Evening star., 1950-06-11

IoSpAtS NpaISlStCu VI tLkf1t tOtlNs
frame buildings, but q
lithograph Of the hospital shows
a number Of other buildings and
the fence incloSing the grounds
seems to reach as far east aS
Four -and-s-half street.
The Bureau Of Fisheries Build
ing at Sixth and B street SW.
was built originally as an Armory
for the District Of Columbia volun-
teers and militia and 10 be used
also for the deposit Of military
trophies. SesSford first mentions
this building in his annals for the
year 1886. when he says;
"A lofty brick buildina has been
erected on the Mall to be occupied
as an Armory for the city volun-
teers and for the deposit OF mill
tary trophies"
The following year he makes
this entry: The handsome build
ing on the Mall, erected for an
Armory, is now ready for occu-
patton and the grounds within the
incloSure have been graded and
for q parade ground"
In his review for the year 1888.
the annalist tells us that 1.-The
Armory Building. on the Mall. has
been completed and is now occu-
pied"
The District Militia. however.
was privileged TO use the new
Armory but a short while. when.
the war coming on. the Federal
authorities stepped in and took
possession OF the building, which
they have kept ever since. Among
the purposes to which 1t was put,
from 1861 to 1865. was the manu-
featuring of small ammunition
and there is a statement to the
effect that a serious explosion
occurred here during the war. AT
the beginning of the great strusele.
it was from this building that the
three month District troopS-the
first volunteers to answer the call
of April Is. lS6l-received their
arms and ammunition.
Destroyed BY Fire
Armory Square Hospital was
opened in August, 1852, and con-
tinued in operation until after the
end of the war. when 1t was closed
on September II. 1865.
The first hospital that the Gov
ernment had use for in Washing
ton was the City Infirmary, which
stood in Judiciary Square. on what
would be the north side Of E street
between Fourth and Fifth streets.
1t was to this hospital that the
soldiers OF the 9Th Massachusetts,
Regiment were taken upon their
arrival in Washington after being
wounded, when passing through
Baltimore on April 10. 1851. the
anniversary OF Lexington and
Concord.
On November 8. a few months
later, this hospital was acciden-
tally destroyed by fire and not
rebuilt.
Another hospital in Judiciary
Square was the Fifth Street Hos
pital which was pressed into serv-
ice after the burning OF the In
Urinary. This building was used
for school purposes. and here
taught many years Billy" Wal
lace. who. besides being a good
instructor. had the reputation OF
being able to conquer bad boys.
This building was unsatisfactory
for the purpose and was aban-
doned on the opening OF the
Douglas Hospital in January, 1882.
The first Battle Of Bull Run.
July 81. 1851, and the early skir.
mishes around Washington made
it necessary to provide hospitals
for the wounded soldiers. Natu-
rally, all possible speed was used in
this direction. but so imperative
became the situation during the
latter part of 1862, that even the
United States Capitol was used for
this purpose from September TO
November. 1852, or until other ac-
commodations could be secured.
In all there were, during the
four years of the war. about 43
military hospitals in the city. and
about seven in Georgetown. In.
cluding the one opened In the
Georgetown College buildings.
which was used from September.
1852, to February /. 1865. Another
Catholic building which was taken
over for brief time was Trinity
Church at the corner Of what was
then Lingan and Second streets.
st. Aloysius Church. at North
Capitol and I streets. through the
Of the war. was also
for its accommodation
Of the sick and wounded. but
Father Mcguire apd the consreea-
ton begged the privilege Of erect
ing a special building for the
purpose.