Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-05
aaPTHE QUESTION OF BoUHrY TO 81


vt WEST Va. ART1LLERY.-As it is u mat.
ter of great Importance both to the tax
payers of this county and the soldiers who
have enlisted to our credit under the va
rious calls of the President, we propose to
relate, as near as may be, the way the
matter stands between the Board of So
peryisors of Ohio county and the soldiers.
On the lst of February, 1864, the PRESS
dent of the United States issued call for
10000 men. Our quota under that call,
including previous credits, was 200 men.
The Board of Supervisors made an order
agreeing to pay bounty Of 5000 to every
soldier enlisted and mustered to the cred
it of Ohio county, providing the number
did not exceed 200. Instead of 200, there
were some 424 men enlisted to the credit
- the county, many OF them in out
d she way places where they had no
means of ascertaiaiug that our quota was
filled. On the 18th of July, 1864, another
call for 100000 volunteers was made
The quota of Ohio county under that call
was about 600 men, but it was reduced by
W excess on the February call, above
mentioned, to about $50. Up to this Pc
Rod no provision had been made for the
payment of bounties to more than 200 of
those enlieting under the February CALL
A great many complaints were made and
we think justly, Of apparent bad faith on
the part of the Board in falling to liquidate
what was conceived to be a moral, if not
legal obligation resting upon the Supervi-
sors. So on the Goth of December last the
Board of Supervisors net and agreed to
pay bouRty of SSOotto all soldiers who
were crenited to this county between the
9Th and goth of February, 1864, including
both days. This was supposed to include
all who had any claim upon the Board of
Supervisors, and possibly some few who had
none, inasmuch as they were supposed to
haveienlisted without the expectation of
II local bounty.
new matter is nov brought up for the
consideration of the Board. Some time
ago the following petition was forwarded
by Lieut.. Field toIProrost Marshal General
Fry, Washington, AMI by that official to
!, Capt. Hudson, ProvOs; Marshal of this dis
trict. Capt. Hudson sent the petition to
the Board of Supervisors who now have it
in their possession:
HEAD QR's BAT. G. lst VIVA. LIT. AIRY, !
FORT CRAIG, Va, Dec 81, 1864.
Brig. Gen'GJ. B. Fry, Provo. Mar. Gent:
S1R-A majority of the members of this
Battery were recruited aud commenced
performing duty on September LIST, 1861.
Owing to some misunderstanding the COM
mand was not mustsred into service until
March 3Oth, 1892, seven month after enlist
ment.
When the order for victorian enlistments
was first promulgated, about year since, J
these men desired to re. enlist but were
informed that their necessary two years
had not expired by reason of failure to
muster. They then forwarded commu-
nication in which they offered to "forego all
Government bounty if permitted to re-en-
list" This request was also denied them
aud they were thrown beyond the pale OF
enlistment until the time was extended to
April LIST, which just brought them within
the limits. Notwithstanding all their re-
pulses and misfortunes eighty four TALL we
had who came within the provisions of the
order,) re enlisted and accredited them
selves to Wheeling, W. Va, Upon arriving
IN that city about the middle of April they
were informed that its 1.-THE city'sl Quota
was filed and they were not needed. Still
not murmur was heard. When the draft
was ordered in July last, Wheeling count.
ed these men on her quota but has persist
emily refused to pay them any bounty. In
view OF all these facts, ask that they be
stricken from the quota of Wheeling and
permitted to Rccredit themselves to some
other city and state
Surely no charge of being mercenary
can be brought against them when all the
facts are considered.
Trusting that this will meet with your
earliest attention as we'll as appreciation
l have the honor to remain General,
Most respectfully, your ob't serv't,
lSigned T. G. P1ELD.
Lieut.. Is: Viva. Lit Artillery,
In charge Battery Vet. Vol. Rect'g S
As stated by 5heut. Field, the men O
Battery C.were mt: Asard of here until tn,
middle of April, ant of course they wer,
paid no bounty for he reasons mentioned
in the petition. : $ also asserted, Will
what truth we al otprepared to say, tina
the officers of til, ,ttery knew that Obi
county was payiDs no bounty when tn
men were music into the service. W
understand that Board of Supervisor
in view of the he, debt already iupose
upon the tax pc, of the county, wi
take no action ic spard to the petitio,
until the sentimea IF the people upon til
subject can be ,ertained. The Boar
meets one week n to-day.