USA > New York > Dutchess County > The "Dutchess county regiment" (150th regiment of New York state volunteer infantry) in the Civil War; > Part 1
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973.74 142coo 1740440
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00823 5191
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/dutchesscountyr00cook
THE DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT
0
Sincerely Yours
THE "DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT"
(150TH REGIMENT OF NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY)
FONT JAY
IN THE CIVIL WAR
THE PUBLIC LIBRAR
ALLEN CON
ITS STORY AS TOLD BY ITS MEMBERS
BASED UPON THE WRITINGS OF REV. EDWARD O. BARTLETT, D. D.
EDITED BY S. G. COOK, M. D. AND CHARLES E. BENTON
DANBURY, CONN. THE DANBURY MEDICAL PRINTING CO., INC.
1907
COPYRIGHT, 1907 BY WILLIAM C. WILE DANBURY, CONN.
THE A. V. HAIGHT PRINTERS POUGHKEEPSI NEW YORK
1:40440
TO THOSE OF OUR REGIMENT WHO LOST THEIR OWN LIVES WHILE SAVING OUR COUNTRY'S LIFE THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTION- ATELY DEDICATED AS A TRIBUTE TO THEIR UNFALTERING HEROISM
PREFACE
The surviving members of the Dutchess County Regi- ment have always desired to have a Regimental History written. The subject came up at the first reunion in 1865, and at nearly every subsequent reunion since.
It was generally concluded that Major Smith (I like to call him "Major") was the proper person to write it, as it was believed that he had more data upon which to base the history of the regiment than any other member of it. It is also generally believed that he did write said history, but that his sudden and untimely death robbed us of his very valuable manuscripts.
It is thought probable that these manuscripts were in one of the many boxes that were sold at auction soon after his death, but said box could never be traced, al- though great efforts have been made to find it.
The matter drifted along until 1899 when the subject was brought up by Judge Gildersleeve, and a resolution offered and adopted that the history be written and pub- lished in book form, and the Rev. E. O. Bartlett, D.D., late Chaplain of the Regiment, volunteered to undertake it, and if the "Story of the Dutchess County Regiment" ever gets past the printer's hands and becomes a fixed fact, as "In God we trust" it will, great credit will be due Dr. Bartlett for his initiative work. No structure can be erected without a foundation, and he furnished the basis which made our final success possible.
viii
PREFACE.
At the Annual Reunion in 1902, or three years later, he presented the fruit of his labors to the Association in 207 typewritten pages. A motion was made that this be printed at once, but objection was made to this on the grounds that the Association did not know what the manuscript contained, and that no one man could satis- factorily write the history, giving dates and incidents cor- rectly, Thereupon a committee on review and revision was appointed. I well remember how hard I tried to have Joseph H. Cogswell appointed Chairman of this Committee, because he was the ranking living line officer of the regiment, was a combatant, and since the war had been engaged in literary work, but against my earnest protest he turned the tables on me, and I was made Chair- man, with George H. Williams, Miles K. Lewis, Perry W. Chapman, William R. Woodin, William E. Gurney and William S. Van Keuren as my associates. In 1903 Joseph H. Cogswell, and the Hon. John I. Platt, an hon- orary member of the Association, were added to it.
.At the time I accepted the chairmanship of the com- mittee I realized what it meant, for I had been chairman of committees before. It meant that the chairman should do most of the work.
From some of my associates on the committee I have received valuable assistance.
On receipt of Dr. Bartlett's manuscript, I immediately had a dozen typewritten copies made, and at once divided it into chapters (which Dr. Bartlett had failed to do), apportioning a chapter each to some fifteen or twenty of the members of the old regiment for revision. In some of the chapters the Rev. Doctor will look in vain for the familiar expressions from his own pen, for most of them,
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PREFACE.
in their final form, are essentially the production of those whose names are given as the authors.
