USA > New York > New York City > The Union defence committee of the city of New York. Minutes, reports, and correspondence; with an historical introduction > Part 8
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Present :
Simeon Draper, Vice-Chairman, in the chair.
Messrs. Moses Taylor, Messrs. R. M. Blatchford,
Samuel Sloan, Isaac Bell,
Chas. H. Marshall,
Moses H. Grinnell,
Wm. E. Dodge, P. M. Wetmore, Acting Sec'y.
The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :
The Union Defence Committee, acting for their fellow citizens of New York, in the expression of love of country and devotion to its institutions ; and, regarding it alike as a privilege and a duty to follow with their hopes and words of encouragement the prog- ress of the loyal forces, naval and military, now engaged in the duty of suppressing rebellion and upholding the flag of the Union, do hereby
Resolve, First, that the cheering accounts of the success of our gallant officers, soldiers and seamen, in the brilliant operations of the war, call for the carnest thanks and cordial congratulations of every loyal citizen for the burdens they have borne, the dangers they have encountered, the blood they have shed, the skill and bravery they have shown in every conflict by land or sea, and for the enduring luster which their deeds of heroism and their for- bearance in the hour of victory have shed upon the American name and character.
Second, That the navy has signalized its skill, bravery and patriotism in the following instances, namely :
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The capture of the Hatteras forts ;
The conquest of the defences of Port Royal ;
The successful bombardment of Fort Henry .;
The capture of Roanoke Island ;
And that the names of Stringham, Dupont, Foote and Golds- borough confer distinction on the rolls of the American Navy.
Third, That the army has won enduring renown in the follow- ing conflicts, namely :
The battle of Philippa ;
The battles of Booneville and Brier Forks in Missouri ;
The defence of Lexington in Missouri ;
The capture of an insurgent force by General Pope, in Missouri ; The victory of Dranesville, in Virginia ;
The total rout of Marshall by Colonel Garfield, in Kentucky ;
The brilliant success at Somerset and Mill Spring, in Kentucky, and the crowning triumph in the storming of the works at Roanoke and the capture of the rebel army. .
Fourth, That the gallant conduct and noble devotion to country evinced in these and other conflicts reflect the highest honor on the commanding officers and on the forces engaged.
Fifth, That the citizens of New York have reason to feel proud and happy in reflecting on the heroism shown by the soldiers they have assisted to place in the field, and that they will hold in grate- ful recollection the services of Hawkins and Ferrero ; of Betts and Potter, of Kimball and Le Gendre, and the gallant regiments led by them in the storming of Roanoke.
Sixth, That in placing this record on their minutes, the Union Defence Committee desires to share with Rhode Island in the glory and honor which attaches to the name of Burnside, illustrated equally in the triumph over difficulties and in the conquest of arms.
Seventh, That acknowledgments and congratulations to those who have been spared to witness the triumph of the national arms must not be unaccompanied by a grateful tribute to the memory of the fallen in battle. The glory of Lyon and Baker is imperish- able ; upon the same page illustrated by these names will appear those of the gallant Russell, and of the chivalrous De Monteil. Lives given to the country on the field of battle, in the cause of liberty, do not pass away ; they survive in the hearts of the nation, and are treasured as the richest possessions of a free people.
Eighth, That this committee recognize in the recent exhibitions
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of loyal feeling in the Southwestern States and on the southern sea-coast the strongest evidence which can be given of the declin- ing fortunes of rebellion, and as furnishing in connection with the recent success of the army and navy, the surest indications of a speedy triumph of the cause of the Constitution and the Union.
Ninth, That copies of these proceedings be transmitted to the President, the Department of War, and of the Navy, and published. Adjourned.
A SPECIAL meeting of the committee was held at the room of the U. D. C., No. 30 Pine Street, on Monday, February 17, 1862, at - o'clock P.M.
Present :
Simeon Draper, Vice-Chairman, presiding.
Chas. H. Marshall,
R. M. Blatchford,
Samuel Sloan, Comptroller Haws,
M. H. Grinnell,
A. T. Stewart,
R. A. Witthaus,
P. M. Wetmore, Act'g Sec'y.
On motion of Mr. Draper, the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted, ordered to be transmitted to the proper authorities and published.
1. Resolved, That in further acknowledgment of the loyal and gallant conduct of the Union forces, now engaged in suppressing re- bellion, this committee desire to express their admiration of the strategic skill of the commanding generals, the determined ardor and dashing bravery of the officers, soldiers and seamen engaged in the investment, assault and capture of Fort Donelson, on the Cum- berland River, in Tennessee.
