davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

Sheibner, custom house, Chicago, late Capt in q.
s. A., and First sergt OF battery Il, lst U. 5. Art
Inclosed please find So to renew two suhserip-
tons to THE TRIBUNE. THE TRiausz has become
without It, nor do intend to-. l.. Mathews,
Newton, Iowa.
Please find Post-office order for So fnclosed for
eight new subscribers to THE TRIBUNE, this being
the second lot from Buell. Post club. and hope 10
be able to send another list within week.-C. i.
Alcock, Marietta, o.
Enclosed please find 81 for a new subscriber to
THE TRIBUNE. / drew q bead on him the other
day and he surrendered. and is now on the skir-
mish line.-EH G.. Edwards, company II 67th Ind.
vol. inf, Louisville, Ill.
am a little girl ten years of age. and inclose
youS for your valuable paper for my father. He
prisons and is broken down in health.-Emnla
Jane Hull, Providence, Il. l.
Enclosed please find S. one to pay for the sub
seription of Samuel Harshman and the other OF
David MeIsan to THE tribune. The latter was
the bearer of Old Abe, the famous eagle
Frank Pease, AIenominee, Wis.
Since my card has been published In your paper
of December fst have had several letters from the
boys of my old company 1t conyinee5 me fully
that THE TRIBUNE is good advertising medium
Joseph Madison, Fonda, Iowa
Enclosed please find $40 for ten new subscribers
to THE TRIBUNE. / look for THE TRIBUNE on
Thursday as much as do for my brown bread and
beans on SHnday.-Eslwin C. Gould, Q. M. of |. 3.
Grant Post. No. 4, Meirose, Mass.
Enclosed please find s., for one renewal and two
new subscriptions TO THE TRIBUNE. Your paper
is the best medium for fraternizing and bringing
together the survivors OF the war of the rebellion
that know of-Wm. Denny, Glencoe slinn.
Enclosed please find 81 for one new subscription
to THE TRIBUNE. We think THE TRIBUNE the beet
paper in the United States, and look for it as we
did ration day during the late unpieasantness.-E
III. Mark, company +, sth Iowa inf, kenna, Neb
Inelosed please find 81 to renew my subscription
TO The TRIBUNE. This dollar is to strengthen the
arm of the editor while ne draws the bow. and
may the Great Commander direct the arrow in the
way that the most good may be accomplished
William Lee Russell, Kan.
| am little boy eleven years old and the son o.
veteran, and have succeeded. as you see. IN get
ting for your valuable paper thirteen new subser5
ers, and would like you to send watch and
chain. Hope to do more for you in The FUTURE
| Charles S. Somers, KitteTy Depot Me.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

TO the EDITOR NATION 4 TRIBUNE:
Who car give as the reasons that caused the
binn4ar which defeated the army when We
Mar trying .C penetrate the rebel lines n front
III EaleEsgErg Va ON that eTentinl morning Of
july 51 l-5A MI thont l0a8t, there is q tact.
which many OF Tie old members Of the 9th
CORPS iHlrnsilc's1 may yet remember On
whom Lie blame rested 7 do not know, but the
iact has never appeared ia history. There was
an under feeling among the troops. who were
aware oil tile facts, and some OF tine higher OFF,
CATS III command used every effort 10 hush the
matter un Afterwards.
After tAe tunnel WAS completed by the 45th
Pennsylvania iHfmtrF, the powder magazine
placed under the rebel Fort and the arrange
nlents made ID fire the fuse at $3.50 a. nl with
the entire army under orders standing IN line
awaiting rBa EgHal. when the fort blew up, 20
alalze q cOEIbiHed movement upon the enemy,
through some Enischznce the fuse in the tunnel
DrcaaIe di connected. When the allotted time
Dad arrived % explode tie a8azagiRe our army
awaited iH brtataleEs silence and anxiety the
signal to advance. This snsp ense continued for
TWO hours. eau ed by the fuse going out, but
after II Rz again ignited al J:5U g. Il. the fort
did 90 up.
Ly previous arrangement the 18th division Of
the .ila E0rss icgiored. was to opaa the attack.
These e0iDFed troops were EHassed ia rear Of the
zlth Pennsylvania and 9Th Michigan regi-
melts. RiflEA composed the first line, and with
the c0.0Faa troops were To march over this front
line 20 make the attack upon the front.
Nov right here j. the question: DID not the
line officers uf the tsglorcd regiments order
every lnasket in their line 70 be mcagPed for
fear they would open fire on the fort while the
other regiments were III 'front.' Of them Being
5n thai con litiDn during the intense excitement
OI thH explosion they charged into the breech
without cap On gun, and when they re-
ceired the first v0l.eg from the enemy they
were i'll such aemoralized condition that il
WIS utterly Impossible for them to cap gun
aRu fire a EnusEet, aud they commenced 10 re-
treat Hhiie the sth Michigan volunteers had ID
g. 5aFonets 10 keep them ia the gap. where
they Were slaughtered like cattle. Some 500
boaies fell Oh q space Of half an acre. Had the
guns been capped aud well directed Folley
delivered Nv tie coipred troops st the right
time, have 10 coalt this terrible affair would
have ended quite differently.
J. h WOLFE,
WELLIEGToE. EAE. sth Michigan Vols.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

