ST. JOSEPH
COUNTY IN THE WAR
RESPONSE TO THE CALL
REMEMBER BUENA VISTA
In 1860, when some
of the Southern leaders threatened a
dissolution of the Union in the event of the election of Abraham
Lincoln to the Presidency, there were very few men in the North
who believed they were in earnest. In consequence of the division in
the Democratic party, the election of Lincoln was an easy matter. In
pursuance of their threat, one after another of the Southern States to
the number of twelve passed acts of secession, and organized an
independent government under the name of the "Confederate States
of America."
Abraham Lincoln
took the oath of office as President of the United
States on the 4th of March, 1861, and immediately took steps to
strengthen the Government. Already the rebels were making preparations
for the capture of Fort Sumter, then occupied by the gallant Major
Anderson and a handful of men. On the 12th day of April, after first
demanding its surrender, the rebels opened fire upon the fort. The
first shot sent an electric thrill through every loyal heart in the
North, and immediately the cry went up for vengeance. The news of the
fall of Sumter was received on Sunday morning, April 14. On that day
the loyal people of the United States abandoned the field of argument
and ceased to discuss measures and plans for the peaceable
restoration of the national authority in the revolted States, and with
singular unanimity and determination accepted the issue of war as the
only means left to save and perpetuate the National existence and the
priceless liberties so long enjoyed
.
On the morning of the 15th the telegraph bore the following message
from
Governor Morton to President Lincoln at Washington :
Executive Department of Indiana,
Indianapolis, April 15,1861.
To Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United, States:
On behalf of the State of Indiana I
tender to you, for the defense of
the Nation,
and to uphold the authority of the Government, ten
thousand men.
The same day the
President issued his proclamation calling for the
militia of the several States of the Union, to the number of
seventy five thousand, in order to suppress the Rebellion and cause the
laws to be duly executed. The quota of Indiana was
subsequently fixed by the Secretary of War at six regiments of
infantry, or riflemen, comprising, in officers and men, 4,683, to serve
for a period of three months unless sooner
discharged. Instructions were issued in general
orders by the Adjutant General of the State, for the formation of
companies; the several military departments were speedily organized for
business, and all available measures taken to fill the quota with the
least possible delay. In the meantime, every
class of the community manifested the wildest enthusiasm
and most intense excitement. Public meetings to
facilitate the formation of companies, and to give expression to
the sentiments of the people touching their duty in the pending
crisis, were held in every city, town and neighborhood, and an ardent
and unquenchable military spirit was at once aroused that bid fair
to embrace in its sweep every able bodied man in the
State. The day after the call was made five hundred
men were in camp, and the Governor, apprehensive (as was the whole
country at the time) that an effort would be made by the rebels to take
possession of the Federal capital, proposed to send forward half a
regiment if required, although unable to furnish the necessary arms and
equipment. Receiving no reply to this offer from the War Department,
it was renewed the day following, and the number increased to one
thousand men. By the 19th, three days after the
call, there were 2,400 men in camp, and arrivals continued by every
train. So rapidly did volunteering proceed, in less
than seven days more than 12,000 men, or nearly three times the quota
required, had been tendered. Contests to secure the acceptance of
companies were earnest and frequent. The question was
not "Who will go?" but, "Who will be allowed to go?" In many cases
companies came forward without orders, or rather in
defiance of orders, in the hope that they could be received, or that a
second call would at once be made, and frequently their enlistment
rolls contained twice, and even thrice, the number of names
required. Hundreds who were "unable to get into
companies at home, came singly and in squads to the general rendezvous
on their own responsibility, and, by combining with others in
like condition, and with fragments of companies having a surplus,
formed new companies and joined in the clamor for
acceptance. The response was as gratifying as it
was universal, and left no doubt as to the entire and lasting
devotion of Indiana to the fortunes of the Union. Like the sun-light
the " war fever " permeated every
locality. The " Old Flag " at once became sacred and
was proudly displayed in every breeze from the highest peaks of
churches, school-houses and private dwellings. The
presentation of a stand of National colors by patriotic ladies to
each company was rarely omitted, and, wherever practicable, brass
bands were provided to escort them to the general camp.
