USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Lives of the eminent dead and biographical notices of prominent living citizens of Montgomery County, Pa. > Part 57
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During 1859-60 the country remained in an unsettled con- dition pending Mr. Lincoln's election and inauguration, the South breathing treason and conspiracy against the Union, when the storm of war at last broke over the land in the spring of 1861. Mr. Corson had taken a deep interest and active part
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in the political campaign of 1860, which resulted in Republi- can triumph. Being a member of the Union League, he de- voted much time to active political work, realizing the import- ance of the great national crisis impending.
What follows from this point in Mr. C.'s career is so inti- mately connected with public affairs that the narration seems more like national history than private biography. He became thenceforth a volunteer in the widest sense of the word, a soldier, not laboring to destroy or kill, but to bind harrowing wounds till the "cruel war was over."
In April, 1861, the opening fire upon Fort Sumter, not only "fired the Southern heart," but a feeling of dogged resolution at the North also that the Union should not perish ! No sooner "was the ball opened," to use a familiar expression, than troops from North and East began to pour through Philadelphia for the defence of the imperiled seat of national government. Trains were blocked up and disordered in their motions, and soldiers on the way South could be seen loitering at corners or on door steps, waiting hours for transportation in trains to be made up, and many of them without rations or suitable clothing. Patriotic and public spirited citizens saw them lin- gering and began feeding them on the sidewalks or streets. This became so frequent and painful to witness within a month from the arrival of the first regiment that a few citizens began organizing themselves into committees of relief. The prime mover in this patriotic movement was B. S. Brown. He, as- sociated with others, opened an old boat house at the foot of Washington avenue, and called it "The Union Volunteer Re- freshment Saloon." This was on May 27, 1861. On the same or following day a different party of citizens organized another committee, and set their tables in the cooper shop of William M. Cooper, and from this it took the name of "The Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon." These thence became two of the great benevolent institutions of Philadelphia and of the war for the Union. In all such efforts Mr. Corson took an active personal share, and soon was elected to the office of corre- sponding secretary of the U. V. R. Committee, with Mr. Arad Barrows chosen chairman.
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Some of the members of these committees, women as well as men, would be on duty night and day, with only broken seasons of rest, while serving soldiers on their way to the field, or later on, ministering to those returning sick or wounded, and anxious to embrace dear ones at home. Over six hun- dred thousand soldiers, by computation during the war, were at these tables supplied with substantial meals, given freely without money or price, through the liberality of citizens of Philadelphia, and tireless labor (mostly gratuitous) of helpers in these saloons, so that the "City of Brotherly Love" became household words of joy and gratitude in thousands of homes all over our land.
Bestowing much of his time night and day on this work, Mr. Corson soon found that many soldiers, worn out by travel or sickness, were left behind and taken to the hospital, or be- ing wounded in battle were sent here with several months' back pay due them, and consequently without even money for the purchase of postage or material with which to write to their distant friends. Many also, dying almost unknown, were left to have burial amongst strangers. Obtaining the names, residence, regiment and company of such, Mr. C., or his as- sistants, would send the list to the governor of the state from which they came. That official, on receipt of such list, would have it published in the newspapers of the town or county to. which such men belonged, stating in which hospital they were located, and their condition, if alive, so that friends were thus enabled to communicate with them.
Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, was the first state executive to ask Mr. Corson to accept the position of Military Agent to care for the sick and wounded soldiers of his state in hospital or field, and furnished him with means to relieve their immediate wants. The following letter from him, bearing date June 5, 1862, to Mr. Corson, says: "May I ask it as a favor that you will act as Military Agent of Connecticut for the care of her sick and wounded. * The service would be highly valued by our citizens, and greatly aid and cheer the men."
In the early period of the war accordingly many large hos- pitals were established in and near Philadelphia, and often many
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miles from each other. Mr. C., with several assistants, visited most of these daily, talked with the men, discerned their wants, and supplied them as a direct gift from the governor of their state, he or they keeping a careful record at his office of where each man was, so that convalescents who were able to come to his office could find in which hospital their comrades were, and with car tickets furnished could go to visit them.
