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 Vincent Colter's 
 REPORT 
 
 TO THE 
 
 UNION LEAGUE CLUB, 
 
 ^ ON THE 
 
 RECEPTION AND CARE 
 
 IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SOLDIERS 
 
 Returning from the War. 
 
TJisrioisr LE^auE club 
 
 OF NEW YORK 
 
 REPORT 
 
 OF 
 
 VINCENT COLTER 
 
 ON THE 
 
 RECEPTJOI AND CARE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SOLDIERS RETURNING 
 
 FROM THE WAR. 
 
 P R E S K IV T E n S »•'. P T K I»I li F, R I 4 f h , I 8 H 5 . 
 
 oij"cj:o-£3:oxjse, iJisriojsr sqtj.a.i=le. 
 No. 26 East Seventeenth Street. 
 
 18(i5. 
 
At the regular monthly meeting of the Club for September, Vice- 
 President Peter Coopkr, Es(|., in tiie chair. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Jackson S. Schultz, of the committee appointed 
 to care for the returning soldiers, Mr. Vincent Colyer was called 
 upon to read a report of his work as State Agent, with which the 
 committee had co-operated. 
 
 After the report had been read, John Jay, Esq., offered the follow- 
 ing resolution, which was unanimously adopted : 
 
 "Besolved, That this club has listened with great interest to the statistics of Col- 
 onel Colter's report, and return their sincere thanks to Colonel Colter for 
 the vigilant fidelity and admirable management with which he has fulfilled 
 the duties of state agent, and expended the funds supplied by the liberality 
 of our citizens in welcoming our returned soldiers.' ' 
 
 On motion of Mr. J. Cabot Ward, it was resolved that Mr. Col- 
 yer'.s report be accepted, and printed for the use of the members. 
 
 
 O. A. Whitkhobnb, Pbiktbb, 119 Fultom and 42 Amm Sts 
 
REPORT. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 Through the earnest recommendation of the Union League 
 Club, with letters from Young Men's Republican Union, 
 Artists' Fund Society, Lieut.-General Winfield Scott, Major 
 Generals Burnside, Foster and McClellan, Hon. Roscoe 
 Conckling, Horace Greeley, Benj. F. Manierre, Rev. Stephen 
 H. Tyng, D. D., Henry Ward Beecher, George WilHam Curtis, 
 Sydney A. Gay, and others, I was appointed by His Excellency, 
 Superintendent of the New York States Soldiers' Depot in 
 New York City. 
 
 Organization of Institution. 
 
 This institution was established in May, 1863, under an act 
 of the Legislature of that year, renewed in 1865, to provide for 
 the sick, disabled, discharged, or furloughed soldiers of the 
 State of New York ; and was intended as a temporary home or 
 lodging place, for soldiers passing through, or remaining in the 
 city. The U. S. Government, after witnessing its successful 
 working, agreed to furnish rations, ambulance conveyance to 
 and from the Depot, with stores and furniture for the Hospital ; 
 on condition that the soldiers of the United States, from any 
 State in the Union, should be cared for. This was cheerfully 
 acceeded to, and so the Depot provided for the Union Soldiers 
 from all the States. 
 
 Description of Depot. 
 
 The Depot is located 50 and 52 Howard, corner of Mercer 
 Street. There are two buildings, forming the letter L. On 
 the Howard Street side, in the basement, is a spacious kitchen, 
 with provision and meat vault. Care is taken to keep this 
 
place as clean as an establishment of this sort can be, and 
 there is not the least offensive smell arising from either the 
 cooking-ranges or the vaults beneath the sidewalk, where the 
 meat, etc., is kept. It is well lighted, and a gradual current of 
 air is permitted to pass in through gratings upon tlie outside. 
 On the next floor, level with the sidewalk, is the dining- 
 room, containing the usual long tables, plate-pantry, carving- 
 room, etc. There are two sets of cooks and waiters, who go 
 on duty, day and night and Soldiers arriving here at midnight 
 are thus sure oi' a good meal, besides a good bed in which to 
 sleep. 
 
 On the second floor is the Superintendent's office, the reading- 
 room and library. The vv-alls of this large room (50 by 80 feet) 
 are decorated with oil paintings, choice engravings, mostly 
 representing some incident or battle scene of the war ; Avhile 
 vases with gold fish ; flowers in pots ; canary birds, etc., enliven 
 the scene and give it a home like look. This floor is also occu- 
 pied Sundays for religious purposes, when it is formed into a 
 chapel by the introduction of a movable pulpit. On every 
 Sabbath afternoon, a large audience usually assembles here, 
 both of soldiers and civilians. 
 
 On the third floor is the general sleeping-chamber, containing 
 ninety beds, all as clean and comfortable as possible. 
 
 Above this, on the fourth floor, is situated the hospital, and 
 adjoining it the doctor's office. The soldiers here are well 
 cared for — experienced nurses being close to the bed-side of 
 each. The room is kept cool, and a gentle current of air 
 allowed to pass in and out. There are likewise ninety beds in 
 this apartment. 
 
 On the top floor, called the dormitory, although not so in the 
 literal meaning of that word, are upward of sixty more beds, 
 a laundry, store-room, station-agent's room, etc. 
 
 On the Mei'ccr-street side, which is at present the entrance 
 for the soldi(;rs, wc find a desk with railing in front. Here 
 there is always a station-agent, who gives such infoimation as 
 those in uniform may ask ; makes them ac([uainted with the 
 time of arrival and departure of railway-trains, steamboats, etc. 
 It is the duty of this agent to be at the rail road and steamboat 
 stations on tlie arrival ol" every important train, to conduct the 
 
soldiers to the Depot and protect them from the sharpers. 
 When a soldier makes his way to the building, he goes to a 
 small office, just back of this station-agents' desk, gives his 
 name, company and regiment. He next passes his baggage 
 into the window of an adjoining room, and receives a check 
 therefor. After this is done — and it does not occupy but a 
 few seconds of time — the soldier files off into a bath and wash 
 room, with barber's shop, water-closets, etc., attached. Here 
 he refreshes himself, and at leisure can walk up stairs to read 
 or rest, and go to bed if he chooses, or pass out into the dining- 
 room, and get a good hearty meal. If he is sick and wounded, 
 he is carried on a hoistway platform, comfortably seated in a 
 chair, direct to the hospital on the fourth floor.. 
 
 The soldiers are all furnished with meals, lodgings 
 medical attendance, and ambulance conveyance, at all times, 
 free of charge, upon presentation of their furlough, or discharge 
 papers. All that is required of those domiciled here, is 
 good behavior. They are, for the time being, guests of the 
 State of New York. No loud noise, quarreling or profane 
 language, is allowed. 
 
 Reforms Introduced. 
 
 On commencing my duties as Superintendent, the con- 
 tractor for the Ambulance Conveyance, Me. James E. Libbey, 
 was to receive twenty five cents, for each disabled soldier 
 carried, and none other than " sick, or disabled," were 
 allowed to ride, by the Government contract ; the Superin- 
 tendent's certificate, under oath, being the voucher required. 
 Many of the soldiers, as soon as they learned what it was that 
 entitled them to a ride, became suddenly " sick " as soon as 
 they saw the Ambulance, and on their arrival at the Depot it 
 was found that the ride had effected a marvelous cure, and 
 they got well immediately. Confining the privilege to those 
 only who were disabled, before they saw the ambulance, it was 
 found that the number left was so small that Mr. Libbey declared 
 it would not pay, and gave up the contract. Brevet-Brig.- 
 General Van Vlibt, the Quartermaster in chief, for the De- 
 partment, being applied to in the emergency, supplied a vehicle 
 
with which the most of the sick were cared for, and hacks were 
 hired for the rest, at a great saving to the Government. 
 
 Sohliers, on their arrival, were given a ticket of leave to 
 stay, the time fixed by their own statement of reasons therefor. 
 This ticket, shown to the steward in charge of Dormitory on 
 retiring to rest, entitled the soldier to a bed ; and to the Com- 
 missary Clerk in the dining hall, to a meal. The meals were 
 furnished by contract by Mr. S. 0. Baker, and were of a quality 
 superior to those furnished by most " army contractors." The 
 accounts of Mr. Baker were made up from the time as stated 
 on the books of the receiving clerks, corresponding with that 
 marked on these tickets held by the soldiers. 
 
 As many of the soldiers visited their homes, or dined at their 
 own expense, the contractors, by this arrangement, received 
 credit, and the Government paid for many meals never served. 
 I changed this, and a meal ticket was furnished the soldier and 
 given up to the contractor as a voucher, for each meal. This 
 largely reduced the commissary's account against the govern- 
 ment. 
 
 In these meal tickets were printed the words — " All soldiers, 
 while in this house, are the guests of the State and should be 
 treated, and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly." 
 
 Sabbath Services. 
 
 The services on Sunday had been conducted during the first 
 six months of the establishment of the Depot, by the New 
 York Young Men's Christian Association, without cost to the 
 State. As Chairman of the Army Committee of that Society, 
 these meetings were under my charge. Believing the war for 
 the suppression of the rebellion to be a righteous and just one, 
 and that slavery, the cause of the rebellion, was a crime both 
 against God and man, our prayers were always hearty both for 
 the success of our armies and the liberation of the oppressed. 
 At the end of these six months, on coming to conduct these 
 services one Sunday afternoon in November, 1863, the organist 
 and singers all being present, our labors were summarily 
 brought to a close, by our finding the desk occupied by 
 another speaker and the singing conducted by other voices. 
 
no notice of any sort having been sent to us of the change. 
 An apology was afterwards sent to the society for this change, 
 and the meetings were, from that time forward, conducted 
 by a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church. This 
 gentleman continued the services thereafter, with great 
 acceptance to his friends, up to the time of my appointment, 
 but, as the soldiers, for whose benefit the institution was found- 
 ed, and these meetings were established, belonged to different 
 religious sects and denominations, I thought it more consistent 
 with iair dealing, that the pulpit should be thrown open to 
 the pastors of the various churches, and for this reason on my 
 appointment as Superintendent, I w^'ote a note to this gentle. 
 mai], briefly notifying him of the changes in the conduct 
 of the meetings, and I again restored them to the super- 
 vision of the Young Men's Christian Association of this city, 
 taking care to see that none but loyal and patriotic clergymen 
 should fill the speaker's desk. A petition signed by some ten or 
 fifteen city pastors, on behalf of the gentleman, having been 
 laid before His Excellency, at his request I took the Sabbath 
 meetings out of the hands of the Young Men's Association, and 
 invited the different clergymen directly in the name of the 
 Governor. 
 
 The following is the list of clergymen, and the denominations to 
 which they belonged, who preached in response to this invita- 
 tion ; and among them will be found the names of some of the 
 most patriotic and eloquent of the pulpit orators of this 
 country. They received no pay, and the only cost to the State 
 was a trifling sum for carriage hire and for a brief advertise- 
 ment. I desire here humbly to record my gratitude to those 
 reverend gentlemen for their distinguished services. The 
 large hall was usually filled with soldiers and crowds of citizens, 
 who, attracted by the fame of the speakers, were profited by 
 these discourses, and made acquainted with the Institution. 
 
 March 10, Rev. Howard Crosby, D. D. 
 " 17, Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D.D., Episcopal. 
 26, " T. Rawlston Smith, Presbyterian. 
 April 2, " W. E. Smith, Methodist. 
 
 9, " Mancius S. Hutton, D. D., Dutch Reformed. 
 
April 16, " H. G. Weston, D. D., Baptist. 
 
 19, Burial Service on death of President, Rev. W. 
 
 Hawkins, Episcopal. 
 2;}, Rev. Alexander H. Vinton, D. I)., Episcopal. 
 30, •' W. G. Hawkins, Episcopal. 
 May 7, " Dr. Burchard, Presbyterian. 
 14, " Sydney A. Corey, Baptist. 
 21, " H. G. Fox, Methodist. 
 28, " E. N. Chapin, I). I)., Universalist. 
 .Im.c 1,' Fast day for death of President. Stephen H.^ 
 Tyng,"d. I). Sermon, " Victory and Re-Union." 
 " 4, Rev. T. Bottoms, Methodist. 
 
 11, " Mathew Hale Smith, D. D. 
 " 18, " Mr. Stephenson, Missionary. 
 
 25, •' S. Williams, of Ohio, Presbyterian, 
 .luly 2, " C. J. Warren, Methodist. 
 •.), " C. J. Warren, Methodist. 
 " 16, " L. H. King, Methodist. 
 " 23, '■ E. Richardson, Chaplain U. S. A. 
 " 30, " R. H. Bourne, Chaplain City Prison. 
 " 30, " Mr. John Cochran, Layman. 
 Aug-. 6, " W. H. Garland, Chaplain U. S. A. 
 " 20, " Mr. Lockwood, Methodist. 
 
 The Choir, which was a very fine one, also gave their 
 services gratuitously, and the soldiers will long remember witli 
 gratitude, Mrs. Mary McComber, Miss Urania McComber, Mr. 
 Johnson, and Mr. Tibballs. 
 
 A bible class, conducted by the superintendent, at which 
 the majority of the soldiers in the house attended, was hehl 
 every Sunday morning. In the month of August, morning and 
 evening prayers Avere conducted daily. 
 
 In order to accommodate the large audiences which assem- 
 l)led at these Sabbath meetings, as well as to provide moi-e sit- 
 ting room for the soldiers on week days, I gave up my private 
 room and reduced the size of the " Superintendent's Office" to a 
 sufficient and more reasonable space within a low railing in one 
 corner, removing the wooden partitions which obstructed the 
 light and air, and throwing the whole space into the large hall. 
 
A first class piano and good organ were provided, and several 
 quartette clubs, under the direction of Mr. John B. Ketchum 
 and others, frequently gave charming concerts of choice music. 
 Two Exhibitions with the magic lantern, a compound Solar 
 Microscope, illustrating the marvelous beauty of minute crea- 
 tion, were given by Prof. Starr. Interesting lectures, one on 
 Arizona Territory, by its Secretary, Richard C. McCormick, 
 Es(i., describing its advantages to soldiers as a home, and two 
 by H. H. Geer, hite Chaplain One Hundred and Eighty-third 
 Ohio, from Wilmington, N. C, having charge of the footless 
 prisoners from Andersonville, G-a., were given. 
 
 Entertainments of a novel and mixed character, like the one 
 described in the Tribune of April 7th, were sometimes gotten 
 up : 
 
 Nkvv York Statk Sjldikiis' D.^:pot. — The guests of the Soldiers' Home, Nos. 
 50 and 52 Howard street, had a very iuterestiog and stirring entertainment on 
 Wednesday night at their rooms. The refugee band, composed of members of 
 the bands of the 1st South Carolina Infantry and the 1st South Carolina Artillery, 
 gave a concert of very fine instrumental music, which was varied by singing 
 '■ The Star Spangled Banner,'' ' My Country, 'tis of thee," "The Battle Cry of 
 Freedom." &c., by the large audience of soldiers and citizens [wesent. The 
 exercises were further enlivened by spirited and effective addresses by Col. 
 Colter, the Superintendent ; William ORL.iND Bourne, editor of TTie 
 Soldiers^ Frk)id ; the Rev. Mr. Allkn' of Northborough, Mass. ; the Rev. Mr. x\ykk, 
 Capt. A. L. Waller of the 78th Ohio, and Mr. Tibbals, who gave a brief, 
 humorous poem on the recent rout of the Rebels. The band is under the care 
 of Mr. Kripschmbr, the leader, and is composed of Germans, who are on their 
 way to Ohio to enlist in an Ohio regimeat, who are going to South Carolina in a 
 few days. Miss MoRiARry, a grand niece of John Hancock, led the vocal music, 
 aid^d by Mr. Tibbals. The evening passed with great satisfaction to the company 
 and closed with Old Hundred, followed by three rousing cheers for the Union. 
 
 Indeed, every thing that could be done to make the Insti- 
 tution attractive and home-like to the soldier, and keep them 
 away from evil and demoralizing practices, was resorted to. — 
 No fees of admission nor collections (with one exception, when 
 Rev. Dr. Tyng assisted a poor widow,) were ever taken up on 
 these occasions. 
 
