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diff --git a/36023.txt b/36023.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..17bdc61 --- /dev/null +++ b/36023.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5807 @@ +Project Gutenberg's E.P. Roe: Reminiscences of his Life, by Mary A. Roe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: E.P. Roe: Reminiscences of his Life + +Author: Mary A. Roe + +Release Date: May 3, 2011 [EBook #36023] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK E.P. ROE: REMINISCENCES *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +_The Works of_ + +E . P . ROE + + +HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS WIFE + + +E. P. ROE + +REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE + +BY HIS SISTER, MARY A. ROE + + +ILLUSTRATED + + +NEW YORK +PETER FENELON COLLIER & SON +MCM + + +E. P. ROE + +REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE + +_Copyright, 1899_ +BY DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE. + + +Since the death of Edward Payson Roe, in 1888, there have been +inquiries from time to time for some record of his life and work, and +it is in response to these repeated requests that this volume is +issued. While necessarily omitting much that is of too personal a +nature for publication, the editor has allowed the subject of these +Reminiscences to speak for himself as far as possible, although it has +been thought advisable to introduce here and there various papers from +outside sources that seem to throw additional light upon his character. +It is believed that in this way a clearer picture may be given than +would otherwise be obtained of the life of one who was, perhaps, the +most popular American author of his generation. The editor's own part +of the work has been confined to a simple statement of facts and to +supplying connecting links, when such seemed needed, between the +various letters and papers. + +Thanks are due, and are hereby offered, to all who have kindly +contributed material or in other ways assisted in the preparation of +this volume. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER PAGE + + I. BOYHOOD AND COLLEGE DAYS 1 + + II. LIFE AS CHAPLAIN 13 + + III. A WINTER CAMP 41 + + IV. MARRIAGE--THE RAID TOWARD RICHMOND 58 + + V. HAMPTON HOSPITAL 70 + + VI. THE HOSPITAL FARM AND CHAPEL 85 + + VII. PASTORATE AT HIGHLAND FALLS 95 + +VIII. RESIGNATION FROM THE MINISTRY 118 + + IX. FRUIT CULTURE AND LITERARY WORK 124 + + X. HOME LIFE 137 + + XI. SANTA BARBARA 154 + + XII. RETURN TO CORNWALL--LETTERS 181 + +XIII. LAST BOOK--DEATH 194 + + XIV. AN ACCOUNT OF E. P. ROE'S BOOKS 218 + + XV. THE TABLET AND MEMORIAL ADDRESS 231 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +E. P. ROE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH _Frontispiece_ + + TO FACE PAGE + +E. P. ROE AS A STUDENT 10 + +E. P. ROE AS CHAPLAIN, AGE 26 38 + +VIEW FROM THE PIAZZA AT "ROELANDS" 128 + +THE STUDY AT "ROELANDS" 152 + +TABLET ON BOULDER IN "ROE PARK" 232 + + +[Illustration: E. P. ROE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.] + + + + +E. P. ROE + +REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +BOYHOOD AND COLLEGE DAYS + + +My brother Edward and I were the youngest of six children, and as he +was my senior by but a few years we were playmates and almost +inseparable companions in our childhood. + +We were born in a roomy old-fashioned house, built by my mother's +father for his oldest son, but purchased by my father when he retired +from business in New York. A more ideal home for a happy childhood +could not easily be found. It stood near the entrance of a beautiful +valley through which flowed a clear stream, and was wind-sheltered by +high bluffs, yet commanded fine views of the mountains with glimpses of +the Hudson showing like lakes between them. + +What we called the "side-hill," back of the house, was our chief +playground. My brother delighted in climbing the hickory and chestnut +trees that grew upon it, and it was here in spring that we searched for +wild flowers, from the little hepaticas just peeping above the snow, to +the laurel in its full glory. In after years Edward never visited the +old home without a tramp to the top of that side-hill or along the +wood-road at its base. + +Our mother was always an invalid, and the housekeeper, Betsey Williams, +who was a member of our family for many years, became like a second +mother to us in her care and devotion. But she was no disciplinarian, +and I have heard that when Edward was in a childish passion and she +felt unable to cope with the situation she would pick him up bodily and +carry him to my mother's couch. There he would sit beside her, not +daring to move until he could promise obedience, held spellbound by the +authority in her keen black eyes, though she was too weak to raise her +hand to her head. + +Edward's love of nature was inherited from both father and mother. +Often, on lovely June days, he would draw mother's wheeled chair +through the broad walks of our large square garden, where the borders +on either side were gorgeous with flowers, while I gathered and piled +the fragrant blossoms on her lap until she was fairly embowered. Yet +one scarcely missed those that were plucked. + +Back of the garden ran a clear brook, the overflow from a spring of +soft, cool water at the base of the side-hill, and in it we often +played and tumbled, soaking and soiling many a fresh clean suit. + +As is usually the case with younger sisters, I always followed my +brother's lead, and one summer day's adventure in particular stands +clearly in my memory. We little children had started off with the +avowed intention of looking for wild strawberries. We had secretly +planned to visit the old house where my mother was born, which was some +distance farther up the valley and at that time was unoccupied, but we +thought it best not to make any announcement of this project in +advance. + +Edward had heard that in the cellar there was a stone vault in which +our Grandfather Williams kept the money that General Washington had +entrusted to his care until it was required to pay off the soldiers of +the Revolution while they were encamped near Newburgh. Edward was eager +to visit the cellar, thinking that possibly there might still be a few +coins left. We entered the empty house by a back door and wandered +through the rooms, he entertaining me the while with stories mother had +told him of her childhood there. + +Then we timidly groped our way down into the large cellar and found the +stone vault--but it was filled only with cobwebs and dust! + +When we came out and stood in the great kitchen Edward told me another +Revolutionary story connected with the spot in our great-grandmother's +day. + +A company of British soldiers had been quartered upon the family, and +the old kitchen swarmed with redcoats and negro servants, for those +were still days of slavery in the North. Grandmother Brewster, who was +a notable cook, had just placed in the heated brick oven a large baking +of bread, pies, and cake. One of the soldiers asked her if they could +have these good things provided they could take them away without her +knowledge, but while she was in the kitchen. She, believing this +impossible, said yes. He waited until everything was removed from the +oven and placed upon a large table to cool. Suddenly a quarrel arose +between several of the soldiers and one of her favorite colored boys. +Fearing the lad would be killed she rushed into the midst of the crowd +and at length succeeded in stopping the fight. When at last peace and +quiet were restored, she turned round to find her morning's baking +gone--and in a moment she understood the ruse they had practised upon +her. + +As Edward talked the whole story seemed very real to us, but when he +had finished we walked up to the old oven, and looking into its +cavernous depths he said: "_That's_ here and the stone vault down +cellar, but all those people are dead and gone. How strange and lonely +it seems! Let's go." + +Then we hurried off to a field near by which we called "the +rose-patch." Not far from this spot stood formerly an old mill where +snuff was manufactured, and the rose-bushes that in bygone days had +yielded their blossoms to scent the snuff were still living and +flowering. But among the roses was an abundance of wild strawberries, +and the two children soon lost all thoughts of the past in their +enjoyment of the luscious fruit. But the old deserted house with its +Revolutionary associations never ceased to have great attractions for +us. Across the road from it, and nearer the creek, was a mound of +cinders marking the spot where once stood the forge upon which our +grandfather wrought the great iron chain which was stretched across the +Hudson for the purpose of keeping British ships from sailing beyond it. +Some links of this chain are now kept as relics in the Washington +"Headquarters" at Newburgh. + +In later years Edward planned to write a story entitled "The Fair +Captives of Brooklyn Heights," embodying some incidents in the lives of +our Grandfather Williams' sisters, who lived there with their widowed +mother. During the Revolution a number of British officers installed +themselves at her house, and the old lady promptly locked up her +daughters in order to prevent any possible love-making. One of the +girls eluded her vigilance, however, married an officer, and fled with +him to Canada. She returned after the war was over, but her mother, who +had never forgiven the deception, refused to receive her, and she and +her husband went to England to live. + +In our home at Moodna was always to be found a generous hospitality. +Among our most loved and honored guests was Dr. Samuel Cox, who was for +many years a prominent clergyman in New York and Brooklyn. My father +had been a member of his church and they were lifelong friends. Often, +in summer, he and his family spent weeks at a time with us, and we +children, as well as our elders, were always charmed listeners to his +conversation. He had a fine memory, and it was remarkably well stored +with classic poetry. Sometimes he would entertain us with selections +from the "Iliad," but more often, when other guests were present and +Edward and I were seated on the piazza steps, on warm moonlight +evenings, he would repeat whole cantos from "Marmion" or "Lady of the +Lake," or perhaps some fine passages from "Paradise Lost." + +At times the conversation would turn upon ancient history, and I +remember on one occasion he asked Edward and me if we could give him +the names of the first Roman triumvirate. At this period of our +existence the name "Caesar" was associated exclusively with an old +colored man whom we often visited and who lived upon a lonely road +which is still called "Caesar's Lane." We were vastly astonished, +therefore, to learn that the name had ever been borne by any more +illustrious personage than our dusky friend. But we listened, +entranced, while the doctor told of the rivalries and conflicts of +those two great generals, Caesar and Pompey, for the empire of the +world. He could not remember the name of the third triumvir, and it +troubled him greatly. That night, about two o'clock, I was startled by +a loud knock at my bedroom door, and Dr. Cox called out, "Mary, are you +awake?" I replied that I was--as, indeed, was every one else in the +house by that time. "It's Crassus," he said, then returned to his room +greatly relieved that he had finally recalled the name. Edward and I +never forgot our first lesson in Roman History. + +This learned clergyman was often very absent-minded. During one of his +visits to us he had been for a drive with his wife and our mother. On +their return he stopped at the horse-block, near where Edward and I +were playing, threw down the reins, and, engrossed in some train of +thought, walked into the house, utterly forgetful of the ladies on the +back seat. They, very much amused, continued their conversation and +waited to see if he would remember them. Finally, however, as he did +not reappear, Edward was called to assist them from the carriage and +unharness the horse. Some time afterward the doctor rushed out of the +front door and around the house, having just remembered where he left +the companions of his drive. + +The first school Edward and I attended was a private one for boys and +girls kept by our eldest brother Alfred, in the village of Canterbury, +two miles distant from our home. We trudged over the hills together on +pleasant days and drove over when the weather was stormy. I well +remember the abnormal interest we felt in the health of an aunt of ours +who lived near the school and who had some fine fruit trees on her +place. After our inquiries in regard to her welfare had been answered +she was sure to invite us to examine the ground beneath those trees, +while the merry twinkle in her eyes showed appreciation of the fact +that our devotion to her was not altogether disinterested. + +Of my brother's later school and college days, the Rev. A. Moss Merwin, +now of Pasadena, California, writes:-- + +"It was at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson I first met Edward, a fellow student +in his brother Alfred's classical school. His face and manners were +attractive, and intellectually he ranked high among his companions. +Well informed as to current events, with a wider knowledge of books +than is usual with young men of his years, and with great facility in +expressing his thoughts orally and in writing, he commanded our respect +from the first. And when we saw from time to time articles from his pen +in the New York _Evangelist_ descriptive of stirring events, our +respect grew into admiration for him who was _facile princeps_ in our +small literary world. Then as we came to know something of his kindness +of heart and enthusiasm for the good and true we loved him. + +"His particular friends among the boarding pupils enjoyed the privilege +of being invited occasionally to the hospitable home of his parents. +What a home it was! Abundant comfort without ostentation or luxury. The +father a retired business man, kindly, philanthropic, and an ardent +lover of plants and flowers. The mother an invalid in her wheeled +chair, a woman with sunshine in eye and voice, of unusual intelligence, +highly cultivated, with charming conversational powers. + +"In the little Presbyterian church near the school, planted mainly +through the exertions of his father and elder brothers, there came a +time of special religious interest when Edward was deeply impressed. +With loving purpose he sought out two of his most intimate companions, +and through his instrumentality they then began the Christian life. One +became a successful business man in Chicago, and to the day of his +death remembered with gratitude the helping hand and earnest words of +E. P. Roe. The other friend remembers that soon after that decision, +when he and Edward were walking through the grounds of the Friends' +meeting-house, they covenanted together to study for the ministry. + +"We were together again preparing for college at Burr and Burton +Seminary, Manchester, Vermont. How enthusiastic he was over the +beautiful scenery of that now far-famed summer resort in the Green +Mountains! How delighted to send his father a present through his own +earnings by sawing several cords of wood!" + +About this time our father's property in New York City was destroyed by +fire, and owing to the expense of rebuilding he was obliged for a time +to practise close economy. But fortunately it was not found necessary +to take any of his children from school or college. To quote Mr. Merwin +further:-- + +"At Williams College we saw much of each other. Roe was a fair scholar, +more intent at getting at the meaning of the text, and its mythological +and historical relations, than in making what is called a fair +recitation. His ability as a writer and speaker was recognized early in +his college course when elected speaker of his class at a Washington's +Birthday banquet. Friends he easily made, and with many remained in +pleasant relations to the close of his life. Trouble with his eyes +caused him to shorten his course at college, but the authorities, in +view of his subsequent success as a writer, gave him his diploma." + +My brother excelled in athletic sports in his youth, particularly in +swimming and skating. On one occasion when he was home on vacation, he +and a young companion were skating on the river. His friend, who was +skimming along in advance of him, suddenly fell into an air-hole and +sank out of sight. Edward instantly realized that if he went to the +spot to rescue him, he also would break through. With quick presence of +mind, therefore, he unwound a long worsted muffler from his neck and +threw one end of it into the opening. As soon as the struggling boy +rose to the surface, Edward shouted, "Take hold of that tippet and I'll +pull you out!" His friend did as he was directed and Edward, by +exerting all his strength, succeeded in drawing him out of the water +and upon the solid ice, fortunately not much the worse for his +immersion. + +Adjoining our father's property was that of Mr. Nathaniel Sands, a +"Friend" and a gentleman in all that the words imply, who was loved and +respected by the whole community. His residence commanded an extended +view of the river and mountains and especially of the narrow Gap of the +Highlands. At his death the old homestead became the summer residence +of his eldest son, Dr. David Sands, the head of a well-known firm of +druggists in New York. + +While my brother was at the theological seminary, and just about the +beginning of the Civil War, he became engaged to Dr. Sands' second +daughter, Anna. The young people had known each other from childhood, +and this happy culmination of their long friendship was not unexpected +by either family. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +LIFE AS CHAPLAIN + + +One of Edward's schoolmates at Cornwall, writing of him, said: "We met +again on a most memorable evening in the early days of the war, when +with two young ladies, one of whom became his wife, we rowed out on the +Hudson River, under the shadow of Storm King, while the whole sky from +west to east flamed with crimson-tinted clouds, that seemed a portent +of the scenes to follow. When we reached the dock on our return the +evening papers brought the details of the battle of Bull Run, fought on +the previous day." + +I remember Edward's intense excitement on his return home that night, +and his remark that if he were only through his seminary course he +would join the army as chaplain. From that time I believe the purpose +was constantly in his mind; and the next year, 1862, although his +studies were not then completed, he became chaplain of the famous +Harris Light Cavalry, under the command of the gallant Kilpatrick, +later Brigadier and Major General, who was always my brother's firm +friend. + +The following testimony to Edward's work among the soldiers was written +upon the field by a correspondent of the New York _Tribune_. + + "Chaplain Roe, of the Second New York (Harris Light) Cavalry, is a + man whose praises are in the mouth of every one for timely and + efficient services. He is always with the regiment, and his whole + time is devoted to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the men. + He is their friend, adviser, and counsellor, and commands the + respect of all who know him--something that cannot be said of every + chaplain in the army." + +[Illustration: E. P. ROE AS A STUDENT.] + +The _Observer_ of that year also published a letter written by a +private in the Harris Light Cavalry to his parents. In it is found this +reference to their chaplain. + + "To-day is Sunday, and, as a great exception, it has appeared like + Sunday. This morning we had service at headquarters, the chaplain + of our regiment officiating, and I think I can safely call him a + pious army chaplain, which I cannot say of any others that _I_ ever + knew; and notwithstanding the little respect most chaplains have + shown to them, and still less encouragement, this one, by his mild, + gentle, manly, humble, and Christian-like demeanor, has won the + respect of all with whom he has had intercourse, from the most + profane and vulgar to the most gentlemanly, which few chaplains + have been able to do. In a fight he is seen encouraging the men; in + the hospital administering to the soldier's wants, both spiritually + and bodily. Last winter, during the worst days of a Virginia + winter, I have seen him going from camp to camp, distributing his + books and papers; and with his own earnings he would buy delicacies + that a poor sick soldier would otherwise in vain long for. These + and other innumerable like acts have gradually caused every one to + at least respect him, and some to love him. His name is Rev. E. P. + Roe, Chaplain Harris Light Cavalry. I have been informed that he + had just graduated when he came into the army. I think Dr. P---- + may know him. I believe he is a Presbyterian. If you had any idea + what a chaplain had to contend with, in order to lead a consistent + life, you might then understand why I speak so of him. + + "S." + +While with this regiment Edward acted as weekly correspondent for the +New York _Evangelist_. A few of his letters to that paper are here +reprinted, in the hope that they may still be found of interest. They +are characteristic of the writer and give a clearer idea of his life at +this time than can be obtained in any other way. + + "CAMP HALL'S HILL, Oct. 15, 1862. + + "MESSRS. EDITORS:--Till within a few days past we have been + enjoying splendid weather, days as warm and sunny as those of June, + and moonlight nights so clear and beautiful that one could sit at + his tent door and read ordinary type with perfect ease and + pleasure. Of course we improved such favourable weather and held + our prayer-meetings nearly every night. I shall never forget one + religious service that we had last week. + + "As usual a large fire was kindled in front of the chaplain's tent, + and the men, having disposed of their suppers, were beginning to + assemble. Soon the musical "church-call" sounded to hasten the + lagging ones, and by the time our exercises commenced about two + hundred were present. Our meetings are of a free and general + character, open to all who are willing to take part in them. We + commence by singing two or three hymns or patriotic songs in + succession, the sound of music calling the men together. A prayer + is then offered, after which I endeavor by some anecdote or + illustration to force home the truth and necessity of a Saviour + upon the minds of those present. The Christian members of the + regiment then follow in prayer, singing, and exhortation, till we + are dispersed by the roll-call. We have interruptions in this, our + usual programme, of such a nature, and with such frequency, that we + have great reason to be thankful and encouraged. They are + occasioned by the stepping forth of soldiers in front of the fire + who have hitherto been silent in our meetings, and who either ask + the prayers of Christians that they may be led to the Saviour, or + calmly and firmly state their intention to enlist under the banner + of the Cross, and urge their comrades to do likewise. + + "Towards the close of the service I have mentioned, three young men + rose up together, and calmly and firmly one after another stated + their resolution, with God's help, to live a Christian life. O that + some of our cold, half-hearted professors could have been here + then. Would to God that the voices of those young soldiers, as they + urged with simple and earnest eloquence their comrades to come to + the Saviour likewise, might be heard throughout all the churches of + the North, and sound in every prayer-meeting, in our land. Such + earnest tones and words would soon disperse the moral and religious + apathy that seems to reign undisturbed in many localities, for they + would prove that the Spirit of God was present. It was a scene that + would have moved the coldest heart, and stirred the most sluggish + nature. The starry sky, the full moon overhead flooding all the + landscape with the softest and most beautiful radiance, the white + tents covering the hillsides, the large fire blazing fitfully up, + surrounded by two hundred or more men who might readily be taken at + first glance to be a band of Spanish brigands, all conspired to + make a picture that any artist would wish to copy. But as you + listened to the words of those young men, and the earnest prayer + and songs of praise that followed, all such fanciful thoughts of + banditti and romance would melt away, and the strange, peculiar + costume of those present would become simply the ordinary dress + that the rude taste or necessity of the men during their campaign + had led them to assume, and the dark-bearded faces, made still more + sombre and sinister by the partial light, would resolve themselves + into the bronzed honest features of our American soldiers, now + expressive of solemn thought and feeling. Never was a sound more + unwelcome and discordant than the roll-call which broke up that + assembly. + + "After the roll-call a group generally lingers around the fire, and + I often find in it those who wish to be spoken with on the subject + of religion. So it happened this night. A soldier chanced to be + passing by our encampment, and, attracted by the sound of music, + stopped at our meeting. A few days before he had received a letter + from home stating that his mother was very ill and not expected to + live many days. He knew he should never see her again, and his + heart was tender and sad. Thus prepared for the truth by the + Providence of God, his steps were directed to us, and as he sat + there and listened to those three young men as they stated their + resolution from thenceforth to serve God, he too resolved to be a + Christian, and has since found peace in believing. I told him how + our prayer-meeting had been started by two or three Christian + soldiers meeting openly for prayer, and that the same happy state + of things might be brought about in his regiment in a similar + manner. He promised that the prayer-meeting should be commenced. + + "The 18th of this month (October) was as beautiful and bright a + Sabbath morning as ever dawned on Virginia. Though the day and all + nature spoke of peace, yet men would not hearken, for it was soon + evident that our brief repose was again to be broken. The Third + Division of cavalry was encamped on the northwestern edge of the + old Bull Run battlefield. The day before we occupied the + battlefield itself. The earlier part of the day was spent by the + different regiments in preparing to march, and by noon the + concentration of the entire command began. Distant outposts, + regiments on picket, and scouting parties were drawn in, and soon + after the battle-flags of General Kilpatrick, General Davies, and + General Custer were seen fluttering through forests or over hills + in the direction of the Warrenton and Alexandria pike. Following + them were long lines of cavalry and artillery, and above all, a + bright October sun that gave to the scene anything but the grimness + of war. As evening approached we came out on Warrenton pike. + General Davies' brigade had the advance, and part of the Harris + Light Cavalry was thrown out as skirmishers. It soon struck the + enemy's pickets, and then a running fight was kept up until within + a short distance of Gainesville. Our flying artillery took + advantage of every high position to send a shell shrieking after + the enemy. It was now dark night. The head of our column had + advanced up within a short distance of the point where the railroad + crossed the pike before entering the village. For a short time + there had been an ominous silence on the part of the rebels, and it + became necessary to send forward part of the Harris Light Cavalry + to find what had become of them. The detachment moved on to cross + the railroad embankment, when suddenly, from over its top, at a + given signal, a line of fire at least three hundred yards long + flashed out into the night, and a perfect storm of bullets rained + over their heads. Fortunately the enemy fired too high to do much + execution, and only a few were wounded. Our boys returned the + volley, and then retired to a small piece of woods, and for a time + a hot skirmish was maintained. Having no knowledge of the force + that might be concealed in the place, and the position being too + strong to be carried by a night assault, further operations were + deferred till morning. The 1st Virginia were left on picket close + to the enemy and the rest of the command fell somewhat back and + went into camp. + + "To one not familiar with army life in the field, our mode of + encamping that night would have been extremely interesting and + suggestive. We were in the face of the enemy, which is no place for + careless security. Each brigade was placed by itself, supporting + the batteries which were put in position ready to be used at a + moment's notice. The horses of each regiment were drawn up in ranks + and tied to stakes driven into the ground for the purpose. Each man + slept at the head of his horse, which he kept saddled, and part of + the time bridled. Within three minutes the entire division could + have been out in line of battle. I have known our regiment to + saddle their horses, lead out from the woods, form ranks, count + four and stand ready to charge into anything that might oppose, + within just three minutes by the watch. In the rear of this warlike + array the ammunition wagons and ambulances were parked in regular + order, the team horses standing ready harnessed. Thus Kilpatrick's + little fighting division lay there that night like a panther + crouched ready to spring. During the night wagons came up with + rations, which were soon distributed. The groupings around the + fires, after this, were picturesque in the extreme. Some of the + men, shrouded in their great military overcoats, stood quietly + warming themselves, throwing out immense shadows that stretched + away till lost in the surrounding darkness. The dusky forms of + others might be seen passing to and fro in the preparation of their + rude meal of fried pork and hardtack, while the flickering blaze + revealed the burly forms of a still greater number reposing upon + the ground in all varieties of attitude. At last the entire + division, except the vigilant pickets and sentinels, was wrapped in + slumber. At four o'clock the bugle sounded reveille, and the camp + was soon all astir. Soon after we saw a flash in the direction of + the enemy, and listened breathlessly a moment for the report of + rebel cannon, but the long interval and distant heavy rumble that + followed satisfied us that a storm other than that of war was about + to break over us; and soon it came, with high cold winds and + drenching rain. As we cowered around our smoking, dying fires in + the dim twilight of that wild October morning--ah! then we thought + of being tucked away in snug feather-beds under the old roof-tree + at home; but there was no repining, though we all knew that on the + coming night many would sleep colder than ever before--so cold that + nothing but the breath of God could give warmth again. + + "But we were not long left to reflection of any kind, for regiment + after regiment now began to take position upon the line of march. + General Custer's brigade had the advance. Soon scattering shots and + an occasional boom of a cannon told us that we had again found the + enemy. But no stand was made until we reached Broad Run, and there + the firing became rapid and sharp. Our brigade now came up and was + placed in position, and the battle became general. Every now and + then a shell would whiz over our heads and explode, inspiring + anything but agreeable emotions. Several charges were made on both + sides. I wonder if it is possible to give any idea of a rebel + charge. Their cries and yells are so peculiar, so wild, shrill, + feverish, so ghastly (I had almost said ghostly), for the sounds + seem so unreal, more like horrid shrieks heard in a dream than the + utterances of living men. The shouting of our men is deeper and + hoarser, and partakes more of the chest tone in its character, but + the rebels charge with a yell that is something between the shriek + of a woman and the scream of a panther. At times you can close your + eyes and imagine that some fierce conflict of another age is + passing before you in a dream, so strange and unnatural does it + seem to see men engaged in mortal combat. We finally dislodged the + enemy from their very strong position and advanced across Broad + Run. General Custer took a strong position on a hill above the + stream, while General Davies was ordered with his brigade to + advance as far as possible toward Warrenton, for General Kilpatrick + had received written orders to move out as far as he could upon + this road in order to discover the force and intentions of the + enemy. The surgeons and ambulances halted in a field between the + two brigades. I stayed with them, and was trying to get a feed for + my horse, which was evidently beginning to feel the effects of long + marches and short rations, when suddenly I heard firing nearly + opposite us, on our left flank. At first I thought it was a mere + skirmish with some rebels left in the woods and discovered by our + men; but the firing became more rapid every moment, and soon + General Custer's battery began to shell the woods most vigorously. + I saw that the woods were full of men, but could not distinguish + ours from the rebels. Two or three aids galloped by in the + direction General Davies had taken. + + "One remarked in passing, with an ominous look and shake of his + head, 'You had better be getting out of here,' which was not a very + comforting suggestion to those who had no orders to 'get out of + here' or where to get to. It was very evident that something was + wrong, and that matters were getting serious. Wagon and ambulance + drivers, surgeons and their attendants, contrabands with their led + horses--in short, all of us--were like a covey of startled quails, + their heads up, aware of danger, but not knowing which way to fly. + We could not very well show fight, for a charge by a wagon train + would be almost as great a novelty as General Kilpatrick's + attacking gun-boats with cavalry, which he actually did last summer + on the Rappahannock, and destroyed them, too. But we, not at all + envious, were glad to receive orders to retrace our steps; for + nothing is so uncomfortable for a soldier as to hear firing in his + rear. We were proceeding leisurely and in good order, when an + orderly rode rapidly up to our front and turned us off on a by-road + through the woods, with an injunction to move rapidly and come out + on the main pike near Gainesville. Away we went in the direction of + Thoroughfare Gap, the wagons banging and bouncing over stones and + stumps, through streams and mud-holes, as we followed the + sinuosities of a narrow wood-road which finally led into the open + fields. Here I felt like crying and laughing both--crying with rage + at what I then considered our disgraceful retreat; but when I + afterwards learned what odds we were contending against, I was + satisfied that the best generalship was displayed in rapid retreat. + And gravity itself would have laughed at the figure we cut. + Contrabands and camp followers were careering by in all states of + panic. Many had lost their hats in coming through the woods, and it + seemed in some cases now that their wool fairly stood upon end, + while they, rolling their eyes over their shoulders in the + direction of the enemy, exhibited only their whites to the observer + in front. Here might be seen an unfortunate darkie hauling on a + stubborn mule that with its wonted perversity wanted to turn around + and run the other way; there a man trying to raise a horse that had + fallen with him; while 'Git up, dar; git up, I tell yer,' resounded + from every side. Some poor mules and some led horses fairly got + frantic, for what with the beating they received, and with tin + kettles rattling and captured chickens cackling between their legs, + it was enough to distract any brute; so they kicked and floundered + till they burst their girths, and galloped away rejoicing in their + freedom. But the comic was soon lost in the tragic. The pursuing + enemy was now closing upon us from all sides. The rear guard, which + was the Harris Light Cavalry, made many a gallant stand, but what + could a few men do against twenty times their number? With many it + became a sad race for life and liberty. But before dusk we had the + satisfaction of effectually checking the enemy. For the first time + in my life I found myself rallying a body of men in a fight. + Officers and men coming in rapidly, we soon had a respectable line + formed and the enemy's advance was now decidedly checked. Captain + Elder, who had brought off all his guns in safety, planted them on + an eminence, and soon they were thundering defiance to the baffled + enemy. Shell after shell screamed over our heads and exploded. Soon + after a part of the First Corps came up, formed a line of battle, + and relieved our thinned and wearied ranks. We retired to the + friendly shelter of a neighbouring forest, and that deep sleep + which follows great excitement and exertion quietly stretched us + out as motionless and unconscious seemingly as the lifeless forms + of our brave comrades that lay cold and stark along the line of our + bloody retreat." + + + "Many