Seeing the value of this record, Mr. Corson induced Gen- eral Montgomery, commanding this department, to order full lists of the soldiers in all our hospitals sent to his headquarters in the city, and a daily report of all changes, so that by visit- ing his office at Fourth and Walnut streets one could find where any sick or wounded soldier in the department was quartered. General Montgomery presently found Mr. Cor- son's help so valuable that he issued an order requiring all sick and wounded soldiers in the department not in U. S. hospitals or with their regiments to report to Mr. C.'s office, which, it will be remembered, was not strictly military, but civil and benevolent in its organization and aims. So it happened that within sixty days after Governor Buckingham had asked him to serve as such agent, he was appointed as Military State Agent in like manner by the following state executives: Gov- ernors Washburne, of Maine; Holbrook, of Vermont; Andrew, of Massachusetts; Saloman, of Wisconsin; Olden, of New Jersey; Morton, of Indiana, and Ramsey, of Minnesota, and before the close of the year by Governors Gilmore, of New Hampshire, and Smith, of Rhode Island, the former appointing him aid-decamp on his staff, with the rank of Colonel, and the latter as Lieutenant Colonel.
Like appointments soon after followed from Governors Brad- ford, of Maryland, and Cannon, of Delaware, as also from the governor of Michigan. Thus Mr. Corson found himself offici- ally employed to look after soldiers by appointment and au- thority from thirteen states, and it became an important and laborious work, requiring his whole time and the help of four or five assistants, who, daily visiting hospitals, conferred with the men, looked after their letters and papers, as also later visited returned prisoners at Annapolis, Maryland. He was not only thus charged and employed, but spent much time in
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visiting battle fields in Virginia immediately after engagements. On these visits to the field of blood, Mr. Corson was often ac- companied by his wife. Thus they visited Antietam, Gettys- burg, Yorktown, White House and Fortress Monroe.
On receiving news of a battle, Mr. C .- Mrs. Corson usually accompanying-would hurry to the field with supplies, estab- lish themselves in a convénient house, obtain an ambulance, and when their nourishing delicacies were exhausted would obtain more from the Christian and Sanitary Commissions, distributing them as before to men in hospitals, barns, houses, or wherever they might be found. The sufferings of the wounded after the excitement of battle has passed away are beyond description.
The shattered bone, or minnie ball lodged in the flesh, which in the excitement of the fight is felt but as a sting, now that the poor fellow is left with none but his dead or dying com- rades near, gives him intense pain. To cheer and comfort these poor fellows, or take down in writing last messages from the dying to loved ones at home-these were mournful du- ties our subject and his companions were called on to per- form, and which required a residence sometimes of over a week on the field. But the most painful experience of the whole war was met and endured at Annapolis late in the struggle, on the arrival of our poor, starved soldiers returned from the pri- son dens at Belle Isle, Andersonville and other places. Some- times large numbers of returned prisoners would be received, thousands at a time. Many already in the agonies of death passed away while in the small boat coming from the steamer to shore, while others would survive a few hours after landing. One day, after the arrival of several steamers, burial service was held over the bodies of forty-one poor fellows at once. The coffins were placed within the chapel, while the cere- monial was delivered and a melancholy throng stood without in the open air. A record of all these buried martyrs to lib- erty and union was taken by Mr. Corson or his assistants, and forwarded to the states from which they came.
We will add a comment here. When it is taken into con- sideration, the vast numbers of men engaged in the war on both sides, with twenty to thirty thousand wounded sometimes
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left on our eastern battlefields, some idea may be had of the ex- tent of the relief work of Mr. Corson and hundreds of other act- ive workers in stanching the horrors of the sanguinary strife. To this record of misery at the seat of war all over the country, it must be added that the hospitals of Philadelphia and vicinity alone contained frequently twenty thousand men just after great battles. As to how the work committed to their hands was performed may be seen by a few telegrams or letters to him which are now submitted to the reader :
" BOSTON, July 6, 1863.
"Robert R. Corson, Mass. State Agent :
"Assistant Surgeon General Hooker, and Doctors Breck and Hooper, with Hospital Steward Carpell, have started for Gettysburg to care for our wounded. Advise us of any wants or aid we can render.
JOHN A. ANDREW, "Governor of Mass."