 Hovv much these evening entertainments were needed, any one 
 could see by visiting the neighborhood where the Depot was 
 located. The thousands of soldiers who arrived at our place, 
 
10 
 
 many of them fresh from the front where they had not seen a 
 female for months, and with their pockets filled by the pay- 
 master, enabled the keepers of the vile dens of infamy which 
 abound in every large city, to offer large rents for the houses 
 near by, and obtaining these, soon to fill them with the boys 
 in blue and drive a thriving business. Nearly all these brothel 
 keepers had an agent, who dressing himself up in the uni- 
 form of a soldier, would mingle with the boys and distribute 
 the cards of his den. The pocket book of one young soldier, 
 whose age could not have been more than 19, — which was 
 accidentally left on our desk, exhibited no less than 14 of these 
 " Cards." What the " Agent" could not effect the proprietors 
 would seek to accomplish by other means. The music of the 
 harp, violin, accordeon and piano, would be heard through the 
 open window ; the richly gilded and decorated Bar ; the 
 savory smell of meats and viands cooking, for the title " Res- 
 taurant," was often used to disguise a worse business ; the 
 richly dressed and highly perfumed young lad}^ ; all of these 
 and more were spread before the young and inexperinced 
 soldier. Their victims could be often seen. In the morning 
 on the outside sill, as the door would be opened, they wcmld 
 be found stupified with liquor, their pockets turned inside out, 
 money, papers and honor, all gone. Sometimes covered with 
 cuts and bruises, they lay sleeping in their own clotted gore. 
 One youth of this sort, I remember, who had arrived in the city 
 only two days before, on his first furlough in two years from 
 the Army, we took up stairs. He was so much cut and injur- 
 ed, and so ashamed, he spent the whole thirty days of his fur- 
 lough in our hospital, and went back to the ranks without 
 visiting his family, for which he set out. They took from him 
 over eighty dollars, all the money he had. Our policeman, 
 Mr. Jos. Halstead, a most efficient and faithful n)an, rescued 
 many of them froni the sharpers — and recovered, restored and 
 saved considerable money which would otherwise have been 
 lost. Sometimes, wlien we found the soldier had his pay in his 
 pocket on his way home, already half drunk, and entering 
 one of these dens, we would follow him, take him out by force, 
 bring him into the Depot take away his money in the presence 
 of witnesses, count it, put it away in the safe, and when he got 
 
11 
 
 sober, ascertaining^ the address of his family, go with him to 
 the express oflfice and with his consent forward it to them, 
 leaving him enongh to pay his fare home and follow on after. 
 We had several such cases. 
 
 Many ways of cheating the men were constantly practiced, 
 and with the ntmost vigilance we could hardly stop it ; backed 
 up as the rascals were by some of the judges elected by the 
 people. A case reported in the Evening Post, of May 3 1st, in 
 which Mr. Kennedy, our energetic and faithful Superintend- 
 ent of the Police, was arrested for contempt of court, for not 
 immediately letting one of these rascals go, is as follows : 
 
 " CHEATING SOLDIERS. 
 
 THE ARREST OF MR. KENNEDY — CASE OF COLONEL COLYER AND THE JEWISH 
 
 CLOTHIER ALKERS. 
 
 . The tact of the arrest of Mr. Kennedy on a writ of contempt, issned by Judge 
 Cardozo, and his subsequent return, has already been published. The facts in 
 relation to the arrest of Morris ALKERs.in whose behalf the writ of Aa?>eas corpus 
 was issued, were not published. It appears that Alkers keeps a clothing store 
 in Canal street. On several occasions he has visited the Soldiers' Depot corner 
 of Howard and Mercer streets, where he distributed his business cards, which 
 had a Masonic emblem at the top. 
 
 By this means he secured a number of customers among the soldiers, and the 
 Superintendent says he regularly cheated those dealing with him. One week 
 ago last Sunday afternoon, Alkers visited the depot during divine service, and 
 persuaded eight Western men from General Sherman's army to visit his store, 
 where he sold each of them a suit of clothes, ranging from fifty to one hundred 
 and twenty dollars each. Three or four of these men went west the same 
 evening. The next morning one of the others showed his clothing to the officers 
 in the depot, and was told that he had been grossly deceived. 
 
 He was advised to go to Brooks Brothers and learn the value of the goods, 
 which he did. He was informed that a suit of clothing for which he had paid 
 eighty dollars could be bought for thirty dollars. Colonel Colyer then made 
 the facts known to Superintendent Kennkdy, who detailed a detective to make 
 the man refund the money. Alkkrs did pay the soldier fifty dollars, retaining 
 thirty dollars for the clothing. The other soldiers who had remained in the city, 
 learning of the success of their comrade, visited the merchant and received more 
 than half of the money they had originally paid. To one of the men Alkers gave 
 two suits of clothing rather than refund any money. 
 
 At the request of the Colonel, Superintendent Kennedy detailed an officer 
 at the depot, with instructions to prevent Alkers from visiting the building and 
 distributing any of his cards, or enticing the men into his store. He persisted, 
 however, and yesterday was arrested while hawking his cards in front of the 
 depot in Howard street, and not in front of his own store, as was previously 
 reported.'' 
 
12 
 
 Escaped Union Prisoners from Andersonville and Else- 
 where. 
 
 About tlie middle of March, larj^e numbers of escaped 
 or exchanged Union prisoners bc^an to arrive in the City. — 
 
 Tiiey were undei- the charge ol' the Provost Marshal, and 
 were (piartered at the Kroome St. Barracks. A few of them 
 having;- strayed away from the others, wei-e taken care of at our 
 Depot. On reporting- them to the Marshal, they begged him 
 so warmly to allow them to remain with us, that the following 
 correspondence ensued : 
 
 Offick a. a. Provost-Marshal-Gen eral, I 
 
 Southern Division of ]^ew-York, ^ 
 
 New- York, March 14. 18S5. ) 
 
 <'ol. Vi7icent Colyer, Superintenihnt iV. Y. Soldie7's Depot : 
 
 Colonel: I am directed by Maj. R. A. Dodge, A. A. Provost-Marslial-Geneial, 
 to ask you if it would not be better that some arrangement be made, by which 
 all escaped Union prisoner.- arriving in this city, could be received by your 
 department instead of going to the Broouie-street Barracks. 
 
 Many of these men are sick, and the accommodations at the Barracks are not 
 adapted for them at all. 
 
 Could this arrangeniCTit be etfected, the men could be very easily forwarded 
 to Camp Parole Annapolis. Mil., after allowing them to remain for a day or two 
 in this city. 1 am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. B. BROWNSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 New-Yohk State Soldiers' Dei'ot, I 
 March 14, 1865. j 
 
 Capt. II. B. Brownsnn, Assislaid AdjukuU General . • 
 
 Captain: In reply to your communication of this day, asking me if we would 
 not receive all the escaped Union prisoners at our depot, instead of having them 
 go to the Brooniostreet Barracks. I have to say that you could not possibly give 
 the officers and employes of this institution a work that they would esteem a 
 higher favor. 
 
 To receive these patient aiul suffering martyrs, after all the brutalities they 
 have undergone at tiie hands of our maligant foes, and all the valor they have 
 shown against our common enemy ; to relieve their distress and hospitably 
 entertain them as the guests of the great State of New York, will be a privilege 
 in which all patriotic citizens would wish to participate. 
 
 We can easily accommodate five hundred at a time, and the number will be 
 limited only by the capacity of the building and a considerate regard for the 
 comfort of the men. 
 
 Please inform Maj. Dodge of my reply, aiul believe me. Captain, very truly 
 yours. Vincent Coi.ver, Superintendent. 
 
13 
 
 The result of these communications was, that hirge numbers 
 of these men took up their quarters with us, while awaiting 
 their final payment and discharge. 
 
 The cruelties to which they had been subjected, were 
 plainly to be seen in their emaciated forms and hollow checks. 
 Many were hardly able to walk, and some died immediately on 
 their arrival. 
 
 Treatment of Colored Soldiers. 
 
 No distinction was made as to the treatment of the soldiers 
 stopping with us in consequence of their color. If a colored 
 man behaved himself improperly, he was put out; if he conduct- 
 ed himself with propriety, he received the same attentions 
 as the white soldiers. My predecessors made the colored 
 soldiers eat at a separate table, down in the kitchen, and if he 
 slept in the building at all, it was either in the kitchen or bath 
 rooms, or on the basement floor. I gave him a place at the 
 table in the dining hall with the others. If he preferred to eat 
 by himself, he was free to do so. If a white man did not like 
 to eat at the table with him he could take another seat. The same 
 rule was observed in the Dormitory in lodging. At first it came a 
 little strange to the em{)loyees, more because they had not 
 been used to such arrangements, than from any vital objections 
 to the practice. But with the soldiers, white or colored, 1 
 never heard a word or murinur of objection. We had not 
 many colored soldiers however, staying with us, the majority 
 of free colored men preferring to live with their families. 
 
 Relief of Wrecked Soldiers. 
 
 Soldiers sometimes arrived at the Depot in a state of com- 
 plete destitution. An instance of this kind occurred in the 
 case of the wreck of the "Steamer General Lyon, which was 
 burned at sea off Cape Hatterus, Friday, March 31, by which, 
 over 550 soldiers and their families were lost. Eight of the 
 survivors, picked up by the steamer Gen Sedgwick, and brought 
 to this port, came to us and were provided with clothing and 
 
14 
 
 every thing needful. After remaining for several days, they 
 were forwarded to their homes in different parts of the country, 
 free of charge. The U. S. Sanitary Commission with great 
 liberality, furnished gratuitously, all the clothing we required 
 in these cases and thousands of others. 
 
 Relief op a Soldier's Family in Distress. 
 
 In the early part of March, a soldier belonging to one of our 
 N. Y. State Regiments, died in our hospital, leaving his family 
 in circumstances peculiarly distressing. I made the following 
 appeal in the papers on their behalf, and received in response 
 the sum of $324.63, from parties whose names are given among 
 the Donors at the end of this Report : 
 
 New-York State Soldiers' Depot, ) 
 Nos. 50 AND 52 HowARD-ST., New- York City. >■ 
 March, 15, 1865. ) 
 To tlie Editor of the New York Times : 
 
 Yesterday, there died at this depot a fiirloughed soldier, belonging to a New- 
 York regiment, who leaves a widow and six small children, four of whom are 
 sick and one not expected to recover, in perfectly destitute circumstances. 
 
 Are there not among your fair readers some, who looking around upon their 
 own happy families, can spare a dollar to lighten the desolateness that has 
 settled upon this poor widow's household ? 
 
 I will thankfully acknowledge the receipt of any contributions that may be 
 sent to my care. 
 
 Vincent Colter, Superintendent. 
 
 The money was placed in the hands of Mrs. G. T. M. Davis, 
 the Secretary of our Ladies' Visiting Committee, who spent one 
 hundred and twenty-four dollars sixty-three cents for rent, food 
 and clothing for the motlier, and placed two of the children in 
 the Patriot Orphan Home, giving two hundred dollars for 
 their especial care. Two of the children died at the time from 
 small-pox. 
 
 Among the many pleasant notes received in response to this 
 appeal was the following : 
 
 Brooklyn, March, 13, 1865. 
 My Dear Sir: I send 25 cents for the soldier's children you speak about in to- 
 day's Triblne. I am a soldier's son ; my father was killed at Fort Fisher ; my 
 mother died a long time ago, and I live with my grandmother, and I am nine 
 years old. Yours respectfully, Geoe(}e S. Hog<;. 
 
15 
 
 Collecting the Mourning Draperies. 
 
 Towards the close of the month, after the assassination of the 
 President, observing the large quantity of costly drapery with 
 which the merchants and citizens of New York had decorated 
 their stores and residences, it occurred to me that as much of 
 it (after its first use was concluded) would probably be wasted, 
 it would be of much value to the poor widows and orphans of 
 the soldiers. 
 
 Acting upon this idea, I issued the following notice in the 
 newspapers, and in circulars addressed to the occupants of all 
 buildings where a liberal display was observable : 
 
 New York State Soldiers' Depot, 
 50 AND 52 Howard Street, New York City, 
 May 11. 1865. 
 
 7b the Editors of the Evening Post : 
 
 Ah the " thirty days '' time has now nearly expired when most of our cititzens 
 will remove the mourning drapery from their stores and dwellings, will you per- 
 mit me to suggest that they can apply it to a use in harmony with the object for 
 which it was originally procured, by sending it to this depot to be used for 
 garments for the widows and orphans of New York soldiers. Our efficient 
 Ladies' Committee will see that it is judiciously disposed of. 
 
 If not convenient for the owners to send it, our porters will gladly call for it, 
 and its receipt will be acknowledged at any place in this city or Brooklyn, 
 by forwarding the address to 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 Vincent Colter, Superintendent. 
 
 An inspection of the goods obtained, exhibited in a marked 
 manner the disregard for cost animating the purchasers — costly 
 crape, bombazine, alapacca, and quantities of " silesia" are 
 found. Over 12,000 yards, or $2,000 worth was obtained. 
 The Broadway Bank, New York Club, Messrs. H. B. Claflin 
 & Co., Bank of America, Trinity Church and others are among 
 the contributors, whose names are inserted in the " Donors 
 List" at back of this Report. The goods were packed in parcels 
 containing enough for two or three dresses, and over three 
 hundred soldiers' widows received the benefit of this enter- 
 prise. 
 
16 
 
 Visit of Governor Fenton. 
 
 On Satiirdav, the 2(ltli of May, His Excellency paid a visit 
 to the Depot, which it> thus described by the Reporter of the 
 N. Y. Times of the 21st : 
 
 Yesterday morning Gov. Fenton visited the New-York State 
 Agency for soldiers, corner of Howard and Mercer streets, and the 
 occasion was one of considerable interest to those connected with 
 that beneficent institution, the inmates and the visitors. Contrary 
 to the usual custom in such cases, very little pi-eparation was made 
 for the tour of inspection and domiciliary visit of the worthy Gov- 
 ernor, it being the object of Col. Colyek, the indefatigable Superin- 
 tendent of the depot, to show the Governor the actual working of 
 the institution and not to exhibit it in mere holiday dress. 
 
 Notwithstanding the absence of extra preparation, the appearance 
 of the State Agency presented that admirable state of cleanliness 
 and neatness so observable to all regular visitors. The soldiers 
 now remaining in the depot were at an early hour in readiness for 
 the long-expected visit of the Governor of the State, and the gallant 
 boys, heioes of a hundred lights : displayed more trepidation and 
 nervousness at the peaceful und Iriendly visit of the executive head 
 of their native State than they had been wont to do while waiting 
 the fierce onslaught of the rebel foe. 
 
 Shortly before 11 A.M. Gov. Fenton arrived at the depot, accom- 
 panied by Victor M. Rice, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
 and was received by the State Agent. After a tour of observation 
 through the various departments of the building, and expressing 
 himself highly gratified at tlie apparent prosperity and suc- 
 cessful operation of the institution, the Governor was intro- 
 duced to the main hall, where all of the inmates who could 
 walk had assembled to hear the Governor address a few words to 
 them. Col. Colyer, in introducing the Governor to the men, spoke 
 of the great interest heretofore displayed by Gov. Fenton in the 
 welfare of the soldiers of New York State, and also made allusion 
 to the great want of a Soidiers' Home or Asylum — one large enough 
 to be of some practical use and benefit He spoke, also, of the 
 great work the various agencies sliould have to perform shortly, in 
 caring for tlie inmiense number of gallant heroes about returning 
 to their homes and lainilios, and he hoped that the resources of the 
 New-Y'^ork Depot would l.)e augmented to a degree in keeping with 
 the demand. 
 
 The Governor then stepped upon the platform, and gathering the 
 little knot of war-stained and battlu-scarred veterans close around 
 him, he addressed the-m in a few simple but heartfelt sentences. 
 He thanked the soidiers for their hearty reception of himself, 
 and in turn, gave them a warm welcome to the comforts and 
 conveniences of tlie depot, jirovided, as it was, by the Stat(i for 
 
tliem while passing through the city, cheering them on their way 
 to the seat of war, succoring the sick and weary when returning 
 from the hot plains of the South, and at all times giving aid and 
 counsel to the brave defenders of our country. He spoke of the 
 exertions of the State, and said : We have followed you beyond 
 the Mississippi, from Chattanooga to the Gulf, through the swamps 
 of Florida to the very gates of Richmond, from Virginia to Georgia 
 and so on to the very Territories, the State of New-York lias not 
 been unmindful of her sons. He said that the debt owed by the 
 country to the soldiers could never be paid, and told the men that 
 they had fought tliis great battle for the integrity of the country ; 
 that they had sustained the flag of the Union, and had made the 
 doctrines of the Declaration of Independence to live again, and 
 now they would endure to the end of time. You have, said he, 
 perpetuated the free institutions of the country, and your noble 
 deeds in the cause of liberty will live in fiery letters in the page of 
 history. You are going to your homes, and no longer will you be 
 called upon to fight the good fight or suifer for the right. He 
 wanted to ask the boys one question. What would be their con- 
 duct now that they were about to throw oif their uniform, and 
 abandon the weapons of dreadful war for the implements of peace ? 
 Would tliey resume the peaceful ways of civil life as well ? He 
 was well assured of the fact that they would prove to the world 
 that American soldiers could be peaceful citizens. The Governor, 
 in concluding his remarks, congratulated the soldiers upon the 
 comforts they enjoyed in the depot, and paid a high compliment to 
 Col. CoLYER and his assistants upon their successful and admirable 
 discharge of the of the duties assigned to them. 
 