The excitement in
South "Bend, Mishawaka, and, in fact, all parts of
the county was intense. Says a local writer: "South Carolina has
courted the glory of lighting the torch of civil war. Forbearance
on the part of the Government almost to the extreme of
humiliation, has been met with arrogance and insult; until, unable
to force the United States into any act of bloodshed and violence which
they could make a pretext for their act, they have most wickedly
precipitated the Republic into war. They have opened the fire of their
murderous batteries upon the flag which Washington loved, and
which Jackson, Scott and Taylor illuminated with so many glorious
triumphs, a parricidal act as infamous as the ruffian who aims a
death-blow at the mother who has borne and nurtured him. They have
trampled the Constitution and the laws which they have sworn to
support, under their feet, and they avow their purpose to overthrow the
Government which they can no longer rule, by the force and power of
arms. But the awakened and bounding patriotism of the American people
proves that they have reckoned without their host. Henceforth it is
evident that all party divisions are to be forgotten. The question
whether our Government has a right to exist towers above all
others. The only issue is to be between patriots and traitors; and all
men must range themselves under the reptile flag of disunion, or the
resplendent stars and stripes, every thread of which has been
consecrated by the blood of heroes who lived and died under its folds.
There can be no neutrals in this struggle. He who is not for the
American Union, American Constitution and the American Flag, against
treason and rebellion, against perfidy and revolution, against the
architects of ruin and the inaugurators of civil war, are in
sympathy with the traitors, and will be known as the Cow-Boys of
1861, who, like the Cow-Boys of the Revolution, will be regarded in
history as lower than the enemies whom they aided and abetted.
While, with all loyal men, the motto, 'God and our country,' will unite
them as with one heart and soul, for the stern duties of the impending
contest."
On Monday night,
April 15, 1861, on a few hours' notice, the court
house at South Bend was crowded with a mass of voters, irrespective of
party, who hailed this opportunity of showing their determination to
stand by the Government, the Union and the Constitution. John A.
Hendricks, president, A. E. Drapier, editor of the Forum, and Judge
Robertson, were made vice presidents; E. E. Ames, E. R. Farnum and W.
H. Drapier, secretaries. Boyne's Cornet Band played the soul stirring
National airs which our fathers loved so well. Speeches were made
eliciting the heartiest' applause, by Messrs. Hendricks, Colfax,
Drapier, Miller, George, Anderson, Lynch and Revs. Reed and Moore. A
Volunteer Aid Association was organized to equip the company, to be
formed at once, and to assist in the support of their families while
they were absent, and a committee to solicit subscriptions.
At Mishawaka, the
same night, a large and enthusiastic meeting was
held, presided over by George Milburn. Patriotic speeches were made by
Milburn, Niles, Merrifield, Cowles, Hurlbut, Butter worth, Thomas,
Fuller, Judson and Minzie.
A second meeting
was held at South Bend on Friday evening, April 19, at
which the following committees were appointed to solicit and collect
subscriptions to aid in forming and equipping volunteer companies, and
to provide for the families of such volunteers as may need assistance:
Green
Township-Jackson Green, Daniel Green, Thomas L. Holloway.
Clay.-T. P.
Bulla, G. E. Benton,
Jacob Eaton.
German.-J. F.
Ullery, Reuben Dunn, A.
J. Hatfield.
Olive.-J. H.
Service, T. J. Garoutte,
John Reynolds.
Warren.-J. E.
Mikesell, Goble Brown,
William Crann.
Liberty.-G. H.
Loring, C W. M.
Stevens, Samuel Loring.
Union.-John
Jackson, John Moon, C. J.
Turner.
Centre.-Edwin
Picket!, D. R. Leeper,
John Rush.
The foregoing
committees were instructed to report their proceedings
to the Disbursing Committee of Portage township, consisting of the
following named persons: Isaac Ford, E.V. Clark, Joseph H. Massey, S.
L.
Cottrell, J. T. Liudsey, J. W. Chess and Caspar Rochstroch.
On Monday, April
23, a meeting was
held at the court-house, presided
over by Norman Eddy, which resolved to forthwith form a military
organization composed of citizens over the age of forty five years, to
arm themselves, and be drilled and held in readiness for duty. In a few
minutes upward of 80 names were obtained to the pledge. The company at
once elected their officers, as follows: S. L. Cottrell, Captain; Jacob
Hardman, First Lieutenant; E. C. Johnson, Second Lieutenant; A. A.