CONCORD, N. H., Nov. 13, 1864 .*
" Robert R. Corson :
" Have you attended to the removal of our dead at Gettys- burg and otherwise acted for New Hampshire? We shall send a delegation to Gettysburg Monday. Answer by telegraph. "J. A. GILMORE, " Governor of New Hampshire."
" PROVIDENCE, R. I., June 4.
" Robert R. Corson, Philadelphia :
"Can you inform me were our Second Regiment is at this time?
JAMES Y. SMITH, " Governor."
These are followed by two from Annapolis, of November 25-27, 1864. The first says: "Our men are coming in by thousands every day-three thousand already-and will come for the next ten days. Send any stores you can : writing paper, &c. Send your agent who was down last."
About the same date the following from same place :
"Robert R. Corson, Military State Agent, Philadelphia: " The exchanged men are coming in two boats to-day in wretched condition. (Signed) J. O. COX."
*This dispatch relates to the occasion of collecting and reburying the dead at that field, on which occasion President Lincoln made his famous oration, which duty had already been attended to.
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The following shows that New England soldiers were not forgotten on Thanksgiving day :
" BOSTON, Mass., Nov. 22, 1864. "Robert R. Corson, Mass. State Agent :
"Have sent you three hundred (300) dollars. Use it for Massachusetts soldiers Thanksgiving day. Write me of its
distribution. S. B. STEBBINS, Sec'y."
Returning troops after the war closed kept all busy at the refreshment saloons, as the following may show:
WASHINGTON, July 15, 1865.
"Col. Robert R. Corson, State Agent, Philadelphia :
"The Fifth, Eighth and Eleventh Massachusetts regiments leave here at ten A. M., and Second at five o'clock P. M., to-day. " GARDENER TUFTS, " Mass. State Agent at Washington."
"NEW YORK, June, 1865.
"Connecticut Heavy Artillery left Alexandria for New York this morning, eleven hundred men. Can you feed them ?
Keep me posted of their movements. J. H. ALMY, "Col. and As't Q. M."
"WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 1865.
"Col. Robert R. Corson, Military State Agent,
"Union Refreshment Saloon, Philadelphia :
"Third Massachusetts heavy artillery leave here at seven o'clock to-night one thousand strong. TUFTS."
The foregoing are only a few mere specimens showing the work Mr. Corson had in hand much better than any descrip- tion would do, all of which required prompt attention.
And here we introduce a new feature of our "war for the Union," but no mean factor in the great problem then being worked out, the enlistment of colored troops for the war, which was begun early in 1863.
Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, having obtained au- thority from Washington to raise two colored regiments, a committee of Boston citizens was organized to procure such recruits, and as there were not many such in Massachusetts they were compelled to secure them elsewhere to be credited to that state. They had the money but not many of the men, so the committee collected a large sum and requested Mr. Cor- son to act for them in Philadelphia. Accordingly a room was
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procured as a rendezvous in the lower part of the city, and men employed to canvass the city and surrounding country. Many such recruits from Pennsylvania and other states were soon brought in, examined by surgeons, and if able to pass examination were sent on to Boston in small squads in charge of special agents. So strong, however, was the feeling then against colored men being employed as soldiers that it was found necessary, even in Philadelphia, to send such recruits in covered wagons from the recruiting station to Kensington depot.
