davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

lives. The number of inmates is usually
about $40. They are under a very-mild dis
cipline, are generously provided for when
well and tenderly nursed when sick. The
greater part of the work about the home is
done by the more able-bodied inmates, lib
eral compensation being paid for their Ia
Dor. The hone is conducted under the SUI
peryisiOn of a board of army officers, at
the head of which is the ranking officer in
command of the army.
The main building is of white marble
and has tall central tower. On the
grounds are several elegant marble cot
tages occupied by the officials, a pretty
church of Seneca stone, a capacious hos
pital building, with wide piazZas. from
which charming views of Washington and
the Potomac river can be had: a fine IL
brary building. well stocked with books and
periodicals, and numerous other structures.
On the brow of one of the hills stands a
bronze statue of General Scott The en-
tire estate is incoSed by a low stone wall
surmounted by a small iron fence of hand
some design. Fifty acres are under cult
walton and fine crops of fruits and veCe-
tables are raised.
Near the main building is large cottage
that has been used by certain Presidents of
the United States as a summer residence
1t is surrounded by noble trees and has a
very attractive appearance. President
Pierce was the first executive to pass the
summer there, and Presidents Buchanan
Lincoln. Johnson. Hayes and Arthur pre-
ferred its quiet comfort to the statelier life
In the w hite House.
Established by Act of Congress.
1t was March g. 1851. when an act of Con-
gress, Ito found a military asylum for the
relief and support Of invalid and disabled
soldiers Of the army of the United States"
was approved. For years before that date.
however. the principal officers of the army,
particularly Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott had
given the subject attention. and had made
Of rf to h, -l--r
ton. A report was made February u. 1870
by the committee on military affairs in Con
gress upon the subject of establishing an
army asylum fund. Gen. Robert Ander-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

lawn when the band plays present quite a
tableau.
Billiards. pool, cards and checkers are
literally patroniZed and best liked. Though
no particular amusement is objected to. and
all are INDUCED in
eat may be obtained from the Following
which is from the regular bill of fare
BreakfaSt-Ham, hominy bread butter and
coffee. Dinner-RoaSt beef gravy 'not.~
toes, stewed tomatoes beets. rice pudding
bread, milk and coffee. Supper-GreenpaSe
preserves. bread, butter and tea.
Fourteen Hundred Enrolled.
There are about 200 beneficfaries of the
home who servedjn the war with Mexico
about 400 who served in the war of the re.
beHion and abouta225 who served since tha
commencement Of the war with Sna,n
There are on the rolls about ,4O3 names hut
of that number more than 800 are awav
they being accouHted for as on outdoor re,
lief, in the Government Hospital for the In
sane, on fur1ough, absent sick in the gen
eral hospital at Fort Bayard and sus
pended. 4,ss
The permanent fund, of the home amoun,-
ed to s., 800, 567.39 June 80, 1901. some of
the principal items Of current Expenditures
average the following for nine months: Suh-
sistence, $32 6S9.71; extra duty nav to in
mates 81, $3.50 clothing for Inmates
50, 7OS14; outdoor relief, SOS, 500. GO: exnsnsas
of hospital. 49,. fuel for the home.
$22,9H.76.
The officers of the home at present ara.
Governor, Brig. Gen. George D. RueeIes.
deputy governor, Lieut.. Col. R. F. bernard
secretary and treasurer. Major H. M. Ken.
dali, us. army, retired and Major T.
La Garde, surgeon, who has two civilian
clinical assistants.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

