An absolutely beautifully produced work on the herculean efforts to care for the tens of thousands of orphans left behind in the aftemath of the Civil War. Between soldier deaths, widow suicide and sickness from overwork and exhaustion, the number of children without a home was overwhelming. The result was one of the single largest social mobilizations in United States History. 

Includes accounts of the origins of the homes, some of the homes' heroes, beautiful engravings of the residences, accounts of the children, including the children of the "colored troops," etc., This copy gifted by Pennsylvania State Representative, William Burgess. 

Paul, James Laughery. Pennsylvania's Soldiers' Orphan Schools, Giving a Brief Account of the Origin of the Late Civil War, the Rise and Progress of the Orphan System, and Legislative Enactments Relating Thereto; with Brief Sketches and Engravings of the Several Institutions with Names of Pupils Subjoined. Third Edition. Harrisburg. Lane S. Hart. 1877. 520pp.

A very good copy, bound in cloth that is just a bit spotted. Generally solid with bright crisp text and engravings.