As these two regiments were to test the ability and courage of colored men as soldiers, the officers (white men) were ex- ceedingly particular in their selection of recruits. In many cases those from the West or Southwest having passed ex- amination before leaving home, would also pass muster here, and yet be finally rejected when under like ordeal at camp near Boston. In every case, however, these men's expenses were paid in returning to their homes. Between four and five hun- dred men were thus recruited and sent from Pennsylvania to fill up the 54th and 55th Colored Massachusetts regiments. The authorities of our state having their attention called to this loss of men to fill up the quota of other states, issued an order prohibiting the sending of men from Pennsylvania. The very day, however, the order was published Mr. Corson re- ceived a dispatch from Boston saying, "Fifty-fifth full. Send no more men." So our dog-in-the-manger state mandate came just a day too late. Nevertheless Mr. Corson had just received a squad of thirty-one fine looking colored re- cruits from about Harrisburg, one and all "anxious to enlist and fight for the dear old flag." This too was in July, 1863, at the very time Harrisburg and Philadelphia were thought to be in imminent danger from Lee's second invasion of the state. Governor Curtin was during that time at the Continental Hotel making personal appeals for "emergency men" to fly to the defence of the state capital. A police captain, Babe, of the city also was then striving to raise a company of colored men for state defence. The aforesaid thirty-one men were therefore' told that if they desired to do so they could join the captain's company, which meant to go directly to the defence of their
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homes; that if they would return to Philadelphia after their service was no longer needed at Harrisburg, they should still be enlisted in a United States regiment. Oh, it seems strange to relate at this late day, but fact it is, that the police captain's company, including the said thirty-one men, as also a squad of perhaps thirty, led by the late Elijah Thomas of Norristown, went to Harrisburg just in the midst of the scare, and were told that neither the governor nor General Couch, who com- manded that department, had any authority to accept the ser- vices of colored men even to defend our state archives and homes. Every one of Mr. Corson's thirty-one (now nearly as famous as the retreat of the "Ten Thousand" of old) came back, re- ported to Mr. C., and, according to promise, were mustered into the Third U. S. C. T. Col. Tilghman, as hereinafter de- scribed.
The battle of Gettysburg being the crisis of the war, as also the wounding to death of negro hate at the North, anti- slavery men soon found enough influence with the govern- ment to procure an order for the enlistment of colored troops. So at this juncture Major George L. Stearns, of Boston, a man of large means, and much interested in the colored race, had come to Philadelphia, with authority from the War Depart- ment, to organize colored regiments for United States service. Major Stearns invited Mr. Morris L. Hallowell, Robert R. Corson, and one or two others to select (a little beyond our city limits) a place to establish a camp for colored troops. Very soon they decided on Chelten Hills, on the North Penn- sylvania railroad, when Major Stearns telegraphed to Secre- tary of War, Stanton, that they had located "Camp Stanton" as above. Very soon the reply came back that the selection was approved, but the name would be "Camp William Penn !" Thus, had the peaceful founder of Pennsylvania then been alive, or could his slumbering ear have heard the words "Camp William Penn," his astonished lips would have mut- tered, "To what strange uses may our names be applied!"
To facilitate this important work, Major Stearns, Thomas Webster, and other men of advanced ideas, organized the Supervisory Committee for Recruiting Colored Regiments, Thomas Webster, Chairman. There were about sixty promi-
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nent citizens in the association, which went to work in earnest. They occupied the whole building, No. 1210 Chestnut street, for city headquarters, Major S. appointing Colonel Corson on his staff, as his aid, and placing him in charge of the main work. At the latter's request or suggestion, Lieutenant Colo- nel Louis Wagner (now so favorably known in Philadelphia), then at home recovering from a wound, was invited to accept command of the camp at Chelton Hills. Thus the filling up of the Third Regiment of "United States Colored Troops" began at once, Mr. Corson's famous "31" being a substantial beginning, and part of Company A. This was in the summer and autumn of 1863. Mr. C. thence remained in charge dur- ing the whole existence of the committee, which did not cease its labors until near the close of the war. A large majority of the committee took a warm personal interest in the work. The meetings held daily at high noon were largely attended by merchants, bankers, manufacturers and other active busi- ness men. A very large amount of money was raised also, and expended for bounties and other expenses, and at least fourteen thousand soldiers were thus enlisted and sent to the front, without cost to the government; recruiting agents being also sent through the lines, and large numbers of ex-slaves enlisted. These being United States regiments the men could be credited to any part of the country, which could furnish the requisite means to secure them. Thus some very pro- slavery districts of New Jersey and other localities escaped the draft. But Philadelphia pursued the blind policy of refus- ing to offer colored men the same bounty as to white men. After the demand for men was'over the committee before dis- banding passed unanimously complimentary resolutions ac- knowledging the valuable service rendered by Mr. Corson in the great work accomplished. The war now coming to a close, and after soldiers in active service had all returned, and those in hospitals gone to their homes, Mr. Corson sent his resignation to the several governors who had honored him with their confidence, and whom he had served so long and well. In justice to them and himself, our subject desires to place on record some extracts from letters, many of them au- tographs, still in his possession, received from state executives,
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and never hitherto published, which we are permitted to copy here. The first is the following from New Hampshire :
" EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, "CONCORD, May 22, 1865.
