Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-27

| must have had beneficial effect, as the gentle-
| menly surgeon in charge, p. Glennan, u. s. v,
| reported that not one OF the inmates were IN
| the guard house on the next morning.
| EMORY HOSPITAL.
| At this hospital the usual services were held
| on Sabbath-Rev. DR.. Lanahan delivering an
| excellent discourse. Yesterday the patients,
! guards, &c, were entertained with a fine din
ner prepared under the direction Of the officers,
| IN O'Clock the patients assembled-that Is all
! those able-numbering with the members or
| the V. X. q. on dnty there $40 and headed by
the band, they proceeded to the dining hall,
| where they were seated under the direction OF
| Executive Steward Bramhill few remarks
| Were made by Surgeon N. r. Mosely in charge,
in which he congratulated the company on the
| return OF another Christmas, and stated that
| we had made full years progress In putting
| down the rebellion, Sherman having done
| much OF the work, and to-day while extending
| their congratulations on the return of the
| Christmas season, they could congratulate
| themselves on the capture OF Savannah.
The dinner consisted of turkey, geese, chick
| en-, beef mutton, vegetables, &C., and was
| topped off with fine old fashioned plum pud-
| ding and pie. Those who were unable to 60 to
| the table were provided for in the wards.
TIE dining hall was handsomely decorated
| and while the patients were engaged in eating,
| the fine band performed number OF appro-
| PIRATE airs. The various wards were fixed up
In style-the ward masters having emulated
| each other in tastefully adorning the wards,
| the officers having offered premium for the
| best looking ward as to cleanliness, con-
| VeDlence, &c. 1nlS OHer lnduceQ the Wafd
| master TO do their best, and the consequence
| was that every ward bore some sembance to
| fairy bower. During the msrning three OF
the officers appointed as judges visited and in
| spected the Yards, and united in deciding in
favor Of Ward ii, which was most beautifully
| and tastefully decorated.
Subsequently the Off GERS, with number of
guests, dined in the chapel. partaking of a
| dinner exactly similar to that partaken Of by
| the patients; and alter full justice was done,
number of sentiments were offered and drank<
lent ones by Dr. Walsh (who was officer OF the
| day. who Congratulated his fellow officers on
the high reputation OF the hospital, which was
now spoken OF in every city as one Of the best.
At7X o'clock graHd concert gotten up under
the direction of Messrs. A V: King (stage man.
ager) and J. q. Perkins (musical directory
took place in the dining hall, where all the
patriots who were well enough to be there and
quite number of invited guests were in at.
tendance. The programme embraced over
twenty pieces, among which were number
OF comic and sentimental songs, dances, solos
on various instruments, including one on a
tin dipper handle.
LINCOLN HOSPITAL.
Extensive preparations were made at this
hospital (of which DIR. ]. O. Mckee is the head)
for q proper observance of the day, and every
enc, officers and patients, We'd with the other
in making the day as much like holiday at J..
home as possible. In the morning an exami-
nation Of the colored school composed mostly
OF the children OF the contraband laborers en-
ployed about the hospital, and taught by
Misses Hill and Gates took place in the pres
ence OF the parents and friends Of the scholars,
numbering about 100, and after Its conclusion,
everything having passed OFF we'll, each schol-
Or received a Christmas gift Of cornucopIa
with candies, &c. Quite number OF whites
were present, among whom we noticed Senator
Earlan, Rev. Mr.. Butler, chaplain OF the hos
pital, and DIR. Cohen, su perintendento OF colored
schools, all OF W hom made short addresses, as
well as the surgeon in charge, who was accom-
panied by his staff Steward Johnson attended
to the distribution Of the presents here. Rev.
Dr. Adams, of New York, and others OF the
21 O'Clock the grand affair of the day-the
Christmas dinner-came off. The patients and
atten dants, numbering about 300, gathered in
the dining hall, which was tastefuIly deco
rated, and after the Divine blessing had been
implored by Rev. ] g. Butler, the chaplain,
they fell to and did full justice 20 the turkeys,
handsomely prepared The table was sup
piled with ale, and was set out under the di-
Tection of Mr.. Dudley. the Commissary Stew
ard, who performed his part admirably
This room was decorated with evefgreens,
flags, &C, and the sight of thirteen hundred
OF our brave boys teasting atone time was we'll
worth seeing. Among the mottos were the
following: "Onr surgeon in charge. NAV he
on he prom oted, but not to leave u.s." "Ths
Executive Officer, should he be taken away,
may he speedily be promoted" Liberty and
Union, one and inseperable.'' "Merry, Merry
Christmas" with figure or turkey, with
knife ana fork stuck in it After the inner
man had been fully satisfied, the assemblage
gave three cheers for the Surgeon in charge
(Dr. McKee) the Executive Officer, (Dr. w.
Lnosiey, OF this city;) for the President and
for the army and navy, and separated to their
quarters. While the men were at dinner an
unexpected advertisement was presented. The
kitchen is in full view of the dining hall, and
is furnished with an extensive cooking appa-
Tt-tus, and as the men were taking their dessert,
figure, representing JET. Davis, was run up
directly over the range, the tops of which
were simultaneously taken Off, causing the fire
to light up the figure and is surroundings
with a sort OF IT fernal glare, giving vivid re-
pTeseL tation of the Union soldiers idea of the
arch traitors "heareafser" This affair caused
great excitement, and Jeff. was groaned lusti-
~, while many exclaimed ssAmen" TO the doom
torres ShadCWPd 10 him.
The surgeon in charge was the recipient OF
very handsome present during the dav-a very
beautiful horse, fully equipped with saddle,
bride, holsters, and fine pistols, which WAS
sent out 10 him in charge OF L colored boy, with
n card saying IL was a present from his Phila-
deiphta friends. DR.. Mckee is q most excellent
officer, the fine condition OF the hospital
under his charge testifles, and he welt as
the various CllIcers, among whom is Executive
Steward Hardy, deserve much credit for the
manner in which the day was spent there yes
terday.
a, Branch Hospital, which is an adjunct to
Lincoln, and is under the charge of br M kee,
the day was observed by the patients, about
$50 in number, who are mostly composed of
those conTalescing from Lincoln. all the
wards were heavily trimmed with evergreens.
as also was the dining room, where the men
sat down about IN o'clock, and after grace had
heeE said by Rev. Mr. Ferry, they s'nOyec i'm
and soon the turkies and other poultry. roast
beet, ham and eggs, mince pies, &, which was
washed down with coffee, beer aud tea, bore
testimony TO the manner in which the men
engaged themselves; but so plentiful was the
supply that they could not get through with it.
After all were through with eating cheers were
given for the President and Drs Mckee and
Lindsey.
Dr. Van Zandt, is now in immediate charge of
this hospital lie with his assistant and
Stewards Brush and MIchals, saw that every
thing was prepared for the dinner, and were
rewarded by the appreciation OF the men.
From what little we have observed at the
various hospitals, we have noticed that that
class Of uien designated as stewards hold very
responsible positions, and that it takes men
with considerable tact and great deal energy
to fill those places, and yet we are informed
that their pay Is not much more than the nom
commissioned officers. We hear that an effort
wilt be made during this Congress to increase
the rank and pay ofthis class, and we feel sure
that those members of either House who have
visited the hospital, who are acquainted
W i,h the duties of these caIs will riva thair