The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-04-18
A GREAT INSTITUTION.
How Uncle Sam Cares for the Old
Soldiers in the Home ut Hampton,

Soldiers tn the Home ut Hampton,
Va.
Any one who says that this Govern
ment does not look after and care for
the men who during the dark hours
OF the rebellion rushed to its defense
does not know what he is talking
about, and certainly has never visited
any of the Soldiers Homes, establish
ed in different parts of the country,
where the old veterans are clothed,
fed and sheltered, and spend their de-
cllnlng years in peace at the expense
OF the Government.
On Wednesday of last week repor-
ter OF the REPUBLICAN reached Old
Point Comfort on his way home from
Newport News, and spent the day in
seeing the sights at that historical
place. He was taken to the Soldiers
Home at Hampton, about three miles
from Old Point, and found it one OF
| the most delightful places he had ever
visited. The main building was, be.
fore tho war, known as Chesapeake
Female College. and was built in 1857
at cost of 1854, 600. The ground on
which 1t stood consisted OF 26 acres,
1t was used for this purpose up TO
the time of the breaking out of the
war, when 1t was deserted, and after
by the government. In 1861, for hos
pital. 1t served this purpose for some
| time, and was afterwards used by
General Schoiield as q headquarters.
General Butler bought the entire pro-
perty in 1854, and in 1870, when 1t be-
came evident that some means would
have to be adopted for caring for the
old soldiers, sold 1t to the government
to be used as a home for disabled and
worn out veterans.
1t was fitted up for the purpose In
tended and opened January ] 1871. with
Rev. Charles A. Raymond, q former
president of the college, as Deputy
Governor. In one month there were
SO inmates, but rs the place became
known others commenced to como,
and it was soon filled to its utmost
capacity OF $50 inmates. On January
II, 1878, the presentGovernor Colonel
Z. 4. Woodpin, assumed charge, and
since the place has grown and increaS-
cd, until 1t will compare fayorabiy
with any similar institution i'll the
world.
A number OF brick barracks have
been erected, as well as un immense
hospital capable OF accomm odatlng
800 patients. There is also fine IL
| blary with thousands OF books and
country There is II eommodiou5
| laundry, a boiler, OF power-house,
where steam is generatedf oruse in ali
the buildings, The inmates have a
/ plentiful supply of ice water, the ice
for which is manufactured in large
building on the grounds. There is
also large hall tor amusemeIlts. of
which more will he said. Everything
as far as possible has been done to
make the place comfortable and at
tractive for the inmates, and since it's
organization about 5000 veterans have
been cared for.
The men are divided into COM
panies, and on Wednesday, 2,519 an
swered roll.call and $40 were reported
as being in the hospital. The grounds
are nicely laid out. and its natural
beauty1is enhanced by magnificent
flower beds. The buildings are so To-
Gated that they command view of
the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton Roads.
and the country, which is beautiful
for many miles around. a millionaire
could not have home in more
charming spot,
Accompanied by guide, the repor-
ter entered the main building und
took peep into company quarters.
Everything was as neat and clean as
the most fastidous houselioeper could
have desired to have it, and there was
an air of comfort about the place
which clearly showed that il was Il
| home. Men III blue were scattered I'LL
around, and while some were lying on
their cots doing, Others were sitting
| around talking or reading, and every
| thing combined to show that they
were contented and happy. There ure
quarters on each floor, and all are
about tho same as those on the first
tloor, There are wash and toilet
rooms, bath rooms and other convent
| enees on every iloor, while an elevator
| is running at ali times Tor tho accom-
| mediation of those Veterans who are
afflicted, or too old to walk up and
down the stairway. upon reaching
the fifth floor the gnide conducted the
Sisitor to the piazza, where II view
could be had FOR many miles. Cape
Charles and Cape Henry. Is miles dis
tant, at tho entefHlce To the Ghcsa-
peak bay, were plainly Visible. while
grim Fortress Monroe aid tho lip
ltaps looked buta stones throw away.
The view from this place with the
many passing boats is a panorama of
beauty, but must be etten 10 he appre-
ciated. Upon descending, tile guide
led the way To the