USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The heroes of Albany. A memorial of the patriot-martyrs of the city and county of Albany, who sacrificed their lives during the late war in defense of our nation 1861-1865 > Part 2
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The succeeding day witnessed a great meeting in Brooklyn, at which Robert J. Walker, a former cabinet officer and resident of the second State to place itself in open rebellion, spoke. The Thirteenth militia, a Brooklyn regiment, left during the day, and the Eighth and Sixty-ninth militia of the city of New York departed at the same time for Washington.
Public manifestations increased. Nationalities vied with each other in the work of raising regiments and sustaining the Gov- ernment. On the 25th an enthusiastic meeting of British resi- dents was held in New York, and two or three days later French residents held a Union meeting. The Germans met frequently in large assemblages; and other nationalities were equally active. Distinctive regiments of Irish, Scotch, German and French were being raised for the war.
The Common Council of Buffalo made a large appropriation to equip a local regiment. Troy established a special depot, and raised money for its support. Other cities were not behind in the work. Collections were made in churches and at other assem- blages for furnishing needed supplies for the soldiers and for supporting their families.
On the 26th of April the Secretary of War wrote as follows to the Governor. He had previously expressed himself in the same spirit: "I have to repeat the acknowledgments of this Department for your very prompt and energetic action in send- ing forward the troops of your State."
It was the glory of New York to be then, as since, in advance of the calls upon her by the Government for men .*
* For an account of the regiments sent to the war from the city of Albany, see Appendix.
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INTRODUCTION.
The State, too, poured forth its treasures like water. Early in the war the bankers and men of wealth offered sums to almost any amount, to aid in sustaining the country and the Government. The most liberal appropriations were made by the Legislature; and from the report of the Paymaster General of the State, trans- mitted to this body January 23d, 1866, it appears that the total sum disbursed for bounties alone, from July 17, 1862, to January 1, 1866, was $35,088,999.18. In addition to this amount, the local authorities, says the report, have expended at least $60,- 000,000.
Besides these enormous sums, we are informed that the volun- tary contributions from individuals, for sanitary and other pur- poses, amounted on the first of January, 1866, to about $7,000,- 000. The fairs held in the State yielded $2,500,000; making a total from these sources of $9,500,000.
The statistics for the county of Albany are as follows: For county bounties $3,100,700 00
For recruiting fees and other expenses connected with enlistments
225,125 39
Total
$3,325,825 39
There was raised by county taxes
$641,441 47
Raised by county loans 2,989,522 00
Total $3,630,963 47
These figures show the great sacrifices that the people were ready to make for the preservation of our Republic.
EARLY EFFORTS IN ALBANY. 4
In the department of voluntary contributions for the comfort of our soldiers and their families, and for the sick and wounded in camps and hospitals, the citizens of Albany manifested the greatest liberality during the entire period of the war.
Among the earliest efforts were those that we made to provide for the families of soldiers needing assistance. A committee was appointed to raise a fund called the "Citizens' Military Relief
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INTRODUCTION.
Fund," to which our citizens most promptly and liberally con- tributed. Many esteemed it a privilege to add to the support and comfort of the families of the noble men who had gone forth for the defence of our Nation. The finance committee consisted of the following patriotic gentlemen: Messrs. JOHN BENSON, BEN- JAMIN PAYN. JJ. W. HARCOURT, R. H. WELLS, HIRAM PERRY, M. W. BENDER, WM. M. VAN ANTWERP, R. P. LATHROP, A. VAN ALLEN, FRANKLIN TOWNSEND. C. D. RATHBONE. THOS, P. CROOK.
The total amount collected and paid over to J. C. Y. PAIGE, Esq., City Chamberlain, was $20,479.00. In addition to this, printing and binding were gratuitously done by Messrs. WEED, PARSONS & CO., and Messrs MUNSELL & ROWLAND.
Through this agency many families were aided, who would otherwise have been deprived of the necessaries of life.
To the patriotic ladies also, of our city, is the highest praise due for the promptness with which they responded to the calls that were made upon them. The first to move were Mrs. Gov- ernor MORGAN, Mrs. J. TAYLER HALL, and others with whom they became associated. After various efforts it was deemed expe- dient to organize an association for the more efficient accomplish- ment of the objects that were before the ladies.
