The Last of the War Governors A BIOGRAPHICAL APPRECIATION OF COLONEL WILLIAM SPRAGUE Governor of Rhode Island. 1860-18^3, With Special Reference to His I'nrticipatiun in the I^oyal War Governors' Conference at Altoonn, Penunylvania, Septenihf>r, IS(i'J By HENRY W. SHOEMAKER I^ientennnt-Coloncl and A. D. C, National Guard of Pennsylvania rmc I.OGAN HOUSK. AI.TOONA. I'lihlisheii by the Altoona Tribune Publishinti Co., Altoona. Pa. Copyrighted. All Riiihts Reserved. 191(t mM^mm^^m^ The Last of the War Governors A BIOGRAPHIGAI. APPRECIATION <)!< coloxi<:t. wit;liam spracuk •inoi- of H1U..U- Islaiid, lS()()-IS(i.}, With Special liofor.-iir.- fo His Parlicipatioii in the Loyal War Governors' Conference at Altoona. Pennsylvania, September. 1862 y By HENRY WTSHOEMAKER Lieutenant-Colonel and A. D. C. National (Juaril of ]»ennsy Ivanif We uncommiseraie pass into the night From the loud banquet, and departing leave A tremor in mtn's memories, faint and siveel And frail as music. Features of our face. The tones of the voice, the touch of the beloved hand, Piii^li (1)1(1 ninish, one by one, from earth: MKiinrhilf, in the h(dl of song, the muldlude Applaii'h llic new performer. One, perchance, One ultimate survivor lingers on, And smdes, and to his ancient heart recalls The long forgotten. Ere the morrow dies, He too, returning, through the curtain comes, Arid the new age forgets us and goes on. — R. L. STEVENSON ALTOONA, 1»A. Published l)y (lie Altoona Tribune Publishiuj; Couipanj ]!)l(i C.opyrishted. All l{i«hls Keseiv.d sr6 APR 15 1916 ©CU427729 WILLIAM SPRAGUE, War Governor of Rhode Island. About the Time of the Loyal in Altoona, 1862. From a Photograph Taken War Governors' Conference (Frontispiece) INDEX OF CHAPTERS. Chapter Page I. Introduction o II. P.irth of Parentage G III. The h'irst XOlunteer I\'. In United v'^tates Senate 12 \'. Lincoln's Confidante 15 \'l. The Conference Assembles IS \ il. (Opinions and Results of Conference 20 \'III. Later Years 24 IX. Altoona's Lride 37 X. Stories of the Conference 32 XL Death and Funeral (.52 XII. His I 'lace in History DO I. INTRODUCTION. AFKW weeks ago lliere passed away, at his com- \> Htable home in I'aris, France, a most remark- al)k' man. William v^j^rague. First \'olunteer of the Civil War. War Governor of Rhode Island, twice United vStates Senator, splendid gentleman, ardent patriot, loyal friend. The separation of miles, the lapse of \ ears, the forgetfulness of rising generations had caused his name, once a watchword of all that was n(i1)lest in American ideals, to become unfamiliar to many, hut his deatli and funeral forcibly recalled "his name and fame" ti) all, emblazoning it again in history; graven deep "lest we forget." " It was the writer's priv- ilege to have ])asse(l considerable time with this mag- nificent .\mei-ican during the months of July and Au- gust. r.»i;!. and to liave heard from his lips some of the inside history of the Civil War, especially as re- lating to the LoAal War Governor's Conference held at Altoona, Tennsvlvania, in September, 1862. With a mind tuKlimmed by the inroads of age, though ])hysi- callv ver\- weak from the effects of a stroke of paraly- sis, the aged War (lovernor related the marvellous incidents of his immortal career, interspersing them with jokes and .ilhcr signs of good humor. Though some of the information related to him does not cor- respond in every rcs])ect with written history, it is probably more correct as intimatel\- retlecting tlie times as they actually occurred to the chief actors — the life behind the scenes. In Civil War times as in the pres- ent Great War censorship existed and to an extent the public was allowed to hear only what was thought best for them. Historians too often accepted these guarded or garbled statements as facts, and built their foundations u])on them. This was particidarly true of the Altoona Conference; its real purposes were necessarily kept from press and public, but unfortu- nately too long, as historians had little to grasp at when sitting down to indite their final estimates. Fortunate indeed was it that Governor Sprague survived into the present da}\ so that his story might be recorded, and place the War Governors" Conference in the light it deserved to be — the pivotal and deciding point of the Civil War — and to properly describe the parts played by each of the great actors in it. At one time Colonel Sprague was at work upon a lengthy article dealing with the Altoona meeting, but the manuscript was lost with other papers when his beautiful home, "Canon- chet,"" at Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island, was de- stroyed by fire several years ago. The aged states- man almost lost his life in trying to rescue his manu- scripts and papers, but the cruel flames miade a clean sweep of the mental gleanings of a lifetime. If this manuscript had been preserved, the Sprague version of the W^ar Governors' Conference would have been given to the world ere this and the account w^'itten of it by Governor Austin Blair, of Michigan, might have had a valuable supplement. Rut once destroyed it could iidt l)c rewritten; the old Klio Ir Inland palnur was too frail to take up the ])en again ; his story of the historic nieeting hid fair never to see the light of day. It was therefore with ])leasure that Colonel Spraguc recounted some of the incidents oi the Conference and the circumstances leading up to and following it, when the writer saw him two years ago. Fragmentary as compared to the written account, lacking perhaps in some salient details due to the forgetfulness incidental to over half a century, yet it stands as a frank state- ment of a great man's part in a momentous historical event. To the writer it stands as well as a hai)py memory of one of the most charming acquaintance- ships formed in life's pilgrimage, of hours spent with a no])le and lovahle soul. Hi:m;v W. Suoi-maki:!;. Altoox.v Tuihun'h Office, Xovkmuki: 15, JDl."). II. WILLIAM SPRAGUE'S BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EARLY LIFE. WILLIAM S PRAGUE, the subject of this sketch, was born at Cranston. Rhode Lsland. on Sep- tember 1'^. 1ides devoting nmch time U> the details and general administrative wiirk. His vast hiisiness interests and militarv affilia- THE LAST OP THE WAR GOVERNORS. tions brought him into contact with poHticians, and he ultimately took an active interest in the councils of the old Democratic part}-. His ability and personal popu- larly resulted in his election as Governor of Rhode Island in the fall of ISiiO. lie being but thirty years old at the time, and the }oungest Governor ever elected in the State. In order to receive the nomination som- of his friends stated the year of his birth as 1829, Ijut he finally was able to establish the fact that he was born a year later, "to discard that extra year."" as he laugh- ingly stated it to the writer of these pages. At the time of his first electii^n to the Governorship, he was descriljed as tlie handsomest man in New England. He was of mediimi height, about five feet eight inches, slenderly but athleticall}' built, with erect carriage, and proud poise of the head. His eyes were of a peculiar color — "stone color."' some called them; they seemed brown sometimes, blue at others, yet could never l)e called hazel. His hair was ])rown in color and wavv. the complexion fair and delicate as a young girl's. The fine lines of his mouth were not concealed bv the slight nuistache. and the smile wliicli lit up eves anrl mouth was fascinating to l)ehold. III. THE FIRST VOLUNTEER. WlllCX. on A])ril T.', iMil, I'ort v'^umtcr was Ixnn- Ijurded. William v'-^pragne, trained soldier and with an efficient command back of liim. telegraphed to President Lincoln. "Will you accept First Rhode Island Regiment?"" To which Father Abraham sent the characteristic and prompt reply, "Yes; send them C|uick." The regiment was in Washington ready for service on .\]M-il IS, a few hours after the arrixal of the "First J^efenders"' from Reading and Al- lentown. Pennsylvania, but Sprague had been the hrst individual to volunteer in the mighty confiict. As a military leader. S])rague was in his element. His courage was magnihcent, his strategy that of a born general. He led his troops at the First Rattle of Hull Run on July '.M. lS(il. and distinguished himself for gallantry under hre. As President Lincoln had ad- mired the brave Colonel Ellsworth, he made the young and dashing Sprague his ideal after Ellsworth's tragic death. He frequently consulted with the young Rhode Islander on im])ortant military matters. He was so impressed with his cai)abilities that he urged him to acce])t a commission as Prigadier (jeneral. but Sprague declined as he felt that he had duties to per- form at home. However, he served with distinction during the entire Peninsular campaign. He had been first elected Governor of Rhode Island in the fall of 10 THHE LAS OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 18()(), be was re-elected by a big majority in ISIil. and re-elected for a tbird time in 18G2. At tbe tbird election, out of a total of 11,"?()4 ballots cast, be re- ceived 11,10!), or tbe biggest majority ever given to a gubernatorial candidate in bis State. W'bile still Gov- ernor be was, on ]\Iay 28, 1862, elected United States Senator from Rbode Island. He resigned as Gov- ernor on Marcb :!. ISd;]. and took bis scat in tbe sen- ate. Wben be resigned tbe colonelcy of tbe First Rbode Island regiment be sougbt about for a capable successor. A sbrewd judge of men, be studied tbe qualities of many before be finally decided upon a young Frencbman named Devries, wbo bad served in Algeria, wbo lias been described as a "second Sprague." He made an admirable officer, maintain- ing tbe efficiencv of bis command. He won fame as an artillerist, ultimately being commissioned a Brig- adier General. Tbe period of tbe Civil war was a busv one for "Tbe First \'olunteer."' At one time be was practicall}- a Colonel in active service. Gov- ernor of a state. United States senator, contidante of President Lincoln, bead of a vast manufacturing con- cern, trustee of I'.rown university and bead of tbe re- cruiting Inu'eaus in bis section of Xew England, blow one man could do all tbese tbings and more, and do tbem well in a time of stress is bard to conceive, r.ut Wibiam Sprague was in addition "captain of bis soul," evervtbing seemed easv to one witb sucb an orderlv intellect. As confidante to tbe President be THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 11 was one of the first to point onl (icncral .McClellan'> inefificienc\-, anil ^IcadfastK' nri^x'd his removal. As a New Kni^iander, he had ])r(in(>uneed anti-slavery views and liad ninch to do witli drawing- of the Emancipa- tion ])roclamatii)n, and, incidental!}-, the docnments rc- latint;- to tlie Conference of Loyal War Governors" at Altoona. ^'et with all these honors and responsi- bilities he was a modest man, he never talked or wrote of his wnrk ; others less (]ualihed seized credit for things whicli helonged to him. lUtt Colonel Sprague was one of nature's true nobility, he knew that pos- terity would give him his proper place provided the work he did proved of value. And in the midst of these epoch-making scenes, he found time to have a I'eautiful romance with Kate Chase. 1)elle of \\'a>h- ington, the daughter of Salmon V. Chase, vSecretary of the Treasury in President Lincoln's cabinet. Their marriage was another chapter in his eventful and stormy life. »W IV. IN UNITED STATES SENATE AND WEDDED AT WASHINGTON. PRESIDENT LINCOLN was highly pleased when informed of Colonel Sprague's election to the United States Senate. He had desired that the young otificer remain at the front, but the next best thing would be to have him with him at the capitol. Lincoln and Sprague were much together and a strange sameness of purpose existed between them. [Meanwhile the young senator was perfecting the plans for his marriage with the fascinating Kate Chase. The entire country paused from its concern over the war to read of the details of the magnificent ceremony. On November 12, ISi);?, the wedding took place at Washington, even the socially retiring Lincoln being much in evidence at the affair, while the edifice was thronged with cabi- net officials and their families, diplomats, soldiers, sen- ators and congressmen. The capitol had never wit- nessed such a ceremony and never did a young couple start out in life imder more brilliant auspices. Col- onel and Mrs. Sprague, after a necessarily brief honey- moon, became social leaders in Washington, their home being the centre of the brains and beauty of the day. In addition to their house at the capital, they maintained a country residence at Narragansett Pier, which they called Canonchet, after an old chief of the Narragansett Indians. Kate Chase Sprague util- ANDREW GREGG CURTIN, War Governor of Pennsylvania. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 13 izcd her talents at (Iccoratiiig the countn- home, speiuhn^- va>t sums of money to beautify the struc- ture and hi\- out the yroimds. Hut despite these social distractions, William Sprague maintaiuetl his leader- sliip in national affairs, lie was a recognized leader in the senate. He was an attractive speaker, with the gift of winning the SN'Uipath}- of his audiences. As rre>ident Lincoln's friend ho wielded a great inlluence with men of all parties. Everything in life seemed bent til advance his hap])y progress. He had been lirst elected to the senate in 18G2. was re-elected in 18G8. Out of a clear sky clouds of disaster commenced gathering. About the time of his second election to the senate his financial affairs showed signs of be- diming involved. Jealous politicians and business rivals aide;! the im|)ending trouble, which took much of the senator's time during his second term in his vain efforts to stem the inevitable. ]>ilatters reached a climax in the panic of IST:'). the crash came and the great Sprague milling corporations suspended. .\n inventor\- of his proi)erty taken at the time showed as.sets of $1(). 000. ()()(), and liabilities of $14,0(H).on<). It was not a bad failure, only ready cash was lacking. That might have lieen sup])Iied but for the jjersonal hostility of certain of the banking interests. T.ut trouble never comes singly. Domestic trials began to assert themselves in jjalatial Canonchet. 'i'he yoimg statesman-financier coming home tired from his futile battles against linancial ruin met a situation that would 14 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. have broken the heart of a weaker man. Three chil- ch'en, two daughters and a son, had been born to bless the union and all should have been serene. Perhaps if it had been, the suspension of 1873 might have been averted. But it was too late, the shadows were gath- ering fast. Enemies appeared on all sides to strike at what they thought a broken man. When Sprague's term as United States senator expired in 1875, he de- cided not to seek re-election, the nation thereby losing one of her most useful lawmakers. TfW V. WAS LINCOLN'S CONFIDANTE IN TRYING DAYS OF STRIFE. Till'", inception of the Loyal War (jovernor's Con- ference held at the Logan house in Altoona, Lenns\ Ivania, September '^ L LS()aid to me. '(lovcrnor Curtin lias been conspicu- ously loyal, he is able, he can l)e trusted. I have been thinking of asking- him to call a conference of THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Loyal Governors to ratify the Proclamation. What do }(iu think of it,' Instantly 1 replied that the ]dan was a splendid one. that 1. too, shared the high opinion of Curtin, and added that Pennsylvania was " a good .