or parent, if living; otherwise the pension
is paid to the treasurer of the home, and is
held in trust for the pensoner, who may
draw upon it for necessary purposes while
an inmate and receive all the balance to his
credit when discharged from the institution.
The Soldiers Home was established in
1915 The original purchase of land was
256 acres. To this was added in subsequent
years up to 1869 about 10 acres and in 1872
the adjoining estate of HARDWOOD" con-
tanning 191 acres, was purchased from the
late W. w. Corcoran. Small additional
tracts have been purchased since, making
a total to be exact, of 500A acres in the
home property.
A portion of the spacious grounds is Gull
tivated for the benefit of the home, but the
largest part is woodland, and through it
all, taking advantage of its topography,
nearly ten miles of graded, macadamized
roads have been constructed, winding
through groves of selected trees of native
and foreign varieties and over the open
ground commanding fine views of the city
the Potomac river and the surrounding
country for miles. The park being open to
the public, the old soldiers can maintain an
interest in the outside world from watch
the home.
The Principal Building.
The principal building for inmates, refer
red to- is of white marble. 1t was COM
menced in 1852 and completed in 1891, of
Norman-gothic design, 251a feet long by
1JSl2 feet wide; has clock tower, and will
accommodate 40 inmates, besides affording
rooms for offices. library, mess room. etc
mere are now nve sets of inmates quar-
tiers, accommodating. with the hospital 500
or more honorably discharged Soldiers of
the army. A neat chapel, built of red stone
was completed III 1871. Religious worship
Protestant and Roman Catholic is regi1-
larry observed The home is supplied with
a library of about 5000 volumes. and with
newspapers and magazines. both foreign
and domestic. In 1874 a heroic statue in
bronze of Lieut.. General Winfield Scott, ex-
ecuted by l-aunt Thompson Of New York
was erected upon the most prominent point
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
COTTON RAIL ON TOP.v
Confederate Officers Story of His Cap
tivity in the North.

The bottom rails on top was a favor
lite expression during the war, and for sew
eral years after, by the former slaves"
said an old Virginian to a Star reporter.
me flrst time heard it was from the lips
OF one who had been my property, and you
may imagine my feelings and how my very
nesh was seered by the kindness I re-
celved from him when 1 tell you about It.
L lived In Virginia. and my folks had a num-
Der of slaves on the plantation. among
them young man about my age. When
troops were being assembled for the first
sleaL connect between the north and the
SCUM L espouSed the cause of the latter
and was soon a full-f1edged JOHNNY Reb
Will not attempt to give you any account
OF my life as a soldier, except to saw that 7
ala my pest In Lees army, and was fortu-
Tdte 10 escape any casualty till 1864 when
became, with number of others a pris-
oner, and was sent to City Point One dark
night we were ordered to fall in and were
marched aboard a steamer and started for
we knew not where. After a few hours we
were landed at a wharf marched ashore
ana placed In barracks at Point Lookout.
Anxious to know where we were, | could
not sleep, and at peep of day ventured ont
Horror of horrors, 1 found we were
guarded by colored troops, one of whom
when 1t became lighter, cast inuuiring looks
toward me; He suddenly exclaimed:
'Golly, Massa Henry, is that your
Il looked at him. but could not make him
out in his soldiers clothes
why. MaSsa Henry, don't you know
me? Is Tom, that used to wait on you"
w nat are you doing there, you black
rascal? said l.
Why, Massa Henry, bottom rail on ton
now, he answered, bursting into laugh.
w asnt mad then! That fellow whom /
mad whipped many time now with a gun
standing guard over me. could saw MOTH
ing for little while. He strutted as he
walked his post his grinning indicating his
pride at my discomforture | was about
going into my hut in disgust when 1 heard
him ask: :" 'Massa Henry, does you chaw
tobacco and smoke like you used tor Does
you take your liquor YETI
L wondered if he was tantalizing me.
but told him that l had not given up nv
bad habits
Well. den, Massa Henry, I'll be re-
lieved soon, and, getting as near me as the
limit of his walk would allow he added:
Massa Henry, you gets up early like
you used to, den look right under your do
I'll fix somting for you in the morning.
Just then l saw his relief coming and
during the day L wondered several times
what he would put under de do Judge of
my astonfshment when, the following morn
ing, l found a small glass of whisky some
TOBACCO and clay pipe. The whisky was
the best had had in many long day. and
the few weeks of my confinement. hut
with 1t would come the thought that I was
indebted to my niger, whom I had often
had under the lash. Though to hear him
say bottom rail on top made me angry. I
could not help thinking kindly of him I
do not know what became of him, whether
or not he was aware that doing Kindness to
head, as Is said IN the Proverbs; I was
burnt In my conscience lust the same"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