changes and much marching and counter-marching have taken + place since the soldiers of the Harris Light Cavalry gathered + nightly under the old apple tree, or in front of the chaplain's + tent, during the warm moonlight evenings of September and October. + The rich autumn foliage that then made even poor old desolated + Virginia look beautiful has dropped away, and stern winter, + rendered all the more grim and forbidding by the ravages of war, + now reigns supreme. Many of our number, also, like the leaves, have + dropped away. Some, having obtained and squandered their bounty, + have treacherously deserted and sneaked away like thievish hounds. + The bullet, accident, and sickness have each conspired to lessen + our number, and many a noble-hearted fellow who was always first + and foremost in all a soldier's duty is now languishing in some + hospital, or sleeping beneath the sod that last sleep from which no + bugle call shall waken him. + + "It seems as if God was teaching us to look to himself, and not to + men, for among those that sickness has for the present removed from + our number were three who were the very stay and central pillars of + our regimental church. Especially do I feel the loss of Brother + Farber, who was as noble a specimen of a Christian soldier as it + has ever been my fortune to meet. Uniting culture of heart and mind + with a happy disposition, a shrewd and quick perception of + character, and a manner that made him popular with all, he was just + such an ally as the chaplain needed in the ranks. Though he made + his religion respected by all, he also made it attractive, and his + society was not shunned, even by the wildest spirits of the + regiment. His cheerful smile and words were better than medicine in + the hospital, and I almost always found him there when off duty. + Nearly two months ago he left us for a hospital in Washington, sick + with the typhoid fever, contracted doubtless by over-fatigue in his + care of the sick and bodies of the deceased, and by breathing air + tainted with disease. I have since received a letter from him + stating that he was very sick, and that the surgeon said it would + be months before he could join the regiment again, if ever. For + aught I know his warfare may now be over and he at rest, for I have + received no answer to my reply to his letter. Brothers Vernon and + Stillwell are also away sick. Only pastors, and they not fully, can + realize the loss that such men are to a chaplain. He has so few + capable, warm-hearted co-adjutors in a regiment as a general thing. + There is such a torrent of evil influences rushing in on every + side, that he sorely feels the need of men possessing firm and + established Christian characters, who would quietly and + consistently stand up for, and live religion on all occasions. Here + he has none of the conventionalities and restraints of society to + aid him, and even the heavenly influence of Christian parents, of + pure sisters, and loving wives is weakened by distance, absence, + and sin. But in grappling with the many and powerful demoralizing + influences and vices of camp life, one soon learns that but little + can be accomplished except by the direct aid and interposition of + the Holy Spirit, for nothing short of the grace of God can enable + the soldier to resist the evil that assails him on every side. + + "While I was on a brief business visit to the North, the regiment + had joined the advance, and on my return I found it out in the + neighborhood of Warrenton. After waiting a few days in what + remained of our old camp, I found an opportunity of going out to + the front with Captain Cook, of our regiment, and a small squad of + men. The ride out to Rappahannock Station, where our regiment was + last heard from, was full of novelty and interest to one who had + never been on a long march before. Captain Cook is a gentleman as + well as a good soldier, and his familiarity with the historic + region through which we passed made him an exceedingly agreeable + companion. The evening of the second day of our journey, which was + Sunday, found us considerably beyond Manassas. A dismantled house + stood on the brow of a hill in a grove some distance from the road. + We rode up to it and concluded to spend the night there. Though it + was half ruinous, without windows and doors, and the floor covered + with rubbish of every description, but a few moments sufficed to + make it sufficiently comfortable for a soldier's purpose. A fire + blazing on the hearth, the rubbish cleared away, a blanket hung + over the windows and doors, made our night quarters complete. Then + gathering around the fire, each broiled his slip of bacon on the + end of a stick, and enjoyed this rude repast far better than many a + well appointed banquet in the North, for 'hunger was our sauce.' + After supper we had, as it were, family prayers. The old + dilapidated mansion, the costume, arms, and varied expressions of + the soldiers as they lounged around listening to the Word of God, + all brought into view by the flickering blaze that roared within + the chimney, made a scene that any artist might wish to copy. + + "After marching all the next day we joined our wagon train at dusk, + near Rappahannock Station, and found that we were just in time, for + the whole army was on the move to Fredericksburg. Joining the + train, I marched half the night with them in the darkness and rain. + As there was no shelter near, the next day was spent in the rain + under a tree; and an attack on the wagon train being expected on + the following night, my slumbers were neither very sound nor long + continued. But such is the wonderful vitality that life in the open + air gives, that one soon recovers from loss of sleep and fatigue. + Our regiment moved down to Brook's Station, where it remained doing + picket duty till it joined the advance on Fredericksburg. + + "Our brigade, with our beloved and lamented General Bayard in + command, was drawn up on a hillside preparatory to marching, and I + assure you that the long lines and dense masses of cavalry made a + splendid and imposing appearance. It was nearly night before we + filed off towards Falmouth. The night was dark and misty and the + roads broken and wild. Sometimes we would plunge down into a deep + gully, at others scramble up the slippery and frozen sides of a + steep hill. Every now and then horse and rider would be down, to + the great merriment of all witnesses. But the joke became too + serious when a horse fell and broke one poor fellow's leg. + + "Seen through the mist and darkness, the long extended column, + winding among the broken hills, now coming out in bold relief on + the brow of one of them, and then descending again into the valley + or the gloom of some forest, had a shadowy and phantom-like + appearance, and seemed more like a procession in a dream than a + goodly number of well armed troopers on a march. Especially was + this spectral effect heightened when a distant part of the column + would pass within the lurid glare of some brilliant camp-fire. + After floundering through streams and quagmires, and filing through + gorges that reminded one of the old Indian ambuscades, we turned + off into a forest to encamp for the night. Selecting a tree from + under which the snow had partially melted away, a few of us built a + fire, then spread our blankets and slept on the ground in the + clear, frosty starlight as well as on the softest couch our limbs + had ever pressed. Long before daylight, the bugle sounded 'boots + and saddles,' and the woods soon resounded with the customary + martial clamor of an encampment. + + "Suddenly every sound was hushed, for the distant boom of the two + guns that opened the battle of Fredericksburg broke upon our ears. + The silence was succeeded by wild shouts of enthusiasm, and soon we + were on our way to the scene of action. The sharp rattle of + musketry now began to mingle with the report of cannon. As we + approached the river the roar of the artillery was truly grand and + awful. I can only compare it to a very violent thunder-storm, + wherein you hear, at one and the same time, the rumble and mutter + of some peal dying away in the distance, the heavy, jarring roll + more near, and the loud stunning explosion from the flash overhead. + Our cavalry was crowded on a plain in the rear of our batteries. We + did not know that the rebels were not replying to our guns, and + expected every minute they would get our range. As we remained + undisturbed, I concluded that our distance from the river was much + greater than I had first supposed; but when the order came to + march, and we filed off, by twos, down towards the river, past our + batteries, I expected every moment to see the head of our column + broken and shattered by shot and shell. I have heard much about + "lazy soldiers and large pay," but I thought at that time that the + soldier who marches steadily and determinedly forward on such + occasions earns in five minutes all the pay he ever gets. But the + heavy cannonading was only from our own guns, for the rebels were + reserving their fire. We soon found that our orders were not to + cross, but to go down the river and do picket duty on the extreme + left flank. As we marched along, a shell from one of our batteries + on a hill above me passed directly over my head. As it hissed by, + it gave me an idea of the infinitely short space of time in which + many of our poor boys are dashed into eternity. + + "The early dawn of Saturday morning saw us returning to the + battlefield. About nine o'clock we mounted the hill, and formed + upon the plain on the opposite side of the river. As we were taking + our position, I heard a whizzing sound, and saw the earth torn up + by a solid shot quite near me. They soon screamed over our heads + and fell all around us; but, as a general thing, the enemy fired + too high. A few hundred yards to our front, the shells were + bursting constantly. We remained on the plain all that day and + night, the fire in front of us sometimes slackening, and sometimes + ceasing altogether. We often cast anxious glances at some rebel + batteries quite near us on the right, and often wondered why they + did not open upon us, for if they did, they could have swept us + from the plain in a few moments. Either our batteries occupied + them, or they reserved their fire for some purpose. A little after + noon, we heard that General Bayard, our division commander, was + mortally wounded. Soon after word came that cavalry was needed. Two + regiments of the enemy were running, it was said, and the Harris + Light Cavalry was wanted to follow them up. Off dashed our men in + close column, at full gallop, to the place designated, the surgeon + and myself going to the hospital to prepare for our wounded. As we + started, the road over which the regiment had just passed, and + directly in front of us, was torn up by a solid shot. Whose earnest + prayers were heard that day, and the Harris Light Cavalry saved + from almost a massacre? The order for cavalry had to pass through + three different hands before it reached us, and by the time our men + arrived at the spot it was discovered that the enemy's retreat was + only a feint, and that batteries were so arranged as to place the + party who should follow them between two fires. Our regiment + approached near enough to the trap, and were exposed to a + sufficiently hot fire, for a few minutes, to be satisfied that if + they had charged, as was intended, but few would have returned. + + "At the hospital we found poor Bayard. Of all the ghastly wounds I + saw that day his was the most awful. It needed but a glance to see, + as he calmly stated to those who visited him, "that his days on + earth were numbered." If his wound had been a mere scratch, he + could not have been more cool, quiet, and collected. He talked + calmly of his death as of a settled thing, and only inquired + particularly how much time he had left on earth. He was told, + 'perhaps forty-eight hours.' He did not live twenty-four. My heart + sank within me as he gave me his hand in farewell, and I almost + murmured, 'Why are the best taken?' The large house to which the + wounded were brought was now filled with mutilated and dying men. + Cries and groans resounded from every apartment. Ghastly and bloody + wounds met the eye in every direction. Some had their eyes shot + out; the tongues of some were swollen out of their mouths; some had + their bodies shot through; others were torn and mangled by shell + and solid shot, and all were crowded wherever there was any space. + The surgeons were hacking off limbs and arms by the dozen. The odor + of blood was oppressive. One man called me to him, thinking I was a + surgeon, and said that one of his wounds had been dressed, but he + found that he had another, which was bleeding rapidly. Another poor + fellow held up his arm to me, with a great bulging hole in it, and + asked with an expression of pain and anxiety that I could scarcely + endure, whether I thought he would have to lose it? Such is the + horrid reality of war behind the painted scenes of honor, glory, + and romance. However cold an ear the poor fellows may have turned + to the story of the Cross when in health, as a general thing they + were ready enough now to listen to the offers of mercy. One wounded + boy had his leg taken off just as he was entering the hospital, + which building was under fire all day, and was repeatedly struck. + The scene from the windows of the hospital was truly splendid as + night came on. Innumerable camp-fires gleamed from the hillsides, + and occasionally the darkness was lighted up by the flash of + cannon. But weariness, and the knowledge that our own regiment + might be engaged the next day, caused me to seek a place of rest. + The medical department of our brigade had been rendered small by + the absence of some of its members, and it might be that our duties + on the morrow would be very arduous. The ground outside the + hospital was so tramped up, muddy, and filled with horses, that it + was impossible to sleep there. But there was a stone alley-way + under the hospital, filled with tobacco in the leaf, part of it + lying on the ground, and part drying overhead. One end of this + place was already filled with wounded men, but the surgeon in + charge said that the other would not be occupied before morning, + and that I had better stay there. As a light came I saw something + white lying near the wall. I first thought it was a dog, and going + up, I stirred the object with my foot. On looking closer, I found + that it was a ghastly pile of arms and legs from the + amputating-room. But I had seen so much of blood and horror during + the day that I had grown callous. I quietly spread my blanket + within ten feet of the bloody heap, and listened sadly to the + shrieks and groans from the hospital above till I fell asleep. The + re-opening of the battle on Sunday morning awoke me, and as I was + rolling up my blankets, a shell bursting near warned me to hasten. + I joined the regiment, and with it recrossed the river. We have + since been doing picket duty on the Rappahannock. + +[Illustration: E. P. ROE AS CHAPLAIN, AGE 26.] + + "Many a careless, light-hearted soldier wore an anxious, troubled + look that day, as we stood facing the rebel batteries, and many a + loud-mouthed, coarse, swearing fellow was quiet and pale. But I saw + no flinching or skulking. You at the North, who cosily read about + battles in an arm-chair, know little of a man's sensations who + stands in front of the enemy's guns. He hears shot and shell scream + and explode over and around him. Before him arises the sulphurous + smoke of the conflict. From out of that obscurity he knows that at + any moment some swift messenger of death may be speeding on its way + to his heart. He thinks of unfinished plans, of bright prospects + and hopes for the future. His home, its beloved inmates, and the + forms and features of those friends that hold the chief places + within his soul rise up before him, and he knows that at any moment + he may be snatched from all these, and lie a mangled, bleeding + corpse upon the ground. And then come graver and still more solemn + thoughts of the shadowy world beyond, and 'conscience, which makes + cowards of us all,' awakes. In the mad excitement and tumult of a + charge, everything is forgotten. When patiently standing under + fire, everything is remembered, and this, of all that the soldier + has to do and endure, is the most difficult and dreaded." + +An occasional amusing incident would occur, however, to relieve the +gloom of these tragic times. I remember hearing my brother tell of one +that took place while crossing a narrow pontoon bridge. A mule, ridden +by a contraband, and having a number of kettles strung on one side of +the saddle and on the other some chickens that had been captured from +henroosts along the march, suddenly became stubborn when about half-way +across the bridge, and resisted all efforts on the part of his rider to +make him move on. He was blocking the way for the whole troop. An +officer, seeing the situation, shouted the order: "Charge mule!" +Instantly half a dozen men rode up and with the points of their sabres +convinced the animal of the necessity for a speedy advance. He started +off at a dead run, scattering the rattling kettles and squawking hens +by the wayside, the poor contraband holding on with arms clasped around +the mule's neck, while the troopers followed in wild pursuit, amid +shouts and laughter. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A WINTER CAMP + + +The following letters were written from the winter quarters of the +regiment on the Rappahannock, and explain themselves. + + "In this letter I merely propose to give some glimpses of camp + life. When the army lay quiet for two or three weeks after the + battle of Fredericksburg, we began to think of winter quarters; so + one fine morning our whole division started out in search of a + desirable locality. In some respects it was a rather novel + expedition. We were seeking a place that would probably be our home + for months; and I assure you, as we marched along, that unknown + spot of ground became to us an object of no small anxiety and + interest. Those officers who had designs on Washington, rather than + Richmond, hoped it would be near the steamboat landing on the + Potomac. Many wishes were expressed that wood would be plenty and + convenient; for winter quarters without wood is an impossibility. + Speculations were indulged in regard to the locality and soil, + whether it would be a dry, sheltered little valley, or a bleak + cornfield capable of all degrees of mud. The place of encampment + selected for our regiment was apparently the latter. I must say + that many of us were not very enthusiastic about the position, and + we could not feel indifferent, for our comfort and perhaps health + depended on the suitableness of the place. + + "Imagine yourself, my reader, riding into a large, bleak, hilly + cornfield, the stalks still standing, with your whole personal + property in this region of the world strapped behind you on the + saddle, your horse sinking at every step fetlock deep in the soft, + spongy soil, and being coolly told to make yourself comfortable + here for the winter. Probably you would feel as we suppose the + Israelites did when required to make bricks without straw. But + necessity and experience have taught the soldier many lessons, and + he knows well how to make the best of everything. In a few minutes + the long picket lines are uncoiled and stretched from post to post + inserted for the purpose. To these the horses are tied and then + unsaddled. The little shelter tents range themselves, as if by + magic, in long rows between them, and within a half-hour or so the + place begins to assume the appearance of a well laid out + encampment. + + "But this is merely temporary, and the building of regular winter + quarters is next in order. The size and character of the huts being + left to the fancy and ingenuity of each individual, there is, with + much apparent sameness, a great deal of diversity and originality + to be observed. The most simple is merely a 'dug-out,' as it is + termed. A hole is dug six or seven feet square, and from two to + four feet deep, and over this is placed the tent. The floor and + sides are lined with boards if they are to be had, otherwise round + poles and rails answer the purpose. Opening into this 'dug-out' is + a small trench two or three feet long, wide at its mouth, and + narrowing towards the end farthest from the tent. Across this + trench are laid any old pieces of iron that can be found, and upon + them is placed earth so as to exclude the air entirely except at a + small aperture at the farther end, around which is built a sod + chimney; and your winter quarters are complete. Thus you may have + in your tent all the warmth and cheerfulness of an open fire. + + "Myself and servant alone built one of these in an afternoon, and I + spent in it some of the coldest weather we have had this winter + very comfortably. The 'dug-out' principle enters into the + construction of nearly all our little cabins; and, like the foxes, + we have holes, and literally live in the 'caves and dens of the + earth.' The officers generally build their quarters in the side of + a bank, and have them logged up nicely, and they are very + comfortable except in a long storm. Sometimes our frail canvas + covering sways terribly in the wintry blasts, and I have often laid + down to sleep more than half expecting to find my house gone when I + awoke. Still our little holes in the ground are a hundredfold + better than no shelter at all, and far preferable to those in which + the soldier 'sleeps the sleep that knows no waking.' Some of the + men who have the faculty of making anything and everything with an + axe put up quite large substantial log shanties, with two or three + tiers of berths, as in a steamboat. Some have quite a neat, + homelike appearance, and are furnished with fanciful little tables + and shelves according to the tastes and wants of the occupants. + Others are dismal and dirty in the extreme, and are mere dens. + Nothing shows the character of the men more thoroughly than the + little huts they inhabit. A few are too indolent to build + themselves anything, and are still living in their shelter tents. + But over the heads of us all is merely a canvas roof, which will + often leak, and it is a very common thing to see puddles of water, + or a muddy floor, in our winter quarters. + + "Still those who are well live in the main a very comfortable life. + The abundance of pure air and exercise makes us strong and + vigorous. It does not always storm. We have many days that are warm + and sunny, and then give me camp life in preference to any other. + The soldiers sit and lounge around their cabin doors in motley + groups, reading (if they have anything to read), smoking, and + gossiping, for a camp is a little miniature city, with its daily + budget of news and sensations, its streets, squares, and centers, + and also many of its nuisances. For the roar of New York we have a + drowsy, diminutive hum, frequently broken rudely by a loud laugh or + command, the clangor of weapons, and sometimes, I am sorry to say, + by loud oaths. Instead of musical chimes from Trinity and her + sister steeples, the silvery notes of the bugles proclaim the hours + and duties of the day. Our lights glimmer and flicker out upon the + night like long rows of glowworms rather than Broadway lamps; and + instead of the heavy tramp of police armed with star and club, the + night-long rattle of sabres shows that the guards and sentinels are + on their posts of duty. Sometimes there will be a heavy fall of + snow during the night, and then the tents and cabins look like huge + snow-banks, and the poor horses shiver all the more under the cold + white blankets so summarily furnished, the only ones they ever get. + These suffer more than the men, for in the main they can have no + shelter, and often have to do hard work on short rations. Their + gaunt appearance and the number of their dead tells its own story. + Our colonel remarked one day that he hoped the mud would get so + soft and deep that the horses would sink in sufficiently to enable + them to stand upright. + + "The greatest hardship of a soldier's life in winter is picket + duty. For instance, our whole brigade, recently assigned to Colonel + Kilpatrick, left their comfortable quarters a few mornings ago, and + went out on picket duty for ten days. A cold, wet snow filled the + air and clung to and dampened everything. It settled on one's hair + and neck, melted, and ran down his back, producing a general + feeling of discomfort. As the men formed preparatory to marching, + their uniforms of blue rapidly changed to white, and as they filed + off in the dim morning light they presented a shadowy, ghost-like + appearance. When you realize what it is to march eighteen or twenty + miles in such a storm over horrible roads, and then form a cordon + of pickets twenty miles long in a wild, desolate country, you have + some idea of the not unusual experience of a soldier. + + "When he reaches his destination, it is not a disagreeable journey + over, and comfortable quarters in which to dry and refresh himself. + All his conditions of comfort are carried on his person, or + strapped to his saddle, and he is thankful even for the shelter of + a pine wood. Immediately on arrival, without time for rest, a large + detachment must form the picket line, and stand ever on the alert + from two to four hours at a time, be it day or night. It should not + be forgotten, during these long winter evenings when the stormy + wind sweeps and howls around your comfortable dwellings, that among + the wild woods and hills of Virginia, or on the plains of the far + West, the patient sentinel walks his desolate beat, or sits like an + equestrian statue on his horse, thus forming with his own chilled + and weary frame a living breastwork and defence for your homes. + Pray for him, that during these long, lonely hours of hardship and + danger our merciful God may excite within his mind thoughts of that + better life and happier world where the weary are at rest--where + even the names of enemy and war are forgotten." + + + "The regiment referred to is the Ninth New York Cavalry. Their + chaplain is not with them at present. My offer to preach for them + on the Sabbath was readily accepted, and though at the time of + service it was cold and even raining slightly, a large congregation + turned out and remained patiently throughout the service. One of + their officers remarked afterwards that he had not had the pleasure + of attending anything of the kind before for five months. + + "If Christians North, who have piles of reading matter lying idly + about their houses, could see how eagerly those men pressed forward + to get the few tracts I offered, they would suffer it to remain + thus useless no longer. Our soldiers seem to be hungry and almost + starving for the want of mental and moral nourishment. + + "I often feel it my duty to be somewhat officious, and to offer my + service outside of my regiment sometimes, for even such as I can + give is better than nothing, which would be their lot if some did + not go forward. I think Christians should be aggressive in their + character, and seek opportunities to extend the dominion of their + King. There are too many professors who are like a certain + chaplain, concerning whom I heard an officer remark "that he was a + good, inoffensive man, and never disturbed the devil nor any one + else in the camp." A prayer-meeting was appointed on Monday + evening, but on the morning of that day the regiment received + marching orders and departed for parts unknown. + + "One of the most remarkable conversions in our regiment is that of + a quartermaster's sergeant. The man, although around the camp + attending to his duties, is in a critical state of health, bleeding + almost daily at the lungs. When but a mere boy he ran away from + home because punished severely by his father for some fault, and + was not heard from for over two years, during which time he + suffered many hardships in the West. Not long after his discovery + his father died and left a mother and a sister dependent upon him + for support. This responsibility he nobly undertook, and worked + hard, early and late, and denied himself everything to give them + the comforts of life. Still, he was noted for his fiery and + ungovernable spirit, which often got him into trouble. At an early + age he went to sea and visited nearly all parts of the world. He + engaged extensively in smuggling, which occupation he followed both + in English and Spanish waters. He returned home from this roving, + reckless life but a short time before the war broke out, and was + among the first to enlist. During the past summer he has often been + in circumstances of the greatest peril, but escaped unharmed. Once, + in the confusion of battle, he found himself directly in front of a + battery loaded with grape and canister. For some reason or other + his horse would not move but stood stock still, and thus he had to + wait for the terrible discharge which soon came. He said it seemed + as if a perfect torrent of iron hail rushed by and all around him, + and that his only thought was that his time had come now, and that + the devil had got him then surely. By a miracle, as it seemed to + him, he escaped unharmed, and was enabled to get out of range. Many + and many a time he had heard the bullets hiss by his ears, and the + shrill screams of shell overhead, but they raised in his mind no + thoughts of God or repentance. + + "As I described in a former letter, a prayer-meeting was started in + the camp, and held in the quarters of the new recruits. He heard + the singing, and passing by the next day remarked to a new recruit + that 'they seemed happy down there last night--guessed they must + have had some whiskey.' The person addressed happened to be one of + the three Christian men who first started the prayer-meeting, and + he explained to the sergeant the somewhat different source and + occasion of their happiness. The sergeant promised to attend that + evening, which he did, and the 'still small voice' of the Spirit + spoke to him louder than the thunders of the battlefield. + + "An evening or two after that I noticed him among those who had + come to the chaplain's tent to be conversed with on the subject of + religion. I was struck by the contented, happy expression of his + face. He told me that he had gone from that prayer-meeting to his + tent, and commenced reading a Testament. His tent-mate came along, + and he immediately put out his light and hid his book. When he was + alone again he knelt and prayed for the first time in his life, and + afterwards, he said, 'he felt so happy he could not sleep.' + + "The next day, while about his work, something vexed him, and he + swore, before he thought, as usual. He said 'it grieved him so that + he sat down and cried.' Though, as it were, alone in the world and + bereft by death of almost every friend he loved, and now seemingly + suffering from an incurable disease, he is a happy Christian man. + + "In our meetings he has to be constantly on his guard against + over-excitement, since it would cause him to bleed at his lungs, + but the expression of his face, as he sits quietly in one corner or + beside the fire, shows how intense and keen is his enjoyment of + that which he is forbidden to take part in actively. At first his + change of life caused a good deal of remark and some merriment in + his company. He would be asked 'when he was going up to heaven.' + When he commenced his evening devotions there was at first a good + deal of jesting. 'The quartermaster is going to pray' would be + called out, and remarks of a similar nature. They soon saw that he + was sincere and respected him, and 'now,' he says, 'he can hear a + pin drop while he is at prayer.' + + "This is one of many of the interesting cases of conversion in our + regiment. The chief feature of this work, however, seems to be the + renewal of backsliders in their allegiance to God. But time will + not permit me to write more at present." + + + "How often when a boy I have shuddered at Indian atrocities. With + what morbid pleasure I have searched through the early records of + colonial history for details of horror, fatal surprise, and + midnight massacre. How I have watched in imagination, with + suspended breath, the wary, noiseless approach of the painted + savages, till with one wide-ringing war-whoop they rushed upon + their unconscious victims, destined now to either death or + captivity. The dangers and terrors of open battle seemed nothing to + this constant dread of an unseen treacherous foe. I little thought + that it would one day be my fortune to live under very similar + circumstances, for life in Virginia now is not so very different + from that of our forefathers a century or more ago. Pioneers in + this wilderness of despotism and treason, we are exposed to dangers + and hardships not much inferior to theirs. Ever near us we know + there is a great army watching with sleepless vigilance, and, like + a wild beast crouching for its leap, it is ready to take advantage + of the slightest mistake or show of weakness on our part. It is + very strange, truly, when one comes to realize it, this living for + years within a few miles of thousands who would take your life in a + moment if they got a chance. + + "The forests and country around us swarm with guerillas. In place + of some savage Indian chief, the terror of the whole border, the + frontiers of our army are infested by the ubiquitous Mosby. The + capture of a sutler's train near Fairfax and a raid upon an outpost + on the Rappahannock occurring at the same time are both ascribed to + Mosby in person by the soldiers. If a picket hears a distant gallop + in the night upon one flank of the army, and a sudden shot startles + the air upon the other flank, Mosby is invariably the author of + both alarms. No wonder the poor contrabands say 'Mosby mus' be like + de debbel and go all ober to oncst.' He was once captured by our + regiment while bearing dispatches and afterwards exchanged. After + he was taken he tried to escape by running his horse, but one of + our men sent a bullet whistling so near his head that it produced a + sober second thought, and he, from that time, followed quietly. But + he was not so famous then, and had not so many trained associates + like-minded with himself. Now they follow a marching column like + hungry sharks about a ship, and woe be to the man that lags behind + or strays from the main body. + + "This evil has one great advantage, however, and that is the almost + entire suppression of straggling. Mosby and his companions have + done more to abolish this disgraceful custom in our army than all + the orders and edicts from the War Department and Major Generals + down. A year or more ago, I saw bodies of men marching in a way + that reminded one of a comet, the head of the regiment being the + nucleus, the density decreasing rapidly as you went toward the + rear, and finally a straggling raft of men scattered over two or + three miles of territory constituting the tail. Now you will find a + column moving trimly and compactly, and the rear files often + looking suspiciously over their shoulders among the dark pines + through which they are passing, for sometimes, especially at + nights, shots are fired into the rear. + + "There are very few in the cavalry that have not had narrow + escapes, for our position on the front and flanks of the army + always brings us next to Mosby. Just before we crossed the + Rappahannock the last time, our division commissary, Lieutenant + Hedges, was returning to his quarters from a short ride to another + part of the army, when he was hailed and ordered to surrender. + 'Never,' he replied, at the same time striking spurs to his horse + and leaning down upon him. He succeeded in escaping, but not before + the guerilla, or as it is affirmed, Mosby in person, put a ball + through his body. For some days he was not expected to live, but is + now recovering slowly. I have had two or three narrow escapes + myself where it almost seemed that Providence interfered to save my + life. Once, when our regiment was doing picket duty at a distant + outpost, I rode down to General Kilpatrick's headquarters on some + business. As I was starting to return in the dusk of the evening, + the general came out and asked me to stay with him that night. I + replied that with his permission I would come again in the morning, + and that I would rather be with my regiment at night; but as he + insisted upon it, I stayed. The next morning, a little after + daylight, one of our men was shot dead and robbed upon the road + that I would have taken. A woman living near said that two + bushwhackers had spent the night upon the road with the avowed + intention of murdering and robbing the first man that went by. As + no one passed that way during the early part of the night, they + went into a house and slept till morning, and again were on the + road in time to meet poor Francher of Company B, who had been after + his pay. They took this, for his pocket was found turned inside + out. It was my sad duty to bury him the next day, and as we lowered + him into his lonely grave, I could not help asking myself, Why am I + not in his place? + + "Once again, last November, while on the march, Lieutenant Whitaker + and myself were about to pass over a road between our wagon train + and General Kilpatrick's headquarters, when a little incident + detained us about fifteen minutes. As we were going by the house of + quite a noted secessionist, some of our boys began to make free in + his cabbage garden and poultry yard, and a scuffle ensued between + the old citizen, his wife and daughter, and the soldiers. An + infantry colonel who was at the house came violently out, and + instead of quietly showing his rank and firmly ordering the men + away, commenced cutting them with his sword, and made some quite + serious wounds. It was with great difficulty that we prevented our + men from killing him on the spot. But as the colonel outranked us, + we could do nothing with him, and so passed on, but before we got + fairly started upon the road again we met a man running, + breathless, with his hat off, who said that he had just escaped + from the guerillas. Lieutenant Newton of the First Vermont Cavalry + was passing over the road with several men, when fifteen rebels + sprang out upon him, killed one, took two prisoners, and the rest + saved themselves only by rapid flight. If we had not been detained, + we would have arrived at the same spot a few minutes earlier and + received their concentrated fire. + + "At times they have captured our mail, and afterwards they have + taunted us by shouting out the contents of our letters to our + pickets across the Rappahannock. One very dark night they slipped + into the quarters of one of our officers while he was on picket, + shot his colored servant, and carried him off to Richmond. Thus + vigilance is a cardinal virtue in this, as well as in the Christian + warfare. But we never suffered as much on the south as on the north + side of the Rappahannock. The country between the two rivers is now + thoroughly occupied by our troops, and our picket lines so close + and well posted as to render it almost impossible for the rebels to + indulge themselves this winter in many murdering and horse-stealing + expeditions." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MARRIAGE--THE RAID TOWARD RICHMOND + + +In November, 1863, Edward received a month's leave of absence from his +regiment, and during this time was married to Miss Anna Sands. The +ceremony was performed by the venerable Dr. Adams in Madison Square +church, and was followed by a large reception at the bride's home in +Seventeenth Street, New York. Leaving his bride there when the furlough +was over, my brother returned to his regiment. + +In this letter, written just after reaching camp, he dwells upon some +of the contrasts of army life. + + "After a long absence I experienced a decided thrill of pleasure on + finding myself once more among the white tents and familiar scenes + of the camp, for there is something very fascinating about army + life, notwithstanding its hardship and exposure. Very pleasant, + too, was the hearty welcome I received, and numberless great brown + hands, reeking with moisture and pork grease from the meal they + were superintending, gave me a grip that made my joints snap again. + Still I much preferred it to your fashionable Northern two-fingered + touch. It had a language whose meaning I liked. It showed I had the + first requisite for doing good amongst them--their confidence and + affection. I found only a part, though a large part, of my regiment + at this place, which is a dismounted cavalry camp, containing the + fragments of twenty or thirty regiments. Men whose horses have + given out or been killed at the front come here and remain till + they are again mounted and equipped, when they rejoin their + commands. Our stay here will probably be brief, for we are ordered + to the front as soon as possible. + + "One Saturday morning the monotony of camp life was decidedly + broken. The day had been warm, and for a time the hum of camp + activity had subsided almost into silence. The orderlies went to + and fro as usual, but their horses had a listless, indolent canter, + characteristic of all exertion at such a time. But as the day + declined there were marks of unusual bustle at headquarters. A ball + was to be given that evening by the commanding officer. All + officers present of our regiment were invited. As far as I could + learn, music, dancing, and drinking were to be the staple + amusements of the evening. Not caring to participate in the two + latter, and as I could enjoy the first in my tent, I expected to + remain very quietly at my quarters. At dusk the revelry commenced. + At nine o'clock a carriage drove up to our quarters. It contained + Captain Downing of our regiment, who had just come in from the + front, bringing with him the dead body of one of our officers who + had been drowned while bathing. This was sad news indeed, for + Lieutenant Stewart was a good soldier and very popular. The captain + wished to see the officer in command of our detachment. I went up + to the headquarters to assist in finding him. All was gayety and + frolic there. It was truly a beautiful scene. The trees were hung + with Chinese lanterns of many colors. The guards paced backward and + forward on the spacious lawn, their arms glittering in the + moonlight, which glimmered through the grand old trees. In the + distance the Potomac lay like a silver lake, with here and there a + white sail upon its bosom. Over the green turf gayly dressed ladies + and officers in rich uniform were tripping some light measure, + while the clinking of glasses showed that the wine was passing + freely. No one could help enjoying the music from the full military + band. + + "Having noted the picturesque beauty of the scene, and moralized to + myself awhile unnoticed among the throng, I thought I would step + over to the hospital and see how the sick boys were enjoying the + revel. It was not over fifty yards from the music-stand. Though it + might be pleasure to others, it was death to them. One poor fellow, + far gone with the typhoid fever, and excited by the music and + noise, was talking to himself in wild delirium. He has since died. + All were restless and sleepless. I said a few quieting words, and + was about leaving when a man asked me if I would not offer a + prayer. "I am not a Christian man," he remarked, "but I would like + to hear a prayer to-night." Of course I complied, and soon the + words of supplication were mingling with the gay notes of the + quickstep. I have seen the man since several times, and have good + reason to believe that he has become a sincere, earnest Christian. + The contrast in his two modes of life will be most marked. He told + me that when at home he would often take his wife to church, and + then ride on further and trade horses during the service, and call + for his wife on his return. As may be imagined, army life had not + improved his morals. Still the influence of his Christian wife + followed him, and during his days of sickness came back in tenfold + power, and the kindly Spirit of our merciful Father, ever-striving, + led him to the Saviour. + + "After leaving the hospital I met the sergeant of the guard, and + found him arming a body of men. "We are going to have trouble + to-night," he said to me. The camp below was in a ferment. There + were many there who loved whisky as well as the more privileged at + headquarters. At first the rioters (who were mainly from a regiment + of regulars) threatened to appropriate the officers' stores and + break up the ball. But hardly daring to do that, they turned their + attention to a sutler's tent and eating-house. They soon demolished + his establishment and set fire to his premises. They here obtained + the much desired whisky, and excited by liquor, they boldly began + preparations to attack another sutler who was unpopular. The riot + was now getting formidable. From my tent I could overlook the whole + camp and scenes at headquarters. Meantime our regiment was arming + and procuring ammunition. Fifty of our men were already acting as + guards. They formed and received their cartridges in front of our + tents, thus drawing attention to the headquarters of our + detachment, which I thought at one time would provoke an attack + upon us. I dreaded this, for one of our officers had left his wife + in my charge at the commencement of the disturbance. Our men then + marched to headquarters, fearing the first attack would be there. + For a few moments all was still throughout the camp. Then there + were signals in all directions. In a few moments more the mules + were stampeded from the corrall. They then proceeded to attack the + sutler's tent just below us. Here the guards fired upon them, which + caused them to retreat to the burning sutler's tent in the middle + of the camp. Then I could see our men coming down from the + headquarters on a full run. Wheeling at a certain point, they + charged without a moment's hesitation. For a short time shots were + fired in rapid succession, when the rioters broke and ran. The ball + was arrested. The order was given, 'Every officer to his post.' The + ladies, pale and frightened, were huddled together, asking anxious + questions. Many of the officers might be seen in their ball-dress + walking and riding through the camp with sword and pistol driving + the men into their tents. Such volleys of horrible oaths as were + heard in every direction I hope may never shock my ears again. + Officers cursed the men, and the men cursed the officers. For a + time things looked rather serious. Meanwhile our boys stood grim + and expectant, ready to quell any show of resistance. In a few + minutes the whole camp was under arms, but the ringleaders having + been caught, quiet was eventually restored. My heart ached for the + young wife who saw the exposure of her husband and felt her own + danger, and who was compelled to listen to the awful profanity of + the hour. I will say, for the benefit of all concerned, that there + was nothing of a political nature in the outbreak. Whatever may be + the soldiers' vices, they have not yet sunk so far as to sympathize + with Northern 'copperheads.' The cause, as far as I could learn, + was the unpopularity of the sutlers, jealousy of our regiment + because the guard of honor for the evening was chosen from it, and + a desire for whisky, for which a certain class will do and dare + anything. After quiet was restored the dancing, music, and drinking + were resumed as though nothing had happened. Meanwhile, on one side + the poor fellows in the hospital tossed and moaned and raved in + their restlessness and delirium, and on the other lay the two + rioters stiff and stark upon the ground, their souls rudely thrust + out into the unknown amidst riot and intoxication, soon to be + sobered but too well by their abrupt plunge into the dusk waters of + death. Life presents to the close observer peculiar phases and + contrasts at all times, but it seems that in the events of this + evening there was a strange mingling of life and death, pleasure + and pain. Yet in the sick and repentant soldier God was at least + fashioning one soul from out this moral and social chaos for the + perfect symmetry of heaven. I had hoped that after the night's + uproar we should have a quiet Sabbath, but was disappointed in + this, for orders came in the morning to arm, mount, and equip every + available man and send them all to the front. And so throughout the + day the clangor of arms, the trampling of men and horses, and the + words of command, made the quiet peacefulness of a Northern Sabbath + a thing scarcely to be imagined." + +Late in February, 1864, Edward joined General Kilpatrick in his famous +raid towards Richmond. He wrote a brief account of this, which was +published in _Lippincott's Magazine_. + + "In the dusk of Sunday evening four thousand men were masked in the + woods on the banks of the Rapidan. Our scouts opened the way, by + wading the stream and pouncing upon the unsuspecting picket of + twenty Confederates opposite. Then away we went across a cold, + rapid river, marching all that night through the dim woods and + openings in a country that was emphatically the enemy's. Lee's + entire army was on our right, the main Confederate cavalry force on + our left. The strength of our column and its objective point could + not remain long unknown. + + "In some unimportant ways I acted as aid for Kilpatrick. A few + hundred yards in advance of the main body rode a vanguard of two + hundred men thrown forward to warn us should we strike any + considerable number of the enemy's cavalry. As is ever the case, + the horses of a small force will walk away from a much larger body, + and it was necessary from time to time to send word to the + vanguard, ordering it to 'slow up.' This order was occasionally + intrusted to me. I was to gallop over the interval between the two + columns, then draw up by the roadside and sit motionless on my + horse till the general with his staff came up. The slightest + irregularity of action would bring a shot from our own men, while + the prospect of an interview with the Johnnies while thus isolated + was always good. I saw one of our officers shot that night. He had + ridden carelessly into the woods, and rode out again just before + the head of the column, without instantly accounting for himself. + As it was of vital importance to keep the movement secret as long + as possible, the poor fellow was silenced in sad error as to his + identity. + + "On we rode, night and day, with the briefest possible halts. At + one point we nearly captured a railroad train, and might easily + have succeeded had not the station and warehouses been in flames. + As it was, the train approached us closely, then backed, the + shrieking engine giving the impression of being startled to the + last degree. + + "On a dreary, drizzling, foggy day we passed a milestone on which + was lettered, 'Four miles to Richmond.' It was still 'on to + Richmond' with us for what seemed a long way farther, and then came + a considerable period of hesitancy, in which the command was drawn + up for the final dash. The enemy shelled a field near us + vigorously, but fortunately, or unfortunately, the fog was so dense + that neither party could make accurate observations or do much + execution. + + "For reasons that have passed into history, the attack was not + made. We withdrew six miles from the city and went into camp. + + "I had scarcely begun to enjoy much-needed rest before the + Confederates came up in the darkness and shelled us out of such + quarters as we had found. We had to leave our boiling coffee behind + us--one of the greatest hardships I have ever known. Then followed + a long night ride down the Peninsula, in driving sleet and rain. + + "The next morning the sun broke out gloriously, warming and drying + our chilled, wet forms. Nearly all that day we maintained a line of + battle confronting the pursuing enemy. One brigade would take a + defensive position, while the other would march about five miles to + a commanding point, where it in turn would form a line. The first + brigade would then give way, pass through the second, and take + position well to the rear. Thus, although retreating, we were + always ready to fight. At one point the enemy pressed us closely, + and I saw a magnificent cavalry charge down a gentle descent in the + road. Every sabre seemed tipped with fire in the brilliant + sunshine. + + "In the afternoon it became evident that there was a body of troops + before us. Who or what they were was at first unknown, and for a + time the impression prevailed that we would have to cut our way + through by a headlong charge. We soon learned, however, that the + force was a brigade of colored infantry, sent up to cover our + retreat. It was the first time we had seen negro troops, but as the + long line of glistening bayonets and light-blue uniforms came into + view, prejudices, if any there were, vanished at once, and a cheer + from the begrimed troopers rang down our line, waking the echoes. + It was a pleasant thing to march past that array of faces, friendly + though black, and know we were safe. They represented the F.F.V.'s + of Old Virginia we then wished to see. On the last day of the + march my horse gave out, compelling me to walk and lead him. + + "On the day after our arrival at Yorktown Kilpatrick gave me + despatches for the authorities at Washington. President Lincoln, + learning that I had just returned from the raid, sent for me, and I + had a memorable interview with him alone in his private room. He + expressed profound solicitude for Colonel Dahlgren and his party. + They had been detached from the main force, and I could give no + information concerning them. We eventually learned of the death of + that heroic young officer, Colonel Dahlgren." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +HAMPTON HOSPITAL + + +In March, 1864, Edward began his duties as chaplain of Hampton +Hospital, having been appointed to this position before the raid +described in the preceding chapter was undertaken. Mrs. Roe joined him +at Washington and they went to Hampton together. A tribute is here due +the brave young wife, who, leaving a home of luxury, accepted without a +word of regret the privations of hospital life and was untiring in her +devotion to the sick and wounded. The letters which follow show what +that life was during the last two years of the war. The first is an +appeal for books for the sick soldiers made through _The Evangelist_, +and is preceded by a note of explanation from the editors of that +paper. + + "We have received the following letter from the esteemed and + efficient chaplain of the Hampton Hospital, Virginia, Rev. Mr. Roe, + who, as it will be seen, is desirous of securing a well-selected + soldiers' library for the use of the hospital. Many of our readers + formed an agreeable acquaintance with Mr. Roe, through his + correspondence with _The Evangelist_ while chaplain of the Harris + Light Cavalry; and we would refer all others for an estimate of the + man, as also of the nature and extent of his duties in his new + position, to an interesting paper in the August number of _Harper's + Magazine_, on the Chesapeake and Hampton Hospitals. We shall take + pleasure in aiding this praiseworthy object in every way in our + power, and we trust that the money required for the purchase of + these books will be speedily contributed. + + 'U.S. GENERAL HOSPITAL, FORTRESS MONROE, VA. + + July 27, 1864. + + 'READERS OF THE EVANGELIST:--Pardon me if I say a few plain + words in preface to a request. I wish to appeal to a quality + that I hope is universal--gratitude. That the North is grateful + for the self-sacrifice of its soldiers is well proved by its + noble charities in their behalf. But, my Northern friends, you + who dwell securely in beautiful and healthful homes, can you + not give a little more for those who are giving all for you? + + '_The U.S. General Hospital at Hampton, Va.,_ is very large + this summer. The average is two thousand five hundred patients, + and we often have three thousand. Accommodations are in process + of construction for still larger numbers. This is now the + nearest permanent hospital to General Grant's army. Almost + daily transports from the front leave at our wharf sick and + mutilated men by hundreds, and we in turn send those North who + are able to bear further transportation. Thus our wards become + mainly filled with what are termed the "worst cases"--men with + whom the struggle for life will be long and doubtful. I could + take you through our wards, and show you long rows of men with + thigh amputations, fractured thighs; men who have lost arms, + hands, and both their feet; and in short, men with great + gaping, ghastly wounds in every part of the body. With such + injuries nothing will sustain but cheerful courage; despondency + is almost always fatal. The only true basis of such courage is + God's religion, but to this all-important condition much can be + added that is most excellent. But could you ask for more than + these men have done and suffered? I think they have done their + part. Yours is not so hard, but it is important. In your + abundant provisions for their suffering bodies, do not forget + rations for their minds. There are hundreds in this hospital + who must lie upon their beds, weeks, and even months, before + they can even hope to hobble out into the world again with + crutch and cane. How shall they spend these long, hot, weary + days? Give them cheerful, entertaining, instructive books, and + the question is about solved. Who can calculate the value of a + brave, cheerful book? It stimulates and strengthens the mind, + which reacts upon the weakened body, and the man is at once + made stronger, wiser, and better. I felt that first of all I + ought to have a religious library, and through some effort, and + the kindness of friends, have obtained a very fair collection. + But cheerful, light, entertaining books are few and far + between, while there is almost an entire dearth of histories, + travels, etc. I find that sick soldiers, even the best of them, + are like good people North, they do not like religious reading + all the time. The works of Irving, John S. C. Abbott, Dickens, + Cooper, Scott, and T. S. Arthur, would be invaluable from both + a sanitary and a moral point of view, for they would remove the + parent of all evils--idleness. Poetry also is very much asked + for. My simple request, therefore, is that out of gratitude to + the brave suffering men who throng the wards of Hampton + Hospital, you would send them good cheerful books. I have an + excellent librarian, and I promise that they shall be carefully + looked after and preserved. Among the thousands who have been + here and gone away, I have scarcely lost a book. + + 'Messrs. Harpers, and Appletons, and other prominent city + publishers, have generously offered me their books at half + price for hospital purposes. All contributions in money sent + to me, or to the offices of the New York _Evangelist_, _The + Observer_, and the Brooklyn _Daily Union_, will be promptly + and judiciously laid out for such books as are needed. All + contributions in books sent to the above-named places will be + forwarded to the hospital in my care.'" + +Some years after the war was over, my brother took a trip to Fortress +Monroe and visited the scenes of his former labors. I quote from a +letter telling of the result of his appeal for a soldier's library and +of the subsequent use that was made of the books. + + "We entered the fort, presented our letter to General Barry, in + command, who received us with the utmost courtesy. The band + discoursed delightful music. We examined the mitrailleuse, of which + the world has heard so much of late. One of the most interesting + points to me was the Post Library. Here among many others I found + all the books that once formed our hospital library. Loyal Northern + friends, who were ever caring for the soldier's well-being, enabled + me to gather and purchase about three thousand volumes. I know that + it will be gratifying to them to learn that their gifts, so far + from being lost or destroyed, are all here in excellent order, and + still doing the work for which they were designed. When a book + becomes badly worn it is sent away and rebound. The private + soldiers, of which there are several hundred, as well as the + officers, have free access to them. I was told by the soldier in + charge that between two and three hundred of these books were taken + out and read monthly. Under General Barry's careful supervision + they will be in use for years to come. He evidently regards his men + as something more than machines." + +It was inevitable that my brother should witness many sad partings +during those long years of conflict, and the strain upon his sympathies +was very great, as may be seen from the letters that follow. + + "Among the painful and tragic events that occurred in our hospital + at Fortress Monroe, there was one wherein heaven and earth were + strangely mingled. The arm of a strong, powerful man had been + amputated at the shoulder joint. He was full of vitality and made a + long but vain struggle for life. Day after day, and week after + week, he lay, scarcely daring to move, lest the artery should break + and his life blood ebb away. But ever at his side (it seemed to me + that she almost never left him) sat his true, patient wife. Strange + and incongruous did her slight and graceful form, her pale, + beautiful face appear in that place of wounds and death. The rough + soldiers were never rough or profane in her presence, and their + kindly sympathy often touched me. For long weeks the scale turned + for neither life nor death, but at last the sharp agony of hope and + fear ended in the dull pain of despair. He must die. The artery + broke and bled again and again, and skill would soon be of no + avail. Some time previous to this, a message had come to the poor + wife that her mother was dying, and she was requested to return + home immediately. + + "'No,' she said, 'my mother is among friends; my husband is alone; + I must stay with him.' + + "Late one night, when the certainty of death was apparent, they + sent for me, and we three had a long, calm talk in the dim, crowded + ward. The brave, true soldier did not regret that he had entered + his country's service, though it cost him so dearly, but he spoke a + few words in regard to those who caused the war that must ever hang + upon them like millstones. Turning to his young wife with an + affection beautiful to look upon, he said:-- + + "'Mary, you have prepared me to die, now you must go home and do + the same for your poor mother.' + + "These brief words revealed a world of meaning. She had not been + sitting at his side in helpless pain, looking with fearful eyes + into the dreary future when she should be alone and dependent with + her child in a cold, selfish world. Forgetting her own heart-break, + she had been untiring in her efforts to brighten his pathway down + into the dark valley with the hope of heaven. God had blessed her + angel work, for he seemed a Christian. I went away from that + bedside more awed than if I had come from the presence of a king. + + "Early one morning I was hastily summoned to the ward. It was + crowded and confused. The last hours had now come. The artery had + broken away beyond remedy, and from the ghastly wound the poor + man's life-blood poured away in torrents, crimsoning the floor far + and near. His face was pale and wild, for death had come at last in + an awful form. In mistaken kindness they had kept his wife from + him, fearing the effect of the scene upon her. Drawn by her frantic + cries to the ward-master's room, I went and said to her--'My poor + friend, you can go to your husband, but for his sake you must be + perfectly calm. We can do nothing for him if he is excited.' For + his sake, ah! yes, for his sake she could do anything, even master + the whirlwind of sorrow at her heart. In a moment she became as + quiet and gentle as a lamb, and crept noiselessly to his side. The + man rallied and lived a short time, and husband and wife were left + alone. We may well draw the veil over that last solemn farewell. + + "For a brief space the pair sat on the shores of time, the extreme + cape and promontory of life. All around rolled the ocean of + eternity. Then one went forward into the unknown, and the curtain + between the two worlds fell. In wild agony she clasped his lifeless + form. The ward-master sought tenderly to lift her and lead her + away. For a moment the tempest in her soul found expression and she + sprang upon him like a tigress. Then came again the strange, + unnatural calm like that when the Master said, 'Peace, be still!' + Quietly, thoughtfully she made all her arrangements and soon went + northward to her dying mother, taking the precious dust of him she + had loved with her, and we saw her no more. But her sad, pale, + patient face will haunt me through life. + + "If all the bits of romance in these hospitals were gathered up + they would make volumes. I will instance only two cases. + + "It is somewhat common to get shot now, and yet for all that it is + none the less rather a painful and tragical experience. Well, two + of our soldiers were shot; one had his arm taken off, and the other + lost an arm and a leg also. They both wrote to their respective + fair ones, expressing the fear that they would no longer wish to + unite themselves with such mutilated specimens of humanity, and if + such were their feelings they were free. The female engaged to the + man who had lost an arm availed herself of his release. She could + not think of marrying him under such circumstances. The blow was + fatal to the poor fellow. He became hopelessly deranged, and is now + in the asylum in this city. Still, considering her character, + perhaps he escaped a worse fate. + + "The lady engaged to the soldier who had lost both his arm and leg + replied that she honored him for his wounds; that she loved him all + the more for his patriotism and the heroism which led him to incur + them; and that if he would permit her she would come on, and take + care of him. She did so, and married him." + +One turns with a feeling of relief, after the harrowing details in the +letters already given, to this account of the Christmas festivities at +Hampton Hospital. + + "We are told that 'the desert shall blossom as the rose.' We + believe it, for even the hospital,--the house of disease and + wounds, the spot ever shadowed by the wings of the dark + angel,--even this place of sombre associations can wreathe itself + in festive garlands and resound with songs. Doctor McClellan, + surgeon in charge, has the enlightened opinion that pills and + physics are not the only health-restoring influences that can be + brought to bear upon his patients. All efforts to celebrate the + holidays with spirit have received his hearty sympathy and + cooperation. The joyous season, so full of happy memories, has not + passed in dull monotony. Though winds blew high and cold, still, + throughout Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the axes rang merrily in + the woods. Huge masses of holly, cedar, and pine might be seen + moving towards the different wards, and approaching near you would + find a nurse or convalescent staggering along beneath the green and + fragrant burden. Under the magic of many skilful hands the pliant + boughs are soon tied and twisted into a thousand devices. Men with + only one hand worked with the rest. Men possessing but a single leg + were busy as the others. Thump, thump, over the floor go the + crutches, as old battered veterans hobbled about in all directions, + to view in different lights the artistic and fantastic results of + their labors. Even the dull face of chronic pain lights up and + wanly smiles, while dim eyes, fast closing on earthly scenes, gaze + wistfully on the fragrant evergreens and query to themselves if + they are to be the symbols of their memories at distant homes. + + "But though many wards blossomed out into holiday garlands, the + crowning glories of the kind were to be found in Ward C. Quaint + devices, hanging festoons, wreaths and shields and graceful arches, + draped the place in varied beauties like the tapestry of old, which + turned rough and gloomy apartments into warm and silken bowers. The + feathery cedar, tasselled pine, and far-famed laurel formed the + rich background for the bright berries of the Christmas holly which + glistened like rubies set in emerald folds. Flags were looped + across the stage, and the curtains in the rear also showed the + stars and stripes. The hospital choir and glee-club had here + prepared an entertainment most agreeable to the tastes of all. + Their motto, a beautiful transparency, explains its character, 'We + come with songs to greet you.' As darkness fell a throng surrounded + every door. Up the high steps to the main entrance, an hour before + the doors were opened, crowding, jostling hundreds gathered, + seeming like a human wave lifted by some powerful impulse from the + sea of heads below. Around the building in circling eddies, knots + of men sauntered talking, wondering, and anticipating concerning + the pleasures of the evening. Above the swaying masses numerous + crutches might be seen. Thus raised aloft they seemed like + standards, showing well the spirit of our soldiers. It is not in + wounds to keep them at home. If they have the sad misfortune not to + have two legs beneath them, they are sure to go on one if anything + unusual calls them out. Within, now, the lamps are lighted, down + the long and echoing ward, and through the festoons and glistening + arches, they wink and twinkle like fireflies in a cedar forest. The + doors are opened and, under Doctor McClellan's wise and careful + supervision, at least a thousand persons are soon admitted and + seated. Those not so fortunate as to get seats fill every space of + standing room. The hall is full, and those who cannot gain + admittance crowd around outside the windows, where faces gleam in + the fitful light, like framed and grotesque pictures. + + "At a given signal the orchestra commenced, and the hum and buzz of + many voices died away like a breeze in the forest. But it is + useless to attempt to describe music--songs and anthems that seem + like living spirits which by powerful spells may be called up to + float and pass before you, and stir the soul with magic influences. + It was no rude affair. Ears that have been educated at the Academy + of Music would have tingled with novel and delightful sensations, + could they have heard those deep, rich soldiers' voices accompanied + by our lady nurses, and the lady teachers of the Tyler House, + chanting our national anthems, or exciting irresistible mirth by + their comic songs. Mr. Tilden's ripe, powerful, mellow voice moved + every heart, and more than satisfied the nicest and most critical + ear. Mr. George Terry, changeful as an April day, now convulsed the + audience with laughter, and again, a moment afterwards, caused all + eyes to overflow. Mrs. Meachann, Miss Eastman, Mr. Sears, and Mr. + Allen sustained their parts with marked ability, and little Miss + Mary White brought down the house by singing a ballad whose simple + beauty was universally appreciated. But where all perfectly + performed the parts assigned to them, it is almost invidious to + make distinctions. Mr. Metcalf, the leader of the choir, must have + been satisfied with the performances, as certainly all others were. + 'Home, Sweet Home,' closed the entertainment, and carried us all + back to that dear and never-to-be-forgotten place. Again in fancy + we gathered around the familiar hearthstone, made warm and bright + by blazing fire and sweet memories of other days. God grant that + another Christmas day may find us all there. + + "But in the hospital there were hundreds confined by sickness, + wounds, and weakness to their beds. However good their will may + have been they were physically unable to join with their more + fortunate companions in outside enjoyments. They were not forgotten + or neglected. On Sabbath afternoon the choir again assembled, and + commencing with Ward One, we passed through fourteen wards, making + the old walls ring again with Christmas anthems. This, with wishing + the patients a merry Christmas, and that another return of the + happy day might find them all safe at home, and the reading, in + Luke ii., of the angelic announcement to the shepherds of the + 'unspeakable gift' to us all, constituted the simple service. On + Monday there was much high feeding. Sleek cattle and corpulent pigs + were roasted whole, and there was a powerful mortality in the + hospital poultry-yard. Men who could never carve their fortunes + showed wonderful ability in carving turkey. These substantial + luxuries, seasoned by the recent victories, made for us a royal + feast, to which the sovereigns in blue sat down with unmingled + satisfaction." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE HOSPITAL FARM AND CHAPEL + + +In a letter to the Hon. William Cullen Bryant, then editor of the +_Evening Post_, Edward gives an account of the establishment of his +hospital farm, and tells of its benefit to the men under his care. + + "HON. WILLIAM C. BRYANT--DEAR SIR: The meeting in behalf of 'New + York's disabled soldiers' has deeply interested me and awakened + many war memories. During the last two years of the Rebellion I had + some experience, in a small way, which may suggest useful features + in a Soldiers' Home. At that time I was one of the chaplains of the + Fortress Monroe hospitals, and the campaigns in the vicinity of + Petersburg and Richmond often filled our long barracks to repletion + and also covered the adjacent acres with temporary tent wards. + Lying around the hospital there was an abundance of idle and + unfenced land. With the sanction of Doctor McClellan, the surgeon + in charge, I had this enclosed and planted with such vegetables as + were most useful and conducive to health, the odorous onion taking + the lead. The tulip mania had its day, but the weakness of average + humanity for this bulb is as old as history--see Numbers xi., + 5--and apparently it is only growing more prevalent with the ages. + If this is evolution in the wrong direction Mr. Huxley should look + after it. + + "The labor of the hospital farm was performed by the patients + themselves, and very many soon became deeply interested in their + tasks. When a man became so far convalescent from illness or wounds + as to be able to do a little work, he was detailed for the garden + and employed in its lighter labors. As he grew stronger he was put + at heavier work. Heroes who had lost arms and legs supplemented + each other's deficiencies, the two maimed men contriving to do + between them far more than many a stout fellow who now demands + $1.50 a day. A man with one hand could sow seed and weed the + growing vegetables, while his comrade hitched along on his crutch + and vigorously hoed the ground between the rows. I sometimes had as + many as a hundred men at work, and I ever found that such tasks + benefited body and soul. It did one's heart good to see pallid + faces grow brown and ruddy, and flabby muscles round and hard. It + did one more good thus easily to banish home-sickness and the + miserable incubus of _ennui_ from which the sufferer is prone + to seek relief in some form of vicious excitement. For the + satisfaction of those who ask for more practical results I can + state that we were able to send green vegetables to the hospital + kitchens by the wagonload. As the record of the second year at the + farm, made at the time, I find among other items the following: 700 + bushels of snap beans in the pod, 120 do. lima beans, 130 do. + carrots, 125 do. peas, 470 do. potatoes, 250 do. tomatoes, 1,500 + bunches of green onions, 30,000 heads of cabbage, 26,900 ears of + sweet corn, 2,500 muskmelons, etc. A large poultry yard, enclosing + four acres, was also built, and many other improvements made, all + being accomplished by the willing labor of the convalescents + themselves, who more rapidly regained their strength while thus + furnishing the means of health to those still confined within the + walls. + + "Recalling these facts I am greatly pleased to learn that the 'New + York Home' is to be located on a farm, for thus it may be made a + _home_ in reality. Providence put the first man into a garden, and + few men have lived since who have not felt more at home when a + garden lay about the door." + + During the years that Edward was at Hampton Hospital, his friend + Mr. Merwin was doing a noble work among the soldiers in the + hospitals at the front, under the direction of the Christian + Commission. My brother at one time wished to be relieved of his + duties as chaplain for several weeks, and Mr. Merwin kindly + consented to take his place. He afterwards wrote of this time:-- + + "I found that Edward's presence among the sick and wounded was + sadly missed, and that he had labored in many ways to contribute to + their comfort and happiness. He brought from the North an + experienced farmer and supplied the hospital with an abundance of + excellent vegetables. Subsequently a church was erected by his + efforts for the growing needs of that post." + +While absent at the North my brother raised most of the funds necessary +to build this chapel at Hampton. When he revisited the place years +afterward, he found the chapel still in use. He was gratified also to +learn that the hospital library continued to be of service. He says: + + "Some of us rode out to the former site of the hospital. Many + pleasant changes have occurred. The acres of ground occupied by + sick and wounded men are now covered with orchards and the homes of + peaceful industry. The hospital garden has in part become the + grounds of a college for freed-men, and is in a high state of + cultivation. The college itself is a fine building, and under the + able, energetic administration of General Armstrong, is full of + promise for the race that we have so long kept in ignorance. He is + teaching them many things of vital use, and among these one of the + most important is a wise, economical culture of the ground. The + chapel to which we have referred is inclosed within the cemetery + grounds, and only needs a few repairs now and then, to preserve it + a substantial church for many years to come. I was told that there + had been religious services in it nearly every Sabbath since the + war. + + "The soldiers' monument, now seen for the first time, impressed me + most favorably. In its severe simplicity it truthfully commemorates + the lives and characters of those who sleep beneath. Over three + hundred dollars was given to me by the soldiers in twenty-five and + fifty cent stamps and one-dollar bills, and with some these gifts + were almost like the widow's mite--all they had. It was most + gratifying to see how nobly their wish and purpose had been carried + out. That it has been so is due to that friend of the soldier and + of all humanity, Miss D. L. Dix, who to the mites of the hospital + patients added thousands of dollars collected elsewhere." + +From another letter I take Edward's description of the chapel. + + "The building is cruciform in its shape, and at the foot rises a + light and graceful tower and spire, sixty feet high, surmounted by + a cross showing each way. The style of architecture is Gothic. The + chapel-room is thirty feet by sixty, with a high, arched ceiling. + It is beautifully and smoothly plastered, and whitened with some + kind of hard finish. Two aisles run down the room, thus making + three tiers of seats. These are somewhat Gothic in their form, and + are stained black-walnut, surmounted by a white round moulding, + which makes a pleasing contrast. In the place where the head of the + cross should have been, there is merely a small projection from the + main building, forming in the large chapel-room an alcove or + recess. A beautiful Gothic frame containing two medium-sized and + one large window of stained glass forms the rear of this + projection, and aids in lighting the room. All the windows in the + chapel part are of stained glass, and they render the light very + soft and pleasant. I found them about as cheap as curtains, and + much more pretty and durable. The space in the alcove is occupied + by a slightly raised platform and a plain, simple pulpit, still + lacking a cushion. It is a very easy room to speak in, and in it + music sounds remarkably well. The left arm of the cross, towards + the hospital, constitutes the library, and is a large, airy room, + thirty feet by twenty-four, furnished with tables, book-shelves, + and reading-desks. Our collection of books is said to be one of the + finest in the hospital service. Here also will be found the + magazines, dailies, and weeklies, and prominent among our files + will be _The Evangelist_. The right arm of the cross consists + of four small but pleasant rooms, and will now be used as the + chaplain's quarters, and at some future time as a parsonage. + + "The building is of a dark color, with white doors and + window-frames. Around the entire structure has been built a rustic + Gothic fence, constructed of smooth pine poles, and forming a + heart-shaped enclosure. Therefore we have the following device: the + church in the centre of the heart." + +Soon after Edward's return from the North to his work at the hospital +there was a marked revival of religion among the sick and wounded men. +He says:-- + + "I think the most marked feature of the revival is the reclamation + of those who have gone astray--who have found the temptations of + camp life too powerful to be resisted. Since I have been in the + service I have met hundreds of soldiers who acknowledged that they + had been professors of religion at home. They had entered the army + with the best of intentions, but the lack of Sabbath privileges, of + the sacred influences of the hearth, and all the numberless aids + which bolster up a church member at the North, together with the + strong and positive allurements to sin in the field, had discovered + to them their weakness and they had fallen. But in most cases it + would seem that the old vital spark still smouldered at the bottom + of their hearts. According to their own confessions, they are + restless and dissatisfied, and unable to attain to the stolid or + reckless apathy of those who have never tasted of the heavenly + manna. Put them under the influence of an earnest prayer-meeting or + faithful sermon, and they are like old rheumatic flies in an April + sun, or the apparently dead and leafless trees in the warm breath + of spring, or the veteran soldier who hears the familiar call to + arms after years of ignoble peace. It is very interesting to watch + them in our meetings. The first evening they take seats far back, + and look around with an uneasy air, as if almost ashamed to be + seen. The next evening they sit near the leader. They soon venture + to respond faintly to some of the more earnest prayers. At last, + unable to restrain the rising tide of feeling, they rise up, and + often with tears and penitence confess their backslidings, resolve + to be faithful hereafter, and ask the prayers of all present that + they may never be so weak as to wander again. They then take their + places amongst those whom I call the fighting part of the + congregation--those whose active aid I can rely upon. + + "In one of the wards, where 'the straightforward Christian' (as I + call him) is on duty, they are having a little revival by + themselves. He gives its inmates no peace till they become + Christians in self-defence. During the beautiful moonlight nights + of last month, he organized a little prayer-meeting, which met on + the banks of an arm of the bay that runs up into the mainland near + the ward, and there claimed and verified the promise of 'Where two + or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst + of them.' + + "God does seem near the soldiers, and the soldiers as a general + thing are ready to respond to His gracious invitations, not only + here but elsewhere, and in fact in every place where Christians are + willing to come down, or rather up to their level, and work among + them with a genuine, heartfelt sympathy. + + "In a recent letter from the front, my brother, Rev. Alfred C. Roe, + Chaplain 104th N.Y.V., writes: 'We have weekly and almost daily + conversions. Our prayer-meetings, though held in the trenches, and + often in close proximity to the enemy, are largely attended, and + unless prevented by important business the colonel is always + present. The staff at headquarters is like a Christian family.' + + "I have found by experience that the formal presentation of Gospel + truth once a week by an officer in chaplain's uniform, or in any + other, does not amount to much, unless faithfully followed up by + personal effort and the social prayer-meeting. The religion of our + Saviour, presented in the spirit of our Saviour, rarely fails to + move even the rough soldier. I have found a most efficient + colaborer in Chaplain Billingsly, also in Chaplain Raymond." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PASTORATE AT HIGHLAND FALLS + + +Soon after the close of the war Edward accepted a call to the little +church at Highland Falls, about a mile below West Point. This was his +only charge, and here he spent nine happy, useful years. His first +impressions of the church and congregation may be gathered from the +following letter. + + "I found myself in a true orthodox Presbyterian church, for + although the thermometer stood far below zero and the roads were + snowy and unbroken, still the number of ladies present far exceeded + that of the gentlemen. I regarded this fact as a good omen, for if + a pastor can depend upon a few strong-hearted women (not + strong-minded in the cant sense of the phrase), he has only to go + forward prudently to certain success. Summing up the entire + congregation, small and great, it nearly made that number so well + known, alas, in country churches, which is appropriately termed 'a + handful.' + + "These good people were thinly scattered over a plain little + audience room that would seat comfortably one hundred and twenty. + The church was bitter cold, and the situation of the pulpit, + between the two doors, seemed designed to chill anything like + enthusiasm on the part of the speaker. The construction of the + building bore evidence that some architect of the olden time + determined to achieve celebrity, in that he placed its back toward + the street, and faced it toward nothing in particular. This, with + minor eccentricities, really entitled the edifice to the + antiquarian's attention. But I intend not a disrespectful word + against the little church, for precious souls have been gathered + there and trained for heaven." + +It was in February that Edward received a unanimous call to this +church, and from that time he gave himself up to the work of collecting +funds for the erection of a new building. The majority of the people +were not wealthy and many of them were very poor, but they did all they +possibly could, many giving at the cost of great personal sacrifice. +The brunt of the enterprise, however, necessarily fell upon my brother. +About this time he began giving lectures on his experiences in the +Civil War, often travelling many miles to deliver them, going wherever +there was a chance to make money and so help forward his cherished +object. He also obtained large sums from wealthy city churches and from +friends, through personal solicitation. + +At the end of two years Edward and his co-workers felt justified in +laying the corner-stone of the new church. Here is his description of +the ceremony. + + "Patient effort seldom fails of its reward, and the day we had long + toiled and prayed for, when we could lay the corner-stone of our + new church, at length arrived. The 16th of September dawned, cloudy + and dubious, like the commencement of the enterprise. The morning + hours brought disappointment and heavy rain, as the two long years + of work and waiting had brought many discouragements. Rev. Dr. + William Adams of New York, who was to have made the address, was + unavoidably detained; and the skies frowned so darkly it was + thought best to defer the ceremony. But before the hour appointed + there was a general brightening up. The clouds broke away and + vanished over Crow Nest and the adjoining mountains. The sun smiled + out in irresistible invitation and the people gathered in such + numbers that it was thought best to go forward with the ceremony. + This we were most anxious to do, as the North River Presbytery had + honored our church as the place of its Fall meeting, and most of + its members could upon this day be present with us. + + "As the shadows were lengthening eastward, we gathered among the + evergreens that surround the solid foundation of the new edifice. + It was just such a gathering as we love to see at a + church--representatives from every age and class in the community. + Little barefooted urchins climbed up into the cedars and looked on + with wondering eyes. All right! the church is as truly for them as + for the President, should he honor us with a visit. In a huge block + of granite at the northeast corner of the building a receptacle had + been cut. Around this we gathered. The Hon. John Bigelow, our + former Minister to France, commenced the simple ceremony with a + very happy address. In simple periods of classic beauty he spoke of + church edifices as the highest and most disinterested expressions + of the benevolence and culture of a community; and in words that + were good omens of the future he dwelt upon the beneficent + influences flowing therefrom. The Pastor next came forward, and + stated that a copy of the Scriptures _only_, as published by the + American Bible Society, would be deposited in the stone. In this + solemn and emblematic act we wished to leave out everything that + would take from the simplicity and force of the figure. God's Word + alone in its purity should underlie the material structure, and so + we hoped His Word alone, unmixed and undistorted by human opinions, + would be the foundation of the spiritual church that should be + built there in coming years. Therefore no papers, coins, or records + of any kind, were placed in the sealed box with the Bible. If after + the lapse of centuries this solid wall were taken down, this + solitary Bible, unmarred by pen or pencil, will be a clearer record + than long and formal documents, of a church that sought to honor + God, and not man, and to keep His name before the people, and not + that of some human instrument. With the usual words the massy block + of granite was lowered to its place, and, humanly speaking, + generations will pass away before these leaves again are turned. + + "The Rev. Dr. Wheeler of Poughkeepsie, who kindly offered to act in + Dr. Adams's place, spoke in a vein of strong original eloquence + which chained the attention of all for a brief time. As an + impromptu effort it was singularly appropriate and hope-inspiring. + He closed with a prayer, in the fervor of which a lady said that + she could almost see the walls and spire rising to beautiful and + entire completion. Rev. Mr. Teal of Cornwall pronounced the + benediction, and thus closed the ceremony. + + "We are building of the blue granite found in abundance upon the + ground. The walls rise from the rocky foundation in massive + thickness of plain, hammer-dressed stone, and thus are in keeping + with the rugged mountain scenery. Time will rather strengthen the + work than weaken it. We build from the rock with the rock, and + trust that the great Spiritual Rock will underlie it all. + + "It will cost us twenty thousand dollars to complete the church, + and of this sum we have on hand, or promised, nearly half. The + building is under contract to be finished the first of June next, + and whatever indebtedness there exists will be provided for by a + mortgage. The ladies of the church and the Sabbath-school children + have pledged themselves by fairs and concerts to provide for the + interest of the debt until the principal is paid. The people are + proving that they are in earnest by their deeds. By their hearty + sympathy and cooperation, Mr. Cozzens, the proprietor of the hotel, + and his lady have greatly contributed to our success. + + "The guests of the house have been very liberal and attentive, and + show an increasing interest in the enterprise. At a time of + hesitancy and doubt a generous gift of five hundred dollars, from + C. K. Garrison, Esq., of New York, soon after followed by five + hundred dollars more from Richard Schell, Esq., enabled us to go + forward with hope and confidence. Mr. Garrison is a native of our + region, and happy would it be for the country if, following his + example, those who have won wealth and distinction abroad would + return and enrich their birthplace by such noble proofs of their + benevolence. Monuments of this kind perpetuate one's name better + than tombstones. Among the summer worshippers at our little church + under the trees, we have been glad to recognize so long the kindly + face of Rev. J. G. Craighead of _The Evangelist_, and long and + gratefully will our people remember his words from the pulpit and + in the social meeting. Rev. Dr. Robinson of Harrisburgh, Pa., has + also been one of our summer residents, and one that we shall soon + sadly miss." + +Four years longer minister and people worked unceasingly in the +interests of their new church, my brother continuing to give his +lectures wherever opportunity offered. One delivered at Providence, +Rhode Island, was quoted at some length in a daily paper of that city, +and is here reprinted. + + "The Rev. E. P. Roe, of West Point, lectured last night before a + fair audience, at Harrington's Opera House, under the auspices of + Prescott Post No. 1, G.A.R., on 'Secret Service at the Front; or + Scouting and Guerrillas.' During the war, said the speaker, the + northern people regarded guerrillas as irresponsible bands of + outlaws, living by violence and plunder, and while leaning to and + assisting the rebels, ready to murder and rob without much regard + for either side. The majority of the guerrillas were, no doubt, as + bad as generally supposed, but there were among them trusty and + intelligent scouts, whose employment was to trace out the position + and movements of the Union army, and who, no matter how much + robbing and murdering they might do on their own account, never + lost sight of the main object of their service. The acuteness of + these scouts and the various disguises which they assumed were more + than surprising. As a division of the Union army passed along, an + old citizen might have been seen building a rail fence. Surely that + ancient-looking farmer knows nothing, the passing troops would + readily think. But under that old felt hat gleamed a watchful eye + and listened attentive ears, observing and hearing everything + worthy of remark. As soon as the army passed, he throws down his + rails and slips off to the swamp, mounts a fleet horse, and soon + the numbers, destination and condition of the Union division are + reported at the nearest rebel headquarters. Sometimes the woods on + both sides of the marching column swarmed with prowling guerrillas; + sometimes an affable stranger in Union colors would approach, enter + into conversation with the weary straggler, gain all the + information he could, and then shoot down his informant. They were + very bold in their operations. One day an orderly was riding with + important despatches far within the Union lines, when he was + startled by a mounted rebel, who made his appearance from the + woodside, and who, presenting a pistol at his breast, demanded his + arms and despatches. After, as he imagined, cleaning out the + orderly, the rebel invited him to come along and accept a little + Southern hospitality. The scout rode a little forward, and as he + did so, a quiet grin played stealthfully over his furious + countenance; a little pistol was withdrawn from a side pocket, the + cold muzzle applied to the rebel's ear, and in a very few moments + the rebel was disarmed and on his way to a Northern prison. But the + bold deeds of the rebels in scouting through the Union lines paled + before the achievements of General Sharpe and his bureau of + military information. The promotion of this bureau was recommended + by General Butterfield to General Hooper, in 1863, for the purpose + of ascertaining the numbers, positions, and intentions of the + enemy. To this bureau was gathered all the information of the + signal corps and of the hundreds of scouts and spies who traversed + the rebel army and country. Trusty and intelligent men were picked + from the rank and file of the army and placed under command of + General Sharpe. The first piece of work undertaken by the general + was to obtain a full roster of Lee's army as it lay on the + Rappahannock, the numbers and titles of regiments and the names of + the corps, division, brigade, regimental and company commanders. He + picked out General Heath's brigade of A. P. Hill's corps as the + first one to operate on, and by daringly scouting in person through + the lines of that brigade, conversing with its pickets, and + mingling with its men, he succeeded in obtaining not only a full + list of its officers, and an accurate detail of its strength, but a + correct description of the personal appearance and habits of these + officers. After mastering Heath's division he picked out an + intelligent soldier whom he crammed with all he knew himself about + the division, dressed him up in a rebel uniform, and sent him into + another division of Hill's corps. Of course the man was at once + apprehended and taken before a provost marshal, but made such a + plain statement, giving the names of the officers of the regiments + in Heath's division, to which he claimed to belong, and describing + their personal appearance and habits with more accuracy than + reverence, that he was dismissed, with a reprimand for his want of + respect for his superior officers, and ordered to report back at + once to his regiment. After looking around him and ascertaining + everything worth noting with regard to the command, he returned to + General Sharpe; and thus the particulars, as ascertained by every + new scout, facilitated the means of getting more. At length Sharpe + had a roster of the whole of Lee's army, and could tell its + strength at any time within a thousand or so, that thousand being + the changing mass of stragglers, furloughed, and sick, to whom no + special location could be assigned. He could also tell the name of + every officer in that army, and rebel generals of divisions might + have gone to him for information concerning their own subordinates. + The great usefulness of thus possessing the precise knowledge of + the strength and formation of the enemy's forces was particularly + illustrated at Gettysburg, where the anxious spirits of the Union + commanders were relieved by ascertaining from General Sharpe that + every brigade but one of Lee's army had been engaged in the fight, + and that that general had no reserve with which to follow success + or break defeat. Not least among the resources from which valuable + information was obtained were the contrabands, whose fidelity and + truthfulness were remarkable, considering their want of education, + and consequent lack of intelligence. + + "Amusing and interesting instances were given by the speaker of the + hairbreadth escapes and reckless daring of General Sharpe's scouts, + and he concluded an entertaining discourse by paying a hearty and + well-deserved tribute to their patriotic and fearless devotion, to + which was greatly owing, in his opinion, the winning of some of our + greatest victories, and the fortunate issue of the war itself." + +In 1868 the church was completed, a building "whose granite walls are +so thick, and hard-wood finish so substantial, that passing centuries +should add only the mellowness of age." Edward would not allow his name +deposited in the corner-stone, as many wished, but since his death a +bronze tablet, with the following inscription, has been placed in the +vestibule. + + In Memoriam, + Rev. Edward Payson Roe, + Minister of the + First Presbyterian Ch. of the Highlands. + 1866-1875. + Author, Pastor, Friend, + This Building Stands the Monument of + His Earnest Labors. + Erected: + 1868. + +After the completion of the church the old parsonage was enlarged and +remodelled, and so during his pastorate thirty thousand dollars were +raised and expended in permanent improvements. + +While living at Highland Falls Edward continually met the officers and +soldiers of West Point. A soldier at one time was the leader of his +choir, in which was also a quartet from the military band. He writes as +follows of a mountain camp at West Point which recalled some of his own +army life:-- + + "About the middle of August the Cadet Corps left their airy tent + villas on the plain at West Point, and took up their line of march + for the mountains. The pioneers had preceded, and the road was + practicable not only for infantry, but for carriages and stages + laden with fair ladies from the hotels. The selected camping + ground, though rough indeed compared with the velvet lawns of West + Point, was admirably adapted for the purpose. It was a broken, + uneven field, on the property of T. Cozzens, Esq. Here in the midst + of the wildest mountain scenery the young soldiers experienced, to + quite an extent, the realities of life at the front, minus the + element of danger. But the mimicry was almost perfect, and so + suggestive of bygone days to an old campaigner, that I cannot + refrain from indulging in a brief description. + + "A wild, romantic drive of three or four miles through winding + valleys, jagged boulders and ledges, and overshadowing trees, + brought us to the edge of the camp-ground. Along the road ran the + familiar military telegraph, the wire now looped up to a convenient + tree, now sustained by the slender portable pole that bends but + never breaks beneath the seemingly gossamer strand. Just before + reaching the place we struck off upon one of those temporary roads + that we were ever extemporizing in Virginia. First we saw the white + tents through the foliage, then the gleaming of a sentry's musket, + the cover of an ambulance, and in a moment more we were in the + midst of the encampment, and the spell was complete. Through the + strong laws of association the old life rushed back again, and what + often seems a far-away dream was as present and real as six years + ago. But apart from all its suggestiveness to those who dwelt in + canvas cities and engaged in war's realities, the scene was novel, + beautiful, and deeply interesting. Here in the midst of the wooded + highlands was a fac-simile, reproduced in miniature, of thousands + of encampments, created by the Rebellion, in the equally wild + regions of the Southern States. Here were our future generals + learning to apply practically to the roughness of nature the + principles and tactics that might seem comparatively easy on paper + or grassy plain. Sloping down to the right, the encampment bordered + on Round Pond, a beautiful, transparent little lake, fringed with + water-lilies, and mirroring back the rocks and foliage of its + rugged banks. Through the courtesy of Mr. Cozzens we and others + were soon skimming its surface in an airy little pleasure boat. A + quarter of a mile to the left, in full view, with a descent of a + hundred feet, Long Pond glistened in the bright August sun. All + around rose the green billowy hills as far as the eye could reach. + We had hardly noted this beautiful commingling of wood and water + before the stirring notes of the drum announced skirmish drill. On + each side of the camp a squad marched briskly out, and was soon + lost in the forest. Soon from its unseen depths there came a shot, + then another, then several, ending in a rapid, scattering fire, and + I was back again on the skirmish line in Virginia. By this time the + other detachment had reached position, and were 'popping' away in + the old familiar style. The hills caught up the reports and echoed + them down again multiplied a hundredfold. + + "Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back; + To many mingled sounds at once, + The awakened mountain gave response;" + + and these regions of silvan peace and solitude were disturbed as + they never had been since the days when Washington made West Point + his military base, and Fort Putnam was the chief Highland + stronghold. + + "On a high eminence to the right fluttered a signal flag. I shall + never forget the last time that my special attention was called to + that very significant object. It was on a bold ledge of the Blue + Ridge west of Culpepper, Va. We were out on picket, lounging away a + long bright October afternoon, when in the far distance a white + flutter like that of a lady's handkerchief caught the wary eye of + the colonel. Listlessness vanished. All glasses were out, but + practised eyes discovered, not a token of ladies' favor, but a + signal of stern war. Lee was turning our right flank, and then + followed the famous race for Centreville heights. + + "But the sun had sunk behind a blue Highland, and the tap of the + drum announcing parade recalled from reminiscences of the past. + Creaking, groaning, crunching up the rough road came stages, + carriages, and wagons of all descriptions laden with fair + ladies, who in bright summer costumes seemed airy indeed, but + from the looks of the jaded horses, were anything but + thistle-downs. The wild mountain camp was soon brilliant with + Fifth Avenue toilets. There was a general 'presenting of arms,' + though not with belligerent aspect, and it required no + astrologer to predict a conjunction of Mars and Venus. Old fogy + that I was, recalling the days of our humdrum soldiering long + and well gone by, here I was in the midst of a brilliant active + campaign, where wounds were given and received, human hearts + pierced to the very circumference--perhaps deeper sometimes. Yon + tall, soldierly figure of the commandant is a secondary one + here. Cupid is the field marshal of the day. With the near + approach of night there was a suspension of hostilities. The + fair invaders gradually drew off their attacking forces, and + soon were lost in the deeper shadows that lay at the mountain + base. The next morning at 8 A.M., the Cadet Corps returned to their + encampment on the plain at West Point." + +My brother's attitude toward West Point is clearly shown in the +following vigorous defence of the National Academy which was published +in _The Evangelist_. + + "The Military Academy here has lately had an unenviable degree of + notoriety and of severe criticism. Some go so far as to advise the + breaking up of the entire institution. No one so thought when the + gallant Reynolds at the cost of his life made such vigorous battle + at Gettysburg as to check Lee, and secure to us a favourable + position for fighting out the decisive conflict of the war. No one + so advised when a graduate of West Point announced the surrender of + Vicksburg; when another marched from Atlanta to the sea; and + another swept down the Shenandoah Valley like a whirlwind. During + our national struggle for life, trained soldiers did for us what + educated lawyers, physicians, clergymen, and statesmen do for a + community at all times. Next to the courage and patriotism of the + people, we have to thank the skill of West Point, that we are One + Nation to-day. + + "There are those who advocate State military schools, in other + words that we have an army officered by men of local interests and + feelings. We shall then have generals to whom a single State is + more than the whole Union. We shall have patriots educated by the + New York ring, and the champions of Tammany Hall. No, the soldiers + and sailors of the United States--as they are in the service of the + whole country--should be educated by the whole country, and upon + their maps State boundaries should be blotted out. + + "Others advise, instead of this National Academy, that a course of + military instruction be added to our colleges. But in this way + students would only pick up a smattering of military science, in + connection with a dozen other sciences, that would be quite useless + in time of war. If we are to be fully armed against attack, we need + men thoroughly educated in military science by the Nation, and + therefore bound by every instinct of honor, gratitude, and + association to defend her in her hour of peril. + + "Does West Point now furnish such an education and such men? Yes, + as truly as it ever has done; and I think it could be shown that it + was never in better condition than it is this day. But what does + the recent 'outrage' indicate, and what the 'persecution of Cadet + Smith?' Living near the institution, and yet having no connection + with it--nothing to gain or lose--I can form as correct and + unprejudiced an opinion as those who base theirs upon partial, + imperfect reports of isolated incidents. One needs but to visit the + Point daily, or nightly, in order to see that perfect discipline is + maintained. The 'outrage' referred to was the expelling of three + students by the first class. This action no one defends. From no + source have I heard it so severely condemned as by the officers + themselves. If it could have been foreseen it would have been + prevented. In the most quiet communities there are sudden outbreaks + of passion and violence. Is the community where such an event + occurs, and which goes on its orderly way the remaining three + hundred and sixty-four days of the year, to be called 'lawless?' Is + the hasty, passionate act of a few, wrong as it may be, to give + character to all? Moreover, in judging acts we should consider the + motives. In this case they throw much light on the action. The + sentiment of the corps is one of intense disgust at the vice of + lying. A cadet cannot commit a more serious offence against the + received code of honor. The parties expelled were believed to have + been guilty of this offence, and their dismissal was a sudden and + lawless expression of the general anger and disgust. The action was + contrary to the character of a soldier--the man of discipline and + iron rules. But was it contrary to the character of frank, + impulsive youth? Are those who have scarcely reached their majority + to be judged in the same light as cool, grey-bearded veterans? I do + not see how the officers are to blame because they could not + foresee the trouble. Is a careful housekeeper 'reckless' because a + kerosene lamp explodes? Do you say she ought to use non-explosive + material? Then you must send sexagenarians to West Point instead of + boys. + + "The same principle applies to the 'persecution.' Critical editors, + and advanced politicians like Ben. Butler, require of a class of + young men gathered from every part of the land what they could + scarcely obtain from the reformers of New England as a body. There + is no use in ignoring the general and widespread prejudice of race. + Many who grieve most at the wrongs of the colored people still feel + that instinctive drawing back from social contact. Do those that + condemn the young men most severely introduce the colored element + largely into their own social circles? If not, then they should not + be so ready to throw stones. Colored cadets sent to West Point must + be treated in precisely the same way as the others. The law forms + them all into a social community with equal rights. Is it to be + expected that the utmost cordiality should be shown by hot-blooded, + unformed, and often unwise youth, having in somewhat intenser form + the same prejudices with those who condemn them? They have probably + acted in the matter very much as the sons of the editors and + ministers and reformers, who have been so severe upon them, would + have acted in like circumstances. That happy day when the + brotherhood of the race shall be honestly and lovingly acknowledged + I fear is yet far distant, nor is it to be hastened by attempting + to force a social intercourse against which there may be a natural + aversion. As far as the officers are concerned, I believe that they + have tried to treat young Smith with strict impartiality, and to + give him every opportunity. The affairs of the Academy seem to go + forward like clock-work. Considering the sore and excited state of + mind among the cadets, their order and subordination have been + remarkable. Of course two hundred and brought together from every + diversity of life, could not be expected to act like nicely + adjusted machines; but with the exception of those two affairs, + what has there been to justify the charges of 'lawlessness' or + 'looseness of discipline?' + + "In view of its services, it is strange that anyone should speak + seriously of breaking up West Point. It has paid back to the nation + all that has been spent upon it a hundredfold. + + "P.S.