the loss of life and regret the vast expenditures which have been made to preserve our liberties, yet all will rejoice over the glorious results which have been achieved. Permit me to congratulate, through you, the people of Michigan, for the brilliant and conspicuous part performed by Michigan regiments in the late war for the Union. I believe there is no blot upon their record, but all is bright, conspicuous and glorious, whilst an extraordinary number of personal distinctions shine upon the pages. Expressing my sensibility of the fortunate honor in being the instrument of the Government for delivering to the State these sacred colors, I remain your most obedient servant, JOHN H. KNIGHT, The invitation extended by the Governor to the soldiers of Michigan to be present, was responded to in keeping with the great love which they have always borne for the old flag, under all circumstances, and they rallied in great numbers under the war-worn folds of their old banner as in times gone by. On the day set apart for the purpose, the colors referred to were formally presented by the respective regiments, through his Excellency, to the State. "I saw the soldiers come to-day No conqueror rode before their way, But Captains, like themselves, on foot, All grandly eloquent, though mute, "Those banners soiled with dust and smoke, And rent by shot and shell, That through the serried phalanx broke, What terrors could they tell! What tales of sudden pain and death In every cannon's boom When e'en the bravest held his breath, And waited for his doom." The Hon. M. I. Mills, Mayor of Detroit, presided on the occasion, and, in a most happy speech, welcomed the troops present. The ceremonies were commenced with prayer, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop McCoskry. The flags were presented on behalf of the troops by General O. B. Wilcox, in a happily conceived and stirring speech, and were received in an eloquent and appropriate address by Governor Crapo, and the ceremonies were closed by the Rev. Dr. Duffield, with an impressive benediction. It is proper and just to mention that the action of the State authorities was cheerfully aided and most liberally sustained by the citizens of Detroit, and after the presentation, the returned troops partook of a substantial repast, prepared for them by the people, and were waited upon at the tables by over three hundred ladies and a large number of gen tlemen. The affair was graced and honored by the largest and most magnificent celebration ever had in Michigan, and was participated in by the most numerous assemblage of people, from all parts of the State, ever congregated within its borders. One hundred and twenty-three of these flags were presented, belonging to the various regiments, and are now deposited in the archives of Michigan, there to be sacredly kept and carefully preserved. Around them cluster hallowed memories of companions in arms, of regimental bravery, and State pride, of national grandeur and prowess, of individual heroism, of fallen comrades and family bereavements, and of a nation saved. THE HARPER HOSPITAL. In 1863 representations were made to the Government by Colonel Charles S. Tripler, surgeon United States Army, then United States Medical Director in the State, that the erection of a general hospital at Detroit, for the reception and care of sick and wounded Michigan soldiers, was an absolute necessity. Accompanying these representations was an urgent request for immediate action in the matter. Colonel Tripler was ably aided in this effort by Colonel George W. Lee, chief quartermaster, and Dr. D. O. Farrand, assistant surgeon, United States army. The object had also the influence and recommendation of the Governor and military authorities of the State. After much laborious correspondence and provoking delays, the authority was finally obtained, under an order from the Secretary of War, and the work on Harper Hospital was commenced early in 1864, under the superintendence of Colonel Lee. Instead of constructing the building with three stories or more, as had usually been the custom, the hospital was made up of eleven one-story buildings, with the offices and dispensary in the centre, and the whole range connected with each other by a covered aisle in the rear, rendering ingress and egress easy and comfortable. It cost about sixty thousand dollars, aside from the grounds, the use of which was given gratis by the trustees of the Harper Hospital Association. It had a capacity of about eight hundred patients. Particular attention having been given in its construction to ventilation and drainage, with superior water arrangements, coupled with exceedingly capable management, it was known as one of