Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-11-25
LOCAL NEWS.
THANKSGIVING DAY.

lNO DAKs
Yesterday, the day designated by Presiden,
Lincoln as a day Of Thanksgiving, was very
generally observed. Public offices, banks and
places OF business were closed, and the people
set themselves to a hearty observance of the
day, not forgetting to pay due attention to that
estimable feature Of the occasion, the Thanks
giving Dinner, which sent up Its appetizing
odor thl oughout the length and breadth of the
city. The weather was jnst the thing tor
thanksg ivtpg day purposes, with mild crisp
ness, not cold, but cool enough to be bracing,
and 10 make it pleasant to gather about the
glowing fire and the smoking beard at night
fall.
THANKSGIVING AT TIE HOSPITALS.
Through the eXertioLs of the kind friends OF
our brave soldiers confined In hospital, the
latter " ere provided with q bouHtiful Thanks
giving dinner, and were thus assured that
they were remembered by'a grateful country.
ARMoRY SQUARE nos ITAL.
THIS festival day, Instituted by the religious
zeal and gratitude of our pious New England
ancestors, was celebrated in an interesting and
appropriate manner by the soldiers of Armory
Square Hospital. The initiatory steps towards
procuring e grand thanksgiving dinner for the
soldiers were taken Saturday, 18th, and through
the efforts OF DIR. D. w Bliss, surgeon in charge,
whois ever untiring in his devotion to our
wounded and sick soldiers, aided by the
worthy chaplain, Rev. +. W. Jackson, the al
fair proved an entire success.
The amount Of money collected for the pur-
pose was about $500, of which the Wesley
Chapel Sunday School contributed the hand
some of 500.
Much proise is due Mr.. c. H Lane for his
efforts in procuring this sum. Adams & Co.
and the American Telegraph Company gen.
erously contributed S2O each; the Sanitary
Commission So. The remainder was made up
by individual contributions. Massachusetts,
through Col. Taylor, State Agent, contributed
800 pounds of turkeys. Mrs. Piatt, of COnnec-
tieut, who had intended to provide dinner
for the men from her State, seeing the bill Of
Hnr bod Al thntI u
and gave Sl5 to the general fund.
The tables, s1our in number, were laid in
Ward X, and extended the entire length of the
ward. The American flag was tastefuliy dis
played et the ends and center of the hail,
while on the north wall appeared in large let
ters, red, white-aBd blue, the words National
Thanksgiving" The lady in charge made a
teHing little speech on being called to the chair
Much credit iS due to Acting CommIssary
Geo. B. W Wilson and Mrs. Wilson for the cred
liable manner 10 which the preparations were
made. OF the 6S8 men IN hospital $50 were
provided for at the tables, together with the
large detachment of Veteran Reserve Corps
men on duty here as nurses or on guard. The
other inmates of the hospital, the severely
vided for most attentiVely in their various
wards.
The following bill Of fare was admirably
discussed, Chaplain Jackson having invoked
Bill Of Fare-FuH Diet.-NIeats-Roast beef,
roast veal, boiled ham; Poultry-Roast turkey,
roast goose, chicken pie; Confectionery-Cran-
berry sauce, 10. tart apple pie, mixed cakes,
ieliies; fSundIstE-Smoked beef, bologna sau-
sage; bread; butter; celery; oyster stew, oysters
raw cheese, crackers, ice cream; Fish-Baked
rock fish, boiled codnsh; Vegetables-Sweet
potatoes, Irish do kale sIaw, picked cucum-
bers, do. beets; Fruits-Apples, almonds, rails
ins, figs; coffee; tea; cocoa
The following was the bill OF fare for those
on special diet in the wards:
No. 73, Roast turkey; "A, Cranberry sauce;
IS, Boiled chicken; 40, Oyster sauce; 40, Mashed
potatoes; "a, Squash; %, Mashed turnips; 66,
Celery; /, Tea; 3, Coffee; 81, Plum pudding; So,
Cocoa; 6e, Apple pie II, Milk; GO, Grapes; 6,
Cold rolls; Z, Butter 20, Oyster stew; II,
Chicken pie; ~, Ice cream.
After the sumptuous repast, the following
poem, written for the occasion, was read by
T. S. Perry, Esq, of Maine, brother OF Hon.
Mr.. Perry, of that State. The reader was
frequently interrupted by loud outbursts OF
applause:
Thanksgiving POEM.
Through another year eventual,
With its toll and strife and change,
We have passed, as those who Journey
Through land unknown and strange.
And to Him whose hand almighty
Still has led US On our way
Ever wisely, ever kindly
We do render thanks 10 day.
For the Spring times gentle beauty,
Smiling skies and breeZes bland,
Summer sun and timely shower,
Autumn plenty In the land.
For full many wreath and triumph
Won mid battle, smoke and din
Fen for failure, that shall teach us,
How another time to win.
For each sign OF love and favor,
For each needed chastisement;
For whatever, in Thy wisdom,
And Thy kindness, Thou hast sent.
Looking upward through the darkness,
Turning from our grIefs away
Hoping trusting, o our Father,
We do render thanks to day.
And in such time of trial,
When to falter Is TO yield;
Thanks for hearts so true and constant,
In the home, and on the field.
Thanks for sisters, wives and mothers,
Who, to join the deadly fray,
With their fearful benedictions,
Send their best beloved away
God be thanked for all our heroes;
For cur tars so stout and true;
For the gallant bosoms beating
Underneath the army blue.
Some are sick-God send them healing
Some are maimed-God send them grace.
Some are dying-Sayiour, lead them
To Thy heavenly dwelling place.
God be with them, marching, fighting,
Suffering, till their work Is done;
Till each weary march Is ended,
And the last red field is won;
Till the sounds of strife and carnage,
Hideous shrek Of shot and shell,
Cannon roar and mortar's below,
Rallying cheer and charging yell,
Moan, and groan, and cry OF anguish,
Through the stricken land shall cease;
Rise instead the shouts OF triumph,
And the blessed hymns OF peace.
Till on high, Gods sunshine gliding
All its glorious battle scars,
Free from every STAIN and shadow,
Floats our flag OF STRIPES AND STARS!
The following coasts, prepared for the occa-
sion. were read by DIR. H. E. Woodbury., in be-
halt of the committee OF arrangements:
l. The day we celebrate, instituted by the
pious zeal OF our ancestors; may their sons per-
petuate it to the latest posterity
This was eloquently responded to by H. A.
Pierce, Esq, Of California.
=. The Surgeon in charge. This Blss-ful
occasion would be deprived of all its Bliss if
it were not cheered by the presence Of our
Bliss. promoting surgeon in charge.
This was appropriately responded ts by
Chaplain +. w. Jackson.
3. The Ladies. They have emulated the
Spartan matrons; they have soothed the last