During the Civil War, Union soldier's from New York, New Jersey, and the New England states heading south to the seat of war often traveled through Philadelphia.   Located near the Delaware River docks, and the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore railroad station, was the business of William Cooper.

 

In late May 1861, Cooper and a group of citizens opened  the Cooper Volunteer Refreshment Saloon to fed hungry troops passing through the city.  The Saloon remained open until the end of August 1865, well-past the end of hostilities to feed soldiers returning home.  Located very close to the Cooper Saloon was the Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon.  The two facilities often shared in feeding the troops, especially when large regiments passed through Philadelphia.

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In 1866, the "History of the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon" was published and included an appendix of daily meals served during the years it was open.  In total, over 320,000 meals are noted, but the total amount was probably much higher due to incomplete records.  Nevertheless, analyzing the data is quite compelling.

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The calendar heat map below shows the number of meals served each day the Refreshment Saloon was open.  Note the large numbers early in war, which included soldiers returning home in early 1862.  This was followed by a period in June, July and early August 1862 when no meals were served.  The large numbers of meals served in the latter half of August 1862 through October 1862 is due to the soldiers heading south from Lincoln's call for 300,000 volunteers.  Throughout 1863 and 1864 there were a number of large single days but many days when there were again no meals served.  The saloon was very busy in the months following the surrender at Appomattox as units returned to their home states.  The saloon closed for good on August 28, 1865.