William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

Charles G. Loring, the President of the day, commenced the intellectual feast in a speech of considerable length, and of great power and beauty, which was warmly applauded, and gave the key-note to the speeches which followed.

As the proceedings have been published in the newspapers of the day, we shall not attempt to quote from any of the speeches which were made, or the original poems which were read; but shall content ourselves with a mere statement of the names of the gentlemen whose eloquence and genius contributed so largely to the edification and delight of those who listened. Speeches were made by General Barlow, General Devens, Governor Andrew, President Hill, Major-General Meade, U. S. A., Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rear-Admiral Davis, U. S.N., Major-General Force of Ohio, Rev. Dr. Thompson of New York, Colonel Thomas W. Higginson, and Rev. J. K. Hosmer, who was color-bearer of the Fifty-second Massachusetts Regiment. An original song, written by Rev. Charles T. Brooks, entitled ‘The Soldier's Oath,’ was sung by a selected choir; also an original ode by J. S. Dwight. Mrs. Julia Ward Howe contributed a poem, which was read by Mr. Samuel A. Elliot. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes and James Russell Lowell each furnished a poem, which was read by the author. The celebration closed with the singing of ‘Auld Lang Sync.’

Considered as a whole, it was one of the most remarkable gathering of educated and distinguished citizens ever assembled on the continent of America.

Among the good people of Richmond, Va., who were kind and charitable to our prisoners, and loyal to the Government, was the family of the Van Lews. When Colonel Lee, Major Revere, and others who had been taken prisoners at the battle of Ball's Bluff, were confined in the Richmond prison, the Miss Van Lews had contributed whatever was in their power to relieve them from the horrors of prison life to which they were subjected. In September, 1865, one of the ladies visited Boston. Her chief object was to have an interview with Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President of the Confederate Government, who was then a prisoner at Fort Warren. Miss Van Lew was received with great regard by the Governor, Colonel