ITO the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
i Notice IN your issue Of October p an &C
COUNT az the engagement at Decatur, Ala, 0c-
l0bpr ~ tD 29, 1864, but Won make no mention
cl aae 75a regiment Indiana volunteers, which
Il aIE confident WAS there and took an active
part. was member OF company X, and we
were stationed at Athens, fourteen miles north
cast 0t Decatur. WleD. on the evening CT the
10Th, gust at dark, we started to the relief OF
our forces At Decatur, arriving at 2 O'Clock a.
m- OF the 2Blh We had just laid down when
the rebels made p eisa4ge directly in front OF
our regiment. We rDl cut 10 the bTeastw0Fks
a. npuble-aHick aRd fired few rounds, when
the rebs retired We remained On the byeast-
WORKS tiii daylight, when The enemy sslaaa au-
other ciiSfge, but was repulsed again. Our
regiment Immediately mace connter-charae
on the enemy. capturing I5J'r nen AZ o q. M.
Ee were detailed on picket, before we had time
20 aef any breakfast and had 30 remain there
Ill dark OF the 9Th without anything TO cat
tut W. put In the time plugging away at the
JcAnnses. Ia the afternoon Of the 9th the
H. = c0i0rod troops made very gallant charge
on the enemy, capturing battery OF SIX gnns
On the riFer bluff. nearly ia Elgut Of u.s. Tie
I'd supported them while making the charge
never SAW q mere splendid charge than the
cOiOred troops made. The 18th e. s. co3ored
troops also made q charge IN another direction
ROgut the same time. but were not as SUCCESS
ful IA tine l4th. Nevertheless we held the fort
On toe morning of the 23tli, Hood gave M x3st
siege and started for Nashville via Pulaski
and Franklin, and We returned 10 Athens. ex.
pcctlng another call there, hut we were not
called or again. The last of November we went
~ Nashville. s. ii. REYNOLDS.
&c. * 73d Reg't Indiana Vols.
ALLERTDN, Iowa.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

eligible to membership in the G. A. r. o. General
Steedfnan's widow cannot be placed upon the PEN
ahiIi.v esnfraefs IN he serries ana line 81 duty. y
For any information relating TO the re-intermens
of deceased soldiers and heafstcuea tor their graves.
write 10 the Quartermaster- General, U. ). A., this
city.
r. M Mex, Gruhanston, Pa-your comments
upon the practice of the Pension Office in rejecting
claims for diseases where there is record and
medical testimony showing treatment In the aerv
ice. at discharge. timely but avail Moth
ing at present.
W. ". Chester. Asss.-you are not entitled 20 an
increase, IS the pension of s. per month that you
are receiving not given you for any disability,
but for your sfrrlcs Ia the old war. and s. IL uJ
that you can receive under any and all eircurn-
stances, unless you prove the origin and con-
tinuance of your disability
e. w., Cedar Vate Kansas--No Senator or other
person who was not true blue during the rebel-
lion can take the iron-ciad OATH for 10 provides
that he any manner aided or the late
rebellion. The ex-Confederate Senators have TO
takesthe modified OATH It's proud privilege TO
be able to stand up and take the ixon-elad oath
1t Is toast of loyalty to the Union Some others
have 10 take great deal OF water ia theirs-InaLSs
grog OF It, so to speak.
Vetsrar sth y. III Vots Concord. " i've have
taken the trouble To thoroughly investigate your
claim for bounty. and find that you have shadow
OF q case. When you discharged you were
given the choice OF being discharged AZ a saper-
nufnef1ry noa-eonTa1ssioned officer serving
cut your enlistment private You chose tha
former and received the bounty due nc shat tine
Had you remained In service, you would have re-
eeIved your bounty. You cannot now reeoyer
nor yon entitled either in law or equity Your
theory IS cFione0Is and advise you TO drop the
matter IS Frofitiess investments.
C. r T.. PJastilie. Pg.-There is no such grade as
first and second assistant engineers. The ranks az
engineers, u ;. navy, chief passed assistant,
and assistant. There aiuety-six passed Assist
ant engineers. seventy eight of whom rank az leu
tenant and eighteen as MASTER the pay Is for irse
Eve years after appointment 20e0 per annuna a.
sea, 81 $50 on shore duty" and 81 sG0 on leave
awaiting orders There are seventy-six assist
ant engineers. ten Of whom TaHfl a. master aud
siXtysix ensign who are paid for first Ave years
after appointment 81 200. 81 80 and SltaD, whiia
on duty, IS above stated. Assistant p4synnaste-s
/ rank as ensign. with came pay assistant en-
( tsineers
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
The seth \. j. and Their Mutton.


