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THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHING-TON, D. O., APEIL 15, 1882. 3 THE TRUE HEROINE. "What was she like? I cannot tell ; I only know God loved her well ; Two noble fcons her pray hairs blest And he, their hire, was now at rest. And why her children loved her so. And called her blessed, all shall know; Phe never had a selfish thought, Kbr valued what her hand had wrought. She could be just in spite of love; And cherished hates she dwelt above; In nick-rooms, they that had her care, Said she was wondrous gentle there. It was a fearful trust, she knew, To guide- her young immortals through; But Love and Truth explained the way. And Piety made perfect day. She taught them to be pure and true, And brave, and strong, and court eous, too; She made them reverence silver hairs, And feel the poor man's biting cares. She won them ever to her side; Ilome was their treasure and their pride; Its food, drink, shelter, pleated them best, And there they found the sweetest rest. And often, as the shadows fell, And twilight had attuned them well, She sang of many a noble deed. And marked with joy their eager heed. And most she marked their kindling eyes, When telling of the victories That made the Stars and Stripes a name, Their country rich in honest fame. It was n noble land, she said Its poorest children lacked not bread; It was to brod. so rich, so free, They sang its praise beyond the sea. And thousands sought its kindly shore, And none were poor and friendless more; All l)Icscd the name of Washington, And loved the Union, every one. She prayed the skies might soon be bright, And made her sons prepare for fight; Brave youths! their zeal proved clearly then, In such an hour youtlis can be men I By day she went from door to door Men caught her soul, nnfclt before; By night she grayed, and planned, and dreamed, Till morn's red light war's lightning seemed. The cry went forth ; forth stepped her sons, In martial blaze of gleaming guns; Still striding on to perils dire, They turned to catch her glance of fire. No fears, no fond regrets she knew, But proudly watched them fade from view; " Lord, keep them o '. " she said, and turned To where her lonely hearth-fire burned. ORIGIN OF THE GRAND ARMY. The following incident regarding the or jganization of the Grand Army of the Repub lic Avill be read with interest by many in our city and members of the organization else vrhere. The credit is due to the brains of two Morgan county soldiers. Chaplain Wm. J. Rutledge, -who conceived it, and Major B. F. Stevenson, who pushed forward, the idea to a nicecssful termination. February 1, 18G4, some 25,000 brave men tinder General Sherman left Vicksburg and vicinity on what was then called, "the Meri dian raid," as Meridian and Enterprise were almost the extreme eastern points from v.hich the return march was made to Yiekcbarg. But for the iailure of General Smith to reinforce the command with cav alry from Memphis, they would have gone southward to Mobile, thus anticipating the experiment of the "Grand March to the Sea." "While they tarried two nights and one day at this eastern end of the raid, awaiting General Smith and breaking up some rail road tracks, most of the baggage train and. provisions had been left some twenty miles west under guard, that they might be less encumbered in the final conflict with General Polks force, thinking he would not tamely yield to destruction these important railroad connections. But as his lighting for a fort night availed him. nothing he retreated beyond their reach. Having accomplished an important work by the raid, they started back, via Canton, Miss., toward. Vicksburg. The first day's march brought them to the train and pro visions, over which they were the more jubilant as they had been without coffee for three days. Then they unwisely undertook to make up for lost time by drinking an excess of hot, strong coffee, and never until then was its full effects as a stimulant made known to many. Sleep was banished for that night, and as there was probably no rebel force to be feared within fifty miles the soldiers whistled, sang, squealed, neighed, and crowed all along the line. The gravest officers were not exempt from this coffee exhileration, and bursts of laughter hero and there indicated that the wag or wit of that squad was perpetrating his best jokes. Even the staid hospital mess, with no sick to care for, fell into the same nervous, sleep less current. Though speaking especially for the Fourteenth regiment Illinois Volun teer Infantry, this vigil was probably kept by most of the Fourth division of the Seven teenth Army Corps. But to return. There was Wm. J. Rut ledge, regimental chaplain; Major B. F. Ste Ainson, surgeon: Dr. Chafec. assistant sur-gr-on; Jos. Meacham, hospital steward, Szc Each man was a marked character, but we have not time to describe them now. All wf-re warm personal friends, yet fond of iokmv each, other. Dr. Stevenson, provoked