The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-22
Old Point Comfort.
Soldiers Home-Fort Monroe National
Cemeteries.

Soldiers Home-Forf Monr0e-Ndiiondl
Cemeteries.
Not far from Fortress Monroe, upon
beautiful peninsula which fronts upon Hamp-
ton Roads, is the Soldiers Home. This is
one of five national retreats for the perma-
nently disabled soldiers of the volunteer SER
vice. Volunteers in the war of 1912, flew in
number now those Of the Mexican war, and
those of the Union army in the last conflict,
are here cared for and nursed SO long as they
live. A certain term of service, good con.
duct, and permanent disability, are requisites
to entrance, but it is not essential that there
should be an absolute incapacity for work.
Indeed, most of the work in the Home is
done by the invalids. during their well days,
limbs or senses, by wounds or some of the
many mischances of war. The main build
ing, large four story brick edifce, with
striking colonnade and dome, was formerly
young ladies' school, but with the approach
Of war the ladies fed; and after being used as
headquarters and hospital it is now "Sol,
diers' Home in the best sense.
Every comfort and some Injuries are pro-
vided for these sick, feeble and failing meu.
They have reading-room well supplied with
newspapers in several languages, growing
library, bowling alleys and billiard tables,
gardens which they cultivate, and green
house full of choice flowers and plants. A
fine band, made up from the inmates, enliv.
ems the weary hours, and the morning and
evening gun, their United States uniform,
and the flag of their country waving over
them, aid in keeping up their military habits
and soldierly pride. The Surgeon, DR..
Wright, upon whom devolyes the chief charge
of such post, was an officer from Pittsburg
during the war, and being also thorough
physician, is doubly qualified to discharge his
duties with Judgment and tact In this beau
tiful spot, where winters are mild without
being facilitating, and where summers heat
is tempered by the ever-grateful breeze from
the Atlantic, these soldiers of the republic
pass the remnant Of life, and every week the
flag is at halfmast, and the gun booms sol
emily as shattered frame that war has hard
y spared, is borne to its last resting place.
At Old Point Comfort stands the huge fort
so celebrated from 1861 to 1865. Ills now
condemned as military work, though why,
am utterly unable, with my unmilitary eyes,
to see, for it has strong walls and bomb-proof
and a deep and wide moat, and !
ramparts crowned with some of the largest |
guns | ever saw. 1t seems as if a garrison
Of stout hearts could hold that fort for many
a day. But distinguished officer once said
to me: "Sir, in war, position is everything
and presume the reason of the condemn
ton of Fortress Monroe will be found in that
oracular utteranee. Meanwhile, in these
piping times Of peace, the companies of sol
diers in the fort have pleasant home, and
their chief labor seems to be to march down
to the pier when the steamboats, touch there;
to visit the Hygeia Hotel, which fronts the
beach close at hand; and to make a daily
parade to the inspiriting strains of a fine band.
About two miles up the beach, is the Fort
Cemetery, a wild and romantic spot, with
holly trees and wild cherry and honeysuckle
in abundant growth, and a mantle of white
and blue violets, and myrtles flowing in uu
trimmed luxuriance over allthe graves. Ma.
ture makes the rudcst spot beautiful in this
cline, and repairs rapidly the waste aad
atoues for the earelessness Of man. Near to
Hampton Is the National Cemetery, where
nearly 5000 soldiers, who fell in battle, or
died in hospital sleep, many ofthem marked
I. UnkHotrn." A fitting monument rises in
the cemetery, and every grave is marked by
a plain headboard. Upon one ofthese read
this inscription: ''Mrs. Mary B. Alexander,
a native ofSwitzerland. Died April %, 1866,
while nurse in the United States Hospital,
Fortress Monroe, Va. Her work for the sick
and wounded Union soldiers began with the
first battle of Bull Run, and heroically she
carried il on TIL the week Of her DEATH
Correspondent Of the N. Y. Observer