To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Having read and been much interested in
the letter of Sergeant Benedict on Marye's
Heights, and having kept copy Of Lieutenant
Drury's poem ON that charge all these years
his allusion to the 26th New jersey regiment
reminds me of pleasing little episode in the
history Of that regiment. And, By the way,
they were q good regiment. Raised in and
about Newark, they were a lot of royal good
fellows that could give q joke and take one).
Now for my story: They were attached to our
brigade during the nine months Of their serv-
ice, and / was connected with the commissary
department at brigade Headquarters In the
winter camp of '62 and '63 at White Oak Church
/ had charge Of the butchering and caring for
the meat of the brigade. Soon after we got
into winter quarters prepared place TO hang
up the beef and leave it over night in charge
OF a guard; but, like al camp guards, the
boys did not do their duty as vigilantIy
as they would have done on picket, and
consequently we often found that a large
quantity of meat had been stolen, and as
we knew the Vermont bows would never
confscate anything they wanted, we concluded
/ it must be the 26th New jersey, and how TO catch
1 them was the question. There had been large
newfoundland dog hanging about the camp,
and / proposed TO the boys that we kill, skim
and dress him like sheep and hang him up to
1 be confscated-whieh we did. told the guard
4 10 keep sharp watch that night and be
sure and ascertain where the dog went About
IL o'clock the guard discovered a soldier in the
act of purloiniRg the dressed dog, and followed
him down into company K II Think 26th New
jersey volunteers. ] had little drummer boy
watching the proceedings, and he witnessed
1 the carving process, leg Of the mutton being
/ sent up and presented to Colonel Morrison,
commander of the regiment, and served up on
his table. We waited our time, and when
satisfied that the mutton was well digested, q
large delegation from the old Vermont brigade
4 went over at night into the camp Of the 26th
and set up such an unearthly howl as to wake
up all the dogs in Virginia. The story got into
I print at the time in our Burlington paper and
4 was copied by Newark papers, the New Jersey
boys owning up 10 the taking of the dog, but
claiming that they made him into sansages and
4 sold him back 10 the Vermonters. AS we
never ate sausage in time of war, however, we
knew this was not true. At the time of the
riots OF '63 in New York our old Verm ont bri.
gade was sent mp there, and as the Goth had
then been discharged and were at home, many
OF them came over TO the city to see as and
many were the hearty hand-shakes and Joke.
we had ever that dressed dog.
E. II. TRICK,
Commissary Sergeant, 5th VI Vols.,
% Brigade, I'd Division, 9th Corps
BUAI1N0Toy, VI.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
aitor NATIONAL TREnuNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
i must SAY that like THE TRIBuEE better
every number. 1t is the soldiers defender I
am a member Of company II, ll6th volunteer
infantry, and was a fellow prisoner with Com
rade Ranard In Andersonville He writes in
the November 22d number Of THE TRIBUNE,
and says he thinks the ex-prisoners ought to be
pensioned. ] want TO say, when the soldiers
and prisoners Of the late war see 10 it. they can
have their claims fairly dealt with Send ex-
soldiers to represent US in Congress or, in other
words support only men that viii support us.
Now is the time. Look at the acts Of our pres
ent Congress and sec who is taking sides with
Mr.. Blaine We want no distribution in this
way. We want what we need and what we
should have, and expect il at the hands of our
Government as its defenders. Save the surplus
revenue. Pay an honest debt TO honest men.
Comrades, let 90 Of politics once and go in for
right. There is a strong army of us now, more
than there was in the war There are you and
your sons, and your neighbors, who can see a
wrong, and now Is the time to work while it is
day, for soon we win be the things of the past.
Let us watch as well as pray. Let everyone
send ST to the editor Of THE TRIBUNE aud a
few thoughts also, then Congress and the Presi-
dent viii see that we want our rights.
GRAND RAPIDS, MOE. r. J. SPEAR.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
Another Bill Sngzested.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
see in your issue Of November Is that the
Hon. John r. Thomas. of Illinois, is ready to
introduce bill in Congress to pension all the
soldiers, which we fear at the present time, is
asking too much. Now, instead Of Mr. Thomas
bill, or the bill to pension all the Mexican sol
diers, would present 6 bill as substitute for
both, which is this / would place every sol
der on the pension roll who has faithfully
served six months in the Mexican war, or the
war of the rebellion, as soon as he reaches the
age Of sixty years The treasury could stand
that. and it would help provide for us in our
old age. Fellow-soldiers. how would you like
such law If you agree with me, then let
us write to our members iii Congress to pass
such BILL Now is our best time, as both POI
iiticai parties wish to make a good record in
Congress to 60 before the country next year.
Will some more able pen do full justice in ad-
v0cating such law? CHARES BARBER,
Pensioner, Co. A, Io4th Reg't, N. Wv.
aAvA VILLAGE, N. Y.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
TIE QUESTION: SQUAD.
Veterans Who want to Hear from Their Old Com
raltns-