by this sleeplessness, began to moralizo on " the giory of war being a humbug; as a man may hornetimes be left by his comrades to die on the bloody field, 'unwept, unhon ored, and unsung,' :ind if transferred to Paradise he must be greatly chagrined to see His name misspelled hi the reports, leav ing his friends in doubt as to whether it were he or some other man." The chaplain, al ways buoyant in spirits and fruitful in resource, replied: "That won't apply to you and J. Doc, for we have had no battle yet where all were killed on both sides; some escape to roll about it; so we will be' those lucky dogs: we will live on after this land lias been snbsoiled by the plowshare of war and rebellion and slavery turned under so dcp that they will never sprout again, and h our peaceful firesides we'll 'shoulder our i rutch and show how fields were won.' "Moreover," continued the chaplain, "as Knight Errantry and Masonry were womler olly revived during the wars of the Cru sades, so we in the years that lie beyond will revive them by organizing, on a fraternal basis, the Grand Army of the Republic. You, Doctor, shall be grand mogul or commander-in-chief; Dr. Chafee, your adjutant general ; Meacham, your aid-de-camp : Scott, your paymaster: Goldsmith, your inside sentinel; Sam. Logan, your vidette, and I your chaplain. Being now organized under this venerable oak, that may have sheltered Indians, Aztecs, or Druids centuries ago, we will, after due examination, proceed to col lect the initiation fees, and admit the breth ren, swearing them to liberty, equality, and sympathy with the under dog in the fight. "Thus shall we insure a soldier's reunion every full moon. We shall bind. together a brotherhood who were previously united in the fellowship of suffering; and as some doubtless will deserve pensions who will fail in obtaining them, we can supply this lack by our voluntary contributions." Thus with suggestions, humorous or ear nest, the night wore on, the morning dawned, and the march was resumed. Dr. Stevenson, though not imaginative and in ventive like the chaplain, was methodical and a born organizer. The chaplain had built this castle in the air, as the pleasant pastime of a sleepless night. The doctor brought that castle to the ground, made moat and drawbridge for it, commissioned its officers, mounted its sentinels, and manned it before his death with 100,000 men. To the chaplain it was one of the beautiful myths plowing through his brain ; to the" doctor it was "a ghost that would not down " at his bidding. These two, though very dissimilar as men, were agreed in regard to the projected organization iu all save this: The doctor wanted to give it a decided polit ical tinge, claiming that those who had borne the burden alone should have the benefit, but the chaplain of the old Fourteenth discarded the "machine" idea, insisting that the fra ternal and benevolent one was best to insure usefulness and jycryetuity. Ardent as the doctor was about this new ideal, it was not till the spring of 1SGG that he (having removed from Jacksonville to Springfield, 111.) telegraphed the chaplain, (who was then stationed in Bloomington) for a special interview. So the Doctor, the Chaplain, Colonel John M.Snyder, and Colo nel A. Weber, read and corrected the proof sheets of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Army of the Republic, aud the first "Tost" was organized in Springfield, near the home aud tomb of Lincoln, whence it soon spread through Illinois and into other States. Dr. Stevenson remained the first commander-in-chief up to the time of the first general rally, held in the Representatives ITall of the old State House. It was with great hesitancy, then, that the committee on nominations substituted the name of Gen eral Jno. A. Logan, leaving Dr. S. as commander-in-chief for Illinois alone. The committee knowing Chaplain Rutledge's intimacy with the doctor, requested him, in seconding General Logan's nomination, to award to the doctor all the credit duo him, which he did in a brief but earnest speech, that will long be remembered by those who heard it. The doctor was somewhat grieved at being superseded in the general command, but ho was deeply moved by the chaplain's reference to the memories of the Mississippi forest, and in reply said that the chaplain gave him more credit than was due; for "it was the chaplain himself who had originated the idea, and aided and encouraged him in pushing it to its consummation." Thus the Grand Army of the Republic, that first flitted as a phantom through the forests of Mississippi, now marshals its hosts and keeps step to tho music of the Union.1 Jacteonvilic (111.) Daily Journal. AN INCIDENT AT " HATCHER'S RUN." While we were yet before Petersburg, two divisions of our corps (the Fifth) with two divisions of the Ninth, leaving the line of works at the Weldon Railroad, were pushed out still farther to the left, with the inten tion of turning the enemy's right flank. Starting out, therefore, early