USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Warwick's Keystone commonwealth; a review of the history of the great state of Pennsylvania, and a brief record of the growth of its chief city, Philadelphia > Part 33
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The assassination of Colonel Ellsworth, of the New York Zouaves, at Alexandria in Virginia, was another event that stirred the North to the very centre. When his body reached this city, it was carried through the streets from the Baltimore station to the Kensington depot and every head was uncov- ered as the cortege passed.
Lientenant Greble, a member of the well known family of this city, was killed at the Battle of Big Bethel, and on June 12th his remains reached Phila- delphia. Ile was given a state funeral and impressive ceremonies took place in Independence Hall.
The next step upon the part of the Government was to raise money for the prosecution of the war and the authorities found in Philadelphia a man who in every way was equal to the emergency and whose name is as closely identified with the War of the Rebellion as was that of Robert Morris with the War of the Revolution. During those days when men's hearts failed and the future looked dark with disaster, Jay Cooke never for a moment despaired of the Republic and it was due to the energy and confidence he inspired that the
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loans were quickly marketed. The Drexel firm must also come in for a share of this glory.
While the armies were gathering in the field and preparing for the con- flict, great anxiety was felt in the North as to the outcome of the first battle and the effect it would have upon the issue. The hot-heads constantly urged a forward movement and on June 21st was fought the disastrous Battle of Bull Run, in which the Union Army was put to rout. Soldiers in a state of panic came pouring into Washington with all sorts of wild stories of the dreadful slaughter and disaster. The defeat, however, instead of disheartening the North only aroused it to greater exertion, for they now saw before them a task that would require all the efforts that could be made and all the resources upon which they could draw to bring it to an end. The Battle of Bull Run taught the Government that the soldiers must be better drilled, made more efficient, and placed under the command of more experienced officers. General Geo. B. MeClellan was urged by his friends as the man for the hour. He was a son of the distinguished physician, Dr. George Mcclellan, and was born in Phila- delphia in 1826. He was educated at West Point, but abandoning a military career, devoted himself to civil and railroad engineering. At the outbreak of the Civil War he offered his services to the National Government and was given a command in western Virginia, where he distinguished himself in sev- eral minor battles. For some reason or other he had obtained the reputation among his friends of being a great military officer, although he had never given any proof of his special ability and had not shown any particular genius on the field, in fact, he never had had an opportunity in actual warfare to show his prowess. Upon assuming his command of the Army of the Potomac he endeared himself to the soldiers and they affectionately hailed him as "Little Mac." He too had those qualities that made him a popular idol among the people and he inspired great confidence throughout the country. His admirers lauded him to the skies, ranked him with the genius of Napoleon and predicted for him an unparalleled success. Upon his arrival in this city on his way to Washington, he received a perfect ovation. Assuming command of the army he soon proved himself an able tactician and a great military engineer, but when it came to the question of aggressive fighting qualities, he did not meet public expectations. The camp was put in trim order and in a sanitary condi- tion. The soldiers were hourly drilled, defensive fortifications were erected, but no forward movement was made. "All quiet on the Potomac" was the news that came from the army until it grew almost monotonous. "On to Rich- mond" was the cry, and the people, because of the long delay were growing im-
- patient and impetuous. Lincoln and Stanton, the latter having succeeded Cam- eron as Secretary of War, urged MeClellan with all their might to go forth to battle, but his excuses were that his forces were insufficient and his supplies in- adequate and that under the circumstances it would be disastrous to begin an offensive movement. Day by day, week by week, mouth by month went by and the camp was always busy in making preparations but seemed never ready to march, and at last Lincoln gave the command to the army to move forward. Then followed the unsuccessful peninsular campaign. Disease attacked the army and most of Mcclellan's time was spent in fighting malaria rather than
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the enemy. Heavy rains compelled the Union Army to wade through mud and water. The Chickohominey had overflowed its banks and as the army was on both sides of the river it could not act to advantage. Lee and Mcclellan en- gaged in a number of desperate battles around Richmond which battles resulted in the loss to the Union troops of a great number of guns and prisoners. The Union forces had been in the sight of Richmond but they were at last com- pelled to retreat to the James River and to the defense of Washington. The campaign had resulted without any advantage to the Union cause. In August, 1862, Pope was defeated at the second Battle of Bull Run. It was not a repe- tition of the scenes incident to the first disastrous battle of that name for the soldiers fell back in comparatively good order.