About this time Charles E. Benton's book, "As Seen from the Ranks," came into my possession, and I recog- nized at once what a valuable editorial assistant he would be in this undertaking. I was not long in securing his co-operation, and I will here state that his assistance has been invaluable. In fact, I doubt if I would have been able to finish it without his aid, inasmuch as the added years were beginning to hang heavily upon me.
In looking up official documents and records, J. H. Cogswell, George H. Williams and William E. Gurney have been of great service. Cogswell's compilation of the Regimental Roster relieved me of a tremendous amount of work.
To those who were prompt in sending in their chapters and data for Personal Sketches (and even to those who sent them at all), I hereby tender my grateful acknowl- edgments.
In the circular letter I sent out in December, 1902, I asked for diaries. To this there was a liberal response, all of which have been useful in their way, but my "Bible and Prayer Book" has been that of Platt C. Curtiss, late Sergeant of Co. I. His was complete, and when differ- ences of opinion as to dates and localities have arisen I have turned to it and have never been disappointed.
This will be one of the last of Regimental Histories, because such history must of necessity be written by one or more of its members, and those who took part in that war are fast passing away. Nearly two generations have passed since the war ended. Year by year memories grow more indistinct or fade out entirely. Though last,
.
PREFACE.
we are hoping it will not be regarded as least. So far as is known it is entirely unique in its plan and scope. It is believed to be the first regimental history with signed chapters written by so many different members of the regiment. This fact, besides adding to its value for those personally interested, and general readers, should give it a welcome place in all of the public libraries of the nation, and doubtless will.
If my surviving comrades and the families of those who have been "mustered out" are pleased with our efforts I am satisfied. I am very, very sorry that our Colonel, "John Henry," could not have lived to have en- joyed reading it, as it was a matter of lively interest to him during the latter years of his life.
STEPHEN G. COOK, M.D.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Preface vii
CHAPTER I. By Henry A. Gildersleeve.
The Origin and Inception of the Civil War. I
Constitutional Questions Involved-Lincoln and his In- augural Address-The South Precipitated the War-Why We Enlisted.
CHAPTER II. By Henry A. Gildersleeve.
Organization and Stay in Baltimore. 8
The First Practical Step-"Josh Billings' " Resolution --- Authority from Governor Morgan-War Meetings all over the County-Mustered into the United States Service- The Journey to Baltimore-Small Campaigns-Turning Our Faces Towards the Enemy.
CHAPTER III. By William E. Gurney.
From Baltimore to Gettysburg. 2I
Departure From Baltimore-Learning Campaign Service- "Battle Hymn of The Republic"-Becoming Part of the Army of the Potomac-Just Before the Battle.
CHAPTER IV. By Joseph H. Cogswell.
Battle of Gettysburg. 28
Approaching the Field-Held in Reserve-Entering the En- gagement-Developing the Enemy-"Good Fighting Any- where"-Those who Fell-Pickett's Grand Charge-Bury- ing the Dead-The List.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V. By Charles E. Benton.
PAGE
From Gettysburg to Virginia. 4.0
The Wreckage of Battle-Tragic Scenes-Following the Enemy-Long Distance Marching-Topography of the Country-Again Confronting the Enemy-Historic Harper's Ferry-Blackberries, a Feast for the Gods-Sickness in Camp.
CHAPTER VI. By Platt C. Curtiss.
From Virginia to Tennessee.
5 I
Traveling in Freight Cars-Mountain Scenery-Patriotism on the Way-A Winter Guarding the Railroad-Murders by Bushwhackers-Taxing the Citizens to Suppress It- More Murders-"The Simple Life"-Consolidation of Army Corp -- "Fighting Joc."
CHAPTER VII. By Stephen G. Cook.
From Normandy to Resaca . 66
The Peculiarities of Memory-The Second Pleasant Win- tor in the Army The with and 12th Corps Consolidated- Leaving Normandy, Tenn., for a More Southern Trip- Thor Thunder Shower-A Mule "Potter's Field"-Lookout MomMain-Snake Creek Gap-The Battle of Resaca.
CHAPTER VIII. By John E. West.
