Soldiers Rest

Soldiers Rest was built to provide a rest for soldiers traveling through Alexandria by train, but was used as a hospital in the summer of 1864.
Page updated on January 3, 2022 at 9:53 AM

History of Soldiers Rest

Soldiers Rest was built near the Orange and Alexandria Rail Road Depot to provide a rest for soldiers traveling through Alexandria by train. The complex was used as a hospital from May 28 to October 4, 1864, according to relief worker Julia Wilbur. During that time it was part of the 1st Division General Hospital and then returned to use as a rest stop. (Source: Civil War DC website, from National Archives data.)

Soldiers Rest, lithograph by Charles Magnus 1864
SOLDIERS REST, ALEXANDRIA, VA. Lithograph by Charles Magnus, 1864. (Library of Congress)
The gate at Soldiers Rest. (Emulsion lifting from negative).
Alexandria, Virginia. Soldiers Rest. (Emulsion lifting from negative; Library of Congress)
Cooks in the kitchen of Soldier’s Rest
Alexandria, Va. Cooks in the kitchen of Soldier’s Rest. July 1865. (Library of Congress)

 

First Person Accounts

From the Alexandria Gazette, October 21, 1863:

Designed for the accommodation of U.S. troops arriving and remaining temporarily in this place, recently built at the upper end of Duke Street near the O&ARR depot, is said to be the largest and most complete establishment for the purpose contemplated, in the U.S. or anywhere else. It has sleeping apartments, bathing rooms, reading rooms, etc. etc. The estimated cost of the whole establishment is $50,000.

From a letter of Julia Wilbur, Nov. 20, 1863 to Mrs. Barnes. Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society Papers, 1851-1868, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan:

The Soldier’s Rest is guarded by 75 of the Invalid Corps. They are kept very strict. I was there a few days ago, & had some Anti Slavery & temperance tracts. They [soldiers] almost grabbed them, they have no reading there now.

From the Alexandria Gazette, November 12, 1866:  

Later disposed of at public auction (1866) “The buildings and fences on the property at the upper end of Duke Street… and known latterly as Soldier’s Rest, were disposed of on Saturday morning last, at public auction, by officers of the United States government, to gentlemen of this city, at comparatively cheap rates, and the buildings will be speedily removed.”

Historic Images

Image 1: 

Image 2:

Image 3:

Quartermaster Map

The Quartermaster Map includes a plan and elevation, and a key to the structures. Soldiers Rest includes a dormitory, large kitchen, dining hall, bath house and guard house.

Soldiers Rest, Quartermaster map
Quartermaster Plan of Soldiers Rest. A note on the plan states that "These buildings are constructed substantially & finished in an efficient & tasty style, and every precaution taken to render them pleasant, comfortable and healthy." 
Soldiers Rest Elevations, Quartermaster map
Quartermaster map showing elevations of the buildings.
Soldiers Rest, key to the elevations (page 1), Quartermaster map
Soldiers Rest, key to the elevations (page 2), Quartermaster map
Structures at Soldiers Rest:
AA Is a view of the East Gable mainbuilding
aa Is the vertical section of the same
Aa Are porches around the main building and to the Dining room
B Is the North view dining room
b Is the vertical section of the same (Dining room)
bb Is the gang way from the mainbuilding to Dining Room
bbbb Is the vertical section of the same
C Is a view of the North gable Bath house
c Is the vertical section of the same
DD Is the North side view of the Kitchen
dd Is the vertical section of the same
E Is the view of the North gable Store Room
e Is the vertical section of the same
F Is the Northeast main Gate
G Is the Northwest Gate on Duke St.
H Is a view of the North gable water closet
HH Is a view of the flag Staff and flag
J Is the North view guard house
KK Is the East view Barracks
L Is the North view Barracks​​​​​​
LL Is the South view Barracks
MM Are vertical sections of the same (Barracks)
NN Are vertical long sections of the same
O Is the East view of the Bath house
P Is the view of the North gable water closet
p q Are vertical sections of the same
Q Is the East view guard house
R Is a view of the North gable guard house
r s Are vertical sections of the same
S Is the west view of the same
TTT Is a view of the East side mainbuilding
ttt Is the vertical section of the same
UUU Is the East side view dining room
uuu Is the vertical section of the same 
v Is the vertical section of the same (East/West view Store House) 
W Is the South view of the Store House 
WW Is the vertical section of the same 
YY Is the Hose House 

 

Location and the Site Today

Located on the south side of Duke Street, near S. West Street, Shiloh Baptist Church's meeting center and Old Town Village townhouses now occupy the extensive site.