The New York herald., 1870-05-16
THE SOLDIERS RETREAT.

Visit Of the Council OF Administration Of tho
Grand Army Of the Republic To tho soldiers
Retreat, Wards Island.
During the last session OF the Legislature bin
was introduced, under the auspices OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic, asking for an appropriation
OF $500. 900 to build Soldiers Home. This was OBJ
jected to the ground that there was one already
on Wards Island, where the invalids were treated
with that consideration they deserve. With view
OF testing this the Council OF Administration
Of the Grand Army OF the Republic de-
termined to visit the institution and see
for themselves II it really was what it
pretended to be. Yesterday was chosen to pay the
visit, and through the kindness of the Commission
ers OF Charities and Corrections their steamer was
placed at the disposal of the Council, which con-
sisted OF Colonel Il. b. Lansing, Commander OF the
State; Colonel ]. L. Farley Colonel G. f. Hopper,
Colonel Marshall and Major George d. Weeks. These
gentlemen invited to assist In the inspection
Colonel Pe, Colonel J. Whitehouse Byron, Colonel
Q. Aufenger Major s. c. ClObridge and Captain L.
II. Rowan; Commissioners Bell ana Frear, of the
Board of Charities and Corrections, and Commas
lady and son; Dudley Field Jr and lady, and seve.
raj others were OF the party.
The steamer Minnehannock left with It's precious
burden about twelve O'Clock noon. and, steamIng up
the river, arrived IN q short time at the landing
Wards Island. Discriminating, the party proceeded
to the Soldiers Retreat, rather pleasant looking
brick building, one wing Of which Is occupied as an
inebriate asylum.
The veterans, many OF them disabed-wantng
the visit, and stood each man In his
own doorway OF those who had rooms to them
selves, ana those In the large room renamed
by their bedsteads. Among these the officers went
talking to the most intelligent looking, asking them
food good &c. To these questions the invariabie
answer was that they were very well treated, got
good food and plenty OF It.. Your reporter In ques
toning one fine-looklng Old man. with good. intel.
lgent iaee was told that the supper and breakfast
Ss HSs mot e Was 54et, apss aeoa eus ns
everywhere prevails and the ventilation u most
officers all seemed deeply interested In the work
they had in hand. Colonel Marshall, fine, soldier.
Unlocking man, engaged many OF the soldiers In
conversation, anu heard their story Of tn eworking
ofthe establishment Colonel J. w. Byron, who some
time ago made himself prominent in the cause OF
interest in the welfare Of the veterans After going
through the different wards, the officers expressed
themselves well pleased with the manner in which
the soldiers treated but believing 1t to be only
useful to those soldiers whose residence is In the
city and county OF New York, they considered that it
was imperative on the State to erect suitable home
for the numerous soldiers throughout the state VINO
necessarily cannot avail themselves Of the retreat on
Wards Island.
Another objection is that, being under the direc
tlOn OF the Commissioners OF Charities and COrrec-
t0n, the taint OF paupersm, which attaches itself
to the inmates, Is revolving to the spirit OF many
brave men who are now suffering from the effects
Of wounds received In the service Of their country
but who would not enter this asylvm.
Commissioner Bell showed the party through the
building and afterwards through the IneDriate Asy
lum. Thence by boat they proceeded to Randall's
Island. went through the Orphan Asylum, the
Founding Hospital and the Department for IdiO.s.
Then by boat again to Blackwe!l's Island. The
Lunatic Asylum was visited and the WOrkhouse.
Here slight collation. OF sandwiches and the swine
of the country" as Mr.. Bell called Bourbon, was
prepared and parraken OF by all with an appetite
Sharpened by The sail up the river.
The lunch being disposed OF, the HOsDital for In
curables was visited and finally the Penitentiary.
From here the boat was taken for the city, and, oil
being on board, she started. On the way down
Colonel Lansing made short address to
Commissioner Bell, thanking him for his attentions
during their inspection, and stating his ideas that
State asylum was necessary for the soldiers. Mr.
Bell responded in very happy manner, and seemed
TO agree in the opinion that the Soldiers Retreat
Wards Island was insufficient State institution
On arriving at Twentysixt street the party landed
and dispersed amid general expressions Of enjoy
ment OF their trip.
One OF the lady prison officials, on being shown
Alick Frear expressed surprise that such little man
could he such big democrat.