It was about this time when the outlook was so dark and ominous that the Union League was organized. It was a period of general gloom when even brave men's hearts failed. A number of prominent citizens met at the resi- dence of Benjamin Gerhard, 226 South Fourth street, on November 15th, 1862, for the purpose of considering the question as to the organization of a loyal club composed of prominent citizens to uphold the hands of the Government at Washington. A week later the same gentlemen met at the home of George 11. Boker, 1720 Walnut street, and formed what was called a Union Club. The original members were: Morton McMichael, Adolph E. Borie. John Meredith Read, Henry C. Carey, William Henry Rawle, Frederick Fraley, E. Spencer Miller, John Ashurst, Daniel Dougherty, Fairman Rogers, Ferdinand J. Dreer, Clarence H. Clark, Edwin M. Lewis, James L. Claghorn, William D. Lewis, J. B. Lippincott, J. Gillingham Fell, A. J. Antelo, Thomas A. Biddle, John Rus- sell Young, S. V. Merrick, General George Cadwalader, J. I. Clark Hare, Wil- liam Sellers, Abraham Barker, Dr. John F: Meigs, Horace Binney, Jr., Joseph Harrison, Jr., and James W. Paul. The next meeting was held at Dr. Meigs's house, 1201 Walnut street, where it was decided on December 27th, 1862, to call the club the "Union League" of Philadelphia. The house at 1118 Chestnut street, formerly the residence of Mr. Kuhn, was selected as the headquarters for the club, and William M. Meredith was chosen President, George II. Boker, Secretary, and George H. Claghorn, Treasurer. It was in no sense of the word a partisan organization for all men were called upon who were loyal to the Union to become members of the organization. The only qualifications were loyalty to the Government of the United States and unwavering support of its efforts for the suppression of the rebellion. It soon had on its roll a thousand members and sent out into the field no less than nine regiments, fully equipped. Following its example a number of like associations were formed throughout the country.
On September 17th, 1862, was fought the Battle of Antietam. After a dreadful carnage Lee was compelled to withdraw, but Mcclellan, who was in command of the Union forces, did not follow quickly enough to satisfy the au- thorities at Washington and he was removed from his command. He was suc- ceeded by General Burnside who suffered a signal defeat at the Battle of Fred- ericksburg on the Rappahannock and was compelled to fall back on Washing- ton. General Hooker was assigned the command, but after two days' hard fighting at Chancellorsville was badly beaten. Enconraged by his successes,
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Lee endeavored to invade Pennsylvania. He came down the Shenandoah val- ley with about seventy thousand men, crossed the Potomac in June, 1863, and it was his intention to capture Harrisburg, then, if successful, to march on to Philadelphia, but before these plans could be carried out he had to meet the Union forces at Gettysburg, under General Meade, a native Pennsylvanian, and there was fought virtually the decisive battle of the war. The Union troops heretofore had fought on the soil of Virginia; they were now on their native heath and in defense of their own hearthstones. The battle lasted for three days, July Ist, 2d and 3d. In the first day of the battle the Confederates sustained a repulse, on the second day Lee endeavored to capture "Little Rond Top" but was driven back with heavy loss. This was followed by an attack on Culp's Hill which the Confederates succeeded in capturing but which they were compelled soon to relinquish. So the battle raged, when, as a final effort, Lee ordered General Pickett with a force of fifteen thousand men to attack Gen- eral Hancock on Cemetery Ridge. It was a bold, desperate coup and if it had been successful, no doubt the Union lines would have been broken and the army compelled to retreat. To reach the point of attack, Pickett had to march under a terrible fire, over a mile of open ground. The Union cannon cut great gaps into the column of the advancing troops but the gaps were immediately filled up and the soldiers in close order held their line until they reached the Ridge. Silently, boldly they moved forward, depending upon the use of the bayonet when they should reach the enemy. Shot and shell plowed through their ranks, for the Union troops from every direction centered their artillery upon the advancing column. At last under this storm of terrible fire they reached the rising ground in front of the Union forces. Their column was still intact and with fixed bayonet they charged up the slope and part of the Federal lines gave way but the rest held their ground and hurled back the Con- federate troops, defeated and dismayed. The charge had failed, the victory was won and from this point may be dated the preservation of the Union and the Constitution. The battle was fought on Pennsylvania soil, under the com- mand of a native Pennsylvanian, General George G. Meade, and Pickett's charge was repulsed by the corps under General Hancock, another eminent Pennsyl- vania soldier.
