rnment for service in the war. After a
diligent search it was found that the Neptune Steamship Company would
take one of their propellers, running between New York and Providence,
off the route, and charter it for a party.

A committee was formed consisting of Mr. Edward Cary, editor of the
_Brooklyn Union_, Mr. Edwin A. Studwell and myself as chairman. The
steamship company agreed to carry one hundred and eighty passengers for
the sum of eighteen thousand dollars, which I paid them, the trip to be
made in nine days.

As soon as all the arrangements were completed, Mr. Beecher announced
the program from the pulpit and through the press. Nearly all the
prominent clergymen and citizens of Brooklyn applied for tickets. It
became necessary to refuse a large number, as the steamer could not
accommodate more than one hundred and eighty people. On the 10th of
April, 1865, we left the foot of Wall Street in, one of the Fulton Ferry
boats, which had been kindly offered to take the party to the _Oceanus_,
lying at the foot of Robinson Street, New York. A more patriotic party
never left the city of Brooklyn. All the way to Charleston, those who
were not seasick (for the steamer rolled fearfully) were engaged in
holding meetings and singing patriotic songs. Speeches were made by the
clergymen, including Messrs. Cuyler, Putman, Gallagher, Chadwick,
Corning, French and others; also by prominent citizens of Brooklyn,
including Messrs. Low, Bowen, Smith, Lambert, Frothingham and others.
The singing was led by Mr. Bradbury, while among the songs were "We are
out on the ocean sailing," "John Brown's Soul is Marching on," "We'll
Hang Jeff Davis to a Sour Apple Tree." Arriving at Charleston Bar on the
afternoon of the 13th of April we passed into the harbour, and as we
went by Fort Sumter the entire company assembled upon the upper deck and
sang "Old Hundred."

Just before the _Oceanus_ left the dock in New York we received a
despatch from the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, that Lee with his
entire army had surrendered to Grant. Our steamer was the first one to
carry the news of Lee's surrender to the people of the South. As the
_Oceanus_ slowly neared the dock at Charleston, we could see the shores
were lined with people, and as we came within hailing distance, Captain
Young shouted through his trumpet, "Lee has surrendered!" At once there
went up a mighty shout from that black mass--it was like the roar of
Niagara. "God bless Mas