on the morn ing of Thursday, October 27, 1SG-1, with four days' rations in our haversacks, we moved off rapidly by the left, striking the enemy's picket-lines about ten o'clock. "Pop! pop! pop! Boom! boom! boom: We're in for it again, boys; so, steady on the left there, and close up." Away into the woods we plunge in lino, of battle through briers and tangled under growth, beneath the great trees dripping with rain, "We lose the points of the com pass, and halt every now and then to close up a gap in the line by bearing off to the right or the left. Then, forward we go through the brush again, steady on tho left and guide right, until I feel certain that officers aswell as men are getting pretty well "into the woods" as to the direction of our advance. It is raining, and Ave have no sun to guide us, and the moss is growing on the wrong side of the trees. I see one of onr generals sit on his horse, with his pocktt compass on the pommel of his saddle, peer ing around into the interminable tangle of brier and brush, with an expression of no little perplexity. Yet still, on, boys, while the pickets are popping away and the rain is pouring down. The evening falls early and cold, as we come to a stand in line of battle and put up breast works for the night. We have halted on the slope of a ravine. Mimebails are singing over our heads as we cook our coffee, while sounds of axes and falling trees are heard on all sides; and still that merry "z-i-p! z-i-p!" goes on among the tree-tops and sings us to sleep, at length, as we lie down shivering under our India rubber blankets, to get what rest we may. How long we had slept I did not know, when some one shook me, and in a whisper the word passed around : "Wake up, boys! "Wake up, boys! Don't make any noise, and take care your tin cups and canteens don't rattle. We've got to get out of this on a double jump!" We were in a pretty fix, indeed! In plac ing the regiments in position, by some blun der, quite excusable no doubt in tho dark ness and the tangled forest, we had been unwittingly pushed beyond the main line were, in fact, quite outside the picket-line ! It needed only daylighlt to let the enemy see his game, and sweep us off the boards. And daylight was fast coming in the east. Long after a Company A boy, who was on picket that night, told me that, upon going to the rear somewhere about three o'clock, to cook a cup of coffee at a half-extinguished fire, a cavalry picket ordered him back with in the lines. "The lines are not back there; my regi ment is out yonder in front, on skirmish !" "No," said the cavalryman ; "our cavalry is the extreme picket-line, aud our orders are to send in all men beyond us." 'Then take meat once to General Bragg's headquarters said tho Company A boy. When General Bragg learned tho true state of affairs, he at once ordered out an es cort of five hundred men to bring in our regiment. Meanwhile, we were trying to get back of our own accord. "This way, men !" said a voice in a whis per ahead. "This way, men!" said another voice in the rear. That we were wandering about vainly in the darkness, and under no certain leader ship, was evident, for I noticed in the dim light that, in our tramping about in the tangle, Ave had twice crossed the same fallen tree, and so must have been moving in a circle. And now, as the day is dawning in the east, and the enemy's pickets see us trying to steal aAvay, a large force is ordered against us, and comes SAveeping doAvn Avith yells and whistling bullets just as the escort of five hundred, Avith re-assuring cheers, comes up from the rear to our support ! Instantly Ave are in the cloud and smoke of battle. A battery of artillery, hastily dragged up into position, opens on the charg ing line of gray with grape and canister, Avhile from bush and tree pours back and forth the dreadful blaze of musketry. For half an hour, tho conflict rages fierce and high in the daAvniug light and under the dripping trees the officers shouting, and the men cheering and yelling and charging, often fighting hand to hand and with bayonets locked in deadly encounter, Avhile the air is cut by Avhistling lead, and the deep bass of the cannon wakes the echoes of the forest. But at last tho musketry -fire gradually slackens, and Ave find ourselves out of dan ger. Tho enemy's prey has escaped him, and, to the Avonderof all,Ave are brought Avithiu the lines again, begrimed Avith smoke and leav ing many of our poor felloAVS dead or wound ed on the field. Anxiously every man looked about for his chum and messmates, lost sight of during the Avhirling storm of battle in the twilight Avoods. And I, too, looked, but Avhere Avas ,' Andy ?St. Nicholas for April. EX-SOLDIERS IN CIVIL SERVICE. During a late Aisit to Springfield, 111., avo Avere desirous to know how the old soldiers Avere treated by the heads of the different departments, and on inquiry Ave learned that the Governor of the Stale had three men in his office, one of Avhich Avas a soldier. The Secretary