Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-06-15
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
THEIR WARFARE OVER.
Where Veterans OF Uncle SANS Army Live
In Peace and Rest.

w dSnlug ton. anu one LIidl mas special
interest for every one who has worn
Uncle Sans blue, is the Soldiers home.
Here in handsome and commodious
structures, surrounded by ample
grounds, consisting of the most beauti-
full parks in the country, dwell the vet
Grams who have, by long service, earned
the right to ease, or by injuries or dis
become incapacitated for the active life
of soldier in the field.
The home was originally called "Nlil-
itary asylum and the idea of estab-
fishing it was concocted by Gen Scott
shortly after the close of the Mexican
war, in 1916. twas intended as a home
for the soldiers, both volunteer and
regular, of that war, who should be-
come disabled or INDECENT But its hui
manities soon became so apparent that
it was decided to enlarge its scope and
place it upon a permanent basis. And
it is now devoted to the care of enlisted
men of the regular army of all wars in
which the country has participated who
have served honestly and faithfully for
twenty years, or who have been
wounded in the service, or who have
been disa bled by disease contracted in
the line of their duty SO asto unfit them
for rendering further military service
or for earning a competence by their
own labor, and to extend charitable
help to such as are entitled to the ben
eits Of the home, but can not reside at
the home itself
Sailors and marines are denied the
benefits of the home, as they do not
contribute to its support but they are
entitled to the benefits of the volunteer
homes
This home was the first institution of
the kind ever founded. There are sew
eral homes in the land for the disabled
and INDECENT volunteers of the late war,
but this is the only one devoted TO the
wants of the regulars. The general
supervision and financial administra-
ton of the home are placed by congress
in the board of commissioners, com
posed of the following officers of the
army, ''ex-officio:'' The general-in-chief
commanding the army, the surgeon
general, the commissary general, the
adjutant general, the quartermaster
general, the judge advocate general,
and the governor of the home-seven
in all Both Gems. Sherman and Sher-
idan have acted as president of the
board.
The officers and inmates of the home
are subject to the rules and articles OF
war;" designed to protect the good and
restrain the bad. A code of regulations
for the government of the inmates is
now in force, which was prepared by
the governor of the home and approved
by the secretary of war. In order to
preserve proper discipline in the home
the inmates are organized into squads
and companies, with due proportion of
sergeants and corporals assigned tc
each. These non-commissioned officers
are paid a small compensation for their
services
There are three roll-calls each day
with reveille and tattoo.
Inmates of the home are not permit |
ted to introduce any kind of liquor
within its Enclosures, and a violation of
this regulation is deemed sufficient |
cause for dismissal from the institution. |
The inmates are required to perform |
such duties in and about the buildings |
and grounds as in the judgment of the
governor, their age, physical condition
and abilities will allow.
Smoking is not allowed in any build |
ing of the home.
In addition to good food, each inmate |
is supplied with good bed and such |
recreation as the home can afford, and |
in consideration of good conduct the |
governor may allow him 81 month for
spending money, and may pay him at
the rate of % cents day for such labor
as he may be able or willing to per-
form Inmates permitted to reside out
side the limits of the home may receive
an allowance not to exceed IS a month.
The average cost of maintaining an in
mate of the home is SlT.6S.
The income of the home is derived |
from these sources: First, from tax
Of 121S cents Originally 25 cents) a
on each enlisted man of the
army. Second, from money due desert
ars. Third, from fines imposed. Fourth,
from the proceeds of sales of unclaimed
eTTecJS OF uecedSeu SOtultTS. nc dlllOuul
realized annually approximates to $780,
BOO, while the annual expenses are in
the neighborhood of 5000, 900. The
permanent surplus fund, which draws
interest from the United States at the
rate of per cent year, now amounts
to the handsome sum of s2.427. 9S63+
Thus it will be seen that the home is on
a solid financial basis.
The first man admitted as an inmate
Of the home was William Daily, Com
pany A, Third infantry. May, 1851.
The total number received to date will
aggregate about 1000. There are now
about 1850 on the rolls of the home,
about % of them being colored- The
number steadily increases from year to
year OF these ISL receive benefits as
resident inmates, 492 being absent on
outdoor relief. OF the resident inmates
ls5 participated in the late war. The
inmates are of all ages from twenty