2. Resolved, That the public heart of the country overflows with gratitude to the heroic men who have added a new glory to our na- tional annals.
3. Resolved, That the memory of the patriots who have main- tained the national honor at the sacrifice of their lives becomes a sacred trust of a grateful country ; and that the wounded and suf- fering defenders of the Union are entitled to the sympathy of all who appreciate the principles of loyal duty and devoted patriotism.
4. Resolved, With the view to give public expression of the grateful sense entertained by the people in regard to the recent suc- cesses of the national arms, this committee recommend that the citizens of New York, Brooklyn and vicinity be invited to assemble in mass meeting on the day made illustrious by the birth of Wash- ington-the 22d of February instant.
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5. Resolved, That a Select Committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting, and to give public notice of the time and place; and that his Honor the Mayor be requested to preside.
The Committee of Arrangements was constituted as follows :
Simeon Draper, Chairman,
Ilamilton Fish, Robert T. Haws,
George Opdyke,
A. A. Low,
M. H. Grinnell,
James S. Wadsworth,
John A. Dix,
R. M. Blatchford,
A. C. Richards,
Samuel Sloan,
Isaac Bell,
John J. Astor, Jr.,
Charles H. Russell,
Charles H. Marshall,
Wm. M. Evarts,
Alex. T. Stewart,
Edwards Pierrepont,
R. A. Witthaus,
R. H. McCurdy, Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary.
NOTE .- Major-General Dix, Brigadier-General Wadsworth and Colonel Astor were absent, being in the discharge of military duties in the field.
FEBRUARY 24, 1862.
The Secretary of the Executive Committee, on behalf of the "Committee of Arrangements," laid on the table a full report of the proceedings at the mass meeting on the evening of the 22d in- stant, in honor of Washington's Birthday and of the recent Union victories.
AT A MEETING of the committee held March 12, 1862, at the room, No. 30 Pine Street, in pursuance to a call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the following members were .
Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
S. Draper, Vice-Chairman, M. H. Grinnell,
A. A. Low, Treasurer, Isaac Bell, Jr.,
Charles H. Russell,
Samuel Sloan,
R. M. Blatchford,
R. H. McCurdy,
Charles H. Marshall, A. C. Richards,
William F. Havemeyer, P. M. Wetmore,
A. T. Stewart,
His Honor Mayor Opdyke,
Comptroller Haws.
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On motion, Mr. Wetmore was appointed to act as Secretary pro tem.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee were read and approved to date.
The Secretary pro tem. submitted the bills incurred at the meet- ing of February 22d, amounting to about the sum of $400.
Ordered, That the bills be referred to the Finance Committee, and that upon the order of the Chairman of that Committee, Mr. Russell, the same be paid by the Treasurer.
Mr. Draper stated that he had taken the responsibility of con- vening the meeting, in the belief that the Committee would desire to adopt measures for expressing their sentiments in regard to the public affairs of the country.
Mr. Draper submitted a series of resolutions, numbered from 1 to 6 inclusive, as follows :
1. Resolved, That this Committee offer their cordial congratula- tions to the President of the United States for the eminent success which has crowned the national arms with victory on many fields of action, illustrated by consummate skill and gallant conduct.
2. Resolved, That the thanks of every loyal citizen are due to the commanding generals of the army, the officers in command of the naval operations, and to the soldiers and seamen who, having shared in the dangers, are entitled to participate in the honors and rewards of success.
3. Resolved, That this Committee take pleasure in placing on their records of brilliant achievements by the national forces the combined movements at Brunswick, Georgia, and Fernandina, Flor- ida ; and the recent brilliant triumph in the mountains of Arkansas, under Curtis and Sigel and Asboth.
4. Resolved, That the skillful strategic movements of the army and navy, united in the common cause, by which have been secured the bloodless but none the less effectual success of Bowling Green, Columbus, Nashville and Manassas, have won for those branches of the public service an enduring renown and the grateful plaudits of the country.
5. Resolved, That among the names which give luster to the rolls of the American army are to be numbered those of Halleck, Buell and Grant, McClernand and Smith.
