USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 2 > Part 58
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
that any further concealment was impossible. He was placed in charge of the provost marshal at Newark, who committed him to the Newark jail. He was searched but nothing incriminating was found upon his person. After the provost marshal had left him, he opened the lining of his eoat, took out a number of despatches and drawings written on white silk and threw them into the blazing fire of the jail stove. He was subsequently removed to Cincinnati and confined in the old prison known as the MeLean Bar- racks. In this city he was tried on the charge of being a spy. The court-martial convened in the old building nearly opposite the National Theatre on Sycamore street and Maj. Lewis H. Bond, from whose account this narrative is taken, acted as judge advocate. Davis pleaded not guilty of being a spy but guilty of being a bearer of despatches, but offered no testimony to explain the documents he had burned or in any way to throw any light upon his mission. He did offer to show by testimony of President Davis and Secretary of State Benjamin that lic had been sent as bearer of despatches and not as a spy but the court-martial held that this testimony, even if true, could not change the ad- mitted facts of the case and declined to await the proferred testimony. The conclusion of the trial was quite dramatic. The prisoner, a young man of highest character and position, in the prime of life, about to be convicted as he realized of the most serious offense that can be charged against a hostile soldier, addressed the judges, all of them veterans of the Union Army, in words that showed the highest courage. Major Bond gives a portion of his address. He said: "I fear nothing on this earth. I do not fear to die. I am young and would like to live; but I deem him unworthy who should ask pity of his foe- men. Some of you have wounds and sears. I can show them, too. You are serving your country as best you may. I have done the same. I can look to God with a clear conscience; and whenever the chief magistrate of this nation shall say 'Go' whether upon the scaffold or by the bullets of your soldiery, I will show you how to die." Before the court-martial retired for consultation upon their verdiet and sentence, he shook hands with each member saying that he did not expect to meet them again on earth. He was found guilty of being a spy and sentenced to be hanged. The day was set for his execu- tion and he was taken to Johnson's Island to await the end. The circumstances of his trial and the high spirit of his remarks attracted great
attention and as a result many citizens, partic- ularly W. T. McClintick the president of the Cincinnati & Marietta Railroad Company, inter- ested themselves in an appeal to President Lin- coln for suspension of the sentence. Senator Saulsbury of Delaware also intervened, likening the speech of the young officer to that of Robert Enmet. Davis requested that one or more of the members of the court should witness his exe- cution in order that they might realize his brav- ery. On the night before the day of execution, the commandant on Johnson's Island was aroused from his bed by an order from President Lin- coln directing the suspension of the execution and the removal of the prisoner to Fort Warren. There he remained until the end of the war when he was released. He never diselosed the secret of his mission to Ohio. (Lewis H. Bond in Sketches of War History, Ohio Commandery, Loyal Legion, Vol. 11, p. 153.) .
THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION.
An important organization of the early days of the war was the United States Sanitary Com- mission and the Cincinnati Branch did its full share of the work of the society. Shortly after the surrender of Fort Sumter, this society was organized to cooperate with the government in the relief of sick and wounded soldiers and in overlooking the sanitary' condition of the camps and hospitals. Branches were organized in various parts of the country. As early as May, 1861, associate members were appointed in Cin- einnati but the Branch organization was not completed until fall. Through the assistance of Dr. W. H. Mussey, the United States Marine Hospital, a building originally intended for West- ern boatmen, was set apart by Secretary Chase for the purposes for this society. A temporary organization was effected and the hospital was opened for the reception of sick and wounded soldiers in May, 1861. The institution was car- ried on without any cost to the government and all services of surgeons and nurses and supplies were furnished gratuitously.
