The praises of this first concert were so many that we were obliged to give another in Tremont Temple in Boston. From that time we gave a concert each month to raise funds for the volunteers during the year 1861. The treasury was always supplied from the proceeds of these concerts and the supply of money never failed, to my knowledge, during my sojourn in Dedham. The excitement of the hour was intense--regiments of volunteers passed daily on their way to the front. They were greeted and cheered by the people; garlands and bouquets were thrown from the windows as they passed. It was a scene that never will be forgotten, when we reflect that not two-thirds of these splendid men ever came back. Later on the choirs visited the hospitals and we found many brave hearts, who had fought and were wounded for their country, lying there. To them we brought supplies of fruit, flowers and nourishing food and sang to them. So the good work went on from week to week until the year 1861 was nearly over. We decided to return to California, business was demoralized and uncertainty reigned and we had been four years from home. During that time I had become a singer and was able to take my place with other artists of repute. I had during my study become acquainted with the foremost artists of that time and sang with them on many occasions.
W.R. Babcock Charles J. Capen G.W. Harris H.W. Edes Adolph Baumbach J.H.B. Thayer Howard M. Dow I.D. Parker W.B. Clark Carl Zerrahn, _Leader_.
The men and women singers of Dedham Congregational Church Choir in 1858 were:
Adams, Louisa, Miss, _prima donna_ Adams, Henrietta, Miss, _contralto_ Blake, Margaret, Mrs., _mezzo-contralto_ Bates, Helen, Miss, _soprano_ Bullard, Mary, Miss, _soprano_ Boyd, Mary, Miss, _soprano_ Bickner, Clara, Miss, _soprano_ Covell, O.M., Miss, _contralto_ Draper, M.J. Mrs., _soprano_ Daniel, Olive, Mrs. _contralto_ Everett, Hattie, Miss, _soprano_ Fisher, Mattie E., Mrs., _contralto_ Guild, Hattie, Miss, _contralto_ Guild, Mary, Miss, _soprano_ Kingsbury, Susan, Miss, _soprano_ Taft, Louisa, Miss, _soprano_ Williams, N.R., Mrs., _contralto_ Blake, Geo. H., _tenor_ Burgess, Dr. E.P., _bass_ Burgess, Edwin, _tenor_ Churchill, C.C., _bass_ Calder, Bert, _bass_ Danforth, C.B., _bass_ Eaton, J., _bass_ Everett, E., _bass_ Fisher, Alvin J., _bass_ (_former choir master_) Hitchings, Henry, _bass_ Sherwin, Henry, _tenor_ Taft, J.G., _bass_ Wright, Geo., _tenor_ Wright, Charles, _bass_ Macbeth, G.W., _bass_ Capen, Chas. J., _organist_ Bruce, Edwin, _director_ Daniel, Ellery C., _choir master_