me in his life had a vote. He realized the solemnity of
the moment. A dead silence fell upon the crowd, and no voice was lifted
in that important affirmative. "Very well, boys," again spoke the clear,
kind voice of Mrs. Fenn. "Each of you who is glad to be free, proud to
be a free soldier of his country, and ready for the struggles which
freedom entails, will please to say Aye." Instantly, such a shout arose,
as startled the sick in their beds in the farthest pavilion. No voice
was silent. An irrepressible, exultant, enthusiastic cry answered her
appeal, and told how the black man appreciated the treasure won by such
blood and suffering.

As has been said before, the personal labors of Mrs. Fenn were
unintermitted as long as a sick or wounded soldier remained in any
hospital. After all the hospitals in the neighborhood of New York were
closed, except that of David's Island, months after the suspension of
hostilities, she continued to be the medium of sending to the men there
the contributions of Berkshire, and the supplies her appeals drew from
various sources.

The United Societies of Shakers, at Lebanon and Hancock, furnished her
with many supplies--excellent fruit, cheese, eatables of various kinds,
all of the best, cloth, linen new and old, towels, napkins, etc., etc.,
all of their own manufacture and freely offered. The Shakers are no less
decided than the Quakers in their testimony against war, but they are
also, as a body, patriotic to a degree, and full of kindly feelings
which thus found expression.

At one time Mrs. Fenn with a desire of saving for its legitimate purpose
even the small sum paid for rent, gave up the rooms she had hired, and
for more than a year devoted the best parlor of her own handsome
residence to the reception of goods contributed for the soldiers.
Thousands of dollars' worth of supplies were there received and packed
by her own hands.

Among other things accomplished by this indefatigable woman was the
making of nearly one hundred gallons of blackberry cordial. Most of the
bandages sent from Pittsfield were made by her, and so nicely, that Mrs.
Fenn's bandages became famed throughout the army and hospitals. In all,
they amounted to many thousand yards. One box which accompanied
Burnside's expedition, alone contained over four thousand yards of
bandages, which she had prepared.

Though the bounties she so lavishly sent forth were in a very large
measure devoted to the hospitals in th