Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-02-01
LETTER FROM THE SOLDIERS HOME.
NATIONAL military HoME, MoST. I
gOMERY Go. q. Jan. % 1879

ooMERY Co. .. JANIS, 1873
Ma. EDIToR While January IL lhger.
ing In the lap Of February, when the birds
mate and all the tribes begin TO lore
thought few lines from this region
might interest your intelligent readers.
The winter here, 80 far has been one Of
boauty-sunshiue, and rain, with but very
little snow, and the Old Veterans here,
have been able to be out Of doors, to lake
their accustomed walk ever since winter
set in.
There are here now $500 men, and to
see them throug this Camp, yog would
imagine you we're in city. There has
been put up this winter three large new
frame Barracks, and large Opera House
--of brick-is now being built, with stage,
galleries, dress circle, and all the late i'm
provements Of a iirst-class Theatre, and
equipments equal to any OF similar ma
ture in Ohio.
The $500 men are all fed in the large
Dining hall, in one hour-1 j 40 being
seated at one time, and so on until all are
satisfied They have dug the upper lake
deeper, aud all the lakes have been per-
iectly dry, until lately, when it became
necessary to dig well below the lakes,
and which is one Of the most copious
flowing veins oil water 1 ever saw; an en-
gine constantly at work there has thrown
out water enough to fill the lower lakes,
while the upper one remains us dry and
barren Ms the deserts OF Arabia.
The mortality here this winter has been
fearful, sometimes as many as three funer-
ais in day, and although we have excel.
lent medical talent here-Drs. Weaver and
Dunlop-lhey do die, the disease general.
ly being Consumption, of the heart, aad uf
old wounds. They are all buried with the
honors of war-scarcely ever niissed-soon
forgotten-and their places soon lillcd by
new men.
Probably, never in the history Of the
knowledge OF mortal man, has there been
gathered together AZ many Germans as
inhabit this Camp, and it does seem, and
is generally conceded, that all Germany,
and Holland also, has been imported ex-
presy for this Home. and the beauty of
it is, they can obtain lucrative places here,
where an American, with educntion and
refinement, has to lake a back seat. Asto
cengeniality OF feelings, there is none
here, nor will there ever bo, for the IN
mates Of Home, are made up of con-
glomerated mass from all quarters Of the
Globe-from the low, groveling brute
bearing the semblance Of n man. up to the
refined and educated gentleman, whose
childhood was blessed by praying mothers,
and whose home was glittered by peace
and plenty. Yet, on this isolated spot
they are all brought to a common level, to
the disgrace and utter disgust Of the feel
ings Of those who claim a spark Of man
hood, or lays claim to one jot Of respecta-
biIity or decency.
As to the officers here, l have only to
say, they are all that could be expected,
as know their actions toward me has
been courteous and kind. Col. Brown,
has his feelings sorey tried, very often,
yet he bears the burthen of his duties with
commendable fortitude, and acts cool, and
with judgment. Our Treasurer, Col. j.
Thomas, is n most excellent gentleman.
Our Adju,ant, NJ. l. Campbell, is the es-
cense ot nobility. and the true, tried friend
of the Soldier. Maj. Fleming, our Secre-
tary, is a fair specimen of the business
man, whose embodiment is kindness, and
goodness. As to our Chaplain, Mr.. Ern-
shaw, too much cannot he said, he is a
gentleman beloved by all, and many is the
poor redeemed inebriate soldier here, who
thanks Mr.. Ernshaw for the start OF the
Murphy movement, and that has spread
through the Home like burning, blazing
shield OF glory. Hundreds in the Camp
have donned the "blue ribbon" and are
to-day shining lights in the cause of Tenn
perance; regenerated, redeemed, saved
from the ruthless hand of those who deal
out murder, rapine, and all the ingredi-
ents that compose widows tears, and or
phans' cries, that I'll your penitehtinres
and jails, that crowd to everhowing your
| in6rmaries and houses of correction, and
that populate your country with vngrants,
and fill your graves with drunkards.
We have plenty to eat, and one OF the
best Dining Room Sargents, Gen. A Hen, in
the country gentlemen who secs the
boys never leave that table until they are
we'll filed mp. Capt Thompson, the Stew
art, provides bounliiuly; and Capt. Pat
tcrson deels out to us "dewn weight" OF
rations, and we move along as though life
was perpetual, and never want that which
sustains the inner man."
/
from your region this Summer, though
there ia no comparison with the Miami
Valley to the Maumee. Your smoothly
gliding, navigable river; your rich undu-
lating river bottoms; the grand and gor.
geous scenery and surroundings, which !
am familiar with, often fits before my Wis
ion like the specter OF departed spirit, and
rushes back to my memory like Alpine tor.
rents and reminds ME Of associations in the
thriving and enterprising town of Perrys,
burg, with. it's lovely women, fat rOsy.
checked babies. onterprising and fnielii
gent, hospitable citizens, that never, nc
never, shall be oblitered or forgotten.
1.-THE sunset heavens are all aglow, F.
Trunpets are blown and roses blow"
Long may your valuable paper prosper
and supply your many readers Of the rich
beautiful, fertile Alammee Valley, will
news, and wishing you unbounded success
am your friend,