The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-05-12

. to suffocation' though the evening proved to
be very Indictment one.
1t was announced that B. T. JACOBS, Esq.
Of Chicago, would give brief sketch Of the
doings Of the Christian Commission, its OBJ
iect, and method and means Of action; and
that Chaplain MCCABE, who has lately re-
turned from five months experience of the
horrors of Libby prison at Richmond, would
give some account Of that place, and the
sufferings of the Union prisoners confined
there, and also that he would sing the ''Bat-
tie Hymn Of the Republic" as sung by the
prisoners in Libby, on hearing the news of
the capture of Vicksbu1g the victory at
Gettysburg, and the surrender of Port Hud-
son.
The meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr.. GOULD, after which the grand old
hymn Coronation was sung by Mr.. McCabe,
assisted by the entire audience. Mr.. ia
coBs then proceeded to give history of the
COMMISSIONERS formation, operation and
object. This was listened to with inte.-oe
interest He pictured with graphic power
the experiences of delegates of the commits
sion on the battlefield and in the hospital,
bringing tears to many eyes nthe large
assemblage. His description of scenes and
incidents was thrilling. We have never
had before, a clear understanding of the aim
and object Of the u. S. Christian Commits
sion, and we persune that was the case with
many of the audience. The speaker made
it entirely clear and showed that the Com
mission had done and was doing great good
and was eminently entitled to the aid and
assistance Of all men favorable to the Union
cause, and opposed to the rebellion. Mr..
Jacobs having concluded his remarks, Chap
lain MCCABE came forward and gave the
audience his experience in the celebrated
Libby prison. The Chaplain is an eloquent
impassioned speaker, and he did his subject
justice in every respect. He held his large
audience in breathess silence or raised a
perfect storm ofapplause. We cannot think
Of anybody just now, that comes nearer to
the style and power of Chaplain McCabe,
than John B. Cough.
Among the incidents narrated by Mr..
McC., was the attempted celebration of the
last fourth of July, by the Union prisoners.
It was thought impossible to celebrate with
out a4lag-the stars and stripes.-but how to
get one was the question. Yankee inven-
ton came to their aid, and they made an
impromptu flag of two coIored and one white
shirt. With this emblem of liberty and I'm
ion, they had just commenced their celebra-
ton, when an officer Of the prison came up
and ordered the celebration to cease. what,
says one of the prisoners, ''can we not ceIe-
brate the 4th of July here, in quiet and or
derby manner?' No, they could not cele-
brate any 4th Of July, "no how, +" said th e
accommodating official. Casting his eye
up to the ceiling he discovered the nationaI
flag floating free ard easy with the stars
and stripes in all their glory. AS soon as
he could recover from his Consideration, he
ordered, III authoritative tones, the flag to
be taken down immediately, but not pris
oner stirred The order was repea ted loud
er and fercer than beforehand still no move
ment. Finally the doughty official climbed
up and took the flag down himself, put it
under his coat and left the room. This was
but one of the incidents.
When the chaplain came tie sing the
Battle Hymn of the Republic"
"Mine eyes have seen the glory OF the coming of
the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes
of wrath stored
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terri
His Truth is marching on.
"Glory, Glory Halleujah, Glory, Glory HalIelujah
Glory, Glory Hatlelujah and we marching on"
the enthusiasm of the audience was at
fever heat, and they joined in the chorus,
with viii, making the very walls trembIe
with the volume of sound.
After the remarks of the Chaplain were
contribution was taken up
One hundred dollars was paid in, in sums of
FIVE dollars each Capt. Decker led the five
dollar subscription After the first hundred
was subscribed about another hundred was
raised and paid in. Thus the people testifi-
ed the reality Of their sympathy with the
soldiers, and their approval of the course of
the Commission.
In justice to the liberality of our citizens,
1t should be stated that this meeting came
close upon the heels of the war meeting CON
ly two nights between), at which $14OO
was raised to pay the 100 day volunte ers.-
If any small town can show a better record,
we should like to see it.
VIM Meetings