|
"U. S. GRANT, "Major-General."
A copy of these instructions was furnished Sherman with the following communication:
"To "MAJOR-GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN.
"Enclosed herewith I send you copy of instructions to Major-General Thomas. You having been over the ground in person, and having heard the whole matter discussed, further instructions will not be necessary for you. It is particularly desirable that a force should be got through to the railroad between Cleveland and Dalton, and Longstreet thus cut off from communication with the South; but being confronted by a large force here, strongly located, it is not easy to tell how this is to be effected, until the result of our first effort is known. I will add, however, what is not now shown in my instructions to Thomas, that a brigade of cavalry has been ordered here which, if it arrives in time, will be thrown across the Tennessee above Chicamauga, and may be able to make the trip to Cleveland or thereabouts.
"U. S. GRANT, "Major-General."
Sherman's forces were moved from Bridgeport by way of Whitesides, our division threatening the enemy's left flank in the direction of Trenton, crossing at Brown's Ferry, up the north bank of the Tennessee to near the mouth of South Chicamauga, where they were kept concealed from the enemy until they were ready to force a crossing. Pontoons for throwing a bridge across the river were built and placed in the North Chicamauga, near its mouth, a few miles further up, without attracting the attention of the enemy. It was expected we would be able to effect the crossing on the 21st of November, but owing to heavy rains, Sherman was unable to get up until the afternoon of the 23d, and then only with (p. 401) Generals Morgan L. Smith's, John E. Smith's, and Hugh Ewing's divisions of the 15th Corps, under command of Major-General Frank P. Blair, of his army. The pontoon bridge at Brown's Ferry having been broken by the drift consequent upon the rise in the river and rafts sent down by the enemy, the other division (Osterhaus') was detained on the south side, and was on the night of the 23d ordered, unless it could get across by eight o'clock the next morning, to report to Hooker, who was instructed, in this event, to attack Lookout Mountain, as contemplated in the original plan.
A deserter from the rebel army, who came into our lines on the night of the 22d November, reported Bragg falling back. The following letter from Bragg, received by flag of truce on the 20th, tended to confirm this report:
"To "Headquarters, Army of the Tennessee, "MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT, "In the Field, 20th November, 1863. "Commanding United States Forces, Chattanooga.
"General: As there may still be some non-combatants in Chattanooga, I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early withdrawal.
"I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "Braxton BRAGG, "General commanding."
Not being willing that he should get his army off in good order, Thomas was directed early on the morning of the 23d to ascertain the truth or falsity of this report by driving in his pickets and making him develop his line. This he did with the troops stationed at Chattanooga, and Howard's corps (which had been brought into Chattanooga because of the apprehended danger to our pontoon bridges from the rise in the river and the enemy's rafts) in the most gallant style, driving the enemy from his first line and securing to us what is known as "Indian Hill" or "Orchard Knoll," and the low range of hills south of it. These points were fortified during the night and artillery put in position on them. The report of this deserter was evidently not intended to deceive, but he had mistaken Bragg's movements. It was afterward ascertained that one division of Buckner's corps had gone to join Longstreet, and a second division of the same corps had started, but was brought back in consequence of our attack.
On the night of the 23d of November Sherman, with three divisions of his army, strengthened by Davis' division of Thomas', which had been stationed along on the north bank of the river, convenient to where the crossing was to be effected, was ready for operations.
At an hour sufficiently early to secure the south bank of the river, just below the mouth of the South Chicamauga, by dawn of day, the pontoons in the North Chicamauga were loaded with thirty armed men each, and floated quietly past the enemy's pickets, landed and captured all but one of the guard, twenty in number, before the enemy was aware of the presence of a foe. The steamboat "Dunbar" with a barge in tow, after having finished ferrying across the river the horses procured from Sherman, with which to move Thomas' artillery, was sent up from Chattanooga to aid in crossing artillery and troops, and by daylight of the (p. 402) morning of the 24th of November, eight thousand men were on the south side of the Tennessee and fortified in rifle trenches. By twelve o'clock M. the pontoon bridges across the Tennessee and the Chicamauga were laid, and the remainder of Sherman's forces crossed over, and at half-past three P.M. the whole of the northern extremity of Missionary Ridge to near the railroad tunnel was in Sherman's possession. During the night he fortified the position thus secured, making it equal if not superior in strength to that held by the enemy.
By three o'clock of the same day, Colonel Long with his brigade of cavalry of Thomas' army, crossed to the south side of the Tennessee, and to the north of South Chicamauga Creek and made a raid on the enemy's lines of communications. He burned Tyner's station, with many stores, cut the railroad at Cleveland, captured near a hundred wagons, and over two hundred prisoners. His own loss was small.
Hooker carried out the part assigned him for this day, equal to the most sanguine expectations. With Geary's division (12th Corps) and two brigades of Stanley's division (4th Corps) of Thomas' army, and Osterhaus' division (15th Corps) of Sherman's army, he scaled the western slope of Lookout Mountain, drove the enemy from his rifle pits on the northern extremity and slope of the mountain, capturing many prisoners, without serious loss.
Thomas having done on the 23d, with his troops in Chattanooga, what was intended for the 24th, bettered and strengthened his advanced position during the day and pushed the 11th Corps forward along the south bank of the Tennessee river across Citico creek, one brigade of which with Howard in person, reached Sherman just as he had completed the crossing of the river.
When Hooker emerged in sight of the northern extremity of Lookout Mountain, Carlin's brigade of the 14th Corps was ordered to cross Chattanooga creek and form a junction with him. This was effected late in the evening and after considerable fighting.
Thus on the night of the 24th, our forces maintained an unbroken line with unbroken communications, from the north end of Lookout Mountain through Chattanooga Valley to the north end of Missionary Ridge.
On the morning of the 25th, Hooker took possession of the mountain top with a small force, and with the remainder of his command in pursuance of orders, swept across Chattanooga Valley, now abandoned by the enemy, to Rossville. In this march he was detained four hours in building a bridge across Chattanooga creek. From Rossville he ascended Missionary Ridge and moved northward toward the centre of the now shortened line.
Sherman's attack upon the enemy's most northern and most vital points was vigorously kept up all day. The assaulting column advanced to the very rifle pits of the enemy, and held their position firmly and without wavering. The right of the assaulting column being exposed to the danger of being turned, two brigades were sent to its support. These advanced in the most gallant manner over an open field on the mountain side to near the works of the enemy, and laid there, partially covered from fire for some time. The right of these two brigades rested near the head of a ravine or gorge in the mountain side, which the enemy took advantage of, and sent troops, covered from view below them (p. 403) and to their right rear. Being unexpectedly fired into from this direction, they fell back across the open field below them, and reformed in good order in the edge of the timber. The column which attacked them was speedily driven to its entrenchments by the assaulting column proper.
Sherman's position not only threatened the right flank of the enemy, but, from his occupying a line across the mountain and to the railroad bridge across Chicamauga Creek, his rear and stores at Chicamauga Station. This caused the enemy to mass heavily against him. This movement of his being plainly seen from the position I occupied on Orchard Knoll, Baird's division of the 14th Corps was ordered to Sherman's support; but receiving a note from Sherman informing me that he had all the force necessary, Baird was put in position on Thomas' left.
The appearance of Hooker's column was at this time anxiously looked for and momentarily expected, moving north on the ridge, with his left in Chattanooga Valley and his right east of the ridge. His approach was intended as the signal for storming the ridge in the centre, with strong columns; but the time necessarily consumed in the construction of the bridge near Chattanooga creek, detained him to a later hour than was expected. Being satisfied, from the latest information from him, that he must by this time be on his road from Rossville, though not yet in sight, and discovering that the enemy in his desperation to defeat or resist the progress of Sherman, was weakening his centre on Missionary Ridge, determined me to order the advance at once. Thomas was accordingly directed to move forward his troops, constituting our centre,—Baird's division (14th Corps), Wood's and Sheridan's divisions (4th Corps), and Johnson's division (14th Corps),—with a double line of skirmishers thrown out, followed in easy supporting distance by the whole force, and carry the rifle pits at the foot of Missionary Ridge, and when carried to reform his lines in the rifle pits with a view to carrying the top of the ridge.
