But I spent little time sight-seeing, and took the afternoon train for New York.
Upon arriving at my home in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, there were many matters to attend to, and I had little time to spend with my family. I then started for Albany. At Troy we crossed the river in a sleigh on thick ice. I had been invited to stop at the home of my former patient John C. Guffin, where I met his father, mother and brother. The parents reminded me of Abraham and Sarah. They seemed to have dropped out of the Old Testament, as they talked in Scripture language quite difficult for me to understand.
The hilly streets of Albany were covered with ice, and although a natural climber, I could not keep my footing, and so I simply sat down and slid to the bottom of those hills. Governor Fenton was away when I arrived, and I was obliged to remain three days waiting for him. During this time these hospitable patriarchs gave me, three times a day, only buckwheat cakes and tea, which peculiar diet caused a severe headache. I was very glad when I could get away. I never experienced such cold as during that visit.
Governor Fenton was very courteous, and, after examining the appeal made by all the State Agencies, the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, he soon granted the request and gave me the Commission of New York State agent, with directions to report to Mr. Morgan, head of New York State Agency in Washington.
On my return to Washington I met Mr. Morgan, and received from him the following commission:
“New York State Agency,
181 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, D. C., February 22, 1865.
Colonel T. S. Bowers,
A. A. G. Armies, United States.
Sir:
Miss Ada W. Smith has been appointed agent of the State of New York for the relief of her soldiers.
I respectfully commend her to your kind consideration, assuring you that every facility given her for carrying out the object of her mission will be appreciated.