During the continuance of this battle, Philadelphia, as well may be imag- ined, was in a state of panic and excitement. Merchants packed up their goods for removal into the interior and those people who had places of refuge, made preparations to leave the town. The streets were crowded with the excited mobs and the bulletin boards gave out the news every hour of the day, for if any special information was received it was issued in the form of an extra, and newsboys only added to the general terror by crying out the "Latest." When at last- official information reached this city that the Confederates had met with defeat and were on a retreat to Virginia, the people could not contain themselves. It was hard to realize after three days of such suspense that the enemy had been finally repulsed, for indeed the people had been so wrought up by the information from the field of battle, that they would not have been sur- prised to hear that the army of Lee was on its way to Philadelphia. It was the last attempt to invade the North and from this great crucial battle, fought
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on the soil of Pennsylvania, may be dated the beginning of the end of the con- flict. Had Lee won that battle there is no telling what the result might have been.
The next day was the Fourth of July, the national anniversary of Amer- ica's independence and it goes without saying that the country north of Ma- son's and Dixon's line surrendered itself to general jubilation.
Following this day of thanksgiving came a period of sorrow and mourn- ing, for when the lists of dead and wounded were scanned there was hardly a household that had not sustained a loss. Thousands of wounded soldiers were hurried to the city, and empty halls, engine houses, churches, warehouses and other buildings were turned, temporarily, into hospitals.
The glorious news of the capture of Vicksburg by General Grant, on the fourth of July, reached this city on the 7th, and the people once more were wrought up to the highest state of enthusiasm notwithstanding the terrible loss that had been sustained in the Union armies. When the news reached the city of the fall of Vicksburg, the State House bell called the citizens to a meeting in Independence Square. In answer to this call, five hundred members of the Union League, preceded by a band, marched to the State House. Here the Rev. Dr. Boardman made a prayer while all heads were uncovered, and at its conclusion, the band that had been placed overhead in the steeple of Indepen- dence Hall played "Old Hundred." It was a most impressive scene ; every heart was touched and as the voices joined in the singing of the old hymn there was hardly a dry eye to be seen.
Peace was some distance off, for there were two more years yet to follow of terrible strife and the contest was to ebb and flow but the decisive strokes at Gettysburg and Vicksburg had been made and the result seemed now to be only a question of time and endurance.
The Presidential election in 1864 resulted in the success of Abraham Lin- coln. He was nominated in June in the Republican Convention in Baltimore. McClellan became a candidate of the Democratic party in the Chicago Con- vention that was held in August and on a platform antagonistic to the policies of Lincoln's administration. Grant had been transferred from the West and had been given the command of the Army of the Potomac and had been pound- ing away at Lee with his characteristic determination and resolution. In the summer of 1864. the Confederates made another effort to carry the war into Pennsylvania and bands of guerillas came so far north that they tore up rail- roads and cut the wires between Philadelphia and Washington. The fact was soon appreciated, however, that these were simply bands who were not act- ing with Lee's army but were only sent North to induce Grant to withdraw his pressure from the main body of the Confederates. During all this time the po- litical campaign was bitterly contested and gave great anxiety to the loyal sup- porters of the Lincoln administration, but the result. fortunately, was such as to encourage the friends of the Union, and the administration was urged to carry the war to an end. Grant's contest in Virginia and Sherman's "March to the Sea" broke down the whole Confederate defense and at eleven o'clock on the morning of April 3d, 1865, a simple dispatch reached Philadelphia an- nouncing the glad news that "Richmond is Ours." It was the end. The news
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was placed in the form of a bulletin at a newspaper office on Third street and spread like wild-fire through the city. Business was suspended, cheers rent the air, workmen threw down their tools and the children were dismissed from the schools; judges adjourned the courts, jurymen, witnesses and attorneys could not restrain their exuberance and even the court rooms resounded with applause ; flags were flung to the breeze, processions of men and boys formed in line and paraded through the streets all directing their steps into the centre of the city and fire companies dashed to the scene, clanging their bells and blowing their whistles; the State House bell rang out the glad tidings and above all could be heard the booming of cannon. There had been exciting scenes in the past but they were as nothing compared with the scenes incident to the fall of Richmond. The town went wild with delight, strangers clasped hands and congratulated each other and men danced in the public highways. In a few days following, on Sunday, April 9th, came the news of the surren- der of Lee's army and the scenes just described were again repeated.
