Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1864-11-26
Soldiers Wayside Homes.
GRgENwooD, Nov

Soldiers WaySide h0Nies'
GREENwooD, Nov. 5, 1864.
EDITOR TELEGRAPH:-Aft long and
dangerous illness, (bilious fever) and after
bringing upon myself three relapses by re-
suming my work too soon, | am once more
able to write you and recommends with cau-
ton the good work ofestablishing ''soIdiers
homes" Minden, Homer and Pleasant Hill,
in Louisiana, have been established ana are
in fu operation.
am happy to learn that the good people
in Goliad, Hillsboro, (Elill county, Butler
nrd Fairfield have moved Of their own ac-
cord aud established homes for our waytar-
iup troops All honoE TO such patriotic de-
votioal Perhaps other places haye done
the seme.
1ba principa' object of This communica-
zion IL TO give you and the public in orma-
tion of General Smith plans 10 lid this en-
.erprise.
In answer to my application he mas or
dercd the following letter:
Rec. Thor.as GhSHct0n
SIR.-.rbe General Commanding directs
me to say in response to your application
10 purchase Subsistence stores, that alter
the "homes' shall have been established nd
their location approved by him, he Will d.
rect the Commissary Department 10 sell to
the superintendent of the several homes
quantity equal TO that which appear upon
the Superintendents affidavit 10 have been
used by soldersduring the previous month"
{ a true copy)
Thus it will appear--1. That General
Smith takes the responsibility of aiding us
in the only serious embarrassment we have
to suffer; that is the difficulty of obtaining
the food needed in some places. Govern
ment depots are everywhere, and can sup
ply us where the community cannot. This
is very opportune. In some places we need
no help; in others we are unable without 1T
to supply our homes.
2. That while generous and liberal, the
General Commanding is cautious, and limits
his pledged supply to approved locations.
By this he means TO guard against too nu-
merous establishments. Homes must not
be located too near each other.
On this point will say for general in
formation and as a suggestion to General
Smith. that the number of miles apart can
not in all cases decide the pIOprety o! d
location. 1t often happens that "cross lines
of travel intersect direct lines, and what
is actually upon the direct line too near
other homes, il absolutely needed on the
cross line, anda at proper distance from
the other homa upon that cross line.
Thus, when funning direct line at prop
er distances, lam obliged to make that
conye ,ience to establish one to meet a cross
line at it's point of intersection with the dl-
rect line. Gen. Smiths good sense will
doubtless decide that each community WI!
be able to Judge correctly as to the location
of homes.
Ofcourse the homes which draw rations
for each soldier as he passes, will not apply
for subsistence by purchase. Many homes
will not apply at all. Others must
The second object in writing, is to urge
affectionately and earnestly the citizens o.
all important points upon the main lines o.
travel from Louisiana and Arkansas through
Texas, to go at once TO the work ana estap'
lish homes every where. 1t is time, hlgh
time 10 act. Much precious time is almost
lost. Hundreds of soldiers have airesoy y
passed to their abodes and back TO theii
command, bitter with the memories OF repui,
ses and refusals at the hands Of many; and
will tell their wrongs and impart their bit.
terness to the army; while others wounded
and way worn, have gone home TO die, wftn
the bitter thought corroding their brave DO,
SONS that after three and half years Of
battle and camp services they were refused
food and lodging by those for whom they
had fought aud suffered. How long shall
this continued Till | can visit every town
and run ever, line in the State Years
will be too short time for that. Up then,
INV noble fellow citizens, and do the work
Follow the example recently set by Golisd
Cotton Gin, Fairfield, Butler, Pheasant Hill