In August, 1861, the government took the enterprise in hand and it was placed in charge of the medical director of the War Department. Mrs. Cadwell became its matron. On Noven- ber 22, 1861, the Cincinnati Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission was organized at the house of Dr. W. H. Mussey by the election of Robert W. Burnet as president; George l loadly, vice-president ; Charles R. Fosdiek, cor- responding secretary and Henry Pearce, treas-
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urer. There seems to have been no definite un- derstanding as to the duties or powers of the organization and there was some question as to the character of its relation to the United States Sanitary Commission. Dr Mussey had received supplies from the national organization and he turned them over to the Branch. The Central Ladies' Aid Society with Mrs. George Carlisle as president and Mrs. George Hoadly, secretary, and with more than forty ladies as members, aided in furnishing supplies of every description for nearly two years. The camps and hospitals near Cincinnati were inspected and such relief furnished as seemed necessary. The Volunteer Aid Committee appointed by citizens in October, 1861, cooperated and from this committee C. F. Wilstach, Eli C. Baldwin and M. E. Recves were elected members of the Branch. In the spring of 1862 the belongings of that committee were turned over to the Cincinnati Branch. The mem- bers were represented in their work on many of the battle-fields. They were present at Shiloh. They were the first to be on hand at Perryville as well as at Fort Donelson. At this latter place : they inaugurated the system of hospital steamers and called to their assistance the most eminent physicians and surgeons of Cincinnati. They received donations from all quarters, $3,000 from the Legislature of Ohio, $2,000 from the City Council and from the Secretary of War and Quartermaster-General they obtained a steamer which navigated the Western waters for the transportation of supplies and sick and wounded. They fitted out in whole or in part 32 such steamers, running some under their maangement, others under that of the State, or the city, or the War Departinent, or the United States Sanitary Commission. In the case of Fort Donelson the steamer "Allen Collier" was char- tered, loaded with supplics and medicines, and placed in charge of five members of the board with 10 surgeons and 36 nurses and despatched to the Cumberland River. At Lonisville the Western secretary joined the party as well as a delegate from Columbus and one from Indian- -
apolis. The steamer was the first relief expedi- tion that reached Fort Donelson. Here great destitution was found,-no chloroform and but little morphine. On the floating hospital "Fanny Bullitt," where there were 300 wounded men, there was not a spoon nor candlestick, no meat for soup, no wood for cooking and nothing but liard bread. There were but two ounces of "cerate." The "Allen Collier" fortunately sup- plied all that was needed and returned bringing a
load of wounded to the Cincinnati hospitals. Af- terwards the members of the Branch traveled thousands of miles on hospital steamers and spent weeks and months in the camps and hospitals administering to the sick and wounded. They assisted in the establishment of eight hospitals in Cincinnati and Covington and also of the general hospital at Camp Dennison. In 1862 a Soldiers' Home was established in which 80,000 soldiers were furnished with 372,000 meals. The superintendent of this home was J. W. D. An- drews.
The Branch also arranged for a proper burial place for the soldiers and obtained from the trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery the donation of the conspicuous lot near the lake, of sufficient size to contain 300 bodies. The cemetery association interred free of expense all the sol- diers buried there. Afterwards another lot was purchased for the sum of $1,500. Subsequently with the assistance of the State a third lot was obtained and provision was made for the record- ing of the name, age, company and regiment of each soldier buried in Spring Grove Cemetery.
From the time of its organization to August II, 1864, to which date a report was made, the Branch received $313.926.30 and had on hand $122,905.15. In addition to this nearly three hundred different varieties of articles had been received as donations and it was estimated that by the close of 1863 supplies to about the value of a million dollars had been distributed. The names signed to the report are those of the men to whom this charitable work was duc. They are as follows: R. W. Burnet, president ; George Hoadly and Larz Anderson, vice-presi- dents; S. J. Broadwell, recording secretary ; Thomas G. Odiorne and Charles F. Wilstach with Mr. Burnet the executive committee; and George K. Shoenberger, A. Aub, M. Bailey, Eli C. Baldwin, Joshua H. Bates, E. S. Brooks, A. E. Chamberlain, B. W. Chidlaw, Charles E. Cist, C. G. Comegys, George F. Davis, Charles R. Fos- dick, L. B. Harrison, James M. Johnson, B. F. Baker, David Judkins, Edward Mcad, George Mendenhall, W. H. Mussey, Henry Pearce, El- liott Il. Pendleton, Charles Thomas, Mark E. Reeves and E. Y. Robbins of Cincinnati, Charles Butler of Franklin, James McDaniel, J. D. Phil- lips and R. W. Steele of Dayton and David S. Brooks of Zanesville.