One of the most influential organizations created during the war was the Sanitary Commission, which was founded in the year 1861 and did most impor- tant work in providing the hospital service. It was a national body and liad branches throughout the Northern States and raised large sums of money for the Government to provide for the comfort of sick and wounded soldiers. In June, 1864, in Logan Square of this city, a great Central Fair was held to aid the Commission in its work. Large buildings were erected covering the square in which articles of all kinds and descriptions were offered for sale. Patriotic citizens gave contributions and all benevolent institutions aided in one way or another by gifts to make the fair a success. The principal building was 540 feet long and Go feet wide. The ground covered by all the buildings was about 6,500 feet, making altogether a mile in length by 60 feet in width. The open- ing day was a great event. The Governors of New Jersey and Delaware as well as Justices of the Supreme Court, and the Mayor of the city, took part in the opening ceremonies. John C. Cresson, chairman of the committee on ar- rangements, formally transferred the buildings to the Hon. John Welsh, chair- man of the Executive Committee, which buildings were accepted in a most thoughtful and eloquent speech on behalf of the committee by one of the most distinguished lawyers of the country, Theodore Cuyler. Bishop Simpson had been delegated by Abraham Lincoln as his personal representative, and to his care in turn the buildings were transferred to the National Government. Mr. Lincoln with Mrs. Lincoln made a personal visit to the fair and upon that occa- sion the buildings were so crowded with enthusiastic citizens that the President had but little opportunity to examine the exhibits. The Fair was most suc- cessfully conducted and yielded in return over one million dollars.
Just as daylight was beginning to break and people began to look into the future with hope, the country was suddenly shocked by the news of the death of President Lincoln. It was on the morning of Saturday, April 15th, that news of the assassination reached this city and the citizens were thrown into a state of consternation. Having guided the vessel safely through the storm, and just as it was reaching port, the great captain was stricken down. No one who did not witness the scenes of that day can have any conception of the sorrow
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expressed by the people. Men seemed to speak in a whisper, there was no feel- ing of anger or vindictiveness but only that depth of woe that could not find utteranee nor expression in words. Men upon the public streets who knew each other, would stop, elasp hands and while tears gushed from their eyes not being able to utter a word, would shake hands, part and go on their different ways.
On Saturday afternoon, April 22d, the remains of Lincoln reached Phila- delphia on their way to Springfield. They were met at the Baltimore depot by military bodies and by a great procession of citizens. The tolling of bells and the booming of cannon announced the arrival of the train and the hearse was escorted through the city to Independence Hall which it reached about eight o'clock. 'From ten o'clock until midnight those persons who were given tickets of admission were allowed to view the remains which lay in state in that his- toric building. The next day was Sunday and the hall was thrown open to the general public. . As early as four o'clock in the morning the streets were crowded and the line extended almost to the Schuylkill River. The doors, however, were not opened until six o'clock and it was midnight before they were closed. I remember distinctly the event and took my place in the line at an early hour in the morning in the neighborhood of Broad street and it was long past noon before I reached the hall. The streets on all sides were crowded with people anxious to get an entrance to look upon the face of the man whom they now all loved. Early the next morning before daylight, the body was again carried to the funeral car and the cortege proceeded on its way to New York.
Troops now began to pour into the city on their way home and the scenes at times were most exciting and the welcome given most sincere. The "Cooper Shop," the refreshment saloon, which was still conducted by patriotic women, furnished refreshments to the returning soldiers and, it is computed that during the continuance of its history it furnished food and refreshiments to over 600,000 troops.
CHAPTER XXVII.
PROGRESS AFTER THE WAR. SOCIETY. SPARROWS. SMITH'S ISLAND. NOTED
CHARACTERS.
I MMEDIATELY after the war speculation ran rife in every direction. Railroads were built and enterprises of all kinds were fostered and the country entered upon what it supposed was to be a great era of pros- perity.
Andrew Johnson, who was President by reason of the death of Lincoln, had fallen out with the leaders of his party and had undertaken to carry out a campaign of conciliation which gave great offense to the radical men of the country.
