rthy of special notice.

It having been determined by the War Department to enforce the
draft in New York and Brooklyn, and a recurrence of the riots being
again imminent, orders were issued to send veteran troops to New
York harbor for such disposition and service as the exigencies
might require. Western troops were mainly selected, and, with a
view to sending me upon this service, I was ordered on the 14th of
August to Alexandria with the 110th and 122d Ohio, the former in
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Foster and the latter in that of
Colonel Wm. H. Ball. On the 16th I embarked these regiments and
the 3d Michigan on a transport ship at Alexandria, with instructions
from Halleck to report on my arrival in New York Harbor to General
E. R. S. Canby.( 2) On reaching our destination, my troops, with
others from the Army of the Potomac, were distributed throughout
both cities. My own headquarters were for a short time on Governor's
Island, then more permanently at Carroll Park, Brooklyn.

The threatened riots and the incipient movements to again prevent
the draft were easily averted, as it was evident that no unlawful
assemblage of persons would be tolerated by the authorities when
backed by veteran soldiers. This service proved to be a great
picnic for the men. Officers and soldiers were received warmly
everywhere in the cities, and socially feasted and flattered. It
was evident, however, that the good people had not yet recovered
from the terrors of the recent riots, and they manifested a painful
apprehension that a recurrence of these would take place. The
draft, however, went on peacefully, and when all danger seemed past
the troops were ordered to return to their proper corps in the Army
of the Potomac.

At a public breakfast given to the soldiers of the 110th Ohio in
Carroll Park, Brooklyn, a very aged man appeared with a morning
paper, and asked and was granted permission to read President
Lincoln's memorable and characteristic letter of August 26, 1863,
addressed to Hon. James C. Conkling, of Illinois, in response to
an invitation to attend a mass-meeting at Springfield, "of
unconditional Union men." The letter answered many objections
urged against the President on account of the conduct of the war,
his Emancipation Proclamation, and his purpose to enlist colored
men as soldiers. For perspicuity, terseness, plainness, and
conclusiveness of argument this letter stands among the best of
all President L