Brief History of the Philadelphia Refreshment Saloons & Life of Anna Maria Ross, Civil War Volunteer Nurse

Due to the central location of the great city of Philadelphia, its extensive lines of transportation, the large military establishments, and its teeming population, the city became a hub of activity as great throngs of soldiers traversed the city to and from the War front from the beginning to the end of the Civil War (1861-1865).

 The foot of Washington Ave. at the Delaware River in Southwark was a point of embarkation and debarkation for the troops traveling from the Northern States to service in the South. Here the major railroad lines were connected through the city via ferry service across the river. Beginning in May of 1861, the patriotic citizens of the area, especially the ladies would offer refreshment to the tired and hungry soldiers as they passed from the Camden & Amboy Rail Road ferry up Washington Ave. to the large Station of the P.W.B. Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore) RR at the corner of Broad St. and Prime St. (now: Washington Ave.).

The large numbers of these poor, suffering soldiers induced several responsible citizens to found and operate (eventually) two large establishments, entirely funded by donations of the good citizens of Philadelphia to feed and minister to large numbers of the troops.

These friendly rivals became known as the “Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon” and the equally famous “Cooper Shop Refreshment Saloon” both located just a few paces from one another at Washington and Delaware Aves. across from the Old Swedes Church on Otsego St.

It was largely funded by a local grocer named Barzilai Brown, as a result of which the Union Saloon was originally called “Brown’s”. On Washington Ave., a large flag pole was placed, always was a flag to be seen flying, and at its base a small canon was positioned, when not in use, covered by a wooden box festooned with patriotic symbols. This canon was originally cast at the Springfield Arsenal, taken to Mexico by the American Army and captured by the Mexicans at Vera Cruz. It later saw service against its own forces, was mounted on a Mexican gunboat, later captured by the U.S. Navy and returned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where it was displayed as a curiosity. At the beginning of hostilities in April of 1861, the gun was loaned to the Federal forces in defense of the railroad bridge at Perryville, Md. Finally, the gun was ‘loaned’ to the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. It was used to fire a charge whenever a telegraph report was received that a troop train was on the way. The shot notified the good ladies of Southwark to hurry to the Saloons to help with the preparation and distribution of food and comforts. After the War, the gun became the prized possession of G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Schuyler Post #51 in the Kensington/Fishtown neighborhood of the city. Its whereabouts is presently unknown.

At the same time as the Union Saloon opened, another Saloon was established nearby, the “Cooper Shop” Saloon. The name came from the owner of the Shop, William Cooper, who also helped organize the facility. Among the lady managers of the “Cooper Shop” was Anna M. Ross, a maiden lady of Southwark, renowned for her unselfish and untiring work helping the needy.

During the course of the War, literally hundreds of thousands of troops were served by the friendly rival Saloons. After expansions, entire regiments could be fed simultaneously, and individual soldiers cared for.

In addition to the wholesome food served, coffee dispensed, medical care was available on the premises for the sick in the hospital, stationery provided, letters mailed, washing facilities provided, and gifts dispensed. To the young, homesick boys the citizens gave heart as they cheered the troops on their way, often accompanied by the stirring military music of brass bands, such a “Becks’ , or “Birgefeld’s” bands. Later, free burial plots were provided for those soldiers who would die in the Saloon Hospitals, where earlier they had been hastily interred in nearby existing cemeteries, of which a number lined Washington Ave..

So famous and prized was the work of the Refreshment Saloons that Mary Todd Lincoln specifically asked to visit the sites in June of 1864, when she came to Philadelphia to attend the “Great Sanitary Fair” then attracting throngs on Logan Square.

Anna M. Ross was only one of the many ladies of the district of Southwark who lent a gentle hand.  Private citizens, many with their own families would dedicate themselves tirelessly for the welfare of the soldiers. Anna M. Ross was recognized above the others only due to her equally great and strenuous efforts on behalf of her ‘Boys’. The Cooper Shop was founded mainly through her tireless exertions. In a city famous for its outstanding public and private charities, many inspired by the influence of the Quakers, Anna Ross was distinguished by a kindness of heart and her consecration to good works.