The Branch continued its work throughout the war. On February 1, 1866, a statement was made showing a total expenditure of $298. 161.02, and the balance on hand, invested in United States
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
bonds, of $34,608.51 No final report seems ever to have been made but the books of the organi- zation which are in the custody of the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio show that the funds were well disposed of. Not until the war had been over for a year were the last of the Ohio soldiers mustered out of service and after that many were the calls received by the com- mission for assistance. The Orphan Asylum con- tained 209 orphans of soldiers and to this organi- zation $10,450 was contributed. Other sums were sent to the Soldiers' Home at Columbus, to Dayton and to the destitute regions of the South and the last of the funds were not dis- posed of until 1880.
THIE GREAT WESTERN SANITARY FAIR.
In November, 1863, was held the Great West- ern Sanitary Fair. This enterprise was sug- gested by a similar fair held in Chicago and a communication to the papers written by Mrs. Elizabeth Mendenhall, the wife of the well known physician, started the movement here. An or- ganization was effected and General Rosecrans, at that time temporarily retired from service and at home, was made president of the great fair. Mrs. Mendenhall became vice-president. The whole of Southwestern Ohio cooperated in the undertaking, which was largely under the control and management of the women of the community. On November 27th the fair was inaugurated at Mozart Hall, the present Grand Opera House, Greenwood Hall, the Palace Gar- den (located where the Emery Hotel now stands) and a huge building 64 by 400 feet ereeted upon Government square. Sixteen committees with 70 sub-committees took charge of the arrange- ments which were most complete. Mozart Hall was used for lectures and concerts. There was an art gallery furnished by loans of pictures and other works of art, collections of curiosities and relies, entertainments of every character and as a result there was such a lavish expenditure of money as the city had never dreamed of. The fair opened on December 21st and continued through the holidays. The receipts were in round numbers $260,000, of which $235,406.62 was turned into the treasury of the Branch. More than 150 organizations were engaged in assist- ing towards the success of the undertaking and all raidroad and express companies and steam- boats gave free transportation to the commodities consigned to the fair. The winter was an ex- tremely bitter one and a storm of remarkable severity swept over the valley on the last day of
the year, making the next day memorable as the "Cold New Year." For six days the weather was windy and the temperature about zero but the ladies in charge continued at their post until the fair was over. The final closing of the fair with all its entertainments and sales took place on April 21, 1864 At this time a report was made to the public and the entire history of the enterprise was published in a large volume. It was found that of the money contributed, $175,- 000 came from the people of Cincinnati. (Ilis- tory of the Great Western Sanitary Fair.)
Another organization of the same character was the Cincinnati Branch of the United States Christian Commission, which disbursed more than $117,000 and stores to the value of $202,000. The president of this organization was A. E. Chamberlain ; H. Thane Miller was vice-presi- dent ; J. F. Marlay, secretary and Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, general agent.
During the war and after its termination Cin- cinnati was the seat of any number of organiza- tions intended to give aid to the soldiers and to relieve their families. Among them was such as the National Soldiers' Historical Association with T. Buchanan Read as its president, the National Union Association with Dr. William Sherwood, president, and the committee for the Cincinnati Testimonial to Soldiers' Families, of which Judge Bellamy Storer was president. The list of officers of these and many other associa- tions included the names of the most prominent citizens and the work done by them was of the greatest value.
The list of the citizens who took an active part in the work of the Sanitary Commission and of kindred organizations for the relief of the sol- diers and their families would almost inchide the directory. The various entertainments given in the city for the cause were almost inmunerable. One of those who took the greatest interest in the work, volunteering his services at all times and practically devoting four years of his life to the soldiers, was Mr. Murdoch, Cincinnati's greatest actor.