-strategic, central ]~>oint for the Governors to assemble in. Mr. Lincoln then called one of his secretaries and the preliminar_\- ste])s were taken to get in touch with Governor Curtin. So good was the ]M-esident's judgment in the matter that the idea found instant approbation from Curtin. Altoona, on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad and not far from Curtin's home, was the place selected for the meeting. Gov- ernor Andrew, of ^lassachusetts, was ne.xt taken into confidence. He. too. became enthusiastic over the idea. Mr. Lincriln, Governor An;lrew and myself contributed ideas to the 'Address' which the Loyal Governors' were to send to the President. To Gov- ernor Curtin was entrusted the task of sending out tl'.e invitations and making the other arrangements. I h.ave heard it said that Governor Andrew suggested the idea of the conference to President Lincoln. I believe that if the full correspondence of the time could be gone over it would be found that Andrew did write some letters to ^Ir. Lincoln on the subject of the forthcoming Proclamation, which may have put the idea of a conference into the President's head before he talked the matter over with me. And Governor Curtin may have written about the momentous paper for all I know. lUit 1 believe that if the idea of the THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 17 Altdona conference oriLjinated in the mind of any of the governors, it was with John A. Anr> ratihed it on Septemlier -il. the ])eople of the north then fell into line as a nnil. and the President with a nnited l)eople hack of him, ])ushed the war to a snccessfnl conclusion." 7P=iS 3!C VI. CONFERENCE OF THE LOYAL WAR GOVERNORS ASSEMBLES. IT was a bright, crisp morning when the Governors assembled in Altoona. They came by chtTercnt trains, some who got in the night before being met at the Logan House by Governor Andrew, who had been selected at host of the party. Governor Curtin, al- though stopping at the hotel, was one of the last to appear in the lobby at the a])i)ointed hour. When all had assembled the party, led by Curtin. who knew the historic structure well, adjourned to the east parlor, where they seated themselves at a round walnut table. Governor Andrew called the meeting to order antl was elected chairman. He recited the ])urposes of the meeting and was elected chairman, l^eing empowered to draw up resolutions to be sent to the President. He drew them up so quickly that it would look as if they were "cut and dried," the work of Mr. Lincoln. Wh.en Andrew with a final flourish of his pen fin- ished the document, he read it hastily to the assembled Governors. They were adopted unanimously, with- out discussion, and then Governor Andrew handed them to the doorkeeper, who took them across the street to the telegraph office, which was located in the Pennsylvania Railroad building directly at the rear of the Logan House, to be sent in full to Mr. Lincoln. The meeting, which began at eleven-thirty in the morn- ing, was adjourned at fifteen minutes past twelve, when President Lincoln's re])ly, acknowledging the receipt of the resolutions ami inviting the Governors 18 AUGUSTUS W. BRADFORD, Governor of Maryland, 1862. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 19 to confer with him in Washington, was received. The l^'irty then left the room, some of tliem hmching in Httle grou])s in chti'erent ])arts of the (hning room. Some of the (lovernors (hd not wait to have any hincli, hut went out to in(|uire about the departure of trains. .\ccom])anie(l by his aide Governor Sprague started for Washington that afternoon. Railway travel was uncertain, the fear of attack at the hands of vSouthern sympathizers made it desirable for dignitaries to travel unknown and in different trains. Sprague and his aide rode in a l)ox car, and at night fell asleep on the rough Moor of the car, wrapped in their military I)lankets. When tliey got hungry they notified the conductor, who sto])ped the train near some hospitable farm house. The journev consumed three davs. It was not without incidents of an exciting character. Southern sympathizers hred on the train a number of times, hut no one was hurt. After the conference ad- journed and also the night before the conference, the Governors stopping at the hotel discussed military questions at length. Governor Curtin's persuasive ])ersonality was then much in evidence. Though silent during tlie actual conference in the "east par- lor," he threw much "oil on troubled waters" in soft- ening the bitter remarks made by many of the Gov- ernors in reference to the conduct of the war, and concerning some of the generals. He saw io it that all left the hotel in a tolerably happy frame of mind. He expressed himself as absolutely convinced as to the outcome of the war, and raised the faith of those Gov- ernors who were inclined to pessimism. VII. OPINIONS AND RESULTS OF THE CON- FERENCE. HISTORIANS and statesmen have be'en unani- mous as regards the importance of the Altoona conference. John Russell Young, diplomat, editor, author, had this to say concerning it: "The Altoona conference was, next to the Proclamation of Emanci- pation, the most decisive civil event of the war. It aroused the latent fires of the Union, brought discom- fiture to those in the North who opposed the Union, taught the insurgent South that it must deal with the United North, that President Lincoln spoke as the voice of the American people. It gave new strength and hoi^e to our brave soldiers in the field, and made sure that the Union cause would succeed." The elo- quent Colonel Alexander Kelly AlcClure. in a meet- ing held at Harrisburg on January 20, 1895, in mem- ory of Governor Curtin. made these remarks as to the momentous importance of the conference : "One of the most important events of the war. in which Governor Curtin played a most conspicuous part, is little known in history, and but imperfectly known even by those who observed the great move- ments that have transpired. I refer to the Altoona Conference of the Governors of the North. The reader of history will simply note the fact that the 20 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 21 Governors u\ the loyal States met there, conferred, issued an address, presented it tn President Lincoln, and called upon him ti> make re(|uisition upon their respective States for fresh tro(>])s to strengthen our armies for victory ; Init who is there today, save a very- few \'et surviving, who knew the inner story of that conference? Who can tell wh\- that conference was hel.l. ■"Tlie Armv of the Pi-^tomac had heen defeated in the se\en days" hattle in front of Richmond, and Pope had met with disaster on the plains of Manasses, and had heen driven into the defenses of Washington. \'ol- unteering had ceased ; no national conscription law was then in existence ; and there was a distress bordering on despair in the hearts of the loyal people of the Xorth. (lOvernor Ciu'tin was in Xew ^'ork, an invalid in the care of his ])h}sician and surgetju, and for- hidden to lca\e his sick room, or to consider otTficial alTairs. v^ecretar\- Seward was in Xew York, ap- parently paralyzed 1)\' the darkness that enveloped the country. (lOvernor Curtin, forgetting his illness and the admonitions of his phxsicians. accepted Seward's invitation to a conference, and Seward repeated to him only what he well knew before, that the depressed condition (jf the loyal i)eo])le who supported the Gov- ernment was such that the President believed it to be perilous to issue a call for additional trooi)s, which all knew were absolutely necessary to prosecute the war successfullv. 22 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. "It was at this conference that Curtin suggested a meeting of the loyal Governors at an early date, and that they, speaking for their States, should ask the I'resitlent to issue a call for ;>()(),(>()() men, with the assurance that the States would promptly respond to it. The despairing Secretary of State readily grasped so hopeful a proposition, and hefore they separated. di>patches were sent to and received from nearly ever\- Governor of the North, all of whom heartily joined in the movement. The conference was fixed at Altoona, and was fully attended, and it was that conference and its heroic and patriotic utterance, penned by Andrew G. Curtin, and John A. Andrew, of Massachusetts, th.at inspired the nation afresh, that promptly filled nj) tlie shattered ranks of the armies, and thus saved the Re])ublic. "In a conversation with the ex-\'ice President of the Siuithern Confederacy, some }'ears after the war. he told me that the severest blow the South received in the early part of the conflict was the Altoona confer- ence of the loyal Governors, that rallied the patriotic people to the support of their armies when the Soutli believed that they had won the decisive battles of the war." W bile there is no one who could wish to detract from tlie noble part played by Governor Curtin in the events leading up to the conference, Sprague's part, less generally known, places him on the plane with Curtin, and a little below Lincoln in the final estimate THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 23 of the great achievement. Some one once said: "By far the most interesting news is the news that never gets printed." The nnpnbhshed history of the causes leading up to the ci inference, as rehUed by (jovcrnor Sprague, sliow clearly the parts played by Lincoln, by Curtin, and by vSprague himself. Kach was necessary to the success of the movement; each ])la}-ed his part well. For half a century the country looked upon the meeting as a spontaneous outljurst. instead of, as it reallv was, one (^f Lincoln's deeply laid coups. Well conceived b\- its author, carried out l)y master minds like Curtin. Andrew and v^prague, it served its \n\v- pose. it sa\'ed the Lhiion. And a nation's gratitude is not too much for such heroic men. Our happiness, our prosperity, our boundless future, all had their real inception that frosty morning on the Alleghenies when the Union was saved. All honor to Lincoln, Curtin. Sjirague. and Andrew. tP'-fP VIII. JOY AND SORROW IN LATER YEARS OF WILLIAM SPRAGUE. GREAT jo}s and great shadows alternated in W'i!- liam Spragtie's later years. A good New Eng- land ancestry had given him a sound constitution, the augury of long life. He came manfully through his business and domestic difficulties, the last named being settled by the divorce court. He was again looked upon as the leading citizen of Rhode Island ; friends flocked about him. and eVen strangers sought his ad- vice. In LSS;], a new romance came into his life, open- ing up fresh vistas of happiness. It seemed as if the rich flower of his life was to bloom anew. It was in that }ear that occurred his marriage with Inez Weed Calvert, of \'irginia, the devoted helpmate of the evening of his life. \\'ith renewed hopes he was again in the political arena. The Democrats and Independ- ents nominated him for Governor of Rhode Island. But he failed at the polls by a small majority. After that he resolved to stay out of politics and devote him- self entirely to his vast business enterprises. He became essentially a home man. The gay social life with his first wife had brought him only misery. There was nothing in it for him. The new wife was all tl:at a heartsick man could wish for. Beautiful, rehned. gentle antl considerate, she made his home life ideal in every sense of the word. "Canonchet" was still the 24 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. scene of much cnlcrtaininj^-. liut it was all dionillcd iu character, and therefore nf less interest to readers of the society cnhinins of the ne\\si)a])ers. h'or nearly ten years the ])rave old W ar ('.o\ernor, his fiiif head of hair growing snow white, pursued the even tenor of his way. adniirahly handling his Ijusiness affairs, and enjoying the tran(|uility nf a ha])i)y home. Then came another holocaust, the dreadful lire which consumed "Canonchet," together with all its priceless art treas- ures and historic hooks and documents. ])es]iite his age. Cjo\'crniir v'^])rague ruslied into the l)urning huild- ing. hut was overcome and sank down on the floor un- conscious, lirave hremen rescued him, hut it was many months hcfore he full}' recovered from the shock. A trip to Europe was decided upon, away from the scenes of former joys and sorrows. Then came another tragedy that so far overshadowed the destruc- tion of "Canonchet" as to make it seem insignihcant. 'J'hat was the sudden death of the War Governor's only son. whom he affectionately called "Willie." It was a staggering hlow. one frcjm which the veteran never fully recovered. Not long after it another ro- mance developed in the family. It was the one he- tween the deceased son's onl_\' daughter, Inez Sprague. and a young Rhode Islander, the son of a noted politi- cian, who had been instrvimental in encompassing Colonel S])rague's defeat for the Governorsliip in the camixiign of l.SS;]. Desiring this grand-daughter's ha])])iness above all thing'-, the magnanimous states 26 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. man gave his consent to the marriage. It ended un- ha])pily. However, a Httle girl was born, who became a )()}• to the old Governor in his last days. In that way the unlooked-for romance brought its compensations. Ihit the world did not seem as gay as of yore, his friends were dying fast. The home was gone. Life in Europe seemed the panacea for many disappoint- ments; so. accompanied by his devoted wife, William Sprague removed to Paris, leasing an elegant abode on the Rue de la I'ompe. not far -from the residence of their dearest friends. Captain and Mrs. Frank H. Mason, the former the doyen of the American Con- sular Service. UFIP' JOHN A. ANDREW, Governor of Massachusetts, 1862. IX. ALTOONA IS PROUD OF BEING LOCA- TION. IX Altoona lliere has always been intense local pride over the fact tliat the fanunis conference was held there. Hon. J. D. llicks. former member of Congress and one of Altoona's foremost citizens, has summed up the results of the conference in the following words : "Xo incident in the ci\-il jjliases of the ]\el)ellion is more notable than what was known as the Altoona conference. It took ])lace at the darkest hour of the war. Apart from one or two successes in the west — Donelson, for instance, the South had shown liersclf in the held masterful and dominant. Lee had inflicte d()in,^s. and no re])orters were present to i^ive to the ])nblic wliat was said and done. The only history attainable, tlierefore. rests upon the memory of the gentlemen wh.o took i)art. There was no formal (trganizatiiai, no secretary, and no record even made at the time of the names of those l)resent who formed the conference. As will he >een, there were Governors of the loyal Stales absent, because . as follows: "In the present emergency, would it not be well it th.e l(i\-al Governors should meet at some point in the Ix.rder States to take measures for a more active sup- port of the government?" To this Goxernor .\n(h-ew rei)lied on the same daw that, should a meeting be called, he would attend. ( )n the I lib day of September, ISi;-?. a call was issued in these words : 30 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. "We invite a meeting of the Governors of the loyal States, to he held at Altoona, Pennsylvania, on the twentv-fourth instant." A. G. CuKTiN, Pennsylvania. David Tod, Ohio. F. H. PiEEPONT, \'irginia. In response to this invitation a meeting was held at .\ltoona, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-fourth day of Septemher, 1862, at which meeting an address was drawn up to the President of the United States, which was signed hy twelve Governors of the loyal States, as follows : A. G. CinrriN. John A. Andkew\ RicHAKD Yates. Israel Washbuun, Jr. Edward Salomon. Samuel J. Kiekwood. O. P. Morton (by D. G. Rose^ his representative). WiLLL\M Sprague. F. H. PlERPONT. David Tod. N. S. Berry. Austin Blair. The document was then sent to the Governors who were unable to be present for their signatures. Governor Ogden, of New Jersey, declined to sign the address. Governor Gibbs, of Oregon, and Gov- ernor Robinson, of Kansas, assented to the sentiments THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 31 contained tliereiii. Gcivernor Gamble, of Missouri, declined on account of his '■ai)])reliension of any good from tile I'roclamation of the Emancipation.'' (^lov- ernor Ro])inson, of Kentuck\-, ai)|)rove in the Altoona Trihune, mider date of Septeniher •^4, 1!)12: The conference was informal. There were no newspaper men i)resent ; tliere was no secretary- and there was no minutes of the proceedings recorded. It was held just two days after President Lincoln had issued the Proclamation of Emancipation. Altoona was chosen as the meeting place because it was cen- tral to those governors who had accepted tlie invita- tion sent out by (jovernors A. G. Curtin. of Penn.syl- vania ; David Tod, of Ohio, and F. IL l'ier])ont, of \'irginia. It was held in the famous old Logan house and those of our citizens who remember the most notable civic event (^f the rebellion and gazed upon the assemblage through the windows, sa_\- that the governors were a lot of dignified and solemn look- ing men. The}- were in the city two days — Septem- ber '2;> to 24 — and on tb.e following day. September ■2.