Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-25
FIFTY YEARS Ago
IN THE STAR

XXv ILL NXX1AN
SwampOodle was famous battle-ground
in the old days and during the civil
war 1t was the scene OF
Swampoodle numerous outbreaks. such
as the following described
6ucClOnS. in The Star Of August
IS. 1862:
I'm Swampoodle the number OF loyal
Irish is very small. the policemen say
I'VE only. These are prosecuted daily by
their disloyal neighbors. Last night the
secesh party. headed, It is said, by
teamster named Perkins. attacked the
house Of James German. who had the
only American flag hoisted in the Swami
poodle region and drove him and the in
mates of the house out of the place,
following them with drawn knives and
pistols. They denounced the loyal men as
black republicans and declared they
would kill every republican in the place;
cursed the government and all concerned
with it. German called upon Sergt. Cronin
for protection and the police searched the
neighborhood, but the party had fed"
-
McClellan's peninsula campaign Jagged
SO seriously that the public grew
apprehensive and all sorts
Peninsula of rumors prevailed re-
garding the movements
VaHpalsA. Of the troops and the
prospects. In The Star Of August ID.
1862, is the following paragraph which
was designed to allay apprehension:
Great anxiety naturally exists here.
lust at this time, with reference to the
movements of Gen. Mcclellan and his
army of the Potomac, on which more de-
ponds at the present writing. we APP
prehend, than ever before The public
at large are profoundly ignorant OF their
exact location and proposed march and
also whether they are moving with the
decision and celebrity necessary In the ex-
listing state of things. The rebels are
doubtless straining every nerve to be able
to venture an attack upon the Army OF
Virginia before the Army Of the Potomac
shall have arrived within supporting dis
lance Of it, while the authorities here
are doing the same, we may take 1t for
granted, to insure that Pope shall be
amply supported II attacked. If Gen. Nc
Clellan is moving as he should move, the
rebels win take due care not to attack
Pope, or we are greatly mistaken. We
may add our belief that Cen Pope will
take a proper position in which to wait
securely the arrival Of Mcclellan"
AS a result of the new call for troops
and the draft Washington was constantly
receiving fresh INSTALL
SOLDIERS ments of soldiers, and spe-
cial provisions had to be
made for their accommo-
dalton. In The Star Of August q. 1862, is
described an establishment which became
famous throughout the country during
the war:
'As large numbers Of troops are arrfv-
ing daily, 1t may not be amiss to inform
the public as to the arrangements for re-
ceiving them. Near the depot are several
large buildings erected for their accom-
mediation, one being used exclusively as
a meeting room. which Is known as the
soldiers retreat and the others as tenn
porary quarters. The retreat is under
the direction Of the commissary depart
ment and Is superintended by Thomas
H. Donohoo and ]. H. Searles. commits
sarfes. who have employed about twenty
two hands. The dining hall Is about lOO
feet long. and contains five tables capable
dining hall is the kitchen. In which are
twelve large boilers capable Of boiling
for 10000 men per day. and four roasters
capable Of roasting for 1900 per day.
Still farther back are the storerooms and
quarters for the hands employed. Imme-
diately on the departure of troops from
Baltimore or other points, the commissary
is notified as to what hour they will ar
rive, and the men are set Immediately
to work-one gang of them cutting the
cooking and third gang
setting the tables. so that when the sol
diers arrive a hot and substantial meal is
in readiness for them. At the same time
they are partaking OF their meal. II they
are to leave Immediately. days ration
for each is cut and cooked, and by the
time the -repaSt Is over they may start on
their Journey, as far as the cOmmiSSaries
are concerned. If they are not to start
they are marched to the
rest a few yards from the retreat, ]
which is under the superintendent of Mr..
Smith, the agent Of Capt. Camp Of the
department. where they
find quarters until orders are received for
their departure. Owing to the large num-
Der of men Quartered In these buildings
and the uncertain periods at which they
arrive, it has been found difficult to keep
them in as good order as desirable; but a
force has been put to work whose special
duty 1t will be to keep the quarters in as
cleanly condition as possible. Besides the
soldiers arriving from the north, large
number Of convalescents are daily sent
here and quartered and subsisted until |
they can be forwarded to their regiments
Tho people of Washington were kept
busy providing comforts for the sick and
wounded soldiers who were |
Fair for brought to Washington dur |
c.,,: ing the war. They en- |
ployed various devices for |
raising funds for this purpose, one of
the most successful of their enterprises |
being q fair held at Odd Fellows Hall. |
In The Star Of August %, 1862. Is the fol- |
lowing news paragraph about this wLrk: |
1.-The fair at Odd Fellows Hall, for the |
benefit Of the sick and wounded soldiers
which was SO successful last week and |
has been thronged every evening Of this
with the beauty and fashion OF the me-
tomorrow evening. The |
superb decorations Of the hall. the de-
lightful music Of the Marine Band, the |
fine collection Of fancy articles and of |
are not the only attractions |
Mrs. Senator Lane and her bevy of beau !
ties dispense the Inequalities with be- |
coming grace and extend a cordial well |
come to all. The young men of the |
Union Literary Society deserve great |
credit for their successful management OF