History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 55

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592

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With all this liberality, our supplies would long since have been exhausted by the constantly increasing requirements of our soldiers had not the sagacity and enterprise of a number of energetic and patriotic gentlemen suggested the idea of, and inaugurated, the Great Western Sanitary Fair of this city, the wonderful result of which realized (to the Commission) over a quarter of a million dollars, which will enable us to relieve the wants of the sick and wounded soldiers for some time to- come .- R. W. Burnet, president; George Hoadley, Larz Anderson, vice-presidents; S. J. Broadwell, recording secretary; R. W. Burnet, Thomas G. Odiorne, Charles- F. Wilstach, executive committee; George K. Shoenberger, A. Aub, M. Bailey, Eli C. Baldwin, Joshua H. Bates, E. S. Brooks, A. E. Chamberlin, Rev. B. W. Chid- law, Charles E. Cist, C. G. Comegys, M. D., George F. Davis, Charles R. Fosdick, L. B. Harrison, James M. Johnston, B. F. Baker, David Judkins, M. D., Edward. Mead, M. D., George Mendenhall, M. D., W. H. Mussey, M. D., Henry Pearce, Elliott H. Pendleton, Charles Thomas, Mark E. Reeves, E. Y. Robbins, all of Cin- cinnati; Charles Butler, of Franklin; James McDaniel, J. D. Phillips, R. W. Steele, of Dayton; David S. Brooks, of Zanesville. Treasury, the First National Bank of Cincinnati.

The following statement shows fully the receipts and disbursements of money from the treasury to August 11, 1864. A detailed account of the variety of stores and supplies which has passed through the store-room of the branch would cover many pages. The value can not be accurately estimated, but the donations alone, exceed one million of dollars.

RECEIPTS.

From the State of Ohio (part of $3,000 appropriated) $ 1,000.00

city of Cincinnati-donation. .

2,000.00

66 citizens of Cincinnati-donations 38,265.73

other parts of Ohio. 14,423.43

66 sale of unconsumed rations at Soldiers' Home 2,175.52

Sanitary Fair (per committee) 235,406.62

citizens of California, through the United States Sanitary Commission 15,000.00

interest and premium on securities 5,655.00

$313,920.80

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

DISBURSEMENTS.

For purchase of medicines

three sets of hospital-car trucks

66 expense at rooms (for salaries of clerks, porters, laborers, freights on receipts and shipments, etc ..

16,402.18

66 Ladies' Central Soldiers' Aid Society.

3,104.65

Charter of Hospital steamboats

13,272.31

disbursements on account of Soldiers' Home

5,502.49

46 supplies for distribution to hospitals, camps, etc 146,215.40

remittance to United States Sanitary Commission

2,003.75

Balance on hand, Eighty five-twenty bonds.

$80,000.00

Thirty-eight one-year certificates

37,184.45

Cash in bank. 5,720.70

122,905.15

$313,926.30

$ 1,412.37 3,108.00

The persons whose names are signed to the above report constituted the Cincin- nati Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission. They are worthy to be emblazoned upon the pages of history-that wherever the story of love of country and of mercy to suffering humanity is proclaimed their works may be told as a memorial of them.

The great Western Sanitary Fair, to which allusion is made in their report, is worthy of separate notice. Chicago had set the example of a popular fair to raise money for the Sanitary Commission, and her enterprise was in progress with good promise of liberal results. Nothing was left to Cincinnati but to accept the friendly challenge, and endeavor to excel her rival in well-doing. The Cincinnati Times of November 7, 1863, published a communication signed " A Lady," which was written by Mrs. Elizabeth Mendenhall, wife of one of the best known of Cin- cinnati's physicians, calling upon Cincinnati to follow the example of Chicago. The summons was responded to from every side. Meetings were held composed of those who had the desire and the ability to work, and soon the enterprise began to assume definite shape. Gen. Rosecrans, who was at that time in Cincinnati waiting orders, consented to take the position of president of the great Fair. Most fittingly, Mrs. Mendenhall was made vice-president. The enterprise was largely under the management and direction of the women of Cincinnati and southwestern Ohio. So rapid was the organization and preparation that on the 27th of November, but twenty days after the first suggestion, the Fair was inaugurated at Mozart Hall (now the Grand Opera House). That building, entire, had been arranged for the use of various departments of the Fair. Also the "Palace Garden," as it was called, situated where the "Hotel Emery " now stands, was arranged as a refresh- ment hall. A huge building for the purposes of a bazaar, 64 x 400 feet, was erected upon the space between Main and Walnut streets, in front of the present govern- ment building.

When completed the organization embraced sixteen principal committees, which were divided into more than seventy sub-committees, as the only means of meeting the many phases of eager liberality. Mozart Hall building, the Palace Garden, the Great Bazaar, and warehouses, according to need, were made ready to receive, for- ward or sell whatever might be obtained. Mozart Hall was used for lectures and concerts, while the other apartments in the building were used as store and com- mittee rooms. An art gallery was furnished by loans of pictures and other works of art, and many works of great excellence were donated to be sold for the benefit of the cause. Curiosities, relics, objects of interest, valuable relics, added to the attractions. Churches, societies, villages, and every form of association responded in generous rivalry to the call for help. More than 150 organizations were actively engaged, most of them being women, who could only in this way testify their spirit of helpfulness and sacrifice. All railroads, steamboats and express companies gave

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

free transportation to all commodities consigned to the Sanitary Fair. December 21, 1863, the Fair was opened, and during the succeeding weeks the great forces set in motion by enthusiastic patriotism gathered gifts of whatever kind could be made available.

The first week in January was intensely cold. A storm, unequalled in severity, swept over the Mississippi Valley as the old year went out, which made the next day memorable as " the cold New Year." During the next six days the winds were out, and the temperature hovered about zero. Among the ladies who stood at the counters in the Great Bazaar suffering was not uncommon, and impaired health in not a few cases was an additional sacrifice. The closing of the Fair, with its gifts, labors, lectures, concerts and sales, did not take place until April 21, 1864. On that date the managers submitted their final report to the public.

In that report the chief credit is given to the ladies for inspiring the people of all classes and conditions to contribute the unprecedented amount of $234,500 net to the Fair. The actual outlay for expenses had amounted to a little more than 8 per cent. in the net amount paid to the Sanitary Commission, It furthermore appeared that while the people of the State outside of Cincinnati had contributed $30,000, the people of Cincinnati had contributed $175,000. The rest came from citizens of other States. The entire history of the enterprise, from its inception to the final report, has been preserved in an octavo volume of 578 pages, published by C. F. Vent & Company.

The Cincinnati Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission continued its work, diminishing as the storm of war settled down to the level of peace. On February 1, 1866, a statement was made showing total cash receipts of $330,769.53, and a total expenditure of $296,161.02, leaving still on hand an unexpended bal- ance of $34,608.51 invested in United States bonds to await another call for deeds of charity.

The Soldiers' Home, which stood on the south side of Third street, about one hundred feet east of Broadway, on ground now occupied by the Lorraine building, kept open its hospitable doors from May 15, 1862, until October 8, 1865. During that period it was a "soldiers' hotel," which never turned away a guest and never presented a bill. Soldiers found lodgings, stationery, information and clothing, according to their need. The total number of lodgings furnished was 45,400, and of meals 656, 704. All this was accomplished with an expenditure of $64,000.

After February, 1866, no public statement seems to have been made, but all the books, accounts, minutes and records of every kind, now deposited in the custody of the Historical Society, show very fully the work subsequently done, and the disposition made of the remaining funds. The Commission continued to hold meetings and direct relief operations. The last Ohio soldiers were not mustered out of the service until the summer of 1866, and, after that date, waifs and strays, stranded and desti- tute, fell into the kindly hands of the Commission. Their pressing wants were

supplied, and they were furnished transportation to their homes. An executive committee of three members, to whom the Commission at each meeting made appro- priations, carried on the work of relief. Widows and orphans of soldiers, whose circumstances made them proper objects of charity, were sought out, and their press- ing wants relieved. The Orphan Asylums in Cincinnati were caring for 209 orphans of soldiers, and at one time the Commission appropriated $10,450, to aid in carrying their burden. The sum of $500 was at one time sent to Dayton, Ohio. Aid was given to the Ohio Soldiers' Home, a temporary shelter at Columbus, maintained by private muniticence, until the State and Nation could provide at public expense more efficient and permanent homes. Relief in some cases was given to certain destitute regions of the South, that had been desolated by war. Seed corn, provisions, and in some cases schoolbooks were supplied. The last of the funds was not disposed of until 1880. It was a splendid charity, worthily administered by men who were

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

not only honest and unselfish, but whose accounts and records, carefully. kept and deposited in safe custody, remain to vindicate them, and serve for an example to others.