James Edward Murdoch won his greatest dis- tinction as an actor, although he is no less en- titled to consideration by reason of his patriotic services to the Union. He was born in Phil- adelphia, June 25, 1811, a son of Thomas Mir- doch, a bookbinder. His education was limited and in early life he took np the trade of his father. His carly enthusiasms were for military life and at the age of 13 he was one of Lafayette's escort. The volunteer fire companies of those
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days were also a great attraction to young men and as soon as his age permitted him he joined one of these. The company made up as it was of some of the best citizens of the community carried on a debating school which Murdoch soon resolved into one devoted to the drama. This so aroused his interest in the stage that he began the training of his voice, which finally re- sulted in placing him at the head of American elocutionists. In October, 1829, when 18 years of age, he made his first appearance before the public at the Arch Street Theatre in Philadel- phia, which theatre, company and all, his father had engaged for him for a single night. He played the part of "Frederick" in "Lovers' Vows." He was received with great favor but it was not for several years that he was able to obtain any. important engagement. His first regular engagement was at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he engaged himself for the munifi- cent salary of $18 a week as walking gentleman. The bankruptcy of the manager ended this ven- ture. Ile finally attracted the attention of Ed- win Forrest and acted "Pythias" to the latter's "Damon." During the next few years he took various parts with more or less financial success, finally accepting the position of leading juvenile at the Chestnut Street Theatre of which he event- ually became stage manager in 1840. Shortly after this, he' acted in the same capacity at the National Theatre in Boston. Feeling a necessity for thorough preparation, he abandoned the stage for the lecture platform and for five years he devoted himself to the study of elocution and to lecturing. During this time he assisted in the preparation of a work on the cultivation of the voice. He returned to the stage in October, 1845, appearing at the Park Theatre in New York for the first time as "Hamlet." This is regarded as the real beginning of his dramatic career, which continued with great success and with but few interruptions for 15 years. His "Hamlet" has been called by many of the ablest critic actors the greatest rendition of the part ever seen in this country. In 1853 he played a successful engagement of 100 nights in Califor- nia. He is said to have been the first great dramatic star to visit that region. It is of this period that Joseph Jefferson speaks when he says that he does not remember any actor who ex- celled him in the parts that he seemed to make especially his own. In 1856 lie visited London where he played a successful season of 110 nights. This was by far the most successful engagement from either an artistic, social or financial stand-
point that had ever been played in that city by an American actor. His favorite parts at this time were "Charles Surface," "Alfred Evelyn" in Bulwer's play of "Money," "Youmg Mirabel" in the "Inconstant," "Rover" in "Wild Oats," "Don Felix" in "The Wonder" and "Vapid" in "The Dramatist." It is said that Bulwer came espec- ially from Edinburgh to see him aet in his play. His next engagement was at Liverpool where he also played "Hamlet" with great success, being favorably compared to Kean and Mac- ready and particularly to Charles Young, a famous "Hamlet." 'Ill health compelled him to abandon his engagements in other parts of Great Britain and for a short time he traveled on the Continent where he became interested in vine growing. Upon his return to this country he brought with him a number of Rhenish farm hands to cultivate the grapes on a farm he had bought. In 1857 he opened up Burton's The- atre with "Young Mirabel."
At the outset of the war he had reached the . zenith of his fame, closing on April 21, 1861, one of the most remarkable engagements un- der a vow that he would not appear on the stage as an actor until the fearful strife in which the nation was engaged should cease. As a result of this he devoted the four years following to the service of his country, reading for the sick and wounded soldiers and for the United States Sanitary Commission without re- muneration and giving readings in all the cities in the North in order to raise funds for the cause of his country. On one occasion he re- cited in the Senate. of the United States Drake's "The American Flag" in such a manner as to arouse the greatest enthusiasm. Other poems that he was in the habit of reading were : Read's "The Wagoner of the Alleghanies," Janvier's "Sleeping Sentinel," Bryant's "Battle- field." Whittier's "Barbara Frietchie" and Tay- lor's "General Scott and the Veteran." His reading on the day of its composition ( October 31, 1864) of Read's stirring poem "Sheridan's Ride," made that poem instantly famous. It became a favorite with him and he recited it hundreds of times. Mr. Murdoch also served for a time on the staff of General Rousseau. His services for the cause of the Union were recog- nized by his election as a companion of the Mili- tary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
At the conclusion of the war he returned to the stage, playing the most successful engagement, lasting three weeks, that had been up to that
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time seen at Pike's Opera House. He continued to act for several years but his failing health made it necessary for him to give up the stage and he devoted himself to lecturing and teach- ing elocution. He took his final leave of the stage at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on May 22, 1889, nearly 60 years after the date of his debut, although he had not been regularly engaged in his vocation as an actor for many years. He died in Cincinnati on May 19, 1893. In 1898 a bust of Mr. Murdoch, the work of the sculptor, Sir Moses J. Ezekiel, was erected in the main hall of the Public Library of Cincin- nati by his friend, the librarian, A. W. Whelp- ley. On this occasion the address was delivered by the well known actor,-Francis Wilson. Mr. Murdoch excelled in both tragedy and comedy ; while many regard his "Hamlet" as his finest part, others look upon him as preeminent in such parts as "Young Mirabel," "Mercutio," "Benedick" and "Claude Melnette." (A sketch of Mr. Murdoch, in which are presented other items of interest, appears in the second volume of this work.)
