E 629 .F18 Copy 1 FALES SAMUEL BRADFORD FALES. / /o joo coiies ''ipnvately printed. Military Order, Loyal Legion, United States. COMMANDKRV OF THE StATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. (Constitution Extract.) "ARTICLE V. " Members. — The Members, or Companions, of this Order shall be of three (3) Classes: — 1st. "Commissioned Officers of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps — Regular and Volunteer, — who have been actually engaged in the suppression of the Rebellion, — whether as a Commissioned Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, or Enlisted man. The eldest male lineal descendants of deceased Companions of the First (ist) Class; and, in default of such issue, then of their collateral branches in the order of genealogical succession. 2d. "The eldest sons of living Companions of the First (ist) Class,, provided they be twenty-one (21) years of age. Upon the death of the Companion of the First (ist) Class, through whom eligibility of member- ship is derived, a Companion of the Second (2d) Class shall become a Companion of the First (ist) Class. 3d. "Gentlemen in civil life, who, during the Rebellion, have been specially distinguished for conspicuous and consistent loyalty to the National Government, and who have been active and eminent in main- taining the supremacy of the same." Samuel Bradford Fales is the son of Samuel Fales, of Boston, Massachusetts (deceased), who was a very higlily respected and successful merchant. On his father's side, he is descended from Nathaniel Fales, who emigrated from Wales to Boston in 1636 ; he is also a lineal descendant (the 7th) from William Bradford, one of the "Pilgrim Fathers," who crossed the Atlantic in the "May- flower," in 1620, and became Governor of Plymouth Colony in 1 62 1, retaining that office for a period of about thirty years. On his mother's side, he traces his descent from Doctor Otis, of Scituate, Mass., a cousin of James Otis of Revolutionary fame ; and also is descended from the Halyburtons, of Scotland, and claims an unbroken line from Sir Walter Halyburton, the son of David, the son of Tructe. David confirmed his father's donation of a church or chapel in 1207 {xnde Charter of Kelso, 239, 183, D. A private work by Sir Walter Scott, a descendant of the Halyburtons, called " The Memorials of the Halyburtons.") The Halyburtons were a very ancient and powerful family — great friends of the Black Douglass, of Scotland. RECORD. Samuel Bradford Fales, merchant;, was born in Boston (in Tre- mont St., opposite the Boston Common). He was educated at the Boston Latin School ; subsequently he entered Harvard College, in 1821, and graduated in 1825, afterwards studied medicine with Doc- tor Gorham, of Boston, discontinued his readings, and in 1832 went to Philadelphia, where he entered into the importing and commission business with Eliphalet Williams, under the firm name of Fales & Williams, at No. 102 Chestnut Street; the partnership expired in 1835, when he retired from mercantile pursuits. He next turned his attention to the fine arts and studied for a number of years, and commenced making a collection of choice engravings, paintings, &c. In 1857 he was elected a Director of the " Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts," and resigned that posi- tion in i860. On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he arrayed himself on the side of the government, and was one of the very first to look after the comfort and refreshment of our brave soldiers in their passage through the city of Philadelphia. On May 27th, 1861, he became a member of the Volunteer Refrediment Saloon (foot of Washington and Swanson Streets), afterwards called the "Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon." For over five years his entire time was devoted to the welfare and success of that institution. He was from the first elected and served as chairman^ all through the war, of the following committees, viz., of the Hospitals, Military Reception, Civic Reception, on the Building Committee, and on Records and Printing ; also, Corresponding Secretary and the General Financial Agent. In December, 1865, the saloon buildings were torn down and the committees' labors ceased. On October 25th, 1865, his associates of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon passed a series of resolutions, certifying to the prominent part he took in the great work. The committee in their engrossed resolutions, and also the soldiers, gave him the name of the "Soldiers' Friend." After this he returned to private life and devoted his time in adding to his gallery of art. During this time he was again sum- moned to feed and care for the soldiers. On September 29th, 1868, he called the committee together for the last time to feed the Boys in Blue, who visited Philadelphia at the time of the nomination of Gen- eral U. S. Grant, and at the National Hall, Market Street, the com- mittee furnished to them 27,000 meals in forty-eight hours, from October ist to the morning of the 3d, 1868. On August 29th, 1867, he was elected a Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and in 1868 to the Council of the Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania. He was re-elected October 8th, 1877, a Director of the Pennsylva- nia Academy of Fine Arts, but declined to serve. In October, 1879, '^^^ unanimously elected a Trustee of the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, by the Select Council of Philadelphia; he sent in his declination January 13th, DOCUMENTS APPENDED TO RECORD. "A" [From "Godey's Lady's Book," Philadelphia, April, 1867.] A FINISHED PICTURE OF PHILADELPHIA WOMEN. In our Table of last month we gave a photograph picture of the "Cooper Shop " charities during the late war. The noble deeds of the ladies, who there ministered to the soldiers, were only half told. It is necessary to see the counterpart, and have it delineated more minutely in order to show, adequately, the wonderful resources of our city, and the perfection of our voluntary benevolent system which, in this instance, for four long years, worked on, day and night (in Washington Avenue, which should be famous as the place of these charities), without pause, never lacking material means nor moral energies. The two Institutions, twin sisters in good deeds, we may well call them, will mark a memorable epoch in the history of this " city of Brotherly Love." UNION VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON. It may be that Philadelphians will glance almost with surprise at the heading of this article. Any further notice of this wonderful work, this mammoth labor of love, which must ever remain fresh in their memories, seems to be so little needed. And yet, whilst it can never be unwelcome to hear the praises sounded of an enterprise of which Hon. Edward Ever- ett well said : " It has given your city a new and most commanding title to her beautiful name," to those at a distance some facts connected with it may be new. On the arrival of the first regiment going to Washington, in April, 1 86 1, the citizens in the neighborhood contributed coffee and sandwiches, which were distributed to the soldiers from small tables hastily erected on the pavement, corner of Washington and Swanson Streets. This continued for a short time, but the necessity for concerted action was soon apparent, and the Union Volunteer Refreshment Committee was accordingly institu- ted on the 27th of May, 1861, and obtained a small building, originally a boat shop and rigger's loft, on the same corner where the tables had been placed. The saloon opened under the name of " The Volunteer Refreshment Saloon," and is so mentioned in the newspapers of the day, viz., The Press, The Inquirer, North American, Evening Bulletin and Harper s IVfekly. The present title was adopted in 1862. It went into operation May 27th, 1861, was finally closed December ist, 1865, and torn down January 2d, 1866, not even a mark left in any way to designate the spot. During this period, the receipts were estimated at about $130,000 in all, counting cash, sanitary stores, donations in provisions, etc. From this fund, more than a million of meals were provided, not only for the soldiers, either in service or discharged, but for sailors, refugees, freedmen and southern prisoners or deserters ; no one who claimed their hospitality ever being turned away. All this was done by the voluntary offerings of the people, day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year ; the committee receiving no aid whatever from City, State, or General Government, but on the contrary, even declining an appropria- tion from our City Councils, on the ground that the generous hearts, which had so long sustained this noble work, desired to do so until the end, " No cold, colossal contribution here Rears the tall shaft to stamp some brazen name, The nameless million pile their gifts sincere. Nor ask nor wish to call the action fame." The accommodations very soon proving insufficient, several additions to the building were made, until it covered a lot of ground 1 50 feet square, with a capacity to feed from ten to twelve hundred soldiers at one time, whilst the amplest facilities for washing, bathing, and writing letters were furnished ; the latter, a privilege eagerly welcomed and constantly used. The saloon was divided into dining-room, store-room, large apartment for cookery, and one or two smaller rooms. The walls of the dining-room were hung with very pretty paintings and engravings, in addition to which were suspended cards neatly printed with inscriptions, "Welcome to the brave volunteers," The city of Philadelphia invites you to her hospitality," etc., etc., etc. Truly it was a sight which no one who once looked upon it can ever forget ; to see hundreds of worn and wear}^ men welcomed, cheered, comforted, and tended by those earnest, brave-hearted men and women, who, utterly forgetful of self responded ever to the signal gun which called them to their post at any hour. Night or day, storm or sun- shine, it mattered not, there they were, faithful to the call of self-imposed duty. Woman's true