From the opening of the Cooper Sop in May of 1861 until her early and lamented passing due to overwork and fatigue, the consequence of her exertions, she toiled unceasingly, avoided no exposure, and withheld no time, no expense from this noble cause.

As the War progressed and with the increasing demands on the hospital of the Refreshment Saloon, thronged with wounded and sick soldiers, Anna Ross decided to open a larger, more appropriate hospital, where the weak and sick could remain to gather their strength until able to rejoin their units or continue their journey. Thus she took upon herself the goal of finding a new place of refuge, raise the needed funds, and operate the facility while still ministering to those in need. She canvassed the city, pleading for donations, going door to door. She traveled widely throughout Pennsylvania, seeking support, her errand of mercy ever on her mind. She helped to sponsor a “Soldiers’ Home Fair” to raise money for the cause. Due to her untiring efforts on behalf of her beloved soldiers, Anna‘s health broke down; she was already past 50, and after a life of toil and care for the less fortunate, well past her prime. Despite valiant efforts of her personal physician, Dr. Nebinger, the medical director of the Hospital and a dear friend, Anna’s health continued to deteriorate, and on the very day, that her efforts were to be crowned with success with the dedication of the new “Cooper Shop” Soldiers’ Home and Hospital on Race and Crown Sts., she died. The day was December 22, 1863.

Her funeral was immense in keeping with the love and esteem her life’s work had earned her. Thousands followed her casket to Monument Cemetery at Broad and Berks St. (now Temple University), military units honored her memory, and eloquent eulogies attempted to do her the honor her work had already gained her.

The soldiers of the Rebellion never forgot her! In a rare act, one of the earliest veterans’ posts of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) in Philadelphia, Post #94 chose to name itself after her, an honor normally reserved for the heroes of Battle and History. The Post also raised a fine monument over her grave and conducted Memorial Day services there every year. This Post: Anna M. Ross Post #94, G.A.R. is also the first post to found a descendant group, when in 1877 they established the “G.A.R. Cadets”. This first step later developed into the “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War” (S.U.V.C.W.) now the heir and descendant of the G.A.R. established to memorialize the service of the Old Veterans in preserving the nation, which is its prime objective.

The exiting Anna M. Ross Camp #1, Department of Penna. S.U.V.C.W. continues this legacy to the present day.  The Camp, its members and friends, and all those interested in honoring our heroes and heroines of our past history invite all interested in the History of the Civil War to join with the members of Anna M. Ross Camp to recall and memorialize our ancestors of America’s past.

Monument Cemetery was removed in 1958 to make room for the athletic department of Temple University. Most of the stones and memorials were lost or unceremoniously dumped into Frankford Creek to use as footer for the Betsy Ross (no relation) Bridge. The graves were removed to other local cemeteries, mainly Lawnview Cemetery along Huntingdon Pike. Recently, Anna’s grave was rediscovered, and adopted by the Auxiliary of Camp #1 under the leadership of Margaret Atkinson, past national president of the Auxiliary. Each Sunday before Memorial Day, the Camp and Auxiliary gather at her gravesite to lay a wreath, fire the honor volleys and recall the services of one of the hero-patriots of the Civil War. The Auxiliary recently obtained a more fitting and pleasing headstone, noting her War service and placed it on her final resting place. Her memory is still alive and vibrant today fulfilling the objects of the order.

“As truly as the hero who fell, pierced with his death shot, just as his regimental flag was carried by the storming party over the battlements of the routed foe, so she, as true a heroine as any, fell at her post, in the heat and depth of the conflict, just before the blessed dawn light and joyful shouts of victory”

 (“Women of the War”, Frank Moore 1866.)

Sources:

Philadelphia & the Civil War, Taylor

Women of the War, Moore

Philadelphia Inquirer