Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-02
CITY AND DISTRICT
THE SOLDIERS, RISE
a war 1nstitutton Here Remembered
Gratefully BY Many nm Old Veteran.

Among the many Institutions which were
brought into existence by the war in this city
was the Soldiers Rest and Retreat Many eiti-
Gems now entirely ignorant OF this institu-
ton Thousands of those VINO were refreshed
therein by food and lodging when on the way
to the 'front.' have now forgotten even the Local
ton. This Institution was located near the
north end of the Baltimore and Ohio depot, on
the line of North Capitol strset, between C and
ID streets, and was established Immediately
after the first battle of Bull Run, July 81, 1861.
The building taken possession of as retreat is
still standing. although in a dilapidated con-
dition and Is now used q storehouse
1t had previously been used by Mr.. j. p.
Crutchett as the Mount Vernon cane factory,
where momentos from the resting place OF the
Father OF his country were prepared for the
market. 1t covered space of about 40 by 100
feet Of ground. and was made into q dining
hall, where often as many 900 OF the Boys
came into existence the city was iuli o, soldiers,
many having stanlpeded from Bull Run The
others mad just arrived on their way to The
front. 1t was given the name of "Soldiers'
Rest-Rsceiving and Forwarding Depot for
sary of subsistence, who appointed as
tnperin sndens Mr.. James H. searie, now
continued during the entire war. A force of
cooks and walters was EN- pioyed, and in
kitenens erected outside the preparation for the
meaIs were made. In these Kitchens were tine
ca1idrons Tor soups, DC, two OF u capacity of
lao gallons each and twenty-five others rang
ing from thirty TO sixty gallous- The bread WAS
at nrst obtained from the Capitol bakery, To-
Gated IN the rooms Oh the west front OF the Cap
itoi bsse ment, and aiterwarus near the ooserv-
atory.
II was not long before 1T was found necessary
TO enlarge the depot, and Gen. (then Coli
Rucker caused 10 be erected frame barracks east
OF the 'kest from the timber from the old Lin
coiu Inauguration ball building IN Judiciary
square Then Capt. Ed. VI. Camp afterwards
major was placed in charge OF the depot
The capacity OF this depot was simply Won
derfui, ior ON one OCCASION, with bui a few hours
notice, twenty Thousand men were led within
twenty -tour houFs-sOup bread, cOhee, ham,
pork, tongue, beef and bareback oeing on the
bill oil iare. This Was done without any friction
whatever, for, A. near as possible, hve hundred
wefe marched TO the tables at IA time. The
serving ol meals and lodging soldiers was not
all that WAS done, Tor the exigencies OF the ser
vice often required cooked rations To he fur
nished, ano 10 NIL these orders the force had to
lie augmented oilen as 10 work night and
Major Camp, thai during the Jour years exist
eLce OF the depot twenty millions OF meals were
ssrvst to soldiers during the war.
Sometimes sailors and exchanged prisoners
were RECALLED here. and towards the ciUse OF the
when COME derate prisoners were sent here
they were also entertained. Near the end OF
hoslilitiss = number of cOnfederates bad de-
serted and como within the federal lines, and
when they reached the Rest" they were so
pleased with their entertainment that they
asked the privilege OF conpiifuenting tine Off
GERS under wnoni the kert was established.
This request WAS granted. and Mai. Camp, Gen.
Kicker, SECRETARY stanton and the president
were ssreasdso BY band made up OF desert
ing musicians.