of State has connected with his office thirty-five employees: eighteen of them are soldiers. The State Treasurer's office em ploys eight men ; three of them are soldiers. Tho Adjutant General's office employs four, all of Avhoni Avere soldiers. The Auditor's office keeps eight men employed; four of them Avere soldiers. Tho office oT Superin tendent of Public Instruction gives employ ment to three men, none of Avhom Avere in the sen-ice. The Attorney-General's office employs two men; one Avas a soldier. The appointive offices in the capitol building are fairly represented by soldiers, but not as fair as it should be. It is necessary to remind our soldier readers of the treatment accorded them ; and as Ave propose to folloAv up tho recognition of employing soldiers, Avhen all things are equal, Ave propose to bring the subject before the soldiers of Illinois in due and propcrtiine. The following Illinois State officers haA'e honorable soldier records: Lieutenaut-GoA'-ernor Hamilton, Secretary of State Dement, Treasurer of State Ruiz, AitorneyGeneral McCartney, Auditor of State Swigart, Adjutant-General Elliott. Weekly Freeman. REMINISCENCES OF SPOTTYSYLVANIA "Boys, Ave have got a hard job before us!" So spoke old "Brick-Top,"' Colonel S. S. Caroll, of the Eighth O. V. I., commanding brigade. A ravt' recruit might not have seen anything very difficult, apparently, to reach that little line of fresh earth crowning the crest of the hill about thirty rods to our front, but Ave veterans of the brigado knew, although Ave had been in, many a hard-fought battle, that it Avas the toughest job avo had ever undertaken. It Avas early in the day Avhen Ave received the order, " Be ready to charge tho enemy's' Avorks at three o'clock p. m." Our lines had been moved up as near as possible to tho rebel Avorks; our position Avas in quite a thick Avoods. We had stacked arms, and had stolen out by twos and threes to tho skirmish lino to have a look at the Avork cut out for us to do. The Johnnies Avere A'ery quiet, evidently courting attack. Their position Avas on the top of a steep hill; they had formed an almost impenetrable abatis by dragging trees and bushes up on tho hillside, Avith the limbs all pointing dowmvard and every twig aud branch thoroughly sharpened. Without axes it Avas impossible to get through it. As each group returned to the line it was plainly Avritten on each face that they considered it an almost hopeless job. Wo can never get through there Avithout axes, aud those avo haAen't got ; but thero Avas no trying to steal to the rear no volun teers to take the company's canteens and go for Avater, to be gone all day. Our brave Colonel kneAV his men would do all that men could do, and the charge must be made if every man Avent doAvn. The order avjis imperative. As the hour of three approached knapsacks Avere piled and the officers took off their coats and threAV them on the pile. The Aveakest man iu .the company Avas de tailed to stand guard over them. Guns Avere carefully inspected and loaded; comrades gave messages in low tones to comrades for the loved ones at home; no jest or gay banter iioav; every face Avears a serious but determined look; that strange hush Avhich precedes a battle Avas oA'er all. Boom boom far down the line. That's the signal. Attention! fix bayonets! Fonvard, double quick! march ! and aAvay Ave go, Avith a ring ing cheer, which is immediately answered by a tremendous volley from the rebel Avorks, and men that but a moment before Avere full of life throAV up their hands and clutch Avildly at the empty air ; then fill heavily to the earth and are numbered -vvith the killed in battle. Others go limping or craAvl ing on their hands aud knees to the rear. Tho untouched go bravely on in the face of that murderous fire until the abatis is reached; there they halt and A'ainly look for some opening to get up the hill, but none is found. I don't think any order to retreat Avas given ; but it Avas soon evident that that Avas tho best policy, and in a short time avc were formed again in line of battle in our original position. We hastily threw up temporary rifle-pits of old logs and such stuff as avc could gather, ate a cold supper, and lay down on our arms and Avere soon dreaming of home or fighting our battles over. About midnight our officers aAvoke usAvith tho whispered order to "Fall in" Avith as little noise as possible, and Ave moved off silently to the rear. Where are avc' going? Noav all agreed that the old programme of the Army of the Potomac Avas being carried out Avhipped again and Avere falling back to some safe place to re organize and recruit preparatory to trying some neAv point. "Guess Grant will find out that he is fighting different generals and troops than he did out West." Such Avere some of the remarks made that night. But Ave had not yet got acquainted Avith our com mander. We Avere on the roadto give the rebels such a twist on the folloAving morn ing as they had not receiA-ed in iwauy a day, and Ave