 Three hearty and vociferous cheers, and a " tiger," were then 
 given, as only soldiers can give them, for Gov. Fenton, who 
 responded by asking the "boys " to come forward and shake hands 
 with him. As the gallant fellows filed past, Mr. Fenton addressed 
 a few cheering words to each. The sight was an interesting one. 
 Many of the men were hobbling upon crutches, others had lost their 
 arms, and all evinced upon their persons some traces of the perils 
 and dangers of the battlefield. After partaking of a luncheon, the 
 Governor was compelled to leave as engagements were pressing up- 
 on him. 
 
 Paying off the Soldiers near their Homes. 
 
 A telegram from Washington, appearing in the daily 
 papers on the 15th of May, that " all the soldiers of the State 
 of New York, were to be mustered out and paid off in Albany," 
 induced me on the 17th of May, to write to the editors of 
 our daily papers the following letter : 
 
18 
 
 To the Editor of the New-York Tribune : 
 
 Sir : Will you warn the soldiers who are now being discharg-ed, 
 and receiving, in many cases, a large amount of money for back 
 l)ay and bounty, to be on their guard against the sharpers ? The 
 scoundrels who were so active in swindling the men out of their 
 bounties a few months since, are now more busy than ever — lying 
 in wait for their victims, at every corner, and in every guise. 
 
 Yesterday, in this neighborhood, five soldiers from New-Orleans 
 were induced, b}' some Jew clothiers, to pay $80 and $100 each, 
 for suits of clothes not worth $30. The day before, another soldier 
 was made drunk, and robl)ed of his pocket-book and its contents, 
 by the prostitutes and their "pimps." On Friday the thief appeared 
 in the guise of a lame soldier, who helped himself to his fellow- 
 soldier's purse while he was buying his railroad ticket. 
 
 Nearly every day we have cases of this sort, and the police are 
 kept constantly on the alert (and we are glad to say successfully.) 
 
 It is to be hoped that the government will adopt the plan of 
 paying off each regiment, or company, at the place where it was 
 mustered in — that is, as near to the homes of the soldiers as possible 
 It will not cost any more, for the men will receive transportation 
 there, whether they go singly or in companies, and by paying them 
 close to their homes, their families will get much more of the money. 
 
 As neai'ly a million of men will be thrown out of employmet 
 by this disbanding of the army, it will be self-evident to every 
 thinking soldier how prudent he should be in husbanding the ready 
 cash which he will now receive, for the last time, from the gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 Vincent Colyer. 
 New York City, May 15, 1864. 
 
 I pressed this appeal upon the attention of Gov. Fenton 
 with much earnestness, and, on his visit to Washington, where 
 he went through the hospitals to cheer up the brave men who 
 were there, he took the matter in hand, and we had the follow- 
 ing as the result. 
 
 THE NEW-YORK TROOPS. 
 
 " Governor Fenton has succeeded in procuring from the War 
 Department an order that the New- York regiments shall be mustered 
 out and paid at the following i)laces : 
 
 New-York city, Foughkecpsie, Newburg, Albany, Flattsburgh, 
 Ogdensburgh, Sackelt's Harbor or VVatertown, Auburn, Syracuse, 
 Rochester, liuflalo, Elmira, and Binghamton or Norwich." 
 
19 
 
 The effect of this arrangement was, to put thousands of dol- 
 lars into the hands of the long suffering wives and families of 
 the soldiers, as well as to distribute the money in counties 
 where the benefit would in other ways come back to the men. 
 
 Wakning to Soldiers Printed and Distributed. 
 
 The war being ended, and our armies about to be disbanded ; 
 the grand review of both the Army of the Potomac, and the 
 great Army of the West, under General Sherman, before the 
 President," Cabinet and most of the distinguished generals 
 at Washington, seemed a most favourable opportunity 
 to inform the soldiers, (many of whom would pass 
 through the city of New York), of the existence, character, 
 and location of our Depot, and to give them a timely warning 
 of the swindling to which they would be exposed in that city. 
 Accordingly, I caused to be printed 20,000 of our Institute 
 Cards, with the following warning from the N. Y. Times, of 
 May 21, printed on the back : 
 
 •' Among the many discharged and disabled soldiers constantly passing through 
 this city on the way to their homes or the hospital, numerous cases have been 
 known where unsuspecting and guileless soldiers have been shamefully misled 
 and robbed. Sharpers abound in the vicinity of all railroad depots and steam- 
 boat landings, on the lookout for discharged soldiers who have their pay with 
 them. Bogus ambulances tempt the bewildered veteran, and he is cheated into 
 going to places that he would fain avoid, and persuaded into making purchases 
 that prove worthless bargains. Soldiers have been gravel> informed that the 
 Treasury checks they held were not negotiable, and often these unsuspecting 
 men have paid as high as ten per cent, to get the government checks cashed. In 
 short, every sort of confidence game and mode of extortion is practiced upon 
 them. 
 
 We would recommend all discharged or furloughed soldiers (strangers in Ne\. 
 York) to seek out the regularly authorized agents of the New York State Agency, 
 who are constantly in attendance upon all trains and steamers, and place them- 
 selve under their guidance. At the Soldiers' Depot in Howard Street, they will 
 find good accommodations and meals, besides a place of safety for their baggage 
 or money, and where all needful and reliable information and advice can be 
 gained. Colonel Vincent Colyer, the Superintendent, gives his personal attention 
 to the manifold wants and necessities of the soldiers, and none are turned away." 
 
20 
 
 These I distributed in person, giving small packages of ten 
 to the Sergeant of each Company, as they marched up Penn- 
 sylvania Avenue. 
 
 The experiment proved a success, hundreds of the soldiers 
 appearing at our Depot Avith these Cards in their hands. 
 
 Enlarging the Accommodations. — The Centre Market 
 Armories Secured. 
 
 The troops now began to arrive in large numbers — not in 
 squads and small companies, as formerly, but in regiments and 
 brigades. Attracted by our cards and by the good reputation 
 the agency had now attained, the officers of nearly all of these 
 regiments applied to us, either by letter or telegraph, for ac- 
 commodations. So great was the crowd and so inadequate our 
 Depot to lodge and feed them, that one night we had no less 
 than three regiments sleeping on the sidewalks and in the 
 streets around our agency. Feeling a State pride to take care 
 of these troops, who had gained for our common country 
 such a glorious victory, without appealing to the general 
 government, I applied to the officers of the 8th Regiment, 
 Col. Varian, and to Col. Mason of the 6th Regiment, and to 
 Col. Tallford, of the 71st N. Y. State National Guard, for the 
 use of their armories adjoining each other, over Centre Market^ 
 and though at a great inconvenience to themselves, they 
 promptly and cheerfully gave their consent. 
 
 These three spacious rooms, together with the depot in How. 
 ard Street, would comfortably sleep two thousand iive hundred 
 men, and easily provide room to furnish meals to five thousand 
 soldiers a day. The location Avas central, being on the corner 
 of Grand and Centre Streets, the entrance on Grand street by 
 a wide staircase to the rooms, whicli were only two stories from 
 the street, yet sufficiently high to readily place the men under 
 guard, to protect them from the thieves and sharpers who in- 
 fest every place where a soldier can be found. 
 
 Gen. Satterlee, the United States Medical Purveyor of this 
 I)e])a]-tment, furnished, under special act of Congress making 
 
21 
 
 appropriation for sick, disabled and furloiiii^hed soldiers, 1,000 
 plates, 1,000 bowls, 1,000 knives and forks, with pitchers, pans, 
 &c., enough to set a table for 1,000 men. Capt. Morgan of 
 tho'u. S. Quartermaster's Department, and Capt. Moore of the 
 Commissionary Department, supplied the rations . 
 
 Strawberry Fund. 
 
 Having heard, while in the army, and lately in conversing 
 with the soldiers, the praises of the city of Philadelphia, so often 
 gratefully and deservedly sounded, for her generous hospitality 
 towards the soldiers while passing througli that city; and know- 
 ing that New York City had not been in the least ungenerous— 
 though her care of the Army and Navy, had shown itself in 
 other ways, I resolved, (D.V.) that she should not be behind in 
 this matter also, of hospitally entertaining soldiers. Accord- 
 ingly, about the latter part of May, 1 made an appeal to the 
 public. The first response received, was from the United 
 States Sanitary Commission, who generously voted me a dona- 
 tion of one thousand dollars— and the U. S. Christian Com- 
 mission, of three hundred dollars. This was followed by others, 
 and from that time forward, money came in almost as fast as 
 it was required for the purpose. Notice of the arrivals of 
 regiments were constantly made through the press, and articles 
 calculated to stir up the generous, were from time to time 
 inserted. 
 
 The following from the Times of May 30, is introduced to 
 show the lively interest the editors took in the movement : 
 
 The Strawberry FuxD.-The greatest success attends the operatioua of the 
 now famous strawberry movement, inaugurated by Col. Vincent Colyer, ot the 
 New York State Agency. Troops are daily supplied with large quantities of 
 this delicious fruit, and the boys seem much pleased at the kind thoughtfulness 
 of those who have thus furnished them with a delightful treat, and exhibit an in- 
 terest in their welfare. 
 
 Yesterday morning Col. Colyer struck camp at an early hour, and moved his 
 forces upon Washington Market at 4 A. M., and shortly after his arrival the 
 struo-gle commenced. The State Agent was determined that he would have 
 a fuU supply of cherries and strawberries, and with that end in view began a 
 thorou-h movement, and with such success that in a few hours he had complete 
 possession of Washington Market, the fruit-dealers having surrendered atdiscre- 
 
22 
 
 tion. This point gained, the process of buying up the fruit was carried on until 
 not a strawberry could be got for love or money. The soldier's agent had them 
 all. Nowithstanding the loss of the market people was so complete, he estimates 
 his loss at nine hundred dollars, and some idea may be gained of the quantily 
 of fruit thus secured the soldiers. 
 
 Col. CoLYER visited the barracks at the Battery, and distributed to the Massa- 
 chusetts troop-i lying there several cart loads of strawberries, amidst a scene of 
 the greatest excitement and uproarious enjoyment. To see these gallant and 
 sunburnt boys in the army blue eagerly rush for strawberries, and enthusiasti- 
 cally eat the same, was a sight indeed. 
 
 There are about 30,000 more New York troops yet to come under recent or- 
 ders, and let us give these brave boys all the pleasure and all the luxury we can 
 afltbrd them. Coming out of hot and dusty cars, a capfull of rich and fragrant 
 strawberries is just the thing to please and refresh them. The public have an 
 energetic, earnest and honest agent to work for them in this matter, and it is to 
 be hoped that the " Strawberry Movement" will not be allowed to die out for 
 lack of funds. Give the State Agent the means, and he will fnrnish every soldier 
 who passes through the city a plenteous feast of ripe and luscious strawberries • 
 
 The following extrp^ct is from a leading editorial of the 
 N. Y. Tribune, June 20th, 1865 : 
 
 " The business seems properly to belong to Col Colyer, the State agent, who 
 is indefatigable in his (efforts to do all that should be done, and who does not feel 
 called upon to confine his attention to New York soldiers, but welcomes all alike. 
 But the State makes no provisions for the fruits, vegetables and other little and 
 inexpensive additions to the regulation hard-tack and salt meat, which are so 
 welcome to the travel-worn men, but make no part of Government rations. A 
 very few thousand dollars would be abundant for all these, and their disburse- 
 ment may be safely instrustod to the judgment of Col, Coi.yer. The soldier on 
 his way home is far more thankful for a good supper, a good lodging and a good 
 breakfast than he would be for an empty municipal pageant. 
 
 Among the letters responding were the following : 
 
 New York, June 28tli, 1865. 
 
 To Col. Vincent Golyer : 
 
 Sir : — At a meeting of the committee to provide a thanksgiving 
 dinner, half the balance of the funds still in my liands was appro- 
 priated to yon for delicacies for oi;r returning soldiers I inclose 
 you a check for $645 72, that being the amount, and would at the 
 same time express my sympathy with tlie deep interest you liave 
 displayed in doing all in your power for them. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt, Treasurer. 
 
23 
 
 No. 53 Fifth Avenue, June 19th, 1865, 
 To Col. Vincent Golyer : 
 
 Dear Sir : — I enclose a check to your order for $250, which you 
 will please apply to the purchase of ice, fruit, &c., for the return- 
 ing soldiers. Yours very truly 
 
 J. Lenox. 
 
 New York, August 10th, 1865. 
 Colond Vincent Colyer : 
 
 Sir : — ^]nclosed is a check for $3,154.87, being 
 the portion of the " Hancock Recruiting Committee Fund'' devoted 
 to welcoming our soldiers on their return. The committee and 
 subscribers united in desiring to make this appropriation, realizing 
 not only the pleasure you give the soldiers, but that it is a slight 
 evidence of our gratitude to those to whom we owe so much VYith 
 my own personal thanks to you for having devoted yourself so 
 faithfuly to their welfare, 
 
 I remain, yours truly, 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt, Treasurer 
 
 Up to this date the following N. Y. State regiments were 
 received and entertained : 
 
 Date. 
 
 Regiment. 
 
 OP 
 
 D.\TE. 
 
 Eegiment. 
 
 OF 
 
 
 
 Men. 
 
 
 
 
 Men. 
 
 June 24 
 
 .51 h New York. 
 
 170 
 
 June 28 
 
 5th New York. 
 
 120 
 
 •' 24 
 
 IGtith 
 
 450 
 
 " 29 
 
 L44tii 
 
 
 882 
 
 " 26 
 
 I15th 
 
 300 
 
 " 30 
 
 8th 
 
 
 600 
 
 '• 27 
 
 3(1 
 
 333 
 
 July 1 
 
 73d 
 
 
 390 
 
 " 27 
 
 .■5th Conn. 
 
 326 
 
 - 1 
 
 93cl 
 
 
 375 
 
 " 27 
 
 121st New York. 
 
 382 
 
 ■> 1 
 
 10th 
 
 
 520 
 
 •• 27 
 
 1st 
 
 560 
 
 •' 1 
 
 6th 
 
 
 80 t 
 
 
 The Hospitals 
 
 Near 
 
 THE City 
 
 Cared 
 
 FOR. 
 
 
 As the money came in so generously, we turned our atten- 
 tion to the soldiers in the hospitals, and wrote to the Medical 
 Director regarding the supply of fruit that would be required. 
 The following is the correspondence : 
 
 New York City, June 19, 1865. 
 Col. W. T. Sloan : 
 
 Colonel : — I have purchased this morning a quantity of straw 
 berries for the soldiers in the vicinity of this city. Will you have 
 the kindness to inform me if you would care to have some sent to 
 either, or all, of the hospitals in and near New York, and how 
 many about to each. The quantity is unlimited by my friends. 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Vincent Colyer, Superintendent. 
 
24 
 
 Dk. Sloan's Reply 
 
 Medical Director's Office, Department of the East, ' > 
 No. 125Bleecker street, New York, June 19, 1865. S 
 To Col Vincent Colyer : 
 
 Dear Sir :— Please accept my tliaiiks Strawberries are always 
 grateful and gratefully received. Do as you think best as "to 
 (|uaiit]ty .'' 
 
 I -iye you tlie number of patients in this vicinity: David's Is- 
 a_nd (Dr. Webster) 1.500; McDoug-al Hospital. Fort Schuyler, 
 (Dr Orton,; 900. Central Park, (Dr. Milhau,) 300. 
 
 Yours truly, Wm. T. Sloan. 
 
