Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-04
The National Military Aoms.
DArrov, Ohio, Jan. lG, 1888


,s,
Al the iei"''' "i s'N''a' i'ienu'' WIN AZ
tempt to give yogr many readers brief idea
of what our BE-, lt- t'.-5snments has done for
-, o1I ,,1.I;,.. =, ,,,l.c ,beir remaining
10 '''' ~. -. -
days tand IL VIZ many lhe'' 0eS' uays)
c1mfortablr.
Tho Iro,ne ,, .,f,,.,J about four miles
n,-.., d,o ,ro,, 7, :,
from 'he 'hy @! i'H .""' uu' "e'' !" i'
located on high ground outside the Miami
Valley. and col7risa7 about seven hundred
oo-os oor,,,,,,I;,,-, , bcoutiful view of the
,''''''''''''',.''
city anu suftohhulh5 o"'ntiy' ine ei'y Vi
Dayton is beautiful and iourishing town OF
between fortyiivc and fifty thousand inhabi-
tants, and is quite manufacturing place.
The National Soldiers Home consists of q
large number of buildings two and three
stories in height, built of both brick and
wood. The barracks are twenty-eight in
number, and accommodate between four thou
sand and five thousand men. They are full
at the present time. There is sergeant over
each barrack, and corporal for each room,
containing from forty to forty-hve men.
The bcdsteads are CT iron, with good straw
beds. Each man has five army blankets,
pillow, linen pillow cases and sheets, and a
brown linen spread. The beds and every
thing else are scrupniously clean. Each
man has change every week OF bed
linen and shirts, drawers, socks, etc, ETC.
lhe barracks have regular bath days, and
every man has to balhc, unless -e IS excused
by the doctor. They arc 'tnus obliged
&c keep Clean f"y Old army friends
VIII be able 10 see Inc point. there are no
details mere 10 scrnD men, they must DO
that themselves ptAerwlse there Is Inc
guard house winch ny the way, as capt.
Perkins oil the Old FIRST Cavalry used to
say, PTe@rrfS a F<Iy 'cho!esonle restraint.
Our dining han, spacious brick building
IS capable oil comfortably seating tJteen hun-
area men nj one time- Each man has bis
own scat everything IS systematic. All the
buildings are furnished with water. lighted
by gas and heated ny steam and the cooking
Is all Gone by steam. We have every day
change oil food: We have good food,
good variety and plenty OF 1t. Still there
are many here that llnd fault the most OF
their Time, when IL ihc lacts were known
they are better situated than they ever were
IN their hVes: Inc larger percentage of the
inmates speak German, the Irish come next
anu the ldn@"' are thc least numerous OF
all
>.i~.' ",
nave silence until rcveille at i've In the
morning, a brass twelve-pounder helps the
sun to rise, also to set. Each man that
wishes, provided he Is not a pensioner, can
draw either smoking or chewing tobacco
each week, anu ilVe postage stamps, paper
anu envelopes cach hlohth: W hen q man IS
admitted he draws a 60 nplete outflt OF CLOTH
ing alter lllat ne Is entitled 10 a hat or cap,
Doots or SHOES, blouse and pants, once in
SIN mohths, uress coat once year, and an
oVercoat once III nVe.
we nave peauliiuI streets anu sidewalks,
regularly iaid Out by The tour points OF the
compass anti forest and shade trees in
abundance. lhtfc Is large park OF un-
rivalled beauty, IN which are num-
Der OF deer We also have quite a COL
lection OF different kinds of birds and ami
mails ponds, which in the summer are well
supplied with ilsh, swans and different kinds
OF ducks and geese swimming upon them.
In the headquarier building, which is of
brick, the Governor, General VI. r. Patrick,
the treasurer, secretary, etc, nave their
offices. In the second story are the libra
ries and reading room. We have two
flne libraries, the Putnam and the Thomas.
There is also museum Of curiosities, COM
prising among other relies the saddles of
Generals |. ). Grant and Joe Hooker, used
by them during the most Of the war, and q
fine display OF portraits and paintings adorn
the sides OF the room. y large opera house
IS nearly completed taking the place OF the
one burned one year ago. \ on must know
that we are not completely isolated from the
world here; some of the best talent Of the
country visit US. We have fine operas, con-
certs, exhibitions and readings. We have
fine and cOmmOGlOuS chanel Rev VIM