-), presented their framed address to President Lin- coln at the White House in Washington. On September G, 1862, Governor Curtin presented the matter of a conference of the governors of the loval states to Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts. 32 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 33 lie ai)|)rc)ve(l the jilan and on September 1 1. the invi- tations were despatched l)y wire, for a conference in Ahoona on Se])teml)er '.M. In response to this call twehe <4-o\ernor> assemlded in the Logan house, and they were: Curtin. of Pennsylvania; Tod, of Ohio; rierpont. of X'ir^inia; Washburn, of Maine; Andrew, of .Massachusetts; Siirague, of l\h(.)de Island; lierr}-, ni Xcw Hampshire; Morton, id' Indiana; ^'ates, of Illinois; Blair, of .Michigan; Salomon, of Wisconsin, and Kirkwood, of Iowa. Of these Governors. Ijut one survives — William Sprague. of Rhode Island. Governor Austin Idair.of Michigan, was a Xew York bo}', who had gone west, grew up with tlie state and ])ecanic its chief executive. He was the historian of tile conference. \\ hen its semi-centennial anniver- sar\- was a]:)proaching, Altoona people began plan- ning f(;r its fitting celebration. From the family of Go\-ernor lUair, was secured his manuscript of the stor_\- of the conference that he had written for publi- catiim. While comidete in facts, it is likely incom- plete in detail. Me gave nu the task in his older days and likeh', had he completed the storw it would have been one of greater detail .and interest and disclosed the far-reaching effect of the conference and possibly more in detail of the part pla\ed l)\- the various gov- ernors preseiU. The story as written by Governor I '.lair follows: 34 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Preamble. "It has been thought desirable that the story of this conference should be told by one of those who par- ticipated in it, and it is the object of this paper to meet that desire as fully as the material at our dis- posal will permit. The conference was wholly informal and no record seemed to have been kept either of its objects or its doings, and, therefore, its history rests mainly in the memory of the governors who attended it. The Call. The call for the conference originated with Gov- ernor Andrew G. Curtin to Governor John A. Andrew, of Massachusetts, on September (i, ]8G2. as follows: 'In the present emergency would it not be well that the loyal governors should meet at some point in the border states to take measures for the more active support of the government ?' To this. Governor Andrew replied on the same day that should any meeting be called he would at- tend. (In the 14-th of September the call was issued in these words : 'W'e invite a meeting of the Governors of the loyal states to be held in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on the 2UU inst.' This call was sent to all the governors by telegraph and was accepted by most of them. It was signed by Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania; David Tod, of Ohio, and F. H. Pierpont, t^f \'irginia. THK LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 35 Reason for the Conference. The siluation of the country at the time unil(nil)t- edly occasioned this call and the conference that followed. The canipaii^n nf |S(;-j had opened in the spring with hrilliant prospects for the union army. General McClellan with a great arniv carefully t)rganized and drilled, and >])len(lidl\- equipped and sujjplied, had started out to capture the cmi federate capital. From thi> army and its commander, the people had ex])ected the grandest results — no less than the speedy fall of the confederate capital and the col- lapse of the rehellion. Mow completely these antici- pations were disappointed! How failure was after- wards written upon every movement of this army nil until its iinal retreat to the James river and back- to Washington, is current history now. The gloom that overs])reacl the loyal states on account of these di^aster^, the nioxement of General Lee's \ictorious army north for the inva>i(in of the border states, occa- sioned great de]M-ession in the public mind. It was then that the confereiice of tlie governors was called to meet what seemed to be a great emergency. To insi)ire the j)eo])le again with confidence, to fill the depleted ranks of the army with new recruits, and to add new armies, if need be. to the immense forces al- ready in the field. The Loyal Governors. 'iMie breaking out of the great rebellion in April, 1S(il. immediately brought the (lovernors of 36 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. the loyal states into great prominence. Ui)on them devolved the raising of all the troops called for Ijy the president in defense of the government. To t'nem directly every call was sent. The}' enlisted the volunteers, organized them into regiments, commissioned all the officers and sent them so organized to the front. The importance of this service could not he overestimated. It brought the loyal governors at once into very close touch and inti- mate relation with the president, and the secretary of war. 'i'hey became, many of them, trusted advisers of the president and in all matters relating to the war and especially to the raising of troops in their several states. They were deeply interested in the quotas in their state and were in the habit of visiting the de- partments in W'ashingtnn where these Cjuotas were discussed. Conventions among themselves were very frequent- ly held in a perfectly informal manner as they came together in Washington upon similar errands. Before the actual commencement of the war, a conference of the governors of the northwestern states was called by Governor Dennison, of Ohio, at Cleveland, which was attended by the governors of Indiana, Illinois, [Michigan and Wisconsin, or their representatives. It was then that some of us heard for the first time of General George B. ^IcClellan, whom Governor Denni- son told us, he had secured to be major general of the Ohio troops. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 37 ^Ir. r.reelov in liis l)ook, '•Tlio American Con- Hicl." lias a plate including iiicUircs of seventeen eminent loyal governors, as he styles them. 'I'he plate does not include (|uite all of ihem. but most of them whose names were oftenest heard. Effect of the Conference. .\> lo what effect the conference had upon th.c country and upon the administration is mainly a matter of inference. That it had some intluence in restoring the confidence of the people in the ability of the government to sustain itself is undoubted. That it promoted enlistments in the states and infused greater activity into the recruiting service and tended greatlv to strengthen the armies in the field and t.) silence discontent among the disloyal elements in the states there can he no doubt. It was alst) very evident at the time that the unani- mous agreement of the loyal governors to sustam the administration in its efforts to increase the army ra])idlv and promote its strength both in numbers and activity was very gratefid to the president and not by anv means without its intluence upon the policy of the administration. There had existed from the commencement of the war a considerable i^arty in the northern states who professed to believe that the >outh could not be con- quered, but that at last a compromise would have to be made that would leave to the south its institutions 38 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. of slavery entact and with more efificient guarantees for its protection in the future. This party was greatly encouraged hy the failure of McClellan in the Peninsular campaign and the disasters that followed it. The unanimity and vigorous address of the con- ference in favor of a more vigorous prosecution of the war together with the Emancipation Proclamation of the president, had a great effect to shut the mouths and paralyze the eft'orts of this so-called peace partv. Some ill-informed persons asserted that the call for tlie conference had occasioned the issue of the Eman- cipation Proclamation though the Proclamation itself was issued and published two days in the country liefore the conference assembled, 'i'his was certain]}' net true. It was well understood by all men at all conversant with the views of President Lincoln that he had for a long time contemplated the Proclamation and only waited for a favorable occasion to put it forth. On the 25th of June, ISfil, the conscription ]>ill being under consideration, a discussion occurred in congress upon this subject. It was begun by Air. Mallory, a member of the Piouse of Representatives from Kentucky. He was attacking the policy of tlie administration in regard to slavery and in that con- nection said : "A set of factious governors from northern states, after having, in conjunction with leading radical trait- ors, in vain argued and pressed the president to change THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 39 Ill's policy, met at Altoona, in tlic >tate nf Pennsylva- nia, and informed the president that nnless his ]jolicy Avas changed, nnless the extermination of slavery was made the object and pnrpose of the war and not the restoration of the anthority of the constitution and laws over the rehellious states, that if slavery was not put in process of extirpation, they would stop the war; tliat not one of their states would rally to the standard we had raised for the purpose of vindicating the constitution and the laws; then, as if by magic, the jiolic}- of the government ch.anged. 1 say. Air. Speak- er, that it was that meeting of factious governors at Altoona and the pressure they then brought to bear, and had previously with others brought to bear, on the ])resident of the United States, who is weaker than a man ought to l)e wdio sits at the head of our govern- ment and holds the reins of power in a nation like the United States, that caused him to .abandon his original policy, which was successfid, which was admiral )le and to take up that other which has failed and which gen- tlemen on the other side acknowledge to have failed." How utterly ridiculous this was full\' appears in the preceding portion of this article. It is evident that Mr. Mallory knew nothing trul\- concerning the con- ference at Altoona; had nc\er read the address to the president nor considered the fact that the Proclama- tion was issued before the conference assembled and was, in fact, the act of the jiresident alone. Jlefore the discussion closed .Mr. I'.outwell. of Ma.>- 40 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. sachusetts, corrected the theory of the gentleman from Kentucky fully, except that ]\Ir. Boutwell also fell into the error of admitting that the conference assem- bled at Altoona previous to the 22nd of September, whereas, in fact, it did not assemble until the 24th day of v'^eptember. two days after the Proclamation was issued. l]ut his statement that the conference had nothing to do with the issuing of the Proclamation was entirely true. The whole history of that Proclamation, its consid- eration by the president and his cabinet and its final issue on the 22nd of September, ]8(i2, is now well known as a matter of current history. Governor Curtin states that he first suggested action by the governors of the loyal states to \\'illiam H. Seward, secretary of state. This occurred in the city of New York immediately after the disaster in the peninsula. The Governor was in New York and Air. Seward sent for him and they met at the Astor house. ~Sh\ Seward had with him the mayor of Phil- adelphia, had called upon the mayor of New York and was intending to visit Boston to interest the mayor of that city also ujxin some plan for increasing of the army and for a more vigorous prosecution of the war. At this interview the Governor suggested to Air. Seward that it would be better that the governors of the loyal states should request the president to call for additional troops and recommend to him a more vig- THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. (irons prosecution of the war. They telegraphed to Mr. Lincohi and he warmly approved of the plan. All the governors that were known to he friendly were immediately communicated with and api)roved the movement. Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, at first hesitated to join in the movement, hut he after- wards waived this and heartily assented. Thus the call originated and was ]iromulgated. Object and Purpose. It lias alread}- heen made to appear ver_\' clearly what was the purpose of this conference. Xo ])artic- ular puhlicity was given to the call at the time. It was sent hy telegraph to the several governnrs and it had no other object than those stated in the paper signed by the governors of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. It was, however, set forth in very general terms and was intended, no doubt, to allow a great latitude to those wdio should attend the conference in reaching conclusions as to wdiat should be recommend- ed to the president in the way of a more \'igorous prosecution of the war. Probably a majorit\' of the Governors believed that the time had fully arrived for proclaiming the freedom of the slaves and that question might fairly have been considered by the conference. Many sub jects were discussed that are not mentioned in tin address. Governor Kirkwood. of Iowa, in an article recently published in the Iowa Historical Record. sa\s : 42 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. "We discussed the condition of military affairs and especially the fitness of General McClellan's military command. On this point there was some difference of opinion that the public welfare would be promoted by his retirement from the command of the A.rmy of the Potomac. Uut, as there was not the same accord of opinion as there was in regard to the Emancipation Proclamation, it was decided that the address should not include any expression of opinion in regard to General McClellan and that we should go to Washing- ton, and on the 25th day of September the governors called in a body upon President Lincoln at the White Ifouse. They were received very kindly and heartily l)v the president in his usual manner. Governor John .\. Andrew, of Massachusetts, read the address in full, as follows : Address to the President Read by Governor Andrew. To THK Pkesidknt : Adoj^ted at a meeting of (lovernors of loyal States, held to take measures for the more active support of the Government, at Altoona. Pennsylvania, on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1862. After nearly one year and a half spent in contest with an armed and gigantic rebellion against the Na- tional Government of the United States, the duty and purpose of the loyal States and people continue, and must always as they were at its origin — namely, to restore and perpetuate the authority of this Govern- THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 43 mcnt and the life of tlic nation. No matter what con- setjuences are involxed in nur lidchty, its work ot" re- storing the repnhhc, i)reser\in,^- the institutions of tlie democratie liberty, and justifying- the hopes and toil.-^ of our fathers, shall not fail to be performed. And we pledge, without hesitation, to the President of tile United States the most loyal and cordial suj)- port, hereafter, as heretofore, in the exercise of the functions of his great office. We recognize in liini the chief executive magistrate of the nation, the Com- mander-in-Chief of the -Army and Xavy of the United States, tlieir responsilde and constitutional head, whose riglitful authorit_\- and power, as well as the constitutional powers of Congress, must be vigorously and religiously guarded and observed, as the condition on which alone our form of government and the con- stitutional rights and liljerties of the people them- selves can be saved from the wreck of anarchy, from the gulf of des]iotism. The submission to the laws which ma_\- ha\'e l)een, or which may be duly enacted, and to the lawful orders of the I'resident, co-operating always in our own s]^heres with the National Government, we mean to continue in the most \'igorous exercise of all our lawful and proper powers, contending against treason, rebellion and tlie ])ul)lic enemies, and whether in ])ul)lic life or jjrivate station, sui)]K)rting the arms of the Union until its cause shall con(|uer, until final victory shall perch upon it> -standard or the rebel foe shall, yield a dutiful, rightful and unconditional submission. 