the most complete, comfortable, and bestregulated general hospitals in the West. When completed, Dr. Farrand was placed in charge, assisted by Dr. W. A. Chandler, Dr. William C. Catlin, Dr. E. W. Jenks, and Dr. G. W. Fitzpatrick. Early in the spring of 1865 Dr. Farrand was relieved by Dr. Byron Stanton, a surgeon of volunteers, who remained in charge only a few weeks, when he resigned to accept a position in an insane asylum in Ohio. Dr. Farrand was again placed in charge, and continued on duty until in June or July, when he was, at his own request, transferred to Fort Wayne, near Detroit, to take charge of the hospital at that post. Dr. Wynkoop, a surgeon of volunteers, from Philadelphia, succeeded Dr. Farrand, and remained in charge until the close of the hospital, in December, 1865. It was, soon after, given by the Government to the trustees of the Harper Hospital, a corporate body, having in view the establishment of a hospital by that name, for charitable purposes, on condition that sufficient accommodation should be at all times furnished as a "Soldiers' Home," for the invalid and destitute Michigan soldiers and sailors, and it is now being in part used for that purpose. N* The erection of this hospital, at that time affording so much comfort and aid to the sick and wounded who needed it so much, should be accepted by the people of Michigan as a most favorable and generous recognition of the great claims of the State and her soldiers upon the Government, and the efforts made to secure it by the gentlemen named, should entitle them to the grateful remembrance and thanks of every soldier, and to the kindest consideration of their friends. THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' MONUMENT. The people of Michigan, gratefully appreciating the services and sacrifices of her sons who gave up the dearest boon to man, life, and of those who risked it in the same glorious cause, early in the war determined to perpetuate their memories and great deeds by erecting a monument chisseled from the white marble or the beautiful granite of America, magnificently and appropriately ornamented with figures of bronze or marble. This measure was inaugurated at a public meeting held by citizens of Detroit on July 20th, 1861, when it was resolved to erect a monument to the noble dead who had fallen in the war. Judge B. F. H. Witherell, Col. E. Backus, U. S. A., Messrs. Charles C. Trowbridge, J. W. Tillman, and Col. H. A. Morrow were appointed a committee to carry out the resolution. This committee met on the 6th day of August following, and organized by the appointment of Judge Witherell chairman, J. W. Tillman treasurer, and T. W. Palmer secretary. After several meetings and consultations with friends of the measure it was deemed best to postpone immediate action and await the termination of the war and the crushing out of the rebellion. This desirable result having been reached, a meeting was held in Detroit on July 20th, 1865, when it was resolved to refer the whole matter to a committee of seven, with instructions to prepare and report at a subsequent meeting a full and complete plan of organization, and also to present the names of suitable persons to fill the positions or offices they might recommend. Messrs. J. W. Tillman, C. C. Trowbridge, John Owen, J. F. Conover, T. W. Palmer, B. F. H. Witherell, and John Robertson were appointed such committee, with power to call the next meeting. A meeting was held on the 11th of August following, when the committee in their report recommended that $50,000 be raised by subscription, and submitted a plan of organization and labor, naming as a board of directors for the management of the business of the association Hon. B. F. H. Witherell, Detroit. Major Gen. E. O. C. Ord, Detroit. His Excellency Gov. H. H. Crapo, Flint. Hon. E. J. Penniman, Plymouth. James Burtenshaw, Esq., Ontonagon. Hon. Giles Hubbard, Mount Clemens. Dr. Potter, East Saginaw. Hon. T. D. Gilbert, Grand Rapids. Hon. Hezekiah G. Wells, Kalamazoo. Hon. W. S. Maynard, Ann Arbor. Hon. R. R. Beecher, Adrian. W. C. McConnell, Esq., Pontiac. T. W. Flanners, Esq., Ontonagon county. Col. W. L. Stoughton, St. Joseph county. Hon. V. P. Collier, Calhoun county. From this body the committee designated as the officers of the association Hon. B. F. H. Witherell, president; Gen. H. A. Morrow, vice president; J. W. Tillman, Esq., treasurer; Hon. John Owen, auditor; T. W. Palmer, Esq., secretary, and J. W. Romeyn, Esq., associate secretary. The committee also named as the executive committee Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, Hon. John Owen, Hon. H. P. Baldwin, Hon. H. N. Walker, J. F. Conover, Esq., and C. J. Walker, Esq., all of Detroit; Ex-Governor