did it. P. S. Potter, Late Sergeant Co. II, 8th O. V. I. i HELL IS BETTER THAN THIS." When the Twenty-first Army Corps, under command of Major-General Thomas L. Crit tenden, Avas marching through Ringgold on its Avay to Chickamauga battle-ground, the Aveek before the battle, a lieutenant Avas discovered by the provost-guard emerging from a house Avith a huge clasp Bible under his arm. The disease known nowadays as kleptomania bad, I am sorry tp say, attacked quite a number of our officers as well as men ; anything portable from a tin cup to a piano had irresistable attractions for them. The trembling lieutenant Avas taken to corps headquarters, Avhere the general ordered him to be placed under guard in a rail pen and kept there until he read the Bible through. The days Avere long and Avarm, and all through the sultry hours' the poor fellow sat Avorrying his Avay through the book of Genesis. His education had been neglected in his youth, and his subsequent reading had never led him into such a labyrinth of names. He had just tackled Leviticus, and the road seemed harder than ever to travel, Avhen the opening guns at Chickamauga broke upon his ear. Starting up he rushed past the sleepy sentinel Avith the cry "II 11 is better than this!" and reached his regi ment in time to take part in the fight. I am happy to be able to state thathe lived through the battle, and that his bravery upon the field excused him from further biblical studies. " A SCOUT'S CLAIM FOR PENSION. A very interesting case, Avhich has been " hanging fire " for some time in the Senate Committee on Pensions, has been reported back Avith favorable recommendatiou. It is the case of Jesse F. Fhares, a scout under Gen. MeClellan, Avhose application to be placed upon the pension-roll Avas reported adversely by the Senate Committee ou Pen sions in the preceding Congress, but the Senate took a different vieAv of the matter and passed the bill, Avhich, however, failed, for Avant of action in the House. The oppo sition to the prayer of the petitioner Avas based upon tho argument that there AAas no law for the pensioning of scouts, and that it Avould be impolitic to establish a precedent by granting a pension in a special case. " The facts in the case," the committee says iu a report by Mr. Camden, of West Virginia, " are clearly proven. At the out break of the rebellion the claimant Avas a resident of Randolph county, Va. He en tered the service of the Government about the month of June, 18Gl,'as a scout, serving under Gens. MeClellan, Milroy, Kelly and others, and by reason of his intimate knoAvledge of the country and his intelli gent, zeal and daring, rendered very val liable" services to thUhion cause. In April, lsfilV, file confederate General Imbodeu ad-A-anced upon the Union forces at Beverly, W1! Va., commanded by Col. Geo. R. Latham, commanding Fifth West VirginiaCavalry. In IheadA-auce Phares, avIio Avas then on duty outside the Union pickets, Avas surprised by a parly of coufederate troops, aud refusing to halt Avhen ordered, was shot through the body, but retained his saddle until he reach ed the Union lines." Phares is about 43 years of age, and has been for several years failing rapidly in physical strength, in consequence of the Avound above referred to. An examining surgeon from the Pension Office, Dr. J. R. Blair, of West Virginia, certifies, under dato of December 21, 1879, that he has carefully examined Phares, and finds "that his left hip Avas entered by a musket-ball, Avhich passed upward through the' region of the lOAver part of tho left lung and out near tho stomach. The effect of the wound is to Aveaken and partially paralyze the entire left side, and in my judgment produces at least a tAVO-thirds disability, Avhich will in crease." Tho bill to pension Phares, as re ported to-day, contains this qualifying clause : " But the amonnt of such pension shall not be greater than said Phares would be entitled to if ho had been a private sol dier, and shall commenco from the passage of this act." TRAVELING AS MERCHANDISE. Three Avecks ago John McAuley, an old aud well-known citizen of Chicago, Avho is of an eccentric and jocular disposition, con ceived the idea of boxing himself up and obtaining transportation to Philadelphia as merchandise. He Avas informed by the agent oi tho Adams Express Company that he could go in a box, but thathe Avould have to pay passenger fare. McAuley declared that he Avould go as merchandise and would pay no more thau 2.50 per hundred. He boxed himself up Avith a Aveek's provisions by his side, and Avas taken by an expressman to the office. The box was IS inches Avide, G feet long, hooped Avith iron bands and ornament ed Avith a padlock. Tho agent was told that it contained flowers. It was addressed to Miss Kisselmau, Philadelphia. The box aa-s forwarded to its destination, tho charges having been prepaid. Toward morning tho messenger discovered the old man, and Avhen the train stopped at Van Wert, Ohio, he turned him over to the