Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-10
THE DUNCAN PENSION CASE.

Mr.. Morrison is severely criticised for his re-
marks in Fridays discussion on the bill granting
a pension to William II. Duncan. Duncan is an
East Tennessean, and at the outbreak of the war
lived with his father and two brothers near pass
in the Cumberland Mountains through which many
Union refugees escaped into the federal lines in
Kentucky. The Duncans, being strong Unionis;s,
were active in guiding these fugitives over the
mountains, and for this the boys arrested by
Confederate troops. On their way TO prison at
Knoxville two Of them escaped, but the other, who
was a cripple, incarcerated at Knoxville.
William, however, soon returned voluntarily
TO Knoxville, and. upon condition that his
crippled brother should be released, enlisted
in the company for the Confederate service,
composed of Union prisoners from the Knoxville
lis. According to his intention he deserted at
first opportunity, which occurred ten DAYS after
his enlistment, returned to his home, collected
twenty-five men, and with them joined the third
Tennessee federal regiment, in which he served
for three years. Immediately ON his discharge
he was pensioned for disability, occasioned by
disease, but was dropped from the roll in 1873
upon his own admission of service in the Conied-
crate army. In ordering Duncans name to be
dropped the commissioner of pensions wrote to
him 'You are informed that section % of the
act Of March 3, 1873, provides that no person
shall be entitled to the benefits OF pension who
in any manner engaged in the rebellion; and you
are further Informed That inasmuch as II appears
from your admission that your enlistment was
your own voluntary act, though prompted by the
generous motive of obtaining the release from
prison of . cripple brother, aud with the intention
on your part to desert from that service at your
earliest opportunity, this ofiice cannot, in the ad
ministrstion of the law, do Otherwise than drop
your name from the pension list, in accordance
with the provisions Of the act herein referred TO.
The office, however, in consideration of your sub
seauent long service in the Union army and also
the faithfulness and devotion of your family as
we'll as yourself to the cause of the government
takes the liberty of suggesting that relief in the
matter of q pension might be had by application
by special legislation Of Congress-" knowing the
motive Of Duncan's enlistment in the Confederate
servics-to release a crippled brother from cruel
lmprisonme inland knowing the motive OF bis de-
se,tion-to serve the government in arms against
the rebelion-Mr. Morrison stgmatized him as
scoundrel Mr.. Cabe of Virginia also made
some pretty severe remarks about this part Of
Duncan's record, but then Colonel Cabell is gen
leman whose record OF service in the Confederate
army occupies quite much space in the con-
gressional directory as Colonel Morrison saved by
emitting all mention Of his connection with the
onion army. Well might Mr.. Townsend express
the hope that the joke about going so far into
amnesty that bill would have to be introduced
the disabilities of men who served 10
the Union army may not become a reality
WasAington CorresPondence Of Boston 4Ad,ersiser.