Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. Foot of Washington Street, Philadelphia.
On the arrival of the first Regiments going to Washington, in April 1861, the Citizens in the neighbourhood contributed Coffee and Sandwiches, which were distributed to the Soldiers, from small tables, hastely [sic] erected on the sidewalk, corner of Washington and Swanson Streets, where the UNION VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON now stands, originally a Boat Shop and Rigger’s Loft. This was the first sanitary movement for the Union Soldiers in the Country.
The Saloon has received several additions, and now occupies 25,000 square feet, with capacity to provide 15,000 cooked rations per day. Fully 750,000 meals have been furnished the Soldiers at this Saloon alone. Over 10,000 Sick and Wounded have received medical treatment in the Hospital attached, which was the first built for Soldiers, after the breaking out of the Rebellion. Forty Thousand Soldiers have been accommodated with night’s lodgings by the Committee.
From 15,000 to 20,000 have had their wounds dress in transitu. About 15,000 Refugees and Freedmen have been cared for and employment obtained.
It has been a temporary home to discharged and disabled Soldiers, waiting for back pay and artificial limbs; in fact, the Saloon from the first has been a Resting Place to our Brave Union Boys, and no Soldier has ever claimed the benefits of this Institution in vain. A lot of ground has been procured by the Committee, in which the remains of 52 Soldiers have been buried, who have died in the Saloon Hospital.
This Institution is supported Entirely By Voluntary Contributions, and has done much to entitle Philadelphia to her beautiful name, “The City of Brotherly Love.” [Unidentified album card]
