The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-14
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
Washington CITY, Sept. IL, 1918

1
| To the Editor Of the Un,onf
have received within few days past several commu
ncaons the subject of what is termed the u,,accoun
able delay IN issuing and transmitting the bonty land
rarran due TO the regulars and volunteers of the Mex
lean war, from this and the Pension Offices The Wa
Department and the Pension Oce especially are charged
with gross neglect and injustice towards these gallant
and many instances represented to have occurred
in which the unfortunate soldier, pressed by his immed
ate necessities has been forced by this delay into the
clutches OF shapers, under the name oil " land agents.
and feeced without mercy
AS consider explanation due TO so menorious a
class of citizens, have made an examination to-day
and the following statement will show, as far as have
been able ascertain from official sources, what number
of soldiers were entitled TO sc bounty-land warrants"
what number have been issued, and what time will prob
ably be required TO complete the issue OF the residue
II will be by the statement of the Adutant Cen
era dated April 5h, 1913, which communicated IN
report made 10 the Senate of the United States by the Sec
rotary of War the Sth OF the same month"; that the
strength OF the regular army at the OF hos
ities with Mexico in April, 1916, Pa men that
since the 9Th May 1916, $4,000 men have been recruited
of which 1856 sent to Mexico, making the old
army and recruits together amount to 1924, besides
battalion OF Marines composed OF $50 men, There were
other recruits after that tme not mentioned in this state
ment, which Gen Jones (the Adutan Genera estimates
at about 5000 6O0Omaking altogether OF the regular
army, nearly can be ascertained, 10000 men. Oh
this number $4,000 were probably entitled to land war
rants"
According to the same statement the volunteer force
enrolled under the act of May 10, 1916, and the 5h
ton of the act of March g. S47 amounted to Sc 926 Off
and Gen Jones thinks that sufficient NUMBER
of recruits may be added which became necessary from
time time, keep up the whole number authorized by
the act OF Congress- TO $4,000 to make the entire
number of volunteers equal to about &C, 900 men.
OF this number 5000 probably entitled to land
Misunderstanding the whole number of regulars and
volunteers entitled to bounty lands, about 10000 men.
These Gland warrants issued by l.. Edwards,
esq., Commissioner OF Pensions, TO whom applications
should be mad the first instance and they are then
sent to Tie Gcsca Land Office 10 be registered, and from
thence are transmitted by The Commissioner to the claim
their agents, as may be directed The only pa
pers necessary DE flied in the Pens on Office the
'sOidiers discharge" and oath or proof OF 'rientaY
that is that he the Identical person mentioned the
discharge The Commissioner of Pensions has pre-
scroed The form of this oah which should be pursued by
the claimant
at the Pension Office under the act of Congress Of the
lth OF February S47 the OH day of March, lS47
Since them the number OF warrants sent to, and regis
tered in this office, UP to this date (Sep III, lS4S)
amounts TO 26,367 Now, if my estimate be correct that
10000 originally entitled to bounty lands SO $50
warrants still remain to be issued But the clerical force
of the Pension Office has been greatly augmented since
tue first warrant issued and much less time in pro-
portion will be required for the residue Mr. Edwards
informed to-day, that he Issuing an average
of 200 warrants per day; this rate it will take about
ais working days to complete the number still to be is
sued, if all who entitled should apply, "a suppose
ton by probabe,) which would make the whole
time still required for this little than year
respect the slate Darrants, that from 10000 to
$4,000 least embracing the interest OF heirs for the
most part and those ignorant of their rghts) will be
applied for within the current year; and very many.
doubtless, will never be called for at all.
desire only to add in conclusion, that delay ever
takes place at the General Land Office, the warrants
are all regularly registered and transmitted either the
day the day after they received from the
Pension Office.
RICHARD M YOUNG,
Commissioner.