The National tribune., 1884-10-02
THE GRAND ARMY,
Badges - Pension Matters - News
from the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.

Us Ccmraaes-ASsisfance of ihe GAR. Ia the
Pension afIioe-Miss Ransom's Portrait Of Gen.
Thomas Memorial OF Gen. s;eedman-EncOur-
aging Genius.
TOLEDO, O., Sept. o.
The week has been a quiet one at Grand
Army Headquarters, an occasional call upon
Adi't-6fen. Alcon finding him busily engaged
in dry detail work. including the forwarding
Of General Order No. 4, of which each daily
plper in the United States has been furnished
a copy.
Entering Headquarters this morning, the
first thing that attracted the attention of your
correspondent was a neatly-framed letter, rest
ing on crimson plat. with margin OF a
couple of inches. being nothing less than bill,
bearing date of Aug. %. 1854. for Sl,94s.Ol,
from Lieut. c. W. Whipple, of the New York
Arsenal Governors Island, for u ordnance
guns smooth bore. weight 1928 pounds, speci-
fed as
REBEL TROPHIES
said trophies having been furnished upon the
following order from the Ordnance Office War
Department. Washington, ID. c., under date Of
Aug -, 1854:
RoEERr b BEATH, Commander-in-Chief GAR,
No l2a2 Chestnut ST. Philadelphia Pa
SIR: I have 10 inform you that. npon the recon-
meadaton Of this Office. the Secretary of War has
authorized the sale 10 YOU at New York Arsenal,
Governors Island. n. V of L. siN-pounder bronze
guns lrebel trophscsl weighing about $40 pounds
each. at l9 cents per pound and you can purchase
of the Arsenal, Col I. G. Bayler, i. O. Box li4s,
New York city
Respectfully, your obedient servant.
j. nj. WHITTEMoRE.
Acting Chief of Ordnance.
This should pretty effectually settle any doubt
which has arisen, or been expressed, concern
ing the genuine character of the bronze badge
of the GAR. worn by the veterans upon their
breasts.
THE GAR. AND SOLDIER PENSIONS.
The Commander-in-Chief is in receipt of
letter from the Special Examination Division of
the Pension Office, under date Of Sept 20, re-
viewing the aid already extended the Pension
Office by the Grand Army in establishing pen
sion claims and soliciting further assistance 10
the same end. The letter states that in an analy
sis Of cases pending before the Pension Office, as
made IN July, 1883. the fact was disclosed that
OF the total number, about $4,000 in round
numbers. 204, 900 were awaiting the response of
claimants TO calls for necessary evidence. The
evidence lacking in a large number OF cases
was the
EVIDENCE OF OFFICERS AND coMEAlEs
10 show the origin of disability in service and
line Of duty. In the majority of these cases
there is at the Adjutant- Generals Office either
DO record at all or none OF constant presence for
duty, and in such cases without the positive
evidence of officers or comrades a pension can
not be granted under the pension laws. The
inability to furnish this evidence in otherwise
rneritorious cases. arises principally from the
fact that comrades are widely separated and
have lost all knowledge of each others where
abouts
Early in October. 1883, the Pension Office, it
is stated. decided TO establish a record of all
surviving soldiers and sailors who had served
in the Enion Army and Navy during the late
war and as itwas deemed safe to presume that
all good soldiers are either members Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic or are known TO
its members, letter was addressed TO
ROBERT B. BEATH,
Commander-in-Chief of the GAR, setting
forth the necessity Of the Pension Office and
soliciting his aid in obtaining the records de-
sired. He gave his hearty Endorsement TO the
undertaking, and after personal interview
with him, card was lssed by the Pension
Office. 100000 of which were sent to the various
Departments Of the GAR soliciting the de-
sired information simultaneously with these
General Order No. was issued by The Com
nlander-in-Chief requesting the various De-
partments to see that cards were promptly filed
and returned 10 the Pension Office. In response
70 the same
THIRTY-FIvE OF THE THIRTY EIGHT DEPART
NENTs
have forwarded returns for about 50 per cent.
OF their membership, but from the other three
DEPARTMENTS viz, Maine Delaware and Indiana,
no returns have been made. 1t is believed that
III Post Commanders could be made to under
stand the vast amount OF good that has already
accrued 10 the suffering comrades through the
forwarding Of rosters by regiments to the Pen
sion Office they wonld the more readily re-
spond to the request that has been made.
As a proof Of the value and success of the un-
degtaking it is set forth that since April ID,
when the few cards received up TO that time
were assorted by
STATES, REGIMENTS AND COMPANIES.
and filed In cases for ready reference, the Pen
sion Office has settled hundreds of cases that
could not be adjudicated because Of the inability
Of claimants 10 furnish the necessary evidence
of comrades Of the origin Of disability in serv-
ice and line Of dnty. OF over 100000 names
now on file the majority were received through
the GAR, while many regimental associations
have forwarded lists. Names have also been
added by special examiners and private in
diViduals desiring 20 contribute TO the record.
The Chief is requested TO
make another presentation Of the case 10 the
attention Of Department Commanders, urging
them TO comply with the request made in Gen.
eral Order No. 4 in order that the returns
may be completed at as early day as possible
1t is especially stated that without the aid oI
the GAR. the object stated cannot be obtained
The COmmander-in-Chief may be trusted Il
give his active aid in this as In every practical
movement IN the interest Of soldier pensions
The Commander-in-Chief has given hi.
sanction TO project proposed by comrades o.
the Department Of the Potomac TO secure
petition from the Ga. r.. asking the purchase
by Congress Of Miss Caroline Rans0m's historit
LIFE SIZE PORTRAIT OF CEN THOMAS,
which has been exhibited at Reunions Of the
Army OF the Tennessee and the Army Of the
Potomac, each Of which has Joined in testimo
nials 10 its faithfulDess as a likeness and ma
jestic character as a work Of art. Gems. How
ard, ROsecrans, sherman, Steedman, Garfield
Cox and Others equally intimate with the grea
hero OF the Western army, have placed them
selves Oh record in letters addressed 10 Mis-
Ransom as grateful for tie service she ha
rendered the history of the great struggle il
her celiBeation Of one of its chief commanders
Miss Ransom IS q sister Of the gallant Gen
Ransom, who gave his life for his country
after serving il with rare aud conspicu
Gus brilliancy, and is herself imbued wit
The martial spirit which leads TO the portraya
Of stirring subjects. In her portrait Of Gen
Thomas, known as
THE Rock OF IcKAMAUGA"
Miss Ransom represents the noble old her
standing with head uncovered on a rock OF
rising ground, overlooking the battle groun
Of Chickamauga. His sturdy frame is plante
asfirInly ar the unyielding granite, his lips CON
pressed and his head evenly poised as he survey
the raging battle beyond. 1t must have bee
at this point that Steedman found him whe
he reported with 5000 fresh troops from Re
House Bridge.
Stecdman used to relate In his thrillin