The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-12-25
PENSION EARNING.

Carpers at pensions would make out that
the war was scarcely more than a grand pic
mic, and those who participated in it entitled
to little or no consideration. 1t is hardly
worth while to remind these gentry that
they would not go through so mild a term
OF service as the first or Second "Three
Months Men," or the Hundred Days
Men" for any pension now given. They
ought to know, without this, that there is
nothing in all the wide world that is so poor,
feeble and inadequate return for what was
necessary to entitle man to it as the aver
age pension granted by the United States
Government Take, for example, the writer
of the following letter:
To THE EDITOR: enlisted at Gaieua, 10 Dayiess
Co., Ill, and was accepted, able-bodied, April q,
Is6l for three months, reeulisted for three years,
unless sooner discharged, Aug. 1, 1861; promoted
Corporal; participated in battle Of Belmont, Mo,
January, 1862 battle of Fort Donelson, Feb. 16,
1852; wounded in action right leg below
knee, left cheek and breast "a musket ball striking
breast-platc cartridge-box belD which causes
severe pains and difficult and painful breathing,
as not to be able to perform manual labor to any
extent At the battle of Shiloh, Tenn, April 6,
1862, received n wound across the small of the
back, causing severe kidney trouble, and for which
l have to use medicine constantly to be able to be
around At the battle Of Cornth, Oct 3, 1862
wounded in the right thigh and taken prisoner
and left on the field by the enemy at the retreat.
without food drink for three days and
nights until found by our forces and taken to hos
T. " wifi ms
thigh swollen TO an enormous size. feared am
putation would have to be performed, but strong
constitution and good medical treatment at the
General Hospital at Jefferson Barracks, Mo, saved
my limb returned to my company and regiment
Jan. s, 1868, and promoted Sergeant. l re-
manned under care of the Regimental Surgeon for
long time, and had often to take refuge in ambu-
lances during the advance Of our army on Atlanta,
in which campaign participated in the battles of
Lays Ferry. Kingston Rome Cross Roads, Resaea,
Dalton, Big Shanty, Henesaw Mountain, Ackworth,
Peach Tree, Decatur, Ezra Church, and all other
places until the evacuation of Atlanta. While at
East Point Ga, received a commission as Second
Lieutenant dated at Springfield, H.. Aug. 81 1864,
with rank from Dee. 25, 1868, signed by Gov. Rich
ard Yates AGg. %, 1864, and commissioned
Captain by Gov. Richard Oglesby April H. 1865;
mustered out of service at Springfield, H.,
July 10, 1865, having faithfully served four years,
two months and 10 days.
am ut present receiving a pension of IS per
month as Sergeant, although 1 was recommended
at S24 per month by the Examining Surgeon OF our
District in November of last year.-CHAs. MAYER
Co. f, 18th H., East Dubuque, 10 Daviess Co., ILL.,,
Dec 6.
We ask any man-flir-minded or other
wise-what sort of return that beggarly
s. month is for what Capt. Mayer gave the
Government and endured for it? We ask
any man whether he would be willing to
undergo one-thousandth of what he under
went for the poor sum that the Government
doles cut to him?
We are sure that there is not man any
where who would be willing even to 90
through Capt. Mayors first three months
service, or that which led him into the battle
of Belmont, for the consideration of 800 ayear
for the rest of his life. Eight dollars month
would be but slight inducement for any
man to take his chances in the terrible fight
ing around Donelson. Nor would that sum
be regarded as much compensation for the
severe wound received at Shiloh: And what
amount would be regarded as an offset for
his terrible experience at Corinth?
Then comes the Atlanta campaign, with
its 120 days of almost continual fighting, in
which Serg't Mayer is always at the front,
though his old ill-luck seems to have changed
for the better, and well-earned promotion
comes at last.
According to any scale of compensation
which is recognized in any other pursuit in
life, Capt Mayors services and injuries
would entitle him to live the rest of his life
in allluence. AS it is, there are men who
are to-day living in luxury upon what was
bought and secured by his valor and wounds,
and the vaior and wounds of those like him,
who yet begrudge him and them the pit
lance of IS month.
SCORING BEAUREGARD.
As we predicted Beauregard is being well