report The committee In Congress repeat
edly reported favorably upon the bill during
the next few years
General Scott, in 1S4S transmitted to the
Secretary of War draft for 100000 as
part of the tribute levied by him on the
City of Mexico for the benefit of the army,
and he expressed the hope that 1t might DE
allowed to go to the credit of an army asy-
lum. Again, in 1919, referring to the mat
ter he said 1.-The draft was made payable
to me. and in order to place the deposit pc
yond the control of any individual function
airy whatever, 1 Endorsed 1.-THE Bank or
America will place within amount to the
credit of the army asylum, subject to the
order of Congress
The funds were at first turned in to the
public treasury, and subsequently, in the
act to found the asylum, were, with bal
ance of S1S, 791. 10 remaining from the same
levy appropriated for the support of the
institution.
The class of men entitled to the benefits
of the asylum were defined by the act Of
1851 soldiers of twenty years service, and
men. whether pensioners or not, who have
been disabled by wounds or disease in the
service and in the line of duty. They must
be honorabIy discharged from the army be-
fore they be admitted to the home
Hence the inmates are all civilians. 1t
designated as board of commissioners, ex-
officio. to administer the affairs of the asy-
lum. the general-in-chief commanding the
army, the generals commanding the east
ern and western military divisions, the
CnleIS Oh Une y, COHlHliSSdAy,
pay and medical departments and the adj
jutant general of the army. 1t appro-
priated an unexpended balance, s54, 319.23 of
a previous appropriation for the benef1t or
discharged soldiers disabled by wounds,
and provided, for perpetual revenue,
"stoppage and fines adjudged against SOL
diers by sentence of court-martial, for
FIXTURES on account of desertion, certain
portion of the hospital and post fund of
each station, moneys belonging to estates of
deceased soldiers and unclaimed for three
years Che latter to be repaid to legal heirs
on demand) and also for the deduction OF 70
cents per month, with the consent OF the
soldier. from the pay of each enlisted man.
Number of Commissioners Reduced.
BY act of Congress, approved March 8.
1859. the provisions of the original act were
changed to reduce the number of commits
sioners to three-the commissary general of
subsistence, the surgeon general and the
adjutant general of the army: to substi-
tute the name Soldiers Home for Mill
tary Asylum to reduce the soldiers con-
tribution to 122 cents per month, and to
extend the benefits of the home to the
soldiers of the war of 1872.
By an act of Congress, approved March
3, 1883. the general-in-c commanding the
army, the quartermaster general, the judge
advocate general and the governor of the
home were added to the board of commits
sioners, so that now these officers, together
with the CommiSSary general of subsistence,
the surgeon general and the adiutant gen
eral of the army compose the board; and
may assign their pensions to wife, child
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
At THE NAVY YARD
It Was a Busy Place in
April, 1861.
V ES s ELS SEIZED
MANY INCIDENTS OF INTEREST
TOLD.
The Commandant Resigned and En-
tered the Rebel Service-President
Lincoln's Assassins on Monitor.

Not only to those who served in the navy
during the war. but to many who served in
the army, is the navy yard in the south
eastern part of the city interesting, and
there number of veterans will look at
the old quarters in which they spent the
first of their service. Not only is this place
interesting for it's connection with the late
war, but from the early days of the CEN
fury down to the present, and within its
confines south Of NJ and between 7th and
9th streets east much can be found of in
terest.
Early in 1861.
In the early part of 1861 Captain Frank
lin Buchanan (afterward admiral of the
confederate service) was commandment, with
Commander McBlair, Lieutenants II. FL.
Lewis and Semmes, Sergeant McCIenahan
and Paymaster Alison under him.
The ordnance department was in charge
of Commander John A Dahlgren, after
ward admiral. with Lieutenants Richard
Wainwright, VIM. Nelson and John H Rus
sell. AS early January 1t was rumore d
that an attempt would be made to obtain
possession of the yard to secure arms and
ammunition to be used in preventing the
inauguration of President Lincoln, and Cap
tain Buchanan at once gave orders for the
defense Of the yard, and Commander Dahl
gren was ordered to prepare all the how
tiers for the purpose, but with as much
secrecy as possible. The orders were issued
February l, that in case Of an attack by a
mob the entrances should be defended by
l2-pound howttzers and the lower part by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

