The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27
\ LOVELY SPOT.
A National Home for Disabled VOlun-
teerS Which Combines Scenery With
Comfort to an Unusual Degree.

t0EliUIl t0 dill tHuSudi DtSiOO.
II the whole United States were sought over
by committee of men, with minds as various
as their number. for spot that would combine
the most advantages for a snug haven for those
who have been battered and wrecked In the
great National struggle, there is no question
that the verdict of the majority would unhesi-
tatingly be for the location now occupied by
the Home at Hampton, Va. 1t is not easy TO
sneak of the attractiveness of the place IN
terms of moderation. The location Is right on
the shores of Hampton Roads, and from any
point on the grounds the outlook is magnih-
cent.
Directly in front is a sheet Of water Is miles
broad, on the thither shore of which lie the
thriving city of Norfolk, with 25,o00population !;
Portsmouth with Is 900, the Gosport Navy Yard,
the mouths of the Elizabeth and Nansemond
Rivers with several pretty little islands; to
the right is the mouth of the James River, and
the scene of the famous fight between the
Monitor and the Merrimac. On the same shore
with Hampton and a few miles above IS that
town of great Observation-Disclosures News
while couple of miles below the Home is Old
Point Comfort, with the magnificent masonry
of Fort Monroe, and the superb Hygeia Hotel
one of the most popular Winter and Summer
resorts of the whole country. Midway between
Fort Monroe and the farther shore rises the
Rip-Raps an artificial island made by the Gov
eminent as the Foundation for the stenewalls
of a strong fort, whose casemate and barbet
guns frown at all passing vessels. Thirteen
miles to the eastward the low-lying Capes
Henry aud Charles mark the gateway to the
Atlantic
Over these waters craft; of all kind are in
constant motion. Great steamers from Balti-
more and New York go by on their way to
Norfolk and Richmond, men-of-war of all
and lilo aat
yachts sloops, scho0nerS, brigs and barks are
constantly in sight in ever-varying numbers.
No better proof of the charms of the locality
is necessary than is given by the popularity of
Old Point Comfort as health resort. Summer
and Winter visitors flock thither from all parts
of the country. 1t is especially visited during
the trying months Of March and April, which
are a dread TO delicate people everywhere else.
The proximity of the great Gulf Stream TO Old
Point Comfort insures delightfully."- equable
weather at all times.
THE HOME GROUNDS
consist of 10 acres, which are owned in
fee simple, and 43 more held by perpetual
lease On these grounds located solid
substantial buildings that are very comfort
able Winter and Summer. The greatest
attention has been paid to decorating the
grounds and properly shading them Every
where are magnificent shade trees, and every
where are fine towering plants, which bloom
with magnifceuce only attainable in this fav-
ored climate.
Just now gorgeous geraniums blaze every
where, and superb ribbon-beds form masses of
harmonious color at every turn. The glorious
Grape myrtle-DOw in the noontide of its mag
nifcence-lifts plumes of scarlet above mass
of shining green leaves, and the yellow trum-
pet falls in shapely festoons from wall, and
tree-bole, and fenee-corner.
The attractiyeuess of the grounds is such
Torn q plpaSaDt a drive
by the guests of the great hotel. The land
locked water Immediately IN front of the Home
not only is object of pleasure to the eye, but it
affords unusual opportunities for fishing, boating
and sea bathing. in all of which the inmates of
the Home take the greatest interest In addi-
ton to their own boats of which nearly every
little squad has one, the officers have provided
a fine yacht, which under the care of compe-
tent yachtnan is always at the service of any
party of 10 or Is that applies for 1T. This is an
illustration OF the care with which the comfort
of the inmates is considered. Ia the Winter
time they are entertained with theatrical per-
formauces by as good troupeS as are on the road.
On the grounds of the Home is gem of little
theater, provided with good scenery and stage
appliances and built according to the highest
rules of art and which will seat about 800
people.
PERFORMANCES BY TRoUPEs
are secured by the Governor of the Home
agreeing TAKE a certain NUMBER OF tickets
which will reimburse the troupe, and what it
may get from the guests of the hotel in addition
is so much clear profit. These terms are con-
sidered so favorable that performances are had
at the theater as often as four and five times a
week in the Winter time To take the place of
this cardinal attraction in the Summer the Gov
ernor has organized a fine baseball club. made
up Of professional players of fair amount of
skill and who can meet on equal terms the
best of the clubs in that circuit. They have
thus far in playing against these clubs won
many more games than they have lost. None
of the forms of amuSements which have been
provided have taken so deep hold on the
affections of the old soldiers as this. They turn
out to man to watch the games, are sharp
critics of the playing follow every run and
ball with the greatest possible interest, and in
stead OF the amusement becoming stale ii seems
TO increase in interest, for they will attend more
games than are now on the program to be
played.
NUMBER OF INMATES.
There are at present III the Home as will be
seen by the consolidated morning report of last
Sunday, 1906 men, which is more than the
Home has at present proper accommodations
for. and consequently large number are COM
PEELED to sleep on mattresses On the foOr while
Others are accommodated in wall tents which
have been borrowed from the Government.
THE MEN ARE DIVIDED
into companies, each with Its SergeantS and
something akin to the discipline OF the army
is maintained so far as it relates TO cleanliness
OF personal appearance and OF quarters. The
Sergeants also have charge Of the rooms and of
mastering their men for inspection and rations.
For this, these officers get from $40 to Sl2
month Other Of the inmates are employed rs
clerks, skilled laborers, headwaite and so on,
receiving for these services from So to SIS
month and in some few instances as high as
$40. Those who able 10 work are required
TO do some light labor about the grounds in
caring for the flowers. sbrubbery, and the roads,
aud each takes his turn waiting on the table
line band Of % pieces has been formed,
which was for awhile made up wholly of in
mates. 1t now contains three or four civilians
who are employed in it at salary, as the re-
quisite musical talent could not be found among
the old soldiers. A wcli-drilied veteran COM
pany of 40. which is uniformed according to
the United States regulations and armed with
rifles, does efficient service occasions of cere-
monial display, and there is also fine fire
company with regular uniform and gaudy he'll
NETS etc, and the foreman carries fine silver
trumpet.
Each Of the inmates receives whatever pen
sion money he may be entitled to intact. 1t is
drawn by Capt. Thompson, the second in COM
mand and Treasurer. and paid to the soldier as
his circumstances may require 1T. An attempt
was made at one time by some of the delnagogs
tn toll