the benefit of discharged soldiers disabled by wounds.”  A perpetual revenue was provided from “stoppages and fines imposed by court-martial,” “forfeitures on account of desertion,” a certain portion of the hospital and post fund of each station, moneys belonging to the estates of deceased soldiers not claimed for three years; also a deduction of twenty-five cents per month with his consent from the pay of each enlisted man.  The act of Congress of March 3, 1859, changed the provisions of the original act and reduced the number of commissioners to three—­the commissary general of subsistence, the surgeon general, and the adjutant general of the army, substituted the name of “Soldiers’ Home” for “Military Asylum,” and extended the benefits of the Home to the soldiers of the War of 1812.  The act of Congress of March 3, 1883, added the general in chief commanding the army, the quartermaster general, the judge advocate general, and the governor of the Home to the board of commissioners; these officers, together with those already named, compose the board.  By the same act pensioners who are inmates of the Home may assign their pension and have the same or any portion thereof paid to a wife, child, or parent if living; otherwise the pension is paid to the treasurer of the Home and held by him in trust for the pensioner, who may, while an inmate, draw upon it for necessary purposes, and receive whatever balance may remain upon his discharge.

In 1851 temporary asylums were established at New Orleans, La., Greenwoods Island, Miss., and Washington, D.C.  The one at New Orleans continued about one year.  A tract of land was purchased in Mississippi comprising one hundred and ten acres in 1853, and was occupied until 1855.  At this date the inmates were removed to a branch asylum near Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Ky.  This latter asylum was discontinued in 1858 under the act of March 3, 1857, and the inmates transferred to the Home near Washington, which was established in 1851-’52.  This Home is situated about three miles due north of the Capitol of the nation.  At first it comprised two hundred and fifty-six acres of land.  Subsequent acquisitions by purchases have been added, so that now the grounds comprise five hundred acres and three quarters.  The largest part of the grounds are woodland, a portion being cultivated for the benefit of the Home, and through it nearly ten miles of graded, macadamized roads have been constructed, winding through the groves of native and foreign selected trees.  The park is open to the public at proper hours, and forms a favorite drive and walk for the residents of and visitors to Washington.  The principal building for the inmates is of white marble, the south part being called the Scott Building, after the founder of the institution, and the addition on the north is called the Sherman Building, after General W.T.  Sherman.  The old homestead building to the west of and not far from the Scott Building is called the Robert Anderson Building, in commemoration