e neighborhood of New York, to the
Soldiers' Rest in Howard Street; New England Rooms, Central Park,
Ladies' Home and Park Barracks, they were still diffused to all parts of
the land. The Army of the Potomac, and of the Southwest, and scores of
scattered companies and regiments shared them. The Massachusetts
Regiments, whether at home or abroad, were always remembered with the
tenderest care, and especially was the gallant Forty-ninth, raised
almost entirely in Berkshire, the object of that helpful solicitude
which never wearied of well-doing.
Almost decimated by disease in the deadly bayous of the Southwest, and
in the fearful conflicts at Port Hudson and its neighborhood in the
summer of 1863, the remnant at length returned to Berkshire to receive
such a welcome and ovation at Pittsfield, on the 22d of August of that
year, as has seldom been extended to our honored soldiery. About fifty
of these men were at once taken to the hospital, and long lay ill, the
constant recipients of unwearied kind attentions from Mrs. Fenn and her
coadjutors.
Much as we have said of the excellent and extensive work performed by
this most admirable woman, space fails us for the detail of the half.
Her work was so various, and so thoroughly good in every department,
both head and hands were so entirely at the service of these her
suffering countrymen, that it would be impossible to tell the half. The
close of the war has brought her a measure of repose, but for such as
she there is no rest while human beings suffer and their cry ascends for
help. Her charities are large to the freedmen, and the refugees who at
the present time so greatly need aid. She is also lending her efforts to
the collection of the funds needful for the erection of a monument to
her fallen soldiers which Pittsfield proposes to raise at an expense of
several thousands of dollars contributed by the people.
At sixty-eight, Mrs. Fenn is still erect, active, and with a countenance
beaming with animation and benevolence, bids fair to realize the wish
which at sight of her involuntarily springs to all lips that her life
may long be spared to the good words and works to which it is devoted.
She has been the recipient of several handsome testimonials from her
towns-people and from abroad, and many a token of the soldier's
gratitude, inexpensive, but most valuable, in view of the laborious and
painstaking care which formed them, has reached her hands and is placed
with wor
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