oysters for the vet

good in soup, too

Even Sumpter will rouse himself for a delicious meal. Also, the following reminded me of local charity dinners nowadays.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in (probably) January 1866:

DONATION TO A SOLDIER. – A donation and oyster supper will be given at the house of Darrow lay, (Trexler’s old stand) about two miles north of this village [Seneca Falls], on Thursday evening of next week, for the benefit of Chauncey. T. Lay, a disabled soldier.

Mr. Lay entered the service in 1864, having enlisted in the 50th Engineer regiment, but was soon prostrated by disease which resulted in partially paralyzing both limbs, from the effects of which he has never wholly recovered. He is almost entirely unable to earn a livelihood for himself and family in consequence of his long sickness. He is a worthy man and should receive a generous response from his friends and neighbors on this occasion.

disease disabled Mr. Lay

“Pontoon wagon and boat, 50th New York Engineers, Rappahannock Station, Va., March, 1864 ” (Library of Congress)

The handwriting on the clipping might possibly say June instead of Jan 1866, but I’m plenty hungry enough now. Mr. Lay’s bio can be found in the 50th Engineers roster at the New York State Military Museum. The Library of Congress served the oyster soup. – and Timothy H. O’Sullivan’s photograph of pontoon wagon and boat.