The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-03-06
He DESERVES 1T.
How aud Where Senator Henderson Earned His
Pension,


sion of SIS per month, and since it appeared
that he had been wounded in the back, that he
was able to earn living without Government
aid, and that no evidences Of the effects of his
wound were discernible, demanded that he
should surrender his certificate and turn his
pension money into the Treasury. Naturally,
the publication OF this unwarFanted assault on
the character of brave soldier excited intense
Indignation, and on the return OF the managing
editor of the Herald-the veteran Journalist.
DIR. Miller--the charges contained in this arti
Gle were promptly and emphaticaily retracted.
The case has attracted so much attention, how
ever, and it furnishes such a striking illustra-
ton of the danger of drawing rash conclusions
IN regard TO the merit OF pension claims that
we have thought il best to give publicity as
matter of general interest, to some documents
which we happen to have in our possession,
relating to General Mandersons military
record. The general enlisted in 1861 in the
10Th Ohio as private and was shortly elected
first lieutenant of his company. His regiment
participated in the West Virginia campaign
under Rosecrans,- which eliminated in the
battle of Rich Mountain and the expulsion of
the rebels from that section, and upon the ex-
piration of its period of serviee-three months
he assisted in recognizing it as a three years
regiment, and was made captain and then
major The regiment was afterwards ordered
West and was with Buell. in his march to the
relief of Grant at Shiloh, Major Henderson
being afterwards specially mentioned for
bravery in the final struggle on that bloody
field. Later he participated in the movements
preliminary to the battle of Stone River and
III that engagement again distinguished him
self, and in recognition Of his gallantry was in
quick succession promoted lieutenant-colonel,
aud almost Immediately colonel of his regi-
ment being at that time the youngest
colonel in the Army of che Cumberland In
the Atlanta campaign he participated in all
the important battles up to that at Lovejoy
Station, Gas September 2 1864, when he was
seriously wounded III the spine-so seriously
that many eminent physicians expressed sur
prise that he survived The bullet indeed,
remains to this day in his right side, and he is
at times still great sufferer from its effects
1t is true that he was shot IN the back, but it
was while he was in front Of his regiment,
seeking, in the heat of a charge, to reform his
line, and acting the part of a hero. For that
reason he now prizes his pension certificate
above all precious things, believing the pension
roll to be roll of honor, but the money to which
it entities him he annually devotes to the relief
of needy comrades and their families. General
Manderson is member of the Grand Army,
and at the time of his election TO the Senate
was commander of his Post, and after taking
his seat in the Senate was q delegate TO the
National Encampment at Denver. In the SEN
ate he is the soldiers friend The correspond
ence which we print below shows the circum-
stances under which he received his wound.
GENERAL KNEFFLER's REcoLLEcTIoNs
General Fred Kneffier, Indianapolis, Ind,
writes as follows:
Nfanderson's character as soldier does not need
my Endorsement or anybody elSes. The conduct
of the 10Th Ohio, under bis command from 0cto
Der. 1862. until he relinquislied command on the
day he was wounded speaks for ITSELF and for him
can add but little, and don't propose to-t isn't
needed
During the Atlanta campaign was in command
of the Sd brigade, Sd division. 4t army corps. The
10Th Ohio of the regiments composing that
brigade. The following is briefly my recollection
OF the affair at Lovejoy Station GA. on Septenl-
Der 2, 1864: After advancing on the railroad en-
bankment in a southerly direction, the brigade
was ordered to the left, through the woods in or
der to avoid the fire Of battery which appeared
in front and had control of the embankment.
After reaching certain point the brigade
halted, and strong Skirmish line depIOyed The
order was to make attack upon the rebel lines
which were concealed by the timber. / was in
formed that the attack would be along the whole
line. As far as / knew, the troops Immediately on
the right parts OF the st brigade, Sd division
and the left Crosses brigade of the lst DIVISION
as ascertained in the evening when the affair
over. The skirmish line OF the brigade was of the
18th Ohio. and If my recollection is not fault
commanded by Captain Upton one fthe best Off
GERS of that regiment The skirmishers advanced
rapidly, and at no great distance came up with the
enemy. III what proved afterwards TO be his ad-
yanced line. The fact was reported and eommu-
nicated TO General Wood, that the advance of the
line was stopped by the proximity of the enemy in
force. After some consultation with the general
dsmounted and Went in person to the skirnlish
line which was halted in the edge of the timber
the enemy 3 works being in front very short dis
lance The line was of the usual appearance, with
heaa-iogs upon it. You viii understand what I
mean. The rebel fire here was very severe and r.
farther advance of the sI.rmish line was inpracti-
cable or rather impossible While the sl.ir-
nish line was joined by Captain Miller assistant
1s..2x.
j. ii. Colelazer, fuarermaster of the 18th Indiana
acting aid the staff of the brigade. They
We're both behind me, and had just attempted TO
talk to them when Captain Miller was shot through
the head and killed. and Lieutenant Coelazer was
shot through the neck and shoulder, being Sc
riously wounded One of the orderlieS of the bril-
gade staff. whoattempted to approach, was killed
1T was getting almost impossible to get out of the
place or move around without being instantly shot
Desiring to inform General Wood of the situation
that no further advance could be made by the skir
mishers, and that if attack was TO be made it
must be made in force-on looking around for
some means to communicate with him [ discoy-
cred Captain Erb, inspector acting inspector of
the brigade, approaching on foot, through de-
preston in the ground Fayine which concealed
to inform General Wood of the situation. Shortly
after that, the line of battle of the brigade adj
yanced As soon as il came in sight the enemy's
fire WAS directed uponit, which in a measure re-
leased or extfcated the sISirnish line from their
position and enabled them to join the advancing
line The 18TH Ohio and 9th Kentucky were on
Colonel Henderson leading his regiment in front
and Lieutenant Colonel Bailey the 9Th Kentucky
think it was Colonel henderson whom joined
when the line up, and told of the death of
Miller, and pointed him to his body. The enemy 5
line was vigorously assaulted and taken with
many prisoners. In few moments after that or
the space between the taken line and
the second rebel line was cleared the second line
OF the enemy opened a terrible fire of fnusxetry
and canister at almost point-blank range, and all
the troops of the brigade who had captured works
were compelled to fall back and driven ont to
seek shelter behind the outward force of the cap
tured line. Here Colonel Henderson and Lieu
tenant Colonel Bailey were wounded, and p great
ed The great loss suffered by the brigade was in
being driven cut of the captured line. So COM
pietely did the enemy command the ground that
it was absolutely impossible TO withdraw over the
space between the captured line and the edge OF
the timber, until darkness set in.
WORD FROM GENERAL WOOD
From the gallant General T. J. Wood Of
Dayton, Ohio, we have the following:
General Henderson served during the entire war
for the suppression of the great rebellion IN the
same army with me-much of the time IN the same
corps, and during the last two years OF the his
regiment was in nay division. General Nandcr-
sons reputation for courage, loyalty and inteIii-
gence in the performance of duty was second to
that OF no officer of his grade in the Army OF the
Cumberland. In the action Mt Loyeioe Station,
Ga, September . I3o1 the brigade TO which
General 8ianderson's regiment attached saf-
Iered severely iii officers aiid privates.
If ever knew the minute circumstances attend
ing the wounding OF General Henderson 1T Love
joy Station they have in the lapse OF more than
nineteen years faded from my memory: but have
doubt lie was doing the right thing ia the right
place 1T the time he was wounded.
TO infer anything prejudIca! TO an officer of
established good reputation from the fact of his
i tz< .trxa. t.ar tse4.I tel II