Wayside Homes — A Wholesome Meal And By Gould B. Hagler Jr. From its earliest days until its l the Confederacy waged a costly war which stretched the nation’s capabilities to their very limits – and ulti mately beyond. In the mid-nineteenth century the scope of government was far less extensive than what we experience today; however, one would expect that the Confederate government, any government, would bear all – or almost all – of the responsibility fo meeting the needs of its men in arms. The fact that the Confederacy could not do so, and instead relied on volunteers to meet many fundamental needs, is indicative of the immense strain under which the government operated throughout its four-year life. The story of the Wayside Homes is illustrative. Newspaper accounts from the war years open a window through which we can see the people of the Confederacy coping with their challenging circumstances. At any given time in the war, great numbers of soldiers were in transit. Some were traveling home on furlough or back to their regiments. Others were heading home to recover from wounds or illness or trekking to rejoin thei
t’s Repose comrades after they recuperated. Many were moving from hospitals to other facilities for convalescence or to a station where they would perform light duty. Fit men hastened to the front at the start of a major cam paign. Invalids were going home for good, some to die there. Their journeys were arduous. The men were largely on their own. They needed help along the way. “Every train will bring large numbers of soldiers hungry, fatigued, an many perhaps sick and faint,” reads an article in the Charleston Mercury (Jan. 4, 1862). “Refreshments are essential immediately upon their arrival.” The paper announced that to address this need the city council had named a committee to form the Charleston Wayside Hospital and Soldiers’ Depot. On Oct. 16 of that year, the same paper reported on the recent establishment of the Soldiers’ Rest in Greenville. “Already twenty sick soldiers have found food and lodging on their homeward way, and some who were destitute…have been assisted to pay traveling expenses.” The Savannah Republica appealed for funds on Mar. 7, 1863, and explained why the funds were needed. “All soldiers, whether
Georgians or not, traveling on furlough, either home or to camp, ar welcome to the care and comforts of this Wayside Home.” The Montgomery Weekly Advertiser on Aug. 8, 1864, issued an appeal for support for that city’s Wayside Home, without which “…the poor travel tired soldiers would have no way to obtain their meals upon the road but by applying to the doors of our citizens.” The people of Charleston, Greenville, Savannah, Montgomery and other communities did this work because it had to be done and there was no one else to do it. They would not have their defenders reduced to beggary. In the east, the Wayside Homes were of course built on rail lines, the “travel tired” fighting men jour neyed by train. In the capital city, close to the much of the fighting, each state supported a separate Wayside Home to care for its men battling in Virginia. In the Trans-Mississippi, where there were almost no railroads, soldiers walked or rode o horses – which surely were as tired and hungry as their riders. There th homes were smaller and more numerous than in the east. The travelers’ most obvious needs
were food and lodging. The Mobile Register and Advertiser (May 5, 1864) reported on the hospitals in Montgomery and pointed out that in addition to these facilities, “… there is the Wayside Home, where the weary and hungry soldier…can always find a wholesome meal and a night’s repose.” Bed and board were necessary but not sufficient. As the soldiers wer often sick or wounded, some medical care and nursing were also provided. And even in wartime, there i a need for entertainment and holida
celebrations. The Montgomery Weekly Advertiser (Jan. 6, 1864) reporte on the Christmas festivities held at the Soldiers’ Home. This cheerful support from a grateful citizenry – mainly the women whose men were at war – raised the soldier’s spirit as the nourishment and rest restored their bodies. Wayside Homes relied principally on voluntary support. They called for and received both cash and contributions in kind. The Southern Watchman (Athens, Ga., Oct. 26, 1864) publicized the need for money,
“anything eatable” and supplies of all kinds – tallow, candles, soap a firewood. In Charleston, the South Carolina Railroad donated the use o its new depot for a Wayside Home (Charleston Mercury, Jan. 4, 1862).
The Savannah Republican called on Savannahians to donate their carpets to be cut up into blankets (Nov. 11, 1863). The donations also provided work for needy women who transformed the carpets into bedding.
Musical performances, dramas, fairs, and balls were held to raise funds. People in Savannah supported their Home by attending a lecture o “The War” by one Madame Teresa.
publican, Sept. 11, 1863). The ladi in Albany added to a night of music “tableaux exhibition” to benefit th Wayside Home (Albany Patriot, Jan. 1, 1865). The government did provide some support. Houston’s Tri-Weekly Telegraph announced on Nov. 16, 1864, that Texas Homes would be permitted to purchase foodstuffs from the army’s Commissary Department. On the 23rd of the next month, the pap published a circular containing sug gestions on how best to organize an operate Soldiers’ Homes. Among the
suggestions was that the army permi Homes to draw monthly on commissary supplies without payment, in quantities based on what they pro-
vided to soldiers the previous mont The army’s reply to this reasonable suggestion is not known. In Montgomery, one Soldiers’
Home closed its doors and turned its assets over to a nearby government-run hospital which would take over the work done by the Home (Montgomery Weekly Advertiser, Dec. 30, 1863). A correspondent to the Richmond Whig (Oct. 25, 1864) wrote that state-operated Soldiers’ Homes were permitted by the Confederate Government to draw rations for their “inmates.” While the press and others prais
the generous citizens who willingly gave their time and treasure to sup port the troops, we also read some complaints and criticisms. The correspondent to the Richmond Whig reported on more than the Government’s willingness to provide rations: he also gave a scathing asse ment of his own state’s Home. He
wrote that “…the Alabama Home is a disgrace. Thousands of bed bugs and vermin infest the beds, and the
general table will not commence to compare with the living the men have in camp, and God knows that is hard enough.” He also commented
on the Home’s seedy neighborhood. “Nearly every house around it is a
den of the lowest and vilest prosti tutes…” A Texan, John R. Baylor, complained in the Galveston Weekly News (Aug. 17, 1864) that the peo-
ple of his state were not taking ca of their own and charging for what
they ought to donate gratis. “It is humiliating to think that a man who has returned home, a cripple for li should be charged a month’s wages
for a bed to sleep on and a little and meat to eat.”