National President, Ladies' Aid, Sons of Veterans.
hungry orphans and helped dependent
mothers. 1t sewed and baked and brewed
its members nursing the sick In the hospi-
tails, and took charge of the sick and
wounded on the transports and in every
way comported itself in accordance with its
name.
When the war was over the society did
not disband, for there was more work to do
than ever before. The old members left the
city and the state. and in few years not
one Of the old band remained, but the good
work went on just the same.
When the Sons of Veterans came into ex-
istence it found a well trained auxiliary
ready made for it. There was no skurry to
get members for a charter. or war of words
over fitness for office. All that old straw
had been threshed over, and the ladies.
most of them young enough to be the grand
daughters of those who organized the first
Ladies' Aid Society, had a record for SPLEEN
did work for the unfortunate and dependent
veterans that was to be envied.
In 1887, Major A. z. Davis of Pittsburg,
Pa, who had been the prime factor in the
organization of the Sons OF Veterans, set
himself to work to make the Ladies Aid
Society of Philadelphia auxiliary to the
sons, and succeeded. Since that time the So
cIety has grown and prospered, till Its local
organizations are founded in about twenty
states and 1t has about 400 societies to its
credit. The Ladies' Aid Society has been
indorsed many times by the Grand Army
OF the Republic In its national encamp-
menlS, ana Is dong excellent Work IN tne
way of keeping the younger generation i'll
touch with the veterans and IS leading these
young people to study history with clearer
understanding, and to emulate the deeds OF
their patriotic sires.
The Ladies' Aid to the Sons of Veterans
always meets in the same city and at the
same time as the Sons. This year they
come to Washington because the Sons of
Veterans have been asked to meet here by
the Grand Army of the Republic. There Is
a strong hope that the Grand Army of the
Republic will recognize the younger men as
its legitimate successor.
The national officers of the Ladies' Aid
Society are: Mrs. Belle S. Morgan, Mo-
line, H.. national president; Mrs Ida Bogia-
Roe, Washington, d. c., national senior vice
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

are given employment with extra-duty pay.
There is much work to be performed beyond
the physical ability or technical knowledge
of the inmates, and for this civilians are
employed.
A model dairy is maintained. the herd
consisting of two bulls, ffty-seven cows,
five hetfers and thirteen calves; also one
horse and seven mules Much milk Is
required to meet the demands of the
home mess hall, for old men who require
soft food, and at the hospital for special
diet. The milk Is of good quality and Is
pronounced far better than that obtained
under contract before this herd was cstab-
Iished.
A plat of four acres was planted in 1900 as
an experiment in alfalfa, with the result ex-
ceeding expectations for three good crops
were cut from 1T during the season. AS the
potato crop at the home for the past few
years has not been of good quality or heavy
yield, the fifteen acres devoted to its culti-
walton have been planted wholly in alfalfa
or partly In alfalfa and partly in corn for
iced for the animals at the home.
NO expenditure for ice for the hospital Is
necessary. This is explained by the fact
that the refrigeratng apparatus in tie hos
pltal manufactures for it all the ice which 1t
requires.
The band consists Of the leader Mr..
John s. NJ Zimmerman, and about twenty
musicians. 1t is we'll instructed and affords
entire satisfaction. Concerts are given
daily, except on Saturdays and Sundays,
for one hour before retreat. In the win
ter season the concerts are held in Stanley
Hall. The band also furnishes music for
all entertainments at Stanley Hall and for
memorial services and funerals at the ceme-
terry.
Roman Catholic. Lutheran and Episcopal
services are held each Sunday in the chapel.
Funeral services for deceased inma ties of
the Roman Catholic faith are attended by
the Roman Catholic chaplain, and of de-
ceased Protestant inmates by the Episcopal
chaplain.
Those Who Enforce Discipline.
The first sergeants, floor sergeants and
home police enforce the discipline in the
buildings, and the watchmen, provost SER
geant and home police look after the
grounds. Some Of the home police are
mounted on bicycles. and wear badge
similar to the city police. They are reg
ularly deputized by the superintendent of
the District of Columbia police force, and
are empowered to make arrests. Fully 80
per cent of the members as rule commit
no offense.
The amusements are ample They consist
of billiards, pool, bagatelle, chess, back
CANNON checkers, cards, dominoes, Quoits
golf theatrical performances, lectures and
concerts. The old men clustered on the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