From Resaca to Kenesaw Mountain. 83
Dinnerhi Campaign to Record-Pursuing the Enemy-"Left ( front! Theell Soon be a Fight!"-Battle of New Hup Clinch -Bloody Assault-Death of General Polk- Tanie of Lot Mountain Hot and Wet-Bluecoats and Baute of Koll's Farm -Death of Lieutenant "aldler and Others-Pickets' Protection-Tantalizing Con- niente Play Enemy Retreats to Kenesaw Mountain.
xiii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
By John E. West. PACE
From Kenesaw Mountain to Peach Tree Creek. ... 97
We Lose a Battle-"The Gate City of the South"-Friend- ly Truce Between the Pickets-We Cross the Chattahoochee -Battle of Peach Tree Creek-Straightening the Skirmish Line-"Who Calls Major !"-Contraband of War-Hard- tack "B. C."-Surprised at Breakfast-Distant Roar of Battle.
CHAPTER X. By William C. Wile.
The Siege of Atlanta 106
Time Occupied-Organization of the Corps-Its Officers- Hot Fighting-Intrenching the Line-Getting Social with the Rebel Pickets-Exchange of Bullet and Shell by Day, and Music by Night-Surprising the Rebel Pickets-De- serters from the Enemy-Moving on the City-Losses Sustained.
CHAPTER XI. By William C. Wile.
Atlanta Occupied. II8
Great Destruction of Property by the Enemy-City Sur- renders-The Town and its Defenses-Regulation of Trade -Inhabitants Sent Away-Sunday Observance-Foraging for Food-Fighting off the Enemy-Preparations for Abandoning the City-Last Scenes Spectacular and Fas- cinating-"As We Go Marching On."
CHAPTER XII. By William H. Bartlett.
From Atlanta to Milledgeville. I31
Election in Camp-Field Orders-Reorganization of the Army-None But the Strongest Retained-More Destruc- tion of Property-City Abandoned-Campaign of Labor- Course Taken-Corduroyed Roads-Freak "Legislature"- Foraging-"Uncle Billy's Summers"-Skirmishing.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII. By George H. Williams. PAGE
From Milledgeville to Savannah. 143
Leaving Milledgeville-Fine Country and Fine Living -- Tough Goose-Skirmish, and Chickens-Swamps and More Skirmishing-In Front of Savannah-Capture of Steam- boat-Fighting on Argyle Island-Colonel Ketcham
Wounded-Capture of Fort McAllister-Hardtack and Home Letters-Surrender of City.
CHAPTER XIV. By Samuel H. Paulding.
From Savannah to Goldsborough. 149
"Obey Orders"-Enemy Retreats-Surrender of City- Pursuit of Enemy-Cold and Wet-Dry Inside-Destruc- tion of Railroads -- Flooded Swamps-Corduroyed Roads- Foraging-Battle of Averasborough-Death of Lieutenant Sleight-Battle of Bentonville-A New Base.
CHAPTER XV. By Miles K. Lewis. 159
From Goldsborough Home.
Cle of the "Hardest Campaign"_"Pop" Williams- Assassination of the President-Surrender of Lee and Jim-ton-End of the War-March to Washington-Over od Battlefields-Grand Review-Home Reception-En- tuniantic Rejoicing-Pathetic Scenes-"Good Bye."
CHAPTER XVI. By Stephen G. Cook. 169
The Monument and Its Dedication.
How the Money Was Raised-Description of the Monu- mont Ceremonies and Addresses at its Dedication-Speak- n of the Day Others Present-Evening Campfire.
CHAPTER XVII. By Charles E. Benton.
Regimental Band. 177
Towe n Was Created-Its Members-A Unique Character i :. Battle-Regiment's Position Marked by ( of | Members-Band Men Wounded-Faithful to a
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIII. By Thomas E. Vassar. PAGE
Reminiscences 183
Records of the Old Diary-Cheers and Tears-Apples and Turkeys from Home-Regimental Debating Club-Dog of the Regiment-Campaigning-Battle Scenes Both Ludicrous and Pathetic-Virginia Camps-Resignation and "All Hail."