Webster, Third Lieutenant. The subordinate officers were then
appointed. In the afternoon the company paraded for drill, and marched
to the depot, where they saluted the Elkhart Volunteers, who were on
the train bound to Indianapolis. This movement was headed by the best
men in South Bend, and such was the ardor and enthusiasm manifested,
that a number of the most venerable citizens, those who served in the
war of 1812 and the various Indian wars, pressed forward with
eagerness to join the ranks and tender their services again to
their country.
The first company
was soon raised in
response to the call of the
President and Governor, and left South Bend for the rendezvous at
Indianapolis on Friday, April 19, 1861, being the first volunteer
company from Northern Indiana to take up its line of march. An immense
crowd assembled at the depot, and eloquent and patriotic speeches were
made by Rev. J. C. Reed and Schuyler Colfax. Many were the tears shed
by fond mothers and loving wives as they bid farewell to the
loved ones whom they might never press to their
hearts again. But
there was not one of all that
number who would have had any one of the departing boys turn back.
For four long
years the organization
of new companies and enlistment of
men for old companies, whose ranks had been decimated by disease
and rebel bullets, was carried on. Gray headed men who had almost
reached three-score years and ten, and boys not yet out of their teens,
went to the camp, and through the most urgent solicitation, were
accepted and sworn into the service. Neither age nor youth kept them
back, and when rejected from either cause, or from physical inability,
would insist on being received, believing themselves as capable of
doing a soldier's duty as thousands who had already gone. More than two
thousand of as brave men as ever handled a musket or drew a sword went
out from this county, many, very many, never to return again. If one
goes to the battle-fields of the South, he will see how these fell at
Donelson, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga,
Chickamauga, Atlanta, Vickshurg, and other places, those who were the
pride of fond fathers, loving mothers, and unselfish, devoted wives. He
will see them dropping off, one by one, and often, without coffin or
burial shroud, thrown into the cold ground, there to await the
resurrection morn, and the re-union upon the other side of the River of
Death. In many a home throughout the county will be found the vacant
chair, and where you will see the mournful look of those ever
watching for one that cometh not. Upon the streets, day by day, will be
met those wearing sleeveless garments, or walking in a way that tells
too plainly the sound of the footfall is not made by flesh and blood.
Inquire the reason and it will be learned that while charging the
enemies' lines at Vicksburg, Skiloh, or elsewhere, a cannon ball
deprived them of a limb. But no word of complaint is heard, the only
regret expressed being that it was not possible to do more for their
country.
The first company,
as already stated,
to go from this county to the
tented field left South Bend in less than one week after the surrender
of Port Sumter. It became part of the 9th Regiment Indiana Volunteers,
the muster roll of which will be found elsewhere in this work,
accompanied by a historical sketch of the regiment. Among other
regiments formed in part of St. Joseph county men were the 15th, 29th,
35th, 48th, 73d, 87th, 99th, 128th, 138th and 155th Infantry, 4th and
12th Cavalry and 21st Battery, historical sketches of which are given
where a full company is represented from the county. In the perusal of
these sketches it will be seen that one and all bore an honorable part.
The honor of Indiana was felt to be at stake by these brave men. The
stigma cast upon the State by reason of the course of one of its
regiments at the battle of Buena
In 1860, when some
of the Southern leaders threatened a
dissolution of the Union in the event of the election of Abraham
Lincoln to the Presidency, there were very few men in the North
who believed they were in earnest. In consequence of the division in
the Democratic party, the election of Lincoln was an easy matter. In
pursuance of their threat, one after another of the Southern States to
the number of twelve passed acts of secession, and organized an
independent government under the name of the "Confederate States
of America."
Abraham Lincoln
took the oath of office as President of the United
States on the 4th of March, 1861, and immediately took steps to
strengthen the Government. Already the rebels were making preparations
for the capture of Fort Sumter, then occupied by the gallant Major
Anderson and a handful of men. On the 12th day of April, after first
demanding its surrender, the rebels opened fire upon the fort. The
first shot sent an electric thrill through every loyal heart in the
North, and immediately the cry went up for vengeance. The news of the
fall of Sumter was received on Sunday morning, April 14. On that day
the loyal people of the United States abandoned the field of argument
and ceased to discuss measures and plans for the peaceable
restoration of the national authority in the revolted States, and with
singular unanimity and determination accepted the issue of war as the
only means left to save and perpetuate the National existence and the
priceless liberties so long enjoyed
.
On the morning of the 15th the telegraph bore the following message
from
Governor Morton to President Lincoln at Washington :
Executive Department of Indiana,
Indianapolis, April 15,1861.
To Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United, States:
On behalf of the State of Indiana I
tender to you, for the defense of
the Nation,
and to uphold the authority of the Government, ten
thousand men.
The same day the
President issued his proclamation calling for the
militia of the several States of the Union, to the number of
seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress the Rebellion and cause the
laws to be duly executed.The quota of Indiana was
subsequently fixed by the Secretary of War at six regiments of
infantry, or riflemen, comprising, in officers and men, 4,683, to serve
for a period of three months unless sooner
discharged. Instructions were issued in general
orders by the Adjutant-General of the State, for the formation of
companies; the several military departments were speedily organized for
business, and all available measures taken to fill the quota with the
least possible delay. In the meantime, every
class of «ithe community manifested the wildest enthusiasm
and most intense excitement. Public meetings to
facilitate the formation of companies, and to give expression to
the sentiments of the people touching their duty in the pending
crisis, were held in every city, town and neighborhood, and an ardent
and unquenchable military spirit was at once aroused that bid fair
to embrace in its sweep every able-bodied man in the
State.The day after the call was made five hundred
men were in camp, and the Governor, apprehensive (as was the whole
country at the time) that an effort would be made by the rebels to take
possession of the Federal capital, proposed to send forward half a
regiment if required, although unable to furnish the necessary arms and
equipments. Receiving no reply to this offer from the War Department,
it was renewed the day following, and the number increased to one
thousand men. By the 19th—three days after the
call—there were 2,400 men in camp, and arrivals continued by every
train. So rapidly did volunteering proceed, in less
than seven days more than 12,000 men, or nearly three times the quota
required, had been tendered. Contests to secure the acceptance of
companies were earnest and frequent. The question was
not "Who will go?" but, "Who will be allowed to go?" In many cases
companies came forward without orders, or rather in
defiance of orders, in the hope that they could be received, or that a
second call would at once be made, and frequently their enlistment
rolls contained twice, and even thrice, the number of names
required. Hundreds who were "unable to get into
companies at home, came singly and in squads to the general rendezvous
on their own responsibility, and, by combining with others in
like condition, and with fragments of companies having a surplus,
formed new companies and joined in the clamor for
acceptance. The response was as gratifying as it
was universal, and left no doubt as to the entire and lasting
devotion of Indiana to the fortunes of the Union. Like the sun-light
the " war fever " permeated every
locality. The " Old Flag " at once became sacred and
was proudly displayed in every breeze from the highest peaks of
churches, school-houses and private dwellings. The
presentation of a stand of National colors by patriotic ladies to
each company was rarely omitted, and, wherever practicable, brass
bands were provided to escort them to the general camp.
The excitement in
South "Bend, Mishawaka, and, in fact, all parts of
the county was intense. Says a local writer: "South Carolina has
courted the glory of lighting the torch of civil war. Forbearance
on the part of the Government almost to the extreme of
humiliation, has been met with arrogance and insult; until, unable
to force the United States into any act of bloodshed and violence which
they could make a pretext for their act, they have most wickedly
precipitated the Republic into war. They have opened the fire of their
murderous batteries upon the flag which Washington loved, and
which Jackson, Scott and Taylor illuminated with so many glorious
trium—a parricidal act as infamous as the ruffian who aims a
death-blow at the mother who has borne and nurtured him. They have
trampled the Constitution and the laws which they have sworn to
support, under their feet, and they avow their purpose to overthrow the
Government which they can no longer rule, by the force and power of
arms. But the awakened and bounding patriotism of the American people
proves that they have reckoned without their host. Henceforth it is
evident that all party divisions are to be forgotten. The question
whether our Government has a right to exist towers above all
others. The only issue is to be between patriots and traitors; and all
men must range themselves under the reptile flag of disunion, or the
resplendent stars and stripes, every thread of which has been
consecrated by the blood of heroes who lived and died under its folds.
There can be no neutrals in this struggle. He who is not for the
American Union, American Constitution and the American Flag, against
treason and rebellion, against perfidy and revolution, against the
architects of ruin and the inaugurators of civil war, are in
sympathy with the traitors, and will be known as the Cow-Boys of
1861, who, like the Cow-Boys of the Revolution, will be regarded in
history as lower than the enemies whom they aided and abetted.
While, with all loyal men, the motto, 'God and our country,' will unite
them as with one heart and soul, for the stern duties of the impending
contest."