We read of another Texan, a Mr. Bookman, who had given all he could give and announced in a Houston paper that he was shutting down “[T]he expense is too much for a man in my circumstances.” In four months he had “…supplied some two hundred men and horses…without one cent outside my own means, and it has exhausted by substance.” (Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Nov. 25, 1864). In 1865 the soldiers made the fi nal journey home and the work of the Wayside Homes was complete.
However, not all the Homes survived to provide succor to the returning men. The Texas Republican on May 26, 1865, lamented that the Home in
Marshall had been closed. “It was only required a few weeks longer until absent soldiers passed throug Marshall on their way to their re-
spective homes. As it is, soldiers continuously passing through our town, with no provisions existing f their comfort and sustenance.” Like the soldiers, the ladies in Marshall had done their best, but were at last worn down. Sources: The newspaper accounts used for this article were compiled by Vicki Betts, a librarian at the University of Texas at Tyler, and are found on line at http://apps.ut
tyler.edu/vbetts/southern_wayside_ homes.htm.
Gould Hagler is the author is Georgia’s Confederate Monuments: In Honor of a Fallen Nation (Mercer University Press, 2014). The photos are taken from this book, available from Mercer University Press, retai
N.J. Department Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War Elects New Officers By Dave Hann Veterans, to be the three R’s as well. At the 133 Department Encamp- I would like our job to be one of Rement of the New Jersey Department tention, Recruitment, Remembrance. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil Let us strive to keep the brothers War, the following Department Of- we have today. Let us foster the feelficers were installed. Commander: ings of fraternity, charity and loyalt Fred Mossbrucker of Col. Francine that we are charged to practice and Camp #7, Senior Vice Commander: make them VERBS...words of ACRobert Meyer of Custer Camp# 17, TION...not just a salutation or closJunior Vice Commander Gary De- ing of a letter or email. Siver, Lincoln Camp #100 and Sec- Let us work hard to increaser numretary/Treasurer Dr. David Martin bers and see if we can’t reach a goal PDC, also of Lincoln Camp #100. of an increase of 10% two years from In his speech, Commander Moss- now. Pretty high? Maybe, but not brucker said: impossible. Not when you consider
“I can honestly tell you that I am humbled by your decision to bestow who is in this room today. We can do it! I see potential for growth in this
upon me the reigns of leadership one room! of the finest organizations I know Finally, let us impress upon our and one of the best-kept secrets in newest brothers just how important the state. I look forward to working remembrance is to us. As we apwith you all in changing that status. proach the 150th anniversary of the
As many of you may or may not know, I am a school teacher, a speGrand Army of the Republic, let us improve our communications within
cial education teacher. No matter the individual camps and get more what kind of flowery prose the pol- brethren participating in our activiiticians or politically motivated ed- ties. Let’s take the lead inner comucators may wrap our profession in, munities to keep green the memory the bottom line is, we teach the three of the GAR! Let’s pitch ideas to the
R’s: Readin’, Ritin’, Rithmetic. In keeping with that train of thought, leaders of our various towns and when we pitch our ideas, let’s not
I’d like our job, the Sons of Union forget to add, ...and how can I help?
The Bristoe Station Campaign Bus Tou Saturday, October 8, 2016—8:00 a.m. -
Enjoy a full day, in-depth tour of the sites and ba up the Bristoe Campaign. Historians will explain how this important campaig soldiers, civilians, and its overall impact on the outcome of the Civil War. have the chance to see little known or visited sites.
153rd Anniversary Battle of Bristoe Station “In-Time” Anniversary Tours Friday, October 14, 2016 —3 p.m. – 6p.m.;
Join site historians on the 153rd anniversary of the third and final Civil W place in Prince William County. This October 14th battle was the culmination offensive of the War. Visit the park on the actual anniversary for specia walking tours that will make this forgotten battle come to life in vivid det
will follow the 1st Minnesota, 27th North Carolina, and 14th Connec
Battle of Bristoe Station Anniversary Weekend and Luminary October 15-16, 2016—11 a.m.-4 p.m. Evening Luminary begins at 5 p.m
Join site historians for the 153nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Stati War encampment, watch artillery firing demonstrations, and take a tour the si Saturday evening, visit the battlefield to see over 2,000 luminary
candles lit for every soldier who died at Bristoe Station. Selfguided tours will lead visitors throughout the battlefield to meet the men and women who made history here.
For more information or to make your reservation, please cal
Prince William County Department of Public Work Historic Preservation Division
I am excited t day, brothers! Ma your camps and ou you for your conf The New Jersey founded on Novemb has 8 camps throu more information sey Department SU vited to visit th site at http://ww
attle to take Lee’s last d in-time Special tours