THE LADIES' ARMY RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
As early as the first day of November, 1861, the Ladies' Army Relief Association of Albany was organized, to co-operate with the United States Sanitary Commission in affording aid to sick and wounded soldiers. Its first president was Mrs. EDWIN D. MORGAN, who entered most heartily into the work of the asso- ciation. The following ladies constituted the first executive com- mittee: Mrs. E. D. MORGAN, Mrs. W.M. B. SPRAGUE, Mrs. E. P. ROGERS, Mrs. S. T. SEELYE, Mrs. RAY PALMER. Mrs. MARK TRAF- TON, Mrs. A. D. MAYO, Mrs. J. McNAUGHTON, Mrs. CHARLES M. JENKINS, Mrs. GEORGE II. THIACHER, Mrs. ELI PERRY, Mrs. THOS. HUN, Mrs. JACOB LANSING, Mrs. RANSOM, Mrs. JAMES HALL, Mrs. OTIS ALLEN, Mrs. GEORGE B. STEELE, Miss C. PRUYN, Mrs. War. BARNES.
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INTRODUCTION.
Mrs. WILLIAM BARNES was appointed Secretary of the associa- tion, and the marked efficiency and patriotic zeal with which she discharged the duties of her office, are too well known to need any encomiums from my pen. She found also kindred spirits in the executive committee, and very many of the ladies connected with the association were indefatigable in their exertions to con- tribute to its success. The young ladies of our city also co-ope- rated, and we may judge of their great industry, from the inter- esting statements of their work published in the annual reports of the association.
From the neighboring towns valuable aid was also received. Boxes and barrels of useful articles were sent by the ladies of the Greenbush Aid Society; by the Coeymans Ladies' Relief Association; the Soldiers' Friend Society of Coeymans Landing; the Soldiers' Aid Society of Knox; the Soldiers' Aid Society, Chatham Four Corners; the Soldiers' Aid Society of Rensselaer- ville; the Ladies' Benevolent Society of the Baptist Church in Schenectady; and from the ladies of Westerlo; East Schodack, Stephentown, Renssalaer county; Gloversville; Medway, Greene county; Gallupville; Brockett's Bridge, Herkimer county; Sche- nevus; Middleburgh, Schoharie county; Worcester, Otsego county; Nassau, Rensselaer county; Kinderhook, Valatie, Fultonham, Cas- tleton, Fulton Centre, and other towns. These contributions, the fruits of the industry and liberality of thousands of ladies throughout this and other counties, shows how warmly the publie heart beat in response to the calls from our suffering soldiers. In one of the reports of the Albany association we find the fol- lowing tribute to these co-workers:
"To the ladies of the several societies who, in this and the adjoining towns, have labored with us, and sent us such ample evidence of their efficiency and zeal, we are profoundly grateful. Without their aid we should have often found ourselves unable to meet the calls so urgently made upon us, and we thank them for demonstrating that, although removed from that active stim- ulus of personal contact and association with the war, which so often stirs our flagging sympathies in the cities, the fire of patri- otic zeal burns as brightly and warmly as though their hearts
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INTRODUCTION.
were daily touched by the sight (now, alas! become so common to us) of sick and wounded and dying men.
" This report would be incomplete did the committee fail to recognize the generous donation sent us last December by the religious community of Shakers at Niskayuna. Prevented by their religious faith from accepting that stirring call to arms which roused the whole Nation a little more than a year ago, their hearts opened at once to that second appeal, which asked for aid in behalf of those who, answering the one, had left it to a great christian people to answer the other. Their quaint but decided protest against " the bloody trade of war" was offset by such generous supplies of everything that could be used in a military hospital, that our suffering soldiers could well afford to forgive their logic while they demonstrated so well in their prac- tice, that
'One touch of Nature makes the whole earth kin.' "'
In the same report we find the following acknowledgments of services rendered by several gentlemen to the association:
" The committee cannot close this report without an expres- sion of its obligation to the many friends who have so faithfully stood by the association since its formation, aiding it as much by their wise counsels, as by their personal superintendence and attention to its many outside duties. This tribute is especially due to Hon. GEORGE H. THACHER, whose persistent and untiring devotion to the best interests of the society merits more than this slight acknowledgment. The uniform kindness and cour- tesy which has characterized all his relations with us, can never be forgotten by those who have been associated with him during the past winter at the city hall. .
" To WILLIAM MCELROY, and to the firm of VAN SICKLER & FORBY, the committee would also speak one word of acknow- ledgment. The necessary manual labor connected with packing and marking large boxes has been most kindly assumed by these gentlemen, and no pressure of private business has ever inter- fered to prevent their immediate personal attention to this duty, when their services were required by the committee."
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INTRODUCTION.
On the first of January, 1862, Mrs. MORGAN resigned the pre- sidency of the association, and the office has since been filled by Mrs. HORATIO SEYMOUR and by Mrs. REUBEN E. FENTON. These ladies, like their predecessor, brought to their position great executive ability and a warm interest in the welfare of the sol- diers.
