Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Union refreshment saloon [in paper case]

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05111.02.0982 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Photograph Date: circa 1861-1865 Pagination: 1 carte de visite Height: 6.2 cm, Width: 9.2 cm Order a Copy

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 recived 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 accomodated 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."

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources