The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-12-12
philadelphia correspondence.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 9, 1861.
,cn of The Alierhnnian.


OF course, the War, with its thrilling Incl
dents, its generals and soldiers, is the all
enprossing topic with both Young and Old
America at present. The predictions and
speculations of some of our city journals re-
spectng War movements are amusing IN the
extreme. % Ye told you so before" or acces-
sorry after the fact, Is invariably the sapient
confession OF some Of them here and IN New
York; and they Try hard 10 impress the read
ius world with their superior foresight ana
vi, dom. T.tey had pointed ont, months be-
lore the advantage Of occupying Hilton Head,
the district Of Beaufort, etc etc. At the
same time It is well known that these very
same journals, prerious to the sailing Of tue
Naval Expedition. were full OF all sorts Of
coniectures as to its destination But now
what discoveries Your unprctcndInG coun-
try paper. would be laughed at FOR such dec
( laratIOuS.
Among the noblcst institutions which have
sprung up during the War are the ''Nolunteer
ilcfrcshuIcnt Rooms" at the foot of Washing
ton street, II this city. The first one was
founded by William Z. Cooper, Esq, VINO,
with his patriotic associates and neIEh0ofs,
nave done from the first aud aly Sjll DONG
disintercsted service to their country, by feed
,ng and entertaining the Volunteer regimt nts
as they pas through city that has contrib
utcd more to the comforJ of the soldiers than
any other city in the Union. At first this IN
stitution was a rather rude one. When Il
: W
these hospitablc Coopcrs and their ncighbors
would rouse from their nocturnal siumbers,
and. with great D"rreiud coffee pots, charged
to the muzzles, anu aprons full of rari1ns and
shot for the locker, muster in the street and
pour their ammunition into the advancing
ranks until the soldiers were Obliged 10 ralSe
n flag of truce.
After a while, couple OF twenty gallon
coffe-pot~ were mounted in ''Coopcr's cooper
shop" and ratious served out there.
The gcodIy undertaking has gone on until
now TIE 6 ucrous Commissariat, aided by
contributions OF n ney and army stores from
liberal citizens, has largely increased its field
Of usefulness. An elegant marquee has been
erected, and, with its long and neatly spread
tables loaded with liberal viands, presents
fine appearance, and gives evidence of the
excellent taste OF the estImaDle lady atten-
dants who OF the most respectable f.iui-
lies in the city.
Miss Dix, tie eminent philanthropist has
! given her testimony TO Mr.. Cooper, as follows:
..lIiss Dix's mplimcnts to Mr.. Cooper and
/ his associates in noble and enno6ling work,
| aud hopes that the few books sent to occupy
| the attention Of recovering hospital patients
may be acceptable.
s'Miss DIX takes occasion to express to Mr..
| Cooper not only her general interest in the
/ charge Of the Federal troops by supplying
needful food, but her appreciation Of both the
! quality and variety Of the provisions spread
] on the tables. the decent Sull0Dte DlduucI III
which the tab es and table-tuTnltuTe are ar
ranged, and also Of the genial, hearty good
| will which welcomes the hungry and tired
| soldiers TO an ample and gratuitously supplied
meal.
.'The real blessing of the neat, convenient
! Hospital, we'll sustained and directed by
! Miss Ross, must impress all who are acqualn-
/ ted with its advantages with a lively sense Of
/ the sincere and humane dispositions OF those
! who, in the spirit ot the Grand Master go
| about doing good"
The ''Volunteer Refreshment Con mittee
| E Establishment" on SansOm street, was start
ed under different auspices, but sustained i'll
similar manner, and is accomplishing Ike
! good It's managers are worthy of their coun-
| try'S gratitude. Their rooms, perfect in all
the details of kitchen and larder, are larger
and more spacious than the other, and are
graced with attendants willing and anxious TO
do good.
Adjoining this Saloon, on Washington St,
by the sidewalk but under cover, is perfect
! Washing Saloon with all the ''Gxens'-a long
line of stands. with zine bowl roller and tow
ell to each, and supplied with refreshing Fair
mount, for the ahlution Of the tired ana dusty
soldier.
Allow me to add the following just tribute
| to Philadelphia from one who has parIaken of
| its hOspitalitv-a contrast remarked by the
Salem Register:
'.When our Massachusetts volunteers arrive
! AZ GhlI0QeIpnla, on thelf W1N TO the war even
if it be at two o'clock In the morning. they
are supplied with good meal of refresh
ments, and well cooked, any one could
wish to eat; but at New York, even though
they arrive late eleven o'clock III the
forenoon, they are marched 10 Park Barracks,
and fed on soup, though they stay twenty
four hours At Philadelphia parade is
made; but at New York great parade is got
up by the Sons of Massachusetts" and the
officers ieted and feastcd at the Astor,
while the priVates are left TO breakfast, dine
and sup on soup"
\ new hospital for the Sick and Wounded
has also been added to this benevolent enter
prise.
The Ladies' Aid Society," of this city, is
doing good work, and aiding the Union
cause by contributions of bodily comforts 10
the soldiers.
Oar churches are also awake to the spirit
ual wants of the army, and many of them have
! held meetings TO take measures for the supply
of tracts and other religious reading, together
4 with Christian teachers, to the soldier.
Il How cheering and encouraging are all such
efforts in behalf of the Union! And who can
estimate their influence on the brave volun-
teer THEE"
re- The Chaplain of the House OF
Representatives at the opening of tho