Veterans Who Want to Hear from Their Old Com
raies.
A comraGie writes asking Us 10 publish The Rules
and Regulations Of the g. A. r IN FnE TRrgusn.
We are obliged to morn him that it = impossible
to do so.
Comrade ". A. Titlsy, Beacon Falls. Conn.,.
would like TO hear from member Of The 1I4zh
New York volunteers. he having been nne11lbex
of that regiment.
II Peter ST. John. company e lsssh regiment,
New York volunteers. New York. viii send his
full address to THE TRFBrSE we viii rcturn ths
manuscript he sent Us some time ago.
CoTnsade Frederick p Gain. Omega Ind, would
ike TO hear from seais coHlrade Of company 18th
regiment, Indiana volunteers, Of which he was
member.
Comrade John L. Cartwright Dolgsville. ". Y,
would ike 90 hear from some OF his comrades OF
she tth New York volunteers, Is he has not seen
one since he was mustered oEt.
Conarade John F. Sloan. Seward Eeh. wcald
like 10 hear from some members Of company r,
S4th Illinois volunteers, of which he was menu
bar.
conTade r. c. Howell, Nartinsyilie H. would
like 70 hear from Of his comrades Of Wild
ers lightning Brigade"
Comrade G.. W. Sutherland CIintonvilEe. WIS.,,
would Ike to hear from some members 81 conn.,
pany J. 18th Illinois infantry.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

TO the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
served IN the army, was promoted from prf-
waite to nth sergeant Cor good conduct in the
feld tbe first fight we were ia, and got an honor
able discharge. Al The Siege Of forts Wagner
and Gregg ] had command Of my company
The captain being sick ut times and our iieuten-
aHts being dotested A, being first sergeant, took
command the officers Of the regiment knew
ing that n was competent TO command the
same. When the detail wss made to guard the
working parties i'm the trenches. Whenever 1t
fell 20 the lot of our captain, always took
command. What wish TO say il: have fur
longh granted by Maior-General Gilmore for
good conduct i'm the field. lit is simply paper,
1nd pretty well used up Could you not induce
ConETesE 10 strike few bronze medals for those
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

that can produce the papers. My wife and chill
dren think world oft. My twosons Joined the
Sons of Veterans, and when L answer at the
last roll-call, they would like TO have something
more lasting than paper TUBAL CAIN.
IIrNrTfnN CRY KANSAS.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