6. Resolved, That in reviewing the brilliant opening of the cam- paign, and noting for future acknowledgment the triumph of skill and bravery, which already adorn our military annals, it is justly
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due, that the grateful thanks of every citizen who desires to see the glory of his country maintained untarnished should be rendered to Lieut,-General Winfield Scott and Major-General George B. Mc- Clellan for their united wisdom, experience, scientific knowledge and loyal patriotism evinced in the conduct of the war, and in di- recting its movements.
Mr. Low submitted resolutions numbered 7, 8, 9, to wit:
7. Resolved, That the recent engagement in Hampton Roads, re- sulting in the swift destruction of the two frigates Cumberland and Congress, and the loss of many valuable lives, teaches the important lesson that wooden structures, however large and however armed, are valueless when opposed to iron-clad ships.
8. Resolved, That the salvation of the Minnesota, St. Lawrence and possibly the Roanoke, together with much other valuable prop- erty, was solely due to the opportune presence of the Ericsson bat- tery.
9. Resolved, That the existence of such a vessel as the Merrimac, threatening our important seaports, demands the immediate creation of other vessels like the Monitor with the least possible loss of time ; and that other means should be devised for crushing, foundering or casting on shore such vessels as the Merrimac if they should ever venture to enter our harbor or approach our shores.
Mr. Draper submitted Nos. 10, 11, viz .:
10. Resolved, That we are proud of the achievements of Mr. Ericsson in his experiments producing the successful Moni- tor-that has performed one of the noblest acts of modern times.
11. Resolved, That the neglect of the Navy Department in omit- ting to provide for the defence of our shipping, our harbors and our homes against the long and well-known Confederate preparation of the Merrimac for our destruction, demands our earnest remonstrance against the continuance of the acknowledged feebleness in the ad- ministration of the Navy Department.
Mr. Opdyke submitted No. 12, as follows:
12. Resolved, That this Committee heartily approves the views expressed by the President of the United States on the subject of emancipation in his latest communication to Congress.
Ordered, That the several resolutions be referred to a Committee of five to report at an adjourned meeting to-morrow, said Com- mittee to consist of Messrs. Low, Draper, Russell, Sloan and Fish.
Adjourned to Thursday, twelve o'clock M.
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ADJOURNED MEETING HELD AT 30 PINE STREET, March 13, 1862.
The Select Committee appointed at the meeting of yesterday to consider and report on resolutions then submitted, met at ten o'clock A. M.
Present :
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, A. A. Low,
S. Draper,
Charles H. Russell.
After discussion, the Committee decided that it was inexpedient to report any resolutions at this time.
MEETING HELD AT 30 PINE STREET, March 13, 1862, 12 M.
Present : . Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
A. A. Low, Treasurer, Charles H. Marshall,
Charles H. Russell, A. 'T. Stewart,
R. HI. McCurdy, P. M. Wetmore, Sec'y pro tem.
No quorum being present, the Committee adjourned.
MEETING AT 30 PINE STREET, Wednesday, April 30, 1862. MEETING called to receive report of Executive Committee.
Present :
Governor H. Fish, Chairman,
R. M. Blatchford,
Charles H. Marshall,
William M. Evarts, A. A. Low,
M. H. Grinnell,
Samuel Sloan,
A. C. Richards,
R. H. McCurdy,
P. M. Wetmore, Charles H. Russell.
A quorum not being present, the meeting was adjourned.
MEETING HELD AT NO. 30 PINE STREET, Thursday, May 8th, 1862.
MEETING called to receive report from the Executive Committee, and to consider the question of the final disposition of the private fund.
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Present : Governor Hİ. Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. S. Draper, Messrs. A. A. Low,
I. Bell, Charles H. Marshall,
S. Sloan, A. T. Stewart,
R. II. McCurdy, M. H. Grinnell,
R. M. Blatchford, P. M. Wetmore.
No quorum appearing, the meeting was adjourned.
No. 30 PINE STREET, July 1, 1862
MEETING called for this day at one o'clock.
Present : Governor H. Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Low, Messrs. Sloan,
Bell,
Taylor,
Stewart, Blatchford,
Richards, Dodge,
¡ Grinnell,
Marshall.
Wetmore,
No quorum appearing, the meeting adjourned, and the members repaired to the Astor House, on the invitation of Mr. Blatchford, to hold an interview with Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States.
In addition to the members named above, there were also present at the interview Governor Morgan, of New York, and Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania.
The Secretary of State made certain statements in regard to the condition of public affairs, especially in relation to the army, which statements were to be received and held in confidence.