After the declaration of peace, a million men who composed the armies of the rebellion, threw down their arms and returned to their former pursuits and many timid people feared that this vast body of men suddenly released from military service would bring about perilous times, but without any shock or dis- turbance, men returned to their vocations without creating a crisis.
In 1860 Grant came to the Presidency. He was not a statesman in the broad sense of the term and was apt to place too much confidence in men who were not worthy of his trust. A number of scandals, notably the Credit Mo- bilier and Belknap's disgrace, subjected his administration to severe condemna- tion. The great soldier, however, had won the love and confidence of the peo- ple by his great accomplishments and they overlooked and forgave his mistakes and relieved him, personally, of any responsibilities. The disastrous failure of Jay Cooke & Company threw the money market into a panic. Banks closed their doors and firm after firm was compelled to suspend. The New York Stock Exchange remained closed for upwards of a week and it was sometime before confidence was again restored.
Philadelphia, immediately after the war, returned to the rowdyism that prevailed prior to 1860. Municipal offices were doled out by the bosses and elections were scenes of the wildest disorder. Party spirit ran high and it was bitter. Daniel M. Fox was elected Mayor of the city, and the police force be- came a scandal. Now appeared upon the scene men who arrogated unto them- selves great political power. It was believed by all conservative citizens that the time had come when political reforms had to be inaugurated, and among these reforms, the first was the re-organization of the fire department. Volun- teer firemen opposed the movement with all their might, for the fire house in every section of the city had become an institution; it was in the nature of a club house, a general rendezvous where men met and lounged and enjoyed their leisure. Many of the fire houses had handsomely furnished sitting rooms on the second floor, where cards and other games of chance were indulged in, and on the third floor were the bunk rooms, so called, where beds were pro- vided for those who desired to stay on guard to answer a call of fire during
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the night. In many localities the influence of the fire-house was demoralizing. When the bill came up in Councils, William S. Stokley was the presiding offi- cer of the common chamber and he announced himself strongly in favor of the establishment of a paid fire department. He was threatened with all sorts of violence, but he never hesitated in urging the passage of the bill, and on the day of its consideration the galleries of the council chamber were crowded with roughs, who in every way endeavored to intimidate those members who were in favor of the reform. The pavements in front of the State House, where Councils met at that time, were also crowded and it required great courage to meet so formidable an opposition. When the vote was put it was carried in favor of a paid fire department and the days of a volunteer fireman were at an end.
We have traced the history of Philadelphia through her varied career. As a settlement she had been tolerant and liberal and in many respects had out- stripped, in progress, her sister colonies. For many years she had been the leading commercial city on the continent ; her merchants had a world-wide reputation ; for some time she had been the largest in population, and by all odds the wealthiest. Her merchant marine whitened every sea and rode at anchor in every port. For some time she had been not only the leading city but the capital of the Republic. Unfortunately, however, she did not main- tain her supremacy, and although one of the principal cities of the nation to- day, she is not the first as she was once in commerce, wealth and population. She lost her prestige and supremacy in these particulars and to-day is the third in population and far in the rear in commerce. It is hard to account for these changes for while she has lost her supremacy in some directions she has won and gained it in others and is at this time the leading manufacturing city on the continent. Philadelphia is frequently compared with other cities and is criticised because of her slowness. These reflections upon her are not true and we do an injustice to our own when we admit without argument the verity of these statements. We lack in this city, in a great measure, civic pride and we patiently submit to adverse criticism, in other words we do not boom our town as do the citizens of other large municipalities. New York, Chicago and Boston never tire of dwelling upon their advantages. There was a time when we were all getting into a fault-finding condition, but I am glad to see that there is a change in this matter and that the citizens have taken on a new lease of life. Chicagoans often appear almost grotesque in their exaggera- tions and boastfulness, while Bostonians never tire of lauding their own. If they have a library it is the best ; if they have a building of historical interest, it is the greatest in their opinion ; their colleges, their preachers, their orators, their men of letters, surpass all others. Now, this is the proper spirit to evince. Our city needs no apologists and when defamed she should not want for brave defenders. We are not a slow or non-progressive people, although half the time we admit the truth of the assertion by a cowardly silence in the presence of those cheap wits who delight to slur ns. It is singularly true that we are lacking in adequate appreciation of our city. There must be a reason for our modesty in this matter, and it comes no doubt from the Quaker influence that prevailed in the early days of the city and state. The Quaker was a non-resis-
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