Blair, of Jackson; Hon. E. H. Thompson, of Flint, and Hon. S. M. Cutcheon, of Ypsilanti, with the president, treasurer, and secretary ex officio. On June 26, 1867, a meeting was held with Judge Witherell (president) in the chair, when Mr. Trowbridge submitted a report, which he had been selected to prepare, on the relative merits of the various designs sent in by different competing artists. On the morning of the 27th Judge Witherell died, and the association was called upon to deplore the loss of its original founder, an officer peculiarly interested in its patriotic work, and who gave to it the last hour of his life. On the 28th of June the various designs, plans, and estimates were examined by the Board of Directors, and their relative merits fully and fairly discussed. On coming together in the afternoon of that day a ballot was had to determine the choice of the directors, when it was found that decided preference was given to the design by Randolph Rogers, the eminent American sculptor, a native of Michigan, and a citizen of Ann Arbor when a young man, who is also the contractor for the entire work. The monument, when finished, is to stand about forty-six feet, to be crowned by a colossal statue of Michigan ten feet high, a semi-civilized Indian Queen, with a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left; the figure in motion as if rushing forward in defence of her country. Beneath the plinth on which she stands are stars and wreaths. On the next section in front is the dedication, "Erected by the people of Michigan in honor of the martyrs who fell and the heroes who fought in defence of Liberty and Union." On the left are the arms of the State; on the right are the arms of the United States. On the projecting butments below are four allegorical figures seated. These figures, if standing, would be six and a half feet high, and they represent Victory, Union, Emancipation, and History. On the next section below, standing upon projecting butments are the defenders of Liberty and Union, the representations of the army and navy, four statues, seven feet high, soldiers of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, with a sailor of the navy. Between these statues it is proposed to place bassi relievi, provided sufficient funds are obtained to defray the cost. In the meantime the panels may be left vacant without injury to the general effect. In the single panel the artist has sketched Mr. Lincoln holding in one hand the emancipation proclamation, and in the other a pen. On either side of the bassi relievi are tablets where may be registered the names of battles or other inscriptions. On the outer pedestals are four eagles. All these figures are to be of the finest bronze. Mr. Rogers presented an estimate for the work in detail, each part being separately stated, the gross sum being $50,000, aside from the architectural part of granite or marble, which he estimated at $10,000, and a contract was entered into accordingly. The four allegorical figures embraced in his design are not included in this estimate, and if placed on the structure will increase the cost the amount of their value. The association was incorporated in 1868 by the Legislature, and its affairs are now managed by a Board of Trustees, composed of John Owen, H. P. Baldwin, Theodore Romeyn, Wm. A. Butler, R. A. Alger, George F. Bagley, James W. Romeyn, Henry N. Walker, Thomas W. Palmer, David Preston, J. F. Conover, C. C. Trowbridge, and G. V. N. Lothrop, of Detroit; Austin Blair, of Jackson, and S. M. Cutcheon, of Ypsilanti. The officers of the association at present are Charles C. Trowbridge, president; John Owen, vice president; Wm. A. Butler, treasurer; James W. Romeyn, and Thomas W. Palmer, secretaries. Committee on Finance, Henry P. Baldwin, George V. N. Lothrop, and George F. Bagley, of Detroit. In February, 1866, the Rev. George Taylor was employed as the general soliciting and collecting agent, rendering valuable and faithful service. In March, 1866, General B. M. Cutcheon, of Manistee, volunteered his services in aid of the measure, giving manly energy and successful effort to the cause. Nearly sufficient funds are on hand to meet the obligations of the association, and they expect to raise an additional sum, adequate to placing the allegorical figures on the monument, and thus complete the full design of the sculptor. The ornamental figures are being cast at Munich, and the association expect the monument will be completed by the 4th of July, 1871. The corner-stone was laid in the city of Detroit on July 4, 1867, by Grand Master S. G. Coffinbury, of the Masonic fraternity, in presence of Grand Commanderies and Grand Lodge of that order, and the Grand |