puts 1t, it is the subtraction Of all the phos-
pliatesn SO long as tha'iand yieldsa generous
SUPPORT TO its filters il never lacks suiiciency
of strong arms to defend ut, secure justice in
its government, and push its institutions for
ward RAPIDLY in the path1of progress. When
its fertility has been SO diminished that it gives
butgrudging and naeager returns to the hus-
bnndfnan it loses its sturdier sons who leave il
TO the feeble-spirited and the weak, while they
go to seek kindlier conditions, and build up new
countries with the energy and labor the loss of
which makes their own land decrepit.
Judging from all precedents, twill take from
ten to twenty centuries for our country to come
to her period of decadence, when her strongest
sons will leave her w6fn-ont acres, and make
for themselves new homes in what will then be
the virgin forests of Eastern Asia. Until then
we shall have a career that will make all other
countries pale before it,
All the glory that was Grceees, and all the gran
deur that was Rome s.
Until then every generation will have its
crisis, as we have had ours; every son shall en-
counter, as his father did before him, q supreme
trial of his courage, devotion, and manhood, in
regularly recurring times when, as Whittier
igrandly says
We wait beneath the f,lrnace-blass
The pangs of transformation;
Not painfeSsly doth God recast
And mold anew the Nation.
Hot burns the fire
Where wrongs expirej
Nor spares the hand
That frcm tieland
Uproots the ancient evil.
Then let the selfish lip be dumb,
And husht the breath of signing
Before the joy of peace must come
The pangs of purifying.
God giveus grace,
Each in his place
To bear his lot
And, murlnurng not,
Endure and wait and labor.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
READ THESE LETTERsl
And Note Whist Tear Comrades Themselves TkIak
Of tbs Waterbury Watch.

Of tits Waterbury Watch.
SFEERsERSE N Y Sent Il Iss3
The Waterbury watch / find 70 be "a reliable
timc-keeper as lever saw. I have coFaSa<ad fl
vel for accurate time enu.d no. desire betssr
watch for time, and entirely tisfied svith IL
Ess1UARE CARPESTER-
HAH-CRs. TEsx, Nov %, 1854
am highly pleased with IL Ny little ten-year-old
son hsS~ carried a Waterbury for the past fve
months, and it has kept the best Of time.
l. ;. DooLrrTLz
EAST GRoyELAND N Y, Sept 25 1883
The Waterbury watch received. = Mister Samn
IS several inches taller since receipt of same and
feels repaid for his efforts. Respectfully,
SaaL CCEBERTsos, SIX
CAMsRIA CAL. sept. %. 1889
Watch and chain received ali right. Am wei
pleased with the watch. as iE keeps nacst perfee4
time. Don't know how il can be made 50 cheaDIy.
Every working MANN fact every person. cid or
both ornamental and, decidedly. useful.
DANIEL MALoSzx.
NEwBEREY. Pa. Sept. 50 1883
The watch came to hand all right. Is keeps ex-
eeient time, and several parties who have seen n
intend supplying themselves with Waterbury
watches. G.. W. HCGGrxs.
NORTH FREEDoSIA, WIS, Sept. Is. 1881
: After fair trial the Waterbury watch you sent
JoHS +. MITCHELL
PEsFIELD, n Y. Oct 10. Isss
am much pleased with the Waterbury watch
received from you and would NOT part with ID for
twice the cost CHARLES ROYCE
TERRE HAUTE, I'm. De- 10. Isss
just received watch / must say that more
than pleased with IT, You may expect several
more orders from my friends
LYKEvs, Pa, Oct %. 1883
The Waterbury watch YOU sent noe : an excel
lent time-piece. and Is admired by all who have
seen It, j. FOSTER Fox
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
THE CREED OF wAR.

I hold that all wars undertaken by a civilized
people for well-defned purposes which have the
sanction of their Judgment and consciences, and
TO secure which all other means have failed, are
among the most benefcent things vouchsafed
the world No great war Of modern times has
failed to materially benefit the whole human
race. Nothing since the coming of Christ has
done mankind more good than the much be-
walled French revolution and the NapoIeonic
The National tribune., 1883-12-27
THE DECAY OF EMPIRES.

Countries do not fall by reason Of wars, for
eign or domestic, no more than they fall by
reason of corruption, or wealth, or pestilence,
or any of the commonly assigned causes This
is where glib historians and superficial think
ers constantly mislead us.
Exhaustion of the soil Is the only cause Of
the downfall Of nations. As Baron Won Liebig
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

VNyANTED.-The address of any of my comrades who
w served with at Point Lookout, Md, and re-
member me Corporal Nye, by ). E Nye, Hallowell
/ Maine.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

VXTANTED.-The address Of w Fl. Hozier, Prentizs 5.
w Kent and DesauIt 6eurnsey, surgeons OF 174th N
Y. infantry, by Thee. Kamp, Quincy, H.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27


The Waterbury wsteh YOU sent me 5 an excel
lent time-piece, and Is admired by al who have
seen it. j. FOSTER Fox.
The National tribune., 1883-12-27

WELLIEaToN. KAN. sth MiehigaI