Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/322

 316 Southern Historical Society Papers.

They decided to put an advertisement in the city papers calling upon all Confederate veterans who felt an interest in the matter to assemble on April the i8th following. To this call thirty-eight men responded, and then and there organized Lee Camp, No. i, Confederate Vete- rans. The purpose for which the camp was organized was to take care of needy ex- Confederate soldiers, and no time was lost in giving this purpose practical shape. Captain Charles U. Williams was elected first commander of the camp.

In May, 1883, a bazaar was held in the armory with Mrs. Lewis N. Webb as manager, assisted by about one hundred other ladies, and Colonel H. C. Jones, N. V. Randolph and Colonel J. B. Pur- cell as a committee from the camp. This enterprise was kept open for nineteen nights and netted $24,000.

THE HOME OPENED.

On the 1 2th of November, 1884, the Home property, consisting of thirty-six acres and an old house, was purchased for $14,000, and on January i, 1885, the institution was opened, the first inmate being a Mississippi man.

Soon thereafter Mr. Robert I. Fleming, of Washington, at a cost of $2,500, enlarged, improved and remodelled the building on the grounds, and gradually handsome and commodious cottages were built and donated to the Home by Major Lewis Ginter, Hon. W. W- Corcoran, of Washington, Captain A. G. Babcock, Mr. Mark Dow- ney, Mr. James B. Pace, Mr. W. H. Appleton, of New York, and the children of ex-Governor William Smith. In 1888 the board raised by private subscription from the people of Richmond about $5,000, with which they built and furnished the picturesque and and handsome Home chapel. The additional buildings erected by the board, including the mess hall, stable, &c., and the hospital, which last-named was completed this year, cost $35,000.

SITUATION AND SURROUNDINGS.

The Soldiers' Home is one of the most attractive places about Richmond, and in the summer it is a favorite drive. Located in a grove of original growth, it is, from the road, the picture of restful- ness and peace. The cottages and chapel are to the left of the main building as one approaches, and the new hospital to the right, and everything is as neat as a pin. On a nearer inspection, however, the