--May I add a word in regard to the commandant of this post, + who is the officer who has special care of the students in the + Academy. Political attacks do not spare anybody, and during the + recent troubles slurs have been thrown out even against General + Upton. It has been intimated that fear of the authorities at + Washington has made him over-lenient and slack in his discipline + toward the first class, as President Grant and others high in power + have sons in this class. + + "These disparaging remarks are made either by those who know + nothing of General Upton's character and antecedents, or else they + are the grossest slanders. Search the army through and it would be + impossible to find a man more utterly devoid of the spirit that + truckles to power. Nature never put into his composition the least + spice of obsequiousness, and one has only to look into the man's + face and hear him speak five words in order to know it. He belongs + to that class of men who pay more attention to the poor and humble + than to the high and haughty. + + "I think my testimony in this matter is worth something. During + nearly four years of life in the army, and five years' residence + within one mile of the West Point Academy, I have met with a great + many officers of the volunteer and regular service, and never has a + man more thoroughly impressed me with the fact that he was a + gentleman, and conscientious in duty even to the slightest + particular, than General Upton. Moreover, he is an enthusiast in + his profession, and therefore successful. He is the author of the + Infantry Tactics now in use in our army, and said to be the finest + in the world. From frequent intercourse with the Point, I know that + he maintains a daily discipline among the cadets as nearly perfect + as anything of the kind can be. It is my belief that investigation + of the recent troubles will show that the institution was never + better officered than at present. + + "Moreover, General Upton is a sincere Christian--one that lives up + to his profession. His influence in this respect is most marked and + happy upon the corps. We cannot overestimate the importance of the + fact that the officer directly in charge of the young men at the + Point is guided in all respects, not only by strict military honor + and duty, but by the highest Christian principle." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +RESIGNATION FROM THE MINISTRY + + +While at Highland Falls Edward wrote his first novel, "Barriers Burned +Away." He had told of his plan for a story to be based upon the scenes +he had witnessed among the ruins of the great Chicago fire, and when I +received a letter from him the following winter asking me to make him a +visit as soon as possible, I suspected that he wanted my opinion of +what he had written. And I was not disappointed, for on the evening +after my arrival he read to me a number of chapters, and we talked over +his plan for the story until after midnight, he going over the outlines +that he then had in mind, though he afterward made some changes. The +next day he called upon Dr. Field, editor of _The Evangelist_, and +owing to his kind encouragement the visit was repeated, the result +being that the story was finally accepted for serial publication in +that paper. + +From that time on, my brother read to me every one of his stories in +manuscript, and I enjoyed them the more from the fact that in every +case I recognized the originals from which he had drawn his scenes and +characters, idealized as they were. + +In 1874 his health had become so much impaired by overwork that his +physician strongly urged him to give up either writing or preaching. +After giving the matter serious consideration and consulting with +friends whose advice he valued, my brother reluctantly decided to +retire from the ministry. How his people parted with him is told in a +letter to _The Evangelist_, whose readers had followed with so much +interest and substantial aid my brother's efforts to build a new +church. + + "I have been very much surprised. Last Sabbath, the 7th of March, + was my birthday. On the 6th I sat quietly in my study until the sun + was behind the mountains, and then was sent out of the house on + false pretences. The young people of the church were getting up an + entertainment, and suddenly took it into their heads that they + needed my assistance. There seemed many delays, but we at last got + through. Then I received a startling message that a neighbor wished + to see me immediately. Surmising sudden illness or trouble, I did + not go home, but started off in great haste. I found not sickness, + but mystery, at this neighbor's, which I could not fathom. My + friend and his wife were unusually entertaining and I could not get + away, though I knew I was keeping tea waiting at home. Finally + there came another mysterious message--'Two gentlemen and two + ladies wished to see me at the parsonage.' 'O, I understand now,' I + thought. 'It is a wedding; but they are managing it rather oddly.' + + "But imagine my surprise when I opened the door, and found about + one hundred and fifty people present. Well, to be brief, they just + overwhelmed us with kindness. They gave us fine music, and provided + a supper for five hundred instead of one hundred and fifty. + + "Mrs. Roe thought that she was in the secret; but they surprised + her also by presenting, with cordial words, a handsome sum of money + at the close of the evening. + + "My resignation has not yet been accepted, but we expect that the + pastoral relation will be dissolved at the next meeting of + Presbytery. As soon as spring comes in reality, and the embargo of + ice and snow is over, we must be upon the wing; and this + spontaneous and hearty proof of the friendliness of my people was + very grateful to me. During the nine years of my pastorate they + have been called to pass through many trying and difficult times. + They have often been asked to give beyond their means, and have + often done so. With the very limited amount of wealth in the + congregation, even the generous aid received from abroad and from + visitors could not prevent the effort to erect a new church and + parsonage from being an exceedingly heavy burden, involving + perplexing and vexatious questions. When I remember how patiently + they have borne these burdens, how hard many have worked, and how + many instances of genuine self-denial there have been, I feel that + too much cannot be said in their praise. It is my hope and my + belief that they will deal as kindly with my successor as they have + with me." + +Dr. Edgar A. Mearns of the United States army was one of my brother's +devoted friends who knew him intimately during the years of his +ministry. In 1888, from Fort Snelling, Minn., he writes as follows:-- + + "The sad news of the death of Rev. E. P. Roe, at + Cornwall-on-Hudson, reached me to-day, and filled my heart with + sadness. During the long years of my sojourn upon the western + frontier, I have looked forward with unspeakable pleasure to the + time when I could grasp the hand of this true friend, and walk and + talk with him, and enjoy once more the society of his dear family. + I had planned a leave of absence from my station in the + desert-wilderness of Arizona for last spring, in response to his + urgent invitations; but other duties awaited me, and I was not + permitted to realize the fulfilment of this ardent desire. We were + to walk through the woodlands, drive over the mountains, and sail + on our native Hudson. I saw in mental vision the very rock under + which we used to poke at the woodchucks with a stick, and on which + we gathered the walking fern, and seemed once more to hear him + discoursing of small fruits in his delightful garden, or reading to + the family circle from his latest manuscripts. In the West many + hearts have been pierced by this sorrow, for he made friends + wherever he went. + + "To write a word of the lost friend, who has been a very pillar of + support in times of struggle or affliction, will perhaps relieve a + pain at the heart which is hard to bear. It is not as an author + justly celebrated, that I must speak of him, but of the private + life of one who combined every attribute of mind and heart to + endear him to his friends. I have known him as a pastor, laboring + assiduously among the members of his flock, dispensing liberal + charity among the poor, and lightening everybody's burden. He was a + rock to lay hold of when other friendships were borne away by the + cruel winds of adversity. Then it was that the genial warmth of his + smile, the kindly hand-pressure, and the cheerful encouragement of + his voice fettered sore hearts to his. + + "I have seen him as a hero, struggling in the water and broken ice, + bearing in his arms the bodies of children for whom he risked his + life. He had heard a cry for help, and that alone was enough to + enlist the sympathy and secure the highest sacrifice of which our + nature is capable. Then, paying no heed to personal sickness and + injury, he strove to comfort the bereaved hearts of mothers, whose + boys were drowned, perhaps by exposure laying the seeds of the + disease which recently caused his death. + + "His zealous devotion to his calling, together with exposure to + various hardships encountered on frequent lecturing tours made for + the purpose of obtaining funds for the erection of a suitable + church for his congregation, made such inroads into his naturally + vigorous constitution that, having accomplished his task, he was + compelled to resign his charge as pastor, after about nine years of + faithful service. The beautiful stone Presbyterian church at + Highland Falls is a monument to his untiring efforts." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +FRUIT CULTURE AND LITERARY WORK + + +After my brother's resignation from the ministry, he bought a plain, +old-fashioned house with considerable ground about it, at +Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, two miles distant from his childhood home, and +went there to live. + +It soon became evident, however, that Edward could not depend upon his +literary work alone for the support of his growing family. He had for +some years taken much interest in the cultivation of small fruits, and +after the removal to Cornwall he carried on this work upon a larger +scale, finding it profitable as well as interesting. + +I remember the piles of letters that came to him each day for several +years containing orders for plants. Although in general not a +methodical man, yet the painstaking care which he was known to exercise +in keeping the many varieties distinct enabled his customers to rely +implicitly upon his statements as to the kind and value of the plants +ordered. He often employed many men and boys on his place, but always +engaged them with the understanding that if through carelessness the +varieties of plants became mixed the offender was to be dismissed at +once, and a few examples soon taught his assistants that he meant what +he said. But when they were faithful to their duty, they invariably +found him considerate and kind. + +The strawberry was Edward's favorite among the small fruits, and he +made many experiments with new varieties. When the vines were bearing, +sometimes as many as forty bushels of berries were picked in a single +day. Some of them were of mammoth size. I remember on one occasion we +took from a basket four berries which filled to the brim a large +coffee-cup, and notwithstanding their enormous size they were solid and +sweet. During this period he wrote the articles on "Success with Small +Fruits," published in _Scribner's Magazine_. + +Currants came next in his favor. Writing of them he says: "Let me +recommend the currant cure. If any one is languid, depressed in +spirits, inclined to headaches, and generally 'out of sorts,' let him +finish his breakfast daily for a month with a dish of freshly picked +currants. He will soon doubt his own identity, and may even think that +he is becoming a good man. In brief, the truth of the ancient pun will +be verified, 'That the power to live a good life depends largely upon +the _liver_.' Let it be taught at the theological seminaries that +the currant is a means of grace. It is a corrective, and that is what +average humanity most needs." + +Mr. Charles Downing of Newburgh, a noted horticulturist, was Edward's +valued friend. He was especially successful in fruit culture, and it +was his custom to forward to my brother for trial novelties sent to him +from every part of the country. Then on pleasant summer afternoons the +old gentleman would visit my brother, and, side by side, they would +compare the much-heralded strangers with the standard varieties. Often +forty or fifty kinds were bearing under precisely the same conditions. +The two lovers of Nature thus gained knowledge of many of her secrets. + +Edward's coming to live in Cornwall was a source of great pleasure to +our father, who, although then past eighty years of age, was still +vigorous, and as full of enthusiasm for his garden as when he first +moved to the country. Often on summer mornings, before the sun was +fairly above the eastern mountains, father would drive over to my +brother's, taking in his phaeton a basket of fruit or vegetables that +he believed were earlier than any in my brother's garden. These he +would leave at the front door for Edward to discover when he came +downstairs, and return in time for our breakfast. He would laugh with +the keenest enjoyment if he found that his beans or sweet corn had +ripened first. Frequently he would remain at his son's house for +breakfast, and afterwards the two would wander together over the +grounds while the dew was still fresh upon the fruit and flowers. Many +of the rosebushes and shrubs had been transplanted from the old garden, +and it delighted my father and brother to see that they were +flourishing and blooming in their new environment. + +When Edward first moved to Cornwall several newspapers severely +criticised him for giving up the ministry to write novels. I was +sitting with him alone in his library one day when such a criticism +came to him through the mail. After reading it he handed it quietly to +me, went to his desk and took down a bundle of letters, saying: "These +are mostly from young men, not one of whom I know, who have written to +me of the benefit received from my books." He then read to me some of +those touching letters of confession and thanks for his inspiring help +to a better life. + +When he finished reading the letters he said: "I know my books are read +by thousands; my voice reached at most but a few hundred. I believe +many who would never think of writing to me such letters as these are +also helped. Do you think I have made a mistake? My object in writing, +as in preaching, is to do good, and the question is, Which can I do +best? I think with the pen, and I shall go on writing, no matter what +the critics say." + +Still his name was retained on the rolls of the North River Presbytery, +and he was always ready to preach when needed, especially in neglected +districts. For a long time after father's death he kept up the little +Sunday-school that had been father's special care. + +His home commanded a fine view of the river and mountains, and he would +watch with great delight the grand thunder-storms that so often sweep +over the Highlands. I take this description of a storm from one of his +letters:-- + + "This moist summer has given a rich, dark luxuriance to the + foliage, that contrasts favorably to the parched, withered aspect + of everything last year. The oldest inhabitants (that class so + sorely perplexed in this age of innovations) were astonished to + learn that a sharp frost occurred in the mountains back of us, just + before the Fourth. Even the seasons have caught the infection of + the times, and no longer continue their usual jog-trot through the + year, but indulge in the strangest extremes and freaks. + + "A person living in the city can have little idea of thunder-storms + as they occur in this mountain region. The hills about us, while + they attract the electrified clouds, are also our protection, for, + abounding in iron ore, they become huge lightning-rods above the + houses and hamlets at their bases. But little recks old Bear + Mountain, or Cro' Nest, Jove's most fiery bolts. The rocky + splinters fly for a moment; some oak or chestnut comes quivering + down; but soon the mosses, like kindly charity, have covered up the + wounded rock, and three or four saplings have grown from the roots + of the blighted tree. + + "But the storm we witness from our safe and sheltered homes is + often grand beyond description. At first, in the distant west, a + cloud rises so dark that you can scarcely distinguish it from a + blue highland. But a low muttering of thunder vibrates through the + sultry air, and we know what is coming. Soon the afternoon sun is + shaded, and a deep, unnatural twilight settles upon the landscape + like the shadow of a great sorrow on a face that was smiling a + moment before. The thunder grows heavier, like the rumble and roar + of an approaching battle. The western arch of the sky is black as + night. The eastern arch is bright and sunny, and as you glance from + side to side, you cannot but think of those who, comparatively + innocent and happy at first, cloud their lives in maturer years + with evil and crime, and darken the future with the wrath of + heaven. At last the vanguard of black flying clouds, disjointed, + jagged, the rough skirmish line of the advancing storm, is over our + heads. Back of these, in one dark, solid mass, comes the tempest. + For a moment there is a sort of hush of expectation, like the lull + before a battle. The trees on the distant brow of a mountain are + seen to toss and writhe, but as yet no sound is heard. Soon there + is a faint, far-away rushing noise, the low, deep prelude of + nature's grand musical discord that is to follow. There is a vivid + flash, and a startling peal of thunder breaks forth overhead, and + rolls away with countless reverberations among the hills. In the + meantime the distant rushing sound has developed into an increasing + roar. Half-way down the mountain-side the trees are swaying wildly. + At the base stands a grove, motionless, expectant, like a square of + infantry awaiting an impetuous cavalry charge. In a moment it + comes. At first the shock seems terrible. Every branch bends low. + Dead limbs rattle down like hail. Leaves, torn away, fly wildly + through the air. But the sturdy trunks stand their ground, and the + baffled tempest passes on. Mingling with the rush of the wind and + reverberations of thunder, a new sound, a new part now enters into + the grand harmony. At first it is a low, continuous roar, caused by + the falling rain upon the leaves. It grows louder fast, like the + pattering feet of a coming multitude. Then the great drops fall + around, yards apart, like scattering shots. They grow closer, and + soon a streaming torrent drives you to shelter. The next heavy peal + is to the eastward, showing that the bulk of the shower is past. + The roar of the thunder just dies away down the river. The thickly + falling rain contracts your vision to a narrow circle, out of which + Cozzens's great hotel and Bear Mountain loom vaguely. The flowers + and shrubbery bend to the moisture with the air of one who stands + and takes it. The steady, continuous plash upon the roof slackens + into a quiet pattering of raindrops. The west is lightening up; by + and by a long line of blue is seen above Cro' Nest. The setting sun + shines out upon a purified and more beautiful landscape. Every + leaf, every spear of grass is brilliant with gems of moisture. The + cloud scenery has all changed. The sun is setting in unclouded + splendor. Not the west but the east is now black with storm; but + the rainbow, emblem of hope and God's mercy, spans its blackness, + and in the skies we again have suggested to us a life, once clouded + and darkly threatened by evil, but now, through penitence and + reform, ending in peace and beauty, God spanning the wrong of the + past with His rich and varied promises of forgiveness. At last the + skies are clear again. Along the eastern horizon the retreating + storm sends up occasional flashes, that seem like regretful + thoughts of the past. Then night comes on, cool, moonlit, + breathless. Not a leaf stirs where an hour before the sturdiest + limbs bent to the earth. This must be nature's commentary on the + 'peace that passeth all understanding.'" + +At this period Dr. Lyman Abbott made his permanent home in Cornwall, +going almost daily to the city to attend to his duties as editor of the +_Christian Union_. + +In a short article written for that paper my brother describes a drive +taken over the mountains when Dr. Abbott was entertaining the Brooklyn +Association of Congregational Ministers. + + "Pleasures long planned and anticipated often prove 'flat, stale, + and unprofitable' when at last they disappoint us in their sorry + contrast with our hopes, while on the other hand good times that + come unexpectedly are enjoyed all the more keenly because such + agreeable surprises. The other morning the editor of the _Christian + Union_, Dr. Lyman Abbott, who is a near neighbor and a nearer + friend, appeared at my door with the announcement that he was to + meet on the morrow at the West Point landing the New York and + Brooklyn Association of Congregational Ministers, at the same time + giving me an invitation to accompany him, which I accepted on the + spot. The morning of the 27th found us leading an array of + carriages up the Cornwall slope of the mountain, for it had been + arranged that the gentlemen whom Mr. and Mrs. Abbott were to + entertain for the day should land at West Point and enjoy one of + the finest drives in America across the Highlands, instead of a + prosaic ride down from Newburgh through the brickyards. The Albany + day boat was on time, and so were we, and there stepped on shore a + venerable body of divinity, or rather several bodies, led by Rev. + Henry Ward Beecher and his brother, Dr. Edward Beecher. A shower + the previous evening had left less dust than could be found in the + immaculate parlor of a spinster, and the heated air had been cooled + to such a nicety of adjustment that we grew warm in the praise of + its balminess. With much good-natured badinage and repartee we + climbed the West Point hill and took the outer avenue that skirts + the river edge of the plain and campus. 'The brethren' gazed with + mild curiosity at 'Flirtation Walk' where it led demurely and + openly from the main road, but soon lost itself in winding + intricacies, mysterious copsewood, and the still deeper mysteries + suggested by the imagination. Let no grave reader lift a disdainful + nose. Perhaps this same secluded path of frivolous name has had a + greater influence on human destiny than himself. + + "The trim plain and trimmer cadets were soon left far behind, and + nature began to wear the aspect it had shown to our great + grandfathers when children. Through the skilful engineering of Mr. + Charles Caldwell, a most excellent road of easy grades winds across + Cro' Nest and Butter Hill (the latter was rechristened 'Storm King' + some years since by the poet, N. P. Willis). As our path zigzagged + up the shaggy sides of Cro' Nest, wider and superber views opened + out before us, until at last West Point with its gleaming tents, + the winding river with its silver sheen, and the village of Cold + Spring lay at our feet, while to the southwest a multitude of green + highlands lifted their crests like a confusion of emerald waves. A + few moments more brought us to the summit, and although we were but + a thousand feet nearer heaven than when we started, the air was so + pure and sweet and the sky so blue that it might well seem to those + who had so recently left the stifling city that they had climbed + half-way thither. A half an hour's ride brought us to the northern + slope of the mountains. Here we made a halt at Mr. Cobb's 'School + on the Heights," and were entertained with unlimited cherries, + which by some strange providence had escaped the boys, and also by + some exceedingly interesting gymnastic exercises that were + performed to the rhythm of gay music. There are probably few finer + views on the river than that from Mr. Cobb's piazza and grounds, + and thus his pupils are under the best of influences out of doors + as well as within. As Mr. Abbott's guests looked down upon the + broad expanse of Newburgh Bay, the city itself, the picturesque + village of Cornwall, and the great swale of rich diversified + country that lay between our lofty eyrie and the dim and distant + Shawangunk Mountains that blended with the clouds, they must have + felt indebted to their host for one of the richest pleasures of + their lives. + +[Illustration: VIEW FROM THE PIAZZA AT "ROELANDS."] + + "At last Mr. Beecher said that he carried an internal clock which + plainly intimated that it was time for dinner. The _descensus_ was + easy, but Mrs. Abbott's warm welcome and hot dinner suggested an + _avernus_ only by blissful contrast. The fun, wit, and jollity of + the remainder of the evening can no more be reproduced than the + sparkle of yesterday's dew or the ripple of yesterday's waves. It + was a pleasant thing to see those gray-haired men, many of whom had + been burdened with care more than half a century, becoming boy-like + again in feeling and mirthfulness." + +During Edward's residence in Cornwall, each year about the middle of +June, when the roses and strawberries were in their prime, it was his +custom to send an annual invitation to the Philolethean Club of +clergymen in New York City to visit him for a day at his home. Dr. +Howard Crosby, Dr. Lyman Abbott, Dr. Schaeffer, and many other +well-known clergymen were members of this club. At these meetings the +learned and dignified clergymen threw aside all formality and were like +a company of college boys off for a frolic. Their keen wit, quick +repartee, and droll stories at these times will never be forgotten by +those privileged to listen. + +In 1882 heavy financial loss came upon us as a family owing to the +failure of an elder brother. Edward, in his efforts to help him, became +deeply involved, and to satisfy his creditors was obliged to sell the +copyrights of several of his earlier books. These were bought by a +friend without his knowledge at the time. After several years of +incessant labor he worked his way out of these difficulties, and, owing +to the immense sale of his books, was able to redeem his copyrights. He +then felt free to take rest and change of scene in a trip to Southern +California. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOME LIFE + + +As a matter of course, my brother had frequent calls from newspaper +correspondents and others who were interested in, and curious about, +the private life of a successful author. The first of the articles here +quoted was entitled "A Talk with E. P. Roe," and was printed in a +Brooklyn newspaper in 1886; the second appeared in a Detroit journal. + + "The works of few novelists of the present day have had such + remarkable sales as those of Mr. E. P. Roe, and this will be the + more readily granted when it is known that one million copies of + his novels have been sold in America alone, to which nearly + one-half of that number may be added as representing their sale in + England, Canada, Australia, and the different languages into which + they have been translated. + + "In appearance the novelist is a man of a trifle over the medium + size, with a pleasant, intellectual face, which is almost covered + with a rich and handsome coal-black beard and mustache. Mr. Roe is + in the prime of manhood, being about forty-five years of age, and + his manners and conversation are the most kindly and engaging. He + is of a generous disposition, hospitable, a kind friend, and never + happier than when in the bosom of his family, to which he is + devotedly attached. + + "It was the pleasure of the writer a few evenings ago to meet the + novelist and engage him in conversation regarding himself and his + works. + + "'I have just returned from an afternoon stroll,' remarked the + novelist. 'This is my invariable custom after my day's work. When + do I work? Well, I generally sit down immediately after breakfast, + which I have about eight o'clock, and with the exception of an hour + for lunch, I write continuously from that time until three or four + in the afternoon. Then I go out for my walk.' + + "'You never work at night, then?' was asked. + + "'No; it is a bad practice, and one that I rarely indulge in. There + was a time when I did so, but my work always showed it. A writer's + work at night is almost always morbid. There is no better time to + work than during the morning.' + + "'How much work constitutes a day's labor with you?' + + "'That varies a great deal. Sometimes I write four or five pages of + foolscap, and other days I will write as much as fifteen. I have no + average, but do as much as I feel like doing, or have time to do, + and then I stop.' + + "'Do you derive genuine pleasure from your work?' + + "'Always, for I am absorbed in whatever I am writing. I presume I + derived the most pleasure from my "Nature's Serial Story," for it + was an out-of-door study, and anything about nature always finds a + responsive chord in me. Then, two of the characters of that work + portray my father and my mother, and their memory is blessed and + sacred to me. All the other characters are imaginary.' + + "'Are your stories and novels based on facts and real happenings, + as a rule?' + + "'In every case,' replied Mr. Roe. 'I never manufacture a story; I + couldn't do it. Of course, I elaborate and idealize, but the actual + facts are always drawn from real life. I am always on the alert for + these incidents, and when I see one that I think is adapted for a + story I make a note of it.' + + "'Speaking of your correspondence, like that of most authors, I + presume it is of a various nature?' + + "'Yes, indeed,' laughingly replied the novelist. 'It is surprising + what letters I sometimes receive, and how difficult it is for some + persons to realize that an author's time is valuable. Of course, I + am not a stranger to the autograph craze, and of these requests I + receive, I think, more than my share. But what is most surprising + is the number of manuscripts I receive from young, aspiring + authors. I am often asked "to read them, revise them carefully, and + express an opinion as to the merit of the contribution." Why, I + have frequently been requested to do a whole month's work on a + single manuscript. What do I do with these? Well, the best I can. + If I have a spare moment, I look over the story or article, and + encourage the writer, if possible. But at times the supply is too + great for physical endurance.' + + "'What exercise do you most indulge in, and what particular one do + you recommend?' + + "'So far as I am concerned, I like a good, long walk, and this is + what I would recommend to all who work with the brain and are + confined. Exercise should never, in my opinion, be taken before + sitting down to work, always after the task of the day has been + completed. Then one receives far more benefit from it than if taken + before work. I also like to work in my garden, and there is hardly + a better means of exercise. Hunting and fishing are also favorite + sports with me, and I keep a good gun and a fishing-rod close at + hand.' + + "'Have you entirely given up gardening for literature?' + + "'Yes, almost entirely, even in an amateur way. Of course I still + retain an active interest in everything that is interesting or new + about a garden or a farm. But as to any active participation, as + formerly, I have been obliged to desist.' + + "It may be interesting here to mention that the grounds surrounding + Mr. Roe's rural retreat at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson show no lack of + proper care and attention. The property consists of twenty-three + acres and is all cultivated for floral and farming purposes. The + novelist has on these grounds alone over one hundred and twelve + different varieties of grapes, and has had in his strawberry beds + seventy different varieties of that luscious berry in bearing at + one time. One year Mr. Roe's orchards yielded him, among other + products, one hundred and fifty barrels of apples, and this year + about forty bushels of pears will be taken from his trees. + + "'What are your immediate plans?' was asked the novelist, as he + courteously showed the writer into the dining-room in response to + the merry jingle of the dinner-bell. + + "'I am now taking a brief holiday, resting from overwork. In about + two months I leave the North for Santa Barbara, California, where I + may remain for a year, or may return next spring. All depends upon + how my family and myself like the country there. I go there partly + for pleasure and partly for work. I shall doubtless gather + considerable new material, and this I shall incorporate in future + works. I shall study the life of the people of that region, and + intend more especially to devote myself to studying nature in the + direction of trees, plants, as well as the animals, birds, etc., of + that charming country. My return North is uncertain, as I have + said, and should everything prove agreeable, I may extend my + residence there indefinitely.' + + "And here ended the writer's chat with perhaps the most popular + author of the day. Mr. Roe is extremely retiring in disposition; he + never courts notoriety, but always strictly avoids it whenever + possible. And with his large black slouched hat set carelessly on + his head a stranger would more readily mistake him for a Cuban + planter, with his dark complexion, than the author of the novels + which have entered into thousands of American homes." + + "Cornwall is situated on the western bank of the Hudson, just north + of the Highlands. If you arrive by steamer you find an energetic + crowd of 'bus men, who are eager to be of service to you. Most of + the vehicles have four horses attached, which seem to tell of a + hill in the neighborhood. We passed Cornwall several times by boat, + and saw enough of the energy of the hackmen to make us resolve to + reach the place some time when they were absent. Consequently we + sailed down on Cornwall as General Wolfe sailed down on Quebec--in + a small boat, and captured the place easily. + + "As we walked up the rickety steps that lead from the water to the + wharf, there was no deputation there to meet us. + + "'Now the first thing,' said my companion, 'is to find out where + Mr. Roe lives.' + + "'No, that's the second thing,' I replied. 