influence was never more beautifully shown than in this place and in this work. Here did she find a fitting exercise for her only proper " Rights," and nobly did she use them in the most feminine II and womanly way. Here did she prove the comforter, consoler, and friend, offering not only material but moral aid. Countless despondent hearts, sad and suffering, have confessed that the extended hand, the kind word, the loving smile did fully as much, even more for them, than the physical refreshment so bountifully bestowed. The testimony of an officer in one of the Eastern regiments, on this point, is worthy of notice. He tells us that his regiment, principally com- posed of farmers' sons and unused to the temptations of a city life, had become much demoralized by being compelled to remain for some time in camp in New York, on the outskirts of the city. The camp was sur- rounded by low taverns ; the rations were poor and insufficient, and all the associations evil. The men became dispirited, sullen, and ready for desertion. Orders came to go to Philadelphia. They reached it, were marched direct to the "Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon," and received a warm welcome. The officer continues : " This, with the hearty shake of the hand, and the ample and delicious fare served up to us, put a new spirit in my men. Over and over again during our passage from Philadelphia, I heard remarks like this from one and another, 'Well, they showed there they did care for us, after all ! ' ' Weren't those nice, handsome ladies that helped us, there ? ' etc., etc." He also adds that the influence of that night's supper in preventing demoralization, and rousing the ambition and self-respect of the men, was wonderful. It would be an invidious as well as a most difficult task to select any one now living for words of praise from that noble httle band, but we surely have a right to speak of the dead — of her who gave her life as truly for her country as the bravest general whose memory is wreathed with the laurels of his country's love. We allude to Mrs. Eliza G. Plummer, whose untiring exertions and self-sacrificing devotion resulted in the illness which caused her death. At the beginning of the war, before hospital arrangements had been made, several soldiers were taken so ill in passing through this city, as to be unable to proceed, and in the despatch required to reach the seat of war, they were necessarily left unprovided for. Mrs. Plummer without hesitation came forward and received seven of them, into her own house, who were then ill with malignant typhoid fever, and nursed them back to health with the tenderest and most unremitting care. Such cases were too numerous to mentioru Ex uno disce om7ies. Four years and a half of such faithful, persistent, unfaltering labor, seeking no praise, claiming no reward, but going on quietly, unobtrusively and unostentatiously. Where, in the annals of the world, can this be paralleled ? We must be permitted a word as to the cooking department, which, though not under the charge of Professor Blot, might well have astonished him by its magnitude. The kitchen contained enormous boilers, for cooking meat and making coffee and tea sufficient for 15,000 men per day. Two barrels of liquid coffee (120 gallons) could be made at once, and five days' meat rations have been cooked in two hours for a thousand soldiers. Each regiment, upon an average, used seven barrels of liquid coffee, besides many gallons of tea. The bill of fare included beef, ham, vegetables, pickles, white bread, coffee, tea, cakes, and pies. On one occasion 7,000 men were furnished with food in twenty-eight hours. Two large hospitals were erected in addition to the original buildings, capable of accommodating about one hundred beds, with a commodious bath-house attached. 1 5,000 sick and wounded have been received and medically treated here, and 20,000 have had their wounds dressed, in transitu ; whilst over 50,000 troops have received temporary quarters either at the saloon, or at places procured for them by the Committee. We have said that the final closing of the Refreshment Saloon took place December ist, 1865. The two separate saloons, viz.: "The Union" and "Cooper Shop," were publicly closed August 28th, 1865, with appro- priate ceremonies at the Academy of Music, Whilst these very ceremo- nies were going on at one end of the city, 1,400 soldiers were knocking for admittance at the well-known quarters at the other end. The ladies connected with the saloon, who lived in the neighborhood, at once broke open the doors, resumed their old duties, and furnished them with the needed refreshment. The action of closing had been premature, owing to misinformation from some parties in authority, as to the number of returning troops. The Committee immediately met, resolved to re-open, passed resolutions to that effect, and notified the officers of the " Cooper Shop," requesting them to return to their work and co-operate as usual. This being declined, the Union Refreshment Saloon received, provided for, and entertained