These troops moved forward, drove the enemy from the rifle pits at the base of the ridge like bees from a hive, stopped but a moment until the whole were in line, and commenced the ascent of the mountain from right to left almost simultaneously, following closely the retreating enemy, without further orders. They encountered a fearful volley of grape and canister from near thirty pieces of artillery, and musketry from still well filled rifle pits on the summit of the ridge. Not a waver, however, was seen in all that long line of brave men. Their progress was steadily onward until the summit was in their possession.
In this charge the casualties were remarkably few for the fire encountered. I can account for this only on the theory that the enemy's surprise at the audacity of such a charge caused confusion and purposeless aiming of their pieces.
The nearness of night and the enemy still resisting the advance of Thomas' left, prevented a general pursuit that night, but Sheridan pushed forward to Mission Mills.
The resistance on Thomas' left being overcome, the enemy abandoned his position near the railroad tunnel in front of Sherman, and by twelve o'clock at night was in full retreat, and the whole of his strong positions on Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Valley and Missionary Ridge were in our possession, together with a large number of prisoners, artillery, and small arms.
Thomas was directed to get Granger with his corps, and (p. 404) detachments enough from other commands, including the force available at Kingston, to make twenty thousand men, in readiness to go to the relief of Knoxville, upon the termination of the battle at Chattanooga, these troops to take with them four days' rations and a steamboat loaded with rations to follow up the river.
On the evening of the 25th November orders were given to both Thomas and Sherman to pursue the enemy early the next morning, with all their available force except that under Granger, intended for the relief of Knoxville.
On the morning of the 26th Sherman advanced by way of Chicamauga Station, and Thomas' forces, under Hooker and Palmer, moved on the Rossville road toward Grayville and Ringgold.
The advance of Thomas' forces reached Ringgold on the morning of the 27th, where they found the enemy in strong position in the gorge and on the crest of Taylor's Ridge, from which they dislodged him after a severe fight, in which we lost heavily in valuable officers and men, and continued the pursuit that day until near Tunnel Hill, a distance of twenty miles from Chattanooga.
Davies' division (14th Corps) of Sherman's column reached Ringgold about noon of the same day. Howard's Corps was sent by Sherman to Red Clay to destroy the railroad between Dalton and Cleveland, and thus cut off Bragg's communication with Longstreet, which was successfully accomplished.
Had it not been for the imperative necessity of relieving Burnside, I would have pursued the broken and demoralized retreating enemy as long as supplies could have been found in the country. But my advices were that Burnside's supplies would only last until about the 3d of December. It was already getting late to afford the necessary relief. I determined, therefore, to pursue no further. Hooker was directed to hold the position he then occupied until the night of the 31st, but to go no further south at the expense of a fight. Sherman was directed to march to the railroad crossing of the Hiwassee, to protect Granger's flank until he was across that stream, and to prevent further re-enforcements being sent by that route into East Tennessee.
Returning from the front on the 28th, I found that Granger had not yet got off, nor would he have the number of men I had directed. Besides he moved with reluctance and complaints. I therefore determined, notwithstanding the fact that two divisions of Sherman's forces had marched from Memphis and had gone into battle immediately on their arrival at Chattanooga, to send him with his command, and orders in accordance therewith were sent him at Calhoun, to assume command of the troops with Granger in addition to those with him, and proceed with all possible dispatch to the relief of Burnside.
General Elliott had been ordered by Thomas on the 26th of November, to proceed from Alexandria, Tennessee, to Knoxville, with his cavalry division to aid in the relief of that place.
The approach of Sherman caused Longstreet to raise the siege of Knoxville and retreat eastward on the night of the 4th of December. Sherman succeeded in throwing his cavalry into Knoxville on the night of the 3d.
Sherman arrived in person at Knoxville on the 6th, and after a conference with Burnside in reference to "organizing a pursuing force large enough to either overtake the enemy and beat him (p. 405) or drive him out of the State," Burnside was of the opinion that the corps of Granger, in conjunction with his own command, was sufficient for that purpose, and on the 7th addressed to Sherman the following communication:
"To "Knoxville, December 7th, 1863. "MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN.
"I desire to express to you and to your command my most hearty thanks and gratitude for your promptness in coming to our relief during the siege of Knoxville, and I am satisfied that your approach served to raise the siege. The emergency having passed, I do not deem for the present any other portion of your command, but the corps of General Granger, necessary for operations in this section, and inasmuch as General Grant has weakened the forces immediately with him in order to relieve us, thereby rendering portions of General Thomas' less secure, I deem it advisable that all the troops now here, except those commanded by General Granger, should return at once to within supporting distance of the forces operating against Bragg's army. In behalf of my command I again desire to thank you and your command, for the kindness you have done us.
"A. E. BURNSIDE, Major-General."
Leaving Granger's command at Knoxville, Sherman with the remainder of his forces returned by slow marches to Chattanooga.
I have not spoken more particularly of the result of the pursuit of the enemy, because the more detailed reports accompanying this do the subject justice. For the same reason I have not particularized the part taken by Corps and Division Commanders.
To Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, Chief Engineer, I feel under more than ordinary obligations for the masterly manner in which he discharged the duties of his position, and desire that his services be fully appreciated by higher authority.
The members of my staff discharged faithfully their respective duties, for which they have my warmest thanks.
Our losses in these battles were 757 killed, 4529 wounded, and 330 missing; total 5616. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was probably less than ours, owing to the fact that he was protected by his entrenchments, while our men were without cover.
At Knoxville, however, his loss was many times greater than ours, making his entire loss at the two places equal to, if not exceeding ours. We captured 6142 prisoners, of whom 239 were commissioned officers; 40 pieces of artillery, 69 artillery carriages and caissons, and 7000 stand of small arms.
The armies of the Cumberland and of the Tennessee, for their energy and unsurpassed bravery in the three days battle of Chattanooga and the pursuit of the enemy, heir patient endurance in marching to the relief of Knoxville, and the Army of the Ohio for its masterly defence of Knoxville and repeated repulses of Longstreet's assaults upon that place, are deserving of the gratitude of their country.
I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Major-General U. S. A.
No. 74. (p. 406) PLATE LXXIV.
March 17, 1862.
A grateful country to her generous son Cornelius Vanderbilt. [Rx]. Bis dat qui tempori dat 1865.
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT.
[Free Gift of Steamship Vanderbilt.]
A GRATEFUL COUNTRY TO HER GENEROUS SON * * * CORNELIUS VANDERBILT * * *. Undraped bust of Cornelius Vanderbilt, facing the right. On edge of bust, S. ELLIS. F. (fecit).
America, personified as Minerva, stands, leaning with her left hand on the American shield, and holding in her right a sword which rests on her shoulder; to the right the American eagle; to the left, the genius of the maritime cities imploring her aid and protection. In the background, in the open sea, is the steamer Vanderbilt under steam; above, a cloud with thunderbolts. Exergue: BIS DAT QUI TEMPORI DAT.[118] (He gives twice who gives in time.) 1865. ELLIS SC. (sculpsit.) LEUTZE DEL. (delineavit.)[119]
[Footnote 118: The Latin proverb is BIS DAT QUI CITO DAT.]
[Footnote 119: See INTRODUCTION, page viii.]
EMANUEL LEUTZE, who designed the reverse of the medal to Cornelius Vanderbilt, was born in Gmuenden, Wuerttemberg, May 24, 1816. His parents emigrated to America while he was still a child, and settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 1841 he went to Europe, and studied art at Duesseldorf under Professor Lessing. He returned to America in 1859, and took up his residence in Washington. Among his principal paintings, which are mostly historical, and relate to America, are: Columbus before the Council of Salamanca, Columbus in chains, Columbus before Queen Isabella, Washington crossing the Delaware, Washington at Monmouth, and Washington at Princeton. One of his last works is the fresco in the Capitol at Washington, "Westward the star of empire takes its way." He died in Washington, July 18, 1868.
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT was born on Staten Island, New York, May 27, (p. 407) 1794. He went to New York city early in life, and engaged in the shipping business, in which, by his energy and perseverance, he in time acquired wealth, and became owner of several lines of steamers, running from New York to places along the coast. In 1851 he established a line of steamers to California, and in 1855 another to Europe. In March, 1862, he presented to the United States Government the magnificent ship which bore his name, for which generous gift Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He was made president of the New York and Harlem Railroad Company in May, 1863; of the Hudson River Railroad Company in June, 1865; and of the New York Central Railroad Company in December, 1867. In November, 1869, the two last were consolidated, with a joint capital of ninety millions of dollars. He died in the city of New York, January 4, 1877. Cornelius Vanderbilt was, at the time of his death, one of the richest men in the world. Among his charities was a gift of one million dollars to the "Central University of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South," in Nashville, Tennessee, which, in consequence of this munificence, was named, in honor of him, Vanderbilt University. He was known by the sobriquet of "Commodore."