'The first thing is to + find out where we are to get supper.' + + "The reasonableness of this proposal was so apparent that further + remark was not so necessary as finding a hotel well stocked with + provisions. + + "We found it in the shape of an unpretentious brick structure at + the foot of the hill. By the way, everything is at the foot of the + hill at Cornwall Landing. The landlady, who was the pink of + neatness, promised us all we could eat on our return, although if + she had known my talents in that line she would have hesitated. I + noticed that she referred to 'Mr. Roe, the author,' while our + fellow voyager in the small boat spoke of him as 'the strawberry + man.' Probably the boor who relished the production of Mr. Roe's + garden would have been surprised to know that the productions of + his pen were even more sought after than that delicious fruit. + + "But evening is coming on and we have a long hill before us, so we + must proceed. A Cornwall road is always either going up or down, + and a person gets great opportunities for rising in the world as he + turns his back on the Hudson and climbs to Cornwall. The road winds + up the hill, often shaded by trees and always accompanied by a + mountain torrent whose rocky bed lies deep beside the pathway. This + stream lacks only one thing to make it a success--and that is + water. No doubt after a heavy rain it would show commendable + enterprise, but now the rocks were dry. A thin thread of clear + spring water trickled along the bottom of the ravine, now forming a + silvery-toned waterfall, then losing itself among the loose rocks, + next finding itself again, and sometimes making the mistake which + humanity often makes, of spreading itself too much and trying to + put on the airs of larger streams. + + "Half-way up is a spring, surrounded by benches, welcome to the + pedestrian who finds tramping uphill business. The clear, cold + water pours out, and an iron dipper, like Prometheus 'chained to a + pillar,' invites the thirsty to have a drink. The benches form a + semicircle around this fountain, and on the backs thereof some one + has painted in large letters the legend 'Please don't cut an old + friend.' But 'excelsior' is our motto, and we climb. When we reach + the top of the mountain we part company with the rivulet, thinking, + with perhaps a sigh, what a vast advantage water has over + people--it always goes down hill. Cornwall now begins to show its + beauties. It seems to be a big village composed of splendid + residences and elegant family hotels--or rather huge summer + boarding-houses. Excellent roads run in all directions, up and + down, turning now to the right and now to the left, until a + stranger loses all idea of the points of the compass. + + "About a mile from the landing, if you are in a carriage, or about + five miles if you are on foot, you come to an open gateway, through + which a road turns that might be mistaken for one of the many + offshoots of the public street, were it not that a notice + conspicuously posted up informs the traveller that the way is + private property. A cottage, probably a gardener's residence, + stands beside the gate. The land slopes gently downward from the + road and then rises beyond, leaving a wide valley between the + street and a large two-story frame building that stands on the + rising ground. This is the home of E. P. Roe, author of 'Barriers + Burned Away,' 'Opening of a Chestnut Burr,' 'From Jest to Earnest,' + and other well-known works, read and enjoyed by thousands in + America and in England. Between the house and the road are long + rows of strawberry plants that looked tempting even in September. + The house stands in about the centre of a plot of twenty-three + acres. The side is toward the road, and a broad piazza runs along + the length of it, from which glimpses of the distant Hudson can be + had through the framework of trees and hills. The piazza is reached + by broad steps, and is high enough from the ground to make a grand + tumbling-off place for the numerous jovial and robust youngsters + that romp around there and call Mr. Roe 'papa.' A wide hall runs + through the centre of the house, and the whole dwelling has a roomy + air that reminds one of the generous and hospitable mansions for + which the South is famous. Mr. Roe's house is without any attempt + at architectural ornamentation, unless the roof window in the + centre can be called an ornament; but there is something very + homelike about the place, something that is far beyond the powers + of architecture to supply. + + "My fellow-traveller sat down in one of the rural chairs that stood + invitingly on the piazza, and I manipulated the door-bell. + + "While the servant is coming to open the door I may as well confess + that I have undertaken to write the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left + out. + + "Mr. Roe was not at home. + + "I tell this now so that the reader will not be disappointed when + the girl opens the door. + + "The door opens. + + "Could we see Mr. Roe? + + "Mr. Roe had left that very morning for New York. + + "'He evidently heard in some way we were coming,' said my + companion, _sotto voce_. + + "When would he return? + + "Perhaps not this week. Would we walk in and see Mrs. Roe? + + "The next thing to seeing an author is to see the author's wife, so + we accepted the invitation and walked into the parlor. Before we + walked out we came to the conclusion that the next thing to seeing + the author's wife is to see the author. + + "Now, of course, I might have taken an inventory of the articles in + the parlor, just as if I were a deputy sheriff, or a tax collector, + or something of that sort, but I didn't. I might tell of the piano + that stood in one corner and the pile of music that reached from + the floor to the top of it, and of the little table covered with + stereoscopic views, and the photograph of Mr. Roe framed above it, + and of the two low front windows with their river view and their + lace curtains, and the large folding-doors opening into the + library, the workshop of Mr. Roe, and of the quiet, neutral tints + of the carpet, or the many contents of the whatnot in the corner, + and the paintings and engravings on the walls, and the comfortable + easy-chairs, and the books scattered here and there, and of dozens + of other things that made up an author's parlor, but I will not + mention one of them. + + "I had the idea that E. P. Roe was a kindly old gentleman with gray + hair. Kindly he undoubtedly is, but old he is not. His portrait + shows him to have a frank, manly countenance, with an earnest and + somewhat sad expression. He has dark hair and a full beard, long + and black. Mr. Roe is at present writing a series of articles on + small fruits for _Scribner's Magazine_. The publishers of that + periodical intend to give a portrait of Mr. Roe, which will be the + first ever published. It may appear in the December number, and if + it does the readers of this paper are respectfully referred to the + pages of that magazine. It seems to be the general idea that Mr. + Roe is an old man. For instance, a lady writing from Wheeling, W. + Va., to _The Household_ a few weeks since, says:-- + + "'Some one asked if Rev. E. P. Roe had taken his characters + from life or not. Several years ago we had amongst us a certain + Professor Roe (vocal teacher, possessing a beautiful tenor + voice), said to be a son of the novelist. If he was a son, the + character of Walter Gregory in '"Opening of a Chestnut Burr" + was certainly drawn from him, and it always seemed to me that + Dennis Fleet's wonderful voice in "Barriers Burned Away" was + likened to his voice.' + + "If this writer could have seen the youthful appearance of Mrs. + Roe, she would have no hesitation in denying the professor's + alleged relationship to the novelist. Her husband is not yet forty. + + "I wish Scribners would publish a portrait of Mrs. Roe. It would + certainly add to the popularity of the magazine. Such a lady must + be a wonderful help to her husband. I think, as a general thing, + the world gives too little credit to the power behind the throne. + + "Mrs. Roe deserves at least half the credit of 'Barriers Burned + Away,' which is certainly E. P. Roe's most dramatic work, and had, + no doubt, a great deal to do with many of his other volumes. This + particular work describes the thrilling scenes of the Chicago fire + with a vividness and power that is rarely surpassed. When the whole + world was thrilled by the dreadful tidings of a city's destruction, + Mr. Roe said to his wife that if he could collect some of the + actual occurrences that must be transpiring there he thought he + could write a book about it. Mrs. Roe at once decided for him. Her + advice was that so tersely put by Mr. Greeley. Although nearly a + thousand miles intervened, Mr. Roe was in Chicago before the fire + had ceased, and the incidents so graphically depicted in 'Barriers + Burned Away' were the result of actual observation. + + "Most of Mr. Roe's characters are taken from real life, and all of + his works are written for a purpose, as can readily be seen in + 'What Can She Do?' for example. His next book, which will be + published in a few days, will furnish another instance of writing + for a purpose. Its title is, 'Without a Home;' the subject it + treats is the tenement-house problem, which is at present agitating + New York and all large cities. In this work the scenes and + personages will be nearly all from real life. If the book were not + in press the tenement-house fires in New York on Friday, causing + the death of seven persons, would furnish a tragic climax to his + story. What could be more terribly pathetic than the frantic mother + penned in by the smoke and flame, dragging herself to the bedside + of her children to die with them? In choosing the evils of the + tenement-house system as a subject, Mr. Roe strikes at one of the + worst features of city life. + + "It was to finish the last pages of this book that Mr. Roe was now + 'Without a Home' himself, and as the printers were clamoring for + copy, he had betaken himself to a room in a New York hotel to write + without interruption. Mr. Roe is too good-natured to deny himself + to visitors, and they make great inroads on his time. + + "'If he hears the voice of a friend,' said Mrs. Roe, 'he cannot + remain at his desk.' + + "So when there is work that must be done, Mr. Roe banishes himself + from home and friends and flies to that loneliness which only a + great and crowded city can supply. + + "Mrs. Roe's favorite book is 'The Opening of a Chestnut Burr,' and + this must be a favorite work with many, for it has reached its + thirtieth thousand, not to mention the numerous reprints in England + and Canada. The realistic incident in this work, which supplies the + place the Chicago fire does in the other, is the sinking in mid + ocean of the French steamer Ville d'Havre. + + "I think, although it is only mere conjecture on my part, that Mrs. + Roe herself is the heroine of this book. For that reason I shall + not attempt to say anything of the lady, as the reader can turn to + the book and satisfy all curiosity there. But if I should find, at + some future time, that I am mistaken in my surmise, I shall make + that my excuse for the pleasant task of writing again of Mrs. Roe. + The old homestead is described in the 'Opening of a Chestnut Burr,' + and naturally this would endear the book to those who lived there. + + "The library in which Mr. Roe does his writing, when at home, is a + sunny room filled from floor to ceiling with books. A large flat + desk, covered with papers, stands in the centre of the room, and + this is the novelist's work-bench. I shall conclude with a few + words regarding Mr. Roe's method of working. Mr. Roe himself has + supplied this in a letter written nearly a year ago, to an admirer, + and part of which I am allowed to copy. This extract forms a + portion of Mr. Roe's work never before published, and the writer + himself had no idea it would ever appear in print. The letter bears + date November 25, 1878. He says:-- + + "'My aim is to spend the earlier part of the day in my study, but I + cannot always control my time, much of which is lost in + interruptions. I sometimes have to go away and shut myself up for a + time. I am not as systematic as I ought to be. I like to write the + latter part of my books at white heat, first getting full of my + story and then writing with a zest. I call from five to eight pages + a good day's work, although in some moods I write many more. Again, + I will work hard over three or four. I am opposed to night work. + + "'I hope to average five hours a day hereafter in my study, and + three or four in my garden. I employ from ten to fifteen men and + from ten to thirty boys in picking the berries. A large part of my + labor is employed in taking up and packing plants. The department + of fruit culture to which I give my chief attention, is the keeping + of each variety separate and pure. This I trust to no one, and it + requires constant vigilance.' + + "After leaving the residence of Mr. Roe, we went half a mile or so + farther on to Idlewild, once the home of N. P. Willis. Darkness + came on before we reached there and we had our labor for our pains. + + "Mrs. Roe said that Idlewild is little changed since the poet left + it. A recent freshet swept away the bridges he built in the Glen, + but otherwise it is the same as it was before. Thus ended our visit + to Cornwall-on-the-Hudson." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SANTA BARBARA + + +My brother's boyhood friend, Mr. Merwin, speaking of his visits at +Cornwall later, says: "When honors came in troops, I found Edward was +the same kindly unostentatious man, the truly loyal friend. Later, +after some correspondence with me, he came to Southern California, +where under those sunny skies and semi-tropical scenes his love of +Nature found great delight. + + "While visiting at Pasadena, as we drove about that beautiful city, + he emphasized what he had often told me, that one of the great joys + of his life was that which came to him from the hundreds of letters + from all parts of the country, and many written by people in humble + circumstances, thanking him most heartily for the cheer and + encouragement he had given them through his books." + +After a short stay with his friend in Pasadena Edward went with his +wife and children to Santa Barbara. There they occupied a pleasantly +situated cottage, owned by a New England lady and her daughter, under +whose excellent care they enjoyed the rest and freedom from restraint +that cannot be found in crowded hotels. + +In a letter written to the Detroit _Tribune_ my brother gives his +experience of a California winter. + + "My impression is that January first was the warmest day of the + month. Certainly on no other days was I so conscious of the sun's + heat, yet the air was so deliciously cool and fresh in the early + morning. There had been a heavy dew, and grass, weed, hedge, and + flower were gemmed in the brilliant sunshine. + + "Walking up town with my mail at about ten in the morning, I found + myself perspiring as upon a hot day in August, but there was no + sense of oppression. One was exhilarated rather than wilted. After + reaching our cottage piazza and the shelter of the climbing roses + and honeysuckle, the change was decidedly marked. This is said to + be the peculiarity the year round, even in midsummer. One has only + to step out of the sun's rays in order to be cool, and the dead, + sultry heat which sometimes induces one to yearn for the depths of + a cave is unknown. + + "As I sat there in the shade, letting the paper fall from my hand + in the deeper interest excited by my immediate surroundings, I + could scarcely realize that we were in the depths of winter. + + "The air was fragrant from blooming flowers; finches and Audubon's + warblers were full of song in the pepper trees, while humming birds + were almost as plentiful as bumble-bees in June. + + "It was evident that the day was being celebrated in the manner + characteristic of the place. One might fancy that half the + population were on horseback. In twos and fours they clattered + along the adjacent streets, while from more distant thoroughfares, + until the sounds were like faint echoes, came also the sounds of + horses' feet rapidly striking the hard adobe of the roadways. In + addition to those who gave the impression of life and movement in + the suburbs of the town, large equestrian parties had started for + mountain passes and distant canyons, taking with them hearty lunches + in which the strawberries were a leading feature. As long as the + sun was well above the horizon delicate girls, almost in summer + costume, could sit in the shade of the live-oaks in safety, but + when the sun declines to a certain point, between four and five in + winter, there is a sudden chill in the air, and those who do not + protect themselves by wraps or overcoats are likely to be punished + with as severe colds as they would take in a Boston east wind. + + "It has often seemed to me warmer at eight o'clock in the evening + than at four in the afternoon. + + "We resolved to have our holiday outing as well as the others, and + after dinner were bowling out on the road to Montecito, the + favorite suburb of Santa Barbara. The fields by the roadside were + as bare and brown as ours in winter when not covered with snow, but + drought, not frost, was the cause. The 'rainy season' was well + advanced, but there had been no rain in quantity sufficient to + awaken nature from her sleep. In this climate vegetation is always + a question of moisture. + + "When reaching the villa region of Montecito, blossoming gardens + and green lawns illustrated this truth. After a visit to the + beautiful grounds and fine residence of Mr. A. L. Anderson, so well + remembered by thousands as the captain of the favorite Hudson River + steamboat the Mary Powell, we drove on to one of the largest orange + groves on this part of the coast. Mr. Johnson, one of the + proprietors, received us most hospitably, and led the way into a + grove that sloped toward the mountains. The ground was scrupulously + free from weeds, mellow as an ash heap, and had evidently been made + very fertile. Mr. Johnson told me that he fed the trees constantly + and liberally, and this course is in accordance with nature and + with reason, for the orange tree never rests. While the fruit is + ripening the tree is blossoming for a new crop. Always growing and + producing, it requires a constant supply of plant food, and one of + the causes of the deep green and vigorous aspect of the grove and + its fruitfulness consisted undoubtedly in the richness at the + roots. + + "Another and leading cause was in abundant supply of water. + + "From a canyon near by a mountain stream flowed down skirting the + grove. This stream was tapped by an iron pipe at a point + sufficiently high to furnish by gravity all the water required, and + it was distributed by a simple yet ingenious contrivance. + + "The utmost vigilance is exercised against insect pests and the + mutilation of the roots by gophers. The results of all this + intelligent care and cultivation were seen in the surprising beauty + and fruitfulness of the trees, which were laden with from one to + two thousand golden-hued oranges, in addition to the green ones not + to be distinguished from the leaves at a distance. Even so early in + the season there were a sufficient number of blossoms to fill the + air with fragrance. + +[Illustration: THE STUDY AT "ROELANDS."] + + "The brook babbled with a summer-like sound, and the illusion of + summer was increased by the song of birds, the flutter of + butterflies, and the warm sunshine, rendering vivid the gold and + glossy green of the groves. Rising near and reflecting down the + needed heat were the rocky and precipitous slopes of the Santa Ynez + Mountains. Turning on one's heel, the silver sheen of the Pacific + Ocean, gemmed with islands, stretched away as far as the eye could + reach. Could this be January? On our way home I felt that it might + be, for as the sun sank low wraps and overcoats, which could not + have been endured an hour before, seemed scarcely adequate + protection against the sudden chill. + + "Throughout the month there were many days like the first, + summer--like sunshine followed by chilly evenings and cool nights. + No rain fell and clouds were rarely seen. The temperature gradually + became lower even at midday, and occasionally in the early morning + there was a white frost on the boards and sidewalks. The roses grew + more scattering in the bushes. Nature did not absolutely stop and + rest, but she went slow over the cold divide of the year. I know + not how it was with the old residents, but a sense of winter + haunted me, especially on the quiet, star-lit nights. I sometimes + questioned whether this sense resulted from the impressions of a + lifetime, made at this season, or was due to climatic influences. + To both, I fancy. When a baker's horse and wagon, furnished with + bells, jingled by, it was a sleigh until memory asserted itself. + + "When abroad, even in the bright, warm sunshine, something in the + appearance of the sky, the feel of the atmosphere, and the aspect + of the bare, brown fields suggested winter and created a momentary + astonishment at the flowers which continued to bloom in the watered + gardens. + + "I was continually aware of a conscious effort to account for what + I saw and to readjust my ideas to a new order of things. + + "The season seemed an anomaly, for it was neither summer nor + winter, fall nor spring, in accordance with one's previous + impressions. The visage of nature had an odd and peculiar aspect. + It was as if the face of an old friend had assumed an expression + never seen before. There was no ambiguity or uncertainty upon one + point, however, and that was the need of winter clothing by day and + of blankets at night, roses and sunshine notwithstanding, and those + proposing to come here should always remember the chill of shade + and apartments without fires. + + "Although the mercury never marks extreme cold, the sense of cold + is often felt keenly unless adequate provision is made against it. + All that is needed, however, is a little prudence, for one never + has to guard against sudden and violent changes. + + "As in the East, so here, winter is especially dedicated to social + pleasures. Much of the gayety centres at the two fine hotels, the + Arlington and the San Marcos, both under the efficient management + of one proprietor, Mr. Cowles. The townspeople are much indebted to + his genial courtesy, and the spacious parlours are often lined with + the parents and chaperons of young ladies from the city of Santa + Barbara as well as with his guests, while the entertainments have + the best characteristics of a dancing party at a private dwelling. + It is very fortunate for the young people that there are such + unexceptional places in which to meet, for this town is peculiarly + a city of cottages, few being large enough for assemblies of any + considerable numbers. + + "There is consequently much social life in a quiet, informal way. + + "One of the remarkable characteristics of the town is the large + percentage of what is justly termed good society--a society not + resting its claims on wealth or an ancestry long known and + recognised in the vicinity, but on the much better qualities of + refinement, intelligence, and cultivation. Search for health and a + genial climate have brought people here from all parts of the + Union, and not a few, after long residence abroad, prefer this + Pacific slope to any of the world-renowned regions on the + Mediterranean. One therefore soon discovers a marked absence of + provincialism and is led to expect that the quiet lady or gentleman + to whom he is introduced has seen far more of the world than + himself. The small, unpretentious cottage facing the grassy + sidewalk may be inhabited by a mechanic, or it may be the + dwelling-place of people cosmopolitan in their culture and + experience. Strangers are not wholly dependent on each other for + society, as is so often true of health resorts, but find a resident + population both hospitable and acquainted with life in its most + varied aspects. Much of the abundant leisure possessed by many is + spent in reading, and to this pleasure a large, well-selected free + library contributes greatly." + + +Edward had the good fortune to arrive at Santa Barbara in time to +witness its unique centennial celebration, of which he gives a detailed +description. + + "SANTA BARBARA, Cal., January 7, 1887. + + "Few more interesting events ever took place in the quaint and + quiet town of Santa Barbara than its centennial, and nothing + resembling it in any true sense can ever occur again. The Indian + element of this region receded and disappeared before the Spanish, + and the latter population is fast becoming a minority among the + still paler faces arriving from the East. The time perhaps is not + distant when Santa Barbara may be known as a New England city. Even + in its centennial the great effort made to recall the past and the + old resulted in a large degree from the interest taken by new + comers in vanishing phases of life. The success of the enterprise + was due largely to the organization, young in age and composed + chiefly of youthful members, entitled the 'Go Ahead Club.' The name + itself suggests the East, and the opposite of the Spanish + disposition to permit each day to be a repetition of a former day, + yet the club had the tact and friendly feeling to co-operate with + the best Spanish element, and to bring about a festival week which + interested all classes of people. + + "For days even a stranger was impressed by a slight bustle of + preparation. When riding up from the steamer we saw, in the dim + starlight, that a great arch spanned Main Street. Observation in + the bright sunshine of the morrow proved this arch to be a wooden + structure and a fine imitation of the front of the old mission with + its quaint towers. Busy workmen were draping the edifice with some + variety of aromatic evergreen and with palm leaves, and it still + remains as a suggestion to new comers of what they missed in not + arriving earlier. + + "The opening ceremonies of the week naturally centered at the + Mission Church, and on Sunday the religious phase of the festival + culminated. Even before we were through breakfast groups were seen + pressing from town. Later there were the sounds of rapid wheels and + the echoing tramp of horses. We soon joined the increasing throng + wending its way up the slopes which lift the Mission above the town + and place it against the grand mountain background. Spanish colors, + red and yellow, hung from tower to tower, while American flags + floated from the belfry arches. Within the long, narrow interior of + the church the sunshine contended with innumerable candles + flickering on the altar, at the shrines, and from the chandeliers. + The softly blended light revealed the beautiful decorations drawn + from the abundant flora and plant life of the region. + + "The elaborate service began, the fragrance of roses was lost in + that of the incense, the rustle of dresses and tread of incoming + feet in the mellow tones of the chanting priest and the responses + of the choir. Every seat and all standing room was occupied, rich + and poor sharing alike according to the earliness of their arrival. + Next to a dark-visaged Spanish laborer might be seen the delicate + bloom of a New England girl's features. Beautiful lace mantillas + were worn in several instances. In looking at them one sighed as he + thought of the various monstrosities termed bonnets which disfigure + modern women. The clergy were in their most gorgeous robes, strong + contrasts in tone and color on every side, but above all was a + sense of the past touching the present in many and unexpected ways; + and this effect was enhanced by a sermon in English, giving an + account of the founding of the Mission. Late one afternoon, on a + subsequent day, I found the door of the church open and, venturing + in, saw the western sun shining through the high narrow windows, + lighting up shrines and images with the mellowest light and + throwing others into the deepest shadow. + + "No one was visible, yet in the silence and desertion of the place + one felt more like worship than when, a part of the throng, he + witnessed the ceremonials of the preceding Sunday. + + "Later still, returning from a ramble in Mission Canyon, I peeped + into the old church once more. Twilight had deepened into dusk--all + was dark within, except the faintest glimmer of a taper at the + altar, where it was evident that some of the Franciscans were + engaged in their devotions. As I crept noiselessly away the bells + chimed out from the belfry. In the upper gallery of the long + corridor stretching from the right of the chapel there was an + immediate opening of doors and a shuffling of feet. + + "Evidently the bells had summoned to some new duty,--attendance in + the refectory at that hour, I trust,--and I could have cordially + joined the venerable fathers then, however simple their diet. + + "On Monday the festival passed into its secular aspect. The morning + was deemed most unfavorable in this climate, where a cloud, even in + winter, is far more rare than roses. The sky was overcast with what + the Spaniards call a 'high fog.' The sun soon proved, however, to + be the victor, for early in the day the leaden pall was shot + through and through with light. Not only from the most distant and + well-to-do ranches, but from all the small adobe houses and huts + that skirt the mountains, the people were on the way to town in the + early hours. They appeared on the streets in almost every + description of vehicle imaginable, and not a few looked as if they + had trudged from a long distance. The majority, both of men and + women, had apparently ridden in on their broncho horses, the hardy + and often vicious native breed of the region. The townspeople had + prepared a brilliant welcome, for the whole length of State Street + was decorated with flags and streamers of many and varied devices, + the Spanish and American colors blending most amicably. There was + bustle and movement, life and color, with an increasing concourse + throughout the whole length of the thoroughfare. To a stranger's + eye, men in various costumes were riding aimlessly and often + furiously to and fro, but as noon approached affairs began to + culminate in the blocks above the Arlington Hotel. Here the + procession was forming, and it proved to be the chief event of the + week. Nature was now assisting to make the occasion all that could + be desired. The clouds that had threatened now merely saved the day + from an unredeemed glare. After the usual delay in processions, it + began to pass the balcony of the Arlington Hotel, where scores of + guests were assembled to witness the pageant. First came the grand + marshal in a genuine Mexican suit and mantle. Following him were + his aides, dressed in rich, various, and characteristic Spanish + costumes, some of which were remarkable for their beauty and others + were picturesque in the extreme. One young gentleman was habited in + blue, lavishly laced with silver. It was the cadet uniform of the + Spanish army, and had belonged to his grandfather. Another, clad in + cream white satin and gold lace, with crimson sash and other + accessories, made a striking figure. + + "Indeed, each of the aides graced the occasion in handsome costumes + which were, as I was told, no capricious and fancy affairs, but a + reproduction of the gala habiliments of the past. They sat their + fine horses in Mexican saddles which were in themselves marvels of + old and curious workmanship. A like cavalcade in Broadway would + draw out the town. + + "Next in order came the Spanish division, men and women on + horseback, and nearly fifty strong. It was evident that all + heirlooms in dress had been rummaged from their receptacles and + made to fit the descendants of remote ancestors. It would be hard + to say how many different ages and how many provinces in Spain and + Mexico were represented. + + "To modern eyes the picturesque had the ascendency over other + qualities, but all welcomed the man carrying a guitar. At any rate, + this division passed all too quickly, singing an ancient Spanish + song. Close upon them were a band of soldiers clad in suits of + antiquated buff jerkins, armed in old Mexican style with long pikes + and muskets that may have been formidable once. It is doubtful + whether a band so representative of the old Spanish element will + ever appear on the streets of an American town again. Years hence + such an attempt will be more of a masquerade than a reproduction. + In this instance the genuine Spaniards were too numerous and their + traditions too recent and real to permit impositions. + + "Many Spaniards and native Californians not in costume now + followed, and then came an old-fashioned ox-cart, dating back a + century and drawn by oxen yoked by the horns. Within the cart was a + wooden plow that had turned some of the earliest furrows in this + region, and would have been equally satisfactory at the time of + Abraham. In this age of invention one wonders that people remained + satisfied so long with such primitive methods and implements. + Appropriately following the cart, the like of which had been used + by their ancestors, came the shrunken band of Mission Indians, the + two foremost of them carrying a portrait, draped in Spanish colors, + of Padre Junupero Serra. + + "The good father passed away centuries ago, and the Indians he + sought to civilize are also nearly extinct, but the principles + which actuated him have redeemed his name from forgetfulness and + will crown it with increasing honor. + + "The half-dozen Indians were chanting some wild song of their own + when the fine band from San Luis Obispo struck up and the wail-like + echo of the past was lost. Then came another significant and + diminishing company, the Grand Army of the Republic. On every + public occasion the ranks are thinner and the hair of the veterans + grayer. They, too, will soon leave but a name, but it will not be + forgotten. + + "Driving away sad, if not gloomy thoughts, comes now a vision of + beauty and youth; the joy of to-day and the rich promise of the + future--an indefinite number of young girls who, in their + two-wheeled village carts, or 'tubs,' as the English term them, + drew forth rapturous applause. Well they might, for they were in + harmony with the loveliness of the June-like day. Their little + carts had been transformed into floral bowers. The flowers and + greenery so festooned the horses that they were half-hidden, while + wheels within wheels of smilax, roses, geraniums, daisies, and + other blossoms revolved in unison with the outer circumferences. + Each little cart had its own distinctive character, and some had + been decorated with rare taste and originality. Not a few of the + girls carried parasols constructed entirely of roses, or of + geraniums, passion flowers, orange blossoms, etc. Greenhouses had + not been stripped for them, nor, indeed, the open gardens from + which they had been taken. Truly, no such visible and delightful + proof could have been given to our Northern eyes that we had come + to the land of flowers. Gardens, orange trees golden with fruit, + formed the background for this charming part of the procession, + while beyond and above all rose the grand Santa Ynez Mountains, + softening their rugged outlines with half-veiling mists. + + "Burlesque followed close upon beauty in the form of an old farm + cart laden with the coarser vegetables and driven by two young men + in the garb of ancient females. The trades' procession came next, + and spoke well for the business of the city, but our eyes soon + dwelt lovingly on over a hundred school children, who made, by + their unrestrained laughter, the sweetest music of the day, while + two little girls riding on one much-bedecked donkey caused ripples + of merriment as they passed. + + "A cavalcade of carriages and of ladies and gentlemen on horseback + seemed about to close the procession, when there appeared one of + the most interesting features yet seen--a train of pack mules, not + merely illustrating the former method of transportation, but that + employed to-day by the owner of the train. I hastened to the + director, whose dress indicated a rude mountaineer, and expected a + half intelligible reply from a Spaniard. The accent of his first + word led me to scan his delicate Anglo-Saxon features. I eventually + learned that he was a New Yorker, a member of one of its best-known + families, and not a native of a little-known wilderness. + + "Nevertheless he is a mountaineer. Dressed for a Fifth Avenue + company one would not suspect it, his form is so slight and + complexion so fair. Dudes would not be abashed at his presence, yet + they would expire under one day of his experiences. + + "Only by a mule train, led over a scarcely practicable trail, can + he reach his distant ranch, that is forty-five miles back in the + heart of the mountains. Here, with another young man, a kindred + spirit, he cares for an increasing herd of cattle, and if necessary + is ready to protect it from wild animals. The grazing grounds are + far within a region about as wild as it ever has been. How about + the young men who whine when they can find nothing to do? + + "The interest of the two closing days of the festival centered at + the race course and at the pavilion. The chief attractions at the + former place were to be seen on Tuesday, and they were of a mixed + character. We were treated to what would seem to be a rather rare + phenomenon in Santa Barbara--a genuine Indian summer day of the + warmest type, as we know it at the East. A haze partly obscured the + Santa Ynez Mountains, softened the outlines of the foothills and + blended the ocean with the sky. The air was soft and balmy in the + extreme, but one soon detected a slight chill in the shade. All + sorts of vehicles, from stages of unwieldy height, open barouches, + farmers' wagons of all descriptions, top buggies, down to the + numerous little two-wheeled carts, rapidly converged toward the + judges' stand. As on all gala occasions here, however, the number + on horseback was very large, the ladies sitting their horses with + perfect ease and grace. Not a few, like myself, were content to + trudge to the rendezvous on foot. The grand stand was soon crowded, + and the vast, restless concourse stretched far to the right and + left on either side of the race track. The horsemanship of the + Spaniards could only be surpassed by the fine action of their + steeds, and all lovers of this noblest of animals must have been + delighted. In the effort to show how wild cattle were lassoed, + thrown, and branded there appeared to be too much needless cruelty, + and when a miserable little bull was tormented into savageness, and + the semblance of a bull-fight took place, scores of people turned + away in disgust. + + "The finest equestrianism could not redeem the scene from + brutality. The victims were the wretched bull, a fine innocent + horse badly gored, and the people who could not endure to see + animals suffer needlessly. So also in the afternoon great skill was + undoubtedly manifested in lassoing the feet of the wild broncho + horses, and in the process of subduing them, yet one pitied the + poor creatures too greatly for enjoyment and soon