Mark Twain's Civil War

"How Twain Saved the Union" (1901)

"How Twain Saved the Union" On February 11, 1901, Mark Twain appeared at Carnegie Hall as part of a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's ninety-second birthday. This marked the last occasion when Twain spoke publicly at any length-seriously or otherwise-about his Civil War experiences. His account appeared in the New York Times on February 12, 1901, as the first half of "Blue and Gray Pay Tribute to Lincoln: Celebration at Carnegie Hall in Aid of Memorial University." (The second halfof the article, which is not included here, is a transcription of Henry Watterson's eulogy of Lincoln.) Two self-confessed Confederates-Samuel L. Clemens and Henry Watterson-paid a high tribute to Abraham Lincoln last evening. Incidentally the humoristtold how both ofthem saved the Union, when Col. Watterson failed to follow the advice of Second Lieut. Twain and drive Gen. Grant across the country into the Pacific Ocean. It was the celebration of the ninety-second anniversary of the birthday of Lincoln, and was for the benefit of the Lincoln Memorial University at Cumberland Gap, Tenn. The boxes were crowded. High in the family circle were grouped over 500 singers, under the command of Frank Damrosch, and they sang the great war songs so that the audience at each burst of a new melody rose and faced the singers. 89 MARK TWAIN'S CIVIL WAR The tribute paid to the memory of Lincoln was more than eulogistic. Gathered on the stage were veterans-some wearers of the blue and other wearers of the gray-of the civil war. Gen. Nelson A. Miles and Gen. Joseph Wheeler sat in the same row. The first part of the programme was devoted to music. The grand march from Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete" was played by the Fifth United States Artillery Regiment Band. The next was the old Netherland "Hymn of Thanks," rendered by the People's Choral Union, conducted by Frank Damrosch. The Rev. Dwight Newell Hillis, pastor of Plymouth Church, delivered the prayer. One of the favorite hymns of Abraham Lincoln was then sung, the first line of which is "Father, whate'er of earthly bliss." Then Mark Twain, who acted as Chairman, said: "We will now listen to what I conceive to be the most beautiful and the most sublime battle hymn the world has ever known, 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic:" Following this came the "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah." Mark Twain then walked, with mincing steps and bent head, to the left wing of the stage, and brought forward Miss Tracey, a soprano, who smiled at the humorist and smiled at her audience. She sang several songs. Chairman Twain read the following letter from President McKinley, addressed to Gen. O. O. Howard, who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Memorial University: Dear Gen. Howard: I had hoped to be able to accept the kind invitation extended to me to attend the Lincoln's Birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall, New York City, on Monday evening next, the 11th inst., but find, very much to my 90 "How Twain Saved the Union" regret, that public duties will prevent my doing so. It would have afforded me much pleasure to be present on such an occasion and participate in honoring the memory of the great American who did so much to perpetuate the Union and insure the blessings of liberty to all his countrymen. Please extend my cordial greetings to those present at the celebration, and accept best wishes for its complete success. Very sincerely yours, WILLIAM McKINLEY. Mark Twain Gay and Grave. The speaking part of the programme was begun by Mark Twain making a speech introducing Henry Watterson as the orator of the evening. Mark Twain said: "There remains of my duties as presiding officer on this occasion two things to do-only two-one easy, the other difficult. It is easy to introduce to you the orator of the evening, and then to keep still and give him a chance is the difficult task. [Laughter and applause.] "To tell an American audience who Henry Watterson is is not at all necessary. Just to mention his name is enough. A name like his mentioned to an audience would be like one of those blazing sentiments on the Madison Square tower. Just the mention of his name touches the chords of your memory tenderly and lovingly . Distinguished soldier, journalist, orator, statesman...