After the reading of several papers and some interchange of opin- ions, Governor Fish, on behalf of the Committee, responded to the remarks of the Secretary, and at the suggestion of the members pres- ent, the remarks of the Chairman were reduced to writing, to be en- tered on the minutes.
At the request of the Secretary of State, a copy of this minute was furnished to him, as follows :
STATEMENT OF SECRETARY SEWARD.
ASTOR HOUSE, NEW YORK, July 1, 1862.
Governor Seward, Secretary of State, having requested an inter- view with the Union Defence Committee of New York, twelve mem-
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bers of that body waited upon him, at his rooms in this house, at two o'clock P.M.
After a statement by the Secretary in reference to the present condition of the army, and the existing necessity for an additional military force to be furnished by the loyal States of the Union,
Governor Hamilton Fish, Chairman of the Committee, replied in its behalf, and stated that a meeting of the members had been called for this day with the view to close the transactions of the Commit- tee, and to dissolve its organization. In the absence of a quorum, the present assemblage was necessarily an informal one, but with the knowledge he had of the sentiments of the members present, as well as of those who were absent, he felt confident that after the remarks submitted by the Secretary of State [no member of the Committee could entertain a thought of terminating its labors at this time]; that the proposed action of the State and national authorities would meet the cordial approval of the entire body, and that, in the future, as in the past, every means within its control would be freely given in furtherance of this and every other effort of the Government for the speedy suppression of the Rebellion.
[The rough draft of these remarks was made and handed to the Secretary of State after Governor Fish had left the room. The ex- act words used by him, in place of those inserted above in brackets, were the following: "No member would entertain the thought of terminating the labors of the Committee while there existed an opportunity of their services being available to the Government or to the public interests."]
Entered of record, at the request of the members present.
MEETING AT NO. 30 PINE STREET, July 8, 1862.
Present :
Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Dodge, Messrs. McCurdy,
Sloan,
Blatchford,
Richards,
Stewart,
Haws,
Witthaus,
Havemeyer,
Grinnell,
P. M. Wetmore,
Bell,
The Mayor.
Mr. Prosper M. Wetmore was appointed to act as Secretary pro tem.
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The minutes of the meeting of March 12th and of the informal meeting of the 1st instant, were read and approved.
The Chairman submitted a communication from the Chamber of Commerce, in the following words, to wit:
" CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, "NEW YORK, July 5, 1862. " GENTLEMEN :
"I have the honor to communicate the following resolution unanimously passed this day by a Committee appointed on the part of the Chamber to take into consideration the present state of our national affairs :
" ' Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to meet a similar Committee from the Union Defence Committee and Commit- tees from other bodies of loyal citizens, to unite upon the proper measures to sustain the National Government in crushing out the Rebellion, with power to call this Committee together to receive their report.'
"Under this resolution, the following gentlemen were appointed on the part of the Chamber of Commerce :
" Messrs. Hon. George Opdyke, Denning Duer, C. R. Robert, John A. Stevens, Jonathan Sturges.
"With great respect, "Your obedient servant, "JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS, JR., " Secretary.
"To the Union Defence Committee, New York."
On motion of Mr. Blatchford,
Resolved, That a Committee of five members be appointed to confer with the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, under the resolution of that body.
The Chair named the Committee as follows :
Messrs. Blatchford, Sloan, Stewart, Witthaus, Richards.
On motion of Mr. Haws,
Resolved, That the Select Committee have full power to act in concert with the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
On motion of Mr. Blatchford, the Chairman and Secretary pro tem. were added to the Select Committee.
Resolved unanimously, That it is inexpedient at the present time for the Committee to dissolve its organization.
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Mr. Sloan submitted the following :
Resolved, That the sum of $200 be appropriated in aid of two companies of the brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Spinola, on the presentation of vouchers approved by the Commanding Gen- eral.
Referred to Committee on Aid to Regiments of the Executive Committee. [See Reports.]
Mr. Grinnell submitted the report of the Executive Committee, which was accepted and ordered to be printed.
Ordered, That the sum of one hundred dollars be paid to James M. Anderson for services for two months past.
Mr. Sloan submitted the following :
1. Resolved, That the Secretary notify all the members of the Committee of its determination to continue this organization, and in every practicable mode to promote and carry out the object which it was originally intended to accomplish.
2. Resolved, That the members of this Committee be requested to signify in writing, addressed to the Chairman, as early as con- venient, their approval of the above resolution, and of their willing- ness to give punctual attendance at the meetings.
And the same were adopted and ordered to be communicated to the members.
Adjourned.