When Mrs. SEYMOUR was chosen president, the following ladies were appointed on the executive committee: Mrs. HORATIO SEYMOUR, Mrs. RAY PALMER, Mrs. RUFUS W. CLARK, Mrs. CHAS. G. AMES, Mrs. JAMES MCNAUGHTON, Mrs. CHARLES M. JENKINS, Mrs. JOHN TAYLOR, Mrs. GEORGE H. THACHER, Mrs. JACOB LAN- SING, Mrs. JAS. HALL, Mrs. ELI PERRY, Mrs. RANSOM, Mrs. OTIS ALLEN, Mrs. GEORGE B. STEELE, Mrs. JOHN T. SPRAGUE, Mrs. ARCHIBALD MCCLURE, MRS. WILLIAM WHITE, Mrs. JOIN TAYLER HALL, Mrs. CHARLES B. REDFIELD, Mrs. S. O. VANDERPOEL, Mrs. WM. N. FASSETT, Mrs. GEORGE SHORTISS, Mrs. WILLIAM BARNES, Miss CATHARINE PRUYN.
It affords us great pleasure to say that the officers and mem- bers of the association labored with unabated ardor to the very close of the war. During the four years ending January 1, 1866, they received $19,712.30, and expended $17,712.30, leaving a balance in the treasury of $2,000.
Besides the aid rendered directly through the U. S. Sanitary Commission, the association performed other services, the follow- ing account of which has been kindly furnished by the secretary, Mrs. WILLIAM BARNES:
" When the advancing tide of war was checked by the sur- render of Gen. LEE, in April, 1865, its return wave threw back upon us thousands of disabled soldiers, who were physically unable to support either their families or themselves. The State, with provident justice and humanity, assumed the charge of many of these men, and gathered them into the 'Soldiers' Home'; but many were only partially disabled, and, with a little assist- ance, they were competent to help themselves. There were also many homes made utterly desolate, where fathers, brothers and sons would return no more; these appealed to the association for relief. Monthly committees were at once appointed, and ordered
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INTRODUCTION.
to visit and investigate personally every case of destitution brought before the executive committee. These committees report that they have visited in their respective districts, one hundred and four families, and distributed among them various needful articles. The chairman of these committees, Mrs. ELI PERRY, reports that she has expended for this purpose, the sum of $646.31.
In April, 1865, a committee of citizens was formed, whose duty it was to feed, temporarily, not only our own returning regiments, but also those 'in transitu' through Albany. This committe appealed to the association for funds to sustain their enterprise, and its executive committee donated the sum of $2,000 for that purpose. In February, 1866, on solicitation of the Army and Navy Claim Agency of this city, they appropri- ated to it the sum of $700; thus enabling it to pay off its out- standing debts. This agency, it will be remembered, was estab- lished in 1863, by the Sanitary Commission, but has always been sustained by voluntary contributions from our citizens.
Acting under the suggestions and advice of the officers of the Sanitary Commission, in New York, the association in February appropriated the sum of $1,000 to the National Freedman's Relief Commission, and $1,000 to its auxiliary society in Albany, Mrs. AMOS DEAN, treasurer.
We have now the sum of $2,000 in our treasury. This money, and as much beside as may be entrusted to us by our citizens, will be faithfully and judiciously expended in relieving the neces- sities of soldiers and soldiers' families; and when the last dollar has been spent, the labors of the Army Relief Association will be at an end, and it will pass into history with its enduring record of the fidelity and patriotism of the Women of Albany."
There were other movements among the ladies in other direc- tions, of which the following is worthy of note.
In the summer of 1862, a lady in Washington city wrote to Mrs. SAMUEL PRUYN, asking her to send some stores for the needy soldiers, and especially for those at the camps Convales- cent and Parol. Mrs. PRUYN responded by sending two large boxes, filled with articles contributed by a few personal friends.
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INTRODUCTION.
Their reception was acknowledged by a letter, giving some very interesting incidents in relation to the relief afforded and the gratitude expressed. The writer also pleaded in the name of humanity for a larger supply.
Extraets from this letter, and from others subsequently re- ceived, were published in our daily papers, and found their way to many sympathizing hearts. Donations of all kinds were sent in to Mrs. PRUYN, with unprecedented liberality, and in a very short time boxes and barrels were packed and forwarded, most of which reached the camps at Washington. The whole number thus collected was two hundred and eighty-seven, and they con- tained everything which could contribute to the comfort of those to whom they were sent. The donors had the satisfaction of knowing that the articles were judiciously and immediately dis- tributed, and without expense.