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Whereas, Cornelius Vanderbilt of New York, did, during the spring of 1862, make a free gift to his imperilled country of his new and staunch steamship "Vanderbilt," of five thousand tons burthen, built by him with the greatest care, of the best materials, at a cost of eight hundred thousand dollars, which steamship has ever since been actively employed in the service of the republic against the rebel devastations of her commerce; and
Whereas, The said Cornelius Vanderbilt has in no manner sought any requital of this magnificent gift, nor any official recognition thereof; therefore,
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be presented to Cornelius Vanderbilt for this unique manifestation of a fervid and large-souled patriotism.
SECTION 2. And be it further resolved, That the President (p. 408) of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, which shall fitly embody an attestation of the nation's gratitude for this gift; which medal shall be forwarded to Cornelius Vanderbilt, a copy of it being made and deposited for preservation in the library of Congress.
Approved January 28, 1864.
The Secretary of State to Cornelius Vanderbilt.
To Department of State, CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, Esq., Washington, April 17, 1866. New York.
Sir: I have to inform you that the Congress of the United States, by a resolution of the 28th of January, 1864, an attested copy of which is herewith sent, offered you their thanks for your generous gift to the nation during the last war, of the steamer "Vanderbilt," and requested the President to cause a gold medal to be struck and forwarded to you, commemorative of that gift. It is now my pleasing duty to forward the medal to you accordingly. I avail myself of the occasion to express a hope that it may prove acceptable, and also to congratulate you upon the proud consciousness, which you cannot fail to cherish, of having, by the act referred to, rendered your country a signal service at a critical period in its history.
I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, William H. SEWARD.
Cornelius Vanderbilt to the Secretary of State.
To the Honorable William H. SEWARD, New York, May 3rd, 1866. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Sir: Your communication of the 17th of April ult., informing me that the Congress of the United States had, by their resolution of the 28th of January, 1864, tendered to me their thanks for the gift of the steamer "Vanderbilt," and requested the President to cause a gold medal to be struck and forwarded to me in commemoration of the gift, has been placed in my hands.
I have also received the medal, together with an attested copy of the resolution in compliance with which you have caused it to be transmitted.
You have been pleased to express the hope that the medal would be acceptable to me, with your congratulations for the consciousness which you consider I cannot fail to cherish of having, by the act which its presentation commemorates, rendered a service to my country at a critical period in its history.
Permit me, Sir, to return my acknowledgment for this (p. 409) national recognition of the act referred to, and to express the satisfaction with which I have received this generous token of remembrance. It may not be inappropriate for me to refer to the transaction which gave rise to the resolve of Congress which your Department has now so gracefully executed.
About the year 1856, I formed the design and commenced the work of a steamship for the purpose of demonstrating that individual enterprise could, without the aid of governmental encouragement, place upon the ocean steamships equal at least in magnitude, power and speed, to any which had been constructed under governmental patronage and protection in any part of the world. An expenditure of about one million of dollars produced the steamship "Vanderbilt," which carried the flag of our country across the sea in a lesser space of time than any national banner had been hitherto borne.
On the 16th of March, 1862, I received at my residence in this city a letter from the War Department enquiring if I would undertake to prevent the Confederate steamer "Merrimac" from coming out of the harbor of Norfolk, and urging my immediate attention, as the danger was most imminent and "there was no time to be lost." I answered by telegraph that I would go to Washington the next day. On the morning of the 17th of March I called at the War Department, where I saw for the first time Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War. He requested me to accompany him to the executive mansion, where I was introduced to Mr. Lincoln, to whom I was then personally a stranger. The President asked me if I thought I could, with the aid of my steamships, do anything to prevent the "Merrimac" from getting out of Hampton Roads. I replied to him that it was my opinion that if the steamship "Vanderbilt" was there properly manned, the "Merrimac" would not venture to come out, or if she did, the chances were ten to one that the "Vanderbilt" would sink and destroy her. Mr. Lincoln asked me to name the sum of money for which I would undertake the service; I replied to him that nothing would induce me to become a speculator upon the necessities of the government, and that I would not mention a sum as the value of her charter, but that I would make a gift of her to the government for the service proposed. The President replied, "I accept her." I left him promising that the "Vanderbilt" should be at Fortress Monroe properly equipped and officered under my direction within three or four days at the farthest, and she was there within the time. The requisite instrument of transfer was subsequently executed by me and transmitted to the War Department.
The resolution of Congress of which you have informed me truly states that I have in no manner sought requital for the gift, and the recognition of it, which in the discharge of your official duty you have given me, was altogether unsolicited. I shall proudly preserve the splendid token of appreciation which you have transmitted to me, and it is my hope that those who come after me, as they read the inscriptions of the medal and are reminded of the event in their father's life which caused it to be struck, will inflexibly resolve that should our Government be again imperilled, no pecuniary sacrifice is too large to make in its behalf, and no inducement sufficiently great to attempt to profit by its necessities.
I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, C. VANDERBILT.
No. 75. (p. 410) PLATE LXXV.
April 16, 1865—March 4, 1869.
Andrew Johnson, President of the United States 1865. [Rx]. Peace.
PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON.
[Seventeenth President of the United States of America.]
ANDREW JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1865. Undraped bust of President Johnson, facing the right PAQUET, F. (fecit).
America is giving her hand to an Indian chief, before a mausoleum, upon which, in a crown of laurel, is the word PEACE. The mausoleum is surmounted by a small undraped bust of Washington, facing the right; to the left, at the feet of the Indian, are the attributes of savage life, and behind him a buffalo hunt; to the right, at the feet of America, are the emblems of civilization, and behind her a railway train. PAQUET. F. (fecit).
ANDREW JOHNSON was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, December 29, 1808. He settled in Greenville, Tennessee, 1826; was a member of the State Legislature, 1835 and 1839; State senator, 1841; member of Congress, 1843-1853; governor of Tennessee, 1853-1857; and United States senator, 1857-1863. He remained true to the Union when his State seceded, and was appointed military-governor of Tennessee, 1864; became vice-president of the United States, March 4, 1865; President, after the assassination of President Lincoln, April 16, 1865-1869. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Senate of the United States in 1870, and for Congress in 1871; but was elected to the Senate in 1875. He died July 31, 1875, near Elizabethtown, Carter County, Tennessee.
No. 76. (p. 411) PLATE LXXVI.
December, 1853.
By Joint resolution of Congress to the rescuers of the passengers officers and men of steamship San Francisco, etc. [Rx]. July 26 1866.
WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP SAN FRANCISCO.
[Testimonial of National Gratitude.]
BY JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS TO THE RESCUERS OF THE PASSENGERS OFFICERS AND MEN OF STEAMSHIP SAN FRANCISCO WRECKED DEC. (December) 1853. TESTIMONIAL OF NATIONAL GRATITUDE FOR HIS GALLANT CONDUCT. America, personified as a female, seated, and with the eagle, fasces, and shield at her left, crowns with a wreath of laurel a sailor, who is kneeling before her; to the right, the United States capitol; to the left, a ship at anchor. PAQUET. F. (fecit).
Thirty-nine stars; a man and a woman on a raft at sea; a ship coming to their rescue. On the raft, PAQUET. F. (fecit). Exergue: JULY 26 1866—An anchor and a branch of laurel.[120]
[Footnote 120: See INTRODUCTION, page ix.]
As this medal was not voted by Congress until 1866, it is placed here according to the chronological order adopted.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 412)
Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Creighton, Low, and Stouffer.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. That the President of the United States be requested to procure three valuable gold medals with suitable devices, one to be presented to Captain Creighton, of the ship Three Bells, of Glasgow; one to Captain Low, of the bark Kilby, of Boston; and one to Captain Stouffer, of the ship Antar(c)tic, as testimonials of national gratitude for their gallant conduct in rescuing about five hundred Americans from the wreck of the steamship San Francisco; and that the cost of the same be paid for out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
SECTION 2. And be it further resolved, That the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars each is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the above named captains respectively, as a reward of their humanity and heroism in the rescue of the survivors of the said wreck, and in case either of the said captains may have died, then the amount hereby appropriated shall be paid to the widow of said deceased captain respectively; if no widow surviving, then to the respective child or children of such deceased captain; and in the event of there being no child or children of said deceased captain surviving, then the amount hereby appropriated shall be paid first, to the father, or if the father be not living, then to the mother of such deceased captain respectively.
SECTION 3. And be it further resolved, That there shall be paid to each mate of the three above-named vessels the sum of five hundred dollars, and to each man and boy the sum of one hundred dollars, and in case of the death of the respective mate or mates, or men or boys, that the said respective sums shall be paid in the same way and under the same conditions as the payment is to be made in case of the death of the respective captains.
Approved July 26th, 1866.
Major Wyse to the Adjutant-General of the Army.
To Fort Wood COLONEL S. COOPER, New York Harbor, January 14th, 1854. Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.
Colonel: I have the honor to enclose the above[121] informal report, for the information of the proper authorities, with the following remark: We were wrecked about 7 A.M. of the 24th of December, 1853 (Saturday), the sea sweeping overboard Brevet Colonel Washington, Brevet Major Taylor, Brevet Captain Field, Lieutenant Smith, and about 120 men. We were much disabled and leaking a great deal, mostly under our guards, which were (p. 413) all broken up. On the 28th of December, 1853, we put on board the bark Kilby, bound for Boston, Colonel Gates, Major Merchant, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, Doctors Saterlee and Wirtz, Captain Judd, Captain Gardner, Lieutenant Fremont, Lieutenant Loeser and Lieutenant Van Voast, with all the ladies and their children, and about fifty men. Lieutenants William A. Winder, Charles Winder, J. G. Chandler and myself, with the rest of the men remained on board the wreck.
I continued the disembarkation until about 8 P.M. the same day, when the weather forced us to stop, and that night we parted with the bark in a gale. On Friday night, the 30th of December, 1853, we fell in with the English ship "Three Bells," Captain Creighton, who after finding our condition stuck by us most nobly, until the sea calmed sufficiently to take our men off, which was on Tuesday morning the 3d of January, 1854. At this time the ship "Antarctic" of Liverpool came to our relief and also commenced taking off our men. We continued this disembarkation throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Wednesday evening, about 6 P.M., having removed every man, woman and child of my command, I embarked myself on board the "Three Bells." The commander of the San Francisco, Captain Watkins, with his officers and crew, remained on the wreck that night, and left the next morning about 10 A.M., after which we parted with the wreck, the ship "Antarctic" steaming for Liverpool, and our ship the "Three Bells" for New York, where I have the happiness to inform you we arrived last evening. Words cannot express the gratitude we owe to Captain Creighton for laying by us so faithfully during so many stormy days, his ship disabled in the storm which wrecked us, and leaking at the rate of four inches per hour, and to whom I trust our government may make some suitable testimonial. Our own captain also behaved throughout the whole trouble with the most untiring courage, energy and perseverance. Both of our surgeons being on the bark Kilby, I don't know what we should have done had it not been for the accidental presence of Doctor Buell, a citizen physician, who labored incessantly night and day to alleviate the sufferings of our numerous sick, who were dying hourly with the cholera, and to make things still worse the small pox made its appearance on board. All our hospital stores were swept overboard the morning of the wreck, with the exception of two or three boxes of brandy and wine, and a little opium.
I feel that I would be doing injustice to Lieutenants Charles S. Winder, James Van Voast, and J. G. Chandler, did I not recommend them to the favorable notice of the President, for their untiring and noble exertions, night and day for ten successive days, in keeping the ship clear of water, and mingling among the sick and desponding men, to minister to their wants and cheer them up with hope. The other officer with me, Lieutenant Wm. A. Winder, was sick nearly all the time and that prevented him from rendering the services which otherwise he would have done. I am also happy to say that under the most trying circumstances, my non-commissioned officers and men behaved well.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. O. WYSE, Captain and Brevet Major 3d Artillery, commanding.
[Footnote 121: See ENCLOSURE, page 414.]
[Enclosure.] (p. 414)
CONSOLIDATED MORNING REPORT OF COMPANIES A, B, D, G, H, I, K AND L, OF THE 3D ARTILLERY.
Stationed at Fort Wood, New York Harbor, January 14, 1854.
====================================================================== Number of Letters Companies. of Companies. Present for Duty. Present Sick. Absent. Absent Sick. Dead. Total Present. Total Present Absent, and Dead. Commissioned Officers Present. Aggregate. - Field and 1 Staff Regimental 7 1 7 7 8 22 22 Band 1 A 17 1 24 4 8 18 54 54 2 B 12 2 20 3 31 14 68 68 3 D 21 4 21 3 7 25 56 1 57 4 G 14 23 3 15 14 55 1 56 5 H 11 1 25 1 13 12 51 51 6 I 10 1 31 2 2 11 46 46 7 K 12 1 6 2 36 13 57 57 8 L 16 1 16 41 17 74 74 - Total 120 12 174 18 160 132 483 2 485 =============================================================
Number of Companies. REMARKS.
Field and Staff: Lieutenant C. Winder and Sergeant Major Gorham embarked for Liverpool.
Regimental Band: 7 embarked for Liverpool.
1: 2 embarked on board the bark Kilby for Boston, and 26 for Liverpool.
2: 23 embarked for Liverpool.
3: 9 embarked for Boston, and 15 for Liverpool.
4: 2 privates embarked on board the bark Kilby for Boston, and 21 for Liverpool.
5: 24 embarked for Liverpool, and 2 for Boston.
6: 29 embarked for Boston, and 4 for Liverpool.
7: 1 private embarked on board the bark Kilby for Boston, and 7 for Liverpool.
8: 16 embarked for Liverpool.
Colonel Gates to the Adjutant-General of the Army. (p. 415)
To Headquarters, 30 Artillery, COLONEL S. COOPER, New York City, Jan. 16, 1854. Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.
Colonel: I have the honor to report my arrival in this city, with a remnant of my regiment.
As you are already aware I embarked on the 22d of December last, with eight companies of my regiment, on the steamship San Francisco for California. On the 24th December, when about three hundred miles from New York, the engine of the ship gave way, and in a few hours a heavy sea boarded her, carrying away the entire upper cabin, and with it four officers and about two hundred enlisted men, the wife of Major Taylor, my eldest son, and a number of citizen passengers.
Every exertion was now made by both officers and men to assist the crew in keeping the ship afloat; by clearing her of water and throwing overboard freight.
A constant succession of gales continued for four days, rendering it almost certain (to human foresight) that she must go down. But by the merciful goodness of God we were preserved, and I am happy to inform you that all the survivors have been taken from the wreck and are now in this harbor, and on the ship "Antarctic" for Liverpool, except eighteen men that volunteered to remain, and help work the old bark Kilby into port.
On the 27th of December the bark Kilby of Boston hove in sight, and her noble commander, Captain Low, said he would lay by us until the sea would permit him to remove us on board his vessel. On the 28th, the sea having in a measure become quiet, he came alongside, sent his boats and removed all the ladies, children, passengers (citizens), a number of officers, and about fifty soldiers, when suddenly a squall of wind separated the two vessels, parting the hawser by which they were attached, and continued to blow all night a violent gale. This squall came on so suddenly that my quarter-master and acting adjutant, 1st Lieutenant Fremont, who came on board the bark for a few hours to urge the sailors on to renewed exertions, and offer them large inducements to work the boats all night, was left on the bark unable to get back.
Brevet Major Wyse, the senior officer, undisabled, was, by my orders, detailed to superintend the transfer of troops, and was thus left in command of those remaining on the wreck. For two days and nights the gale continued, and though we tried constantly to regain the wreck, it was found impossible to do so, with the old bark in her crippled condition, and as we were put on an allowance of bread and water, it was finally resolved to make if possible an American port.
We drifted before the wind for fifteen days, and were at last, after living on parched corn five days, taken off by the packet ship Lucy Thompson, of this port, Captain Pendleton, a noble hearted sailor.
I cannot close this brief report without expressing my high admiration of the noble conduct of every undisabled officer, and most of the men. Brevet Major Wyse, Captain Judd, my only staff officer (quartermaster and acting adjutant), 1st Lieutenant Fremont, who, in addition to his own duties, served at the (p. 416) pumps, 1st Lieutenant Loeser, acting Commissary, 1st Lieutenant W. A. Winder, 2d Lieutenants C. S. Winder, Van Voast, and Chandler.
These officers, some of them though slightly disabled, never faltered in their duty, working day and night at the pumps and elsewhere, and I would specially notice the three 2d lieutenants who, being unencumbered with the cares of family, labored unremittingly, and deserve the highest praise.
My regiment is broken up and disorganized, and it will be many months before it can take the field successfully. We were all anxious to reach California; our "all" was embarked in the expedition, and by the providence of God it has been swept away, and we are now penniless and destitute. We claim that our tour of duty in California has been performed, by every military principle, we have suffered more in the last three weeks than we could, ordinarily, during a five-year tour in California. "We have marched off parade," sought our destination, and been crushed, cruelly crushed, and we now ask that due consideration be shown us.
I further request that the officers of companies "B" and "L" now under orders for California be directed to report to me in this city for duty, with the remnants of those companies.
The officers lost are Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Washington, Brevet Major George Taylor, Brevet Captain H. B. Field, and 1st Lieutenant R. H. Smith.
As soon as possible a detailed report with a return of the survivors will be made to you.
The troops taken off by the "Kilby" and "Three Bells" are at Bedloe's Island.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, William GATES, Colonel commanding.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Acts of Congress Voting Eight Months' Pay to Lieutenant Francis Key Murray and others.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled: That there shall be paid, under the direction of the President, to each of the officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, who, on the twenty-first day of December, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, embarked at New York, under orders to California, on the steamship San Francisco, and who was on board the vessel on the occasion of her recent disaster at sea, and to Lieutenant Francis Key Murray, and any other officer or seaman of the United States Navy, who was on board the said steamship, under orders, a sum equal in amount to his pay and allowance for eight months.
SECTION 2. And be it further enacted, That if any such (p. 417) officer, non-commissioned officer, musician or private, shall have died before receiving such payment, from any cause consequent upon said disaster, his widow, if one survive him, and if not, then his minor children, if any there be, shall be paid a sum equal in amount to six months' pay, and allowances of the deceased; and that the widows and minor children of those officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, who perished by this disaster, or who died from disease in consequence thereof, shall be allowed pensions in the same manner in all respects as if the said officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates had been killed in battle.
Approved March 27th, 1854.
SECTION 3. And be it further enacted, That the amount which it may be found necessary to pay under the act of twenty-seventh March, eighteen hundred and fifty-four, to the widows and orphans of United States troops, who perished by the recent disaster to the steamship San Francisco, be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved August 5th, 1854.
No. 77. (p. 418) PLATE LXXVII.
1866.
Honor and fame are the reward. [Rx]. By resolution of the Congress of the United States. March 2, 1867. to Cyrus W. Field, of New York, etc.
CYRUS WEST FIELD.
[Laying of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable.]
Within a circle formed by a telegraphic cable: HONOR AND FAME ARE THE REWARD. On clouds in the midst of sunbeams the undraped bust of Cyrus West Field, facing the left. A hand from above places a crown on his head; below is the Atlantic Ocean; two ships going in opposite directions are paying out the cable; to the left, the western hemisphere, AMERICA; to the right, the eastern hemisphere, EUROPE; beneath, in a band formed by the Atlantic cable and a chain uniting the two worlds, INDOMITABLE PERSEVERANCE AND ENDURING FAITH ACHIEVED THE SUCCESS, J. G. BRUFF D. (delineavit.) BARBER F. (fecit).
Within an endless chain: BY RESOLUTION OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. MARCH 2, 1867. TO CYRUS W. (West) FIELD, OF NEW YORK FOR HIS FORESIGHT, FAITH, AND PERSISTENCY, IN ESTABLISHING TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION, BY MEANS OF THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH, CONNECTING THE OLD WITH THE NEW WORLD. To the left, the American shield; to the right, a star formed of thirty-one smaller stars; below, the terrestrial globe, showing AMERICA and EUROPE, surrounded with electric sparks, surmounted by a torch and a caduceus crossed, and resting on branches of laurel and of oak.
J. GOLDSBOROUGH BRUFF was in 1872 one of the designing artists (p. 419) attached to the Treasury Department in Washington. He designed the face of this medal.
WILLIAM BARBER, at present engraver to the United States Mint in Philadelphia, was born in London, England. The principal medals engraved by him are those of Cyrus W. Field, Elliot, Rittenhouse, James Pollock, Joseph Pancoast, and Dr. Linderman.
CYRUS WEST FIELD was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 30, 1819. He went to New York city at the age of fifteen, and entered a commercial house. He was one of the first promoters of an Atlantic telegraph, and founded the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company in 1854; organized the Atlantic Telegraph Company in 1856; and took a leading part in the various attempts to lay a transatlantic cable. He received a vote of thanks and a gold medal from Congress for the final success of this great undertaking. He is still living.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Cyrus W. Field.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they hereby are, presented to Cyrus W. Field of New York, for his foresight, courage and determination in establishing telegraphic communication by means of the Atlantic cable, traversing mid-ocean and connecting the Old World with the New; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems, devices, and inscription, to be presented to Mr. Field.
And be it further resolved, That when the medal shall have been struck, the President shall cause a copy of this joint resolution to be engrossed on parchment, and shall transmit the same, together with the medal, to Mr. Field to be presented to him in the name of the people of the United States of America.
And further, That a sufficient sum of money to carry this resolution into effect is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved March 2, 1867.
The Secretary of State to Cyrus W. Field. (p. 420)
To Department of State, Cyrus W. FIELD, Esq., Washington, January 7, 1869. New York.
Sir: Pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 2, 1867, the President has caused to be prepared, for presentation to you, in the name of the people of the United States, a gold medal, with suitable devices and inscriptions, in acknowledgment of your eminent services in the establishment of telegraphic communication, by means of the Atlantic cable, between the Old World and the New.
This testimonial, together with an engrossed copy of the resolution referred to, is herewith transmitted to you by direction of the President.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, William H. SEWARD.
No. 78. (p. 421) PLATE LXXVIII.
February 7, 1867.
[Rx]. The people of the United States to George Peabody, etc.
GEORGE PEABODY.
[Promotion of Universal Education.]
Bust of George Peabody, facing the left.
THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO GEORGE PEABODY IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS BENEFICENT PROMOTION OF UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.[122]
[Footnote 122: See INTRODUCTION, page viii.]
This is not, properly speaking, a medal, but rather a medallion forming the center of a piece of gold plate, the work of Messrs. Starr and Marcus, goldsmiths, of New York. A female figure, representing Benevolence, leans over the medallion on the right, holding in her right hand a branch of laurel, while with her left she points to the bust of George Peabody. On the opposite side, under a palmetto tree, are two children, the one white, the other a negro, typical of education in the Southern States. The group is placed upon a pedestal of solid gold, in the center of which are the arms of the United States of America in enamel, resting upon two branches, one of oak, the other of laurel. To the right, BENEVOLENCE; to the left, EDUCATION. On the reverse of the pedestal, beneath the medallion, are a globe, books, a map of the United States, a square, a compass, etc., emblems of Art, Science, and Education. This piece of plate is eight inches high, six inches wide, and its depth is an inch and a half. The allegorical figures are modeled and finely chased, and the (p. 422) portrait in the medallion is in alto relievo.
GEORGE PEABODY was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, February 18, 1795. In 1806 he began life as an apprentice to a grocer. He afterward entered into partnership with Mr. Elisha Riggs, in Baltimore, and when the latter retired from business, in 1830, he became the head of the house; in 1843 he settled in London as a banker. In 1852 he gave $200,000 for the foundation of a free library and educational institute in Danvers; and in 1857 he founded in Baltimore the Peabody Institute, to which he gave $1,000,000. He also contributed, at various times, $2,500,000, for the amelioration of the condition of the London poor. The freedom of the city of London was presented to him, and Queen Victoria offered him a baronetcy or the grand cross of the Order of the Bath, both of which honors he respectfully declined. Her Majesty then wrote him a private letter of thanks, and sent him, in March, 1866, a beautiful miniature portrait of herself. During a visit to America, in 1867, he made a gift of $2,000,000 to promote education in the Southern States, for which Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal; and on April 13, 1868, Massachusetts passed an act changing the name of his native town, Danvers, to Peabody. He returned to England, and died in London, November 4, 1869. A funeral service was performed over his body in Westminster Abbey, November 12; and in December it was, by order of Her Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain, taken on board the iron-clad turret ship-of-war Monarch, Captain Comerell, C. B., V. C. (Knight Companion of the Bath,[123] Victoria Cross), and conveyed to America under escort, by order of President Grant, of the United States screw sloop-of-war Plymouth, Commander Macomb. It was landed in Portland, Maine, January 26, 1870, and was deposited, February 8, 1870, in the memorial church erected to his mother at Peabody, amid an immense concourse of people, among whom were Prince Arthur of England, the governors of Maine and Massachusetts, and numerous deputations. The bronze statue of Mr. Peabody, by Story, erected by the citizens of London behind the Royal Exchange, was unveiled in presence of the Prince of Wales, July 23, 1869.
