SOLDIERS’ HOME
In the United States the founding of a soldiers’ home dates from March 3, 1851, when an act of Congress was passed and approved “to found a military asylum for the relief and support of invalid and disabled soldiers of the Army of the United States.” For years before this, however, the principal officers of the Army, particularly Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, had given the subject attention and had made special efforts to procure the needed legislation. In February, 1848, General Scott transmitted to the Secretary of War a draft for $100,000 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 it might be allowed to go to the credit of an Army asylum.
This home for the Regular Army was established in the District of Columbia in 1851-52. It is located about 3 miles due north from the Capitol. The original purchase of land was 256 acres. Additional tracts added since the original purchase make a total of 500³⁄₄ acres.
UNITED STATES SOLDIERS’ HOME
The south part of the main building is named for Gen. Winfield Scott, the founder of the home; the addition on the north for Gen. William T. Sherman. Constructed of white marble; it was commenced in 1852 and completed in 1891; is of Norman Gothic design, 251¹⁄₂ feet long by 158¹⁄₂ feet wide, and has a clock tower; it will accommodate 370 members and contains a library and billiard hall.
The old homestead building near to and west of the Scott Building is named after Gen. Robert Anderson, of Fort Sumter renown, to commemorate the fact of his early advocacy of and great interest in the establishment of the home. It was the home of the first members and has frequently been used as the summer residence of the President. President Buchanan occupied it in 1856-1860, President Lincoln in 1861-1864, President Hayes in 1877-1880, and President Arthur in 1882-1884. President Garfield thought of occupying it in the summer of 1881.
The eastern building—especially for members—was the first erected and is called the King Building, after Surg. B. King, for 13 years the attending surgeon and secretary and treasurer of the home.
The brick quarters northwest of the Sherman Building, erected in 1883, is called the Sheridan Building, in honor of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, who was the president of the board of commissioners when the building was erected.
More recently built structures are the Grant Building, completed in 1911, of white marble, accommodating 272 members and containing the hall of the general mess, mess kitchen, and cold storage.
Stanley Hall, named for a former governor of the home, was completed in 1897, and is the general amusement hall, seating about 700 persons.
A neat chapel, built of red stone, was completed in 1871. Religious worship—Protestant and Roman Catholic—is regularly observed.
A well-designed hospital was completed in 1876 and is known as the Barnes Building. The Forwood Building and the La Garde Building have since been added. The maximum capacity of the present hospital is 500 beds. It is not only for the sick, but is an infirmary for the aged and helpless members.
The home maintains a library of 20,385 volumes, with newspapers and magazines, which are added to yearly as funds will permit.
A portion of the spacious grounds is cultivated for the benefit of the home; but the largest part is woodland, and through it all, taking advantage of its topography, nearly 10 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 is open to the public.
Soldiers of 20 years’ service, and men, whether pensioners or not, who disabled by wounds or disease in the service and in the line of duty and have been honorably discharged from the Army are admitted to the home.
CABIN JOHN BRIDGE