Another organization of great influence for good was the Cincinnati Branch of the United States Christian Commission. As early as June, 1861, the association of Evangelical ministers of Cincinnati put themselves upon record by formal declaration, in which they expressed their gratitude to God for his mercies to this Nation, pro- fessed their love for Him as the Author of all good, by which they were constrained to proclaim: "The rebellion which now afflicts our land, and jeopardizes some of the most precious hopes of mankind, is the result of a long contemplated and widespread conspiracy against the principles of liberty, justice, mercy and righteousness pro- claimed in the word of God, sustained by our constitutional Government, and lying at the foundation of all public and private welfare. In the present conflict, therefore, our Government stands before us representing the cause of God and man against a rebellion threatening the Nation with ruin in order to perpetuate and spread a system of unrighteousness and oppression. In this emergency we can not hesitate to support, by every legitimate method, a government in maintaining its authority unimpaired throughout the whole country, and over this whole people."

From the first, the clergy of all denominations, with unanimity and inspiring zeal, sustained the authority of the Government. The venerable Bishop McIlvaine, in his address to the Episcopal Convention of that year, urged his hearers "bravely and earnestly to sustain our Government and its administration, in the use of all lawful means for preserving the integrity of the Union." Archbishop Purcell, the venerated head of the Catholic clergy, manifested his sympathy and love for his country by causing the American flag to be raised over the Cathedral in Cincinnati, and over the parish churches of his diocese.

It soon became evident that organization would be necessary, in order that zeal and enthusiasm might have due effect; and so the Cincinnati Branch of the United States Christian Commission entered upon its career. It was not a new movement, but an organization of the old and spontaneous enthusiasm, which had everywhere manifested itself. The officers were as follows: President, A. E. Chamberlain; vice- president, H. Thane Miller; secretary, Rev. John F. Marley; general agent, Rev. B. W. Chidlaw. The president gave two years of his life and labor to the cause, and in addition furnished an office and store room, free of rent.

The value of this organization can never be calculated. It called into play religi- ous motives and convictions, the deepest and most powerful of all the influences that. direct and control men. The cause of the country became sacred, when the Church, the Sunday-school and the family altar, had devoted themselves to its maintenance. Around these holy places where worship is offered, and prayer ascends, clustered not only devout piety, but glowing, patriotic fervor. These became the abiding and uplifting force, that daily replenished the failing energies of the people. The cause of the country became a holy crusade. Every sacrifice made in its behalf became a holy offering. Every religious organization became a center of patriotic zeal.

During the term of its existence, the Cincinnati Christian Commission raised and disbursed cash to the amount of $108,889, and stores and supplies of the estimated value of $289,602. It distributed 9,994 Bibles, 55,091 Hymn and Psalm Books, 458,083 knapsack books-a compilation of valuable and interesting reading matter in pamphlet form, suitable for a soldier's knapsack-8,678 bound volumes, and almost a million copies of magazines, pamphlets, religious newspapers, and tracts of various kinds. Of course, this catalogue but very feebly indicates the work performed by that organization. Its agents and laborers were not only everywhere employed in giving moral and religious tone to our armies, comforting the sick and dying, com- municating between the soldiers in the field and their friends and relatives at home, but they largely ministered to the physical welfare of the army. While the moral

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

and intellectual cultivation of soldiers was the leading object and purpose, the Christian Commission by no means stopped their work at that point.

