Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-25

When our war began, our people, though
al enthused with patriotic energy, were too
inexperienced in all its phases Of suffering,
to anticipate and provide fOr them. Thus,
among other things, the needs of returning
soldiers, furloughed, discharged, needy,
sick, wounded, were overlooked. 1t was not
until sick soldier had died in our depot in
circumstances peculiarly distressing that
our community turned their attention to the
need of providing resting place for them
The ever watehful and benevolent Aid So
ciety took tht matter in hand, and procur ed
the donation of room at the depot which
was placed under the charge CT Geo. Vos-
burgh. In this little room 2,422 have
baen lodged since it was first devoted to the
use Of our soldiers. But the room was too
small for the necessary Accommodations,
and our Aid Society finally hit upon the ex-
cellent plan Of building "SOldisrs' Home"
in plan similar to to those Of Nashville,
Louisville, Cincinnati and Columbus, which
are arranged along the route of the return
ing veteran so that he can be comfortably
and insxpOnsivsly cared for as he goes home
to rest or mayhap TO die.
Some of our citizens objected that in doing
this the Aid Society were taking upon their
shoulders the work of the United States Hos
pitsI, and that the public should not be asked
to1take the burden from the eountry's shOuld-
era. To this it WAS eagerly answered that
the Home would not interfere with the work
Of the Hospital, but would assume theeharge
of thsoe beyond the care of u Unitsd States Of
hcials-discharged and furlOughed men and
passengers. It was also explained that the
intention was not to help those Whs could
help themselves but that only the sick and
needy were to receive a necessary support
Other objections were overcome and the en-
/ terprise was started.
The +" Home is built on the pier of thu
Union depot, and directly wsat of it. IT.
construction was superintsnded by Randall
Crawford, Esq, who volunteered his services
as architect. The lumber, furniture, bed
ding, &c, &c, is all donated by our citizens
SO that the erection of the building has no
drawn heavily upon the resources of the AID
Society.
Let US take look at it. It is not ye
quite in working order but it shows yer!
pleasant face to visitors. 1t is a white build
ing, long, low and narrow. The main doc
/, about the middle of the building, entering
which we stand in very pleasantly AMI
plainly furnished Office. A few soldiers, al
bearing the terrible marks of war, in sal
wounds, are sitting and reading by the gas
light, for it is growing dusk. At one end o
the room door leads into the first ward 0
the building. Here are thirteen beds, al
neatly made up for the weary limbs of Worl
out veterans to rest on. We note how plail
and how neat and clean and homeIike every
thing Iooks,-the cheerful fire in the stove
the table with few good books and pitche
Of water on it, the little looking glass, tn
shuttarsd windows, even the prints on tn
walls, scissored from the illustrated weeklies
The second ward is like the first. In it ar
spread ten beds. The Office, baggsge-roomE
sink, bathroom, containing neat bathing
tub for the use of the sick, come next. Al
look neat and well ordered. We pass fror
Ihem into the small dining-room for the US
| of the soldiers when only few are at tn
Home, and on into the kitchen, with th
pantry adjoining, where all the housewife
paraphernalis are arrsyed. Beyond is tn
long dining hall, with the wide sliding doors
st the farther end into which regiment ma
be marched md where they may be fed.
The total Dimensions of tho building ar
200 feet by 25. OF this 100 feet by 25 are ia
ken up by the dining-rOOm, leaving the re
mainder for the sleeping rooms, Office, 80.
The whole is under the srpcrintendenee {
Mr.. and Mrs. Barlow, who are lately froT
Xenia, assisted by George YOsburgh, who ha
long boen the faithful agent of the Aid Sc
cisty at the Depot. Efficient measures al
taken to inform all needy and sick soldier
who arrive on the trains, Of the arrangement
made for thrir comfort and to protect theE
from imposition. Of course none prOperi
under the charge Of the hospital authOritiei
will be received for any Iength of time int
the Soldiers Home.
Up te this time sill persons lodgpd by tn
Society have been fed by Wheeler 4 Russo
and the Aid Society has bOrne the expense
Hsnceforth arrangements will be made to d
all the working for the inmates within tn
/ Home.
In the two weeks that the Home has bee
opened about three hundred soldiers hav
been lodged there. A registry is kept of a
assisted by it.
olmsted takes care that the boys are wel
supplied with news. All the city papers ar
taken.
Such in brief is the history and Presen
status of the Soldiers Homs-the Waysid
Inn" of the weary soldier. A nobler enter
prise coVld not be conceived. 1t has beel
we'll carried cut, and let US see to it that
be well sustained.
REGARDING THE DRAFT.-In pursuance