JOHN BURNS
I have also his photograph which he gave me, and from which, I believe, the life size figure of his statue was made. I saw him many times at my home in Brooklyn, and elsewhere, always wearing proudly the shabby old coat with bullet holes in the front corners. This is not given in the life size figure of the old hero on his monument at Gettysburg Cemetery, where he stands without a coat with bared head, musket in hand, as if starting for the field of action.
“And as they gazed, there crept an awe
Through the ranks in whispers, and some men saw,
In the antique garments and long white hair,
The past of the nation, in battle there.”
CHAPTER VI
ARMS AND TROPHY DEPARTMENT OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION FAIR
This department was beautifully draped with bunting, Revolutionary, Mexican and other old war flags, and also a few Confederate flags, captured by regiments, still in the field, that had yet many a bloody battle to fight. A number of distinguished, elegantly-gowned women toiled here indefatigably, brimming over with excitement and patriotism, quite regardless of the unusual fatigue of standing and working so many hours daily, in their anxiety to allow no one to pass without contributing in some way to the fund, now reaching thousands of dollars.
Here was to be decided the “sword test,” that would indicate the most popular general, by the number of votes cast at one dollar each. The sword was to be presented to the winner of the largest number of votes. How these attractive ladies worked for their favorites! A magnetic thrill pervaded this room, where men of fashion and reputation crowded, ostensibly to learn how the vote was going.