CHAPTER XIX.
By Hubbard F. Roberts and James H. Vassar. The Songs We Used to Sing 197
"America"-"Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah !"-"Red, White and Blue"-"The Battle Cry of Freedom"-"Tramp! Tramp! Tramp !"-"Battle Hymn of the Republic"-"The Vacant Chair"-"Tenting on the Old Camp Ground"-"When John- ny Comes Marching Home."
CHAPTER XX.
Personal Sketches 217
John H. Ketcham-Alfred B. Smith-Henry A. Gildersleeve -Cornelius N. Campbell-Thomas E. Vassar-Edward O. Bartlett-Stephen G. Cook-William H. Bartlett-Frank V. B. Gildersleeve-Stephen V. R. Cruger-Henry Grid- ley-Cyrus S. Roberts-Charles E. Benton-Edwin A. Davis-Eugene M. Kempton-Miles K. Lewis-Albert B. Reed-E. Nicholas Shelden-George Rynus-James H. Vassar-John A. Wallace-Andrew J. Ostrom-Charles T. Johnson-Matthias Jois-Levi Lumb-William S. Van Keuren-William E. Gurney-Julius O. Hicks-James New- man-John M. Shaw-William K. Watson-Joseph Wooley -William N. Palmer-Obed Wheeler-Perry W. Chapman Samuel H. Paulding-James H. Rhynders-Jeremiah Col- lins-Charles E. Horsfall-Myron W. Roberts-John E. West-William C. Wile-George H. Williams-Platte M. Thorne-James Banks-Hubbard F. Roberts-David B. Sleight-Josiah H. Budd-Platt C. Curtiss-Edward L. Florence-Charles H. Smith-Isaac T. Sweezey-Landon Ostrom-Stephen R. Tator.
CHAPTER XXI. By Joseph H. Cogswell.
Roster of the Regiment. 345 Mustered into the United States Service October II, 1862, at Camp Dutchess, Poughkeepsie, New York, To Serve Three Years.
CHAPTER XX.
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
PAGE
PAGE
John H. Ketcham 217
Obed Wheeler 306
Henry A. Gildersleeve 230
James H. Rhynders 314
Edward O. Bartlett 243
Myron W. Roberts 318
Cyrus S. Roberts. 260
George H. Williams 323
Eugene M. Kempton. 270
Hubbard F. Roberts 328
E. Nicholas Shelden 275
Platt C. Curtiss 333
John A. Wallace 283
Isaac T. Sweezey 336
Matthias Jois.
290
Stephen R. Tator 338
William E. Gurney
295
Henry Pearce 34I
John M. Shaw
301
Frank V. R. Gildersleeve. .. 252
William N. Palmer
305
Joseph H. Cogswell 224
Samuel H. Paulding
312
Thomas E. Vassar 240
William C. Wile 321
317
Henry Gridley 257
Edwin A. Davis 268
Albert B. Reed.
274
Charles H. Smith 335
William R. Woodin.
343
William H. Bartlett
249
James Newman 298
Joseph Wooley 303
Perry W. Chapman 309
Cornelius N. Campbell 237
Jeremiah Collins
314
Stephen G. Cook 245
John F. West. 318
Charle E. Benton 266
Platte M. Thorne. 325
Mile K. Lewis 271
David B. Sleight. 329
George Remus 278 Midrew J. O-trom 285
201
Inlin O. Hick
207
William K. Watch
301
Edward L. Florence.
334
Landon Ostrom 337
Benjamin S. Broas 340
Stephen V. R. Cruger
254
279
George T. Willson 281
Alfred B. Smith 228
William S. Van Keuren
292
Josiah H. Budd 331
James H. Vassar
Charles T. Johnson
286
Charles E. Horsfall
James Banks
326
THE DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT.
CHAPTER I. THE ORIGIN AND INCEPTION OF THE CIVIL WAR.
By HENRY A. GILDERSLEEVE.
Constitutional Questions Involved-Lincoln and His Inaugural Address-The South Precipitated the War-Why We Enlisted.
