New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-04-14

ton at that time under the leadership
of Lincoln and Merwin. fighting
against great odds came within $4,000
votes of carrying the state of Illinois.
Letters Lost I'm Fire.
During that campaign and the
years following Major Merwin re-.
ceived from President Lincoln Sc let
tiers in which Lincoln discussed tenn
perance, slavery and other issues. 1t
is a lamentable thing that all of these
letters which would now be Of such
historic interest, were burned in the
Chicago fire while Major Merwin was
temporarily living there. After the
war began in 1861 President Lincoln
sent for Major Merwin who at that
time was doing temperance work In
Adrian, Michigan. and when Major
Merwin got to Washington Lincoln
told him that he wanted to have him
do temperance work among the s0l~
diers, outlining what he thought
should be done and how Merwin could
be useful. Lincoln tried to have him
commissioned as a major, but on the
objection of some of the prominent
officials in the War department who
thought that Major Merwin was not
fitted for an Office OF that rank he
was appointed chaplain Of volun-
teers and in that capacity worked
during the entire period OF the Civil
War among the soldiers. He was
particularly busy on pay days when
some Of the more thoughtless among
the boys were in the habit Of spending
their money for strong drinks. Major
Merwin made it a point at this time
to make the rounds among the SOL
diers and persuade them to send their
money home. He met with consid-
cradle opposition. After Edwin M.
stanton became secretary OF war, Ma
jor Merwin was sharply reprimanded
one day by Stanton because OF COM
plaint from various officers about Mer-
wins activity. Stanton threatened to
lock him up in Jail If he did not stop
.bothering around When Major
Merwin reported this to Lincoln the
president said:
No. Merwin, Stanton wont lock
you up. II he should do such a
wrong thing as that I would remove
him. But, Merwin, I don't want to
have you and Stanton clash over this
matter. Stanton is a very valuable
man and I can't spare him.
Major Merwin went on with his
work among the soldiers. While I
do not know your views as to tenn
perance and prohibition I am sure
every Civil War veteran here today
comedies that that when Major Mer-
win and Abraham Lincoln were work
ing as they did to mitigate the curse
Of intemperance among Union soldiers
they were doing something for the
betterment Of those men.
Spoke From Presidents Carriage.
"Merwin frequently made tenn
perance addresses from President
Lincoln's private carriage. Merwin
was lame in his hip and got around
with difficulty, and the use Of Pres
ident Lincoln's carriage greatly facil-
itated his work at the same time I'M
pressing the soldiers with the fact
that Merwin had the backing Of Lin
coin. One night on his return from
visit to the soldiers in, Virginia, Mer-
win was on his way to the top floor
Of the White House where he had
room when President Lincoln heard
him ascending the stairs. He asked
Colonel Crook, in charge of the at
tendants at the White House, who it
was coming in so late.
a" It's Merwin,' said Col. Crook.
Tell Merwin to come in here
said the president who was in bed.
Sit down on the bed and tell me
all you have seen and heard at tn,
'front.' said Lincoln, and Merw!
stayed there sitting on the bed unit
daylight giving Lincoln all the infor
nation he had.
Take away with you. gentlem,,
Of the bronze buttons. that picture o
Major Merwin sitting on Presiden.
Lincoln's bed from midnight unti'
dawn telling him Of what the soldiers
were doing at the front. Doubtless
some of you men were on sentry duty
In the Army Of the Potomac at that
very hour.
II will not weary you with reminis-
cences from Major Merwin as doubt
less many of you have heard him