-sighted plans and skillful and resistless execution of the same on the part of him who controlled the armies of the government. The verdict of history will attest the military sagacity and supe- rior generalship of the conqueror of the rebellion. The whole country waited, amid the suppressed excitement, the denoue- ment of the movements known to be in progress. Sheridan had started on his daring raid from Winchester, aiming at · Lynchburg and the westward communications of the Con- federacy, and now came the anxiously planned for moment for the grand advance of the columns under Grant. It be- gan on the twenty-ninth of March, and ten days' marching and fighting finished the campaign. The fate of the rebel Capital and its defending army was sealed, as the iron grip of the investing forces tightened. Petersburg fell first, yield- ing to the assault along our whole line, April second. On the day following, the rebel army was in full retreat, and be- fore noon the same day, Monday, April third, General Weitzel, commanding a detachment of the army of the James, entered Richmond, General Draper's Black Brigade in the advance, all the regiments displaying the National colors, and the band playing "Rally round the Flag." Among the first to enter the rebel capital were the First Connecticut Battery, and the Twenty-first, Twenty-Ninth (colored), and the Eighth Regiment, the Twelfth Regiment of Maine supplying the flag that was speedily elevated over the dome of the Capitol of Virginia.
So promptly had our forces entered the city, that the rear guard of the enemy passed up Main Street just ahead of our advance. One of the Connecticut Chaplains (De For- rest of the Eleventh Regiment), wrote : -
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" Our reception was grander and more exultant than even Ro- man Emperor leading back his victorious legions with the spoils of conquest could ever know. The slaves seemed to think that the day of Jubilee had fully come. How they danced, shouted, waved their rag-banners, shook our hands, bowed, scraped, laughed all over, and thanked God for our coming."
In nondescript ways they sought to tell to the entering troops their joy. "I was jus' so happy wen I knowed it," said one, " dat I couldn't do nuffin', but jus' lay right down and larf. I could jus' roll up an' larf. I declare I felt jus' as happy as a man's got religion in his soul." " Some folks says a man carn't 'tote a bar'l flour," added with quaint humor another ; " but I could 'tote a bar'l flour dat day, - or a bar'l sugar." " I seed a rebel gwine down de street dat mawnin'" said another with a chuckling laugh, and swelling with a sort of prideful appreciation of his freedom, " wid a big haam ; an' I just took dat haam from him, an' run right down de street, an' he holler to me to stop ; but I jus' keep dat haam."
Already the news of the fall of Richmond had been flashed across the loyal States, and confirmatory telegrams from President Lincoln, then at City Point, and from Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, at Washington, D. C., gave to the rejoicing people the assurance that the Rebellion was finally crushed.
The stronghold of the Confederates was at last taken by the army that, often defeated, had with rare patience and heroism held on to its purpose, until triumphant. The de- fense of Richmond required four years of fighting, and in all seven hundred thousand men before it was captured.
" Up-hoist the Union pennon - uplift the Union Jack, - Up-raise the Union standard, - keep not a banner back ! Fling out in silk or bunting, the Ensign of the Stars ! God grant it never more may know accursed intestine jars !
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" Hurrah for skill ! Hurrah for will ! Hurrah for dauntless hearts ! Mourn those who bled, praise those who led against insidious arts ! A cheer for those who lived it out ; a tear for those who died ; Richmond is ours ! we thank the Lord with heartfelt chastening pride !"
At once all public offices were closed and business suspended by the excited populace, who hailed with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy and thankfulness the glad tidings of the hour. The national triumph, so patiently waited for, so unselfishly fought for by brave men, thousands of whom had died without the sight, so intensely longed for by the millions who had endured the wearying heart-sickness of hope deferred, had at last come. In all the large towns impromptu gatherings of the citizens filled the streets and largest halls, and listened with strain- ing eyes, and with praising hearts to dispatches and ad- dresses. Chiming bells, and saluting cannon, were made to join in the popular expression of gratitude and exultation, accompanying with their wild music the " Te Deum" of the nation.
In New York the citizens hardly knew how to express their joy at the great news. Staid merchants were seen embracing each other, the national flag was universally dis- played, and salutes were heard reverberating through the city and its outskirts. In front of the Custom House some ten thousand people assembled, where congratulations were exchanged, speeches by prominent men were made, and the proceedings closed, amidst the intensest enthusiasm, by singing " Old Hundred." Everywhere throughout the land did the fever of excitement run, and the mass-meetings and celebrations were of the most impressive character.
In Norwich the news created as profound a sensation as in other places. It was the day of the State election, and the returns, as they came in, seemed to indicate that the people were rolling up Union majorities, as one way of cel-
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ebrating the grandest event of these years of war. The Stars and Stripes were once more given to the breeze from every staff, and store, and dwelling, and a salute of one hun- dred guns was fired from a six-pounder drawn up from Trolan's boiler works by a four-horse team, which was driven by a freedman, bearing the American flag.
Breed Hall was crowded in the evening by the citizens, Mr. Amos W. Prentice presiding, where patriotic addresses were made by Hon. J. T. Wait, Senator Foster, and Con- necticut's honored "War Governor," on that day for the eighth time elected to the position he had filled with such noble fidelity ; by Hon. H. H. Starkweather, and others. The meeting, with much fervor, joined in singing " Praise God from whom all blessings flow," and for a parting song, " America," and then with reverent hearts the great assem- bly hushed into quietude while a prayer of thanksgiving was offered to the Almighty Father, who, after long years of discipline, had disappointed not the expectation of the people.