On Monday night,
April 15, 1861, on a few hours' notice, the court
house at South Bend was crowded with a mass of voters, irrespective of
party, who hailed this opportunity of showing their determination to
stand by the Government, the Union and the Constitution. John A.
Hendricks, president, A. E. Drapier, editor of the Forum, and Judge
Robertson, were made vice-presidents; E. E. Ames, E. R. Farnum and W.
H. Drapier, secretaries. Boyne's Cornet Band played the soul-stirring
National airs which our fathers loved so well. Speeches were made
eliciting the heartiest' applause, by Messrs. Hendricks, Colfax,
Drapier, Miller, George, Anderson, Lynch and Revs. Reed and Moore. A
Volunteer Aid Association was organized to equip the company, to be
formed at once, and to assist in the support of their families while
they were absent, and a committee to solicit subscriptions.
At Mishawaka, the
same night, a large and enthusiastic meeting was
held, presided over by George Milburn. Patriotic speeches were made by
Milburn, Niles, Merrifield, Cowles, Hurlbut, But-terworth, Thomas,
Fuller, Judson and Minzie.
A second meeting
was held at South Bend on Friday evening, April 19, at
which the following committees were appointed to solicit and collect
subscriptions to aid in forming and equipping volunteer companies, and
to provide for the families of such volunteers as may need assistance:
Green
Township.—Jackson G-reeu, Daniel Green, Thomas L. Holloway.
Clay.—T. P. Bulla, G. E. Benton,
Jacob Eaton.
German.—J. F. Ullery, Reuben Dunn, A.
J. Hatfield.
Olive.—J. H. Service, T. J. Garoutte,
John Reynolds.
Warren.—J. E. Mikesell, Goble Brown,
William Crann.
Liberty.—G. H. Loring, C W. M.
Stevens, Samuel Loring.
Union.—John Jackson, John Moon, C. J.
Turner.
Centre.—Edwin Picket!, D. R. Leeper,
John Rush.
The foregoing
committees were instructed to report their proceedings
to the Disbursing Committee of Portage township, consisting of the
following named persons: Isaac Ford, E.V.Clark, Joseph H. Massey, S. L.
Cottrell, J. T. Liudsey, J. W. Chess and Caspar Rochstroch.
On Monday, April
23, a meeting was
held at the court-house, presided
over by Norman Eddy, which resolved to forthwith form a military
organization composed of citizens over the age of forty-five years, to
arm themselves, and be drilled and held in readiness for duty. In a few
minutes upward of 80 names were obtained to the pledge. The company at
once elected their officers, as follows: S. L. Cottrell, Captain; Jacob
Hardman, First Lieutenant; E. C. Johnson, Second Lieutenant; A. A.
Webster, Third Lieutenant. The subordinate officers were then
appointed. In the afternoon the company paraded for drill, and marched
to the depot, where they saluted the Elkhart Volunteers, who were on
the train bound to Indiauapolis. This movement was headed by the best
men in South Bend, and such was the ardor and enthusiasm manifested,
that a number.of the most venerable citizens, those who served in the
war of 1812 and the various Indian wars, pressed forward with
eagerness to join the ranks and tender their services again to
their country.
The first company
was soon raised in
response to the call of the
President and Governor, and left South Bend for the rendezvous at
Indianapolis on Friday, April 19, 1861, being the first volunteer
company from Northern Indiana to take up its line of march. An immense
crowd assembled at the depot, and eloquent and patriotic speeches were
made by Rev. J. C. Reed and Schuyler Colfax. Many were the tears shed
by fond mothers and loving wives as they bid farewell to the
loved ones whom they might never press to their
hearts again. But
there was not one of all that
number who would have had any one of the departing boys turn back.
For four long
years the organization
of new companies and enlistment of
men for old companies, whose ranks had been decimated by disease
and rebel bullets, was carried on. G-ray-headed men who had almost
reached three-score years and ten, and boys not yet out of their teens,
went to the camp, and through the most urgent solicitation, were
accepted and sworn into the service. Neither age nor youth kept them
back, and when rejected from either cause, or from physical inability,
would insist on being received, believing themselves as capable of
doing a soldier's duty as thousands who had already gone. More than two
thousand of as brave men as ever handled a musket or drew a sword went
out from this county, many, very many, never to return again. If one
goes to the battle-fields of the South, he will see how these fell at
Donelson, Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga,
Chickamauga, Atlanta, Yickshurg, and other places, those who were the
pride of fond fathers, loving mothers, and unselfish, devoted wives. He
will see them dropping off, one by one, and often, without coffin or
burial shroud, thrown into the cold ground, there to await the
resurrection morn, and the re-union upon the other side of the River of
Death. In many a home throughout the county will be found the vacant
chair, and where you will see the mournful look of those ever
watching for one that cometh not. Upon the streets, day by day, will be
met those wearing sleeveless garments, or walking in a way that tells
too plainly the sound of the footfall is not made by flesh and blood.