[Footnote 123: The Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath is composed of three classes:
THE FIRST CLASS: (G. C. B.), to consist of not more than seventy-two KNIGHTS GRAND CROSSES, exclusive of the Sovereign and Princes of the Blood.
THE SECOND CLASS: (K. C. B) KNIGHTS COMMANDERS.
THE THIRD CLASS: (C. B.) COMPANIONS OF THE BATH.]
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 423)
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to George Peabody.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they hereby are, presented to George Peabody of Massachusetts, for his great and peculiar beneficence in giving a large sum of money, amounting to two million dollars, for the promotion of education in the more destitute portions of the Southern and Southwestern States, the benefits of which, according to his direction, are to be distributed among the entire population without any distinction, except what may be found in needs or opportunities of usefulness.
And be it further resolved, That it shall be the duty of the President to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable devices and inscriptions, which, together with a copy of these resolutions, shall be presented to Mr. Peabody in the name of the people of the United States.
And further, That a sufficient amount of money to carry this resolution into effect is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved March 16, 1867.
George Peabody's Gift for Southern Education.
Washington, February 7, 1867.
To Hon. Robert C. WINTHROP, of Massachusetts; Hon. Hamilton FISH, of New York; Right Rev. Charles P. MCILVAINE, of Ohio; GENERAL U. S. GRANT, of the United States Army; Hon. William C. RIVES, of Virginia; Hon. John H. CLIFFORD, of Massachusetts; Hon. William AIKEN, of South Carolina; William M. EVARTS, Esq., of New York; Hon. William A. GRAHAM, of North Carolina; Charles MACALESTER, of Pennsylvania; George W. RIGGS, Esq., of Washington; Samuel WETMORE, Esq., of New York; Edward A. BRADFORD, Esq., of Louisiana; George N. EATON, Esq., of Maryland; and George PEABODY RUSSELL, Esq., of Massachusetts.
Gentlemen: I beg to address you on a subject which occupied my mind long before I left England, and in regard to which one, at least, of you (the Hon. Mr. Winthrop, the distinguished and valued friend to whom I am so much indebted for cordial sympathy, careful consideration, and wise counsel in this matter,) will remember that I consulted him immediately upon my arrival in May last.
I refer to the educational needs of those portions of our beloved and common country which have suffered from the destructive ravages, and the not less disastrous consequences of civil war.
With my advancing years my attachment to my native land has but become more devoted. My hope and faith in its successful and glorious future have grown brighter and stronger, and now, (p. 424) looking forward beyond my stay on earth, as may be permitted to one who has passed the limit of three score and ten years, I see our country united and prosperous, emerging from the clouds which still surround her, taking a higher rank among the nations, and becoming richer and more powerful than ever before.
But to make her prosperity more than superficial, her moral and intellectual development should keep pace with her material growth, and in those portions of our nation to which I have referred, the urgent and pressing physical needs of an almost impoverished people must for some years preclude them from making, by unaided effort, such advances in education, and such progress in the diffusion of knowledge among all classes, as every lover of his country must earnestly desire.
I feel most deeply, therefore, that it is the duty and privilege of the more favored and wealthy portions of our nation to assist those who are less fortunate, and, with the wish to discharge so far as I may be able my own responsibility in this matter, as well as to gratify my desire to aid those to whom I am bound by so many ties of attachment and regard, I give to you, gentlemen, most of whom have been my personal and especial friends, the sum of one million of dollars, to be by you and your successors held in trust, and the income thereof used and applied in your discretion for the promotion and encouragement of intellectual, moral, or industrial education among the young of the more destitute portions of the Southern and Southwestern States of our Union; my purpose being that the benefits intended shall be distributed among the entire population, without other distinction than their needs and the opportunities of usefulness to them.
Besides the income thus derived, I give to you permission to use from the principal sum, within the next two years, an amount not exceeding forty per cent.
In addition to this gift I place in your hands bonds of the State of Mississippi, issued to the Planter's Bank, and commonly known as Planter's Bank bonds, amounting, with interest, to about eleven hundred thousand dollars, the amount realized by you from which is to be added to and used for the purposes of this trust.
These bonds were originally issued in payment for stock in that bank held by the State, and amounted in all to only two millions of dollars. For many years the State received large dividends from that bank over and above the interest on these bonds. The State paid the interest without interruption till 1840, since which no interest has been paid, except a payment of about one hundred thousand dollars, which was found in the treasury applicable to the payment of the coupons, and paid by a mandamus of the Supreme Court. The validity of these bonds has never been questioned, and they must not be confounded with another issue of bonds made by the State to the Union Bank, the recognition of which has been a subject of controversy with a portion of the population of Mississippi.
Various acts of the Legislature, viz.: of February 28, 1842; February 23, 1844; February 16, 1846; February 28, 1846; March 4, 1848, and the highest judicial tribunal of the State have confirmed their validity, and I have no doubt that at an early date such legislation will be had as to make these bonds available in increasing the usefulness of the present trust.
Mississippi, though now depressed, is rich in agricultural (p. 425) resources, and cannot long disregard the moral obligation resting upon her to make provision for their payment. In confirmation of what I have said in regard to the legislative and judicial action concerning the State bonds issued to the Planter's Bank, I herewith place in your hands the documents marked A.
The details and organization of the trust I leave with you, only requesting that Mr. Winthrop may be Chairman, and Governor Fish and Bishop McIlvaine Vice-Chairmen of your body; and I give to you power to make all necessary by-laws and regulations, to obtain an act of incorporation, if any shall be found expedient, to provide for the expenses of the trustees and of any agents appointed by them; and generally, to do all such acts as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of this trust.
All vacancies occurring in your number by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled by your election, as soon as conveniently may be, and having in view an equality of representation so far as regards the Northern and Southern States.
I furthermore give to you the power, in case two-thirds of the trustees shall at any time, after the lapse of 30 years, deem it expedient, to close this trust, and of the funds which at that time shall be in the hands of yourselves and your successors, to distribute not less than two-thirds among such educational or literary institutions, or for such educational purposes as they may determine, in the States for whose benefit the income is now appointed to be used. The remainder may be distributed by the trustees for educational or literary purposes wherever they may deem it expedient.
In making this gift I am aware that the fund derived from it can but aid the States which I wish to benefit in their own exertions to diffuse the blessings of education and morality. But if this endowment shall encourage those now anxious for the light of knowledge, and stimulate to new efforts the many good and noble men who cherish the high purpose of placing our great country foremost, not only in power, but in the intelligence and virtue of her citizens, it will have accomplished all that I can hope.
With reverent recognition of the need of the blessing of Almighty God upon this gift, and with the fervent prayer that, under His guidance, your counsels may be directed for the highest good of present and future generations in our beloved country,
I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your humble servant, George PEABODY.
Action of the Trustees of the Peabody Gift.
On receipt of the foregoing letter by the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, the Trustees present in Washington were called upon by him to meet on February 8th, and the letter having been laid before them, the following resolutions, moved by Bishop McIlvaine and seconded by Gov. Aiken, were unanimously adopted:
Whereas: Our countryman and friend George Peabody has, in a letter just communicated to the undersigned, made known his determination, out of a grateful sense of the manifold (p. 426) goodness with which God has prospered his life, and of an earnest desire to promote the best interests of his fellow-citizens, to devote a munificent donation of property for certain most wise and beneficent uses indicated in said letter, and has requested us to take in trust the charge and management of the same, therefore,
Resolved, That the undersigned, being the Trustees assembled in Washington, deeply sensible of the honor conferred on them by a trust of such eminent importance and responsibility, and realizing their dependence upon the guidance and blessing of God to be enabled to discharge its duties with such wisdom and faithfulness as may best secure the benevolent designs of the giver, do hereby accept the office of Trustees of the same, and promise our best exertions in its behalf.
Resolved, That we hereby express to Mr. Peabody our grateful appreciation of the enlarged and unprecedented generosity which, after having bestowed upon the poor of the city of London a bounty that drew forth the admiration of Europe, and after having exceeded the same in his recent return to his native land, in benefactions to institutions of learning and education in the Middle and Eastern States of the Union, has now crowned the whole with this last deed of patriotism and loving kindness, so eminently calculated to bind together the several parts of our beloved country in the bonds of mutual well-doing and regard.
Resolved, That we express to Mr. Peabody our respectful and affectionate prayer that, in the gracious providence of our Heavenly Father, his valuable life may be long spared to witness the success of his benevolent contributions to the happiness of his fellow-citizens in all parts of his native and beloved land, and that many of those whom God has blessed with large possessions may be induced to follow his example of wise and noble employment of wealth for the good of man and the glory of God.
Robert C. WINTHROP, C. MACALESTER, Charles P. MCILVAINE, George W. RIGGS, U. S. GRANT, Gen. U. S. A. Samuel WETMORE, William AIKEN, George N. EATON, William M. EVARTS, Geo. PEABODY RUSSELL.
The Secretary of State to George Peabody.
To Department of State, Mr. George PEABODY, London. Washington, June 23, 1868.
Sir: I have the pleasure to inform you that, pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 16, 1867, the President has caused to be prepared for presentation to you, in the name of the people of the United States, a gold medal, with suitable devices and inscriptions, in acknowledgment of your munificent donation for the promotion of education in the more destitute portions of the Southern and Southwestern States. This testimonial, (p. 427) together with an engrossed copy of the resolution referred to, will remain in the hands of this department until you shall have communicated to it your wishes with regard to their further disposition.
I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, William H. SEWARD.
George Peabody to the Secretary of State.
To the Honorable William H. SEWARD, London, Sept 18, 1868. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated the 23d of June, informing me of the completion of the gold medal prepared pursuant to an act of Congress of March 16, 1867, to be presented to me in the name of the people of the United States, and asking what may be my wishes in regard to its further disposition.
I have heretofore delayed responding to your polite letter from indecision on my part respecting the place to which I should wish to have the esteemed token transmitted, whether to me here, in London, or to the institution bearing my name in South Danvers, which I intend shall be its final resting place; but knowing the uncertainty of life, particularly at my advanced age, and feeling a great desire of seeing this most valued token my countrymen have been pleased to bestow upon me, I beg leave to submit, if compatible with the rules of your department, that the medal with the accompanying documents may be sent to me here, through our legation, when I will endeavor to express myself more fully how highly I esteem the distinguished honor.
I am, with great respect, your humble servant, George PEABODY.
The Secretary of State to George Peabody.
To Department of State, Mr. George PEABODY, London. Washington, October 7, 1868.
Sir: Your letter of the 18th of September has been received. In compliance with the suggestion therein contained the congressional medal is herewith transmitted to Mr. B. F. Stevens, the United States despatch agent at London, with instructions to place the honorable testimonial directly into your own hands. It is hoped that it may receive no injury by the way, and that you may deem it, in design and execution, a not unworthy token of your countrymen's appreciation of your beneficence in the cause of universal education.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, William H. SEWARD.
George Peabody to the Secretary of State. (p. 428)
To the Honorable 64 Queen Street, Cheapside, William H. SEWARD, London, E. C., January 6, 1869. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, through the United States despatch agent at London, of the case alluded to in your letter of the 7th of October, containing the gold medal, which, pursuant to the resolution of Congress, the President has caused to be prepared for me, together with an engrossed copy of the resolution referred to.
The package arrived in England in November, but owing to my absence from London it was not till the evening of Christmas day that I was enabled to examine its contents in the presence of a circle of my intimate friends.
Of the unsurpassed beauty of the medal, and the excellence of its delicate workmanship, there is but one opinion, and I heartily concur with all who have seen it in appreciating the elegance of its design and the masterly skill of its execution.
Cherishing as I do the warmest affection for my country, it is not possible for me to feel more grateful than I do for this precious memorial of its regard, coming as it does from thirty millions of American citizens, through their representatives in Congress, with the full accord and co-operation of the President.
This medal, together with the rich illuminated transcript of the Congressional resolution, I shall shortly deposit in the Peabody Institution, at the place of my birth, in apartments specially constructed for their safe-keeping, along with other public testimonials with which I have been honored. There I trust it will remain for generations, to attest the generous munificence of the American people in recognizing the efforts, however inadequate, of one of the humblest of their fellow-countrymen to promote the enlightenment and prosperity of his native land.
To you, Sir, individually, I beg to convey the assurance of my profound gratitude for the interest which you have personally manifested on the occasion, and for the cordial manner in which you have consulted my wishes in relation to the transmission of this gracious record of my country's favor.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your humble servant, George PEABODY.
No. 79. (p. 429) PLATE LXXIX.
March 4, 1869—March 4, 1877.
United States of America. Liberty justice and equality "Let us have peace." [Rx]. On earth peace good will toward men.
PRESIDENT ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT.
[Eighteenth President of the United States of America.]
Within a wreath of laurel, at the four points of which are shields of the United States of America: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. LIBERTY JUSTICE AND EQUALITY "LET US HAVE PEACE." Bust of President Grant, facing the right; under it, a calumet of peace and a branch of laurel.
Within a circle composed of thirty-six stars: ON EARTH PEACE GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN 1871. The western hemisphere of the globe resting on implements of husbandry, with the Holy Bible above it and rays behind it.
This medal, though not signed, is by Paquet.
No. 80. (p. 430) PLATE LXXX.
April 14, 1865.
To George F. Robinson. Awarded by the Congress of the United States, March 1, 1871.
GEORGE FOSTER ROBINSON.
[Heroic Conduct.]
TO GEORGE F. ROBINSON. AWARDED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, MARCH 1. 1871. Bust of Robinson, facing the left; on the coat, four clubs, the badge[124] of the eighteenth army corps, in which he served during the Civil War; above, two crowns, one of laurel and one of oak; on each side, the following: FOR HIS HEROIC CONDUCT ON THE 14. DAY OF APRIL 1865, IN SAVING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE WM. H. (William Henry) SEWARD THEN SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
[Footnote 124: During the war the campaign badge was of felt, red for the first division, white for the second, and blue for the third. For dress occasions it was of silver, with the color of the division inserted in the badge. The felt badge was worn on the right side of the hat, the silver one as in the plate. By means of the letters, figures, and badge, any one could tell, at a glance, the army corps, division, brigade, regiment, and company, to which a soldier belonged, and the State from which he came.
After the war Congress passed the following resolution:
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled: That all who served as officers, non-commissioned officers, privates, or other enlisted men, in the regular army, volunteer, or militia forces of the United States, during the war of the Rebellion, and have been honorably discharged from the service or remain still in the same, shall be entitled to wear, on occasions of ceremony, the distinctive army badge ordered for or adopted by the army corps or division, respectively, in which they served.
Approved July 25, 1868.]
Secretary Seward lying in his bed, with curtains half drawn; (p. 431) standing at its side, Robinson struggling with Payne, who holds an uplifted dagger in his right hand. G. Y. COFFIN. DES. (designavit.) PAQUET. F. (fecit).
GEORGE FOSTER ROBINSON was born at Hartford, Oxford County, Maine, August 13, 1832. In 1863, he enlisted in the 8th regiment of Maine Volunteers, and was severely wounded at Bermuda Hundred, May 20, 1864. On the night of April 14, 1865, while acting as sick nurse to the Honorable William H. Seward, then secretary of State, at the imminent peril of his life, and at the cost of serious wounds, he saved Mr. Seward from the knife of the assassin Payne. For his heroic conduct on this occasion, Congress voted him five thousand dollars and a gold medal. He was clerk in the Treasury Department, from June, 1865, to August, 1866, when he resigned. He was appointed in December, 1868, to a similar position in the quartermaster-general's office, Washington.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to George F. Robinson.
Be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed to pay to George F. Robinson, late a private in the Eighth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, the sum of five thousand dollars, out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated.