all the returning troops from August 28th, 1865, to December 1st, 1865, f"^l 30,000 men. This institution was the first that sent sanitary stores to Missouri, after the death of General Lyon. General Grossman (then Colonel) wrote to the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon to procure supplies for 13 the suffering soldiers. Two car loads, worth about $3,000, were instantly despatched, and this, in addition to the work going on at home. This was, of course, before the establishment of the Sanitary Commission. We sincerely regret that our very limited space prevents our doing justice to this subject. We are only able at present to give this little sketch, in the full confidence, however, that the time is not far distant, when we shall have a full and complete history of the whole work. Our city owes it to herself to demand such a record, and it should be done, whilst those most prominent in the work are still with us, and can bear their testimony to the facts. We have already lost one of the warmest, truest friends of the work, Rev. Dr. Brainerd, who, we are very sure, would have indorsed every word of praise which we have uttered, and borne willing witness to its truth, but his loss only proves that there should be no further delay. Such a history could be only completely and correctly written, by one — could he be persuaded to undertake the task — thoroughly cognizant of every fact from the inception of the work to its completion ; one, eminently fitted for the duty, as well by scholarly attainment, as by his noble, unceasing, untiring efforts for the cause, resigning ease, comforts, and the indulgence of a refined and cultivated taste, for the sake of the sick and suffering, or those who in any way needed aid or assistance. We need scarcely say, that we allude to Samuel B. Fales, Esq., whose name must ever be linked with that of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. " B." From the " Evening Bulletin," Philadelphia, January 29th, 1866. WELL-DESERVED TESTIMONL\L. There is now to be seen at Earle's a beautifully executed piece of penmanship, forming a testimonial presented to our townsman, Samuel B. Fales, Esq., by the Union Refreshment Committee, at the conclusion of their labors. It is a beautifully designed affair, comprising a view of the 14 Saloon and Hospital, an admirable medallion likeness of Mr. Fales, and several emblematic figures illustrating the work in which these patriotic citizens have so long been engaged. As a specimen of artistic penman- ship it is quite worth a visit to Earle's gallery. The following is the text of this tasteful affair : Whereas, The four and a half years of civil war in our land having been brought to an end ; the time will soon arrive when our services as Members of the Committee will be no longer required. We deem it our duty to place on record some testimonial to our fellow-associate, Samuel B. Fales, as the most prominent of the many gentlemen aiding us in fur- nishing Refreshments to the passing troops, and taking care of the sick and wounded soldiers. Therefore be it Resolved, That the cordial thanks of the Union Volunteer Refresh- ment Committee be tendered to Samuel B. Fales, for his disinterested support from our first organization, May 27th, 1861, to the present time ; for his sterling integrity and untiring energy in the performance of his duty as General Financial Agent, and for the good judgment exercised and dignity maintained in the performance of his duty as Corresponding Secretary from the time he became a member of our organization to this date. Resolved, That we ha\e always found Mr. Fales ready and prompt in the performance of every and all duties assigned him. That he has always had the interest of our saloon at heart. That he has been a constant friend to the soldier, whether sick, wounded or in health ; a true patriot and a steadfast supporter of his country in the darkest hour of her troubles. His valuable services not only entitle him to the warmest con- sideration of this Committee, but also to the thanks of this community and nation. Resolved, That an engrossed copy of these resolutions be prepared and presented to Samuel B. Fales, as a token of our regard and apprecia- tion of his worth. [Signed] — Arad Barrows, Chairman. [Signed] — Joseph B. Wade, Secretary. [Signed] — John B. Smith, W. S. Mason, Curtis Myers, Committee on Testimonials. Philadelphia, Oct. 25th, 1865. 