The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-28


Soldiers Home ON Christmas Day.
At this well-known institute, located in the
large new building, Nos 90 and 50 Howard street
the "Ladies' Visiting Committee" had prepared
magnificent dinner for the soldiers now inhabt-
ing the premises, as we'll as others who were
invited from the neghboring cities and towns.
The funds requisite for the entertainment were
provided by contributions from the Board of
Brokers, and we only wish that the Board had
been there in body to witness the fruits of their
liberaity in the bounteOus tables that were spread
for their cOuntrys defenders, and the unmixed
gayety and hiarlty with which they enjoyed the
feast provided for them
The dinner was gotten up under the super
vision OF Mr.. 7. NJ. Mapes, the steward of the
steamer CITY Of NetC York, Of the Norwich and
Worcester line, and embraced every variety Of
savOry dish which the most eNactng palate could
wish. The tables were kept standing from to
IL O'Clock, p. NJ, during which time between 500
and coo soldiers sat down to their Christmas din
ner. Nor was the festival confined, by any
means, to the dinner alone. Colonel Neville, the
popular superintendent Of the Home, had made
ample provisions for the more intellectual enter
tainment of his boys. The spacious library and
lounging-room for the soldiers on the second floor,
was the scene of mrth music and song during
the afternoon and evening" which drew thther
large numbers of spectators, who were not less
plthbtu luh0 lU6 bOlultTh WIN t0e enteTLAnlnent.
Colonel Neville and his gentlemany assistant,
Captain Dunleyy, welcomed all who came and
provided them with the best accommodations
that the apartments would permit. The band Of
the 18th New York Cavalry, Temporarily stopping
at the Home, on It's way to NewbeTn, N. c., fur
nished most excellent instrumental music, which
was inteTspersed with great variety of patriotic,
humorous and sentimental songs, sung to an
excellent piano accompaniment by the Union
Glee Club. and by Miss Fowle, Miss Ham, Miss
Searles, Miss Brown, Of Horkville, and other
young ladies.
The room was tastefuly decorated with ever
green's, and ut one end of the library room, be-
meath the cannon and other implements repre-
sentng the army, was posted handbill, with tho
following inscription -
"TBB CITY OF SAVANNAH,
4 Christmas Present,
PROM
MAJOR. GENERAL SHERMAN"
About $3.50 O'Clock p. NJ, while the company
were listening to one Of the songs of the Union
Glee Club, ViCe-Admiral Farragut, accompanied
by Commodore Drayton, entered the room and
was greeted with the widest enthusiasm. "Nine
cheers for FarTaEut" were proposed and given
followed by nine cheers for Commodore Drayton.
As soon as the tumult had subsidized, the Glee
Club, at the request of Colonel Neville, sang
columbia, the Gem Of the Ocean, at the conclu-
sion of which there was unanimous III for
speech from the Vice-Admiral, who responded
to the call as follows -
SOLDIERS AND FBLLow-CTIzENs, LADIES
The cordial reception which has everywhere been
extended 10 me since l arrived In this city, de-
mands my most grateful Acknowledgements,
though feel that it exceeds my deserts. And il
is especially gratifying to me 90 see the soldiers
and sailors here assembled. l am always proud
Of those who stand by their flag and do their
duty, and the presence alone of these men here,
as we'll as the manned condition of some see
about me, is proofthat they have done their duty
and done it nobly. i, too, have done no more
tran my duty, and every man who has done that
l feel to be on perfect equality with me-" (Ap-
paue)
Commodore Drayton was then called for, and
thanked the audience for the reception they had
given him, and said he was aware that he was
EMIT ed TO their remembrance only from his con-
nection with the Admiral, whose name was suf.
hcient 90 carry any one through Zap
plause) He wished to say word in behalf of
the noble crew Of the Hartford some of whom he
was gTatted TO see here to-day. Every man of
that brave crew had done his duty nobly, and de-
served imperishable renown. Many had been
swept from their guns while engaged in the
attack on Mobile, but their places were immedi-
ately supplied by their comrades, and all seemed
animated with zeal and patriotic fervor which
gladly sought the opportunity 70 do and die, If
need be, Tor their country. (Applause)
He was glad to see that they were remembered
by their countTymen. Again thanking them for
their flattering remembrance of himself on this
occasion, he hoped TO be able in the future 70
show himself not unworthy Of their continued
appreciation. (Great applause.)
Both of the distinguished gentlemen were then
introduced to large number of the ladies present,
and were afterwards cOnduced through he estab-
lshment and showed the excellent arrangements
for the care Of our disabled soldiers and sailors.
The festivities we're kept up at the Home until
late In the evening" and were of the most pleasant
and entertaining oharacter.-N. Y. Times.