"Col. Rob't R. Corson, N. H. Military State Agent,
Philadelphia, Pa .:
"Sir: I am instructed by Governor Gilmore, in accepting your resignation as New Hampshire's Military State Agent, at Philadelphia, to express to you the profound and hearty gratitude with which the people of our state regard your efforts in behalf of our noble soldiers. No agent of New Hampshire has been more indefatigable, more faithful to his trust, than yourself; and it is a matter of rejoicing to his excellency that your resignation is only tendered when the necessity for ser- vice (such as you have been wont to render) has in a measure ceased. With sentiments of hearty gratitude, I am very truly your obedient servant,
J. H. GILMORE, "Private Secretary."
The next extract is from Governor Samuel Coney, of Maine, under date Augusta, February 26, 1864: "We are entirely satisfied with your administration and reports."
In renewing his commission Feb. 12, 1863, Governor An- drew, of Massachusetts, "is happy in being able with perfect confidence and satisfaction to continue your commission as Massachusetts State Agent, and he directs me to assure you of his warm thanks for your able and thorough report recently received."
Governor Smith, of Vermont, May 25, 1865, says: "Your kindness and attention to our brave volunteers have been, and ever will be, appreciated by them as well as by the state * the close of the rebellion and consequent necessity of an agent in Philadelphia ceasing, alone cause your resignation to be ac- cepted."
Here is an "order" turning our placid and kindly philan- thropist into a son of Mars :
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
"Headquarters, Boston, December 9, 1864. General Order No. 48. In recognition of the faithful, energetic and discreet service rendered the state of Massachusetts by its estimable agent at Philadelphia, Pa., Robert R. Corson, Esq., it is ordered that Robert R. Corson be, and is hereby appointed Assistant
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Quartermaster-General of Massachusetts, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and he will be obeyed and respected ac- cordingly.
" By order of his excellency, John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. WILLIAM SCHOULER, "Adjutant General."
Governor Smith, of Rhode Island, under date of July 14, 1863, thanks Mr. Corson on behalf of the state, and authorizes a draft on his private purse for $100 per quarter, to supply the wants of their soldiers. He adds: "You are doing a noble work, and the blessing of a nation and its people are upon you." The same governor of that state, James Y. Smith, in accepting Mr. C's resignation, May 26, 1865, says : "Such generous de- votion as you have always shown our suffering soldiers, mer- its both the thanks of our country and our state." The Gen- eral Assembly of Rhode Island, January, 1866, tenders to lieu- tenant colonel Robert R. Corson, late Military Agent, the thanks of the state, "for his untiring energy and self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of our soldiers when passing through Philadelphia."
Under date of December 16, 1864, Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, offers by letter similar "thanks and gratitude for his unselfish devotion to their noble soldiers;" and again May 19, 1865, in accepting Mr. C.'s resignation, assures him that his "services have been highly appreciated by the depart- ment and the good soldiers for whose benefit you have so faithfully labored," etc. A similar letter from Governor Sauls- bury, of Delaware, on resignation of military agency, was re- ceived by Mr. Corson.
Governor Bradford, of Maryland also, under date of May 25, 1865, after testifying to his faithfulness and efficiency, adds : "still greater obligation to you, from the fact that you vol- unteered these services, and rendered them without compen- sation." Thus the reader will perceive that our subject has falsified for once the famous apothegm of Cowper, concerning the English, that-
" Doing good, disinterested good, is not our trade."
From the Executive Department of the state of Indiana, W. H. H. Kerrell, Adjutant General, under date of December
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26, 1865, writes: "in closing official connection with you, which has always been of the most agreeable character, I beg you will accept the hearty and sincere thanks of this depart- ment," etc., etc. Almost in the same words came the letter from the adjutant general, Moseley, of Michigan, December 5, same year: "Thanking you for valuable services rendered such volunteers from this state as have fallen under your min- istration."
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