In the evening the city was encinctured with blazing bonfires, around which gathered exultant boys and youth, by whom the joy of this signal day was shared.
The Common Council, at its special meeting Tuesday night, unanimously adopted a series of resolutions " on the late great victories to our arms," introduced by Mr. Devotion, city clerk, and member with his Honor, Mayor Greene, and Mr. Whittemore, of the committee appointed to prepare them : -
Resolved, That we regard the great events of the past few days, resulting in the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, as the crowning success and virtual closing of the war.
Resolved, That in this hour of triumph our first chief duty is reverently, humbly, and with overflowing hearts to thank the
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great God, who has guided us through this struggle, who has given us the victory, and saved our country.
Resolved, That we sincerely pray God, in this hour of success, that our hearts may be free from malice and revenge ; that we may be imbued with the principles of justice and charity, and act for the advancement and glory of His name, and the happiness, peace and good will of ourselves and mankind.
Resolved, That our heartfelt thanks are due to the great leaders and brave men, who by sea and land have taken their lives in their hands, and through four weary years defended our country against the assaults of her foes, and trodden them down. May the lives they have given prove the bond of undying peace and union.
Resolved, That we recognize with pride the great debt we owe those who have been maimed and crippled in defense of our country, and will joyfully do what we may to assauge their suffer- ing and show our gratitude.
Resolved, That we truly sympathize with those who are mourn- ing for their dead, and tenderly remind them that their loved ones, though dead, shall always live in the cherished remembrance of a grateful country.
Resolved, That we fervently pray that the eyes of the South may be opened to the utter hopelessness for her in further con- test ; that her entire submission to the laws and government of the United States may soon close the war ; and that those who are wearily waiting for the war to cease, hoping with trembling hearts for the return of their friends, may soon be permitted to welcome their dear ones home, and lay aside their care.
Resolved, That we do recognize this war as a blessing to us, to our children and to mankind, inasmuch as it has forever removed the curse of slavery, which, like the upas tree was spreading its poison in every direction, demoralizing all classes of society, hardening our hearts, blunting our sense of justice, degrading our manhood, and which bid fair to extinguish the light of our free institutions, and make us a nation of oppressors and op- pressed, and though we have paid much blood, and wounds, and
Joseph R.Rockwell
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tears, and suffering, yet we have gained a boon far exceeding its cost, whose value cannot be estimated, and we do fervently thank God that the curse is removed and that we can be a free people.
Resolved, That the splendid tenacity of the people, their cour- age under defeat and disaster, their valor in the field and on the sea, their unflinching endurance under suffering, their free- hearted and generous care of their army and navy, their illimit- able resources and their intelligent use of them, their humanity to their prisoners, their unwavering confidence of success, and their sublime trust in God and their cause, have shed a lustre · upon our land which shall glow through the ages, and make us proudly rejoice in our country and our birthright.
This great and universal joy reached its culmination six days later, April ninth, when the news of General Lee's sur- render to General Grant, at " Appomattox Court House," was received. The tidings of the final ending of the rebel- lion in the defeat and capture of its last army, reached Nor- wich late Sunday night, April ninth.
As Monday morning dawned, the bells of all the city churches pealed for an hour, and gave, doubtless, the first intimation to most of the citizens of the glorious news. The long yearned for time had come when "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks." Again the city broke forth into every expression of joy, and in all directions the national colors were seen, while the stores tastefully decorated their show windows, and the holiday attire of the town but mirrored forth the gladness of all hearts.
At Breed Hall, an immense gathering was convened at noon. The hall had been appropriately draped with flags ; one at the rear of the stage bore the inscription which was the watchword of the day, and the occasion of the celebra- tion, - " VICTORY !"
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The meeting was called to order by Mr. Ebenezer Lear- ned, who named for chairman " the man whom all knew," Governor Buckingham. The latter, on coming forward, spoke briefly, "adverting to the fact, that almost exactly four years ago to-day, a company of men assembled at Apollo Hall, on the reception of the thrilling news that the power of the United States had been overborne at Fort Sumter." He spoke " of the clinched fist, the compressed lip, that then indicated the purpose of a free people to right the wrong thus suffered. From that day onward a like feeling has been manifested throughout the country ; and now, after many a brother, and many a son, had been laid in his blood on Southern soil, that army which was the chief power of the rebellion has been taken captive. Surely, then, to-day we are assembled on a far different occasion. The army of Northern Virginia has given its parole of honor to be obedient to the laws of the United States. But this is an hour not so much for speech, as for the manifes- tation of feeling in songs of joy. This is an hour to sing praises to Him who hath given and is giving to us the vic- tory."
Rev. John V. Lewis then read the Psalm, " O sing unto the Lord a new song," after which Rev. Samuel Graves led in prayer, when the vast audience united in singing "All hail the power of Jesus' name," to the tune of " Coronation."
The Chairman then introduced Rev. J. P. Gulliver, who spoke as follows : -
"Last Sunday, a week ago, the evacuation of Richmond ; yesterday the surrender of Lee's army ; next Sabbath the anni- versary of the memorable Sumter Sunday. Then, all was indig- nation and consternation ; to-day, all is confidence, exultation, victory. There are some events whose greatness we are unable to compass in thought, or express in words. This is one of them. We hardly know what to say, because we know not how to feel.
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