turned away. The + helpless beasts were checked in full career, often thrown upon + their heads, turning a complete somersault. One animal, I was told, + broke its neck in the operation, and so escaped further suffering. + Such scenes, no doubt, illustrated much that was common in the life + of the early settlers, but happily it is a past phase, and will + scarcely be reproduced again in this region. + + "It was interesting to observe the many types of people in festival + costume, the Indian in his blanket, the Spaniard wearing the broad + sombrero, and the belle from New York reflecting the latest mode. + There was movement, light, color, vivacity, and excitement. + + "Every moment or two the eye caught glimpses of swift, spirited + horses and their graceful riders, and yet one's glance was often + lured from it all to the grand, mist-veiled mountains beyond. Many + of the scenes and objects at the pavilion were very interesting to + our foreign eyes and ears. Here Spanish and American life met and + mingled in a far more agreeable way. Several ladies had taken + charge of the large building, erected for horticultural purposes, + and by the aid of greenery, flowers, flags, and a blending of + Spanish and American colors, had transformed the spacious interior + into a decorated hall well fitted for a festival. In the centre of + the hall rose a flower stand suggesting Moorish architecture, its + arches making fitting frames for the young girls within. One might + buy flowers, but his eye lingered rather on the fair flower-girls + in their charming costumes. Among the booths was one in which some + Spanish ladies had kindly permitted to be exhibited some of their + ancient treasures--velvet mantles, embroidered shawls, etc. Even to + masculine eyes they were marvellously beautiful, rich, and + intricate in their designs. The ladies stood before them with + clasped hands and expressed themselves in exclamation points. The + chief attraction, however, was the stage, on which were tableaux + and, above all, the genuine Spanish fandango. One of the dances was + a waltz, with an intricate figure which you felt might go on + forever, and that you could look on a good part of the time. At + first it struck one as merely simple, graceful, and very slow, and + guided by monotonous music; but while you looked and listened a + fascination grew upon you hard to account for. The oft-repeated + strain began to repeat itself in your mind; you felt rather than + saw how it controlled the leisurely gliding figures--for there is + no hopping in the Spanish dances--until at last, in fancy, you were + moving with them in perfect time and step. In brief, the dance had + the effect of a strain of music which, when first heard, is not at + all striking, yet is soon running in your head as if it had a spell + not easily broken. On the programme the dance was entitled 'Contra + Danza.' Later a Spaniard who has a wide local reputation, I + believe, appeared in what was termed 'Son-jarabe.' He certainly + left nothing to be desired in his performance after his fashion, + but the grace of the lady who accompanied was inimitable. From my + somewhat distant point of view she appeared to be dressed in a + simple black gown and wore no ornaments. She needed none. No + bespangled dancer I ever saw so enchained my eyes. One would almost + think that an orange, placed upon her head, would not fall off, and + yet a more utter absence of stiffness in movement was never + witnessed. She seemed ever approaching, yet ever receding from, her + companion; a moment near, then far away, gliding to one side or the + other, as if impossible to be reached in her coquetry of elusive + grace. Each separate movement was called out in Spanish, and in a + varied, half-musical accent not easily described. + + "At the closing centennial ball like dances were repeated, the + participants wearing Spanish costumes. Here we had a nearer and + more distinct view of the fandango. We again saw the 'Contra + Danza,' and another, even more intricate, that was as odd as it was + full of grace and unexpected action. If 'La Jota' is an old dance, + it should certainly take the place of many that have little to + redeem them from commonplace, if not worse. + + "Son-jarabe was again repeated to the pleasure of all, and + especially of the Spaniards, who, in conformance with an old + custom, expressed their satisfaction by raining silver down upon + the floor from the gallery. There was the same weird intoning by + the master of ceremonies, calling off the different measures; the + same constantly recurring strains of music that haunted one long + afterward, and the same slow yet singularly graceful movement of + the dancers. All were in Spanish costume, although many American + young men and maidens were also participants, yet had been taught + so well by their Spanish friends that they were scarcely to be + distinguished from them. The Spanish dances that I saw did not + strike me as at all voluptuous, and no one appeared who was not + dressed in accordance with the strictest ideas of decorum. The + whole pageant passed away with the ball, and nothing remains to + remind us of the centennial but the green arch spanning State + Street. The old Mission stands out gray and silent, except that its + bells occasionally chime out for reasons unknown to me." + + +Writing again, in April, my brother describes the change wrought by the +first heavy rainfall of the season. + + + "One of the drawbacks to Santa Barbara is the dust, and it is a + disagreeable accompaniment of a dry climate which must be accepted. + Towards the end of January there were occasionally high, gusty + winds which reminded one of March experiences at home. At times the + dust rose in clouds and obscured the city, and to my taste the + wildest snowstorm would be preferable to these chilling, stifling + tempests. They were not frequent or long continued, however, and + the old inhabitants said they presaged rain, the great bounty for + which the whole State was longing. + + "A rainless winter is a terrible misfortune, and when February + finds the ground hard and dry there is deep and natural anxiety. + + "In one dry season, years ago, forty thousand head of cattle + perished. With present means of communication this probably would + not happen again, but a check would be given to budding prosperity + which would take several fruitful years to overcome. There were + scores of people hesitating whether to buy or build who would + decide favorably if the usual rainfall occurred. When, therefore, + on the 5th the first storm of the season set in, rejoicing and + congratulations were general. Seldom before have I so realized what + a heavenly bounty rain is. The whole population were hoping, + waiting, longing, and one would be callous indeed not to + sympathize. For that matter, the interests of temporary visitors + were also deeply involved, as may be illustrated by the pleasure I + had in watching from my study window the bare, brown foothills + become greener daily. With intervals, designed, it would seem, to + give the parched earth time to take in the precious moisture, the + rains continued for about ten days. At last there was a steady + down-pour for nearly twenty-four hours, and then dawned a morning + that for brightness, clearness, and beauty left nothing to be + imagined. The birds were fairly ecstatic in their rejoicings and + nature seemed to be tripping forth like a young girl to her work. + It may be that she will have to perfect most of the products of the + earth without another drop of rain, and she will prove equal to the + task. + + "A fruitful year in this section does not depend on seasonable + storms and showers, as with us, but upon the number of inches of + the winter rainfall, the soil retaining sufficient moisture to + carry the crops through in safety. Many tourists came in the height + of the storm and some had a hard time of it. The hotels were + crowded; and not a few, miserably seasick, were driven from house + to house in pouring rain searching for rooms. Except on State + Street the highways of the city are little more than country roads, + the bottom of which, as in Virginia, seems to have fallen out. One + stage load was spilled into the mud and no doubt carried away + sinister memories of "sunny Santa Barbara." The weather, which was + the salvation of the country, was well anathematized by transient + visitors, and one lady was overheard to remark that she had seen + the first of the place and hoped that she had seen the last. Thus + judgments and opinions are formed. Those who remained and saw the + exquisite phases of spring rapidly developing under the vivid + sunshine would be in no hurry to see the last of Santa Barbara, and + a more perfect summer morning has rarely been seen than dawned on + the last day of the month." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +RETURN TO CORNWALL--LETTERS + + +I spent the summer of 1887 with Edward and his family at Santa Barbara; +and he left me there in September on his return to his home at +Cornwall. He expected to come back during the winter of 1889; and just +a week before his sudden death, while I was at the Western Chautauqua, +near Monterey, I had my last letter from him, telling of his plans for +a California story which he hoped to write when once more at Santa +Barbara. + +That evening, Major-General O. O. Howard gave a lecture upon the Battle +of Gettysburg, and at its close I had some conversation with him, in +the course of which I spoke of the letter just received. He had been +well acquainted with my brother at West Point. I remember his saying at +this time: "I gave a copy of 'A Knight of the Nineteenth Century' to a +young man about whose course of life I felt great anxiety, and that +book, he wrote me, was the means of his entire reformation." + +This is but one of many similar instances that came before me +personally during my sojourn in the West. + +At the time of Edward's departure from Santa Barbara he had engaged to +write a story for _Harper's Magazine_ which should be a sequel to +"Nature's Serial," and which was to be fully illustrated by Mr. William +Hamilton Gibson. It was therefore necessary for him to be near the +scenes of his proposed story and in easy communication with Mr. Gibson. + +It may not be out of place to print here the following letters. Many of +them are separated by long intervals of time and have no direct +connection with each other, but they are expressive of the warm +friendship that existed between my brother and the talented artist. + + "SANTA BARBARA, July 17, 1887. + + "MY DEAR MR. GIBSON,--The longer I remain here and the more I see + of this region the oftener I think of you: and the more earnestly I + am bent on your coming here with your sketch-book. + + "The scenery is just in your line, yet different from any thing you + have yet done. Phew! what a book we could make together out here. + During the past week Mrs. Roe and I went over the Santa Ynez + Mountains, and I wished for you at every turn of the San Marcus + Pass. Then there are scores of these, with beautiful canyons. But I + will tell you about them in September, when I hope to see you. + + "I expect to give much of September and all of October to the study + of the Highlands, and only wish you can so arrange as to be with me + as much as possible. + + "I've been toiling over the Earthquake story, and while you and the + critics will say it is no great 'shakes,' I shall have to remember + how the mountain labored. I have at least a month's more work upon + it, and am giving up the whole of my time to it, now that I am in + the mood for writing. + + "How are you enjoying the summer, and are you very busy? + + "Lucky you did not get into that fight with the Park Commissioners + during your July heats. If you had there would have been some 'ha'r + lifted,' as they say out on the plains. You would make a better + subject for a scalping-knife than I. Have you seen much of Mr. + Alden? He sent me two fine photographs of himself recently. + + "I trust that Mrs. Gibson and the boy are keeping well through the + intense heat of which we read in the papers. This climate surpasses + anything I ever imagined. We have had but one hot day thus far. + July has been delightfully cool, about the same as last December, + with the exception that the evenings and nights are a little + warmer. The sea-bathing is superb. Mrs. Roe and all five children + are enjoying it this afternoon. + + "Yours sincerely, + + E. P. ROE." + + + "WASHINGTON, Conn., September, 1887. + + "Hurrah! Hurrah! Welcome home, one and all! Such is the burden of + my emotions as I read in to-day's paper that Mr. Roe, the + Roe-manser, has returned to civilization from the Santa Barbarans, + and is once more at 'Shanty Clear.' + + "Seriously, I am immensely delighted that you are once more with + us, and shall look forward to an early meeting. And now + apropos--we, my wife and I, have enjoyed many a memorable season of + pleasure at your country home. Can we not persuade you and Mrs. Roe + to give us a visit at ours? for here is my favorite camping ground + and my home acre. As soon as you feel sufficiently rested from your + trip, and providing you are so disposed, will you make us happy by + spending a few days with us?--that is if you still remember your + neglectful correspondent and care to hobnob with him as of yore. + + "That proposed Highland trip is immensely tempting, and I shall + hope to arrange to take a few days outing with you, but alas! it + cannot be until early November or the very last of October. I am so + _full_ of obligations until then. + + "Don't call this a letter. It is written in the face of a yawning + mail-bag and must be judged accordingly. + + "Your sincere friend, + + "GIBSON." + +Mr. Gibson's own work was so pressing that autumn that he was unable to +spare the time for the Highland trip mentioned in his letter, when many +of the sketches were to be made for the projected story. The remaining +letters are from my brother to Mr. Gibson. + + "December 15, 1880. + + "Some one rang at my door to-day--he must be nigh of kin to Santa + Claus--and left your superb volume. It almost took away my breath. + + "I gave you 'Small Fruits' only. But the fruits of your pencil and + pen are the reverse of small. + + "Do you realize what a benefactor you are in sending me, on this + dull cloudy day, exquisites of the finest seasons of the year? + Spring is months away, but I have had the sweetest glimpse of + spring beside my winter fire. The blazing wood supplied the + warmth,--and your fancy did the rest in reproducing June. + + "I am deeply in your debt. Draw on me for unlimited quantities of + strawberries." + + + "April 16, 1882. + + "I was determined to find you a four-leaf clover, and yesterday I + succeeded. + + "It will bring you no end of good luck." + + + "January 31, 1884. + + "Don't worry when you are not in writing condition. If needful you + can drop a postal now and then. The best way is to come up Saturday + night and have a talk. You need a little change and mountain air. + + "I am writing by this mail for Mr. and Mrs. Dielman to come at the + same time. Why would it not be a good plan to get together and talk + over the completion of the story and take a sleigh ride? + + "You have no idea how a little change freshens one up, and if you + can spend Sunday and Monday we will all have a country frolic. I + need one myself. I have been over-working and was very ill from + nervous trouble for a few days. I went right to Nature, tramped and + rode in the open air. So come Saturday by all means, for we all + want to see you. + + "Beautiful red-pine grosbeaks are feeding about the piazza like + chickens. With your powers you could go and pick them up." + + + "December 13, 1884. + + "I should have written to you or seen you before, but I have been + working hard to get the _St. Nicholas_ serial well advanced. + + "My heart is in the continuation of 'Nature's Serial.' Take the + press generally, that book is being received remarkably well. I + tell you frankly my aim now is to prepare one of the most beautiful + books that has ever been published in this country. From what + Dielman has said I have no doubt but that he'll go in with me. I + also mentioned Mr. Frost to Alden and I shall also go see Mrs. + Foote. It is possible she may be willing to take a part of the + illustrations. + + "But I shall be heartbroken if you cannot take the part of Hamlet + in the performance. If you will, you can make old Cro'nest and + Storm King your monuments, and few will pass up or down the river + without mentioning your name. + + "I shall begin to make my studies in January. In the meantime it + will be a summer story, although I expect to close it at Christmas, + and it will be full of just such material as suits your pencil. + + "I would like at least four illustrations for each number, as many + full-paged as possible. + + "Mrs. Roe joins me in regards to Mrs. Gibson." + + + "December 29, 1884. + + "What can I say to you? How make you _appreciate_ how greatly we + _appreciate_ and value your beautiful remembrance? We all went into + ecstasies over the picture, which arrived in perfect safety. It + should have gone into the book if I had seen it before, and had had + any influence. As it is, it rounds out 'Nature's Serial' to my + mind, and leaves it a past experience without alloy, except as I + remember the imperfection of my own work. Can you wonder at my + desire to be at work with you again some day? + + "But we will leave that for the present, as you say, I living in + hopes that the way will open for you to explore the Highlands with + me, and to reveal their beauties to the public far better than I + can. You see Nature as I do, only you interpret it to me, and make + it more beautiful than the reality appears. + + "I will have the picture framed as you suggest, and when you soon + come to Cornwall again it will greet you from an honored place in + our parlor. + + "Mrs. Roe and the girls, with our guests, were as greatly pleased + as myself. + + "Mr. and Mrs. Drake also sent us a beautiful bit of art. I am + just delighted with the way Mr. Drake is taking hold of my _St. + Nicholas_ serial. I send the magazine for the year to W. H. Gibson, + Jr. + + "You did indeed win a victory over the 'incrementitious' critic. I + should think he would wish to crawl into a small hole, and 'pull + the hole in after him.' Indeed you are triumphing over all your + critics, and winning your rightful place. I knew this would be true + years ago, because of your own truth to Nature. + + "Such an experience may never come to me, probably because I do not + deserve it, but I am content to make some warm friends, like the + writer of the enclosed letter. If what some of my critics say is + true, a good many people who write and speak to me are awful and + unnecessary liars. + + "I enjoyed your triumph as greatly as if it were my own. It was the + neatest thrust under the fifth rib I ever saw, and I fear I shall + never have enough Christian meekness not to enjoy seeing a fellow + receive his _conge_ when so well deserved. Dr. Abbott and I took + part in the 'wake' up here. + + "That the coming year may be the most prosperous and happy that you + and yours have ever known is the wish of your sincere friend." + + + "February 17, 1885. + + "I have made arrangements with the best guide of the Highlands, one + who knows every lake, pond, road, peak, man, woman, child, and dog + in the mountains. + + "We start out on our first explorations the latter part of May, + when Nature is in her loveliest mood. Say you'll go.--I think the + whole serial can be finished by October. You and Mrs. Gibson can + get excellent board at Cornwall. Thus you will identify yourself + with the Hudson as you have with New England. I expect by then to + have finished my _St. Nicholas_ story and then will have the decks + cleared for action. Our regards to Mrs. Gibson and the baby." + + + "March 18, 1885. + + "I went down to attend Mr. Cyrus Field's reception. The trains were + so delayed that I was nearly all day getting to the city. + + "Well, I met Mr. Stoddard, and spent a pleasant hour with him at + the Century Club on the evening of March 7th. He asked to be + introduced to me, and I remarked 'that I was surprised that he + would take such a literary sinner by the hand.' He replied, 'We are + a pair of them.' We chatted pleasantly a few moments in the + supper-room, and then he concluded, 'Well, you are a good fellow to + forgive me.' + + "Some time after he asked me to go upstairs with him, and we had a + smoke together. I introduced him to Colonel Michee of West Point, + who is about to publish a book. + + "Stoddard gave me his autograph unsolicited, written with his left + hand and then backwards. I told him that I was glad he appreciated + you. We had a long, merry talk, and in his conversation he said he + would be very glad to have a copy of 'Nature's Serial' with your, + Dielman's, and my autographs. This request was wholly unsuggested, + and he truly appeared to wish the book. Therefore, when you are at + Harper's will you write your name on the fly-leaf, and then ask + them to express the book to me? I will get Dielman's autograph. + Altogether it was a spicy interview. I received that eulogy of your + work in the Boston paper, and had said the same in substance to two + or three of Harper's firm before." + + + "September 16, 1887. + + "Your hat in the air was almost as inspiring as the sight of old + Storm King. + + "It was very pleasant to be welcomed, and the day after my arrival + I had to shake hands with nearly every man, woman and child, white + and black, that I met. + + "Mrs. Roe took cold before we started on the long trip, and has + been very ill; is so yet, though she is gaining now steadily. I do + not know when I can see you. + + "I long for the quiet of home life. It will require a sheriff and + his posse to get me out of the house again. Put down your promise + to visit me and tramp the Highlands in big capitals. If you should + be in town and have a spare night come up here for a smoke and + talk." + + + "January 1, 1888. + + "Thanks for your letter. It was almost as long as mine. + + "I spent most of 'watch-night' on old Storm King with my children + and Mr. Denton. We expected some other friends, who were detained + by the storm. Coasting in a snowstorm proved very agreeable after + all, especially as the road was lined with torches. The sleighs + went like express-trains, and I was glad to get all safe home to + the oyster supper which Mrs. Roe had ready for us as the old year + took its departure. + + "I have amused myself in watching old Storm King, that in the wild + rain has been taking on many aspects. We have had a sort of family + holiday with the few friends coming and going, and I have enjoyed + all, seeing the children have a good time. + + "I have had so much work on hand that I had to keep busy the + greater part of each day. + + "I suppose your little boy has enjoyed the season immensely. Does + he still believe in Santa Claus, or have you and Mrs. Gibson, in + the interest of truth (see discussion in papers), felt bound to + explain that you filled his stocking with articles bought at a + certain store? My little girl is still considering how in the + mischief the old fellow got down the chimney. + + "The sleighing is all gone. When it comes again we want you and + Mrs. Gibson to take some mountain rides with us. + + "Happy New Year to you all." + + +But other literary friends besides Mr. Hamilton Gibson were welcome +guests at Edward's Cornwall home; among them were Mr. and Mrs. R. H. +Stoddard, Mr. John Burroughs, Mr. Stedman, Mr. Alden, of Harper's +Magazine, and Mr. Julian Hawthorne. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +LAST BOOK--DEATH + + +During the winter of 1887-88 Edward wrote his last book, "Miss Lou," a +tale of Southern life during the Civil War. In the spring he went down +to Virginia to visit some scenes he wished to describe, and while there +had a slight attack of neuralgia of the heart. The physician he called +in ordered him to return home at once, and rest for a time. + +In June he seemed to have completely recovered his health, and sent his +usual invitation to the Philolethean Club of New York clergymen, who +then made their eighteenth and last visit. + +On the 19th of July, however, my brother complained during the day of +not feeling very well, although he walked about the grounds inspecting +his plants as was his custom. After dinner, in the evening, he sat in +his library reading aloud from one of Nathaniel Hawthorne's works to +his daughter and one of her young friends. Suddenly he paused, placed +his hand over his heart, and said, "There comes that sharp pain again. +I shall have to go upstairs to my wife for some remedy." But he left +the room with a smile. After he had taken the remedy, which did not +give relief, his wife sent in haste for a physician, who as soon as he +arrived saw there was no hope of my brother's recovery. After about +forty minutes of extreme agony, Edward seemed to feel relieved, rose to +his feet, and attempted to cross the room, but turned quickly toward +his wife with a look of surprise and joy, exclaiming, "O my God!"--then +fell lifeless to the floor. + +At the age of fifty, in the full vigor of manhood, his earthly career +came to an end. His funeral was held in the little church at Cornwall, +where he had first consecrated his life to the service of Christ, and +where he and his family had worshipped for so many years. + +Then he was laid to rest in the quiet graveyard on a beautiful knoll +overlooking the Hudson, beside his parents and his own baby boy. + +Only a little earlier in that month, and just three weeks before his +death, Edward invited the Authors' Club, of which he was a member, to +spend a day at his Highland home. + +These lines were written in acceptance by Mr. E. C. Stedman:-- + + "Know'st thou the bank where 'Triumph de Gands' are red + (My books might be were I on berries fed); + Where Cro'nest lowers and Hudson laughs below it, + And welcome waits each editor or poet? + Know'st thou in fact the realm of E. P. Roe? + Hither, O hither, will I go." + +I insert here several accounts of this last meeting, written after my +brother's death by members of the Club who were present. + + "I had the pleasure of meeting E. P. Roe twice. The first time was + in May, 1888, at the Authors' Club in New York. It was a balmy + spring evening. I had strolled into the club-rooms feeling rather + lonesome among so many strangers, for I was then a new member of + the Club, and, stopping at the table to admire a great basketful of + apple-blossoms, I fell into conversation with a tall, fine-looking, + genial-faced gentleman, who told me that he had just brought the + flowers down from his farm on the Hudson for 'the boys.' I was + mentally guessing who this gentleman with the noble brow and the + black flowing beard could be, when some one approached and called + him 'Roe.' We were soon left alone again, and I hastened to say: + 'Have I the honor of speaking to E. P. Roe?' Placing a hand on my + shoulder, and bending near me with a kindly smile, he answered: 'I + am E. P. Roe; and may I ask your name?' Finding that I was from the + South, he seemed to be especially glad of my acquaintance, and we + were soon off in a corner, seated face to face, he asking questions + fast, and with the greatest interest, and I answering to the best + of my ability, concerning the war history and the mountain scenery + of my native State. He was particularly anxious to get at the exact + social relation between the whites and blacks at the close of the + war--especially the feeling of the blacks toward the whites--with a + view of making correct statements in a novel that he thought of + writing. Each member of the Club soon wore an apple-blossom + _boutonniere_, and the rooms were full of the delicate perfume + of these delicious flowers. That night, on leaving the Club, I took + home with me a spray of the blossoms, and put it in water, and on + the following day it shed its fragrance for the pleasure of one who + was then an invalid. In her name I wrote Mr. Roe a note of thanks + for the flowers, and I received from him a characteristic reply. He + wrote:-- + + "'... I was delighted that my hastily gathered apple-blossoms gave + such pleasure to your wife. How little it costs to bestow a bit of + brightness here and there, if we only think about doing it!' + + "The Authors' Club was invited by Mr. and Mrs. Roe to spend + Saturday, the 16th of June, at their home near Cornwall-on-Hudson, + where we were cordially promised a feast of strawberries and + pleasant outdoor pastimes. The day was a perfect, a happy, and a + memorable one to all who accepted the hospitality of the novelist. + He met us at the river landing with a hearty hand-shake and a word + of welcome for each guest, and personally conducted us to carriages + which had been provided to convey us to his farmhouse, which we + soon found to be an ideal home of unpretentious elegance. At + luncheon our host addressed us, begging us to lay aside all + formality, and get all the pleasure possible from his fruits and + flowers, green grass and cooling shade. The strawberries in his + patch were enormous, and each visitor to the vines in turn found + Roe at his side, parting the leaves for him, and showing him where + to pick the finest specimens. He was ubiquitous that day. If one + strolled off among the myriad roses, and stopped to pluck a bud, he + found the shapely hand of the farmer-author pulling for him a more + beautiful one. If you flung yourself on the grass to dream awhile, + Roe was lying down by you, telling you how happy this union of + friends made him feel. + + "The day wore on to sunset, when a dance, to the music of banjos, + was improvised on the lawn, the banjos being played by some + handsome youths in lawn-tennis attire, who, with their gayly + beribboned instruments, made a pretty scene. Roe clapped his hands + with delight as he moved from group to group. I heard him say, 'How + often will I recall this scene! I can bring you all back here just + as you are now, whenever I want to.' His wife and daughters were + unceasing in gracious attentions to their guests. + + "When the time for parting arrived, and the carriages were drawn + up, Mr. Roe hurried from one to another of us, begging each and all + not to go, assuring us of ample accommodation if we would stay over + night. A few remained, and those who left did so reluctantly, some + of them, I am sure, quite sorrowfully. I remember wondering at + myself for being overcome by such a feeling of sadness as I waved + the family a last farewell from the departing carriage. I had said + good-by to the famous writer as we came down the broad steps of his + vine-covered veranda, he with his arm about my waist. + + "Never lived a more lovable and kindlier man than E. P. Roe; and + when, soon after that golden day, I read one morning of his sudden + death, my heart welled up with tears over the bereavement of that + stricken household in the shadow of old Storm King; yet I felt that + their grief must be illumined by the pure light that hallowed the + name 'of him who uttered nothing base.'" + + "ELROD BURKE." + + + "I fancy there are few of those active, tireless Americans, who, + nevertheless, steal time from their business to read many + newspapers and many books, who have heard of an association of men + in New York called the Authors' Club. Authors, in their eyes, are + apt to seem like inhabitants of a world apart, a world separated by + a broad boundary from the sphere of average commercial labor. + Authors are, as it were, abstractions; they are heard and not seen. + They are heard through their books, which are the concrete essence + of themselves; yet the author is, after all, an extremely concrete + personage, who strives as hard as anyone for his living, and whose + reward is seldom commensurate with his efforts. It is the + exceptional great man of literature--the great author being a + better illustration than the small one--who is lucky enough to + enjoy felicity during his lifetime. + + "But I did not start out here to make the old argument--which has + been so often a fanciful and sentimental argument--against + literature as a remunerative profession. My idea was a simple one: + To assume that authors are more generally hidden from public view + than almost any other class of men, and that, for this reason + especially, the least important bit of gossip touching the private + doings, goings, and sayings of authors interests, without question, + a very large number of people. The writer of a famous novel or poem + may walk the length of Broadway, yet remain absolutely a stranger + to the crowd among whom he walks. A nobody of a politician passing + over the same space would, I am sure, be liberally recognized as a + somebody, and not the least sort of a somebody by any means. The + stranger to the crowd, however, the author derives practical + benefit from the 'charm of mystery.' To be at once celebrated and + unknown is for him a desirable condition. His books are read. He + piques curiosity. What more could he ask for? + + "The Authors' Club, being merely an association of authors, is + therefore somewhat outside of public view. Its peculiar distinction + is that it brings together various men whom the world honors, and a + few more whom the world may or may not learn to honor. It is a very + modest little Club, possibly with a very large future before it. If + I should praise it for one thing heartily, that would be the good + fellowship which animates it and which has permitted it to thrive. + Among the older members of the club--the members who actually + possess reputation--are Stoddard, Stedman, Curtis, Edward + Eggleston, John Hay, M. U. Conway, Mark Twain, George H. Boker, + Henry Drisler, E. P. Roe, Andrew Carnegie, Henry James, E. L. + Godkin, Parke Godwin, S. Weir Mitchell, Noah Brooks, and (in an + honorary sense) J. R. Lowell, Holmes, Whittier, R. L. Stevenson, + and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The younger members count such names as + Gilder, Lathrop, Bunner, Boyesen, Bishop, Luska, Will Carleton, + Rutton, Matthews, McMaster, Miller, Bronson Howard, Mabie, DeKay, + Boyle O'Reilly, Thorndike Rice, and others hardly less well known. + Of all the men whom I just mentioned none has a wider reading + public than Edward P. Roe, some of whose books have passed through + twenty or more editions. + + "Mr. Roe is one of those authors 'who make money,' whose writing is + not thrown on the barren soil of neglect. His income from books is + much ampler, I believe, than the income of any other man of + letters, obtained from the same source, in America. Because he is + so popular he does not necessarily possess the elements of + greatness. True greatness seldom 'makes money.' Even brilliant + originality in literature has a comparatively small audience. This + is the line of logic, since the finest writing appeals only to the + finest minds, and the latter are stray blossomings in an oasis of + respectability. It is not, in the circumstances, difficult to + explain Mr. Roe's popularity. He tells a pleasant story with + unaffected simplicity; he is always on the side of conservative + feeling; he is eager to help men and women, as well as to amuse + them; he is, in short, the most earnest and effective + representative of a numerous 'home gathering' that is now writing + in this country. Why, then, should he not be popular? The bold or + merely erratic genius of distinctly literary writers might not be + appreciated or comprehended by Mr. Roe's public. Even so aggressive + a person as that turbulent and pyrotechnic Frenchman, Guy de + Maupassant, attacks criticism in a way which should be a lesson to + Mr. Roe's least generous critics. Without any kind of preconception + or theory M. Maupassant says: 'A critic should understand, + distinguish, and explain the most opposite tendencies, the most + contrary temperaments, and admit the most adverse researches of + art.' On such a broad basis of criticism every admissible + popularity may be fairly accounted for. + + "Mr. Roe, the man, is an exact counterpart, one may say, of Mr. + Roe, the author. As an author, in the first place, he is remarkably + candid. He has been so candid, indeed, that the tendency of certain + critics to treat him disingenuously is rather absurd. These critics + want him to write books, apparently, which he does not propose to + write; they overlook the fact that Mr. Roe has stated very clearly + just what he desires to write. In a preface to one of his novels he + says, in effect, that if his books are not beautiful works of art + they are at least books which tender peace and resignation to many + lives. (I am not quoting, by the way, but am presenting the idea + which must have been in Mr. Roe's mind when he wrote that preface.) + There are so many clever books published nowadays which pervert the + young and sensitive conscience--a word not included in the + vocabulary of our 'disagreeably' artistic novelists--that it may be + wise to accept Mr. Roe's novels as good morality, if not as the + best literature. + + "It is not every author who puts himself into his books. Drunkards + have written temperance tracts. Blackguards have written treatises + on ideal existence. Posing fops have railed against the hardships + which beset noble ambition. Mr. Roe has written the best that is in + him for the best that is in thousands of men and women. I have + tried to indicate briefly what he is as an