The attempted secession from the Union, of the South- ern States, brought on the " Great Civil War" in 1861. The differences between the North and the South arose over the institution of slavery. Mr. Seward very truth- fully declared that they constituted an " irrepressible con- flict." The vast Western country was rapidly becoming populated; territories were constantly applying for ad- mission to the Union as states, and the slave-holding states seemed destined at an early day to become greatly in the minority. The extension of slavery was the all- absorbing question before the country.
An overwhelming majority of the Northern people were opposed to further extension, because they believed slavery was wrong. The anti-slavery spirit of the people of the North was a thorn in the side of the Southern brethren, and engendered deep bitterness and severe re- sentment towards the North. Had the slaveholders been
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THE DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT.
satisfied with the retention of slavery in the old slavehold- ing states, the North, as a whole, stood ready to favor all reasonable legislation necessary to protect the South in the enjoyment of its property in slaves.
It was generally believed, certainly in the South, that President Lincoln owed his nomination and election to his anti-slavery-extension principles. His elevation to the office of Chief Executive of the nation was the "last straw," and the Southern statesmen, many of whom had long contemplated the advisability of secession, believed the time was ripe for the move. They had a very feeble conception of the energy and determination an attempt to destroy the Union would arouse in the North.
It was the claim of the Secessionists that the United States was a confederation of sovereignties from which each might secede at will. They maintained that the right of secession was vested in the inherent sovereign power of each state. Moreover, they asserted that seces- sion was a legal right. They rested this latter theory upon the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution, which provides that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the "States," are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
It is not proposed to enter here upon a discussion of the doctrine of "State Sovereignty," or the support for secession which, it was claimed, was afforded by the Con- stitution. Regardless of all that may be urged for or against the so-termed " lost cause," all intelligent citizens, both North and South, now understand the character of our political system, and recognize the true legal order of sovereignty, as established irrevocably by the result of the appeal to arms. The momentous problem of sover-
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THE ORIGIN AND INCEPTION OF THE CIVIL WAR.
eignty was solved upon the battlefield. National sover- eignty triumphed, and the sovereignty of the "States " became subordinated thereto for all time.
We think it is true that a majority of the Secession leaders were sincere in the belief that their case rested in sound principles, and that in undertaking secession they espoused a righteous cause.
When the purpose of the Southerners to dismember the Union was realized at the North, and it was seen that all efforts at compromise must fail, President Buchanan most unwisely, under a misapprehension of the authority he possessed as Chief Executive and the Commander-in- Chief of its Military and Naval forces, took the ground that the Government was without any legal power to hold the States together.
This was the tenor of his first message to Congress on the conduct of the South, under date of December 3, 1860. He went unreasonably far in his efforts at pacification, to avoid hostilities, but subsequently wiser counsels prevailed.
In November, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and on March 4, 1861, he took the oath of office. At this time secession ordi- nances had been passed by seven of the Southern States, and the Confederate Government fully organized. It brought together its forces with great dispatch, and before the end of March had a greater military and naval power than the Federal Government.
The condition President Lincoln had to meet was one of the gravest that ever confronted man. His inaugural address was a calm, plain statement of his intention to preserve the Union and execute the laws throughout the
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THE DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT.
whole country. He took the ground that the Union was older than the Constitution, and that " no state upon its own motion " could " lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect " were "legally void."
He affirmed that, despite the secession ordinances, and the formation of the Confederate Government, the Union was still unbroken; that the laws of the United States were still supreme, and that it was his purpose to execute the laws of the Union in all the states.
Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, was occupied by a small garrison of Federal troops under command of Major Anderson. The attitude of the South Carolinians had been such as to furnish good reason to apprehend an attack upon the fort. The President sent reinforce- ments and supplies to Fort Sumter from New York on the steamer Star of The West, and when this vessel attempted to approach the fort, on January 9, 1861, it was fired upon by the South Carolinians.
