The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-11-13
The SOLDIERS RESI-.
One of the Most Unique Institutions
Brought Into Existence by the War.

One of the Most Unique Institutions
Brought Into Existence by the War.
Among the many institutions which
were brought into existence by the war
in this city was the Soldiers Rest and
Retreat. Many citizens are now en-
tirely ignorant of this institution.
Thousands of those who were refreshed
therein by food and lodging when on
the way to the front have now forgotten
even the location. The institution was
located near the north end of the Balti-
more q Ohio depot, on the line OF North
Capitol street. between c and d streets,
and was established Immediately after
the first battle of Bull Run, July Il,
1861. The building taken possess on
of as a retreat is still standing, although
in a dilapidated condition, and is now
used as a store house. 1t had previously
been used by Mr.. j. P. Crutchett as
the Mount Vernon cane factory, where
mementos from the resting place OF
the father of his country were
prepared for the market. 1t COW
cred a space of about 40 by 100
feet of ground and was made into
dining hall, where often as many as 500
of the boys in blue took meals standing.
At the time it came into existence the
city was full of soldiers, many having
been stampeded from Bull Run. The
terms of service of many had expired,
while others had just arrived on their
way to the front. 1t was given the
name of Soldiers Rest Receiving and
Forwarding Depot for Troops" by
Captain Beckwth, Commissary OF
Subsistence, who appointed as SUI
perintendent Mr.. James II. Searle,
now living at No. Sixth street.
northeast. Mr.. Searle continued
during the entire war A force of
cooks and walters were employed, and
in kitchens erected outside the prepare
tons for the meals were made. In
these kitchens were the cauldrons for
soups, ETC., two of capac ty of l4O
gallons each, and twenty-five others
ranging from 80 to 60 gallons The
bread was at first obtained from the
Capitol bakery, located in the rooms on
the west front of the Capitol base.
ment, and afterwards near the observa-
tory,
1t was not long before it was found
necessary to enlarge the depot, and
General (then ColoneD Rucker caused
to be erected frame barracks east of the
crest from the timber from the old
Lincoln Inauguration ball building n
Judiciary square. Then Captain Ed. M.
Camp { forwards Major was placed
in charged of the depot.
The capacity of tbs depot was simply
wonderful, for on one occasion, with but
few hours notice, 10000 men were
fed within twenty-four hours, soup,
bread, coffee, ham pork, tongue, beef
and bareback being on the bill of fare.
This was done without any friction
whatever, for, as near as possible, SOC
were marched ia the tables at a time.
The serving of meals and lodging sol
ders was not all that was done, for the
exigencies of the service often required
cooked rations to he9urnished, and tC
fill these orders the force had to be
augmented often so as to work nigh
and day. 1t is estimated, from the re-
ports made by Major Camp, that during
the four years existence of the depo
100000 900 meals were served to soldiers
dur ng the war.
Sometimes sailors and exchanged
prisoners were RECALLED here, and to
wards the close of the war when Con
federate prisoners were sent here, thel
were also entertained. Near the end o
hostilities number of Confederates haC
deserted and come within the Fedora
lines, and when they reached tn
Crest" they were so pleased with thel
entertainment that they asked the priv
ilege of complimentng the officers un
der whom the Rest was established
This request was granted, and Majo
Camp, General Rucker, Secretary Stan
ton and the President were serenade'
by band made up of desertlng mus
clans. Washington Star.