Chapter III: Lecture at Tremont Temple

Lecturing in the towns I purposed visiting was an after consideration of secondary importance--a sort of adjunct to the journey and the objects I had in view. It was thought that it might afford some facilities for meeting large numbers of people face to face in the different sections of the country through which I designed to pass, and thus enable me the better to learn something of their social customs, industries and general progress in the arts of civilization.

The subject decided upon for the lecture was "Echoes from the Revolution," and was intended to be in keeping with the spirit of the Centennial year. The fact that I had been a cavalryman during the War of the Rebellion and the novelty of an equestrian journey of such magnitude would, I estimated, very naturally awaken considerable interest and a desire on the part of many to hear what I had to say of the heroes of "76."

My lecture was a retrospective view of the leading incidents of the Revolution, with especial reference to some of the sturdy heroes and stirring scenes of that most eventful period in American History. Briefly referring to the causes which led up to the war, I started with the Ride of Paul Revere from Boston the night before the Battle of Lexington, and closed with the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

It was not my wish or intention to derive any pecuniary benefit from my lectures; but being a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and thoroughly in sympathy with the aims and benevolent projects of my soldier friends, it was proposed to donate the proceeds to the Relief Fund of that patriotic organization.

Fully equipped, the weather favorable and roads in good condition, I was anxious to begin my journey early in May. It was therefore arranged, as previously suggested, that I should lecture at Tremont Temple on the evening of May eighth under the auspices and for the benefit of the G. A. R. Relief Fund.

The subjoined fraternal and highly complimentary letter of introduction from Captain Frank M. Clark of New York was received by the committee of arrangements soon after my arrival in Boston.

4 IRVING PLACE,
_New York, April 20, 1876_.

TO COMRADES OF THE G. A. R.:

I have been intimately acquainted with Captain Willard Glazier, a
comrade in good standing of Post No. 29, Department of New York,
Grand Army of the Republic, for the past eight years, and know him
to be worthy the confidence of every loyal man. He is an intelligent
and courteous gentleman, an author of good repute, a soldier whose
record is without a stain, and a true comrade of the "Grand Army." I
bespeak for him the earnest and cordial support of all comrades of
the Order.

Yours very truly in F., C. and L.,
FRANK M. CLARK,
Late A. A. G. Department of New York, G. A. R.

I may add that, as this was the first occasion of any importance on which I had been expected to appear before a public assemblage, I was strongly recommended to deliver my initial lecture before a smaller and less critical audience than I was likely to confront in Boston, and thus prepare myself for a later appearance in the literary capital; but I reasoned from the standpoint of a soldier that, as lecturing was a new experience to me, my military training dictated that if I could carry the strongest position in the line I need have but little, if any, concern for the weaker ones, and hence resolved to deliver my first lecture at Tremont Temple. I was introduced by Captain Theodore L. Kelly, commander of Post 15, Department of Massachusetts, G. A. R., and was honored by the presence on the platform of representatives from nearly all of the Posts of Boston and adjacent cities. In presenting me to my audience Captain Kelly spoke in the following terms:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: It gives me pleasure to have the honor of
introducing to you one who, by his services in the field and by the
works of his pen, is entitled to your consideration, and the
confidence of all comrades of the 'Grand Army of the Republic.' I
desire to say that he comes well accredited, furnished with the
proper vouchers and documents, and highly endorsed and recommended
by the officers of the Department of the State of New York. Though
young in years, his life has been one of varied and exciting
experience. Born in the wilds of St. Lawrence County, New York, his
education was drawn from the great book of Nature; and from his
surroundings he early imbibed a love of liberty. His early
associations naturally invested him with a fondness for adventure
and excitement and when the call of war was heard he at once
responded, and enlisted in the Harris Light Cavalry, with which
corps he passed through many exciting scenes of march and fray. His
experience amid the various vicissitudes of the war, in camp and
field and prison, have been vividly portrayed by his pen in his
various publications. Still inspired by this love of adventure, he
proposes to undertake the novelty of a journey across the Continent
in the saddle. His objects are manifold. While visiting scenes and
becoming more familiar with his own country, he will collect facts
and information for a new book, and at his various stopping-places
he will lecture under the auspices and for the benefit of the 'Grand
Army of the Republic,' to whose fraternal regard he is most warmly
commended. Allow me then, ladies and gentlemen, without further
ceremony, to present to you the Soldier-Author, and our comrade,
Willard Glazier."

I was much gratified on the morning of the ninth to find commendatory reference to my lecture in the leading journals of Boston, for I will frankly admit that I had had some misgivings as to the verdict of the critics, and rather expected to be "handled without gloves" in some of the first cities on the programme. Of the dailies which came to my notice the _Globe_ said:--

"A very fair audience considering the unfair condition of the
elements, was gathered in Tremont Temple last night to hear Captain
Willard Glazier's lecture upon 'Echoes from the Revolution.' The
frequent applause of the audience evinced not only a sympathy with
the subject, but an evident liking of the manner in which it was
delivered. The lecture itself was a retrospective view of the
leading incidents of the Revolution. It would have been unfair to
expect to hear anything very new upon a subject with which the
veriest school-boy is familiar; but Captain Glazier wove the events
together in a manner which freed the lecture from that most
unpardonable of all faults, which can be committed upon the
platform--dulness. He passed over, in his consideration of the
Revolution, the old scenes up to the time when Cornwallis
surrendered up his sword and command to George Washington. 'The year
1876,' said Captain Glazier, 're-echoes the scenes and events of a
hundred years ago. In imagination we make a pilgrimage back to the
Revolution. We visit the fields whereon our ancestors fought for
liberty and a republic. We follow patriots from Lexington to
Yorktown. I see them pushing their way through the ice of the
Delaware--I see them at Saratoga, at Bennington, at Princeton, and
at Monmouth. I follow Marion and his daring troopers through the
swamps of Georgia and the Carolinas;' and in following them up, the
lecturer interspersed his exciting narrative with sundry droll
episodes. Treating of the battles of Trenton and Princeton, he
expatiated upon the devoted heroism of John Stark, and briefly
traced his career until, at Bennington, Burgoyne's victor announced
to his comrades, 'We must conquer to-day, my boys, or to-night Molly
Stark's a widow.' One battle after another was handled by the
lecturer in a pleasing manner, showing that he was thoroughly
familiar with the subject he had chosen for his theme. After
speaking in a most zealous manner of the troops on land, Captain
Glazier remarked: 'Our victories on the ocean during the war of the
Revolution were not less decisive and glorious than those achieved
on land. John Paul Jones and the gallant tars who, under his
leadership, braved the dangers of the deep, and wrested from proud
Britain, once queen of the sea, that illustrious motto which may be
seen high on our banner beside the stars and stripes.'

"Captain Glazier made special mention of the naval engagement
between the Bon Homme Richard and the British man-of-war Serapis,
which took place in September, 1789. He described in glowing words
the fierce nature of that memorable contest, until the captain of
the Serapis, with his own hand, struck the flag of England to the
free Stars and Stripes of young America. Captain Glazier has
elements in him which, carefully matured and nurtured, will make him
successful on the platform, as he has already proved himself in the
field of literature. He has a strong and melodious voice, a
gentlemanly address, and unassuming confidence. He was presented to
the audience by Commandant Kelly, of Post 15, Grand Army of the
Republic, in a brief but eloquent speech. Captain Glazier will start
on his long ride to San Francisco, from the Revere House, this
morning, at 9.30, and will be accompanied to Bunker Hill and thence
to Brighton, by several distinguished members of the 'Grand Army,'
and other gentlemen, who wish the Captain success on his long
journey from Ocean to Ocean."

The lecture proved a success financially, and in fulfilment of my purpose I donated the entire proceeds to the Relief Fund of Posts 7 and 15, as I was largely indebted to the comrades of these organizations for the hearty co-operation which insured a full house at Tremont Temple. The letter below was addressed to the Assistant Adjutant-General of the Department.

REVERE HOUSE,
_Boston, Massachusetts,
May 9, 1876._

CAPTAIN CHARLES W. THOMPSON,
A. A. G. DEPARTMENT OF MASS., G. A. R.

COMRADE: I find pleasure in handing you the net proceeds of my
lecture, delivered at Tremont Temple last night, which I desire to
be divided equally between Posts 7 and 15, G. A. R., of Boston, for
the benefit of our disabled comrades, and the needy and destitute
wards of the "Grand Army," Gratefully acknowledging many favors and
courtesies, extended to me in your patriotic city,

I am yours in F., C. and L.,
WILLARD GLAZIER.

My letter to Captain Thompson elicited responses from the Posts to which donations were made, and the following from the Adjutant of John A. Andrew, Post 15, is introduced to show their appreciation of my efforts in behalf of their Relief Fund.

POST 15, DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS, G. A. R.,
_Boston, May 12, 1876_.

CAPTAIN WILLARD GLAZIER:

COMRADE: In obedience to a vote of this Post, I am pleased to
transmit to you a vote of thanks for the money generously donated by
you, through our Commander, as our quota of the proceeds of your
lecture in this city; and also the best wishes of the comrades of
this Post for you personally, and for the success of your lecture
tour from sea to sea.

Yours in F., C. and L.,
EDWARD F. ROLLINS,
Adjutant of Post.

It is only justice to the comrades of Posts 7 and 15 to say that on my arrival in Boston they were most cordial in their reception, most zealous in their co-operation with my advance agents and most solicitous for the success of my journey and its objects. In short they were true comrades in the best sense of the term, and my delightful sojourn in their generous and patriotic city was largely due to their numerous courtesies.