Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1880-07-17

Why John NICK lnstry OF lAtf0ry H., First D
Minnesota Artillsry, was Aonorably Dis
charged.
(a.s From the Herald and Presbyter.
In the winter Of 1864-5, after the battle
q, Nashville, the First Minnesota heavy
artillery was left in. charge of the forti-
hoations about Chattan0og and Lookout
mountain. One day while in camp lust
outside the redoubts of Cameron Hill.
famous in the battles of that locality. an
orderly from Gen. Steadman's headguar-
tors rode up with q large official envelope
sticking under his belt,' and promptly
inquired tor the commanding officer Of
Battery B., First Minnesota heavy artil-
lefy." Capt. L. J. Alfred at once made
disappearance and received the envelope,
which was direct from the SECRETARY Of
war at Washington, and contained the
following letter, written With ink made
MONEY CREEK P. o, Mimi Jan.l6, B5
Dear Friend, Mr.. Lincoln, president:
Irite to ask if you won't please send my
husband home to me and the children,
the snow is very deep and It is so cold,
and have to Gerry the wud and every
mite the pore little things cry furtheir,pa
g they 60 to bed in the cold, and don't
see how can Gerry the wud all winter to
keep them from freezin. my husbands
name is john McKinstry and he is in
battery b. first min artilary sand they
now mis- Lincoln won't YOU ak your @ hns.
band to let my husband cum,home TO me
and the children, please do for if john
was president and your husband was In
the war and you had to Gerry the wud I
wud ask him to send mr.. Lincoln home.
0. I do hope yu vii, he has been gone SO
long.
"P. s. if he sends home john vii YOU
please rite and let me no whether he will
get of the bote at Lacros or Winony,
JANE McK1NsTRY.
The letter from Jane MOI Kinstry to the
president" was accompanied by a note
from Secretary Stanton, stating that Mr..
Lincoln had directed the letter to be for
warded to the battery for reference. Be-
ing one of the ieutenants of the battery,
l was called up to hear the letter read,
and q right hearty laugh we had over it.
McKinstry was at that time detailed as
battery cook, and we could not we'll get
along without him. But the next day,
before the captain had time to report ad-
versely in the matter, the same orderly
came galloping up with another large en-
velope under his belt from the war de-
partment, which, upon being opened. was
found to, contain the following:
Department., of war, Washington, D.
G., Jan. "a, 1866 Special order No. g.
O1O. To commanding officer battery B,
first Minnesota heavy artillery: You are
hereby ordered to honorably discharge
from the service of the United States
John McKinstry of your cammand.
EDWIN M. STANTON.
Secretary of war.
By special direction of A. Lincoln,
president. s>i
Of course we were surprised, for Just
then it was difficult thing to get fur
Tough, for no one knew just where Hood
might turn up in his retreat from
Nashville. But ,McKnstry was call
ed up and the, papers shown him
which was evidently a great surprise.
The artillerymen gathered around, heard
the news, and gave three cheers for John
Mckinstry, and three rousing cheers for
Abe Lincoln. And the next day found
McKinstry with discharge in his pock-.
ct on the way home; s3or the liberator of
1000, ,OO0. of weak and helpless human
beings, the great statesman; and peer of
Washington, could not resist the appeals
of humble, honest hearted mother in
behalf Of her children.