MEETING, New York, July 8, 1862.
DEATH OF GENERAL JAMES S. WADSWORTHI.
The public papers having announced the death of General Wads- worth, killed in battle in Virginia, the following notice was pub- lished :
NOTICE.
The members of the Union Defence Committee are invited to assemble at the room of the Chamber of Commerce on Fri- day, the 13th instant, at 12 o'clock, to adopt measures of re- spect for the memory of their late associate General James S. Wadsworth.
By request, HAMILTON FISH, Chairman.
NEW YORK, May 11, 1864.
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UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, ROOMS OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
NEW YORK, May 13, 1864.
Present :
Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Draper, Messrs. Grinnell.
Blatchford, McCurdy,
Stewart, Sloan,
Astor, Bell,
Pierrepont and Wetmore, Acting Secretaries.
The chairman addressed the Committee in relation to the char- acter, public services and private worth of General Wadsworth.
Recent statements from the army affording grounds for hope that General Wadsworth may still be living, the Committee adjourned to await further information, and to meet at the call of the chairman.
Reliable information having been obtained that the body of Gen- eral Wadsworth had been recovered, and was on the way to New York, the chairman caused the following notice to be issued for this meeting.
NOTICE.
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, NEW YORK, May 19, 1864.
An adjourned meeting of the members of this Committee will be held at the Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, 21st instant, at 12 o'clock, to adopt measures of respect for the memory of their late associate General James S. Wadsworth.
By request, HAMILTON FISH, Chairman.
NEW YORK, May 21st, 1864.
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, May 21, 1864.
Present : Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Charles H. Marshall, R. H. McCurdy, P. M. Wetmore, Acting Secretary.
On motion of Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. McCurdy, the fol- lowing resolutions, prepared by Judge Pierrepont, were unanimously adopted.
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Resolved, That when we consider that, from the very beginning of this war, General Wadsworth, a wealthy, cultured and honored gentleman, impelled by a high sense of duty an'd of right, left his home of beauty, of luxury, of affection and of love, to sacrifice every pleasure, to devote his every hour, to spend the weary winter in the frontier camp, to soothe and cheer the homesick, dying soldier; to waste much of his private fortune, to imperil his own health, and finally to offer up his willing life in his country's cause, we can find on the roll of history no record of a braver, truer man, or of a more devoted patriot.
Resolved (while we tender to the bereaved wife and afflicted fam- ily of the illustrious dead our deepest sympathies and our holiest condolence), that " light is mingled with the gloom, and joy with grief"-that he died as a brave patriot loves to die ! that he fell in the van of battle, leading his brave soldiers against the foe ; and the last sight which gleamed on his fading eye was the high waving flag of his country and of Liberty, and the last sound that fell upon his dying ear was the shout of victory !
To such a soul, there could be no happier time " for the dust to return to the earth as it was, and for the spirit to return unto God who gave it !"
Resolved, That by his devoted life, and by his glorious death, he leaves to his children the heritage of an imperishable name, and to coming generations a bright example for patriots to imi- tate.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be entered and kept among the records of this Committee ; and that a copy of the same be presented to the family of the deceased.
The Secretary read a copy of letter addressed by Major-General John A. Dix to the Secretary of War, as follows :
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE EAST,
NEW YORK CITY, May 19th, 1865.
HON. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War :
SIR : I respectfully suggest that the name of Wadsworth be given to one of the forts in this harbor. At this juncture it strikes me as peculiarly appropriate, and I am sure it would be well re- ceived by our whole community. I do not know why Fort Rich- mond is so called. The records of the Engineer Department may show. With my present information, it suggests nothing to my
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mind but some passages in British history, and a city sheltering traitors in arms against the Government.
If there is any reason why this name cannot be changed for another which is identified with our own history at the most criti- cal period of our existence, and adorned with the manliest virtues, the fort at Sandy Hook is without a name, and may be made a medium for transmitting to posterity one eminently endeared to the people of this State.
I am, very respectfully, Your ob'd't serv't, JOHN A. DIX, Major-Gen. (Signed)
The following letter, in support of the suggestion made by Gen- eral Dix was prepared and signed by the members present, and sub- sequently by others, viz .:
NEW YORK, May 21, 1864.
HON. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War :
SIR: The undersigned members of the Union Defence Commit- tee desire to express to you their approval of the suggestion made by Major-General Dix for giving the name of the lamented General Wadsworth to one of the forts in this harbor, and earnestly to re- quest that it be adopted.
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