The Iola register., 1886-11-12
THE SOLDIERS REST.

One OF the Most Unique Instit.tioal
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 4 Ohio depot, on the line of North
Capitol street, between G and ID streets.
and was established Immediately after
the first battle of Bull Run, July 81,
1861. The building taken possession
of as a retreat is still standing, although
in a dilapidated condition, and is now
used as 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 tho market 1t COW
cred space of about 40 by 16O
feet of ground and was made into a
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' Receiving and
Forwarding Depot for Troops by
Captain Beckwith, Commissary Of
Subsistence, who appointed as SUI
perintendent Mr.. James H. Searle,
now living at No. 9 Sixth street.
northeast. Mr.. Searle continued
during the entire war. A force of
cooks and walters were employed. and
in kitchens erected outside the prepara-
tions for the meals were made. In
these kitchens were the cauldrons for
soups, ETC., two Of a capacity of 40
gallons each, and twenty-five others
ranging from 80 to 90 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
''Rest' from the timber from the old
Lincoln Inauguration ball building n
Judiciary square. Then Captain Ed. NJ.
Camp afterwards Major) was placed
in charged of the depot.
The capacity of this depot was simply
for on one occasion, with but
a few hours notice, 10000 men were
fed within twenty-four hours, soup,
bread. coffee, ham pork, tongue, beef
and hard-tack being on the bill of fare.
This was done without any friction
for. as near as possible, 500
were marched ia the tables at time.
The serving of meals and lodging SOL
ders was not all that was done, for the
of the service often required
cooked ratiOns to be furnished, and to
fill these orders the force had to be
often so as to work night
and day. 1t is estimated, from the re-
ports made by Major Camp. that during
the four years existence of the depot
2O, ,OOO. 900 meals were served to soldiers
during the war.
Sometimes sailors and exchanged
prisoners were regaled here. and to-
wards the close of the war when Con-
federate prisoners were sent here. they
we're also entertained. Near the end of
hostilities q number of Confederates had
and come within the Federal
ines. and when they reached the
Rest" they were so pleased with their
that they asked the priv
lege of complimenting the officers un-
Ter whom the Rest was established.
This request was granted, and Major
Camp. General Rucker. Secretary STAN
on and the President were serenaded
~ band made up of deserting musi- |
,ians. Washington Star.