The earliest veterans hospitals

The Federal government had established military homes in the first half of the nineteenth century that served as models for the creation of the National Asylum. When these military homes, the United States Sailors’ Home and the National Soldiers’ Home, had been planned, European military asylums such as the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, built in 1760 by Louis XIV; the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, designed by Christopher Wren in 1682; and the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich, a 1694 reworking of an unfinished royal palace were considered as models.

The United States Navy had been authorized by Congress to establish a permanent shelter for its veterans in 1811, with construction eventually being undertaken in 1827. The United States Sailors’ Home/ located in Philadelphia as a part of the navy yard, was occupied in 1833. Admission was limited to sailors who had injuries or infirmities resulting from naval service, which prevented them from contributing to their support (2).

The idea of a similar institution for the army was raised by the secretary of war, James Barbour, in 1827, based on the initiative previously taken by the navy (3). In his annual message to the President, Barbour argued that such an institution was good policy in making career service more attractive through the provision of an asylum for disabled and aged soldiers; in addition, the nation owed a debt of gratitude to its defenders.

Jefferson Davis and the US Soldiers' Home

In 1851, legislation introduced by Jefferson Davis, senator from Mississippi and former secretary of war as well as a graduate of West Point, was enacted by Congress and funds were appropriated for the creation of the United States Soldiers’ Home. The Soldiers’ Home was open to all men who were regular or volunteer members of the army with twenty years service and had contributed to its support through pay contributions.

When the Soldiers’ Home was being organized in 1851 and 1852, it was intended to have at least four branches with its organization and administration based on the army’s command structure and staffed with regular army officers. The Soldiers’ Home was managed by a board of commissioners, drawn from active-duty officers; each branch had a governor, deputy governor, and secretary-treasure; the members were organized into companies and the daily routine followed the military schedule; all members wore uniforms; and workshops were provided for members wanting or required to work (4).

When the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers was being organized in 1866, the National Soldiers’ Home assisted the Asylum’s board by explaining its regulations and offering suggestions (5).

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