Inquire the reason and it will be learned that while charging the
enemies' lines at Vicksburg, Skiloh, or elsewhere, a cannon ball
deprived them of a limb. But no word of complaint is heard, the only
regret expressed being that it was not possible to do more for their
country.
The first company,
as already stated,
to go from this county to the
tented field left South Bend in less than one week after the surrender
of Port Sumter. It became part of the 9th Regiment Indiana Volunteers,
the muster roll of which will be found elsewhere in this work,
accompanied by a historical sketch of the regiment. Among other
regiments formed in part of St. Joseph county men were the 15th, 29th,
35th, 48th, 73d, 87th, 99th, 128th, 138th and 155th Infantry, 4th and
12th Cavalry and 21st Battery, historical sketches of which are given
where a full company is represented from the county. In the perusal of
these sketches it will be seen that one and all bore an honorable part.
The honor of Indiana was felt to be at stake by these brave men. The
stigma cast upon the State by reason of the course of one of its
regiments at the battle of Buena Vista was to he wiped out in blood. In
one of the battles, a Captain in the 10th Indiana Regiment placed
himself at the head of his company and said, "Remember Buena
Vista, boys. There's a stain upon our battle shield that must be wiped
out to-day." This incident was taken as a theme for a poem by Lieutenant A. B. Miller, of the
21st Battery, which reads as follows:
Remember Buena Vista!
Aye, Captain,
that we will; The world
shall know there's brave men left
In Indiana still.
The world shall
know there's willing hearts,
And willing hands
also,
To wipe from off our
battle shield
The stain of
Mexico.
Remember Buena
Vista!
Yes, Captain,
lead us on, Into the
thickest of the fight:
We'll show what
can be done. Although
the foemen double us,
Yet we will let
them know That
Hoosier boys have not forgot
The stain of
Mexico.
We were thinking
of it, Captain
(It was only
yesterday), That a little
skirmish now and then
Would not wash
that stain away; But
there must be a victory,
Glorious and
grand, you know, To wash
from off our battle shield
The stain of
Mexico.
Now, Captain,
lead us on,
And see what
manly stuff There is in
our rough natures—
We're Hoosiers,
that's enough. We're
Hoosiers, that's enough for us,
As all the world
will know; When they
see how tiger like we fight,
They'll not think
of Mexico.
Well, the fight
is over, Captain,'
And we have not
fought in vain; Many
a rebel over there
Will not see home
again. My "
Enfield " did her "duty well,
Laid many a
foemen low, For I had not
forgotten
The stain of
Mexico.
I drew the bead
on many forms
That I had known
of old, And saw them
drop down in their tracks
All bloody, stark
and cold. It
brought the tears into my eyes
To see them
falling so, But somehow I
could not forget
The stain of
Mexico.
And, Captain,
when you led us up
Before the rebel
rank, Each soldier
singled out his man
And fired his
shot, point-blank. The
rebels fell beneath our fire,
In a way that
wasn't slow; With rebel
blood we washed away
That stain of
Mexico.
There are many
hearts down yonder,
In sunny Southern
homes, Will mourn
the loss of loved ones,
With bitter tears
and groans. But
it'll be the same up North,
For here lies
friend as well as foe.
Thank God! we've washed away at
last
That
stain of Mexico.
"While the brave boys in the field
were doing their whole duty, the
patriotic men and women at home were not idle. Each and every one not
only felt it a duty, but a blessed privilege, to render all the aid in
their power to the families of the soldiers. During the four years of
the war but little actual suffering was experienced by any at home on
account of the absence of their natural protectors, who .were
serving their country. Fairs and festivals were held for the purpose of
obtaining sanitary supplies for those in the field, and Soldiers' Aid
Societies were continually investigating and relieving the wants of the
needy at home: