Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-02
CAVALRY,
LETTER FROM DIR. MARsHALL-THI HOMELESS
INVALlDS
To IL. Editor Of tho WAig:

To hs Editor Of the Rhig:
Hundreds OF our soldiers are broken down by the
fortunes of battle HAndless and ootless broken in
constitution they have filed the measure Of active
manly duty and now look round for q place OF rest
beneftng employment, final rfuge till, II life BE-
spared the war is over. Home they cannot 20. They
have no homes Many of them left loved and hOnCred
bones but the bless foe has invaded then spoiled
them reduced them to ashes scattered the sacred
MORALS Of other years, dug open the graves Of the
loved and buried and flung their remains to the hungry
vuture, or the sharp tooth Of the devourng beAst.
Sons and brothers, long eXied from home, must in
their painful and trying condition remain perhaps for
another year or two in their exile.
But where shall they spend their time. How shall
the brave soldier who has pent three six months
already In hospital pass the lonely unoccuped weeks
and months that t reach oOtinto the unknown future
The name Of hospital fills him with disgust the sight
OF one shocks his nervous system he s scarcely able
TO distinguish between Il and house of correction or
prison BE may bis life to the skill and kndness
be met there-as thousands do but its sad memories
its weary round Of long drawn hours with more than
thrice the allotted minutes between every hour
gloomy nights the loneliness Of its creeping months
nave all made deep aud netiaceabs impression on bis
memory and imagination. Surely you would not keep
him there.
. Where then "7Is Soldiers Waysids Home" That
il unsuted Those Waysde lodges designed for the
passing soldier where he may pass night eat single
neal rest his weary feet and away to the field They
are merely refuge from the $40 per diem fare Of d.
lapdated hotel They A'e very temporary. All are
nose hustle, eboWiDg and crOWding; and 1t Ia impos
sible they should be otherwise
Where, then, shall your honored, patriotic soldier
pass his timer He has rich relatives perchauce,
where he may find welcome. He ID a Texan, and may
not be able TO cross the river homeWard. 1t takes
well men, and very WELL too, to achieve that feat
He nay be q MissouTian-the brAVest Of men-noV
homeless. He may be from Louisiana Mississippi
The largest portion Of both States is trodden by
the accursed foe, who, like thirsty Wol thrust hs
muzze 70 the fountain of the heart that he may drink
the vital currents warm. rr-
What then ought to be done for these needy men :
The plan / have deemed most desirable is to obtain
some suitable place the heart Of the Confectionery
aud collect them together there. Watering place.
with buildings ready for USE perhaps two or more il
needed, in Georgia. Carolina, or somewhere would
answer the purpose. The benevolent citizens OF the
several States most afflicted and interested might
digest . general plan Of operations and could obtain
large donations for the purpose Of completing such
arrangement Besides, the Government would doubt
less favor the undertaking. and allow ratons and other
assistance to the inmates.
Gradually the men would find employment, as health
and opportunity might favor; and Of them would
be appointed 10 fill the Offices now occupied by fair
young men, unbronEed by summer suns, and on
whose shoulders the constant musket has etted up
corns.
Let there be Soldiers Home. Let Il be made COM
Portable and pleasant furnish il with books, papers
and of manly dVersion let there be nothing want
ing on Sundays or week days, indoors Outdoors to
make the WarWOrn veteran feel that all Is done for him
that the great calamity Of progressing war allows
viii the press speak Nay we learn the viii and heart
Of the people The work can be done. Where is the
placsS We may have to build fifty cottages someWh here
In a region where proVsoAs are cheap and abundant,
and where there means favorable the consumms-
ton Of the plan.
Other suggestions are deferred to another day.
Respectfully, O. K. MARsHALL.
Richmond, Va, Sept 10, 1858.