 Gratified at so favorable and hearty a response, I at once 
 applied to the Pohce Commissioners for the use of their boat 
 to visit Bedloe's Island, Fort Hamilton, Fort Schuyler and 
 David's Island Hospitals, and distribute strawberries. Mr 
 Acton put the boat at my disposal, but unfortunately she was 
 not found early enough to be of use, so the regular dispatch 
 boat was used. An agent was sent off with some eight or ten 
 tliousand baskets of strawberries for the sick of those islands 
 and the fruit was gratefully and eagerly accepted by the poor 
 fellows still suffering from the effects of shot and shell. Cen- 
 tral Park and other city hospitals, where soldiers were lying 
 came m for their share afterwards 
 
 Hart's Island Attended to. 
 
 As numbers of our men were sent to the rendezvous at 
 Hart's Island to be mustered out I visited the place ; and find- 
 ing nearly four thousand N. Y. State troops, and learnin..- 
 from Brig.-Gen. Wessels, the kind and efficient commanded, 
 that fruit or vegetables would be acceptable ; I sent up 2 000 
 heads of salad, 1,500 head of cabbage, five crates of turn'ips 
 3,000 baskets of strawberries, and soon after received the fol- 
 loA^dng letter from the General : 
 
25 
 
 Headquarters Draft Rendezvous, Hart's Island, ) 
 N. Y. H., Juno 23cl, 1865. j 
 
 Col. Vincent Colyer : 
 
 Colonel : — The General commanding directs me to acknowledge 
 receipt oi your communication of 22d inst., accompanied by a do- 
 mitiin of vegetables, for the use of the troops at this post. 
 They have been received and equally distributed among the 
 troops, as well as the vegetables and fruit previously sent. They 
 were a timely and niucli needed addition to the army ration. 
 
 I am Col., very respectfully, 
 
 your obedient servant, 
 
 Geo. E. Trimbley, 
 
 A. A. A. (4. 
 
 A clay or two after tliis, General Wessels wrote to me as 
 follows : 
 
 Hart's Island, N. Y. H. | 
 June 25th, 1865. f 
 
 Colonel : If you can add to the many ben^^lits we have lately 
 received from your agency, by sending me a small supply of 
 xiK-culent i\\\\\gH. Anything fresh and juicy, suitable for the sick 
 1 shall be much obliged. T'his request is only for the hospital, 
 (say 75 or 100 patients), and the articles will be so applied. 
 If addressed to me, with a note, I will give it my attention. 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 W. Wessels, 
 
 Brig.-Gen. Vols. 
 Col. Colyek, 50 Howard st., N. Y. 
 
 In response to this I again forwarded, under the care of 
 Mrs. Clarkson, Miss Keiniedy, and other ladies of the Rose 
 Hill Committee, 2,000 head of cabbage, 2,000 head of salad, 
 12 bbls. of fresh turnips, 12 bushel baskets of cherries, 6 baskets 
 currants, 8 bushel whortleberries, 4 crates raspberries, &c., 
 and received the following pleasant reply : — 
 
 Hart's Island, July I, ]8()5. 
 Colonel : Your note of yesterday, with succxdents, and accom- 
 panied by your fair ladies and assistants, was duly received, and 
 the fruit distributed as well as we could. I am most interested in 
 
26 
 
 the sick, and a;ave them a g-ood share, which the medical officer 
 was very thankful to g-ct. I feel under many oblio-ations to you 
 for your prompt attention to my request, and remain very truly 
 yours, H. W. Wessels, Brigadier General. 
 
 The Troops at Hart's Island. 
 
 There were present at Hart's Island the following regimeiitH 
 
 Fifth New York (Duryea's Zouaves), 964 men. 
 
 Seventh regiment, 743 men. 
 
 One Hundred and Thirty-third, 511 men. 
 
 One Hundred and Nineteenth New York, 20S men. 
 
 Tenth New York, detachments, 82 men. 
 
 Thirty-ninth New York, detachments, 60 men. 
 
 Fifty-second New York, detachments 47 men. 
 
 Fifty-ninth New York, detachments, 29 men. 
 
 One Hundred and Second New York, detachments 42 men. 
 
 Sixtieth New York, detachments, 11 men. 
 
 Eighty-eighth New York, detachments, 6 men. 
 
 Sixty-third New York, detachments, 4 men. 
 
 Strawberries for our Returning Soldiers. 
 
 The N. Y. Herald thus summed up this work : 
 
 "Withhi the past three days 10,000 baskets of strawberries and 
 forty bushel baskets of cherries were distributed by the N. Y. State 
 Agent among the difterent hospitals and military posts in the har- 
 bor of New York. The fruit distributed in the hospitals at Fort 
 Schuyler and on David's Island was placed in the hands of the 
 surgeons in charge, Drs. Orton and Webster, and the aid of their 
 judgment and care was carefully rendered. The Massachusetts 
 and Connecticut troops on the battery were also supplied with as 
 many cherries as the men could eat — twelve bushel baskets full of 
 the fruit being found to be the exact capacity in the eating line of 
 six bundled New England men after breakfast. Bully for New 
 Enti'laud. 
 
 Credit given to thr Governor. 
 
 Knowing this movement would be i)opuIar, and wishing to 
 give the authorities of the State whatever credit might come 
 
27 
 
 from the same. I wrote the following order, and requested 
 his Excellency to sign it. This was most cheerfully done, and 
 it was then printed and extensively circulated : 
 
 State of New York, ) 
 
 Executive Department, Albany, June 9. | 
 
 Colonel : You are directed to invite all soldiers of the Union 
 army, and particularly those of tliis State, passing through the 
 city of New York, on their way lujiiie, to avail themselves of thf^ 
 hospitalities so liberally provided by the State and our generous 
 citizens, at the State Agency in this city under your control. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 R. E. Fenton. 
 
 The " Police Boat," a good and commodious steamer now 
 being disengaged, Mr. Superintendent Kennedy, with the 
 approbation of the Police Commissioners, kindly placed her 
 at my disposal, and we paid 
 
 A Visit to the Ships and Forts op the Harbor. 
 
 which is thus described by the editor of the N. Y. Times : 
 
 "On Saturday an excursion party, consisting of the New York 
 State Agent, Col. Vincent Colyer, and a number of ladies connected 
 with the difiFerent Soldiers' Relief Associations of this city, em- 
 barked upon a convenient steamboat, and made a tour of the foi'- 
 titications and navy vessels lying in and about the harbour. The 
 purpose of the tour was to distribute fresh vegetable and luscious 
 fruit to the gallant boys who were doing duty in this vicinity. It 
 is needless to say that the trip was an enjoyable one, and in every 
 way a success. 
 
 As the steamer cast loose from her dock at the foot of Whitehall 
 street, the clock on Trinity steeple told the half hour after nine, 
 and the sky gave steadfast promise of a brilliant day. Going 
 below on the main deck of the steamer, a strange sight presented 
 itself. Away forward were piled up in indescribable confusion a 
 huge heap of cabbages, lettuces, radishes, beets and turnips. 
 Great crates were filled to (werflowing, and the deck completely 
 liidden by the accumulated mass of " garden sass." On inquiry it 
 was learned that this conglomerate pile of vegetables consisted of 
 4,000 heads of cabbages, 3,000 heads of lettuce, 2,000 bunches of 
 radishes, 1,200 V)unches of young beets, 1,500 bunches of new tur- 
 nips. Peeping from beneath the cabbages could be seen a stray 
 
leg oi' mutton, and if tlie visitor liad scrutiniicod he would have found 
 S() quarters of lamb hid secure away from the demoralizing- eflfects 
 of old Sol. Lying in the shade of the upper deck, j^et near enough 
 for speedy call, were 20 large bags of green peas, and over a 
 dozen barrels filled with string beans. 
 
 Turning to go upon the hurricane deck, the eye was pleased with 
 the unwonted sight of 10,000 baskets of rich strawberries, nicely 
 packed in neat crates ; 20 baskets of ripe clierries, and six or seven 
 bushels of whortleberries, all stored away in the cool shade. Here 
 was surely enough for all, and much to spare. 
 
 Under the awning stretched over the hurricane-deck, were seated 
 the ladies composing this unique pleasure party, and looking care- 
 fully over the little group, one could recognize many of the 
 " working" women, who have during the war taken such a lively 
 and abiding interest in the welfare, the comfort and tlie solace of 
 tlie suffering soldiers, and gloried in the deeds of renown performed 
 by those who have come under their loving and fostering hands. 
 Among those present were Mrs. Van Denheuvel and her daughter. 
 Miss Emily Morris, Miss Chapman and Miss Hale, of the New 
 England Rooms ; Mrs Col. Colyer, of the Howard-street Soldiers' 
 Depot ; Miss Kennedy, Mrs. Col. Ellison, Mrs. P. Mood, and Mrs. 
 Henry S. Manning, Rose Hill Society ; the two Misses Buffom re- 
 presented Willett's Point Hospital, and David's Island found several 
 talented representatives. 
 
 VISIT TO THE STATE OF MAINE. 
 
 Learning that the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment waa 
 lying in the stream, waiting for their steamer, the veteran hospital 
 boat. State of Maine, to coal up and proceed with them to Boston, 
 Col. Colyer determined to pay them a visit, and gladden the boys 
 from the old Granite State with a supply of fruit and vegetables. 
 Steaming across the mouth of the North River, the excursionists 
 passed under the frowning ports of the ITnited States war steamer 
 Vanderbilt. 
 
 Nearing the State of Maine — her dirty and weather-stained sides, 
 enlivened by an animated crowd of sunburnt soldiers, evidently 
 wondering what was coming — our nimble deck-hands soon made 
 all fast, when " the Colonel " climbed up the side, followed by the 
 representatives of the press, and in a few words explained the 
 nature of our friendly visit. Gladly were the offerings of fruit and 
 "fixings" accepted, and hearty expressions of thanks poured in 
 upon the little group of ladies who were watching with interested 
 eyes the transfer of the fruits and vegcitables. Some four hundred 
 baskets of strawberries, three baskt^ts of cherries, four quarters of 
 lamb, two bags of peas, forty bimches of beets, two hundred bun- 
 ches of radishes, one hundred and fifty bunches of turnips, three 
 hundred head of cabbage, and the same of lettuce, were speedily 
 
hoisted over the side, accompanied by the kind wishes of the 
 visitors for the veterans' safe arrival home. The boys were quite 
 taken aback at the qnantity and variety of the various articles, 
 and were only roused up from their wonder by the clieers of our 
 little party as our steamer cast loose. The upper deck, the bul- 
 warks and the rigging were soon tilled with the stalwart forms, 
 who poured into us a broadside of grateful cheers, loud and long 
 enough to deafen ears unaccustomed to the roar and tumult of our 
 great city. 
 
 GOVERNOR S ISLAND. 
 
 The steamer now headed for Governor's Island, and very soon 
 thereafter was quietly moored at the little stone pier at which are 
 landed all supplies and visitors. The soldiers cm guard, bright in 
 gleaming brass, and neat and cool in white trowsers and shining 
 hats ; the beating of the guard drum, and the soft strains of the 
 practising band on the parade ground, all went to make up a 
 picture tliat was rare and interesting in its variety and novelty. 
 The garrison consists of the Second United States Infantry, about 
 200 strong, and tlie boys were very glad to see us, with our freights 
 of "greens" and berries. Two crates of strawberries, 250 cab- 
 bages and lettuces, and a whole lot of radishes and turnips, to- 
 gether with two baskets of cherries and a barrel of peas completed 
 the donation to the " Permanent Party" of Governor's Island, when 
 we once again cast loose and departed, reluctantly compelled to 
 decline the invitation from the officers to land and inspect the 
 various institutions. 
 
 THE TORPEDO BOAT NAUBUC. 
 
 Scarcely had we fairly gained headway after leaving the pier at 
 Governor's Island, than we found ourselves almost afoul of a queer 
 looking craft — half monitor, half iron-clad, whole nondescript. 
 Rounding to with a very round turn, our boat completed the tour 
 of this strange vessel, and she appearing in everyway amicably 
 disposed, we ventured within reach, and soon found ourselves and 
 our hawser fast to a very funny piece of iron, called a " cleat " by 
 one of the sailors on board tiie iron monster. A gang-plank was 
 run out and the ladies handed down, one by one, being received, as 
 each touched the burning iron-deck, with bluff hospitality by the 
 officers. 
 
 Wliile our men were depositing upon the deck of this 
 vessel, (whose name appeared to be the Xaubuc, and whose busiue.-s 
 was to plant sundry torpedoes under certain hostile vessels, now 
 no longer to be found,) a lot of strawberries and other nice things 
 sufficient tor the seventy men on board, the party of visitors were 
 
shown over and under tlie massive deck. Re-embarking, tlie 
 visitors gave three cheers for tlie Naubuc, which were responded 
 to with a hearty good will by the happy crew, who resumed their 
 operations and pastimes. 
 
 BEDLOE S ISLAND. 
 
 Crossing the harbor, the steamer puslied rapidly for Bedloe's 
 Island, and we were soon ashore for a brief ramble. Col. Chas. S. 
 Merchant, of the regular army, received the ladies, several of whom 
 had resided on the island in the days of hospitals and of battles, 
 when Bedloe's Island did good service. The stay of the party 
 being very short, they contended themselves with a hasty glimpse 
 of the sea and of the harbor through the upper windows of the 
 Colonel's fine residence. The Colonel's family was gratified by the 
 visit and unremitting in attentions. The donations to the garrison 
 and patients on the island consisted of 400 baskets of strawberries, 
 2 baskets of cherries, 1 box of whortleberries, 2 barrels turnips, 
 1 barrel beans, 4 quarters lamb, 2 bags peas, 200 head each of 
 cabbage and lettuce, and 50 bunches of radishes and beets. The 
 garrison consists of the Sixty-second New York Regiment, 300 
 muskets, and the "permanent party," beside some 30 patients. 
 Tlie hospitals are nearly all empty, and are soon to be pulled 
 down. Everylliing is in admirable order, and as clean as a pin. 
 Dr. Philip Adolphus, U. S. A., is in charge. 
 
 FORT LAFAYETTE. 
 
 Heading down the harbor our little craft was soon fairly on her 
 way toward Fort Lafayette, which forbidding striicture was famous 
 during the war as the prison of those wlio had committed overt 
 acts of treason against the sovereign power of our government. 
 Passing Staten Island, whose beautiful scenery attracted the eye 
 and refreshed the senses, we kept upon the even tenor of our way, 
 enjoying the cool and bracing sea breeze as it came dancing over 
 tlie waves, from Sandy Hook. Saluting passing steamers with 
 sin-ill whistles, waving handkerchiefs to a mail steamship just 
 coming from over the Atlantic, the passengers, no doubt, glad to 
 see fair land and bustling harbor once more, and taking it easy 
 the while, we at last found ourselves at the dock of Fort Lafayette. 
 
 Receiving a kind invitation to land, the plank was once more 
 run out, or rather Tip, and the ladies safely piloted up the perilous 
 ascent. Gaining the interior, we were escorted through the cor- 
 ridor by Lieut. Smith, to the quarters of Brevet Brig.-Cxen. Burke, 
 or as he is generally, known, " Col. Burke." The old gentleman 
 was in a very amiable mood, and received his fair visitors in his 
 casement with courtesy and grim politeness. 
 
 The garrison consists of the Seventeenth United States Infantry, 
 
numbering- 162 men, and as usual with "Regulars," their appear- 
 ance and dress was neat and clean. The men were greatly delight- 
 ed with the donation landed upon the dock, and no doubt they en- 
 joyed the treat heartily. There were 300 baskets straw- 
 i)erries, 200 cabbages, 300 lettuces, 300 bunches radishes, 2 bags 
 peas, 2 boxes whortleberries, 2 barrels each of turnips and string- 
 beans, and 4 quarters of lamb. As the ladies were stepping on 
 board again, a slip of paper was handed up by one of the soldiers, 
 re'ading as follows . " Ladies — A thousand thanks for your kind- 
 ness, W. S. Morgan and fellow soldiers of the Seventeenth." 
 
 Dinner and Sea-sickness. 
 
 We touched for a few minutes at Fort Hamilton and land- 
 ed a similar lot of vegetables and fruit to that left at Fort Lafay- 
 ette. Steaming across the Narrows the steamer made fast at tlie 
 dock at Fort Riclimond, Staten Island, and again Col. Colyer 
 landed another fine lot of cabbages, lettuce, strawberries, &c. He 
 received at each place the hearty thanks of the officers for the 
 kind thoughtfulness so practically displayed. 
 
 Steamboating round and about the harbor is apt to make people 
 hungry, and our ' vegetable party" were not at all different from the 
 rest of man — or woman-kind. Dinner was served up on the liurri- 
 cane deck, and it was astonishing to see how the edibles disappear- 
 ed. Cold chicken and roast beef were favorites, and the strawberries 
 came very handy. As we were now leading for Sandy Hook, the 
 stiff" breeze gave a queer rocking motion to our vessel, and it was 
 found difficult to keep the dinner on the rough impromptu tal)les 
 rigged up for the occasion. 
 
 Gunboat Valley City. 
 
 Returning to the immediate vicinity of New York, and mean- 
 while enjoying some cool and delicious ice-cream, our steamer laid 
 alongside of the gunboat Valley City, when another large lot of 
 vegetables and fruit was passed over the gang-plank On board 
 this fine vessel there were some SO hardy tars, under the command 
 of Acting Master J. Brooks, just returned from blockade service. 
 As we parted company the boatswain's shrill whistle called the 
 crew to quarters and three stirring cheers were given by them for 
 the kindness displayed in furnishing them with a good Sunday's 
 dinner. 
 
 Gunboat Fort Henry. 
 
 A short distance from the Valley City lay one of those original 
 double-enders," converted by Gen. Burnside, out of ferryl>oats. 
 
into stout and serviceable gunboats. She carried six 9-incli guns, 
 and was manned by 102 men, under Acting Lieut J. B. Baxter, 
 and has seen three years' service on tlie coast as blockader. Tlie 
 crew were receiving their hammocks from the nettings as we came 
 alongside, and soon after were busy in filling buckets with berries, 
 and piling up cabbages and other good things againt one of the 
 guns. We left them amid thi'ee more thundering cheers, and 
 started for the 
 
 R. R. CUYLER, 
 
 which fine vessel proved to be one of our most rapid blockade 
 vessels. She is commanded by Commander C. H. B. Colwell, and 
 carries ten thirty-two's and two thiity-pound rifled guns. The 
 evening growing apace, nidde the ceremony of presentation a very 
 short one. The sailors working with a will, throwing the vegeta- 
 bles through the port-holes with accuracy and expedition. Nearly 
 all our remaining load of stuft'was transferred to the careful hands 
 of the sailors, when we cast off and started for home As our pad- 
 dles backed water, the whistle again sounded and the crew throng- 
 ed the decks, swarmed the rigging, and peered at us through the 
 port-holes ; the flashing of the battle lanteins gave a weird aspect 
 to the animated scene as the gallant tars saluted us with another 
 round of stentorian cheers. 
 
 Thus we came back to tlie city well satisfied with our delightful 
 excursion, and feeling that the labors of the day were not in vain. 
 No doubt the experiment will be repeated should the funds continue 
 to come as formerly. 
 
 Meanwhile the troops were rapidly pouring in — from 3,000 
 to as many as 9,000 sometimes arrived in a day and passed 
 through the city. To all of these I was morally committed 
 to furnish fruit and delicacies, while for from 1,000 to as many 
 as 5,000 a day I had to provide full rations, lodging, &c., at 
 the Depot. As an illustration of this obligation I insert the 
 following notice from the New York Herald : 
 
 A Preparation and Disappointment. 
 
 So many of our returning regiments have arrived in this city 
 and left without notice that yesterday some patriotic ladies of this 
 city, hearing of the expected arrival of the Ninety-first New York 
 Volunteers, seven hundred stnmg, determined to give them a gen- 
 erous recepticm. Large quantities of strawberries, cherries, flowers 
 lemons, &c.,were purchased, and these, added to the substantial eat- 
 
33 
 
 ables provided by the government at the New York State Agency, 
 in Howard street, were arranged in tasteful order, awaiting the ar- 
 rival of the regiment. But the ladies were disappointed. The regi- 
 ment did not reach the city until after five o'clock. And although 
 the ladies had been assured that if it should land after half-past 
 four o'clock it would remain in the city over night — and they made 
 preparations accordingly— it was hurried from pier to pier (time 
 for a hasty bite of usual army fare on the Battery only being al- 
 lowed), and left for Albany by a boat specially chartered for the 
 purjxjse. The ladies were, of course disappointed, but they made 
 the best of it by inviting the soldiers stopping at the depot to 
 " fall in" and eat the dainties provided for their less fortunate 
 brethren of the Ninety-first New York Volunteers. 
 
 The Ninety-first no sooner arrived in Albany than a sharp 
 censorious article animadverting severely on the way the regi- 
 ment was treated in New York City appeared in the Evening 
 Journal. 
 
 To nearly all the city regiments, to all, when I had timely 
 notice, I furnished a band of music, and where it was possi- 
 ble an escort of one of our city regiments of National Guards. 
 Cols. Varian, Mason and Lieut.-Col. Talford, had each patri- 
 otically promised to escoi-t any veteran regiment returning 
 from the war on twenty-four hours notice. 
 
 A brief description, from the New York Sun, July 19, of the 
 reception of one of these regiments at the Rail Road Depot, 
 will give you a good idea of the character of these arrivals : 
 
 The Regiment Arrived. 
 
 At t\7enty minutes to one o'clock, the whistle of the train which bore the troops 
 was heard in the depot, and the escort at once formed triple files on the platform 
 which it was to pass. The hand then struck up with a spirited medley of patriotic 
 airs, and as the locomotive swept over the depot rails, the sweet and appropriate 
 tune •' Home Sweet Home," was performed, the concourse cheering vociferously, 
 and the committee vainly endeavoring to keep the lines which they had formed 
 for the puqjose of marching with the Regiment. 
 
 Incidents. 
 
 And now come the warm clasp of the hand, from the wife, the sweetheart, the 
 mother, the father and the friend. The scene was affecting in the extreme- 
 Here a friend was rushing forward, and grasping the hand of the returned 
 sohlier, holding it like a vice. There the mother with her intiint in her arms ran 
 
forward and witli tears of Joy placed the cliild who had aot been, for nearly two 
 years, in the arms of its father, who ere he could bestow the warm kiss which she 
 waited for. on the mother, kissed his offspring again and again. One simple 
 case of this kind drew tears from the eyes of many. A handsome young woman 
 rushed forward with a child of some eighteen months in her arms and kissed a 
 fine stout able bodied young fellow, who was somewhat bronzed with the sun. 
 placed the little fellow in his arms. "Tare anages, Mary dear, what's this?" 
 " Your own child. John, asthore,-' was the answer, '• yer own thit ye niver saw, 
 dear ; that I had the trouble with three months afther you left me, an' I thought 
 I'd never see your face again. ! thank God, thank God. for this moment. Amen."" 
 The scene was touching. 15ut in the midst of it, a clear, silvery voice was heard 
 at a short distance, crying the simple words, " Kate, here"s Richard." Quick as 
 thought, a beautiful young girl, who had hitherto looked on with an anxious 
 countenance, examining every corner with a distracted air and critical eye 
 ruahed forward, and in an instant was clasped to the breast of a brave young 
 soldier. '• My darleut, my own darlent."' came up in deep tones from the heart 
 of the soldier, " still thrue to your own Dick ?"' Yes, an' why not was the reply,. 
 '• you were thrue to our country."' These are but a sample of the incidents 
 which occurred, and which drew tears from the eyes of many who witnessed the 
 scene. But soon the words •♦ Fall in " were heard ^ the soldiers obeyed orders, 
 and were marched on board the ferry boat, followed by their male and female 
 escort, and soon all were landed in New York, where a repetition of the same 
 joyful scenes took place on a larger scale, and where the ebullition of feeling 
 became so great that it was checked with the greatest diflSculty. 
 
 The Irish Brigade. 
 
 The following correspondence occurred about this time. 
 Remembering that General Nugent had recruited for the 
 Hancock Corps under the auspices of the Union League 
 Club, 1 was particularly desirous to entertain his brigade. 
 
 New York State Soluiers' Depot, 
 50 AND 52 Howard Street, N. Y., July '6, 1865. 
 
 [ 
 
 Brigadier General Robert Nugent, commanding Irish Brigade : — 
 
 General — At twelve o'clock today I shall have room for one thousand, and 
 at three o'clock this afternoon accommodation for one thousand six hundred 
 men. On behalf of the authorities of the Siate of New York I desire the honor 
 of entertaining the remnant of the noble brigade now under your command. I 
 will seiul a fine band of music to escort you, and at three o'clock will have a 
 collation on the tables for one thousand six hundred men. 
 
 Trusting that I may have the privilege of thus welcoming you home, I am 
 General, very respectfully yours, 
 
 Vincent Colyrk, 
 Agent for the State of New York. 
 
35 
 
 Headquakters, First BRiGAnE. Battery Barracks, | 
 New York. July 3, 18fi5. \ 
 
 Colonel Cni.YER, State Agent, New York : — 
 
 Colonel— I have just received your kind invitation for my brigade to attend 
 a collation at Centre Market drill room, proffered by the State authorites to the 
 men of my brigade. I regret exceedingly that, on account of the absence of 
 most of the men and officers of the Irish Brigade, who upon its arrival, received 
 permission to visit their homes until late this evening, they are unable to partake 
 of the hospitality of your agency so kindly and so courteously extended on this 
 occasion. Were it possible to have received your kind invitation at an earlier 
 moment, I have no hesitation in saying that the men of my command would have 
 very cheerfully accepted it, aad would have done ample justice to the good 
 things which 1 am told the patriotic citizens of the Empire State love to place 
 before the retiu'ning veterans of the war. 
 
 Pleace except from me personally my best thanks, and through me the thanks 
 of my brigade. Very respectfully, yours, 
 
 Robert Nugent, 
 Brigadier General Commanding. 
 
 Fourth of July, 
 
 The Fourth of July was a very busy day. Besides a fruit 
 collation at the Centre Market Armory (where there were 
 assembled that day all three of the Militia regiments for 
 parade, and four thousand veterans), where the dinner was set 
 for one thousand, there was a dinner and ice cream collation 
 for eight hundred, at the Depot in Howard-street, with an 
 oration in the afternoon by ElHot F. Shepherd, Esq., some 
 choice music by the Union Glee Club and a fine band. 
 
 In addition to these, thinking that the most deserving body 
 of soldiers ui New York at that time, were the poor crippled 
 men who, at the hospital on Central Park, were waiting for 
 their artificial arms and legs, I arranged an entertainment 
 especially for their edification. Engaging the City Assembly 
 Rooms, Broadway ; Robertson's full band of 32 pieces ; U 
 double horse omnibusses ; and better still getting the Ladies of 
 the Rose Hill Committee to help me, (the Howard-street 
 Ladies were busy at their own Depot,) I issued tickets for 
 a select number of the true friends of the soldiers, and 
 writing to the Medical Director, received the following answer : 
 
expression of our tender regard, our high esteem, our respect, our gratitudt; to 
 you for the great service which you have rendered to the country. 
 
 I call upon those of our friends who are gathered here, who represent the 
 citizens of New York, to rise in the presence of these men, and give testimony 
 to the value they set on the services which they have rendered. (Here all rose, 
 three cheers were given, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed for some minutes.) 
 Dr. Adams continued : Do not think it a mere empty form, if in your presence 
 we rise up to call you "blessed." We mean to make every expression of our 
 gratitude and honor toward you as long as you and we shall live A blue coat 
 with an empty sleeve is a claim to the honor of every citizen of the country. 
 Those of us who have reached adult years recall the forms of those men who are 
 associated with the early struggle for National Independence ; we followed their 
 forms with respect, and while they lived showered upon them testimonials of 
 our regard and esteem, until they sunk within their graves. So it will be with 
 you citizen soldiers. 
 
 In times of gloom and trouble, when clouds overhung the land, these citizens 
 were accustomed to meet and give expression to their sympathy and regard for 
 you. We prayed for you in our churches and at our homes. These tender ladies 
 day after day were accustomed to toil for you that they might send some ex- 
 pression of their solicitude for you. We thought of you in the field, on the 
 march, and the bivouac. You have been remembered and you shall be cared for 
 and cherished as long as you live. We congratulate you for the preservation of 
 life ; we congratulate you for the service you have rendered your country ; we 
 congratulate you for the scars that you bear upon your persons ; we congra- 
 tulate you that you have such a subject for contemplation ; that your treasure of 
 memory is stored with such memorials of suffering in a just and righteous cause, 
 and for which a nation's thanks now are poured out at your feet. Who would 
 not prefer to lose his right arm, and his right eye, than have two hands and two 
 feet and two eyes to enter into the shame and the ignominy of that tremendous 
 Rebellion in which so many have been engaged? (Applause.) Who would not 
 rather tO'day be sleeping in some honored grave than to live to bear about with 
 him the guilty conscience all his life of having been instrumental in raising an 
 insurrection against the most just, generous and benignant government which 
 the sun in the heavens ever shone upon. (Applause.) 
 
 John Adams, when he was about to launch in the war of the Revolution, in a 
 memorable letter says ; " I look through the dim cloud of battle. I look beyond 
 this year of gloom, and I assure you that the time will come when this event 
 will be celebrated throughout the land with the ringing of bells and the salvos 
 of ariillery. 
 
 Henceforward this time shall be celebrated among us. In this year we have 
 saved national life, and passed through one of the most tremendous struggles 
 recorded by the pen of history. 
 
 You know it has been alleged by those who have been called our enemies, 
 whether in this country or abroad, that the Rebellion had for its foundation the 
 very same principles and rights which our fathers asserted in the immortal 
 Declaration of their Independence. You and i believed no such thing. We 
 believe our fathers were right in that revolution, and we also believe that those 
 who attempted of late to overthrow the Government by them founded, were 
 wrong, that their action was criminal and unjustifiable. (Applause.) 
 
 Dr. Adams then adverted to the origin of government, when revolution was 
 justifiable, which was when a government was perverted from its true ends. The 
 British government had become an instrument of oppression in this country 
 when our fathers rushed into a revolution. The American Colonies were ground 
 down. Our fathers expostulated in vain, they got no relief, and tiie day at 
 length came when they threw aside that Government. They appealed to the 
 judgment of mankind. Their revolution was founded upon religious principles. 
 As an ordinance of God the British government had been perverted, and our 
 fathers went to frame one which was better. He then alluded to the unexampled 
 prosperity of the country under the Government which they founded. It never 
 became an engine of oppression, and to rebel against it was a crime against 
 God. It never failed of its object. In proof of the excellence of this Govern- 
 
raent he would read the testimony of two witnesses who could not be accused of 
 partiality. The first of those witnesses was a Mr. .Jefferson Davis, who said five 
 years ago in the Senate of the United States : 
 
 " This is the best Government ever instituted by man, unexceptionably administered, and 
 xinder it the people have been prosperous beyond comparison with any other people whose 
 career has been recorded in history." 
 
 The next witness was Alexander H. Stephens, late Vice-President of what was 
 called the Southern Confederacy. In 1861, four years ago, when the people of 
 Georgia met in convention to discuss the question whether they should go '^ut 
 or remain in the Union. Mr. Stephens said : 
 
 '■ I must declare here, as I have often before, what has been repeated by the greatest and 
 highest statesmen in this and other land?, that the American Government is the best, the 
 purest, the most equal in its principles, the most just in its administration, the most lenient 
 in its measures, the most aspiring in its aims to elevate the human race , that the sun ever 
 shone upon." (Applause.) 
 
 We inaugurated those armies and went into this great struggle for the purpose 
 of saving our National life. (Applause.) The men who forced us to that issue 
 risked the institution of Slavery upon one cast of the die. and they lost the 
 game. (Immense applause.) Those great armies, which have been the admira- 
 tion of the world, are dissolving and returning now that the 
 
 " War drum throbs no longer 
 And the battle flags are furled." 
 
 to the avocations of peaceful citizenship. You, our wounded friends, will never, 
 never be forgotten. Henceforth it will be our duty to love our country, to honor 
 her Government, to conserve her institutions, and to pledge ourselves to the 
 sacred cause of libei^^, honor, patriotism and truth. (Applause.) 
 
 The band then played some patriotic airs. Tlie poet, Mr. Wm. 
 Ross Wallace, was introduced by Col. Colyer. He recited, amid 
 much applause, an original poem, entitled, " Washing-ton's Red, 
 White and Blue." 
 
 The Rev. Mr. King, of New York, then addressed the meeting. 
 He alluded to the conclusion of the war, our magnificent destiny 
 with our free institutions. He wished it were possible to-day for 
 language to express the feelings of joy and pride and gratitude 
 which every American cherishes for the men who have fought 
 through this great war, and who have secured to us such a grand 
 and g-iorious result. He alluded to our pulpit oratory some years 
 ago when the people were almost persuaded that all war was un- 
 justifiable. During the delivery of his discoure Mr. King was 
 frequently applauded. 
 
 At this point the soldiers were invited by the ladies to a feast of 
 strawberries, ice cream, pretty smiles and other delicacies. The 
 band entertained the audience meanwhile with some excellent 
 music. 
 
 About half-past four o'clock the celebration at the City Assembly 
 Rooms came to a close, the poor maimed veterans driving off to 
 the Central Park Hospital in omnibuses which had been engaged 
 for them. 
 
40 
 
 The correspondent of the Boston Post spoke of it as follows : 
 
 "the 4th of JULY DINNER TO THE CRIPPLED VETERANS. 
 
 Perhaps the most eflFective (as well as aifecting') portion of the 
 programme was the meetinp^ held at the City Assembly Rooms 
 under Colonel Colyer's auspices, where two or three hundi'cd crip- 
 pled veterans were assembled to hear an address of welcome, sym- 
 pathy and gratitude, from Rev. Dr. Adams, and to partake of a 
 most seasonable spread of berries, cream, &c., provided by the 
 ladies of one of our soldiers' aid societies. The gallant fellows were 
 brought down from Central Park in a triumphal procession of om- 
 nibuses, and after a first rate jollification were taken home in the 
 cool of the day, as happy as bivalves at high water. Among them 
 was one maimed hero whose legs had carried him through all the 
 Sherman campaign, but, at the behest of a cannon ball, deserted 
 him just as he thought the war had been fought out. He was car- 
 ried in the arms of two comrades who appeared to be proud of the 
 load they bore, and his reception at the hands (and feet) of the 
 audience, although it could not put him on his pins again, certainly 
 was enough to prove to him that he was among friends who knew 
 how to appreciate his sacrifices for the flag." 
 
 Union League Club. 
 
 At the July monthly meeting of the Union Club the follow- 
 ing members were appointed to co-operate in the reception of 
 the troops arriving in the city : Thos. L. Dale, J. C. Cahter, 
 J. S. Shultz. Geo. Bliss, Jr., Edward Cromwell. Nearly 
 $900 were collected that night, and upwards of $2,000 were 
 received in response to a circular addressed to the members 
 by the committee. This in addition to the money collected 
 by myself from the members of the Union f.ieague Club 
 amounts to the handsome sum of $8,000 ; being more than 
 one-half of the whole sum obtained. 
 
 In response to this patriotic action of the Club, the 7*.)tli 
 N. Y. Veteran Vols. — " Scotch Highlanders" were invited to 
 a collation at the Club. Previous engagements prevented, 
 but the regiment with its escort marched past the Club House 
 which was handsomely draped with flags in their honor. 
 Both the veterans and escort paid the Club the honor of a 
 marching salute. 
 
On the 3ist of July, tlie One Hundred and Thirty-First and 
 Forty -sixth Veterans, escorted by 1,000 policemen, and the 
 Eighth National Gu ird : and the Fifty-first Veterans, escorted 
 by the Thirteenth Brooklyn National Guirds : Captain Murray's 
 company, Seventh National Guard : and the Captain McLeod's 
 Eighty-fourth National Guard : were received at the Club 
 House, and the account given by the Herald of the Ist of 
 August is truthful. 
 
 "The reception of the One Hundred and Thirty-lirst, or Metropo- 
 litan regiment, and the Forty-Sixth regiuaent, New York Veteran 
 Volunteers, yesterday, was a grand affair, in some respects sur- 
 passing any of the numerous ovations of the kind it has been the 
 pleasant duty of our citizens to give within the past few weeks. 
 Both of the commands mentioned came home from the wars with 
 tlyiug colors and with their records untarnished. Their flags are 
 tattered and stained, and bear many an evidence of the battles 
 they have waved in, and the many weary miles of country they 
 have been carried over ; but they are all the more valuable for 
 that, and will, in the future, form the theme of many a writer's pen 
 and many a painter's pencil. Those old banners now all tattered 
 and torn, could tell many a tale more pregnant of stirring incident 
 by flood and field than has yet ever been told by historian or no- 
 velist — for their tale would be true in every particular, and as 
 strange as true. The men comprising the regiments are sturdy, 
 weather-beaten and sun-bronzed fellows, who, after four years of 
 hard service, are returning to the peaceful scenes, the homes and 
 the children, the wives and the firesides, the friends of auld lang 
 syne, to become once more citizens of New York and members of 
 the communities from which they sevei'ed themselves at their 
 country's call when the war began. And they are the stuff that 
 good citizens are made of 
 
 The two regiments mentioned — all that's left of them — assembled 
 yesterday morning, at Centre Market Armory, at about nine o'clock, 
 to be escorted through the streets to the point where the formal 
 reception was to take place. The One Hundred and Thirty-first 
 was accompanied by a large body of the Metropolitan Police, and 
 the Forty-sixth regiment was similarly honored by the Eighth regi- 
 ment of the National Guard. The police, to the number of about 
 nine himdred, including the off platoons of the Brooklyn force, were 
 drawn up in Mulberry street, at the front of the Police Head- 
 quarters, when the veterans arrived, headed by a fidl band dis- 
 coursing martial nmsic as they marched. After a little time spent 
 in arranging the line, the veterans, non-veterans and their military 
 and police escort, moved at about ten o'clock, in the following- 
 order of procession : 
 
Dodsworth's Band. 
 Platoon of Police from each precinct in this city and Brooklyn 
 Superintendent Kennedy. 
 Inspector Carpenter. 
 President Acton. 
 Colonel Colyer. 
 Captain Copeland, commandinR. 
 (iftptains Hope, Thorne, Caffry, Jemmiaon, Bnrdish Bennett and Williamson. Aids in Re- 
 serve to >uperintendent Inspector. 
 Captains Perry, Davis, Elman . Walling, Dixon. Greer, Jacobs, Bennett, Cameron and Woglom, 
 
 each with their respective commands. 
 One Hundred and Thirty- iirst regiment Veteran Volunteers, two companies of the Eighth re- 
 giment N. G. S. N. Y. . preceded by Robertson's band of forty-six pieces. 
 Band. 
 Forty-sixth regiment Veteran Volunteers . 
 
 The route taken by the imposing cortege was down Centre street, 
 crossing tlie Park, in front of the City Hall, thence up Broadway 
 to Fourteenth street, through Fifth Avenue to Madison square, 
 around this square to Broadway, and to Union square and Seven- 
 teenth street, in front of the rooms of the Union League Club, 
 where a stand had been prepared and other arrangements made 
 for their accommodation. 
 
 The Police appeared very well, and marched and wheeled with 
 the precision and regularity of veteran soldiers. The two regi- 
 ments showed to great advantage, and were warmly and loudly 
 cheered in different parts of the city throughout which they marched. 
 
 It was just twelve o'clock when the troops arrived in the vicinity 
 of the club rooms, and the march beneath the hot rays of the sun 
 had given all the soldiers a keen appetite for food and a desire for 
 cooling liquids, which their friends of the Club were not slow to 
 gratify. 
 
 After the disposition of the forces there was music by the band, 
 after which came 
 
 AN ADDRESS BY COLONEL COLYER. 
 
 He said, in substance, that he was happy to meet the home returning veterans 
 who. after four years' deadly strife, in the beneficence of God's providence were 
 permitted once more to return to their homes. To their stalwart hands and 
 brave hearts were the citizens of New York indebted for the enjoyments of the 
 quiet fireside, for the victories which had followed our flag. And the people of 
 the city knew and recognized these facts. They met their return with warm 
 welcome. They know what they (the veterans) had undergone, the comrades 
 they had lost by death, those who had been crippled and maimed for life ; but 
 when they looked upon their bronzed faces and battle-stained banners, and 
 raised their eves to the glorious flag which uow waved over a free and united 
 country, they confessed it had all been for their exaltation and the greater glory 
 of that country. In the future the poet and the historian would record their 
 victories, while they would be in the enjoyment of the best offices, the highest 
 honors and emoluments to be bestowed by a grateful people. Those who were 
 soldiers in the time of war could, in time of peace, maintain the constitution and 
 the laws of the Republic. In the name of the Governor of the State, and of the 
 members of the Union League Club he welcomed them home, and prayed 
 that, wherever they might go in the future, prosperity would attend them. 
 
Colonel Colyer was freqently and loudly applauded 
 Superintendent Kennedy, Inspector Leonard and other officers 
 of the police were upon the platform 
 
 Three cheers were then given, with hearty zest, for the colonels 
 of the two regiments, the Union League Club and Gov. Fenton, after 
 wliich the men stacked arms and were served with lunch. The 
 heat was extreme, in the centre of tlie unshaded street, but the 
 veterans seemed rather to enjoy it than otherwise, and partook of 
 their refreshments as though the mid- day rays of the summer sun 
 were the merest monshine. Not so with the citizens present. 
 They sought shelter behind friendly walls, the presence of open 
 doors and casements, fans, ices, lemonades, &c., &c„ while the 
 officers of the regiments went within the club rooms to partake of 
 a superb collation. 
 
 THE RETURN. 
 
 After partaking of a plentiful collation, the same order of march 
 was resumed, untd the escort reac!ied the foot of Twenty-sixth 
 street, where the two veteran regiments embarked for Hart's 
 Island. 
 
 RECEPTION OF THE THE FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 
 
 The fifty-first was organized at Castle Garden by Colonel Elliott 
 F Shepherd, and went out in the tall of 1861, eight hundred strong, 
 under Colonel Edward Ferrero, now Major General of United States 
 Volunteers. The first engagement in which this regiment parti- 
 cipated was that of Roanoke Island, in which it distinguished iiself 
 remarkably. The other battles were Newbern, Second Bull Run. 
 Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg. 
 Jackson, siege of Knoxville, and all the principal engagements in 
 Grant's advance upon Richmond, sharing the honors of Sheridan's 
 campaign in the Shenandoah valley and Lee's surrender, the closing 
 scene of the rebellion. 
 
 At half-past three o'clock in the afternoon the parade for the re- 
 ception of the Fifty-first regiment formed at Centre Market, and 
 marched in the following order : 
 
 Broadway squad of police, under Sergeant Vonhagan. 
 Thirteenth Brooklyn regiment, under Colonel Woodward, preceded by Robertson's Baud, 
 
 forty-six pieces. 
 One company of the Seventh regiment New York state National (iuard, under Captain 
 
 Murray. 
 Captain McLeod'scompany of the Eighty-fourth regiment National Guard, State of New York. 
 
 Fifty veterans of the Fifty-flrst regiment, under Captain W. Cuflf. 
 Clarriage with Major General Fen-ero, Colonel E. F. Shepherd, Captain Gardiner and Colonel 
 
 Vincent Colyer. 
 Fifty-first regiment Veteran Volunteers. 
 
 The line of march was to Grand street. Bowery, City Hall, Broad- 
 way and Union square. 
 
44 
 
 A very large crowd were collected around the Club Room, in- 
 deed, everywhere this regiment goes it is received with honor. 
 During its march up Broad vvay, the street was filled w^ith all ages 
 and sexes, who cheered lustily. Flags were flying from almost 
 every house. In all resjjects, the aiiair was well managed and 
 very enthusiastic. 
 
 Having stacked arms opposite the Union League Club house, the 
 men were addr(^ssed by Colonels Colyer and Shepard, after which 
 a bountiful collation of sandwiches, peaches, watermelons, coifec;, 
 lager beer, segars, &c., was furnished the men, while the officers 
 retired within the Club House, where a handsome repast awaited 
 them ; the fine band discoursing some choice music the while. 
 
 After the luncheon, the regiments, in the cool of the evening, 
 took up their line of march through Broadway, and were again 
 most enthusiastically cheered by the people. 
 
 Amount of Work done. 
 
 Total number of men received in the six months Jur- 
 which the N. Y. State Agency vv^as under my 
 control 86,683 
 
 Whole number of men since the establishment wds 
 
 opened in May, 1863 .... 187,155 
 
 Number of sick received in hospital in six months, 1,261 
 
 Number of deaths in six months .... 27 
 
 Average daily number who received medical treat- 
 ment, dressing of wounds, &c. . . . 331 
 
 The number of volumes given out to be read by 
 
 the soldiers, . . . ... 4,258 
 
 Cash received and locked up for safe keeping in 
 
 the same time $178,424.23 
 
 The number of articles donated and washed for the 
 
 men for six months, was .... 12,858 
 
 During the months of June and July 1 received and pro- 
 vided meals', lodging and extra delicacies for 60,000 men in all : 
 32,285 were New York City and State troops ; over 15,000 were 
 New England soldiers and 10,000 from other States, were on 
 Harts Island, and in the Hospitals, Fortitications, and on ship 
 board in the harbor of New York. 
 
 The following regiments and detachments returned fully 
 
45 
 
 organized, under the care of their proper officers ; bringing 
 their arms and colors with them. To most of these I furnished 
 a band of music. The officers, as well as the men, were enter- 
 tained and cared for from the fund : 
 
 No. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Regiment. 
 
 OF D 
 
 ATE. 
 
 Regiment. 
 
 OF 
 
 
 
 Men. 
 
 
 
 
 Men. 
 
 Juue 24 
 
 5th New York. 
 
 170 
 
 16 
 
 17 1 h 
 
 
 375 
 
 •' 24 
 
 lOCth 
 
 450 
 
 17 
 
 7yth 
 
 '• 
 
 374 
 
 " 26 
 
 115th 
 
 300 
 
 18 
 
 170th 
 
 •' 
 
 160 
 
 '• 27 
 
 3d 
 
 333 
 
 18 
 
 164th 
 
 " 
 
 220 
 
 " 27 
 
 5th Conn. 
 
 32ti 
 
 18 
 
 6f)th 
 
 u 
 
 185 
 
 •• 27 
 
 121st New York. 
 
 382 
 
 18 
 
 155th 
 
 •' 
 
 125 
 
 •• 27 
 
 1st " 
 
 560 
 
 19 
 
 157th 
 
 " 
 
 225 
 
 June 28 
 
 5th New York. 
 
 120 
 
 20 
 
 5th 
 
 " Art. 
 
 1.110 
 
 " 29 
 
 144th 
 
 882 
 
 20 
 
 60th 
 
 .1 
 
 468 
 
 ^' 30 
 
 8th 
 
 600 
 
 21 
 
 65th 
 
 (i 
 
 870 
 
 July 1 
 
 73d 
 
 390 
 
 21 
 
 99th 
 
 " 
 
 120 
 
 "' 1 
 
 93d 
 
 .375 
 
 23 
 
 143d 
 
 " 
 
 275 
 
 " 1 
 
 10th 
 
 520 
 
 24 
 
 169th 
 
 u 
 
 645 
 
 " 1 
 
 6th •' 
 
 800 
 
 24 
 
 94th 
 
 <( 
 
 445 
 
 " 2 
 
 59th 
 
 257 
 
 24 
 
 1st 
 
 f' 
 
 222 
 
 " 3 
 
 15th 
 
 500 
 
 24 
 
 32d 
 
 " 
 
 275 
 
 " 3 
 
 1st " 
 
 850 
 
 25 
 
 102d 
 
 
 650 
 
 " 3 
 
 39th 
 
 151 
 
 26 
 
 12th 
 
 " 
 
 500 
 
 " 3 
 
 5 2d 
 
 225 
 
 27 
 
 51?t 
 
 •' 
 
 445 
 
 •' 3 
 
 3d 
 
 185 
 
 25 
 
 46th 
 
 •' 
 
 300 
 
 " 5 
 
 91st " 
 
 712 
 
 29 
 
 131st 
 
 « 
 
 500 
 
 " 7 
 
 175th " 
 
 116 
 
 
 
 
 
 " 8 
 
 173d '• 
 
 500 
 
 
 Tota 
 
 1 Regts. 
 
 46 
 
 " 9 
 
 2d '• 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 
 
 " 16 
 
 61st 
 
 365 
 
 Total 
 
 numl)ei 
 
 of men 
 
 18.958 
 
 The " Reception Fund " to provide fruit, music and oth- 
 er luxuries to suitably entertain these brave men, amount- 
 ed to $14,607.86, collected from the liberal citizens of New 
 York City (the larger part from members of the Union League 
 Club). Of which there had been expended up to A.ugust 
 14th ...... $14,600 00 
 
 Balance on hand, . . . . 7 36 
 
 New York, August 14, 1865 
 
 We have examined the foreg-oing accounts of receipts and ex- 
 penditures of Colouel Vincent Colyer in the reception of returning 
 soldiers, and also tiie V(juchers for the expenditures, and find them 
 correct in ever}^ respect. 
 
 George Bliss, Jr. 
 
 Edward Cromwell. 
 
46 
 
 ACKNOWr.EDGMENTS. 
 
 Tlie following are a few of the acknowledgments received : 
 
 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH NEW YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of the officers of the One Hundred and Fifteenth 
 New York Volunteers, held at Albany, N. Y., on the 28tli of June, 
 1865, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : — 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the regiment be tendered to Colonel 
 Vincent Colyer, in charge of the New York State Soldiers' Depot, 
 50 and 52 Howard St , New York, and to his assistants, for the 
 generous entertainment which the regiments received at their 
 hands — hospitality without stint, joined with soldierly cordiality — 
 that it caused us to realize the fact that we had at last reached 
 Ota- great, generous Empire State, and that hei' sons who had as- 
 sisted in crushing the great rebellion, had not been forgotten. 
 
 A. J. Jones, 
 Lieut. Colonel Commanding Regiment. 
 N. DeGraff, Acting Adjutant. 
 
 THE IRISH LEGION 69tH, 1 55tH, 165tH AND HOtH N. Y. 
 
 At a meeting of the ex-officers of the Legion, the following Re- 
 solution was unanimously adopted : — 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this committee of ex-officers and 
 friends of the Corcoran Irish Legion are due, and hereby tendered, 
 to Colonel Vincent Colyer, State agent, for the marked courtesy 
 and aid given this committee in preparing for, and the very hos- 
 pitable collation furnished by him, upon the occasion of the recep- 
 tion of the Legion this day Sparing no personal effort, he ap- 
 peared only desirous of making the returned veterans feel that 
 their actions in defence of the Union are fully appreciated by the 
 authorities. 
 
 THE FIRST NEW YORK VOLUNTEER ENGINEERS. 
 
 Col. Vincent Colyer, Sup't. of New York State Soldiers' Depot, 
 
 Colonel — Permit me to thank you for your kindness and atten- 
 tion to my regiment, the First New York Volunteer Engineers. 
 
 At the time we arrived in New York you were greatly pressed 
 with numbers of returned troops, yet you seemed to bring order 
 out of chaos, and your unifox'jn kindness won the admiration and 
 a:ratitude of all. 
 
Your institution is a noble one, and you have produced results 
 from it which ought to satisfy the most exacting-, and in behalf of 
 my regiment, and for myself, I thank you, and through you the 
 founders and supporters of the Soldiers' Depot. 
 
 I am, very truly, &c., respectfully. 
 
 Your ob't. servant, James F. Hall. 
 Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S., Com. First N. Y. Volunteer Engineers. 
 
 THE TENTH REGIMENT VET. VOI^S. 
 
 At a recent meeting of the officers of the Tenth New York Vo- 
 lunteer regiment, the following preamble and resolutions were 
 unanimously adopted : — 
 
 Whereas, On the arrival of our regiment on the 1st day of July, 
 1865, at the city of New York, we were entertained and kindly 
 cared for at the Soldiers' Depot, under the direction of Colonel 
 Vincent Colyer, having been furnished with refreshments, music, 
 &c., and the same courtesy having been extended to us on the 3d 
 day of July, when we embarked for Hart's Island. 
 
 Resolved, That we do tender Col. Vincent Colyer our heartfelt 
 thanks for the many acts of kindness and courtesy he has extended 
 to us. We do assure him that our reception, after four years of 
 hard service in the field, was most gratifying to our feelings. May 
 the noble institution, whose head he is, continue to prosper in well 
 doing, and he may rest assured that every battle-worn and footsore 
 soldier who partakes of his hospitality will thank and bless him 
 evermore. 
 
 Geo. F. Hopper, Lieut.-Col. Tenth Vet. Vols. 
 
 Chas. W. Cowtan, Brevet Captain and Adjutant. 
 
 THE ninety-fourth REGIMENT VET. VOLS. 
 
 Albany, N. Y., July 26th, 1865. 
 Col. Vincent Colyer, Nos. 50 and 52 Howard St., 
 
 New York. 
 Colonel : On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Ninety- 
 fourth Regt. New York Veteran Volunteers, I desire to tender to 
 you my earnest and grateful thanks, for the generous reception 
 extended by you to the Ninety-fourth on the 22nd inst. 
 
 The bountiful refreshments provided by your kindness were ren- 
 dered peculiarly welcome and acceptable by the kindly and earnest 
 manner in which they were offered, and you can rest assured that 
 the officers and soldiers of the Ninety-fourth will never forget 
 Colonel Colyer and the noble institution over which he so capably 
 presides. I remain. Colonel, with much esteem, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Adrian Root, 
 Col. and Brevet Maj. Gen. 
 
48 
 
 Removal from Office. 
 
 The work had gone on thus successfully and was approach- 
 ing- completion, (there were some twenty or more N. Y. State 
 regiments yet to arrive,) when, on the 1st of September, 
 I was summoned to Albany and there received from his Ex- 
 cellency without the slightest previous intimation, a letter, of 
 which the following is a copy : 
 
 Executive Chamber, Albany, Aug. 31, 1865. 
 
 Col. Vincent Colter, Supt. N. Y. State Soldiers' Depot : 
 
 In view of the fact that the war has been successfully terminated 
 and the necessities growing out of the same have become greatly 
 lessened, and that there must be a corresponding reduction of em- 
 ployes as well as expenses, I have come to the conclusion that I 
 shall not require your services in connection with the New York 
 Soldiers' Depot beyond the date of the receipt of this communica- 
 tion. 
 
 You will therefore immediately turn over to J. L. Prevost, Cor- 
 responding Secretary of the Depot, who will act as temporary 
 superinteudent, all property of every description in your possession 
 belonging or loaned to the State, accompanied with invoice, ex- 
 cepting such medical stores as may have been received by the 
 surgeon, and for which he is responsible, taking his receipt there- 
 for in duplicate, one copy of Which will be returned to the Quarter- 
 master-General's office. You will also turn over to him all orders. 
 instructi(jns, official papers, memorandas or money, or valuables 
 belonging to soldiers, which may have come into your possession 
 as superintendent of the depot. In case there are any outstanding 
 bills which you have not paid, or any orders given by you to any 
 parties, you will report the same to the Quartermaster-General, or 
 if there are any unpaid bills and no orders have been given, you 
 will report tiie fact. In compliance with previous instructions, 
 you will also report to me the amount of voluntary subscriptions 
 received and disbursed by you since your appointment. You will 
 be paid for your services up to and including the 5th day of Sep- 
 tember, 1865. 
 
 In closing your official connection, which is not caused by any 
 dissatisfaction with the discharge of your official duties, nor by 
 any lack of confidence in your zeal and integrity, 1 take occasion 
 to express my thanks for the energy displayed in. y^roviding i'or 
 returning soldiers, and your successful effort to afford special 
 relief 
 
 Yours, very truly, 
 
 R. K. Fenton. 
 
49 
 
 Lest I should be accused of holding- back anything which 
 ma}^ explain the cause of my sudden removal, I add the fol- 
 lowing correspondence. The " previous instructions" refered 
 to were as follows : 
 
 State of New York, Executive Department, 
 Albany, June 30. 
 
 Dear Sir, I am desirous of reducing tlie disbursement of the 
 fund put into my hands for the relief of soldiers, to a more com- 
 plete system, and one more in accordance with that which governs 
 the disbursements of otlier funds, both for my own convenience and 
 your protection. 
 
 As the Quartermaster-General has charge of a large amount of the 
 military funds, and his office is near yours, I have thought best to make 
 him the guardian of these moneys also, and apply the system of 
 accounts used in his office in the disbursment of other funds. 
 
 You will, therefore, hereafter make written requisitions upon 
 him for all articles needed, and confer with him in relation to all 
 matters (jf expenditure. In making unusual or extraordinary re- 
 quisitions, you will file the reasons and necessity therefore in 
 writing, when, if the Quartermaster General shall disapprove the 
 application, he will forward the same to me, with your statement 
 for final action 
 
 You will also make a monthly statement of the property on hand, 
 belonging both to the State of New York and the United States ; also 
 an account of all moneys and property received from every souix-e, 
 stating from whom received, on what account, and how disbursed. 
 
 In case you desire any increase in yuur working force, or at any 
 time deem it economy to diminish it, or desire to make any changes 
 among the employees, you will report the facts to me at once, and 
 in case a change is made, you will report the same to the Quarter- 
 master-General, so that he may at all times have in his office a 
 complete roll of the employees of the Depot." 
 
 Verji truly, yours, R. E. Fenton. 
 
 Col. Vincent Colyer, Superintendent, &c., 
 
 This letter had been read to me a month before by his Ex- 
 cellency, and at that time was accompanied by the declaration 
 from the Quartermaster-General " that he intended to place a 
 desk in the Soldier's Depot and maks it his down-town office." 
 As the General had already, on the first day of ni}^ appoint- 
 ment, taken the control of the transportation of soldiers 
 (which was allowed my predecessor) out of my hands, plac- 
 ing a clerk of his own selecting in the position, I protested 
 to his Excellency against this order, as virtually making Gen. 
 Merritt superintendent of the Depot. 
 
50 
 
 [f Soon after it was received I visited Albany and in an inter- 
 view with his Excellency he so tar modified the order as to al- 
 low me " discretion" as to when and what for, I should " make 
 requisition on the Quartertermaster-General for supplies, &c.," 
 and also, so as to not require me to submit my accounts of 
 moneys received from the " Reception Fund" to the General. 
 I reported the result of the interview with the Governor to Gen. 
 Merritt. On August 5th I received the following letter : 
 
 State of New Yobk, Quartermaster's Department, 
 Albany, August 5, 1865. 
 
 Sir, I wish to formally call your attention to the fact of your 
 non-compliance with the instructions addressed to you by his Ex- 
 cellency Governor Fenton, dated June 30th, 1865, a copy of which 
 was forwarded to me by the Governor, July 1st, 1865. 
 
 I have delayed thus calling your attention to the subject in 
 writing, hoping that you would comply with the letter and spirit 
 of the instructions without my doing so ; with a single exception 
 (and that in the present month), I have not been consulted in 
 reference to incurring of any expenses since the date of those in- 
 structions. I have received no report of employees, or changes in 
 them, nor return of property, showing the amount on hand as re- 
 quired. I have this day mailed a copy to Governor Fenton, of 
 this letter, to the end that he may take such action as he may 
 deem proper either to enforce compliance with his instructions, or 
 revoke the same, thereby relieving me from any seeming control of 
 the subject mentioned in said letter of instructions. 
 
 The latter course would please me, but as an officer, I shall (so 
 long as I remain one) obey such lawful orders as I may receive. 
 Very respectfully, &c., E. A. Merritt, 
 
 Quartermaster-General, State of New York. 
 
 This was succeeded by the following letter from Albany : 
 
 State of New York, Executive Department, 
 Albany, August 8. 
 
 Colonel : I received from Quartermaster-General Merritt a copy 
 of a letter addressed to you, dated August 5th. I hope you have 
 not inferred from anything I have said that I do not expect com- 
 pliance with my letter of instructions of June 20th. 
 
 It is probable that exact compliance with the letter may be 
 very inconvenient, and I do not doubt but that General Merritt 
 would of himself make all proper allowance for non-compliance or 
 failure in exigent cases ; but the letter was intended for your and 
 his direction, and the spirit should be faithfully observed and 
 followed. Very respectfully, 
 
 CoL. Vincent Colyer, R. E. Fenton. 
 
 And then came my removal from office. 
 
61 
 
 DONATIONS. 
 
 Hancock Recruiting Com , $3,154 87 
 Grocers War Fund Committee 2,822 00 
 U. S. Sanitary Commission, 2,000 00 
 Thanlvsgiving Dinner Commit- 
 tee of the Union League Club 645 42 
 U. S. Christian Commission, 500 00 
 James Lennox, . . . 250 00 
 Mechanics' Society, . . 200 00 
 
 Soldiers, Rest, per Geo. Bliss, 
 
 Treasurer, - - - 180 00 
 
 Miss Hone. ... 108 07 
 
 Thos. A. Vyse, Jr., . . 100 00 
 Rose Hill Ladies' Committee, 100 00 
 Grinnell, Minturn & Co., . 100 00 
 
 E. D. Morgan, . . .100 00 
 George W. Blunt, . . 100 00 
 
 W. R. Vermilye, . . 100 00 
 
 Rose Hill Ladies' Com. (ad'tl.) 100 00 
 Thomas Barron, . . . 100 00 
 R. L. & A. Stuart, . . .100 00 
 H. W. T. Mali, ... 100 00 
 Union League Club, Cash, 94 50 
 
 Edward Walker, . . . 75 00 
 
 C. V. S. Roosevelt, . . 75 00 
 Chas. H. Marshall, . . 75 00 
 Mrs. C. A. Zabriskie, . 70 00 
 J. A. Roosevelt, . . 55 00 
 Jackson S. Schultz, . . 50 00 
 Henry A. Burr, . . , 50 00 
 James L. Morgan, . . 50 00 
 
 D. Devlin & Co., . . . 50 00 
 John D. Lawson, . . 50 00 
 Oliver Carpenter & Co., . 50 00 
 Elliott C. Cowdin, . . 50 00 
 Andrews. Giles, Sandford & Co. 50 00 
 T. Mattlack Cheeseman, . 50 00 
 Phelps, Dodge & Co., . . 50 00 
 Skeel & Reynolds, . . 50 00 
 
 E. L. BoUis, . . . . 50 00 
 Thomas Christy, . . 50 00 
 
 $11,954 86 
 
 Brought forward, 
 Howard Potter, . 
 Goddard & Bro., 
 Samuel Willetts, . 
 Theodore Roosevelt, . 
 J. Jewett & Sons, . 
 Frotbingham & Baylis, 
 Wm. H. Perry, 
 J. Cabot Ward, . 
 James Rodgers, . 
 Soleliac Freres, 
 Lispenard Stewart, 
 Unknown . 
 Williams & Guion, 
 Strang & Adriance, . 
 Brewster Bros., 
 Shethar & Nichols, . 
 Samuel Wetmore, , 
 Thos. J. Owen, . * . 
 Thos. H. Maghee. . 
 Horace Gray. . 
 Alex. Van Rensseller, . 
 A. W. Spies, . . 
 R. W. Weston, . 
 Saltsman, Jacob &'Co., 
 Goodyear's I. R. Glove Co, 
 Daniel Huntington, 
 
 T. Mattlack Cheeseman, (add'nl) 25 00 
 
 Colonel T.B. VanBuren, 
 D. G. Bacon, 
 J. A. Graham, 
 Otis D. Swan, . 
 G. S. Beekman, 
 W. W. Bowne, . 
 J C. Carter, . 
 George Palen, . 
 Burdett, Jones & Co., 
 Timothy G. Churchill, 
 Emerson Coleman, 
 James Kelly, 
 
 $11,954 86 
 50 00 
 50 00 
 50 00 
 50 00 
 50 00 
 50 00 
 29 00 
 25 00 
 25 0) 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 
 $13,083 86 
 

 52 
 
 
 Brought forward, 
 
 $13,083 86 
 
 Brought forward, 
 
 $14,108 86 
 
 Thos. N. Dale, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 II. C. Lownes, 
 
 10 00 
 
 E. F. Shepanl, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Francis & Loutrel, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 W. Allen Butler, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Loder Bros & Co., 
 
 10 00 
 
 H. D. Harris, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Arthur Leary, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Rice. Chage & Co.. 
 
 25 00 
 
 G. C. Halstead, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 W. K. Strong, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Cash "Gen. Jackson," 
 
 10 00 
 
 J. E. Williams, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Chas. P. Kirkland, 
 
 10 00 
 
 J. Q. Jones. 
 
 25 00 
 
 Chas. G. Judson, 
 
 10 00 
 
 Thomas Mm-phy, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Doct. L. F. Warner, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Chas. E. Butler. . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Camp, Brunsen& Sherry, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Ogden Haggerty, 
 
 25 00 
 
 R. J. Randolph, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Peter Cooper, 
 
 25 00 
 
 S. J. Tobias. . 
 
 10 00 
 
 E. W. Coleman & Co., 
 
 25 00 
 
 G. A. Jarvis, 
 
 10 00 
 
 Alfred N. Lawrence, 
 
 25 00 
 
 W. H. Wisner, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Henry Weston, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 T.J.Smith, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Lucius Tuckerman, 
 
 25 00 
 
 W. C. Martin, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Robt. Lennox Kennedy, 
 
 25 00 
 
 R. J. Brunner, 
 
 10 00 
 
 Charles A. Talbot, 
 
 25 00 
 
 S. D. Wickes, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 John A. King, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Wm. Tucker, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Edmund C. Owen, 
 
 25 00 
 
 Slote & Janes, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Wm. Laimbeer, Jr., . 
 
