would not be put off; they would not be silenced. Red-tape officials pompously said "such are the regulations." "Then the regulations are wrong, must be corrected," and they went with their story to leading generals, and to the great-hearted LINCOLN and persisted until they were. It is strange how much difficulty the people experienced and overcame in being simply humane!

Our women took a religious view of the war from the outset, and relied much upon religious influences. Convictions of religious duty led them to the sacrifices which they cheerfully endured. It led them to the hospitals where the wounded were in need of their care, and with a tenderness which no man can imitate they discharged the laborious duties of hospital nurses-not as hirelings but unpaid. Kneeling beside many a cot they whispered in the ears of the dying the "words of life," sang them the holy songs of home and committed the parting spirit to the Redeemer's tender care! Their names are unwritten in our histories, but their witness

is above, their record is on high.

Among the means devised to aid the soldiers was a series of National Fairs commencing in Chicago and extending throughout. the country. The returns to the Sanitary Commission were enor

mous.

The second series closed with great fairs in Chicago and Milwau kee. The former was not confined to Illinois but was shared throughout the West; the different states were represented with departments, and it was one of the grandest exhibitions ever witnessed.

It was under the Presidency of T. R. Bryan, Esq., one of the most accomplished and liberal patriots of the Northwest. It is simple justice to state that while many gave it their hearty co-operation it owed more for its original plan, inauguration and successful completion to Madames Hoge and Livermore than any other persons. These ladies, acting for the Sanitary Commission, threw their souls into the work; wrote appeals for the press, sent forth circulars, went through the country, addressed public meetings, visited influential persons, and were, in short, irrepressible and irresistible. was first intended to hold the fair exclusively for the benefit of the Soldiers' Home, and to make of it a great institution, capable of receiving a large number of disabled soldiers, and giving them a

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comfortable support. It became necessary to modify this plan, and a union of effort between the Home, the Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commission was agreed to.

The rebellion collapsed suddenly, and the Fair was held after the war actually closed, and naturally the receipts were diminished, for the pressure of necessity was withdrawn, yet the gross receipts were in excess of three hundred thousand dollars, and the net gain was reported at about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The entire space of Dearborn Park was occupied by the chief building, called Union Hall. It extended from Randolph to Washington Streets. Here, in the central avenue, were placed the tables and booths of the religious denominations. These were highly ornamented, and were filled with the handiwork of Christian ladies. In this department were also the booths containing contributions from the old world, which were rare and beautiful. There were two wings devoted to heavier goods, to mechanical and agricultural implements, and stores amassed by the business Committee. The hall was brilliantly lighted from the floor to the apex of its sharp Gothic roof, and filled with beautiful and costly wares; thronged by thousands of people, it presented a sight worth crossing the Continent to witness.

Eastward, covering Michigan Avenue, a whole block, was Floral Hall, where taste and industry had made a wilderness of beauty. Eastward still was the Soldier's Rest, in which was the "Old New England Farm House," a genuine Yankee reproduction, where Patience, and Faithful, and Prudence, in olden costume, served baked beans, Indian pudding and pumpkin pie to hungry consumers. Around were relics of the land of steady habits and General Courts. Northward of Floral Hall was Monitor Hall. The Lincoln Log Cabin was slightly to the West, on Randolph Street.

Bryan Hall, then the largest in the city, was the depository of arms and military trophies. There were battle-torn flags, tattered, smoked banners brought home in honor. In the rear was the gallery of Fine Arts. Bryan Hall was under the care of Honorable Judge Bradwell.

The Lincoln Log Cabin was a structure of the primitive sort, and what gave it historic importance is indicated in the official paper appended:

"STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,) "SPRINGFIELD, May 20, 1865.

"JOHN HANKS, ESQ., DECATUR, ILLINOIS:

My Dear Old Friend: In reply to your question relating to the log cabin, said to have been built by yourself, Thomas Lincoln and the late President, Abraham Lincoln, I take pleasure in stating to you that for twenty-five years there has been no doubt in the public mind in Macon County, Illinois, on this question. If the cabin you now have is the one you pointed out to me in the spring of 1860, where you were collecting the Lincoln rails, I cheerfully state that I am certain it is the one built by Mr. Lincoln; besides your voluntary statements on the subject abundantly satisfy me there can be no mistake about it.

"As the old companion and friend of Mr. Lincoln, and one who has been constant in your support of his administration, and an ardent friend of the Union, I hope you may receive a just compensation for your efforts to bring before the country the simple but honorable testimonies to the early, laborious and worthy efforts of our beloved late President in his youth to make for himself a home, a fortune and a

name.

"The old cabin would be out of place in any other hands than your own. You should retain the control of it that not one timber may be lost. There is but one such in the United States, and it rightfully and properly should be intrusted to your keeping.

"(Signed,)

RICHARD J. OGLESBY,

"Governor of Illinois."