chased from Asa Whitney the prior owners
being George Taylor and Anthony Hol-
mead
The Hardwood property, the southe m
part of the home tract, was, as stated, pur-
chased from w. w. Corcoran Its prior
owner was Rev. John Breckenridge.
The trustees of the home paid altogether
for the 500 acres of the home land $685.
354.55, and for the buildings and bridge s
erected thereon 81 ,357. 39S. 90, and for grad
ing 91s miles of roads, $102 1893, including
cost Of bridges and culverts.
The south part of the main building is
named after General Winfield Scott, the
founder of the home: the addition on the
north after General w. T. Sherman
The old homestead building near to and
west of the Scott building is named after
General Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter
renown, to commemorate the fact of his
early advocacy of and great interest in the
establishment of the home. 1t was the
home of the first inmates, and IS the build
ing used as the summer residence of Presi-
dents. President Buchanan occupied it in
1856 go, President Lincoln in 1S61-'64.
President Hayes in 1S77-'S0, President Ar
thur in 1SS2-'S4 President Garfield thought
of occupying it in the summer of 1881.
The eastern building was the first erected
especially for inmates, and is called the
King building, after Surgeon B. King, for
thirteen years the attending surgeon and
secretary and treasurer of the home.
The brick quarters northeast of the Sher-
man building, erected in 1888, is named the
Sheridan building in honor of the late Gen
eral Philip H. Sheridan who was president
of the board of commissioners when the
building was erected.
Improvements Made.
A number of extensive improvements have
been made at the home within the past few
years. A new band stand has been erect
ed at the hospital, at a cost of $667.94 and
the band gives frequent concerts there
which are greatly enjoyed by the sick. A
new silo has been constructed at the dairy
and large and commodious stables have
also been completed. A new greenhouse
presents an attractive appearance. The
tearing down Of the old and erecting a new
stable has effected quite a transformation
The want of a commodious hall, especial
ly adapted for theatrical performances
concerts, meetings, etc, having long been
felt at the home. the board of commission
ers therefore decided to cause an amuse-
ment hall to be erected, to be in keeping
with the other principal buildings. This re-
ce1ved the approval of the Secretary of
War May 10, 1895 and at the request of the
board Of commissioners the quartermaster
general of the army had the necessary
plans prepared. Bids were invited and the
contract for the building was awarded at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07

made to capture the yard. which the COM
nlandant regarded of Importance. not only
as a navy yard and supply depot, out as
an important position in the general de-
Tense of the southwestern part of the city.
He fortified the yard accordingly, plac-
ing two howltzers to guard the bridge.
A few days thereafter the District troops
were relieved by the arrival of the list n.
Y. s. NJ. Colonel Vosburgh. and on May p
the colonel died after few days sickness.
Carrying Troops.
When the advance was made by the army
into Virginia, the steamers Baltimore. Mt
Vernon and Guy took EIlsworth's Zouaves
from Geisboro' Point and landed them In
Alexandria, where the gallant colonel was
killed. In July ITO seamen and forty ma
rines were sent from the yard to reinforce
Fort Ellsworth and to assist in its defense
against an anticipated attack.
Commodore Harwood succeeded Commo-
dore Dahlgren July %. 1862, and served till
the close of 1863, when Commodore Mont
gomery followed till the close of the war.
During this time it was busy yard. and
a military, well as naval post. Tor
here were confined, from time to time de-
serters, insubordinate soldiers. blockade
runners. and it was place of refuge to
large extent for contrabands brought up
by the vessels of the Potomac fiotilla.
Several times during the war was the
force of workmen mustered to assist IN the
necessity they would have held their own IN
fighting. Capts. Walters, Haney, Charley
Mitchell, s. Magaw, Eugene Riley, Ed.
Mudd and others, who entered the service
in April. remained in the service to the
close of the war, engaged in the fotilla.
wnlle Mclean, S. V. Stallings and
others, who were machinists in the yard,
entered the navy therefrom as engineers.
When the inauguration of President Lin
coin was about to take place, March A.
1865, no visitors were allowed in the yard
and extra guards were ordered for the
magazine and other property. On April
the capture of Richmond was hailed by the
firing of national salute, and the sur
render of Zee was about to be celebrated
when the assassination of Lincoln changed
the joy into mourning.
The Monitors as Prisons.
There were two of the monitors lying in
the stream-the Montauk and Saugus-and
on the morning Of the 18th an order was
received that If the military authorities ar
rest the murderer put him in a monitor.
anchor her in the stream, with a strong
guard on vessel. wharf and in the navy
yard On April Is two prisoners were re-
ported to have been placed on the Saugus
in double irons. The names of Lewis Payne
and Michael OFlaherty probably intended
for OLaughlin) were given. Sam Arnold
was reported as delivered the next day;
Atzerott and Richie on April 90. April o