The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27

same with cabbage, carrots, and fruits of al
kinds The best of -four, coffee, sugar, and but
ter is provided, and the cooking is as good as in
a first-class hotel The kitchen is marvel of
neatness and order, and on the clean tables in
the dining rooms is substantial white ware of
tasteful design such as would be credit on the
table of any man, no matter what his station in
life. The coffee is made by the most approved
processes, in great steam apparatus, and when
it comes upon the table it smells and tastes as
enticingly as that of the best restaurants. The
food is served by wbite-aproned, white jacketed,
cleanly shaved walters, selected from those
among the inmates who are best calculated Tor
that service, and man who finds fault either
with the quality of food, its manner of prepare
ton or service would seem to be one who IS
determined to find fault with anything.
THE OFFICERS.
The Home is under the command of Gov. P.
S. Woodfin, finely built soldierly appearing
man, of unusual abilities for such a position.
He entered the United States service at the
breaking out of the war as an enlisted man in
the 10th Mass. battery. In one of the engage
ments the Rapidan he received terrible
wound from a carbine bullet which entered his
upper jaw, tore out a portion of his cheek,
lacerated his tongue and passed down through
tire neck, narrowly escaping the jugular vein,
and lodged in his body, whence after nine
months of suffering it worked its way out His
escape from u6dln WIS NOBueEiul, uotHiliS
but the most asSiduouS attention and nursing
saved his life. So skillfully was his wound
treated that it leaves no outward Disagreement
at all. Before his wound had healed he re-
turned to the service and was promoted for
courage to the position of Captain. lie was
for many years connected with the Home In
Togus aud gave such satisfaction there that he
was promoted to his present position, where his
administration has been so good as to receive
the hearty concentrations of the entire Board
OF Managers and of all those cognizant OF the
affairs of the Home. He is Past Commander,
Department of Virginia, GAR.
The second officer is Capt. VIM. Thompson,
who combines the functions of Treasurer, Com
missary, QuartermaSter and general admins
traitor of matters not included in the duties of
the Governor. He was an officer in Kentucky
regiment and lost an arm early in the fight,
but continued i'll the service nearly to the end
of the struggle. He was one of the original
officers of the Dayton Soldiers Home, and the
large experience he acquired there has been OF
great use in assisting Capt. Woodfn to perfect
the management of the Hampton Home.
The third officer is Dr. s. X. TOwle, who is the
Surgeon, and who occupied similar position in
the Union army with much distinction. He is
a man Of solid scientific attainments, and his
sympathetic nature makes him a very fit man
for the position of Medical Director of the
broken down men under his charge. The
STOuHQS OF the G1O1Dt are D6lDS CONTINUALLY I'LL
proved, and now splendid brick hospital is in
course of erection. 1t was rendered necessary
by the increasing weakness of the inmates
large portion of whom become every year less
and less capable of taking care of themselves.
The Adjutant's office is under the efficient
charge of Comrade VIM. p. Sands who is also
Assistant Adiutant- General, Department OF
Virginia, GA. r., and he discharges the duties
of both positions in highly satisfactory man
ner.
A NOTABLE INMATE.
tall, fnely-formed, soldierly man, with a
clear eye and intelligent face attracts the atten
ton of every visitor to the Home. This is
Brevet Maj-Gen. James Gwyn, who entered
the service at the beginning of the war IN the
23d Pa; was subsequently promoted to Coloael
OF the 115th Pa, and during the operations of
the Army of the Potomac around Petersburg
commanded the Third Brigade of the First
Division of the Fifth Corps. He was breveted
Major-General April !, 1865, for gallant and
mertorous service. Awhile ago Gen. Gwyn
applied to Gen. Mcclellan for admission TO the
Home. Gen. Mcclellan responded that they
had no facilities or comforts for him there,
other than those given the enlisted men, and
that if be entered he would have to be placed
on precisely the same footing with them, and
have hisqHarterS in a room with 40 or so others.
Gen. Gwyn responded, expressing his will
ingness to enter Oh those conditions, saving
that he expected no other treatment than that
given TIE body of the men and he would cheer
fully accept it. His conduct has carried out
his promise, and the officers of the Home re-
port that there is no more obedient and will
ing man in the Home than Gen. Gwyn. He
is entirely free from bad habits of all kinds,
big or little, and has won the friendship of
everybody connected with the institution. In
ell the parades and inspections aud tours of
duty, he appears i'll ranks with the rest of the
men. where his splendid form and distin-
guiShed face makes him the observed of every
body.
CONDITION OF The INMATES
Taking into consideration the advanced age
forced them to take refuge in the Home, their
health is surprisingly good. Every one of
them shows an improvement in physical condi-
ton Immediately after entering the Home, and
there is not the slightest doubt that the lives
of all are greatly prolonged by the good food,
admirable quarters, generous climate, and excel
lent regime which they find there.
The Governor remarks upon a very signif-
can't change in the nationality Of the inmates
that is now noticeable. In the early history of
the Soldiers Homes very few but forei gners
were found in them. OF late years there has
been steady increase in the proportion of nat
ural-b0rn inmates, until now the Americans
outrumber all the rest
The last 1872 soldier died last Winter, at the
age OF 81, but there are more than 20 veterans
OF the Mexican war in the Home.