The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1867-08-16
MILWAUKEE WIS, Aug 10 1867.
EDITORS PLAIN DEALER.

Thinking that a general descrip-
ii on of the National Asylum for
Disabled Volunteer soldiers, would
be interesting to the readers of the
Plain Dealer l thought I would give
it to yon, trusting it might find a
place in your columns.
The National Asylum is situated
about 3 1-2 miles from the city of
Milwaukee on the line of the NJ. &
St. p. R. r. and on the premises
known as the civilians Farm
comprising 40 acres of land, we'll
watered, with plenty of timber &c.
The buildings nsed at present for
the inmates, are not large
enough to accommodate more than
IS beneficiaries, but Their c is.now in
course of construction building
6Ox120 which will be completed in
about 80 days from this date and
will accommodate at least $50 SOL
diers.
There is no workshops, schools
nor anything to busy the mind of the
MANNED soldier yet, but will be as
soon as the circumstances will per-
nit. Those who are able to work
on the farm, such as blowing, hocing
and the like, are allowed IS cents
per day.
There are now about IS men in
the Asylum and they arc formed into
a company under the command Of a
Sergeant appointed by the Govern
or of the Asylum from inmates.
The following is list of the asy-
lum commissioned officers:
Lieut.. Col. G. A. Hanaford, late
124, U. S. col. troops, Secy and
Post Adjutant; Major Theodore
Yates, late ID. U. S. Infantry, Gov
ernor; Sergeant Peter Myers, late
LIST Wis. cavalry, Steward. Mr.. Il.
NJ. Hunter civilian, Supt of farm.
Miss Clara NJ. Behan, Matron.
Non Commissioned:
w. w. Coleman, late 16 Wis. In
fantry, Sergeant Major. R. j.
Wolfe, late % Ill infantry, Quarter
master Sergt. D. B, burke, late
9th Iowa infantry LIST Sergeant Co.
A. G.. G. Hartman late %, Wis,
infantry, Provost and Police Sergt;
James Boyd late 20, Wis, infantry,
corporal Co A.
The Chaplain has been appointed
but his name is not known to me
at this writing.
The permanent building has not
been commenced yet, but work will
commence on it soon. 1 have seen
the plan for it and should Judge that
it is to be splendid building.
The soldier is obliged to obey the
orders and rules of the institution,
and disregard of the rules and reg
ulations, would result in dishon-
orable discharge from the Asylum,
which would deprive him of the ben
e6ts Of either of the asylums. Major
Yates, the governor has not yet ia
ken command, bnt will soon do SO.
From what can CLEAN from rumor
he is a nice man and a strict dici-
plinarian,-just the man needed
here. and a man whose whole soul
is interested in the welfare of the
unfortunate soldier. Col. Hanaford
is young man of very prepossessing
appearance and withal gentleman
in every respect, who is ever ready
and willing to attend to the wants
of the inmates.
DR.. Wolcott, we'll known in Mil
waukee, still has the supervision of
the asylum until Gov. Yates makes
his appearance.
Mr.. Myers stops here with us and
in the capacity Of steward. has the
supervision of the commissrry de-
parment and could not be beat in
that position. Miss Behan keeps
our clothes &c., in good order and
attends to the sanitary wants of the
inmates, and as matron of an insti-
tuition of this kind could not be ex-
celled.
I will keep you posted as to the
Asylum and other matters.