Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-08-17
Important to Soldiers,

taken in order, are these:
l. A large fund was found to have ac-
cumulated from Communication money
paid by Guakers and others who had con-
scientions scruples against fighting, aud
from the forfeitures and fines arising from
desertions. The sum total was nearly
two millions of dollars. This was trans
ferred to the support of the national asy
lums for disabled volunteer soldiers. By
this and similar previous legislation the
various institutions of this character have
been made so efficient that it is no longer
necessary for any disabled soldier to suf-
fer from lack of home or a support
q 1t was found that large body Of
officers and those promoted to be officers,
particularly those in rebel prisons when
promotions in their regiments were made,
had been deprived of their just pay and
allowances, some Of them for many
months. A law was pissed correcting
the wrong in all these cases.
g. The Government has taken upon
itself to provide artificial limbs regularly
during life for all who lost them in its
service. Congress at the last session en-
acted that every soldier disabled during
the rebellion, and furnished by Govern
ment with limb, shall receive another
at once, and new one every five years
hereafter. If, however, those entitled
prefer, they are to receive the money val.
ue of the artificial limb instead, once in
five years. This money is to be paid by
the Commissioner of Pensions upon the
certificate of the Surgeon General
Transportation is also to be furnished
from the home of the soldier 10 the place
where the limbs are manufactured or fit
ted. Those who are SO injured as not to
be able 10 wear artificial limbs are EMIT.
led to the money compensation provided
by the act.
After the passage of this law it was
found that it had been accidentally limi
ted to soldiers above. A supplementary
bill was Immediately passed extending its
provisions to sailors and mariners.
a.. All volunteer officers know how diff
fcu! it has been TO settle their accounts
Under the red tape of the departments it
has been an impossibiity even for some
of the most faithful and careful officers 10
the field. Congress has cut through all
this tape, BY directing that where no
frauds appear on the face of the papers,
such credits as seem just shall be allowed,
and the officers accounts settled. This
applies to the army and navy alike.
5. The Marine Hospital service was
thoroughly reurganized and placed upon
an efficient footing. Hereafter sick and
disabled seamen will be comfortably car
ed for in hospitals at the principal forts
This act largely benefits the volunteer
seameu who served in the navy during
The war, and have sincs entered the mer
chant marine.
6 The pensioners, including the large
company Of widows and orphans, have
bad their claims and interests carefully
attended TO. Hereafter payments are to
be made every quarter, and the loss of
time aud The expense incurred 10 visiting
the agent at the time Of payment have
been rendered unnecessary. The proper
vouchers are to be made out by the agent
and sent by mail to the pensioner, and
upon their return in proper form,
check for the amount due is to lie sent
by mail TO the pensioner. payable to his
or her order. Congress has directed the
petty sums heretofore deducted from the
pension for the preparation of the vouch-
ers TO be paid by the Government.
Z. When the general bount, act Of
1866 was passed, the time for filing
claims under it was limited, and this time
expired during the present summer. 1t
was found, however. that large number
of faithful soldiers, either through iguor-
ance Of The steps to be taken, or of the
fact that limit for filing the claims had
been fixed, would lose their bounties.-
Upon this representation Of fact, Con
sress extended the limit until the first of
next December.
II was also found that the construction
of certain laws. passed subsequent to fix
ing the rate of pensions in large class
of cases, would decrease the former rate
OF pay. An act was passed at once,
providing that no pension which bad
been definitely fixed should be diminish
ed by any of these general acts.
s. Heretofore it has been customary to
retain the evidence Of honorable discharge
filed by officers or soldiers in the settle
! ment of their accounts. Congress, how
ever, knowing the value of such papers
70 those who served in the field, and the
universal desire to retain them as honor
able mementoes of the part taken by
each in the contest directed that they
should in all cases be carefully returned .
Scores of private acts for the relief of
soldiers have been passed. and hundreds
of deserving ores have been added to the
pension rolls.
Q. ANY officer. soldier or marine can
now obtain homestead of l6O acres.-
And this tract for every such person will
be double the value of other selections
made under the Homestead law. By an
amendment to the Army bill it is provid
ed that any person who served honorably
for ninety days in either the military or
naval service of the United States during
the rebellion, and has since remained
loyal, may enter a quarter section OF land
along any of the lines of railway to which
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