While these efforts were being made, Mr. BENJAMIN PAYN, of Albany, at the suggestion of Mrs. PRUYN, went to Washington and visited the camps. He was greatly excited and distressed by the scenes of misery that he witnessed, and came home to do all in his power for the relief of the soldiers. He went out into the country among the farmers, and quickened many to deeds of mercy. With the aid of Mr. ALEXANDER GREER, he collected and sent on to Washington about six hundred barrels, containing every variety of fruit, vegetables and delicacies for the soldiers.
THE GREAT SANITARY FAIR.
But in the midst of these various activities, which were alive all over our city and county, there rises before us the grand demonstration of patriotic enthusiasm, that enlisted the hearts and hands of all classes, namely: The Army Relief Bazaar. This beautiful building was erected in the Academy park of this city, for the Great Sanitary Fair of Albany, Troy, and other localities in our State, which was held during the months of February and March, 1864. Its officers were, Hon. GEORGE H. THACHER, Pre- sident; Hon. ELI PERRY, Vice President; CHAUNCEY P. WILLIAMS, Esq., General Treasurer, and JOHN TAYLER HALL, Esq., Secretary.
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INTRODUCTION.
Managers .- The PRESIDENT and SECRETARY, CHAS. H. STRONG, JAMES H. ARMSBY, M. D., S. OAKLEY VANDERPOEL, M. D., HENRY Q. HAWLEY, JACOB C. CUYLER, FRANK CHAMBERLAIN, CHARLES B. REDFIELD, HENRY T. BUELL, JOHN H. VAN ANTWERP, SOLOMON HYDEMAN, ARTHUR BOTT, THOMAS KEARNEY, JAMES MCNAUGHTON, JOHN TWEDDLE; Mrs. ELI PERRY, Mrs. WM. WHITE, Mrs. FRANK- LIN TOWNSEND, Mrs. CHARLES B. REDFIELD, Mrs. THOMAS HUN, Mrs. JAMES GOOLD.
Managers for Troy .- Mrs. A. D. SHEPARD, DAVID A. WELLS, Mrs. GEORGE M. TIBBITS, Mrs. JOIN FLAGG.
For the following account of the Bazaar, we are indebted to the " Albany Express":
" We shall not stop to consider who originated the plan of the Bazaar in this city. It is sufficient to say that the credit belongs to the ladies of our Army Relief Association. To the various committees the credit belongs of maturing the plan, and for the vast details of the really monster undertaking, and they are enti- tled to all praise for the success which has thus far attended every effort.
" The form of the building-a double cross-and the location, were suggested by HENRY Q. HAWLEY, Esq .; and for the archi- tectural beauty of the structure, the public are indebted to WALTER DICKSON, Esq. The building committee, consisting of HENRY Q. HAWLEY, Esq., WM. N. FASSETT, Esq., and Dr. S. O. VANDERPOEL, have devoted their time almost exclusively to the performance of their very difficult and responsible duties. Their labors have been most arduous, and they have been most cheer- fully rendered at the sacrifice of their own comfort and business -a sacrifice which should and must be fully appreciated, when we consider the extensive business engagements of these gentle- men. The decorations of the building, which will be most elabo- rate, and unequaled in brilliancy, have been arranged under the exclusive direction of Dr. VANDERPOEL, who, at the outset, secured. the valuable services of RICE & MICKEL, the well-known artists. The general superintendence of the work was entrusted to EDMUND KNICKERBOCKER, Esq .; and it is but just to this gentleman to say that his services have been invaluable, and that the managers feel
ARMY RELIEF BAZAAR
ALBANY ARMY RELIEF BAZAAR February 22 nd 1864
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION"
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INTRODUCTION.
under great obligations to him, as also to Mr. DICKSON, the archi- tect. The carpenter work has been performed under the special direction of JOIN N. PARKER and JOHN CLEMSHIRE, Esq., two of our most enterprising citizens.
" And in this connection it is proper to state that for lightness, strength and economy in the cutting and working of materials, the building cannot be surpassed. Notwithstanding all this, it is supplied with an abundance of braces and supports to resist all pressures and forces, and render it perfectly safe.
" As before stated, the building is in the form of a double Greek cross, the eastern nave being one hundred and eighty-nine feet long, the western nave one hundred and sixty feet long, and the transept two hundred and five feet long; height of eaves from floor, fourteen feet; height to apex of roofs from floor, twenty- .eight feet; width of naves and transept, sixty feet.
