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Collection Reference Number GLC05111.02.0982
From Archive Folder Cartes de visites 
Title Union refreshment saloon [in paper case]
Date ca. 1861-1865
Author Phillips, H.C. (fl. 1861-1865)  
Document Type Photograph
Content Description Image shows busy street corner with large crowd gathered at Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon in Philadelphia. Imprint on flap of case "With the Compliments of the Union Volunteer Refreshment Committee. See back of Photograph." Ink inscription on case "1025,000 Meals furnished also quarters for over 50,000 souls. Sam B. Fales" "Saloon as it appeared in 1864 & 1865" "Edwd to Rinsley with the kind regards & best wishes of Sam B. Fales compy secy & genl Financial agent. UVR Saloon--" Imprint on recto "H.C.Phillips, Photographer." Imprint on verso: "Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, Foot of Washington Street, Philadelphia. On the arrival of the first Regiment going to Washington, in April 1861, the Citizens in the neighbourhood contributed Coffee and Sandwiches, which were distributed to the Soldiers, from small tables, hastily 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 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 dressed 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 on 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."
Subjects Civil War  Military History  Union Forces  Charity and Philanthropy  Diet and Nutrition  Military Camp  Military Provisions  Hospital  Health and Medical  Injury or Wound  Refugees  Freemen  African American History  Death  US Sanitary Commission  
People Phillips, H.C. (fl. 1861-1865)  
Theme The American Civil War; African Americans; Health & Medicine
Sub-collection Papers and Images of the American Civil War
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945