INCIDENTS OF WAR TIME.
During the war a number of entertainments social and otherwise were given for the benefit of the soldiers' families. One party of amateur actors for instance gave the well known little plays "A Pretty Piece of Business" and "Box and Cox" at various residences during the year 1864. The first performance was given on De- cember 15th and the latter one at the residence of Judge James Hall on December 28th. Among those who took part were Joseph Matthews, . Charles H. Horne, Miss Ann Matthews, Mrs. Webb, Miss Maggie and Rich- ard Wright and Miss Mary Lidy. We are in- formed by the programs that between the two plays an "intermission for thought lasting six hundred seconds" was given to the audience. Peanuts were absolutely forbidden as well as bouquets of artificial flowers. No gentleman was allowed to bring more than six ladies as his escort. Smoking aloud not allowed. The curtain rose at 8 o'clock in the evening but the doors were open from 9 A. M. The committee in charge of this wonderful performance was Adolph Wood and George Mclaughlin.
Another amateur performance was that at
Pike's Opera House on February 6, 1865. This was a very elaborate affair in charge of Enoch T. Carson and E. B. Hinman. The play was "Hamlet" and in the cast were many well known citizens. Governor Anderson repeated his great success in the title-role. E. P. Cranch played the King, "Polonius" was taken by Oliver S. Lovell, Oliver W. Root was "Laertes," M. J. Mack, "Horatio," James M. Mclaughlin, "Ros- encrantz," Col. M. Lord, "Guildenstern," Waldo C. Booth, "Osric" and E. B. Hinman the priest. Enoch T. Carson was the first grave digger and his second was D. D. G. Barnitz; the two players were D. Thew Wright and T. R. Eliot, while William Disney impersonated the ghost. Others in the cast were James E. Sherwood, Dr. S. G. Menzies, Capt. T. P. Anderson, M. Heinsheimer, Cal W. Thomas, W. P. Noble, Thomas L. Young, Sam R. Matthews, F. Ped- retti, Rowland Ellis, John Baker, James K. Wil- son, Thomas M. Withenbury, Ed. Isaiah Daven- port, Henry Davis, Charles R. Marshall, H. Shreve, Elisha Norton and James C. Root. The female parts were taken by members of the Opera House Company, Miss Phillips acting "Gertrude," Mrs. Barry, "Ophelia" and Miss Edwards the fair Queen.
The choice of seats was sold at auction. The first choice was bought by James Watson of the Henrie House for $675; the second was sold to John B. Gibson for $50.
An amusing performance given by amateurs at Pike's Concert Hall was that of the Sketch Club on April 2, 1861. The members of the club who took part were Judge I. C. Collins and Samuel N. Pike, W. W. Fosdick, E. M. Powers, W. E. Sherwood. W. P. Noble and H. J. Smith. The program included musical se- lections. recitations, original poems and particu- larly tableaux in which all the members joined.
It seems to be impossible and certainly is im- practicable in a work of this character to give a complete list of the various Cincinnatians who served in the armies of the North during the war. Ohio's roster has been preserved by the State and Whitelaw Reid's work "Ohio in the War" gives an immense amount of information. Ford's "History of Hamilton County" also in- chides a very voluminous statement in regard to the officers and men supposed to have en- listed from this neighborhood
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CHAPTER XLIV.
THE SIXTIES.
INCIDENTS OF WAR TIME -LINCOLN'S DEATH - CENTRAL AVENUE- EGGLESTON AVENUE-THE FIRST PIKE FIRE - THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE - THE INVINCIBLE " RED STOCKINGS "- THE YEAR OF NEW ENTERPRISES, 1869-BURNING OF THE COLLEGE BUILDING-THE CALIFORNIA EXCURSION- THE BIBLE CASE -CINCINNATI IN 1869- JAMES PARTON ON CINCINNATI - THE CINCINNATI SOUTHERN RAILWAY-THE INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITIONS-THE WEATHER BUREAU.
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