44 - THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. And. impressed with the conviction that an army of reserve ought, until the war shall end, to be con- stantly kept on foot, to he raised, armed, equipped and trained at home, and read}- for emergencies, we resi)ect fully ask the I'resident to call for such a force (if volunteers, for one year's service, of not less than one hundred thousand in the aggregate, the quota of each State to be raised after it shall have hlled its quota of the requisitions already made, both for volun teers and militia. We believe that this would be a measure of militar}- prudence, while it would greatly ])romote the military education of the people. We hail with heartfelt gratitude and encouraged hoi)e the Proclamation of the I'resident, issued on the twenty-second instant, declaring Emancipation from their bondage all persons held to service or labor as slaves in the rebel States, whose rebellion shall last to the first day of January n(nv next ensuing. The right of any jjerson to retain authority to compel any por- tion of the subjects of the Xational Government, to rebel against it, or to maintain its enemies, implies in those who are allowing possession of such authority to rebel themselves ; and therefore the right to estab- lish martial law or military government in a State or Territory in rebellion implies the right and the duty of the (jovernment to liberate the minds of all men living therein b}' apprijpriate in-oclamations, and assur- ances of protection, in order that all who are capable, intellectually and morally, of the loyalty and obedi- ence ma\- not be forced into treason as the unwilling THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. ' 45 tools of rebellions traitors. To have continued indeli- nilely ll;e most etVicieiU canoes, supjjorl and sta\' of tlie rei:elli(in. would lia\e been, in our jud_c;nicnl, unjust to the loyal jieople whose treasure and lives are made a willin,^' sacrifice on the altar of patriotism — would ha\-e iliscriminated as^ainst tin- wife who is com])elle(l to surrender her luisl)and. ayainst the ])areent who is to surrender bis child to the bardsbi])s of cam]) and th.e ])erils of battle, in favor of rel)el masters |)ermilte(l to retain their slaves. It would haw Ijeen a linal decision alike against hunianit}', justice, the rights and dignity of the Government, and against sound and wi>e national i)olicy. The decision (U' the President to strike at the root of the reliellion will lend new vigor to the eti'orts and new life and hope to the hearts of the peoi)le. Ci)rdially tendering to the President our res])ectful assurance of personal and official conh- dence. we trust and believe that the ])olicy now inau- gurated will l.e crowned with success, will give speed}- and triumphant \ictories ox-er our enemies, and secure for this nation and this people the blessing and favor of Almighty (lod. We believe that the blood of the heroes who ha\-e already fallen, and tho>e who ma_\- yet gi\'e their lix'es to tlieir countr_\-, will not ba\-e been shed in \-ain. The splendid valor of our soldiers, their ])atienl en- durance, their manly |)ati"iotism, and their dexotion to (hUy, demand from us, and all their countrxinen, the homage of the sincerot gratitude and the pledge of our constant reinforcement and support. A just re- THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. gard for the brave men whom we have contributed to place in the field, and for the importance of the duties which may lawfully pertain to us hereafter, has called us into friendly confidence. And now, present- ing our National Chief Magistrate this conclusion of our deliberations, we devote ourselves to our country's service, ai d VnC will surround the President with our constant support, trusting that the fidelity and zeal of the loyal States and people will always assure him that he will be constantly maintained in pursuing with the utmost vigor the war for the preservation of national life and the hopes of humanity. A. G. CuRTiN, Pennsylvania. John A. Andkew, Massachusetts. RicHAiii) Yates, Illinois. IsiiAEL WASHBUitN^ Jr., Maine. Edward Salomon, W'isconsin. Samuel J. Kirk wood, Iowa. O. P. Morton (by D. G. Ross, his representative), Indiana. William Sprague, Rhode Island. F. H. PiERPONT, Mrginia. David Tod, Ohio. N. S. Berry, New Hampshire. Austin Blair, Michigan. It was disposed of, however, by the Proclamation of the President before the conference assembled. On the twenty-fourth day of September, in pursu- ance of the call, the Governors met in Altoona. In the meantime the situation had greatly changed. The THE LAST OP THE WAR GOVERNORS. 47 skies had brightened and the hopes of the loyal people liad re\ived. ( )n the seventeenth dav of September, l.S()"i, the great l)attle of Antietani had been fought and a sul) stantial victor\- won. (^icneral Lee was retreating, an! the Proclamation of Emancijiatinn had l)een issued on the "v^'.M of Septemlier. \S^^2. The clanger was ncV ])asNed l)y any means, for Lee had got aw^ay with his arm\- still in fair condition. The conference was wholly informal and no records ni its actions were kept, but its results were embodied in an address to the President, which was drawn u|) by (lovernor .Andrew and signed by most of the Gov- ernors i)resent, and it was afterwards sent to tho^e who were not able to attend, with a request to sign, if they ap])roved of it." Thus ends Governor P)lair"s ])rief l)ut lurid narrative of the conference. Personnel of Conference. John ]\ussell ^■(lung, in s])eaking of the personnel of the conference, said: "There was Sprague, of Rhode Island, the l'0_\- of the Cduference. and witli some sad ihought and fanc_\- 48 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. the last survivor of the company. Head of one of the great manufacturing institutions of Xew England, 'wearing a military fatigue cap.' says a Xew York rej^orter, looking like a boy of eighteen, silent, taciturn, famous for a personal courage under hre whicli he h.ad shown at lUill Run. an original, intrepid, if not at times an eccentric genius." ^'oung, in speaking of the adjournment of the conference to meet in Washington. says: "It was also resolved that the Governors should visit Washington and meet President Lincoln, and that each should be at liliert}- to say to him what he tliiiught best on that or any other subject. The Al- toona conference adjourned on the second day of its meeting, to meet again in A\'ashington on the ext day. In pursuance of that resolution the Governors visited Washington and called on ]\Ir. Lincoln in a bod}-. President Lincoln received the Governors and the in- terview was entirely private. There were no reporters l)resent. not even the President's secretaries. No re- port of wdiat occurred or what was said at the inter- view was made public outside of the address, which was read to President Lincoln by Governor Andrew. After the Washington meeting the address was sent to all the loyal Governors. Governor Sprague accepted the same day." Thus it will l)e seen that Sprague was in conference with the President at the earliest inception of the con- ference, and remained with him until it had been fully accomplished. If it had failed, doubtless he would have taken tlie Idame. lUit few ideas from the brain D. HICKS. THE LAST OP THE WAR GOVERNORS. 49 i>f Unci In and ai)i)n)\f(l 1)\- tlic l)rain nf Curlin fell -^lUln ol" C()rrectnc'>>. Reminiscences. 'I'he .Xltiuma Trii)une, date uf Saturday. August ".M. 1!M"J. ct)ntains, sonic interesting personal remin- iscences of the conference, from the lips of one of tlie eye\\itne-;>es. The article runs as follows: '■Chairman j. 1). 1 licks, in opening the meeting, introduced to the committee 'Sciuire John Markley, of Juniata, who. as a l.oy. peered u])on the famous con- ference of (jovernors at the l.ogan House in 1S()2. lie was liorn in liald l^agle X'alle}- on April i>, ISH. and .settled in Logan Townshi]) in lS(i"2. Mr. Alarkley. in relating his stor}- of the meeting, stated that it oc^ ciu-red in the room now occuijied as a parlor in the Logan House. Me said: "■J was \er_\- much agitated ahout the war at the time the famous meeting was held here. 1 had almost gi\en up the Union side, and was much distressed the way the war was going. 1 cried and e\'en ])rayed for the success of the I'nion army; it was all 1 could do. heing hut a hoy fifteen years of age at the time. 1 did m\- duty and worked at home for the support of my peo])le. In iSdv?, in September, as a boy, 1 worked in the h'lias Laker mill, at \lleglien\- I'urnace. and one evening, after work. Mr. I'arks sent me to .Mtomia fi>r ti grate for an old egg sto\e. 1 went to X'irginia Street (now Lle\enth Avenue), ])etween hdeveiith and 50 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Twelfth Streets, for the grate, and. after getting it. started for home, but was attracted by a crowd at the Logan House. Going into the crowd, I asked what was going on, and was tohl that the Governors were talking over the war. and, having a desire to see what a Governor looked like, I worked my way to a window and looked in. What I saw was a l)ody of men seated about a table. They seemed in deep thought and appeared a sober and intelligent lot of men. I liioked quite a while, antl was impressed with the manner in which they were conducting themselves. \nu could not hear what they were saying. While I was watch- ing them, some one said to me : 'You're a boy from the country?' and when I answered that I was, a man told me that a crowd of city boys were going to ^Yhip me. I took my grate and started for home, and on the way out of the crowd met and asked a young man if he was one of the fellows who was going to whip me, and when he said that he was not, 1 went on home. ] understand that there were one or two others that looked in upon the Governors at that time. In closing T want to say that 1 wish that all of you will ever keep in mind and heart the love of the Stars and Stripes." The Altoona Gazette, date of June ^2. lOLi, contain' another interesting reminiscence of the stirring event. It is as follows : "Among the prominent citizens of Altoona who were here in September, LS(>2, and have a distinct recollec JOHN MARKLEY. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 51 tidii oi the events in connection with the famous con- ference of the Lo\al War Governors, soon to be fit- tingly celebratech is Michael 15. McGrath, the well- known coal dealer at lOOG Green Avenue. Mr. Mc- (n-ath was not a resident of this city at that time, but lie was here the entire time the conference was in session. .\t the time of the Civil War. Air. McGrath resided in the Ih'oad Top region, in the southern part of Hunt- ingdon County. Then, as always, he manifested a great interest in pul)lic affairs. Intensely interested and loyal to the I'nion cause, Mr. McGrath kept in close touch with events on the field and in the realms of statesmanshi]). and when he learned that the Gov- ernors would meet in Altoona he resolved to come here, where he could come into contact with some of th.e leading spirits of the Union cause. It was a time of the deepest gloom and depression tliroughout tlie North, "^'ou have no idea of the sense of dei)ression that pervaded the loyal people of the .\orth at that time," said Mr. McGrath today, in speaking of the events which were transpiring then, to a representative of the Gazette. "Our armies had met with reverses everywhere, sadness pervaded many homes, and owing to the high prices that prevailed, and the fact that the mainstays of many families were in the army, thousands of families were suffering for the necessities of life, and it was necessary for others to contribute to their supjjort. 52 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. "As soon as I learned that the Governors were to meet in Altoona, I resolved to come over so that T could get in close touch with the situation. When I came here I heard man}' rumors as to the possible ccnirse the Governors would pursue. One of the rumors was to the effect that thev would make a strong ajipeal for peace and bring the war to a close on the ])est terms possible. I afterwards learned that of all the Governors who were here there were but seven who entertained ideas of making proposals for peace, and they only favored it on the condition that had been prescribed by President Lincoln, of the restoration of the Union. Leading spirits of the conference were Governors Curtin, of Pennsylvania; Andrew, of Massachusetts, and ]\Iorton, of Indiana. W'e on the outside soon learned that these three men were for a vigorous prosecution of the war. and thus there was no surprise when it was announced at the close of the conference that they had resolved to stand by the President and the National Government, with the men and resources of the States of which they were the heads." Mr. McGrath states that he has a distinct recollec- tion of Governors Curtin, Andrew and Morton. Curtin and Andrew were handsome men and were conspicu- ous among the throng about the Logan House when the conference was not in session. Morton was any- thing but handsome, but he was a big man, physically and intellectually, and was always the center of a group about the Logan Mouse while he was here. Mr. M. B. McGRATH. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 53 McGrath says that lie remcmhcrs .Morton's denuncia- tions of some of the Union (lenerals whom he oensurcfl for the reverses the army had sustained, particularly C'^eneral ro])e, who had just l)een defeated by Cieneral Lee at the second hattle of Ihill Run. Despite Alc- Clellan's reverses in the ^enin^ular campaign, it was generally believed that he was tlie man to retain as the leader of the army. "Along with the (Governors, there were many army otficers here on that occasion." says Mr. McCirath. "Some of them were memljers of the Governors" statTs, some were recruiting ol^cers and provost mar- shals in this section, and others were officers home on leave of absence after tlie battle of Antietam. All were in uniform, and some of them bore evidence of service on the tield of battle. "The greatest interest was manifested by the people throughout this section in the proceedings of the con- ference. While the people were hoping that there might be a wa}- found to Ijring the strife to a close, there was no inclination among the loyal people to yield an\- ])rinciple for which the Xorth was fighting. Peace a[ an\ ])rice was only adxanced by those whose sympa- thies were with the South, of whom there were many in every Xorthern community." Si)eaking of some of the other events of war times, Mr. McGrath said that far more humiliating to the loyal people than the loss of any battle was the neces- sarv surrender by our Government of the Southern 54 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. envoys to Great Britain. Mason and Sliclell. sent by the South tu that nation. They had been taken prisoners by the commander of a Union vessel, and, although it was felt that the Government did right in giving them uj). and thus averting a war with England, it was. nevertheless, very humiliating. "In those days," says -Mr. AlcGrath. "there was a deep-seated hatred of England among Americans in general and the Irish ])eople, who prior to the war, had come over to this country by tens of thousands and all of whom were devoted to the E'nion cause, there would have been no regret if the opportunity had offered to strike a IjIow at England." Mr. McGrath has a very retentive memory and has a very distinct recollection of the events that occurred here fifty years ago. He says that he can scarcely realize that half a century has gone by since then and he looks forward with much interest to the coming" jubilee. D. K. Howe, one of the city's highly respected and esteemed citizens and who has spent many years of his life in the upbuilding of the city and its schools, gives another reminiscence of the War Governor's conference. \h-. Howe was but young in years at the time of the C(Miference. He heard that the loyal governors were in the city and holding a meeting at the Logan House. He with some other visited the hotel antl remained about for a couple of hours. "I looked in one of the THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 55 \viiuK)\vs and coiuild plainly sec the i^nxcrnors sitting and standing about," said Mr. Howe. "They wetx talking with each other hut nothing could he heard of what the\- were saying. There >eenied to he an air of solemnity to the conference and each man carried himself as though he was carrying a great weight ui)on his shoulders. Governor Curtin seemed to he the centre of importance hut there were several others who a])parently were taking a great interest in the discussion. I rememher one yoimg man, likely Gov- ernor Sprague, of Rhode Island, who was walking al-.nnt the room, lie seemed l)ut a y(tuth, l)ut his face was strong and all his actions seemed marked with the lire of patriotism. .