15 "C." [From the " Evening Bulletin," Philadelphia, September i8th, 1868 ] FRAGMENT OF WAR HISTORY. The following correspondence explains itself. The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon of Philadelphia is a historical institution. More than a million meals were there furnished gratuitously to the brave defenders of the Union, and its noble band of faithful men and women is held in grateful remembrance in every corner of the country whither a loyal soldier returned from the war. The signal gun of the Refreshment Saloon, which for four years summoned the corps of willing attendants at. all hours of the day and night to the grateful duty of ministering to the weary, hungry, and some- times sick and dying soldier, now occupies an honorable place in the Trophy Room of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. And the column which has just been presented by the Government will stand as a lasting monu- ment, marking at once the patriotism of the brave men who sleep in the cemetery lot of the Refreshment Saloon, and the loving devotion of the true-hearted men and women who paid the last sad offices of kindness to them. The community is indebted to Samuel B. Fales, Esci., for his untiring exertions in every department of the operations of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, from the beginning of its career down to the pro- curing of this monumental marble to mark its close. Senator Cattell and Representative O'Neill have also given their cordial aid in promotion of the patriotic design of the officers of the institution. "Philadelphia, October 17th, i%6j.— Hon. Hugh McCuIloch, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington. — Dear Sir : — Upon the final closing of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, foot of Washington and Swanson streets—December ist, 1865 — I was elected chairman of a committee for erecting a monument to the brave soldiers who died in our hospitals, and whose remains have been interred in our cemetery lot. Every dollar, and all sanitary stores, provisions, &c., collected by contri- butions for the soldiers were expended on them either in the form of i6 refreshments or in our hospitals, and our present limited amount of cash for the monument to be erected, was realized from the sale of the building materials of the Saloon, and is not sufficient for the purpose. Having heard that the United States Government intended to present to some of the States the marble columns which formerly decorated the porch of the Pennsylvania Bank (in Second, near Dock street), I have been requested by the Committee of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon to ask (in case they are given away) that one of them may be presented to their institution, to serve as a monument to the brave soldiers who have died in their hospitals, and who have laid down their lives that their country might live ; the greatest and bravest general who lost his life on the battle-field did no more. Our Committee deem it their duty to preserve the name and memory of these loyal men in the form of a monument, if possible, and the gift of one of these columns for this purpose will mate- rially assist us, and at the same time be gratefully acknowledged. " 1 remain very respectfully yours, "Samuel B. Fales, " Chairman of the Monument Committee, and Corresponding Secretary of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon." " D. fKrom the " Evening Transcript," Boston. September 24th, 1868.] ONE OF THE NOBLEST INSTITUTIONS OF THE WAR was the Union Volunteer Refreshment Room of Philadelphia. Its Cor- responding Secretary is — for the organization has not been dissolved — Samuel B. Fales, a native of Boston, and a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1825. To him, the Philadelphia Bulletin says. 17 "Tlie community is indebted for his untiring exertions in every department of the operations of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, from the beginning of its career down to the procuring of this monumen- tal marble to mark its close. " That journal also states that "The signal gun of the Refreshment Saloon, which for four years summoned the corps of willing attendants, at all hours of the day and night, to the grateful duty of ministering to the weary, hungry and some- times sick and dying soldier, now occupies an honorable place in the Trophy Room of the Philadelphia Navy Yard. And the column which has just been presented to the Government will stand as a lasting monu- ment, marking at once the patriotism of the brave men who sleep in the cemetery lot of the Refreshment Saloon, and the loving devotion of the true-hearted men and women who paid the last sad offices of kindness to them. " The reference to the monument is explained by the following letter, which we copy entire, because it tells in brief the story of the benevolent, devoted patriotism to whose efficient succor and kindness thousands of our veterans and other loyal soldiers can gratefully bear witness; — a story that should be written in golden letters, and never allowed to fade from the memory of those who honor the heroes who fought for the nation's life, and those who were ready to strengthen them for the contest, ministering to their comfort, lessening their hardships, and caring for them when sick or wounded, with a home-like solicitude and tenderness. Philadelphia, October 17th, 1867. A. B. Mullett, Esq., Supervising Archifecf, Treasury Department : Sir : — I have made application to the Hon. Hugh B. McCulloch, Sec- retary of the Treasury, as chairman of the Monument Committee, and Corresponding Secretary of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, for the donation of one of the marble columns of the Pennsylvania Bank (in Second street, Philadelphia), to be used as a monument for the brave sol- diers who have been interred in our cemetery lot. This application is made by me in my official capacity, and fully approved and indorsed by the committee, who think that they can make this request with great pro- priety, from the fact that from the first call for troops at the commence- ment of the civil war until the last soldier had returned, our institution was a free hotel for all soldiers, whether sick, wounded, hungry, on their march, discharged or in our hospitals ; the committee have always received, refreshed and provided for the United States sailors, freedmen, refugees, contrabands and rebel deserters, and have endeavored to co-op- erate with and assist the United States Government from the first ; and although they received no compensation for their services, have always cheerfully met and responded to every requirement and all demands on their time and means. At the commencement of this rebellion, and before the United States Government could make the necessary and much needed provision for the care and refreshment of our brave defenders, as far back as May 27th, 1861, the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon sprang into existence. It was the first organization in the field in Philadelphia in the cause of patri- otism and Christian philanthropy, and was got up expressly to assist the Government, and to provide (as far as in their power) for the recep- tion, entertainment and comfort of the soldiers. At that time everything was new and crude to the generality of the officers and soldiers, their rations were imperfectly and improperly cooked, and there were no regu- lar military hospitals. We gave them good and nourishing food, and tried to alleviate their hardships and discomforts ; and our ladies received and nursed at their own houses over seventy sick soldiers. We claim to have created the first military hospital in Philadelphia, at the foot of Washington and Swanson streets, at the very commencement of our national troubles, for the reception of the sick and suffering men. Our Committee for over four and a half continued years have faithfully devo- ted themselves to their assumed work, and our Ladies' Committee, as the late Rev. Dr. Thomas Brainerd truly and justly said, " literally during that time slept at the tap of the drum." We can further state, and it has been admitted by officers in the United States service, that we have often saved the troops from demoralization ; that the pleasant smile of welcome, the hearty grasp of the hand, and the full appreciation of their services and sacrifices (which money could not purchase), have proved to them that they were " cared for," and has cheered them on in their rugged pathway of duty. In conclusion, we can say that the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon was entirely sustained by the voluntary contributions of the citi- zens of Philadelphia and vicinity, and received no aid or assistance from the City or State authorities, or from the United States Government ; and, 19 without being considered as boasting or vain-glorious, can fearlessly assert that we have assisted the United States Government in the care of our soldiers, «&:c., added honor to the State of Pennsylvania, and that as long as Philadelphia exists as a city, so long, we believe, will her name be cherished and gratefully remembered in connection with her Volunteer Refreshment Saloons. Therefore, I have no hesitation in making this request of the Government, on behalf of the Committee of the Union Volunteet Refreshment Saloon, for it is really a very small boon in return for the services rendered by them. I have given you the foregoing facts and statements with regard to the operations of our Institution, which now, having become a matter of history, you are no doubt fully conversant with. Any assistance you can render us by endorsing our request for one of the marble columns for our proposed monument will be duly appreciated by the Committee, and at the same time greatly oblige Yours, very respectfully, [Signed] Samuel B. Fales, Chairman, &c. "E. The following letter was sent with a beautiful copy of L, P. Brockett's book, entitled "Woman's Work in the Civil War," published in Philadelphia in 1867. •• Will Mr. Fales please accept the accompanying volume as a slight token of the esteem of the author for his love of art, his intense patriotism, and his unwearied devotion, during four and a half years of war, to our national defenders. To his kind and protracted researches the volume owes its record of the labors of those noble women who never wearied in serving our gallant soldiers in the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, the hospital, or the battle-field. " That a hfe which has been so conspicuous an example of ' The True, the Beautiful and the Good,' may be long preserved to bless the world, is the earnest wish and hope of his sincere friend, " L. P. Brockett." Brooklyn, N. Y.. June nth, 1867. '0 013 "744 359 4 f