 25 00 
 
 D. Moffatt, . 
 
 . 10 00 
 
 Franklin H. Delano, 
 
 25 00 
 
 Member of Union League 
 
 
 Horace Brookes, 
 
 25 00 
 
 (G. W. B.). . 
 
 10 00 
 
 George N. Noyes, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Thos. C. Cardavogne, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Samuel French, 
 
 25 00 
 
 Lawson Brothers, 
 
 8 00 
 
 W. E. Case, 
 
 25 00 
 
 Cash (Stranger) 
 
 6 00 
 
 J. W. Lester, 
 
 25 00 
 
 M. D., L. D., J. G., & T. Voorhis, 6 00 | 
 
 Bass & r;iark, . 
 
 . 25 00 
 
 Benedict Bros. , 
 
 5 00 
 
 S. 0. Baker, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 J. W. G., 
 
 5 00 
 
 Albert Mathews, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 Miss C. Lawson, 
 
 5 00 
 
 James W. Beekraan, . 
 
 25 00 
 
 •John C. Martin, . 
 
 5 00 
 
 John 0. Stone, 
 
 20 00 
 
 John J. ChaiTuaud. . 
 
 5 00 
 
 James Cassidy, 
 
 20 00 
 
 James Brian, 
 
 5 00 
 
 Elliott F. Sheppard. ( addit'nal.) 20 00 
 
 Thomas Wheen, 
 
 5 00 
 
 Cash, .... 
 
 20 00 
 
 Smith & Hall, 
 
 5 00 
 
 Easton & Co., . 
 
 20 00 
 
 Lyon Bros., 
 
 5 00 
 
 A. G. Ockershaussen, . 
 
 . 20 00 
 
 W. H. Smith. 
 
 5 00 
 
 W. A. Walker, . 
 
 20 00 
 
 Geo. W. Piatt, . 
 
 5 00 
 
 S. Draper. 
 
 20 00 
 
 Geo. C. Peters, . 
 
 5 00 
 
 C. D. Van Wagener, . 
 
 . 20 00 
 
 E. Higgins & Co., 
 
 5 00 
 
 G.P.Putnam, . 
 
 15 00 
 
 James J. Smith, . 
 
 5 00 
 
 Kemp, Day & Co., 
 
 15 00 
 
 C. D. & Co., . 
 
 5 00 
 
 C. E. C. K., . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Miss Bunting, 
 
 5 00 
 
 W. D. Mangam, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 Friend 
 
 5 00 
 
 Ed. Cromwell, 
 
 10 00 
 
 John Fowler. 
 
 5 00 
 
 H. C, 
 
 10 00 
 
 Cash, ..... 
 
 5 00 
 
 
 $14,108 86 
 
 
 $14,453 86 
 
53 
 
 Brought forward, 
 Cash, 
 
 R. C. Melow, . 
 M. M. Martin, 
 Ezra White, 
 Henry Beekman, . 
 I. H. T., . 
 Tarry town, . 
 J. J. Jones, 
 M. Pinchbeck, 
 J. Ashcroft, 
 Cash, 
 
 J. L. Laight 
 E. W., additional, . 
 Cash (Lady) 
 Capt. I. S. King, . 
 W.H.& C.Bali. 
 Cash, 
 Cash,. 
 
 George Douglas, . 
 R. Burkhalter, . 
 Chas. Herrick, 
 Oriental, 
 Louis & T. M. C, Jr.. 
 
 $14,453 8f; 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 GO 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 4 00 
 
 4 00 
 
 $14.5()6 86 
 
 Brought forward, 
 L. D. Buckley, . 
 A. Hayes, 
 A. Wayte.. 
 Mr. McBride, 
 M. M.L, ofCatskill, 
 T. & H.. 
 Cash,. 
 J.Morrison, 
 Cash. . 
 Wm. Doane. . 
 Cash, . 
 L. Schaffner, 
 Jones, 
 
 C. Mangels, . 
 F. Guiji. . 
 Ward McLean, 
 Cash, . 
 
 E. Devoe, 
 
 W. B. Whitman, 
 
 J. M., . . . 
 
 D. C. Silleck, 
 D. Morrison, 
 Cash, . 
 Cash, . 
 
 Total received, 
 
 There has been expended up to date of August 14, 1865, 
 
 Leaving a balance of 
 
 $14,566 86 
 3 00 
 3 00 
 3 00 
 2 50 
 2 00 
 2 00 
 2 00 
 2 00 
 2 00 
 2 00 
 2 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 1 00 
 
 $14,605 36 
 14,600 00 
 
 $5 36 
 
 For the Reception of the 20th Regt. U. S. CoLOREn Troops 
 
 A. P. Mann, 
 
 $10 00 
 
 Brought forward. 
 
 : $67 00 
 
 John D. Lawson, 
 
 10 00 
 
 W. W. Wisner, . 
 
 5 00 
 
 G. C. Ward, . 
 
 10 00 
 
 G. L. Noyes. 
 
 5 00 
 
 C. D. Van Wagener, 
 
 10 00 
 
 C.Clark 
 
 5 00 
 
 Ezra White, . . 
 
 7 00 
 
 T. M. Halstead. . 
 
 5 00 
 
 E. W 
 
 5 00 
 
 Jas Kelly, 
 
 5 00 
 
 J. T. Lord, . . 
 
 5 00 
 
 R. Warren, . 
 
 4 00 
 
 R. Butler, 
 
 5 00 
 
 G. P. Putnam, . 
 
 2 00 
 
 Charles Collins, 
 
 5 00 
 
 
 
 $67 00 
 
 Total, 
 
 $98 00 
 
54 
 
 
 Donations to S 
 
 oLDiERs' Widow. 
 
 
 Small Sums, ... S78 75 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 $284 13 
 
 Friends, through G. \V. B. . 50 00 
 
 Friend to the Soldier. 
 
 3 00 
 
 0. V. S. Rosevelt, . . 10 00 
 
 Redding, 
 
 3 00 
 
 S. A. Rosevelt, . . . 10 00 
 
 Mrs. AVeed, 
 
 2 00 
 
 M. L., . . . . 10 00 
 
 Nellie's free work money. 
 
 2 00 
 
 Mrs. J. Owen, . . . 10 00 
 
 " Mite," Brooklyn, . 
 
 2 00 
 
 Daughter of an officer killed in 
 
 G, C W 
 
 2 00 
 
 battle, . . . . 10 00 
 
 Blank, . . . . 
 
 2 00 
 
 South Street, . . . 10 00 
 
 Monogrun, J. C, H,, 
 
 2 00 
 
 F. W. Ballard, ... 10 00 
 
 Stranger, . . . . 
 
 2 00 
 
 Cash 7 00 
 
 C. B 
 
 2 00 
 
 Cash 5 00 
 
 Anon, . . . . 
 
 2 00 
 
 Richard Warren, ... 5 00 
 
 S, R., 
 
 2 00 
 
 George Keys, ... 5 00 
 
 H. P, Smith, 
 
 2 00 
 
 Friend to Orphans and Widows, 5 00 
 
 Mrs. E. Minkle, 
 
 1 50 
 
 Mr. Boyd, .... 5 00 
 
 M, A. Ruland, , 
 
 1 00 
 
 Alpha 5 00 
 
 Mrs. Baker, 
 
 1 00 
 
 Miss Tracy, .... 5 00 
 
 No name. 
 
 1 00 
 
 C. B., ... 5 00 
 
 Peter Neal, . . 
 
 1 00 
 
 G. W. Van Siclen, . . 5 00 
 
 Mrs. Newell, 
 
 1 00 
 
 Brown & Powers, . . 5 00 
 
 Mrs. Sears, 
 
 1 00 
 
 •J. T. P., . . 5 00 
 
 A Friend, 
 
 1 00 
 
 Edge Hill, ... 5 00 
 
 Mrs. Rogers, clothing. 
 
 
 Mr. G. .... 5 00 
 
 Ed. J. W. Jacksonville, . 
 
 1 00 
 
 From a Lady,. . . 4 00 
 
 Cash, .... 
 
 1 00 
 
 B. Travis & Co , . . 3 28 
 
 Unknown, 
 
 2 00 
 
 Annie Walter and Helen Jennings 3 10 
 
 Stranger, . . . . 
 
 75 
 
 Young man, . , . . 3 00 
 
 George E. Hogg, 
 Total, 
 
 25 
 
 $324 63 
 
 $284 13 
 
 From the IJ. S. San 
 
 ITARY Commission. 
 
 
 9 cases, 1,155 Flannel Shirts, 1921 25 
 
 Broutjht forward. 
 
 $6,751 75 
 
 4 " 1,073 Cotton Hospi- 
 
 1 bundle 25 prs. Pants, 
 
 sky 
 
 tal Shirts, . . . 1609 60 
 
 blue, . . . , 
 
 , 58 25 
 
 4 cases, 697 pr. Flan. Dr'wrs 1080 35 
 3 " 727 Cotton Convalescent 
 Shirts, .... 908 75 
 
 cases, 865 prs. Wool Socks, 645 75 
 169 prs. Canton Flan. Drawers 211 25 
 
 1 case 892 Handkerchifs, . 133 80 
 1 " 104 doz. papers mild 
 
 Smoking Tobacco, , . 93 60 
 
 171 pair Slippers, 
 
 12 Dressing Gowns. . 
 
 1 bbl. 40 gal's Pickles, 
 
 1 box Lemons, . 
 
 1 case, 1 doz. Brandy, . 
 
 1 " 2 " Blackberry 
 dial, .... 
 
 53 10 
 30 00 
 20 00 
 18 00 
 
 . 15 00 
 Cor- 
 
 . 12 00 
 
 1 case, 300 prs. Cotton Socks, 75 00 
 
 I barrel Lint, , . 
 
 10 00 
 
 1 bundle 25 Blouses, . . 72 50 
 
 1 case, 1 doz. Whiskey. 
 Total 
 
 10 00 
 
 $6,751 75 
 
 $6,978 10 
 
55 
 
 Donors of Mourning Drapery. 
 
 Hoover & Stone. 
 
 Hurd & Houghton, 451 Broadway. 
 George Clapp, 69 Walker street. 
 Tomlinson Demarest Com y., 620 Bd'y. 
 Adams & Cone, 684 Broadway. 
 H. L. Samek, 690 
 
 Eagle Gas Stove Corap'y, 474 Bd'y. 
 New York Mutual Life Ins. Co. 
 Wicks, Smith & Co., 81 & 83 Frank'n st. 
 Gaston & Stowell, 23 Murray St. 
 Oakley & Mason, 21 '• 
 
 Bell, Wheelock & Co., 19 " 
 Newell, Bros., 15 •■ 
 
 Lawton & White, 11 
 Willson, Gibson & Co., 78 & 80 Bd'y. 
 Shethar & Nicols, 263 Canal street. 
 Tracy, Irwin &Co., 400 Broadway. 
 Sawyer & Judson, 86 Chambers street. 
 Miller & Co.. 9 Maiden Lane. 
 Jas. McCombie, 11 Water street. 
 John Wilson & Son. 31 Maiden Lane. 
 C. H. Lillienthal 122 Chambers street. 
 Brice & Co., 118 Chambers street. 
 Bostwick, 65 & 67 Worth street. 
 Hicks & Pupke, 398 Broadway. 
 Fred. S. Cozzens, 73 Warren street. 
 
 62 Wall street. 
 
 R. M. Cooley, 88 " 
 
 Mrs. Hubble, 75 East 23d street. 
 James Van Anthourp, 41 East 12th st. 
 Sullivan, Randolph&Budd, 36 P'k Pl'c. 
 Dunning. Tooker & Co., 94 Chamber st. 
 Knapp & Sniffen, 202 Broadway. 
 Messrs L. Maillard & Co., 10 Barclay st. 
 J. it L. Coddington, 715 Broadway. 
 McKim Brothers & Co., 62 Wall street. 
 Andrews, Leit& Barrett, 20 Murray st. 
 Lorenze, Crofts & Co., 87 Chamber st. 
 
 104, 2d Avenue. 
 
 Police headquarters, 300 Mulberry st. 
 National Exchange, 191 Broadway. 
 T. T. Merwin, North Am. Life Ins. Co., 
 63 William street. 
 
 N. Y. Club, 1 East 15th street. 
 
 White. Sheffield & Co.. 63 Beekman st. 
 
 Wright, Brinkerhofif & Co., 324 B'way. 
 
 J. Dalrymple, 841 Broadway. 
 
 Miss E. Roney, 638 
 
 Messrs. Harms & Weichmann, 310 Jid'y. 
 
 Mrs. G. B. Grinnell. Washington 
 
 Heights, N. Y'. 
 S. M. Wright, 463 East Houston street. 
 Bass & Clark, corner Washington and 
 
 Warren streets. 
 Saving's Bank, 130 Bowery. 
 Bank of America, Wall street. 
 Arctic Fire Ins. Co., AVall street. 
 Ward School, No. 33, 20th Ward. 
 Martin &Lawson, 301 Broadway. 
 Davis Collamore & Co., 479 Broadway. 
 Athenffinm Club, 23 Union Square. 
 4th Ass. Reform Presbyterian Church , 
 
 corner Houston & Thompson st's. 
 Messrs. Browne. Pangborne & Co., 86 
 
 Leonard street. 
 W. W. Raymond, 348 Pearl street. 
 J. Simmons, ship yard, foot of 12th st, 
 
 East River. 
 Miss Hannah Burt, 17 Lafayette Place. 
 Kimbell. 42 W. 22d street. 
 Mr. Cromelin. 219 W. 14th street. 
 J. D. Lawson, 48 10th street. 
 Michigan Central R. R. Office, corner 
 
 Broadway & Courtland street. 
 Rev. Morgan Dix, Trinity Church, 50 
 
 Varick street. 
 Clinton Gilbert, Treasurer Greenwich 
 
 Savings Bank, 73 Sixth Avenue. 
 Mrs. L. Stuart, No. 6 5th Avenue. 
 Clerks and Book Keepers Department, 
 
 Custom House, N. Y. 
 
 Herring, 257 Broadway. 
 
 Shook & Morgan, 112 Warren street. 
 
 Willy Wallack, 43 John street. 
 
 ■'N. Y". Times,"' 3 bundles. 
 
 Mount Washington Presbyt'n Church 
 Tul»by Hook. 
 
k' 
 
 56 
 
 OriiKi! Donations. 
 
 Cash- R. W. Huhbanl. 100 00 I Preserves from Mrs. V. Colyer. 
 
 Jaiiit's A. Koosovolt. 50 00 1 Preserves and Books from Mrs. Rich'd 
 
 Dr E. Lee Jones, . . 10 OK M. Hnnt. 
 
 Mrs. Rioh'd Hnnt, lot Magazines and Gift of Books from Master Revel R. 
 
 Te.staments, 4!l W. 35tli street. j France, for the Soldiers. 
 
 Valuable Books from Mrs. James A. 5 Bundles of Books from Master Rob't 
 
 Roosevi'lt. Home. 
 
 IL- F. Ha\ iland, paekage of Harper's ' Large Donation of Books, Tracts, &c. 
 
 i from I'. S. Christian Couuni.ssion. 
 
 Sincerely thanking his Excellency for the privilege of 
 tlms caring for and welcoming home these brave men ; and to 
 my friends of the Union League Club, and others, who honor- 
 ed me with their confidence in first pressing my appointment, 
 and then giving me the me ins to make it of value to the sol- 
 diers ; and remembering with gratitude, the cordial co-opera- 
 tion of the Editors and Reporters of the Press ; the Officers of 
 the Army, in the Medical, Quartermaster's, Provost Marshal's 
 offices and Headq'trs of the Department of the East ; the U. S. 
 Siinitary and Cliristian Commissions ; the Ladies of the Home 
 in Howard street, the Rose Hill Committee, Willet's Point, 
 and otiiers ; and never forgetting that the success which has 
 attended this humble work, like every thing else connected 
 with tlie war, is due altogether to a gracious God. 
 
 I remain truly and respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 ViNCPJNT COLYER 
 
r 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 220 326 1 O