Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-24
CONFEDERATE sOLDIERs'HONIE
a Pleasant Place by Quiet Water and
Cool Shade.

The Soldiers Home, whose doors have
recently been opened for the reception of
the old, homeless, sick and destitute
veterans of the Confederate Army, is de-
llghtfully situated on the banks of the
quiet Bayou st. John, justa stones throw
beyond Esplanade street. 1t is a strang-
Cling rambling. rOOmy, OVer-grOWn cot
tage, with cool, shady pOrches, and here
and there unexpected little flights of steps
leading off into unexpected wings of the
house. In the big front yard there is
already an uprising of new grass, and
consequent defeat and downfall of the
tremulOus brown spikes and spears that
have been in possession of the field since
last summer. \ broad stream of running
water cuts the yard in two; it has
slender tOOtbridge or two thrown across
it, and at the side edges tall flag-hoWers
are already whipping their pearl-white
streamers in the wind. There are some
stray wild yiolets growing in the grass,
and next the fence creeping bramble Of
blackberry vine, With blossoms that stare
out with white eyes at the old unarmed
soldiers basking in the sun. Near the
house grow clumps of oak trees, and their
twisted twigs and branches hang a cur
tain Of embroidered shadows upon the
low viOlet-cOlOred walls of the Home.
This old-fashioned yard has been reno
waited, to a great extent, and made to look
exceedingly neat, but all the paint and
whitewash and shells cannot quite rob it
of its quaint appearance. The white shell
drives and walks that lead from the road
across the yard wander on in curious
search behind the house, where they pre-
sently stop short under the oak trees in
dismay at the unlocked for presence of
the old st. Louis Cemetery, with its white
crosses, huge tOmbs and crumbled grave
in Io
VAIN, sweet sunshine.
Everything is peaceful and quiet about
the Home. The rumble Of the street cars
sounds sleepily from the street, birds are
building in the high branches of the oak
trees, and calling out to each other as
they build. There is the breath of the
young season in the air, and the wind
swings the swaying vines in shifting
shadows on the old graves in the Gene
terry; all about the place is such restful
peace that one quotes almost uncOn-
sciOusly those lines of TennysOn:
There is no other thought expressed
But long disquiet merged in rest"
The Soldiers Home has been opened but
only a few weeks, and as yet there are
but eight inmates, each OfWhOm has such
a tale of homeless, friendless want to tell,
of privatiOn and despair, that the visitor
is more satisfied than ever of the great
necessity there was for such a home. One
poor fellow tells, with the feeble breath
still left in his SCARED body, OF how for
months he had lived in a dark little room
in the city, on the pittance of five cents a
day. The little handful Of cooking things,
a spirit lamp and tin cup, with which
he got his too frugal meals, he still keeps
in his room at the Home and shows them
to the inquisitive visitor.
The inmates take care of their own
rooms, and later on VIII tend the garden
and look after the COWS and horse that are
to be added to the establishment. The
inmates rooms are small, and scantily
but neatly furnished, and Will probably
be very cool in summer time. There are
few needs in the way of arm-chairs and
invalid lounges which remain unprOyided
for. otherwise the Home is moderately
well provided for.
The main room in the cottage is the Oc-
tagOn room, which is to be carpeted, fur
nished with book shelves, tables, pictures,
etc, and which will be the reading and
reception room. Many fthe lady friends
of the Home haYea promised generous
gifts for this loom in the way of books,
papers and magazines. The only thing in
the Octagon room at present is statue of
Stonewall JackOn, by Perelli.
Capt. Built, the superintendent, Miss
Hill, the matrOn, and a woman cook, are
the only inmates of the Home besides the
soldiers.
The culinary arrangements are in able
hands, neat and clean, and the soldiers
are provided with wholesome, homely
fare. They have plenty of fish and oysters
and the more active Of the soldiers do
most Of the fishing in the bayou in front Of
the house.
Capt. Bullit's quarters, now being fitted
up, are detached from the main building.
They Will consist of and office, sleeping
room, and behind these the stOreroom, in
which are placed barrels of rice, grits,
flour, mOlasses, condensed milk, some
side meat and ham, with a quantity Of
tobacco for the men.
There are many applicants for the
Home, and it is probable that in few
weeks from now, by the time the carpen-
ters and painters have left the place, that
most of the rooms will be occupied.
There are number of visitors every
day 70 the Home, but of all those who
have called none were so gladlywelcome,
and to none did the trembling old soldiers,
who are waiting TO answer thelast roll
cali and slip off into the sweet silence
of the old cemetery that forms the back
ground of the Home, give such proud and
pleasant welcome as to the bOnny young
daughter of jackson and the gracious
sisters who are the daughters OF Robert E.