authorities, by Avhom he Avas sent home. A MILITARY FASHION FOR LADIES. Fashion has turned her back on the naA'y and taken up Avith the army in the matter of cloth suits. Instead of the suit of navy blue Avith blouso and sailor collar, all cloth suits are now made a la mililmro. They aro made with a straight, long, tight-fitting basquo and sleeves, straight, round and rather long over skirts, and a trimmed Avalking skirt. The front of tho basquo is ornamented Avith roAVs of black soutache braid extending from shoulder to shoulder across tho top, and groAving narrower tOAvards the waist, and Avideniug out again to the bottom of tho basque. The ends of the braid are turned under in loops or are fastened down Avith tiny round buttons of passemenlerio. Tho front of the ovcrskirt, tho sleeves aud tho turned over collar are ornamented in the same Avay. A large feather-trimmed hat and long buff niosquetaire" gloves dnvwn over the sleeves complete the costume. Cadet aud army blue are tho favorite colors for these suits. Surtouta of black diagonal cloth, reaching to the knees, close-fit ting about the bust and hips, and trimmed in tho same way, aro very effective. THE SOLDIER'S YOICE. Communications from ex-soldiers are invited for this Department of Tun TninuE. Personalities must be aoided, and letters prepared as concisely as possible. Ed. Tiueune. GIA'E Tlin NATIONAL TRIBUNE "AMMUNITION." To the Editor National Tribune: I am an old soldier and a subscriber to TnE Tribune, and I Avish to say a few words to my old comrades of the war. Comrades, as avc stood by the batteries on the field to protect the rights of CA-ery American, so let us stand by the new press of The National Tribune, to protect our own rights, for sho is a mighty gattling gun, Avho is throwing thousands of hot shot every Aveek in our defence, aud all we have to do is to ram down one cartridge in the shape of a subscription to keep tho old gun in ammuni tion for a whole year. There is a good gunner at the breech, and ho makes no poor shots. Give him plenty of ammunition, and he -will soon batter down tho old fort of prejudico and tardiness that now stands in the front of CA'ery old soldier. Frank Hirst, Scrg't 27th Mass. Infantry. Pittsfield, Mass. ARE THE CLAIMS TO BE CANCELLED BY DEATH. To the Editor National Tribune: I have perused one or two copies of your in teresting paper, and I can truthfully say I think it is the most A'aluablo paper for informa tion for the soldier that is printed. It speaks boldly in defence of our bravo soldiers, who endured the hardships and the many trials to save our Government. I think every soldier ought to tako your paper, and help to aid you in tho good Avork that you haAc so nobly begun. Congress ought to do something soon for us pension claimants, unless they wish to let death cancel the claims. Respectfully, J. A. Emison, Late PriA'atc Co. D, oth Ind. Cav. Bluffton, Allen Co., Omo, March 27. an ex-soldier states the case plainly. To the Editor National Tribune: I have been a subscriber to your valuable paper for OA'er one year. It grows better all the time. I like it so avcII I hardly know how I can bestow enough praise on your untiring efforts in behalf of us poor old soldiers. If every one that sit in high places were as will ing as you aro to sec right and justice mectcd out Avhere justice is due, there would be no de lays thought of. Could tho men in power at Washington realize, or even have to endure for one month, Avhat we endured for three years, they Avould not be so slow to appropriate the much-needed help and money to Commissioner Dudley, who toils early and late Avith his short allowance of clerks to do all he can for the sol dier. He A'ainly asks for men and means to help him through, so those having claims pend ing, and are so needy, may receive their reward for long past services to their country; that mado it inhabitable and secure to them and future generations. The prosperous bondholder is paid all dues, and no questions asked, no de lays thought of. Others who already possess hundreds and thousands of dollars, and Avcro not objects of charity in any respect, aro pen sioned, amounting to thousands of dollars each year. Plenty of money for everything and CA'crybody else ; but aa-Iio cares for a poor old scarred, crippled, and worn-out soldier, minus a leg or arm, or perhaps both, Avho has suffered, bled, and worso than died for his country and his country's good, lie can strngglo oil, enduro every priA'ation, and CA'ery needed comfort that to him, above all others, should be granted. It is truly written, that "To him that hath shall bo given, and to him that hath not shall be taken away even that Avfiich ho hath." The soldier lost his time, Avhich Avas money to him and his family. He also lost his health, and wo begin to think he has lost all claim on this GoA-ernment for money to keep soul and body together. I think tho Government delays tho necessary appropriations in order that the sol diers and all their families