\t no time was there a great crowd al)out the h.otel for the governors came quietly into the citv and as quietly w^ent away. It was not until later that the im])ortance of their conference here be- came known to the ])ublic. Governor Sprague's Letter. Following is a letter written in 1 !>!(>, hy Governor Sprague to the committee in charge . 1 :H u.— (kMitlemen :--l have lived over again, since recei\ing your various communications the days jjreceding and following the conference and resolutions of the (^.overnors of the loyal states, of whom two-thirds at least were pre.sent the 2:\-2\ of September, isc.-J. I can >i)eak of the -.Mth (lav onlv. 56 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. "On that day. assembled in a room by ourselves. Governor John A. Andrew was nominated and elected chairman and directed to formulate the resolution, wliich he wrote out in our ])resence, to wit: Re- solved. That after the I'roclamation of Emancipation is i)romulgated we jjledge the unanimous support of our respective states. There was no discussion or re- mark, otherwise save its unanimous passage; that each governiM- should sign the resolution and the chairman send it by telegraph to the President at Washington. "In a short time, hardly three-quarters of an hour, a telegraph messenger knocked at the door. A governor admitted him. lie inquire:! if Governor John A. Andrew was present, who responded. A message was l^anded him. which he read, then read it aloud. "John A. Andrew. Governor of Massachusetts, at Alt(Jona Conference of Governors of the Loyal States : The Kmancipation Proclamation has been promulgated. Come to Washington for further conference. A. LINCOLX." "Thereupon the Gcn-ernors reassembled or came to order. Governor Andrew presiding, and then voted to furnish every man and every dollar of our respective states to maintain the Union cause; that a committee of three governors convey it to the President at Wash- ington. There are unnumbered reasons, as facts, to show that meeting of its effects made it possible for the Union armies to win. Nor is there one fact or reason to successfullv controvert it. One of its effects THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 57 was the enlisting of the Negrn as a soldier, while Cencral Lee inetTecliially iiri^ed the C'onfederate nm- i^ress to give him a like power to enlist the Negro for the Confederate serviee. lu'ery non-slaveholder of the sonth when the mercenary value of the slave receded, hecause cold in their support of the Confederate cause. 1 lence it is that no monument as fitting as the one ])roposed at Altoona has heen conceived or can he otherwise named, to commemorate the greatest ])hase of the great conflict. 'I'he Confederate strength waned witli the fading away of the mercenary value of the slave, and a period was put to the mercenary hent, alike of our army and ]X"ople, ])y tliis jiotential adverse toucli of the conference oi and resolutions of the Loyal Governors at Altoona, Sept. 23-24, 1862. A'ery respectfull}-, WILLIAM S PRAGUE." Ig'TP^ 58 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Wording of Official Program of the Seml-Centennial Loyal War Governors' Conference, Altoona, Pa., September 24, 25 and 23, 1912. The Altocna Conference. Until recently, comparatively few people were aware that Altoona was the scene of one of the most important events in connection with the Civil war. It was an informal conference of governors of a numljcr of the northern states. There were no newspaper men ])resent. The meeting had no secretary, and no min- utes of the proceedings were recorded. Coming, c.s it did, when the country was talking and reading of the Proclamation of Emancipation, issued by Presi- dent Lincoln just two days before the conference was held, it is not surprising that so little is known of the meeting held in the Logan House. Altoona, on Sf^])- tember 2i, 1\ the Potomac had been defeated in the seven da\s' l-.attle in front of Richmond, and Pope had met with disaster on the plains of Manasse.s, his arm\- now huddliuii^ under the W'a.shington fortifications. The Union forces had checked the advance of the south. I)ul >eemed unable to win a decisixe \ictory. There wa> a sentiment of des])air throughout tlie north, this lieing intensified by the abnormal activity of that large section of the north which sympathized with the Confederacy and would have rejoiced in its success. It was in this dark hour that Governor Curtin. with a deeper insight into the i)ul)lic heart tlian ])erhaps any statesman of the time, saw that what the govern- ment needed more than material aid was the moral reinforcement that would come from an expression of confidence on the ])art of the governors of the loyal states. On vSepteml)er (I, Governor Curtin presented tlie matter to the governors of several adjoining ^tate-, and on vSe]nember 1 I, he, in connection with Covernor Tod, of Ohio, and Covernor I'ierpont, of N'irginia, is- sued a call for a meeting of the gt)vernors to be held at Altoona on the '.Mth day of September. In response to his call, twelve governors met in the Logan House, Altoona. on September '.^1. and. as has been stated. GO THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. there is no official record of the proceedings of that conference. It is known that some subjects were pre- sented for (Hscussion on which the opinions of the governors differed. For instance, tliere was not a unanimity of view relative to the Emancipation Procla- mation which was issued 1)\- President Lincoln on September 22. All the governors present did realize the urgent need of their hearty support to the presi- dent in the exercise of the functions of his great office, and accordingly, on the day of the conference, there was prepared an address to the president, in wliich the governors tendered their assurance of personal and official conhdence, suggesting that he call upon them for additional volunteers for the army, and promised to surroimd liim with their constant support in his ])ur- suit of the war for the preservation of the nation's life. vSuch is the event whicli Altoona will celebrate on Sei)teml)er 2^, 25 and w illini^ness ti> lie in AlliKnia tn i)artieii)ale in the celc- hration, and to aid in an\- \\a_\- possible iri makiiiii: it a success, ['resident Tat't has stated that, in his opin- ion, the Altoi na conference was nnc of the most im- iu)rtant of the Ci\il war, and has aj^reed to aid in its ])roi)er celehratii.n at Altoona. .\ninerou> other ])roni- incnt men thnni^ln ut the country- have in.dicated their interest and their intention ni visiting Altoona to take part in th.e celebration. \'ou are cordiall_\- inx'ited to ])articipate. Program. Tuesday, September 24 — Home Coming Day. \-> Xoon — Opening of Celehration and Reception to X'isitors. r>and Concerts. I \\ M. — Decorated Automohile Parade. :.;>ii I'. Al. — I'.and Concerts, Patriotic Carnival and Historical Tahleanx. followed hy Informal Dance. Wednesday, September 25 — President and Governors' Day. li.:!() A. M.^Parade of Schools and Military. ;! P. .M. — Pul)lic Meeting in Commemoration df Loyai War Governors' Conference. ;.;)0 P. M. — Reception to the President of tlie L'nited vStates, the Governors of the Several States an^i ( )ther Invited Guests, followed hy an Informal 1 )ance. Thursday, September 26 — Civic and Industrial Day. !).:".() A. M.— Parade. Afternoon — I'.and Concerts, Races and J'.xcursions to Xearhy Points of Interests. (i P. M.— Close of Celehration. XL DEATH AND FUNERAL. WHEN the Great War broke out in August. 1914. Governor Sprague was residing in Paris with his family. In dehcate health though he was, he took a keen interest in the gigantic struggle. In the latter i)art of August, when the Germans reached Chantilly, and it seemed a foregone conclusion that they would repeat their visit of 1S7U to the French capital, the old War Governor's faithful wife concluded that it would be better to remove him to the sea coast, to avoid the supposed inevitable bombardment. Through influen- tial Parisian friends, special permit to pass through the French lines was secured. There were no auto- mobiles or taxicabs to be had so a dilapidated fiacre, drawn by a rheumatic horse, and driven by a coacher who looked to be !»0 years old. was secured to convey the refugees to a point twenty miles from the city, beyond the lines. Governor Sprague realized that it was to be a perilous journey, so he asked that a large American flag be packed in his suit case "to wrap my l)ody in. in case anything should happen," he remark- ed with a grim smile. The drive was tedious, but no untoward incidents occurred. Outside the lines a swift automobile was waiting to take the governor and his wife to Trouville. They had not proceeded far in the big machine when a German aeroplane ap- 62 AUSTIN BLAIR, Michigan, 1862. Historian of War Governors THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 63 peared overhead. It commenced following the car. Governor Sprague noticed it, and unpacked his Amer- ican flag. "They will not hurt us if they see this," he said, as he coolly draped it over the back of the tour- ing car. The observer in the aeroplane saw the Em- blem of Freedom, and soon the course of the birdmen was stered away in another direction. The aged war governor stood the journey well, in fact he enjoyed it. He remained on the coast until the German peril was dissipated and the would-be invaders turned back, then he expressed a desire to return to his comfort- able quarters in Paris. The return trip was made in safety, and the automobile landed him at the door of his mansion. After his return, he continued to take a keen interest in the progress of the war. He loved to watch the marching soldiers, whose gay uniforms reminded him of Civil war times. His wife and Cap- tain and Mrs. Mason were assiduous in their atten- tions. His last days were full of love and serenity. Those nearest and dearest to him could not help but note that the physical decline was becoming more rapid. It was a pleasure to be with him and enjoy the splendor of the personality of that soul which so soon was to be released in Infinity. During the sum- mer of 1915, it was realized that the end was near. The dying man expressed one wish and that was that he might survive until his 85th birthday, which would occur on September 12. Some of his ancestors had lived that long, it was his final ambition. ''I am ready to go," he told his family, " anv time T am called, l)ut 64 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. life is sweet, and parting is sad." The Grim Time- keeper was measuring his allotted span carefully. As Fate would have it, the sand ran out on the night of Septemher 11. The great war governor went to his reward peacefully, surrounded hy his family and his dear friends, Captain and ]\lr,s. Mason. There was universal sorrow when the news was flashed out. The tributes of press and of public men were seemingly endless in number, and beautiful in the extreme. Rhode Island asked for the honor of being the final resting place for his remains. Following are some of the press accounts of the death, funeral arrangements and press notices of the state obsequies — in all a digni- fied final chapter to a magnificent career. V'V EDWARD SALOMON, Governor of Wisconsin, 1862. New York Herald, September 12, 1915. WILLIAM SPRAGUE, "NOTED WAR GOV- ERNOR," IS DEAD. Famous Chief Executive of Rhode Island Passes Away In His Home At Paris. Special Cable to the New York Herald of September 12, 1915, from the Herald Bureau, No. 49, Avenue de I'Opera, Paris. MR. WILLIAM SPRAGUE, "war governor of Rhode Island and twice L^nited States Sena- tor from tliat state, died at liis home liere today. He had l)een ill for nmre than live )ears with the infirmi- ties of age. .Meningitis developed a few days ago, and his i)hysical condition was so weak that he soon suc- cumbed. With liim \vhen he died were his wife and his old friends. Captain and Mrs. Frank H. ]\[ason. Mrs. Inez Stiness, his granddaughter, is expected to leave New York today for Paris. Mr. vSprague had lived in I'aris since l!»lii. Sim])le funeral services will lie held at the residence, after which the body will ])e taken to Rhode Island for burial. Mr. William Sprague, the last of the twelve war Governors who upheld the hands of President Lincoln througli the perils of the opening days of the Civil war. was three times governor of Rhode Island, and 66 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. was twice elected to the United States Senate. He had the distinction of having received more votes in the election of a governor of Rhode Island than any other nominee ever received, when, in 186;5, he re- ceived 11,10!) votes out of a total of 11.264 ballots cast. When first elected as governor of Rhode Island he was only twenty-nine years of age, and was the }oung- est governor of any state in the Union. Born at Cranston, R. I., in 1830, Mr. Sprague was the son of Amasa and Fanny Morgan Sprague. from whom he inherited what was in those days considered a great fortune. His great-grandfathe|-, the first William Sprague, started his business career in a humble way on the Pocassett river, where he built a saw mill and grist mill. From this business grew the Sprague fortune. Mr. Sprague was named for his great-grandfather. After graduating from the Irving Institute at Tarrytown, N. Y., he entered politics, and for many years was the most important political leader in Rhode Island. Prepared For Civil War. As governor of Rhode Island Mr.Sprague foresaw the Civil war, and his state was the first to prepare for the coming conflict. He organized a state militia and maintained it at his own expense, and these troops were among the first to be enrolled in the army which was called for in President Lincoln's Proclamation. He led his troops at the battle of Bull Run and dis- tinguished himself for gallantrv under fire. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 67 Soon after the battle of Antictain. President Lincoln issned his proclamation calling npon slave owners to lay down their arms. A few days later the famous meeting of governors of the loyal states was held, (uivernor Spragne attended it, and was one of the men who approxed the Emancipation Proclamation of J^in- coln. and to issue the address to the President that commended him for his stand and urged him to prose- cute the war with all vigor. He was most active in raising troops to light for the Union, and was one of the staunchest supporters of President Lincoln. Mr. Sprague married Miss Catherine Chase, daugh- ter ()f the Secretary of the Treasury under President Lincoln, and afterwards chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. Their wedding in Washing- ton in Xovember. ]8(5;), was attended by the President, his cabinet, the foreign diplomatic representatives in Washington and members of congress. It was said to have been the most brilliant wedding that ever took place in Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague became social leaders in the national capital. They maintained a residence there, and later built a country home at Xarrangansett Pier, which they called Canonchet, after the Xarragansett Indian chief. Was Re-elected in 1868. Mr. Sprague was elected to the United States Sen- ate in LSG2 and re-elected in 18(38. At that time his fortune had Ijecome more or less involved. There was a political light on in Rhcxle Island, and this. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. combined with commercial rivalry between Mr. Sprague and other larger Rhode Island commercial interests, finally caused his retirement from active poli- tics. In the financial panic of 1873 Mr. Sprague's business was suspended, but even in those days of depression his property was valued at close to $10,000,000 and his liabilities at about $11,000,000. Married Second Time. Mr. Sprague married ^Nlrs. Dover Inez Calvert, of Greenbriar County, W. Ya., in 1883. She survives him. Soon after his second marriage, he again be- came a candidate for political office, and was the Dem- ocratic and Independent nominee for Governor of Rhode Island. He was defeated in the election. Canonchet, the Sprague country home at Narragan- sett Pier, which was one of Rhode Island's show places, was destroyed by fire in 1902. The place was Mr. Sprague's pride. THE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL. Editorial by W. H. Schwartz in Altoona Tribune, Septem- ber 14, 1915. The I^ate War Governor. The death of former Governor William Sprague, of Rhode Island, which was announced yesterday morning, removes the last of the War Governors. He was elected Governor of Rhode Island as a Dem- ocrat in 1860, and re-elected as a Republican. The Civil War broke out during his first term, and as he I NATHANIEL S. BERRY, Governor of New Hampshire, 1862. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. resolved to stand by President Lincoln and the Union, the Republicans were glad to turn in and re-elect him. He was an officer during the war and was elected to the Senate of the United States for three terms. Young, rich and handsome, he seemed to have before him every prospect for a career of extraordinary bril- liancy. The shadows began to fall athwart his pathway quite early in his career. His first trouble was a do- mestic one. He married Kate Chase, daughter of Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, but the union did not prove a congenial one. There was considerable trouble, some scandal, and a dissolution of the union. Later on he met with Imsiness reverses, and a good many of the later years of his life were spent abroad. Pie lived on, however, attaining a great age, and dying on the day before he would have begun his 86th year. He had many friends who continued to regard him with affectionate interest, Init his political career ended long ago. At the time the preparations were on foot for the semi-centennial celebration of the meeting of the W'a.y Governors in this city an eft'ort was made by some of the old soldiers to get into communication with him in order to secure from his lips some reminiscences of that memorable conference of the Governors of the great loyal States of the North. xA. visit was made to him. but he was just recovering from a severe illness, and neither his physical nor his mental powers were 70 THE LAST OP THE WAR GOVERNORS. equal to the occasion. He could remember nothing of importance in connection with the meeting in 1863, and it was feared he never would. But he recuperated and went to Paris, where he resided until his death. Later, during a visit of Colonel Henry W. Shoe- maker, President of the Altoona Tribune Company, to Europe, he had the pleasure of an interview with Gov- ernor Sprague and published a very vivid and in- tensely interesting account of it on the editorial page of this paper. He found the Governor fully recovered from his rather serious indisposition, with a mind as 1)rilliant and a recollection of the past as enduring as could have been expected. It was a great and rather unexpected privilege which Colonel Shoemaker en- joyed of listening to this venerable man as he reviewed the history of that conference as well as of the striking scenes and incidents of that troubled time. The country was particularly fortunate in its War Governors. Andrew G. Curtin was Governor of Pennsylvania, and no man did more to help ^\r. Lin- coln or to aid the Union cause. John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachusetts, was another mighty force on behalf of political righteousness, and so was Rich- ard Yates, of Illinois, and Oliver L. Morton, of In- diana. In fact, all the. Governors of the great North- ern States were men of exceptional strength of character, and they seem to have been set apart for precisely such a time as that. Americans may well be grateful that the executive officers of the loyal States were such men as thev were, and it is a great satisfac- THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 71 tion to recall their heroic services nn behalf of the Union. Without the splendid lielp llicy rendered, victory would have been delayed. And now the last of them has taken a final farewell of earth. Governor Beeckman's Cablegram. Cablegram sent to Mrs. William Sprague. by lion. R. Livingston lieeckman, Governor of Rhode Island: Providence, R. I., October 8, 1915. I\Ii;s. William Sprague, 115 Rue de la Pompe, Paris: I wish to meet Governor Sprague's body when it arrives in Providence. The First P.attery, Grand Army of the Republic, myself and staiT. want to escort the body to the burying ground. Will have a member of my stat¥ at dock when steamer arrives. Please cable name of steamer, date of sailing, and what other arrangements are. R. LivixcSTOx r.Ki:(KM AX, Ciovernor. Mrs. Sprague's Reply. Reply from Mrs. Sprague sent to (K)vernor P.eeck- man : Pakis, OcToni-u 8, 1915. GovERXoij R. L. Peeckmax, Providence, R. 1., U. S. .\.: Accept with deep appreciation proffered invitation for public funeral. Body will leave on steamer Roch- amljeau, ()ctol)er 2'id. I. C. Sl'U.UiUK. 72 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Sprague's Body Coming Here. From the New York Sun. Paris. Octobkk 22. The body of \\'illiani Sprague, War Governor of Rhode Island and ex-United States Senator, who died at his home here on September 11, will be sent to New ^'ork on the French liner Rochambeau, which will sail tomorrow from Bordeaux. Mrs. Sprague, the widow, and Mrs. Inez Stiness, a grand- daughter, will accompany the body. Miss Elizabeth Thackera, daughter of Consul- General Thackera; A. W. Schall, a munitions agent; M. Ortiz, representing the Poiret firm ; Charles Dalm'ores, the opera singer, and G. W. Stephens, are among the .'>0(» passengers booked to sail on the Roch- ambeau. Tribute for War Governor. From the New York Sun. Providence, October 2(). By order of Governor Beeckman, Rhode Island will pay high honor to \\'illiam Sprague, last of the War Governors, on Friday next, when his funeral is to be held from Grace Chiuxh. Governor Beeckman has ordered a State ceremony, with National Guard and Grand Army escort. Bishop Perrv is to officiate. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. To Meet the Body of the Late Governor Sprague. From Providence, R. I., Journal, November 1, 1915. Executive Secretary Menry Renter and Colonel Michael j. Lynch, of Governor Ueeckman's staff, are in New York, awaiting the arrival of the French steamer Rochamheau, on board of which is the body of the late William Sprague, Rhode Island's famous Governor, and the last of the War Governors. Col- onel Lvnch and !\lr. ]\euter are ])ersi)nal representa- tives of GoN'crnor IJcecknian. '^I'he Rochamheau was due to arrive in Xcw.^'ork todav, but according to the latest marine news it will not reach that ]:)ort until tomorrow. The body ot the late Governor Sprague will then be taken to Xarra- gansett Pier, where there will Ije a funeral service Thursday for i)crsonal friends of the late Governor at St. Peter's Church. ^Mie body is scheduled to arrive at the Union Sta- tion in this city at 11 o'clock Friday, where it will be met by Governor Beeckman and his full staff, the Rhode Island Light Jiattery, the veterans of the G. A. R.. the veterans of the Providence ^Marine .\rtil- lery, of which Governor Sprague was at one time Colonel, and a full parade of the Coast .\rtillery Regi- ment. The funeral procession will i)roceed to (n-ace Church, where Rt. Rev. James De Wolf Perry, Bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island, will hold the Episco- palian funeral service, after which the body will be conveyed to Swan Point Cemetery, where interment 74 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. will take place in the v^prague family plot. The casket will be carried on a gun carriage, and a salute of sev- enteen guns will be hred by the battery at the time of burial. Ex-Governor Sprague's Body Reaches New York. From Providence, R. I., Journal, November 2, 1915. The steamer Rochambeau, bearing the l)ody of for- mer Governor William Sprague, arrived in the lower harbor at New York last night, and will reach her dock about o'clock this morning and will go down the hay to the steamer, where the body will be placed aboard the cutter and brought ashore. Undertaker Horace 15. Knowles is with the party, and as soon as the necessary formalities at the pier are concluded, the body will be taken 'on a train and carried to Narragansett Pier, where the hrst funeral services will be held. Assurances that everything possible would be done to expedite the delivery of the body of the former Governor to the Rhode Islanders who went on to re- ceive it were received yesterday by Collector of Cus- toms Frank E. Fitzsimmons from the customs ofificials at New York. In response to a request from Mr. Reuter, Collector WILLIAM BURTON, Governor of Delaware, 1862. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 75 Fitzsimmons wrote Dudley Field Malone, Collector of the Port of New York, asking that the New York department make a special effort to facilitate the trans- fer of the body from the ship on which it arrived from France to the party which is to accompany it here. Yesterday the Rhode Island Collector received a letter from Chief Deputy Collector H. C. Stewart, informing him that Collector Alalone was absent from the city, but stating that all the machinery of the office would be used to assist the Rhode Island party. '"As a matter of fact," Air. Stewart wrote, "we shall issue the permit for the delivery of the body in ad- vance of the arrival of the steamer, and the customs formalities on the dock will, therefore, be almost nil." Body of Governor Sprague on Train En Route to Pier. From Providence, R. I., Bulletin, November 2, 1915. The body of War Governor William Sprague, who died in Paris, September 11, will arrive at Narra- gansett Pier about 5 o'clock this afternoon. It left New York today at 1 o'clock by train, having been landed from the steamer Rochambeau at !).3() this morning. Airs. William Si)rague, Airs. Inez Sprague Stiness and Aliss Alice Stiness arrived from Paris with the body. They were met at the dock by J. Henry Renter, Secretarv to Governor Beeckman ; Colonel Alichael I. 76 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Lynch, of the Governor's staff, and A. Stndley Hart, of Narragansett Pier. The casket was draped with an American flag, upon which rested the flag of the State of Rhode Island. A wreath from Governor Beeckman was also upon the casket. Through the courtesy of the New York offi- cials, the body was landed without any trace of cus- toms formalities, and was taken in charge by Air. Renter and others. It was shipped to the depot and at 1 o'clock started upon its way to Narragansett Pier. Undertaker Horace B. Knowles personally assisted in receiving the bodv at New York. The state funeral will be held in this city Friday. On Thursday there will be a funeral service in St. Peter's Church, Narragansett Pier, for relatives and l)ersonal friends. Governor Sprague's body will arrive in this city at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon and will be met at the depot by Governor Beeckman and his entire staff, the Rhode Island Light Battery, veterans of the G. A. R., a National Guard detachment and the Providence Marine Artillery, of which Governor Sprague was a Colonel. There will be a procession to Grace Church, where Rev. Frank Warfield Crowder, rector, will conduct the services, assisted by Bishop James De Wolf Perry. Burial will be at Swan Point Cemetery, in the Sprague familv lot, where Rev. Dr. Crowder will officiate. The casket will be carried on a gun carriage, and a THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 77 salute of seventeen guns will l)e fired by the l)attery over the gra\e. At a meeting held last evening in the old Armory on Uenelit Street, the members of the l'rn\'idence Marine Corps of Artiller_\- X'eteran Association voted to attend the fuenral on Friday. The former (lovernor was dee])ly interested in the organization, and at one time was its commander. A committee, consisting of Commander Henry W. Xewtun. lulgar 1\. liarker, Ceorge ]). Peck, George C. Xightingale, and Thomas Al. Aldrich. was appointed to draw u]) a set of resolutions upon the War Gov- ernor's death. The members voted to meet at th^ Armory at noon on Fritla}-, and from there they will in'oceed in a body to the general meeting place of the organization> which are to attend the funeral. At a special meeting of the Xarragansett 'i'own Council yesterday forenoon it was voteti : That W. Herbert Caswell, representing the town of Xarragan- sett, and James D. Caswell, representing Edgwick Post X'o. 7. G. A. R., be requested to proceed to New York to meet the body of ex-Governor Sprague and to give any aid possible to ]\lrs. Sprague. It was further voted that the Council attend the funeral in a body. Flags have been ordered at half-staff Friday on State buildings, the day of the funeral, in accordance with custom in such cases, the colors will be raised about 8 o'clock in the morning and remain at half-mast 78 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. until the time of burial, late in the arternoon. The order was issued today at the office of Adjutant Gen- eral Abbot. Body of the State's War Governor Now at the Pier. From Providence, R. I., Journal, November 3, 1915. The members of the Town Council of Narragansett acted as an escort of honor while the body of former Governor William Sprague was taken from Kingston to St. Peter's Church, Narragansett Pier, yesterday afternoon. Governor Sprague's body arrived at New York from Paris in the forenoon, and was brought by train to Kingston, arriving at 5.34 in the afternoon. Here it was met by the Narragansett officials and was es- corted to the church. Tomorrow there will be a service at the church for immediate friends and relatives, and on Friday a state funeral, with full military and civic honors, at Grace Church, in this citf. Brown University has selected the following offi- cials to represent it at the state funeral : President W. H. P. Faunce ; C. S. Sweetland, Treasurer of the Corporation; Rev. Henry M. King, D. D., pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church, and William W. Douglas, former Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. With the Narragansett Town Council acting as an escort of honorary bearers, preceded by a squad of COLONEL WILLIAM SPRAGUE IN LATER LIFE. iblished with Permission cf Providencs (R. I.) Tribune. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 79 ])olicc, the body, borne by eight bearers, was taken from the station to St. Peter's Church. The bearers were Stephen T. Browning, James D. Caswell, Charles F. Bocherle, James G. Burns, John H. Cranston. Joseph G. Johnston, Freeman P. W. Tefft, and Gustav Walter. The procession was met at the church by Rev. Walter 11. B. Allen, the rector, who will conduct the funeral services tomorrow. Sedgwick Post No. 7, G. A. R., will attend the services in a body, as will the members of the Town Council and the Narragansett Volunteer Fire Department. A delegation of Way Scouts will also be present. jMrs. Sprague, IMrs. Stiness and Miss Avis Stiness are with Mrs. Wenceslao Borda, at Ocean Spray, Narragansett Pier. In the general order through the office of the Adju- tant General by Lieutenant Governor San Souci, act- ing Governor and Commander-inChief, directing flags to be placed at half-staiT in honor of former Governor Sprague, it is stated : "The Commander-in-Chief announces with pro- found sorrow the death of former Governor William Sprague. which occurred at I'aris. France, on Septem- ber 15. At the time of the Civil War, Governor Sprague rendered most valuable service in equipping and forwarding troops for the preservation of the Union, and had the unique distinction of being the last surviving War Governor. Afterward, in the United States Senate, he represented the State faithfully and 80 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. ably, and his name will go down in history as one of its most distinguished citizens. "In respect to his memory, it is directed that the tlags on all State Armories shall be displayed at half- stalT on the day of the funeral, Friday, the oth inst." Honored by Townspeople. The body of War Governor William Sprague. which reached Xarragansett Pier yesterday, now rests in St. Peter"s-by-the-Sea, guarded In- day by members of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a member, and at night l)y the police of the town of Xarragansett. The Town Council of Narragansett had a special meeting Monday morning to make arrangements for the funeral of the War Governor, and it was voted to attend the services in St. Peter's-by-the-Sea tomorrow in a body. A resolution was also adopted that W. Herbert Caswell, representing the town of Narragan- sett, and James D. Caswell, representing the Grand Army, should meet the steam Rochambeau on its arri- val in New York and accompany the body to the Vlev. The body arrived at Kingston yesterday at 1.3 i P. M., accompanied by the widow and grand-daughter, Mrs. Sprague and Mrs. Inez Sprague Stiness, and her little daughter. In the funeral party were also A. Studley Hart, of this city, representing Mrs. Sprague, and Henry Renter and Colonel M. J. Lynch, represent- ing Governor Beeckman, and the Alessrs. Caswell, THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 81 representing the Xarragansett 'l\)\vn Council and the C.raiid Arni)-, rc.s])ecli\-cl_\'. The funeral party was met at the Kingston station hy the f»ilh)\ving men of Narragansett, who are to act as l)earers at the funeral Thursday noon: Stephen T. i'.rowm'ng. James 1). Caswell, Charles F. Botcherle,, James 1). Hnrns, h)hn II. Cranston, Joseph G. Johnston. Freeman 1'. W . Teft't. Gustav Walter. ( )n arrival at the Pier, the casket was taken in charge hy the hearers, who formed a bodyguard to the cliurch. walking on either side of the hearse, the police marching ahead. Members of the Town Council also walked in the procession. The body was received at the church b\- the rector. Rev. W. 11. 15. Allen, who will conduct the services tomorrow. The members of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., of Narra- gansett, will attend the funeral in a body, and also the Boy Scouts, together with the Narragansett Town Council and N'olunteer Fire Department. Mrs. Spragiie, Mrs. Stiness and her daughter are the guests of the mother of Mrs. Stiness, Mrs. Avice Wheaton Borda, at her \illa on Ocean Road, wdiere she has been spending the summer and fall. Iiaving recently been joined there 1)}' her husband, Mr. Wen- ceslao lu)rda. of Porto Kico. The l)ody is scheduled to arrive at tlie Union Station in this city at 1 o'clock P'riday. where it will l)e met 1)\' Governor Beeckman and lii> full staff, the Rhode Island Light ISattery, tlie veterans of ilic G. A. K.. the 82 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. veterans of the Providence Marine Artillery, of which Governor Sprague was at one time Colonel, and a full parade of the Coast Artillery Regiment. The funeral procession will proceed to Grace Church, where Rt. Rev. James De Wolf Perry, Bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island, will hold the Episco- palian funeral service, after which he body will be con- veyed to Swan Point Cemetery, where interment will take place in the Sprague family plot. The casket will be carried on a gun carriage, and a salute of seventeen 2:uns will be fired by the batterv at the time of burial. Church Services Held at Pier for Governor Sprague. From Providence, R. I., Bulletin, November 4, 1915. The first of the funeral services for Rhode Island's War Governor, who died in Paris on September 11, was held in St. Peter's Church, Narragansett Pier, at noon today. To-morrow, in Grace Church, this city, there will be a state funeral, at which full military and civic honors will be paid. St. Peter's Church was filled with relatives, intimate friends and many of he residents of Narragansett Pier who had acquaintance with Governor Sprague. The service today was simple. There was no music or singing. The procession up the center aisle, accom- panying the casket, was made up of the ushers, bearing the casket, the family, and delegations from the Rhode Island Boy Scouts, the G. A. R. and the Narragansett Pier Fire and Police Departments. ISRAEL WASHBURN, JR. Governor of Maine. 1862. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 83 Rev. W. H. W. Allen, rector of the church, gave Scripture reading, followed by a prayer, lie preached a brief sermon. 'J'his was followed by prayer by Rev. Philip M. Prescott. of Washington, a summer resident of the Pier. The bearers were Stephen T. Jlrowning, James D. Caswell, James (i. lUirns, Charles F. Botcherle, Gustav Walters. John 11. Cranston, Joseph G. Johnston, and Freeman W. Tefft. The ushers were John J. Penson. L Irving Denico. Frank L. Caswell and William C. Farrow. Isaac A. Allen had charge of he many floral tributes which had been sent to the church. Among those present at the service were Mrs. Wil- liam Sprague. Mrs. Inez Sprague Stiness, Mrs. Amasa Sprague, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Studley Hart. Others present included the members of the Narragansett Town Council and members of the General Assembly and the Judiciary for that section of the State. Among the fioral tributes were a large cross, extend- ing the entire length of the casket, of lilies-of-the- valley and Easter lilies, from Mrs. William Sprague; a wreath of Easter lilies, from Governor Peeckman; a wreath of pink and white chrysanthemums, from the East Greenwich Academ\- ; standing wreaths of white chrysanthemums, from Mrs. Avis Borda, a sister of Mrs. Sprague, and Mrs. Frank Prowning, a daughter. The G. A. R. also sent a wreath of white roses. There were man\- indi\-idual lri])Utes. 84 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. State House to Close in Former Governor's Honor. Providence Journal, November 4, 1915. The funeral of former Governor William Sprague will be held today from St. Peter's Church, Nar- ragansett Pier, immediate friends and relatives being- invited. Tomorrow the body of the state's war gov- ernor will be brought to this city and a state funeral, with full military and civic honors, will be held from Grace church. Acting Governor Emory J. San Souci will announce today that the state house will close at 1 o'clock on Friday afternoon in honor of the former governor. The capitol building will remain closed for the en- tire afternoon. Brown University has selected the following offi- cials to represent it at the state funeral : President W. H. P. Faunce, C. S. Sweetland. treasurer of the corporation ; Rev. Henry M. King. D. D., pastor emeritus of the First Baptist church, and William W. Douglas, former chief justice of the state supreme In the general order issued through the office of the adjutant general by Lieutenant Governor San Souci, acting governor and commander-in-chief, directing flags to bep laced at half-staff in honor of former Governor Sprague, it is stated : "The commander-in-chief announces with profound sorrow the death of former Governor William Sprague, which occurred at Paris. France, on Sep- tember 11. At the time of the Civil war Governor Sprague rendered most valuable service in equipping THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 85 and forwardinj; troops for the preservation of the union, and had the nni(|ue (hstinction of heing the last surviving- war governor. Afterward, in the United vStates Senate, he represented the state faithfully and ably, and his name will go down in history as one of its most distinguished citizens. "In respect to his memory, it is directed that the Hags on all state armories shall be displayed at half- stafif on the dav of his funeral. Fridav, the 5th inst. Rhode Island State Will Honor Governor Sprague. Providence State Journal, November 5. 1915. Funeral services for War Governor William Sprague. of Rhode Island, will be held at Grace church in this city at l.'M) this afternoon, when full military and civic honors will be paid. The former governor died in Paris on September 11, and his body arrived in this country on Tuesday. Yesterday noon the first services were held in St. Peter's church, Nar- ragansett Pier. Governor Sprague's bod\' will arrive in this city early this afternoon and will be met at the Union station by Governor Beeckman and his entire staff, the Rhode Island Light Battery, veterans of the G. A. R.. a detachment of the National Guard and the Providence Marine. Artillery, of which the former governor was a colonel. A procession will be held to Grace church, where Rev. Frank Warfield Crowder, rector, will conduct THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. the services. He will be assisted by Bishop James DeW'olf Perry. Burial will be at the Sprague family lot at Swan Point cemetery, and Dr. Crowder will officiate. The casket will be borne on a gun carriage and a salute of seventeen guns will be tired over the grave by the battery. Services at Pier. At Xarragansett Pier yesterday St. Peter's church was filled with relatives, friends and many residents of the Pier who were acquainted with ex-Governor Sprague. The service yesterday was simple. There was no music or singing. The procession up the centre aisle accompanying the casket, was made up of the ushers, bearers of the casket, the family, and delegations from the Rhode Island Boy Scouts, the G. A. R., and the Narragansett Pier fire and police departments. Rev. W. H. P>. Allen, rector of the church, gave Scripture reading, followed by a prayer. He preached a brief sermon. This was followed by prayer by Rev. Philip M. Prescott, of Washington, a summer resident of the Pier. Many Floral Tributes. The bearers were Stephen T. Browning, James D. Caswell, James G. Burns, Charles F. Bochterle. Gustav Walters, John H. Cranston, Joseph G. John- ston and Freeman W. Tefl:'t. FRANCIS H. PIERPONT, Governor of Virginia, 1862. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 87 Tlie ushers were John J. Benson, J. Irving Denico, I'rank 1.. Caswell and William C. Farrow. Isaac A. Allen had charge of the many lloral tributes which had been sent to the church. Among the relatives present were : Airs. William Sprague. Mrs. Inez Sprague Stiness, Mrs. Amasa v^prague and Mr. and Mrs. A. v'^tudlev ITart. Others present included the members of the Xarragansett town council and members of the general assembly and the judiciary for that section of the state. .\mong the floral tri])utes were a large cross, extend- ing the entire length of the casket, of lilies-of-the- valley and Easter lilies, from Mrs. William Sprague; a wreath of Easter lilies from Governor Beeckman ; a wreath of pink and white chrysanthemums from the East Greenwich academy ; standing wreaths of white chrysanthemums from Mrs. Avis IJorda, a sister of Mrs. Sprague. and Mrs. Frank Drowning, a daughter. The (i. A. R. also sent a wreath of white roses. There were manv individual tributes. Resolutions Adopted. Resolutions of sympatliy were passed by the \^et- eran Association of the I'rovidence Marine Corps of Artillery at a special meeting held at the old arsenal Monday evening and were sent to the family of ex- C.overnor Sprague. The letter follows: THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. To the Family of the Late Bx-Senator William Spraguc: Ladies : Since death has removed from earth our late commander, Colonel William Sprague, we desire to place on record our profound appreciation of the services rendered by him to the state of Shode Island, as its "boy" War Governor, in promptly meeting the responsibilities thrown upon him at the outbreak of the Civil w-ar, especially by advancing funds neces- sary for the equipment of troops required for imme- diate service and by accompanying them into the field, thus affording a conspicuous example of patriotism and of courage that was an inspiration to all ; also of the peculiar honor confererred by him upon the Provi- dence Marine Corps of Artillery by making it the medium through which an entire regiment of light artillery was raised whose field officers were chiefs of artillery of army corps and whose battery com- manders were in demand by the leaders of every ex- peditionary force. "We tender to his family our sincere sympathy in their bereavement, at the same time respectfully indi- cating their great consolation is to be found in the circumstance that his name is indissolubly linked with the proudest epoch in the history of his native state. "CoL. Henky W. Newton, "George C. Nightingale, - "Edgar R. Barker, "Thomas W. Aldrich, "George B. Peck, "Committee. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 89 "In behalf of and by vote of the Veteran Associa- tion (if the I'rovidence Marine Corps of Artillery at a special meeting held at the old arsenal on Monday evening, November 1, 191"). "Attest: Geo. B. Peck. "Adjutant. "Providence, R. 1.. Nov. I. 1!)1.5;' State Honors War Governor Sprague. Providence, R. I., Tribune, November (5, 1915. A Governor's salute of seventeen guns over the grave of William Sprague at Swan Point Cem- etery yesterday afternoon was the last tribute paid to Rhode Island's famous War Governor. Burial fol- lowed a State funeral at Grace Church. Full military honors characterized the services, which were attended by representatives of every walk of life. The body of the former state executive was borne upon a gun carriage, and was escorted by Bat- tery A, Rhode Island National Guard, from the Union station to Grace church, and later to the ceme- tery. In addition to the governor's salute fired over the grave, three salvos were fired by the entire battery as the body was lowered into the grave. A bugler sounded "taps." The First Artillery District Band played funeral dirges as the procession marched to the church and to the cemeterv. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Rev. Frank Warfield Crowder. rector of Grace Church, conducted the services in that edifice, assisted by Bishop James De Wolf Perry. The Episcopal ser- vice was followed, and the full choir furnished the music. The church service commenced shortly after 1.30 o'clock, as soon as the body came from the Union Station, where it arrived at 1.01 o'clock. In the church was a gathering of citizens of the State representative of all of its people. The Justices of the Supreme and Superior Courts, former Govern- ors, State officials and members of the General Assem- bly, delegations of military organizations and Provi- dence city officials were in attendance. Flags at Half-Mast. Throughout the entire State, hags upon every public building hung at half-stafif, and almost without excep- tion every other flagstafif on private buildings in Rhode Island displayed the American bag lowered in mourn- ing. The City Hall main entrance was hung in mourn- ing, the display consisting of the flag of the State, amid black and white bunting. The limited train from Xew York, due here at 1.01 o'clock, made a special stop at Kingston in the fore- noon for the body of Governor Sprague and immediate relatives, who came from Xarragansett Pier, where there was a funeral service Thursday at St. Peter's Church. With the body came Mrs. W'illiam Sprague, RICHARD YATES, Governor of Illinois, U THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 91 Mrs. Inez Sprague Stiness, Avice Stiness, INlTs. Aniasa Spragiie. Mr. and Mrs. Aniasa Sprague. jr.. Mrs. Borda and Mr. and Mrs. A. Studley Hart. Arriving at tlie Union v^tation here, the car contain- ing the bo(l\- was stop|)ed at the west end of the depot. 