SECTION 2. And be it further resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed to cause to be prepared and presented to the said George F. Robinson a gold medal with appropriate devices and inscriptions, commemorative of the heroic conduct of the said Robinson on the fourteenth day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, in saving the life of the Honorable William H. Seward, then secretary of State of the United States, the expense of said medal to be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved March 1st, 1871.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom were referred the (p. 432) resolutions of the legislature of the State of Maine, declaring that the heroic conduct of George F. Robinson, late a private in the Eighth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, in saving the life of Secretary Seward from the knife of an assassin, at the imminent peril of his own life, and at the expense of permanent wounds, should receive public recognition by the Congress of the United States, to the end that his noble deeds may be known and remembered by the American People, and that provision may be made for his future welfare such as right and justice demand, and the generous impulse of a grateful people require, respectfully submit the following report:[125]
[Footnote 125: Reported by Mr. Porter Sheldon, of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.]
That on the 15th day of August, 1863, George F. Robinson enlisted in the Eighth Regiment of Maine Volunteers. On the 20th day of May, 1864, at an attack at Bermuda Hundred, made on General Butler's lines by the rebels, Robinson was wounded very severely in the leg by a canister shot. He was sent to Douglas Hospital in this city, where he lay nearly a year undergoing great suffering from his wound. On the memorable 14th day of April, 1865, although his wound was not then entirely healed, he was detailed from the hospital to act as nurse to Mr. Seward, the Secretary of State, who, it will be remembered, was confined to his bed by serious injuries—a broken arm and jaw. At 10 o'clock that night Robinson was on duty in Mr. Seward's room, when the assassin, Payne, sought that room to murder the feeble, wounded, helpless Secretary, in pursuance of the great conspiracy which ended with filling the whole civilized world with horror. The Secretary was sleeping; the room was darkened. Robinson hearing a disturbance in the hall opened the door; a flood of light streamed on him from the hall. On the threshold stood the athletic assassin, a revolver in one hand and a huge bowie knife in the other. He saw against the wall the wounded, crazed Assistant Secretary, with blood pouring from his wound. He caught the gleam of that terrible knife aimed at his throat; instinctively he struck up at the assassin's arm to ward off the knife, partially succeeded, but received the blow upon his head, and was prostrated to the floor. Bounding over him, Payne rushed on to the bed, and commenced wildly striking with the knife at the throat of the Secretary. Already he had cut the flesh off from one cheek to the bone, and the blood gushed in torrents over the pillow. This soldier, just from the hospital, with his wounded leg not yet healed, enfeebled from his year of suffering and pain, just prostrated to the floor by a blow from that terrible knife, springs to his feet, and without one moment's hesitation, without one moment's thought for himself, save, as he swears, the thought that he must die to save the Secretary; without a weapon of any description, with a bravery never surpassed in the annals of any country, he opposed his naked hands, his wounded and enfeebled body, to the terrible knife of the gigantic and desperate murderer. He seized the assassin just as the deadly knife was about to bury itself in the throat of the Secretary, and then commenced an unequal struggle which seemingly can only end in the death of the brave soldier. Having succeeded in dragging Payne from off the bed, he receives over his shoulder two deep wounds down his back, inflicting injuries from which one side of (p. 433) his face and two fingers of one hand are still partially paralyzed. He received two more wounds under his left shoulder blade, which proved nearly fatal, and received blows about the head and face from the revolver. At last Payne, probably becoming alarmed for his own safety should he spend more time in the house, wrenched himself loose and fled, stabbing a messenger from the State Department on his way down stairs. Disregarding his own desperate wounds, the blood from which was filling his shoes, with the help of Mr. Seward's daughter Robinson placed the insensible and mangled form of the Secretary on the bed from which he had fallen, and re-covering the gashed cheek with its flesh, he placed his fingers on the wounded artery from which Mr. Seward's life was fast passing, and with the same coolness, the same utter self-abandonment, he kept his position, though scarcely able to stand, and believing himself fatally wounded, until relieved by the arrival of the Surgeon-General. After the Secretary's wounds were dressed his own were attended to, and he was the same night carried back to the hospital.
On the 17th day of May following Robinson was honorably discharged from the service. Finding himself unable to labor on a farm, by reason of his wounds, he was obliged to sell his little place for some $1,200, and sought employment as a Government clerk. He is now a clerk in the Quartermaster General's Department, at a salary of $1,200 per year, and has no other means of supporting himself, his wife, and boy, except a pension of $8 per month for wounds received on the field of battle. Robinson is a modest man, of excellent character, and a faithful and efficient clerk.
The committee unanimously recommend the passage of the accompanying joint resolution.
No. 81. (p. 434) PLATE LXXXI.
August 31, 1872.
By Resolution of Congress February 24, 1873.
LOSS OF THE STEAMER METIS.
[For Courage and Humanity.]
A man standing in a boat, a coil of rope under his left arm, directs oarsmen with his right hand to pull for the wreck of the Metis. One of the men is lifting a woman from the sea into the boat. To the right, in the background, a light-house.
BY RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS FEBRUARY 24, 1873. Within a wreath of Oak: TO[126] FOR COURAGE AND HUMANITY IN THE SAVING OF LIFE FROM THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER METIS ON LONG ISLAND SOUND AUGUST 31, 1872. W. & C. BARBER.
[Footnote 126: Blank space for name.]
CHARLES E. BARBER, son of William Barber, chief engraver to the United States Mint, Philadelphia, was born in London, England, in 1840. He came to America with his parents when very young and studied the fine arts in the city of New York. He engraved for the Government of the United States the Metis and John Horn medals.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Crandall and others.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to cause to be made and presented to each of the following persons such suitable and appropriate medals, as in his judgment shall (p. 435) express the high estimation in which Congress hold the respective merits and services of Captain Jared S. Crandall, Albert Crandall, Daniel F. Larkin, Frank Larkin, Byron Green, John D. Harvey, Courtland Gavitt, Eugene Nash, Edwin Nash and William Nash of the town of Westerly, State of Rhode Island, who so gallantly volunteered to man the life-boat and a fishing boat, and saved the lives of thirty-two persons from the wreck of the steamer "Metis," on the waters of Long Island Sound, on the thirty-first day of August, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Approved February 24, 1873.
Captain David Ritchie to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States Revenue Steamer Mocassin, To the Honorable Newport, Rhode Island, September 1st, 1872. George S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, District of Columbia.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the services rendered by this vessel, her officers and crew to the passengers and crew of the wrecked steamer Metis on the morning of August 30th, 1872.
On the evening of August 29th, while cruising to the westward, weather threatening, ran in for a harbor behind the Stonington breakwater, where we anchored. My glass falling and there being every indication of a storm, I prepared my vessel for it.
At 8 P.M. the gale began, and continued to increase throughout the night from southeast with heavy sea and blinding rain.
At daylight the gale moderated and it stopped raining, the wind hauling by south to westward.
At 9.20 A.M. the first officer of the steamer "Stonington" of the New York and Stonington Line, came alongside, and reported that the steamer "Metis" of the New York and Providence Line, was wrecked off Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the fate of which, together with her one hundred and fifty passengers and crew, was unknown.
I ordered steam as quickly as possible, and at 10.15 A.M. got under way and proceeded to the scene of the disaster, stationing lookouts aloft and upon the house.
I soon descried two boats loaded with helpless men, women and children, near the edge of the surf at Watch Hill Light House, and with great difficulty and danger, on account of the heavy sea, succeeded in getting them on board of the "Mocassin."
I then stood down for the wreck, lowered boats and picked up the living and dead, continuing this sad duty until 3.45 P.M., when night coming on and medical aid being required for those of the rescued who were exhausted, I put the vessel back for Stonington, the nearest port, having no hope of finding any more living persons and seeing no dead bodies remaining afloat. I reached Stonington at 6 P.M. with forty-two rescued persons and (p. 436) seventeen dead bodies which we had recovered from the deep.
Being a stranger in Stonington, I was at a loss to know what I should do with my precious cargo, but at the wharf I met with unexpected aid in the person of Mr. J. P. Bigelow, chief of the Loan Division of the Treasury Department, who, upon my wants being made known to him, procured proper relief, obtaining through Mrs. Bigelow and ladies in the town, clothing and proper care for five women who were rescued in a state of entire nudity. The men rescued were taken charge of by the citizens, who did all in their power to relieve their distress. All the rescued were greatly exhausted, having been in the water several hours. |
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