The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-17
VETERAN CITIZENS.
Address Oh the Work Done in Providence
In Aid OF the War.


An interesting address on 1.-The Great
Work of the City Government OF Provi-
dence, in Raising Enlistments and Pro-
yiding for the Families of the Soldiers dur
ing the late Civil War" delivered
was by DR. Reuben A. Guild,
Librarian Emeritus of Brown University
at the last regular meeting of the historl-
cal Association at the AUDITORIUM oil tnc
Mathewson street NJ. T.. church. The
speaker described the startling events OF
President Lincon's call for 40, 600 yolun-
teers for three months and how like magic
the north suddenly became vast camp,
and all classes of citizens rallied patriotl-
cally to tho ranks of the Union Army. TO
defend Washington.
Next came the second proclamation for
three-year volunteers. and after the Battle
of Bull Run the states were called TO
furnish 800, 600 more volunteers and we
are coming Father A Abraham, thou sands on
thousands more, was the inspiring outward
rallying shout and cry. To encourage
volunteers, the City Council in November,
1851 appropriated $500 for soldiers families
to be expended under the advice and man
agement of Mayor .Jabez {. Knight, and the
late George b. Holmes. Further appro-
priations were made and 1.-THE committee
of relief" opened headquarters ut Pratt's
hall Wey ybosset street. October |, 1862. On
the discharge ana report OF the COMMITTEES
April . loGt, "a total of nearly 1000 soldiers
families had been aided by the war COM
mittee Of the City Council. The sum total
of 500, 900 in round numbo was eX
pended and the expenses, rent, fuel gas,
furniture, hooks, stationery, salaries, ETC.,
were only Si64S. a fraction over per cent
of the sum disburscd. What would New
York or Albany say To such an economic,
honest statement OF fnancia! manage
mentY
After vote of thanks to the speaker,
general debate and discussion followed.
Major James Snow gave moro interest
ing "reminiscences in regard to the lnfan.
try enlistmonts. Mr.. IL. l.. Place the only
one living, with DIR. Guild of the 1861
City Council, was much pleased with the
address, and could fully endorse its histori-
cal correctness Mr.. j. III. Brown in be-
half of the Rhode Island Soldiers Relief
Association, in Washington, ID. g., during
the war, expressed thanks To the speaker
the council and the various societies in
the city, and state for their eminent SER
vices IN sustaining the Washington, II. g.,
Soldiers Relief Association, aud in aiding
and supplying the wants and necessities
OF the army on the battle field and Of the
sick. wounded aud dying soldiers, In the
nearly hundred hospitals and camps in
aud around the Capitol city. He said
Rhode Island had the honor of organizing
the first Soldiers Relief Association in the
war at the capital and then camo New
York Massachusetts, Ohio ana all tho
Union sstatcS, with the sanitary and
Christian commissions, and all of them
did faithful noble work during the war
and saved the lives Of thousands of our
brave Union soldiers, and also many Of
the confederate army, as in many hos
pitfalls they shared tho same attentions and
treatment as our own soldiers.
General James shaw gave an interest
| ing resume Cf tho bounty system, ditfor.
ent hounties paid, and Of bounty jumpers,
and rclatod war scenes and events occurr-
ing I'm his long service ON the battle field.
tccrs, spoke of tho great difference in
b0uutiCs paid To soldiers early and later
| on in tho war Secretary Cook was called
! on and culogilcd the cloquence of many
war speakers he had listened TO on the
! hustingS
lie rcoitcd most eloquent speech of
! General DcVcns. ON tho Boston Common
| calling for volunteers. lie often heard
| Major Sullivan Bailou in WoonsoCket,
| and the towns around iu his eloquent
| efforts to- enlist Union soldiers and pro-
| uUuuCed HIM one of the most eloquent
/ finished orators OF Rhode Island
President DennisDn was reported as still
improving and hope expressed Of his being
! present next meeting After the an
/ nuuucCmcut that Honorable Charles H.
] Carr enter would give the uoxt address on
/ the "stcam Motive Power" and the First
! steamers and Locomotives of Provi-
! doncc, on motion the association adj
/ t,urred