fees were required to pay the teachers. This indebtedness rested upon
my shoulders. But for the salutary influence it exerted in molding
the characters of our youth, I should have failed.

The declining health of our dear brother F. M. Olcott brought
increasing darkness over our future prospects, and the memorable
battle of Bull Run increased the shock that startled the liberty
lovers of our nation at the firing upon Fort Sumter. The cloud that
hung over our nation also overshadowed our beloved institution. We
closed this year with sad forebodings. Our beloved principal was fast
hastening to his reward. He suggested a friend of his to fill his
position the ensuing year, and died of consumption within six weeks
of our vacation. He was a noble Christian man, and had endeared
himself to all who enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance. His loss
was severely felt by his students, who enjoyed his faithful teaching,
and especially by myself, as I had indulged the fond hope that he
would become the efficient permanent principal.

The following year the institute opened with as fair prospects as
could be expected, in charge of Edward A. Haight. Until the third year
of the war our school was continued in successful operation. But
during the last term of 1863-4, when the war had taken seventeen of
our noble young men into the field, and the condition of our soldiers,
daily reported as suffering and dying in camp and hospital, called for
tender nursing, I offered myself for that work.

Leaving an excellent young woman as preceptress in my stead, I
gathered from eighteen hundred to two thousand garments for freedmen,
and hospital supplies for soldiers, and with papers from Austin Blair,
governor of our State, from F. C. Beaman, member of Congress, and from