Unable to reach the garrison the vessel returned to New York. This firing upon United States soldiers on the way with supplies, under orders from the President, was just as much a hostile act as the subsequent bombard- ment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, but so anxious was the President to bring about pacification that he elected not to regard the incident of January 9 as an overt act.
On the afternoon of April 11, 1861, General Beaure- gard, the Confederate Commander at Charleston, de- manded from Major Anderson the surrender of Fort "winter, which was promptly declined. A second de- mand was sent at about eleven o'clock in the evening.
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THE ORIGIN AND INCEPTION OF THE CIVIL WAR.
To this demand Anderson replied in the early morning of the 12th and offered to evacuate upon certain condi- tions, which however proved unsatisfactory to Beaure- gard, and at twenty minutes past three on the morning of the 12th the latter informed Major Anderson that fire would be opened upon the fort by the Confederate bat- teries in one hour from that time.
Accordingly, at half-past four on the morning of April 12, 1861, the gates of fraternal war were formally opened. The flag of the Union was assailed by the Con- federate guns which hurled their missiles of death and destruction upon the Federal fort, and on the 14th it surrendered.
Thus the seceding "States" became the aggressors, and assailed the power it was their duty to obey.
At the end of June, 1862, the war had been in prog- ress about fifteen months, and over eight hundred thous- and volunteers, including three-months men, had entered the military service of the United States. The actual strength of the Federal army on duty at this time was about five hundred thousand men. In the West the Union forces under Grant, Buell and others, had secured very creditable results. Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Pitts- burg Landing, Corinth, and other points of strategic importance had been captured by the Union armies.
But the general result of the campaigns in Virginia was not considered to reflect credit upon our army, and in consequence thereof there was a widespread feeling of dissatisfaction in the North. Lukewarm Unionists and Southern sympathizers began to openly proclaim their faith in, and announce their adherence to, the Southern cause. This hostile force in our midst, too cowardly to
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THE DUTCHESS COUNTY REGIMENT.
fight in the open field, and without an excuse for their disloyalty and treachery, retarded enlistments at home, encouraged foreign intervention, and in every way pos- sible gave support to the South.
Happily, this class of citizens, known as "Copper- heads," constituted a very small portion of each com- munity, and in no locality in the Northern States was it in control. The Copperheads were rarely in favor of AAfrican Slavery, and as they were generally opposed to its extension their discreditable attitude may charitably be attributed to a lack of patriotic sentiment, and failure to comprehend the ground upon which the liberty and prosperity of the people rested. I do not recall that, in and around Dutchess County, during the early stages of the war, the question of slavery in the South was con- sidered, or often the topic of conversation.
With us the rally to arms was not for the purpose of freeing the enslaved negroes, for we did not then appre- ciate, what we now see, that the spirit of civilization and progress was working for more advanced results than the establishment of the supremacy of the laws of the United States. The emancipation of a race, and a better civilization, were involved in the struggle. The unfortu- nate condition of the negro slaves had no part in the sentiment that actuated the Dutchess County Volunteers at this period of the war.
It was proclaimed that our Country's flag had been fired upon by insurgents; the power of the Federal Government insolently defied; the Constitution violated and the Union placed in peril. The farmers, mechanics, tradespeople, and professional classes, one and all, rushed to the support of the Federal standards, because they
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THE ORIGIN AND INCEPTION OF THE CIVIL WAR.
felt and believed that the Union should be preserved, the Governmental power maintained at all hazards, and that in no other way could the general welfare of all the people be promoted, and the blessings of liberty secured to themselves and their posterity.
The powerful and thoroughly equipped Army of the Potomac was intrenched in works, vast in extent and most formidable in character, within sight of Richmond, and it was confidently hoped that the battlecry, " On to Rich- mond!" would soon be realized.
Within a few days the remnants of that threatening host were upon the James River, thirty miles from Rich- mond, seeking to recover, under the protection of their gunboats, from the effects of a series of disastrous defeats. This routing of McClellan's army thoroughly aroused the Government to the danger in which the country was placed, and an earnest determination was manifested to provide against its consequences.
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