and relatives will die, moulder, and decay. Then tho claim will be cancelled, tho claimant and all his progeny Avill bo wearing their Avooden overcoats, Gabriel Avill blow his horn, wo will all coon tho pole across tho riA'cr into tho Great Beyond, and be forcA'cr freed from tho trials, cares, and disap pointments of getting a claim allowed, or the beautiful titlo of "Government pauper." I want to see all provided for, not forgetting that life, and an occasional hone to gnaw at, is as SAveet to the little, insignificant cur as to the sleek, well-fed coach dog. Douglass, Kansas, March 22. L. JUST AVHAT IS WANTED. To th$ Editor National Tribune: Please send Tiie National Tribune to my address, Yonkers, Westchester county, N. Y. Tho Soldiers of the rebellion have long needed an able and powerful adA'ocate to fight for their rights. This nation has nover appreciated tlie ATork accomplished by its soldiere. Our revolutionary soliiera vrer never paid; and Avhen their services were no longer required, and age and infirmities made it impossiblo for them to labor, they Avere given homes Avithin the hospitable walls of" poorhouses " and monu ments in " potter's fields." In a newspaper published in Lansingburgh, N. Y., soon after tho Revolutionary War, ap peared tho following bitter verso: " Our God and soldiers avc alike adore, IS'cn at the brink of danger, not before; The danger pa.t, both alike requited, OurGod'sforottenandoursoldiersslighted." Respectfully yours, Cuas. G. Oris. New York, March 60. A REMINDER TO CONGRESSMEN. To tho Editor National Tribune: Will you pleaso allow mo a short "space in your valuable paper to say, that I Avould like to know how it is that Congress can so soon pass a bill for tho relief of the Mississippi suf ferers, hut tho men who lm'o suffered for the past eighteen years from tho effects of Avounds Avhich thoy received in lino of battle, and their health broken down by tho cxposuro of army lifo, and yet to this day there aro hundreds of thousands of them that Iktvo not received Avhat is due to them from tho GoA'emment of the United States. Tho soldiers Avho went to tho Avar Avhen this country was in great peril aro tho sufferers who need a speedy relief. A Pensioner. New York, March 25. A LOVER OF SOLDIERS' RICHTS. To tho Editor National Tribune: Being a rcador of your A'aluablo paper, I can speak for a largo number of soldiers iu'grcac need of what tho Government justly owes them, being poverty stricken from the effects of poor health and failuro of crops. If our Senators and RepresentatiA'es knew exactly our necessary Avants and sufferings they Avould not hesitate nor delay one day's time in passing the equali zation bounty bill, Avhich would relicA'o tho great snfforing of many ex-soldiers. I wish avo had a few friends in Congress that would urge the equalization bill to become a law. I send my subscription for The National Tribune, and add ono moro to tho list of subscribers. I remain a lover of soldiers' rights, William M. Macicey, Sergeant Co. C, 11th Eeg't Inf. Vols., Who lost his right arm at Vicksburg. Hutsonville, Cbaavfobd Co., III., March 27. let it be done. To the Editor National Tribune: It was a righteous act on the part of Congress to grant the benefits of the arrearage act to tho Avidow of General Alexander Hays. While no money can compensate her for his loss, yet it shows thero is a disposition to do justice, in part at least. Instead of special legislation on a few cases, Congress ought to pass a bill ex tending tho timo granting arrears, and give all soldiers their equal and just dues. Since July, 1SSO, thousands of meritorious claims haA'e no doubt been filed, and it is neither right nor just that claimants, if honest, should be debarred from the same benefits to which their more for tunate comrades aro entitled. Let every liKncst claimant be placed on tho same level in tho treatment he is to receiA'o from tho GoA'crn ment. None will question the justness of such a rule, and it ought to be done now, aud not Avait until the soldier becomes gray and feeble. The honorable course of our Northern members in the matter of pensions needs no mention here, but to those Avho bravely fought us for more than four long years a Avord may be added. Senator Call said: "If the friends of the soldier supported him from the period of his dis-diargo to the timo when his pension was granted, then they only did Avhat the GoA'ernmcnt aa-us bound to do, and did it because of the Government's default in performing its obligation." Every AA'ord true. Senator Garland said : " I knoAV of none more deserving aud more meritorious than the soldiers Avho fought the battles of this country, and there is not a soldier of the con federacy that I knoAV of but Avhat isAvilling to see these men paid, and see them paid nob giudgingly, but freely aud cheerfully." Bravo AA-ords from a braA'e man! Senator Vest said : "If the tide of battle had gone in the other di rection, if our flag had floated fonvard instead of backward, wc