'I'he casket was carried from the train through a guard of honor, consisting of delegations from the Grand Arm\- of the RepubHc and tlie 1^'ovidence Marine Corps of Artillery, to the gun carriage from Battery A, waiting in the street. The members of Battery A who carried the casket from the train to the gun carriage were Sergeants W. G. Thurber, Duncan Langdon, Theodore S. Butter- field, Richard Shaw, Crawford Allen, Bernard Barry, C. I). Mayhugh and Corporal H. G. Nelson. Captain Everitts S. Chafee was in command of the Battery. At the head of the procession were six mounted po- lice, in command of Lieutenant Kent, and twenty-four officers on foot, under Inspector ]\rc(jann. Sergeant Linehan had charge of the police detail handling the crowds. The funeral procession had previously formed out- side the station, and left in the following order : First Artillery District Band, playing a funeral dirge ; mem- bers of the Grand Army of the Republic and members of tlie Providence Marine Corps of Artillery; lUittery A in its entirety, with the casket upon the last gun carriage in line; carriages containing the family and relatives; [Jeutenant Governor E. J. San Souci and staff. 92 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Draped over the casket was a large American flag, across the centre of which was laid a smaller flag of the State of Rhode Island. The procession went down the incline to Washington Street and there turned up to Alathewson. thence to Grace Church. Rev. Dr. Crowder. assisted by Bishop Perry, con- ducted the Episcopal funeral service. The full choir sang several selections. A. Lacey-Baker, organist, directed the choir. The following selections were given : Selection from the seventh symphony of Beethoven, "Ave Maria," "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand," "Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge," "I Heard a Voice from Heaven," "Lead, Kindly Light," and "Jerusalem, the Golden." Chopin's funeral march ended the service. Leaving the church after the services, the procession formed as before, and marched as far as the entrance to the East Side Tunnel, where those on foot dis- banded. The band, in automobiles, was hurried to a point about a quarter of a mile from the cemetery en- trance, and there waited for the prpcession. The body, carried on Battery A's gim carriage, and followed by the members of the family, special details from the G. A. R., and the Providence Marine Corps, the Lieutenant Governor and stafif, and Executive Sec- retary J. Henry Renter, in carriages, iiroceeded to the cemetery. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 93 • Seventeen-Gun Salute Fired. As the oaskel was taken from the gun carriage, the band played "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and while Dr. Crowder was reading the burial service, Battery A, a short distance away, tired the Governor's .salute of seventeen guns. As the l)ody was lowered into the ground, three salvos 1-y the entire I'.attery were bred and "laps"' sounded. .\ crowd of over three hundred gathered at the ceni- eterv, in spite (~)f the weather, to pay tribute to Gov- ernor Sprague. The liand. leaving the cemetery, played the old martial Innin, "( )nward. Christian Soldiers." The members of the family wdio were in attendance included the widow, Mrs. William Spragtie ; Mrs. Inez Sprague Stiness. Mr. and Mrs. A. Studley Hart, iMrs. Amasa Sprague. Mr. and Mrs. .\masa Sprague, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Xorman, Walter F. Angell, Mr. and Mr>. I'.yron S. Watson. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fletcher and Mr. and .Mrs. .M . I^'reeman Cocroft. Mrs. .\masa Sprague was escorted by Captain Davis G. Arnold, of the Governor's staff. Accompanying the Lieutenant Governor were Adjutant General Charles W. Abbot, Jr., Colonel Michael J. Lynch, and Captain Thomas A. Roberts. Tlie usiiers were Colonel Andrew Weeks Anthony, Colonel William McLeod. Colonel Charles T. Clines, and Colonel Nathaniel W. Smith. J. Henry Renter and A. Studley Hart had charge of the funeral arrangements. 94 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Delegates representing the field, staff and line of the United Train of Artillery, in the guard honor, in- cluded Colonel Robert Bain, Sergeant Major Edwin S. Thompson, Lieutenant James ]\IcKinnon, Captain William Davenport, of Company A, and Lieutenant Colonel J. Prior and Colonel R. A. Green, of the \^et- eran Association. Prominent Men Present. Among those present at the services in the churrh were six former Governors of Rhode Island — Abram J. Pothier, James H. Higgins, Charles Dean Kimball, Lucius F. C. Garvin, Charles Warren Lippitt, and D. Russell Brown. There were present also all of the Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts, Lieuten- ant Governor San Souci, Secretary of State Parker, General Treasurer Reade, Deputy Secretary of State Ernest L. Sprague, State Librarian Herbert O. Brigham, President Faunce, of Brown University ; Speaker Frank H. Hammill, of the House ; Judge James E. Dooley, of the Eighth District Court ; Judge George B. Bliss, of the Seventh District Court; Repre- sentative Jacob A. Eaton, Alderman Joseph Balch, Congressman George F. O'Shaunessy, Sheriff Hugh McCusker, Sheriff Michael B. Lynch, of Kent County; Representative Thomas Lynch, former Mayor P. J. McCarthy, Mayor Gainer, Frank J. Clinton, Richard W. Jennings, Frank E. Fitzsimmons, Charles A. Wil- SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD, Governor of Iowa, 1862. THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 95 son. Waldo M. Place. William M . \\ I ".(.won. Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Irwin. Presidenl. W. \'.. .Smith, Secretary, and Ke\-. J. iM'ancis Cooper, Trustee ot l^ast Green- wich Academy. representiuL;' that institulinn, of which C()\ernor S])rat;ue was a graduate in the class of 1818, vuA many others, tilling the church. jury trials in all the rooms in the SuperiiM" Court were suspended yesterday during the hours of the funeral services. State Honors William Sprague. From Providence, R. I., Journal, November 5, 1915. It is litting that the funeral of William .Sprague today should be accompanied by full military and civic honors. Rhode Island is still in his debt for the ser- \-ices he rendered it and the natiim in the crucial days of 18(il. The "War Governor" made a name for himself and for Rhode Island l)y the patriotism, promptness and industry with which he addressed himself to the task of raising an ade(|uate body of soldiers from this State fifty- f(jur years ago. The whole country marked with enthusiasm the exam])le he set to the executi\cs of other States. His action was vigorous and ])ersonally States. He did not count the cost or delay over details. His one great object was to enable Rhode Island to res])ond at the earliest ])ossible moment to Lincoln's call for trooi)s. 96 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. Governor Sprague lived long enough to see the two divided sections of the country thoroughly reunited. He survived, indeed, every other War Governor. His life was extraordinarily varied ; it had more than its share of vicissitudes. But he retained to old age his intellectual vitality and his capacity for appreciation and enjoyment. The European War touched him closely, and his death at the capital of one of the belligerent nations, in the midst of the great struggle, afforded a dramatic close to a career that opened like- wise amid the boom of hostile guns. Tribute to William Sprague. Editorial in Providence Bulletin, November 5, 1915. The memory of the last of the American War Gov- ernors was honored today in the militar}- funeral of William Sprague. It was a tribute which no Rhode Islander would wish withheld from the man whose patriotic energy in 1861 placed the smallest State among the foremost in readiness to defend the Union and give cause for perpetual pride on the part of every son of Rhode Island. What he did as Governor ami citizen was an encouragement to the whole North. His time, strength and fortune were ready for any calls for his country. In his long life, busy career and checkered experiences nothing could have given him more satisfaction in after years than remembrance of his success in enabling his State to make a ready re- sponse to President Lincoln's appeal and knowledge THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 97 that his own and succeecHng generations were grateful and appreciative of his services in a time of great national need. Providence Evening Tribune, November 8, 1915. In Today's Mail. To the lulitor of the livening 'i'ribune: I am qtiite sure that 1 express the sentiments of the older citizens of our State in thanking Governor Beeckman for according ex-Governor Si)ragtie a State funeral. 1 contrasted the procession Friday with the one in 18()1, when the young Governor, at the head of 1,000 men whom he had armed and ecjuipped at his own personal expense, marclied through our streets to the relief of our national capital. His generous and patri- otic action meant much more than the 1,000 men by its example and inspiration to other States to go also to the help of i'resident Lincoln in tliat trying period of our nation's histor\-. Again to our Go\ernor Beeckman and others in authority we retm-n the thanks of a grateful citizen- ship. The members of the Grand Army showed their appreciation by turning out so strong in numbers on such a stormy day. T well remember my last talk with the Governor at his home in Paris in the early spring of 191-1. I found him very feeble in body, but keenly active in mind as to tlie events of the daw both as to the European matters and his native State's welfare. As I was taking my leave 1 asked : "Well, Governor, have you any mes- 98 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. sage for the people of Rhode Island?" "Yes." he said ; "give them my regards and tell them that I love them still." That was his message to us. The State B'riday showed hy its demonstrations that it still appreciated his noble act. T. \V. \V.\TERM.\N. PUOVIUENCE, NOVEMBEII 6. w OLIVER P. MORTON, Governor of Indiana, 1862. XII. HIS PLACE IN HISTORY. TIM1\. the eternal Xemesis of injustice, has liad (".(iveriKir Sprai^ue's name in mind for many \ear>. The friend of the modest, the unassuming, the unheralded, it metes out the exact amount of fame due to all. As an advisor to President Lincoln in matters leadiny up to the lunancipation Proclamation and the l.o\al War Governor's Conference, history must accord William Sprague a very high place. Through his efforts to preserve the Union he has won an undying fame, but in three respects he stands out in history as a unique figure. First, as the first volunteer of the Civil W'ar ; second, as a stalwart advocate of emancipation ; third, as one of the originators of the .-Mtoona Confer- ence. A man witli three such claims to greatness stands among the highest in our National Hall of Fame. .\nd yet onl)- in friendly chat did he mention these momentous episodes; he sought to detract from no man's fame, leaving Time, the just judge, to ar- range all. It has been said that part of the greatness of men like Lincoln is their al)ility to surround them- selves with capable advisors. They could seek advice and abide by what was given them, as they trusted their intimates. Lincoln was a man accustomed to thinking for himself, but l'*.mancii)atiou was some- thing so unprecedented and so vast that he must of necessity open his heart to a few of those he trusted 99 100 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. most. Sprague, far-seeing New Englander, grasped the situation. He saw victory ahead if the President adhered to his mighty intention. It has also been said that the only advice people like to hear is the advice they want to follow. But Lincoln was no such man ; he would have listened if his closest friends had warned against the Proclamation. But they were unanimous — those whom he trusted most — that he should go ahead, and Sprague was one of the corner- stones of his inspired act. And as a necessary corol- lary to the Proclamation the War Governors' Confer- ence passed muster in the young Rhode Islander's keen i)rain. It supplemented and cemented the Procla- mation h\ the public esteem. It was the keel to the boat of freedom. The first volunteer had helped to steer the ship of American civilization and progress through the shoals and reefs into calm waters. The tide had turned. Fatlier Abraham at the helm was captain enough for the rest of the journey. The modest young pilot had done his duty ; he stepped aside, with the feeling that while it was work well done, it was "all in the day's work." He wanted no fulsome praise, no rewards, no memorials ; he wanted his loved nation to live and prosper— that was all. And Time, eternal Nemesis of injustice, gave him long life to see that the fruits of this work was worth while, that his dreams had been realized. And now in death a more personal fame may be his; the name of William Sprague will be emblazoned with that of the immortal coterie whose souls were the light of the THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 101 nation in which \vc Hvc. In conclusion, a poem on the Altoona Conference, reproduced belcnv, shows the line flights of fancy which the great event inspired in the mind of a gifted poetess. "MY COUNTRY'S CALL." By ANNA PIERPONT SIVITER, Daughter of the War Governor of Virginia. {In commemoration of a meeting of the Loyal War Gov- ernors at Altoona, in 1862, after severe union reverses, for the purpos-e of pledging the support of their States to President Lincoln, enabling him to call for 300,000 addi- tional troops, thus insuring the success of the North.) My country, O my country! dark and drear now war clouds lower, And the traitor's hand has seized you; you are yielding to his power. And our mighty Leader trembles: In Columbia's great land Is there none to send him succor, or uphold his weakened hand? Never was there direr peril; never was there greater need. When a nation's life is threatened, shaken like a broken reed; When her cry for help is stifled — choken by deadly craven fear; Victory has fled her standards, and defeat draws swiftly near. All the world is watching, waiting, for an end that seems not far — When the hope of oppressed people dies as does a s'hooting star — When a nation that was founded for the freedom of man- kind Shall be racked and torn asunder ])y foul slavery, fierce and blind. 102 THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. But our God is still in Heaven, and His purpose may not be Thwarted by man's dumb endeavor. He it was made Liberty! Loyal States have come together, led by leaders wise and brave. Who have pledged their best and strongest that the Union they will save! Hark! Their cry for help is ringing — scarce a cry, ' tis more a prayer: And the answer to their summons seems to come from everywhere. Every loyal State is hastening, gladly sending forth her best, Never braver men have answered to stern Duty's swift request. Wes't Virginia boys are coming, from her mountains, swift and strong — Thousands upon thousands marching — you can hear their battle song; You can see their banners waving! O, my country, 'tis for thee That they lift their voices, chanting, "Mountaineers are always free!" Pennsylvania sends battalions — hundreds upon hundreds more ; Massachusetts men are moving, from her hillsides and her shore; Maine, Vermont, and staunch Ohio, catch the battle-cry, and go — How the Lord of Battles led them forth to victory well we know — How they saved the mighty Union, how they gave their lives that we In the paths of peace might wander, ever blessed, ever free. So we come to pay them homage, praying,"0 Thou Lord of Light, Help us, as Thou helped our fathers, to climb up to Free- dom's height. Greed and Lust and Wrong are waiting to withstand us on our way; Send us leaders, Lord of Wisdom, to uphold and guide Thy way." THE LAST OF THE WAR GOVERNORS. 103 It a man is known by his wurks, ilicn all who \vdw li\C(l since iho Ci\il War know and love William Sp raiiue. FINIS ^ mmmm i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 760 3019 #