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I would gladly say a word for the two establishments at Philadelphia, one called the ``Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon'' and the other the ``Cooper Shop'' if I could do so with propriety and good taste. But I know nothing of the facts myself, and could only say hypothetically, that if they have dealt so generously with
our volunteers, as I have frequently heard, and believe, they are indeed worthy of all praise. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN.
[1] ALS, RPB. The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon was organized formally on May 27, 1861, with a committee headed by Arad Barrows, and operated until December 1, 1865, distributing food, coffee, etc., and operating a hospital, to take care of troops in transit through Philadelphia. Cooper Shop served in a similar manner from May 26, 1861. Both operated on funds raised by public subscription and spent respectively about $100,000 and $70,000 (Frank H. Taylor, Philadelphia in the Civil War 1861-1865, pp. 207-12).