Avould luwc -oted anything to these soldiers Avho won the fight." Tho Sena tor speaks the honest sentiments of every sol dier Avho Avoro the gray, and there is not a Union soldier from Maine to California but what will say they AA'ould haA'e deserved it. A confederate officer, not long since, told tho Avritcr that if they had been successful thero would haA'e been no limitations in their pen sion laAvs, and do quibbling over legislation on the subject. EA'cry soldier Avould have been treated alike, and paid from the day he left tho serA'ice. How much more honorablo is tho course of these men toAvard thoso who woro the blue than the conduct of him, who shall bo nameless, Avho has described the bill granting arrearages to our soldiers as " a fraud upon tho American people, and a stauding monument to the ignorance, selfishness, and coAA'ardice of the American Congress." Such an insult Avould have been tolerated from the New York Herald, Tribune, or Evening Post, but Avhen made in tho Senate of the United States by oneAvho did not haA'e the moral courage to A'ote against Avhatho has termed "a fraud," it becomes all the moro degrading. Petersburg. willing to pay DOUBLE TIIE PRICE. SUBSCRIPT02 To tho Editor National Tribune: I desiro to say in behalf of those who take your val liable paper at this place, that we greatly admiro its ucw style. I heard an ex-soldier say recently that he would tako The National Tribune if it cost 2.00 per year, and many wonder AA'hy so grand a paper can bo furnished for so small a sum. EllsAvorth Post, No. 20, of this place, is in flourishing condition, and num bers forty-one members, and gaining rapidly. We fully appreciate tho interest The Tribune tAkcs in tho welfare of the ex-soldier, and will do all wo can to savcII tho list of subscribers. May success crown your efforts. Yours, &c, W. H. Hartford, Van Buren Co., Mien., March 2 " ONE GOOD TURN DESERA'ES ANOTHER." To the Editor National Tribune : Find enclosed one dollar ($1) for The Tri bune. I glory in your noble cause. But for tho soldiers and sailors, and their noble com manders, offering up their lives a sacrifice for tho Constitution and Union, wo AA'euld not . brcatho the air of a freo government. Ono good turn deserves another. Now let Congress, giving to railroad corporations and other un necessaries, givo to them who preserved them a nation. George Anderson. Hibernia, Morris Co., N. J., March 20. long-standing claims. To tho Editor National Tribune? I am a disabled soldier, and desiro tho pen sion law extended, so that many poor soldiers, like myself, may rcceivo that help from the Government which they so badly need. 1 have a claim pending since March, 1SS0, and have not yet received my papers, although I havo given all the evidence required. I should havo put in my claim years ago, but refrained from doing so as long as I possibly could liA'e without it. There are thousands in the same condition. Why is it that avc aro so neglected? C. F. Weiseb. Martinsburg, Adrian Co., Mo., March 26. GLAD TO SEE THE SOLDIERS' INTERESTS PRO TECTED. m To tho Editor National Tribune: I havo been reading The National Tribune for a long time, aud am glad to seo that wo haA'e one man boll enough to stand and pro tect tho interest of tho poor soldier. The prayers of tho Avidow and the good wishes of the orphan is in your faA'or, and I hopo that you will re ceivo tho blessing of Almighty God for your honest eilbrts in behalf oi the invalid soldier. Daaid I. Jaines. Ebensburgh, Pa., March 23. SEND THEM ALONG. To the Editor National Tribune: I havo taken The Tribune now perhaps three months, and it has becomo very dear to me, not only for its fearless championship of all soldiers, but for tho many A'ery interesting reminiscences of tho Avar. I don't think any thing is so dear to the old soldier as to fight his battles OA'er again, either Avith a comrado or to hear them related by tho press. Almost every soldier that Avent through tho Avar could relate some stirring battle scenes or adventuro if they only had a chance, aud I think ono of the ob jects of your paper is to give them a chance if they Avish. When old soldiers get to talking, if ono relates an incident it brings to mind to tho others something similar. Yours truly, T. S. Potter. Dixon, 111., March 25. LONG MAY IT AVAA'E. To the Editor National Tribune: You -will find tAo dollars enclosed for two new subscriptions for your A'aluablo paper. I wish I could send you a hundred. I think it is the best soldiers' paper published. I admire your honorable, straight-forward and high minded course, and Avish that CA'ery soldier in tho land could tako the paper. I am sure that it Avould do a great deal of good. GiA'o it to the money-sharks right and left. Long Avavo TnE Tribune. J. H. Alabacu. Eooicbridge, Wis., March 29. a tost commander's subscription. To the Editor National Tribune: Pleaso forward The Tribune for ono year, for Avhich find check enclosed. Carl N. Bancroft, Post Commander, Columbus, Ohio. March 25. , i