The situation of Cincinnati, within cannon range of disputed territory, early gave her citizens serious concern for the security of her liomes and wealth, and this feeling of apprehension was not wholly dissipated until the war was drawing to a close. It was early awakened into painful activity whenever the hostile force came near enough to be a menace. After the first awakening at the outbreak of the war, this feeling subsided, especially during the period of earlier victories in the West. The battle at Mill Spring, and the capture of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry, had thrown the rebels back to the southward of Nashville, but unfortunately, after the evacuation of Corinth, the race for Chattanooga was won by the rebels, and East Ten- nessee, the citadel of the continent, was still in the hands of the enemy, in which he had a safe retreat, and from which he could make dangerous sorties at will. The campaign of 1862 gave proof, never to be forgotten, of the commanding strength of that mountain fortress.

The effective national troops were in distant fields, and neither the State nor the city was prepared with arms or soldiers for defense. The line of attack and defense had receded, until danger was scarcely apprehended even by the most cautious. Sud- denly, in the afternoon of July 11, 1862, it was announced in Cincinnati, that John Morgan with his troopers, was at Tomkinsville, Ky., with no efficient force to oppose his march to the Ohio river. For the next few days he was dashing about central Kentucky, capturing outposts, paroling prisoners, burning bridges, securing horses, enlisting adventurous young men in the rebel service, mystifying his enemies and spreading general alarm and confusion.

The city became thoroughly alarmed, and on the 13th a public meeting was held. Speeches were delivered, and the people made eager responses. The city council re- solved to pay all necessary expenses of protecting the city, and at once made an ini- , tial appropriation of $5,000. The police force, under Chief Dudley, and a single field piece manned by firemen under Capt. Glass, were forwarded by the Kentucky Central railroad. In the absence of the police, rioting broke out in the city. The lowest class of whites manifested their riotous disposition in assaults upon the negroes, and the city was menaced with serious disorders. Leading citizens met and organ- ized a force of 1,000 men to patrol the city and enforce the peace. The stay of Morgan was brief, but just before he started upon his return he captured Cynth- iana, and, among other men and material, the gun and firemen from Cincinnati.

The only abiding result was that the people were reminded of the urgent need for enlistments in our army, and that their own safety depended upon their success in upholding the National Government. Liberal donations were made to encourage volunteering, and to care for the families of soldiers during their absence. Public opinion was intensified, meetings were held, and the people became more determined as the final object seemed to become more remote.

The guerilla dash under John Morgan was only an overture. It demonstrated the ease with which a movement might be made to the rear of the Union armies, so as to threaten the cities along the Ohio river. It revealed to the most obtuse observer the startling fact, that the mountain ranges of East Tennessee had innumerable passes, which might serve as sally-ports for the enemy concealed within.

In August Gen. Kirby Smith with probably 15,000 men moved from his camp at Knoxville, Tenn., upon Lexington, Ky., avoiding the National forces at Cumberland Gap, and turning their position by a rapid movement. That force was compelled to fall back to the Ohio river by the valley of the Big Sandy. Gen. Buell with his army was still in Tennessee. Almost before the military authorities were well-advised of this movement, a battle was fought at Richmond, Ky., on the 29th of August, 1862, in which the National forces were completely routed. They were undisciplined troops, recently enlisted, and hurried directly to the front. News of this disaster reached

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

Cincinnati Saturday evening, August 30, 1862. It was supposed by the people of the State that the defeated army at Richmond, re-inforced by other troops, would fall back upon Cincinnati. But on Monday evening it was known that these troops had retreated toward Louisville, and that there was no force worth mentioning between the enemy and Cincinnati. On the 1st of September, Kirby Smith's army entered Lexington without opposition. All at once the people of the city apprehended the fact that they were utterly defenseless. The city council was convened in special session. The credit and faith of the city were pledged for all expenses necessary for the public defense. The mayor was authorized and directed to order the suspension of business, and to call the citizens to arms. The Military Department at that time was commanded by Gen. Horatio G. Wright. The city council and mayor put all the military resources of the city at his command. He responded to the situation by sending from the front Gen. Lew Wallace, who arrived at 9 P.M. September 1st. The mayors of Cincinnati, Covington and Newport waited upon him at the " Burnet House " soon after his arrival. The executive officers of the three cities had the same message to deliver, from the respective councils and people. Everything was placed at his disposal, and all were willing to obey his orders and uphold his hands. Be- fore two o'clock of that night, a proclamation of martial law was prepared by him, which appeared in the newspapers of the next morning.

In that proclamation the people were warned that an active and powerful enemy threatened them with all the consequences of war; announced that the cities must be defended, and that their inhabitants must at once engage in the work; that there should be no distinction of classes, and no exemption from any duty while the danger was imminent; that at nine o'clock the next morning every business house in the cities must be closed; and that citizens must an hour later assemble in convenient places ready for orders; that this labor ought to be a labor of love, but that anyhow it must be done. Martial law was proclaimed in the three cities, and it was ordered that it should be enforced by the police, until soldiers might arrive. Even the schools were closed, and the ferry boats were forbidden to ply after four o'clock A. M.

The order was indeed a sweeping conscription, and an absolute prohibition of all kinds of private pursuits. It soon appeared that even in such great danger the order had been too comprehensive and inclusive. It was soon afterward modified so as to allow the schools to proceed with their work, drug stores and bakeries to conduct their usual business, physicians to visit their patients, and bankers to open from 1 to 2 o'clock daily. It would not seem unnatural if so drastic a measure had caused complaint and ill humor, but on the contrary it seemed to produce the highest satis- faction. Every citizen beamed upon his neighbor, as if there had been a proclama- tion of a great festival. They not only perceived that the way to avoid the threatened danger was to meet it, but they seemed to take pleasure in the prospect of defending their homes.

Governor Tod hurried down from Columbus, and, as soon as the situation was fully understood, issued telegraphic orders for all available enlisted men to be sent to Cincinnati, and for a full supply of arms and ammunition. He sent out a warn- ing to all the border counties to organize for their defense. In response to numer- ous offers of assistance from neighboring counties, he announced that all bodies of men who were armed would be received, that they must repair at once to Cincinnati and report to Gen. Lew Wallace, who would complete their organization. None but armed men were to be received, and all the railroad companies were notified to pass such at the expense of the State. Exception was made of armed men residing in the river counties; who were directed to remain for the protection of their homes. These orders and proclamation were issued by Governor Tod on the 2nd of Septem- ber. Next morning, the first companies from the rural parts of the State, who have passed into history as the "Squirrel Hunters," began to appear in Cincinnati. They were a motley but enthusiastic assemblage of people. Without uniforms, without

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

practice in marching, or in the manual of arms, ignorant of the duties of a soldier, possessing nothing but arms and courage, they had hurried to the scene of threat- ened war.

At that time there was no bridge across the Ohio river in front of Cincinnati. Those splendid arches, high in air, springing from one State to another, and spanning the mighty river, have all been constructed since our Civil war. Rapid and certain communication between the two States, menaced by this invasion, was an imperative necessity. As soon as it was known that Cincinnati must prepare for her own de- fense, a pontoon of novel construction was laid almost in a night, under the direc- tion of Wesley M. Cameron. Coal barges were laid side by side, parallel with the current, and anchored firmly in position. On top of these, timbers were laid from shore to shore, on which were placed the bridge planks, wide enough for four wagons abreast. It served every purpose of a permanent bridge.

For two days after the first appearance of the first Squirrel Hunters, they kept pouring along the streets from all the railroad depots, and moving across the huge pontoon. Every necessary preparation for their comfort had been made by the liberality of the citizens. The Fifth Street market-house, which stood where the famous Tyler-Davidson Fountain now stands, was turned into an eating establish- ment, where all were bountifully fed before crossing the river. In addition to the committees of citizens who were busy providing for the wants of the defenders of the city, the Sanitary Commission was energetic and liberal in the performance of all duties that came within its reach.

At the front, as it was called, that is, the hills to the southward of Newport and Covington, details of citizens were kept busy with pick and spade under the direc- tion of competent army engineers, constructing earthworks at every available point. Whatever may have been possible, if a rapid movement had been made at first by the enemy, it became clear within three days that the city could not be taken by a hur- ried assault. Time had been gained, and time assured final safety. The enemy had halted three days in Lexington, and, even when the movement on Cincinnati was made, it had not the energy and rapidity that betokens serious business. On the 5th of September the governor announced to the public that no more volunteers would be needed for the defense of Cincinnati; but he advised that all military organizations be kept up for future needs,

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 55

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1592

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592