The Fair was opened May 30, 1865, by a grand procession, followed by an address from Governor Oglesby. He was there as Governor of the State, but was even more honored as one of the wounded heroes of the Union than as an illustrious civic officer. When the returned soldiers caught sight of him they rent the air with hearty shouts. A poem was read by T. Buchanan Read, which was well received.

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The 1st of June was the day appointed by President Johnson as one of humiliation, and the Fair was virtually closed, but re-opened on Friday, and thenceforward until June 17th, from morning until midnight, did the officers and the ladies in charge of the booths remain on duty. A week after the closing up was occupied in disposing of the remaining goods.

The Fair was honored by the presence of several illustrious heroes. The interest, however, concentrated upon Grant and Sherman.

The

latter came first and received a welcome befitting the leader of the army of the West. But the culmination was with the coming of Grant, described elsewhere.

But the grandest feature of the Fair was the reception of so many regiments of returning soldiers. It was well to honor great leaders, but the men who carried muskets, dug trenches, stormed breastworks, swept aside defences, charged bayonets, served artillerythe common soldiers who did all that heroism could, though their names were unknown to official reports-these were the true heroes of our war for the Union.

It is not in language to describe the enthusiasm with which they were greeted, as they came with thinned ranks and shortened lines, with faded uniforms and tattered flags! They were met with shout and cheer, with songs, orations, triumphal arches and rich banquets. Governor Oglesby issued the following proclamation:

"Our soldiers are returning home in large numbers, by regiments, companies and detachments, after years of arduous and faithful service, to be finally mustered out and honorably discharged from the service of the United States. The camps near Springfield and Chicago have been designated as the points of rendezvous for this purpose. The troops will arrive at these camps by rail from the East and South, passing through the state, by day and night, for several weeks. Several regiments

have arrived, and from these points, as they are discharged, they will separate, in every direction to every part of the state, soldiers no longer, but citizens again, when they will settle to enjoy with us the peace they have given the country and the honors they have won.

"Let us meet them, fellow citizens, as our hearts dictate we should, with open arms, with joyful shouts, with warm affection. Spread the best the state affords, with luxuries such as women alone can prepare; and above all, let us meet them as the defenders of our liberties and the saviors of our country. Turn from every employment long enough to tender these brave men these hospitalities. Their thinned ranks and battered flags, their bronzed faces, and steady, firm step, show what their strong arms and stout hearts have done for us.

Turn out, all Illinois, to welcome Show them by your recognition when the days of welcome shall

your noble sons, as such a state can afford to do. how they have earned your lasting gratitude, and be passed, you will see that a good soldier knows how to make a good citizen. "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and have caused the great seal of the state of Illinois to be affixed, this 15th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

(Signed)

"By the Governor.

RICHARD J. OGLESBY.

"SHARON TYNDALE, Secretary of State."

But the people had not waited. They knew how to send their

sons away, and they knew how to give them welcome. The Chicago Tribune says:

"One of the most pleasant uses to which the Fair building was put, was the reception of our brave soldiers, thousands of whom were there saluted, and all-from Lieutenant-General to High Private-received with a hearty enthusiasm that told how much we felt the debt owed to them. Major-General Sherman arrived here on the 8th of June, and a most cordial reception was extended to him by all classes. On the 10th, Lieutenant-General Grant arrived here, and was received in Union Hall with an ovation perfectly tremendous in extent and enthusiasm. On the same day arrived the 105th regiment Illinois volunteers, followed subsequently by the following regiments, in the order named, all of which were suitably received in the Union Hall, and subsequently entertained at the Rest or elsewhere:

“102d, 90th, 127th, 78th, 86th, 104th, 129th, 74th, 88th, 89th, 110th, 128th, 96th, 75th, 100th, 125th, 82d, 113th, 103d, 93d, Board of Trade Battery, 112th, and Bridges' Battery.

"In July the soldiers returned home thick and fast. The close of the war had rendered their services no longer necessary in the field, and with all possible dispatch they were sent home. The following returned in July, all being Illinois troops, unless otherwise named: 92d, Mercantile Battery, Battery E, 10th, 52d, 57th, Colvin's Battery, Elgin Battery, 2d Minnesota, 7th Minnesota Battery, 3d Wisconsin, 34th, 64th, 45th, 1st Wisconsin, 8th cavalry, 20th, Batteries D and M, 12th Wisconsin, Battery I, 65th, 3d Wisconsin, 6th and 13th Iowa, 53d, 15th Iowa, 4th Iowa, 23d.

"In August, the following arrived: 124th, 76th, Bolton's Battery, 81st, 108th, 72d, 55th, 95th, 16th cavalry.

“After this, the returning braves came in more slowly; we note the following: October 15th, 3d regiment Illinois cavalry; November 20th, 9th Illinois cavalry; December 10th, 39th Illinois regiment. Total, fifty-five regiments and eleven batteries, embracing altogether about thirty thousand men, came home in 1865."

First came the 102d, which, armed with the Spencer-repeating rifle, had been a terror to evil-doers. It had been one of Sherman's foraging regiments, and enjoyed the hospitalities of the Hall. Next came