the city, bringing hope and assurance of safety at a most critical moment.

Col. J. H. ALMY is another of our citizens whose labors were of a nature entitling him to special mention and regard. Commissioned as Assistant Quartermaster-general, he established himself in New York, devoting his whole time to facilitating the transit of our troops, to ministering to the wants of the sick, and looking out for the general welfare of Connecticut soldiers. With noble efficiency throughout the war he discharged the duties of his responsible post, and with admirable executive ability saw that the sick and wounded were cared for, and that his office should afford such help and information as the throngs that visited it sought. His disbursements for the needy and sick were very large, and met by the expenditure in part of his own salary, and in part by the generous contributions of the sons of Connecticut. The daily general business of his agency showed the versatile service and earnest devotion of the man. Among its duties were, the collection of back-pay and bounties; correcting errors in passes and descriptive lists; obtaining of furloughs; reception of boxes of sanitary goods and the prompt shipment of the same to their several destinations ; care of baggage; procuration of regimental flags, guidons, together with musical instruments for various bands, and small arms for officers; discharges for sick and disabled soldiers, and responses to letters inquiring for the missing, sick, or dead. At the end of four years his record showed that more than two hundred thousand soldiers of Connecticut and other States, sixty thousand of them sick and wounded, had passed through his hands, all receiving transportation, many being otherwise assisted. His office was like unto "Interpreter's House," in Bunyan's story. He himself was a universal good Samaritan, as the num

bers of those he cared for with a brother's sympathy and liberality can attest. Connecticut had no more useful servant than he was, and his best eulogy is in the gratitude of soldiers, who never think of him without invoking blessings on him for his kindly work.

The following testimony by Adjutant-general Williams was borne to the efficient and varied efforts put forth by Colonel Almy, during the war:

"The services of Colonel John H. Almy, of New York City, who was appointed by your Excellency as Assistant Quartermastergeneral for the purpose of extending aid to our volunteers passing through the city, and to assist and advise the friends of sick or deceased soldiers, have been of the most extended and beneficial character. His whole time has been devoted to this noble object, and the zeal and efficiency of his labors can be attested by thousands of grateful hearts. The sick and wounded soldier returning to his home has always found in him a friend whose sympathies were wrought into practical form, and many an anxious wife, mother, or sister has received valuable advice and directions in their efforts for the relief of a suffering husband, son, or brother in the field or hospital."

It is to the credit of our town, that so universally our citizens were eager to render any and every assistance to the cause, and to those who went forth to do battle in its behalf, of none could it be said "facile princeps," for the motto of the royal crest seemed to have been adopted by all, "Ich dien,” — I serve. In this home-service all classes of our people were zealous to share, and they brought to it a self-sacrificing, generous spirit, that makes it worthy of honorable record.

HE story of our war will never be fully or fairly writ

THE

ten, if the achievements of woman in connection with it are untold. And yet their names are not to be found in official reports, nor gazetted for brilliant deeds, such as made many a soldier a hero in the country's sight. It was in hospitals, in Relief Associations in their native

towns, in private ministries to the comfort of those they had sent forth with their benedictions, that the patriotism of American women was seen and felt.

The record of Norwich in this respect is one which is deserving of lasting remembrance and honor. All that could be done by our ladies to provide for and encourage our soldiers, was done, with a rare persistency and devotion. From the memorable Sabbath, which followed the President's first call for troops, when they sewed all day on the outfit of the first Norwich company that went forth to the strife, clear through the long years of the war, they were unwearied in their zeal to do for the comfort and cheer of those in the army.

Beginning, as was just stated, their public labors in behalf of the soldiers, on Sabbath, April twenty-first, they continued these noble efforts, which the stern necessities of the crisis made for a while so urgent, for a number of days. As the result of their associated work in this form they made up nineteen hundred shirts of flannel, and checked cotton, besides other articles of apparel required by the soldiers for their outfit, which were never reported. It was owing to their timely services, so cordially and unfalteringly rendered, that the first companies from Norwich were put in readiness for their prompt departure.

During these busy, exciting days, when the Norwich ladies met daily in Breed Hall to sew, the following was the favorite song, which ofttimes relieved the tedium of their work, and gave expression to the feelings, which at this early stage of the war were well-nigh universally shared. The song was written by one of their number, who subsequently became a leading spirit in connection with the Soldier's Aid," and was first sung by a choir of young ladies on the balcony of the "Wauregan House," on the occasion of the departure of Captain Chester's company.

"What means this wild rush and commotion,

In our homes once so peaceful and free?
Why burns every patriot's devotion,

For his country to die, if need be?
'Tis that traitors heap insult upon her,
Now they boldly come forward to view,
And our flag trails in dust and dishonor,
The flag of the red, white, and blue.

“Our flag to our eyes is the emblem

Of all that the soul holds most dear!
To defend it, we'll show the proud boaster,
Northern men neither tremble nor fear !
In such danger 'tis no time to dally,
We'll swear to be faithful anew ;
Party names all forgetting, we'll rally

Round the flag of the red, white, and blue.

"O my country! to-day on thy altar

Our best treasures most freely we lay;

In thy honor no true man will falter,

But boldly stand up, come what may !

While we breathe, we'll desert her cause never,

We'll all to our colors prove true,

The Flag of our Union forever

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue.”

E. P.

The "Soldier's Aid Society" was soon after organized, and was the chief organization which the patriotism of Norwich ladies made so serviceable to the soldiers in the field. Its history, from the commencement to the close of its existence, forms a splendid memorial of their earnest efforts in ministering to the comfort of Connecticut troops. The Society was organized in September, 1861, under a call to furnish woolen stockings for the soldiers. Donations of yarn were received, and quickly by willing fingers transformed into warm socks. Considerable finished work was also contributed. At Governor Buckingham's suggestion, an arrangement was soon made for supplying regi