author. As a man, he is + not less genial, sincere, and agreeable than his books. The + cleverest authors are, as a rule, far more entertaining and + astonishing in their books than in themselves. In themselves, to + speak the truth, they are not likely to be either entertaining or + astonishing. I should look to few of them as acceptable hosts. Mr. + Roe proved himself, and proved how good a host he was, on a recent + Saturday afternoon, when some thirty or forty members of the + Authors' Club accepted his invitation to spend a day at his house + and grounds on the historic heights of Cornwall. + + "Nearly all those who accepted Mr. Roe's invitation travelled to + Cornwall by water. And they were not a bad lot, taking them + together. There was E. C. Stedman, for example, the most popular + writer among writers, the youngest man, by all odds, for his + age--fuller of the exhilaration of youth than most of his juniors + by twenty years; C. C. Buel, associate editor of the _Century_, who + will soon marry Miss Snow, an adopted daughter (if I am not + mistaken) of 'John Paul,' otherwise known as Mr. Webb; Mr. Webb + himself, wearing that contentedly placid air which he never seems + to shake off, and always on time with a good story or joke; A. J. + Conant, whose yarns are famous, and whose tall form swayed benignly + under a huge slouch hat; Hamilton W. Mabie, the youthful and + smiling editor of the _Christian Union_; W. L. Keese, one of the + few men who can speak with authority on the acting of Burton; + Theodore L. De Vinne, recently returned from Europe, where he had + vast trouble in keeping warm; W. H. Bishop, who has got beyond the + 'promising' stage in novel writing and who will spend his summer in + France; Henry Harland ('Sidney Luska'), as cheerful as his stories + are sombre--just the sort of personality that does not repeat + itself in literature; Raymond S. Perrin, who is kind enough to save + some of his friends from disaster by presenting his first published + book--price $5--to them; W. S. Walsh, close shaven as a priest, and + editor of _Lippincott's_; Noah Brooks, once upon a time presiding + genius of the Lotus Club, and the author of several charming books + for boys; Edward Carey, associate editor of the New York _Times_; + Leonard Kip, Albert Matthews, John H. Boner, R. R. Bowker, and + several representatives of the _Century's_ staff. + +[Illustration: TABLET ON BOULDER IN "ROE PARK."] + + "When this crowd of writers--numbering about thirty in all--reached + Mr. Roe's home, they found Richard Henry Stoddard and Julian + Hawthorne installed there. Mr. Stoddard may now be classed properly + among our 'venerable' poets, although he enjoys excellent health + and gets through an immense amount of work. Hawthorne, in a flannel + shirt, with a soft red tennis cap on his handsome head, was by far + the most picturesque figure of the group. As to the host, Mr. Roe, + he is a man of somewhat striking presence. He is of medium height, + strongly built, with a gravely pleasant and intelligent face; his + dark hair is brushed off a high forehead, his beard and mustache + are long and black; he has kindly gray eyes, and his manner is that + of a man who has spent the greater part of his life in the + atmosphere of home. To do good, to help others--that appears to be + his earnest ambition. The notes of religion and morality dominate + the note of literature in him. In fact, he is much less an author + than a teacher. Once he preached from the church pulpit, now he + preaches through his books, and he finds the latter method far more + profitable, at least, than the former. + + "Mr. Roe does not confine himself, however, to the making of such + books as please the great Philistine class. He is an authority on + the cultivation of small fruits and flowers. What he has written + upon this interesting subject possesses scientific value. Upon his + grounds at Cornwall he raises some beautiful specimens of the rose, + and strawberries as large and luscious as any found in New Jersey + soil during June. The day selected for the authors' visit to + Cornwall happened to be at the height of the strawberry season, and + the manner in which these usually sedate persons made their way to + Mr. Roe's strawberry bushes immediately after greeting their host + reminded one of the skirmishing of boys in a melon patch. The + berries, many of them with the circumference of a young tomato, + were dug remorselessly from their cool shadows, while a + particularly hot sun poured down upon the backs of thirty + perspiring authors. But the fruit was worthy of the effort used in + plucking it, for Mr. Roe has brought strawberry culture to a rare + state of perfection. His berries, whether large or small, have a + singularly sweet and delicate flavor; they are richly colored, and + their meat is as firm as that of a ripe peach. + + "Mr. Roe's grounds are quite spacious, and lie directly under the + shade of Storm King. They are included in the plateau of a hill, + and the scenery round about--especially in the direction of the + Hudson--is wonderfully varied and picturesque. Mr. Roe's father and + grandfather resided at Cornwall, and now a fourth generation of the + family is identified with this lovely bit of country. The house + occupied by the novelist is not the one built by his ancestors. It + is a plain, old-fashioned structure, built as every similar + structure should be--with a broad, breezy hall running from end to + end, thus dividing the lower part of the house into two comfortable + compartments. The various rooms--and there are plenty of them--are + neatly but not pretentiously furnished, books and pictures being + their chief ornaments. On the top floor Mr. Roe has his workshop--a + long, narrow, uncarpeted room, under a slanting roof, well + ventilated, and filled with lazy lounges and chairs, common + book-shelves, a large writing-desk, and a cabinet containing + specimens of Hudson River birds. Mr. Roe's latest hobby is to + collect birds and to study their songs. He stuffs the birds and + jots down in a note-book brief comments upon their songs. He is + endeavoring, especially, to make an exact list of the time--to the + fraction of a second--at which each bird begins to sing in the + early dawn. 'I like to get my facts from nature,' he said to me, + 'not from other men's books.' + + "Mr. Roe is one of the most hospitable of men, a fact which his + thirty author-friends would have discovered if they had not known + that it was a fact. A day seldom goes by that does not bring him a + visitor who receives a royal welcome; a night seldom passes that + does not find occupants for his spare rooms. Whoever takes the + trouble to call upon him he is glad enough to see. If his + half-million readers could call upon him simultaneously they would + be led cheerfully to the strawberry patch. Authors may thrive on + the stones of a city because they must; but the ideal home for an + author is that of E. P. Roe at Cornwall. + + "GEORGE EDGAR MONTGOMERY." + + + "It was on one of the most delightful days of last month that Mr. + Roe received in an informal way at his hillside home his + fellow-craftsmen of the Authors' Club of New York. + + "A rambling old house placed back from the road and perched upon + one of the many hilltops that rise from the river in that most + picturesque section known as the Highlands of the Hudson, Mr. Roe's + home had about it that air of comfort and serenity that one would + naturally imagine as the most appropriate surroundings for the + author of 'Nature's Serial Story.' + + "Mr. Roe was so peculiarly a companionable man that his friends + were legion, and among the busy workers who constitute the Authors' + Club none were more popular than he--the busiest worker of them + all. + + "He met us at the landing, his genial face speaking a welcome even + before his voice was heard, and 'Roe! Roe! Roe!' came the greeting + from his expectant guests ere they filed off the boat. He saw that + we were all comfortably bestowed in the numerous carriages that he + had in waiting, led the procession up the steep road that climbed + the Cornwall hills, and standing at the foot of his veranda steps, + welcomed each visitor who 'lighted down' with his cheery smile and + his cordial hand-clasp. He turned us loose in his strawberry + bed--that pet domain of one who had so practically shown how it was + possible to achieve 'Success with Small Fruits;' he loaded us with + roses--dear also to one who lived as he did 'Near to Nature's + Heart;' and then with brief words of hospitality that were alive, + hearty and inspiring, he bade us make free with his house and home + for the day. That we enjoyed it, every action testified. Released + from care and labor for a day, surrounded by all the attractions + that make a June day among the Highlands doubly delightful, and + made so cordially to feel ourselves at home, enjoyment was easy, + and the day was one to be marked with a red letter by all whose + good fortune it was to have been one of that merry party. + + "Mr. Roe's Cornwall home showed the lover of Nature and of his + chosen profession. 'This has been your inspiration here, has it + not?' I asked. 'Yes,' he replied, with a loving glance at the quiet + country landscape that we overlooked from the broad veranda; 'here + and hereabouts I have got very much of my material. I love it all.' + + "The comfortable rooms of that quaint, old-fashioned house had many + a touch that showed the affection for his surroundings. + + "'Well, Roe,' said Stedman, ever ready with his apt quotations, + 'this castle hath a pleasant seat,' and he said truly. The homelike + house, the thrifty farm-lands, the verdant patches filled with + fruits and flowers, and the green growths of the kitchen garden + bespoke the man who added to the gentleman-farmer the practical + student of the helpful products of the earth. + + "'Down there,' he said, indicating one portion of his land, 'I have + planted twenty-five varieties of peas. I wish to test them, to + study their quality and discover which are the best for the + producer to raise and which have the best flavor. I like to make + these experiments.' + + "A bountiful spread for the sharpened appetites of those who found + in that flower-laden air an increase of desire awaited us in the + cool dining and reception-rooms--thrown into one to comfortably + seat so large a company--and it was a question who enjoyed it most, + guests or host, for his kindly attentions and his invitation to eat + and spare not gave an extra sauce to the good things offered us. An + after-dinner ride through the charming country thereabout, so many + sections of which had been written into his characteristic stories; + a siesta-like reunion beneath the shade of the trees that dotted + his ample lawn and almost embowered his home; an oft-repeated + desire that we should not go city-ward until 'the last train;' a + quiet chat as this most delightful of hosts passed from group to + group; the zest with which the pleasant-faced wife and the son and + daughter of our host seemed to enter into his and our enjoyment of + the day--these, and the many minor details of a June day's outing + among the historic Highlands that may not find expression here, + gave to us all an experience that no one among us would have + missed, and which each one of us will recall with peculiar and + tender memories now that the good man who made them possible to us + has dropped his unfinished work and left us so suddenly and so + unexpectedly. + + "ELBRIDGE S. BROOKS." + +Of the many tributes to my brother's memory I shall here quote but two. +The first is from Julian Hawthorne and is addressed to the Editors of +the _Critic_; the second is the resolution of sympathy sent to Mrs. Roe +by the members of the Authors' Club. + + "You will probably be asked to find room in your columns for many + letters from the friends of E. P. Roe. I apply for admission with + the others, on the ground that none of them could have loved him + more than I did. The telegram which to-day told me of his death has + made my own life less interesting to me. He was so good a man that + no one can take his place with those who knew him. It is the simple + truth that he cared for his friends more than for himself; that his + greatest happiness was to see others happy; that he would have more + rejoiced in the literary fame of one of his friends than in any + such fame of his own winning. All his leisure was spent in making + plans for the pleasure and profit of other people. I have seen him + laugh with delight at the success of these plans. As I write, so + many generous, sweet, noble deeds of his throng in my + memory,--deeds done so unobtrusively, delicately and + heartily,--that I feel the uselessness of trying to express his + value and our loss. He was at once manly and childlike: manly in + honor, truth, and tenderness; childlike in the simplicity that + suspects no guile and practises none. He had in him that rare + quality of loving sympathy that prompted sinners to bring their + confessions to him, and ask help and counsel of him,--which he + gave, and human love into thebargain. Among his million readers, + thousands wrote to thank him for the good that his books had + awakened in their souls and stimulated in their lives. He knew the + human heart, his own was so human and so great; and the vast + success of his stories, however technical critics may have + questioned it, was within his deserts, because it was based on this + fact. No one could have had a humbler opinion of Roe's 'art' than + he had: but an author who believes that good is stronger than evil, + and that a sinner may turn from his wickedness and live, and who + embodies these convictions in his stories, without a trace of cant + or taint of insincerity,--such an author and man deserves a success + infinitely wider and more permanent than that of the skilfulest + literary mechanic: and it is to the credit of our nation that he + has it." + + + Authors' Club, 19 West 24th Street, New York. + January 19, 1889. + + MRS. E. P. ROE, + + DEAR MADAM--I am instructed by the General Meeting of the Authors' + Club to communicate to you the following minute of a resolution + that was then adopted. It runs as follows:-- + + "On motion of Mr. E. C. Stedman it is unanimously resolved that by + the death of Mr. E. P. Roe this club has lost a member who was + endeared to his fellow-members by more than ordinary ties. His + kindly disposition and charm of conversation and manner, his wide + charity, made him an always welcome companion, and though + circumstances did not admit of his frequent attendance at its + meetings, his constant interest in the club was evinced by numerous + attentions which showed that he was present in spirit if not in + person. + + "This club recalls with a sense of sorrowful satisfaction that the + last act of the late Mr. Roe in connection with the club was the + generous entertainment of its members by himself and his wife, a + few weeks before his death, at his home at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, + an event which will ever dwell in the grateful remembrance of those + who were present on the occasion, and in scarcely a less degree of + those members who were unable to avail themselves of the privilege. + + "At its Annual Meeting this club desires to assure Mrs. Roe and the + members of her family of its sincere sympathy with her in the + bereavement which she has sustained, to convey to her its grateful + acknowledgment of the abundant hospitality she exercised toward the + club on the occasion of its visit to her home last June, and to + thank her for her generous gift of an admirable portrait of her + late husband." + + I have the honor to be, Madam, with great respect, + + Your faithful servant, + + A. B. STAREY, + Secretary Authors' Club. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AN ACCOUNT OF E. P. ROE'S BOOKS + + +A few more pages will be given to an account of the circumstances under +which my brother's books were written, including mention of some +incidents which suggested the stories. + +His first novel was "Barriers Burned Away." Speaking of this venture he +said at one time:--"I did not take up the writing of fiction as a means +of livelihood, nor to gratify ambition. When I heard the news of the +great fire in Chicago I had a passionate desire to see its houseless, +homeless condition, and spent several days among the ruins and people, +who found refuge wherever they could. I wandered around night and day, +taking notes of all I saw, and there the plot of my story was vaguely +formed." + +When Edward had written about eight chapters of this book, as has been +said, he read them to Dr. Field and his associate editor, Mr. J. H. +Dey. He would not have been greatly surprised had they advised his +throwing the manuscript into the burning grate before them, but, +instead, they requested him to leave it with them for serial +publication in _The Evangelist_. + +In the intervals of his busy life at Highland Falls the story grew into +fifty-two chapters. He wrote when and where he could,--on steamboats +and trains as well as in his study,--the manuscript often being only a +few pages ahead of its publication. His characters took full possession +of his imagination and were very real to him. + +The serial continued for a year. The next thing was to secure a +publisher for the book. Mr. Dodd, senior member of the firm of Dodd, +Mead, and Company, said once when questioned in reference to this +subject:--"Mr. Roe brought his manuscript to us one day. We read it and +made him an offer. At that time we looked upon the venture as purely +experimental. Mr. Roe accepted our offer, and we announced the book. In +a short time letters began to pour in upon us from people who had seen +our announcement, and had also read as much of the story as had +appeared in _The Evangelist_, asking when the book would be published. +These letters were the first indication we had of the story's +popularity, but they were very good evidence of it. An edition was +issued; the book sold rapidly, and the sale since has been large and +continuous." + +"How about your original contract with Mr. Roe?" + +"Well, as a matter of fact," said Mr. Dodd, "the original contract was +destroyed and another made on a different basis by which Mr. Roe is +largely the gainer. From that time we have published everything that he +has written, and our relations have always been very pleasant and +close." + +"What is his most popular work?" + +"'Barriers Burned Away' has had the largest sale. 'Without a Home' +stands second on the list, and, considering the fact that it was +published ten years later, is most popular. 'Opening of a Chestnut +Burr' comes next; 'Near to Nature's Heart' has had a very large sale, +and the others follow closely. There is not one of his novels that has +not had a wide circulation." + +"Have you any idea of the extent to which his books have been sold +abroad?" + +"All have been published in England and the colonies. Mr. Roe has in +almost every instance arranged with English publishers for an +authorized edition from advance sheets, and received compensation. His +stories are also translated into German and French." + + +"Barriers" was first published in 1872. It is reverently dedicated to +the memory of the author's mother, and his own words as to how it came +to be written have already been quoted. Many letters were received from +young men acknowledging the helpfulness of this book. + +"Play and Profit in My Garden" was Edward's first book on horticulture. +It was written in 1873 at Highland Falls, and was published serially in +_The Christian Union_, then edited by Dr. Lyman Abbott. Reviewing +the book just two years before his death, he claimed that he put into +it more of his personality than into any of his other works. + +It is a garden story of his own experience. The sandy knoll around the +little country parsonage upon which grew only a vine or two, a few +cherry trees and some common currant bushes, served as a beginning in +this gardening venture. To that was added a small tract of adjoining +land which was rented from a neighbor, making but two acres in all, yet +the profits from this ground for one season alone amounted to two +thousand dollars. + +In this book he tells how his garden was stocked first with plants from +the old home place, and how they brought back the sweet associations of +his childhood. He speaks, too, of his pleasure in selecting new +varieties for trial from the gorgeously illustrated catalogues that he +received. + +"What Can She Do?" was written the same year. Since that time +numberless women have learned through the fortunes or misfortunes of +life to solve this problem for themselves, but this book has found a +place in many homes and by its influence has led young girls to be more +helpful in the family circle as well as in the wider social spheres in +which they move. + +"Opening of a Chestnut Burr" (1874) suggested itself to Edward's mind +while taking a walk one autumn along a wood-road on the grounds of the +old homestead. Several of the characters are drawn from life, +representing some eccentric people who lived near us in our childhood. +In a "well-meanin'" man, "Daddy Inggar," we have a perfect picture of +an old neighbor whom we children called "Daddy Liscomb." He lived in a +little house opposite one of our father's apple orchards, and no +watch-dog could have been more faithful than was this old man in +guarding our fruit from the depredations of factory boys. He was very +profane, more in his last years from habit, however, than from +intentional irreverence, and sometimes when the Methodist clergyman was +offering prayer in his home a sudden twinge of rheumatism would call +forth a perfect volley of oaths, for which he would immediately +afterward make most humble apologies. This book Edward dedicated to his +wife. + +"From Jest to Earnest" (1875) is dedicated to Edward's schoolmate and +college friend, Rev. A. Moss Merwin. The story is nearly altogether +imaginary, but was suggested by an actual house-party and the position +of a clever hostess who was embarrassed by the necessity for making the +best of an unwelcome guest. + +"Near to Nature's Heart" was written at Cornwall and published in +1876--the Centennial year. It is a Revolutionary story, and the scene +is laid near West Point. "Captain Molly" is of course historical, as is +also the Robin Hood of the Highlands, "Claudius Smith." But most of the +incidents of the story, as well as the leading characters, are +imaginary. + +A few years ago I met at a seashore resort in Massachusetts a cultured +gentleman who held a high position in an educational institution in +that State. He told me that his only child, Vera, was named from the +heroine of "Near to Nature's Heart." He had read all of my brother's +books, but particularly enjoyed this one. And while in California +making a trip to some of the high mountain passes of the State I met a +young couple living in a lonely canyon, miles from any town, whose +year-old baby was called Amy, in honor, they said, of the heroine of +"Nature's Serial Story." They had no knowledge of my relationship to +the author of the book. + +"A Knight of the Nineteenth Century" (1877) was reverently dedicated to +the memory of the writer's father. These lines form the preface:-- + + "He best deserves a knightly crest + Who slays the evils that infest + His soul within. If victor here, + He soon will find a wider sphere. + The world is cold to him who pleads; + The world bows low to knightly deeds." + +Soon after this book was offered for sale upon the railroad trains, a +young man, who had tired of the humdrum duties of his home, started +West to seek adventure in the excitements of mining life. He bought a +copy, read it, and was so impressed by the writer's picture of true +knightly deeds that he abandoned his purpose and returned to take up +the obligations he had cast aside. + +"A Face Illumined" (1878). A beautiful, but discordant, face once seen +at a concert-garden suggested the title and plot of this book. It +interested Edward to imagine what such a countenance could express +under the ennobling influence of a pure Christian life. He says in his +preface:--"The old garden and the aged man who grew young in it are not +creations, but sacred memories." It was our father who was constantly +in the writer's mind as he rehearsed the conversations with Mr. +Eltinge, and the enormous silver poplar that shaded the old man's front +gate, the tool-house and pear tree, and the brook in which "Ida Mayhew" +bathed her tear-stained face, were all drawn from originals. + +"Without a Home" (1881). This book was announced two years before it +was completed, for my brother studied with great care and patience the +problems upon which it touches. He visited scores of tenements and +station-houses, and sat day after day upon the bench with police +judges. He also talked with many of the proprietors of city stores and +with their employees, and his indignation was aroused when he found +that in most of these establishments saleswomen were compelled to stand +throughout the hot summer days, no provision being made for even an +occasional rest. In regard to the victim of the opium habit in this +story, he said once, "I felt from the first that Mr. Joselyn was going +to ruin and I could not stop him, and suffered much with him. I also +felt the death of his daughter almost as much as if she had been a +member of my own family." + +"Success with Small Fruits" (1881). "Dedicated to Mr. Charles Downing, +a neighbor, friend, and horticulturist from whom I shall esteem it a +privilege to learn in coming years, as I have in the past." Chapters +from this book, appropriately illustrated, first appeared serially in +_Scribner's Magazine_. But the larger scope which the book afforded +gave Edward opportunity to treat the various topics more in detail. He +gives many practical suggestions for the benefit of those who are +interested in this subject. Nevertheless, the book is not a mere manual +upon the culture of small fruits. It is happily written, and much quiet +humor is to be found in its pages. To quote a brief example:--"In April +the bees will prove to you that honey may be gathered even from a +gooseberry bush. Indeed, gooseberries are like some ladies that we all +know. In their young and blossoming days they are sweet and pink-hued, +and then they grow acid, pale, and hard; but in the ripening experience +of later life they become sweet again. Before they drop from their +places the bees come back for honey, and find it." + +Whatever may be the opinion of critics in regard to my brother's +fiction, his works on horticulture are of unquestioned authority; they +embody the results of carefully tested personal experiments, and for +this reason have their value. In this book are given practical +directions and advice that gardeners have told me were of immense +service to them. + +"A Day of Fate" (1880). This is a quiet love-story of a summer sojourn +in the Highlands. + +"His Sombre Rivals: A Story of the Civil War" (1883). In the preface he +says: "The stern and prolonged conflict taught mutual respect. The men +of the North were convinced that they fought Americans, and that the +people on both sides were sincere and honest." + +The Battle of Bull Run is simply a suggested picture, and the other war +scenes are colored by the writer's own reminiscences; but concerning +all technical details he consulted military men. + +"A Young Girl's Wooing" (1884). Another short love-story, with the +scene laid in the Catskills, where it was written. + +"Nature's Serial Story" was also published in 1884, but Edward had been +for several years making studies for it, at each season carefully +noting his observations. He was a great lover of birds and knew exactly +when each species arrived North in the spring and just when the fall +migrations took place. "Song," he says elsewhere, "is the first crop I +obtain, and one of the best. The robins know I am a friend of theirs, +in spite of their taste for early strawberries and cherries, and when I +am at work they are very sociable and familiar. One or two will light +on raspberry stakes and sing and twitter almost as incessantly and +intelligently as the children in their playhouse under the great oak +tree. Yet the robin's first mellow whistle in spring is a clarion call +to duty, the opening note of the campaign." + +He drew directly from Nature for facts, and the composition of this +book gave him genuine pleasure. He says: "My characters may seem +shadows to others, but they were real to me. I meet them still in my +walks or drives, where in fancy I placed them." + +"An Original Belle" (1885). The most dramatic scenes in this book are +those connected with the New York Draft Riots. Edward was in the city +one day when the riot had reached its height, and personally witnessed +many of the incidents described. Portions of the book relating to this +time were submitted to the Superintendent of the Metropolitan police +force for possible corrections in the statements made. + +"Driven Back to Eden." This story for children was published serially +in _St. Nicholas_, in 1885. It was lovingly dedicated to "Johnnie," his +pet name for his youngest daughter. In it my brother takes a family +from a narrow city flat in a neighborhood that was respectable, but +densely populated, and where the children were forced to spend much +time upon the streets with very undesirable companions, to a simple +country home, surrounded by garden, fields, and woods. Here they enjoy +the ideal outdoor life--perhaps as near that of the original "Eden" as +can be imagined. Edward places these children among the scenes of his +own boyhood and writes of experiences that are fictitious only in +detail and characters. + +"He Fell in Love with His Wife" (1886). A chance item in a newspaper +relative to a man who had married in order to secure a competent +housekeeper suggested this story, in which the hero tries a similar +experiment. + +"The Home Acre" (1887) first appeared serially in _Harper's Magazine_. +It dwells upon the advantages and pleasures of country life, which is +particularly recommended for business men as affording rest and +diversion of thought after continuous mental strain. Practical hints +are given as to the kind of trees to plant and how to plant them, also +as to the proper cultivation of vineyards, orchards and the small +fruits. He urges the advisability of teaching every boy and girl in the +public schools to recognize and protect certain insects, toads, and +harmless snakes that are of incalculable value in the culture of plants +and fruits because of the warfare they wage against the enemies of +vegetable life. + +"The Earth Trembled" (1887) was written while at Santa Barbara; but, as +in the case of the Chicago fire, Edward went to Charleston before the +effects of the earthquake had been removed, and saw the state of the +city and its inhabitants for himself. I have been told by people who +lived there at the time that my brother's descriptions of the dreadful +calamity are very accurate. + +"Miss Lou" (1888) was my brother's last book and was left unfinished by +his sudden death. The inscription reads:--"In loving dedication to +'little Miss Lou,' my youngest daughter." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE TABLET AND MEMORIAL ADDRESS + + +On May 30th, Decoration Day of 1894, Edward's family and many of his +friends were invited by the citizens of Cornwall-on-the-Hudson to be +present at the dedication of a Memorial Park to be known as Roe Park, a +wild spot in the rear of his home where he had been accustomed to go +for recreation when his day's task was done. + +Here a bronze tablet was placed upon one of the huge bowlders upon +which he and his friends had often sat and rested after their long +rambles. + +Two of his friends, who then came from a distance to honor his memory, +have since joined him in the higher mansions--Rev. Dr. Teal, of +Elizabeth, New Jersey, who began his ministry at Cornwall, and was for +twenty years my brother's intimate friend; and Mr. Hamilton Gibson. +Both of these men were stricken down suddenly, as was my brother. + +I cannot close these reminiscences better than by quoting from Dr. +Lyman Abbott's eloquent Memorial Address, given that day upon my +brother's work as a writer. + + "It is of the latter aspect of his life I wish to speak for a few + moments only, in an endeavor to interpret his service to the great + American people by his pen through literature. The chief function + of the imagination is to enable us to realize actual scenes with + which we are not familiar. This is an important service. It is well + that you who live in these quiet and peaceful scenes should know + what is the wretchedness of some of your fellow beings in the slums + of New York. It is well that your sympathies should be broadened + and deepened, and that you should know the sorrow, the struggle + that goes on in those less favored homes. But this is not the only + function of the imagination, nor its highest nor most important + function. It gives us enjoyment by taking us on its wings and + flying with us away from lives which otherwise would be prosaic, + dull, commonplace, lives of dull routine and drudgery. But this + also is not the only nor the highest use; God has given us + imagination in order that we may have noble ideals set before us, + and yet ideals so linked to actual life that they shall become + inseparable. He has given us imagination that we may see what we + may hope for, what we may endeavor to achieve--that we may be + imbued with a nobler inspiration, a higher hope, and a more loving, + enduring patience and perseverance. Realism, which uses imagination + only to depict the actual, is not the highest form of fiction. + Romanticism, which uses the imagination only to depict what is for + us the unreal and impossible, is not the highest form of fiction. + That fiction is the highest which by the imagination makes real to + our thought the common affairs of life, and yet so blends them with + noble ideals that we are able to go back into life with a larger, a + nobler, and a more perfect faith. + + "Now Mr. Roe's fiction has been very severely criticised, but it + has been universally read. For myself I would rather minister to + the higher life of ten thousand people than win the plaudits of one + self-appointed critic. And his novels have been universally read + because they have uniformly ministered to the higher life of the + readers. He has ministered to the life not of ten thousand, or of + one hundred thousand, but of thousands of thousands, for his + readers in this country alone are numbered by the millions. And I + venture to say that no man, woman, or child ever read through one + of Mr. Roe's books and arose without being bettered by the reading, + without having a clearer faith, a brighter hope, and a deeper and + richer love for his fellow man. In one sense he was a realist. He + made careful and painstaking study of all the events which he + attempted to describe.... He was not a mere photographer. He saw + the grandeur that there is in life. He felt the heart that beats in + a woman's bosom and the heart that beats in a soldier's breast. He + felt it because his own heart had known the purity of womanhood and + the courage of manhood. He portrayed something of that purity, + something of that courage, something of that divine manhood, + because he possessed the qualities that made him a hero on the + battlefield, and so made him a preacher of heroism in human life. + This is the man we have come here to honor to-day; the man who by + his imagination linked the real and the ideal together; the man who + has enabled thousands of men and women of more prosaic nature than + himself to see the beauty and the truth--in one word, the + divinity--that there is in human life. + + "It is fitting that you should have chosen a rural scene like this + as a monument to his name; for he may be described by the title of + one of his books, as the one who lived near to nature's heart. He + loved these rocks, these hills. It is fitting that you should have + left these woods as nature made them. He cared more for the wild + bird of the grove than for the caged bird of the parlor, more for + the wild flowers than for those of the greenhouse, more for nature + wild and rugged than for nature clean and shaven and dressed in the + latest fashion of the landscape gardener. + + "It is gratifying to see so many of all ages, of all sects, of all + classes in this community gather to do honor to the memory of Mr. + Roe. But we, many as we are, are not all who are truly here. We + stand as the representatives of the many thousands in this country + whose hours he has beguiled, whose labors he has lightened, whose + lives he has inspired, and in his name and in theirs we dedicate to + the memory of Mr. Roe these rocks and trees and this rugged park + and this memorial tablet now unveiled. Time with its busy hand will + by and by obscure the writing; time will by and by fell these trees + and gnaw away these rocks. Time may even obliterate the name of E. + P. Roe from the memory of men; but not eternity itself shall + obliterate from the kingdom of God the inspiration to the higher, + nobler and diviner life which he--preacher, writer, soldier, pastor + and citizen--has left in human life." + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's E.P. Roe: Reminiscences of his Life, by Mary A. Roe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK E.P. 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