CHAPTER XX.

SOLDIERS' HOME OF CHICAGO.

Its Origin-First Meeting of its Founders-Old Mansion House45 Randolph Street-Number of Meals Taken During First YearExpediency of Furnishing Meals - Necessity of a Permanent Home The Baldwin Property - Fair View-Location and Valuation of Home-Its Presidents-First, Second, Third-Its Present Board of Directors-Mrs. Sanford, Mrs. McAuley, General White, General Beveridge, and Others - Mrs. Livermore's National Home.

Ir does not lie within the scope of this work either to give a detailed history of the war, or to trace the rise and growth of those public benevolent institutions whose purposes became so dear to the popular heart, and whose aid the contribution of the millions of the loyal North not only extended at last to every camp and battle-field, but made it accompany the Union soldier from the moment when he was marshalled under the flag, to that in which, returning by long and toilsome journeys, he was honorably mustered out.

These must receive, as they are receiving, one by one, perpetuation in separate volumes. And when the record of all shall be complete-when it shall be related by what pains, and toils, and sacrifice of our noble womanhood these benign institutions were devised, fostered and reared, the records will be among the most inspiring and useful from which the historian of a coming generation may draw. Nor will these formal records embrace all,