" Immediately on entering the Bazaar, the great national booths, representing England, Ireland and Scotland, meet the eye. They are to be respectively in charge of St. George's, St. Andrews, and Hibernian Provident Societies, heartily supported and aided by representatives of those countries. The St. Andrews' Society, by reason of being the oldest organization, is honored with the middle or most prominent of these three great booths. We hazard nothing in saying that this will be principal among the many great features of the Bazaar.
" To the right of the United States booth and adjoining the Yankee booth, a booth equal in size to those allotted to England, Ireland and Scotland, has been set apart by the Germans. It is exceedingly gratifying to know that this portion of our citizens are laboring with unexampled zeal, and intend to compete with other nationalities for the palm of superiority. Never before has there been such united and harmonious action among them, and we have reason to expect the greatest results.
"To the right of the entrance is the 'Curiosity Shop,' a hall thirty by sixty feet, separated from the general hall by a dwarf partition. This will, undoubtedly, be one of the greatest fea- tures of the Bazaar, and by many it is asserted that it will be the great point of attraction. It will contain much that is curious,
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INTRODUCTION.
rare and beautiful; relics of great value and age, and, in fact, will be the receptacle of everything attractive and novel. The value of the articles to be displayed in the hall will be immense, and hundreds of them could not be duplicated at any price. This department is in charge of ROBERT II. WELLS, Esq., who, assisted by JAMES A. HURST, Esq., the celebrated taxidermist, is devoting his whole time to its preparation and arrangement.
"Next comes the Shaker booths, another very attractive fea- ture, to be filled with the exquisite productions of that class of our citizens.
" Then comes the great United States booth, thirty by sixty feet, to be magnificently decorated with flags and other emblems of our nationality, and fitted up throughout in such a style as shall make it one of the great points of interest in the Bazaar. It is to be under the direction and supervision of Mrs. H. PUM- PELLY.
"Adjoining is the Yankee booth, to be supplied with home productions, with 'plenty more of the same sort left.' It will be in charge of a lady who will represent the character entrusted to her with great faithfulness.
"Next we have the Schenectady booth, which will be filled with many rare and beautiful articles, the handiwork of the ladies of that city, and other articles contributed by its citizens.
" Then comes the Spanish and Japanese booths, wherein will be offered for sale articles peculiar to those nationalities.
" The six booths at the north end of the east nave have been allotted to our sister city, Troy, and will be placed in their espe- cial charge. They will be attended by ladies and gentlemen from that city, and stocked with goods contributed by their fellow citizens. We have already alluded to the carnestness of our neighbors, and their zealous efforts in behalf of the good work; and we are warranted in saying that unless our people work diligently, our Trojan brothers and sisters will eclipse them.
" On the opposite side of the east nave are the Italian, Russian and Holland booths, and the booth allotted to the people of Sar- atoga Springs, who are working diligently and intend to make a splendid display.
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INTRODUCTION.
" At the north of east nave will be found the Indian wigwam. This bids fair to be one among the most attractive features of the Bazaar, and will be attended by ladies in regular aboriginal costume. The wigwam will be fitted up in a style that shall strictly resemble the home of the red man, and in every appoint- ment will be so complete as to furnish a correct idea of life among the original settlers of the country.
" Here let us say that the ladies in attendance upon the booths will be dressed in costumes appropriate to the nationality they represent, which will add to the picturesqueness and novelty of the scene presented.
" The Gipsey tent, situate at the north end of the west nave, will be presided over by a Gipsey Queen, wearing the apparel of one of those singular and remarkable people. She will hold court during the Bazaar, and, if requested, will attempt to unveil the future to any anxious inquirer. Of course she will be favored with numerous visitors.
" At the left of the entrance is the Swiss booth, and adjoining the managers' room or business office.
" At the head of the west nave is Floral Hall, where, it is hoped, will be displayed some of the choicest and rarest of Nature's productions.
" Adjoining it on the west is the French and Perfumery booths, and at the west end of the transept the great War Trophy booth, where will be displayed all the flags and relics now deposited in the Bureau of Military Statisties, as also many other valuable trophies that have been contributed to the Bazaar. This cannot fail to be a most valuable and interesting feature of the Bazaar.
" Next we have the Military booth, and adjoining it the Auto- graphic booth, at which will be offered for sale the autographs and photographs of all the prominent Generals in the United States Army, and also of many of the distinguished scientific and literary men of the past and present."
On Monday evening, February 22, 1864, the fair was inaugu- rated under the most cheering and brilliant auspices. The great edifice was densely crowded, and the splendid illumination; the lofty arches in the decoration of which all the colors of the rain-
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