The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-13

With respect to the information asked for in
regard to bounties paid or the sum necessary to
equalize the bounties of those who served, the
Adiutant-general says it cannot be compiled
from the records of his office. He calls atten-
ton, however to the inclosed estimates, sub
mitted to Congress by the Paymaster- general of
the army in 1872, 1874, 1876, 1873 and 1880. In
the estimate submitted April %, 1876, the Pay
master general states that up to that date there
had been paid in bounties to enlisted men $685.,
9l7 6S2, and the Adiutant- general states that
since then there has been paid in bounties So,
292 SOL making the total Of bounties paid to the
date of the communication 1855, 30, 249, The
first estimate of the amount required for the
equalization of bounties made by the Paymas ter
general is dated Jan. 10. 1872 1t is based on
the provisions of the bill then pending in Con
gress to give each enlisted man, or if dead, give
to his heirs, bounty at the rate of So 80 Is per
month for his term of service. The Paymaster-
general estimated it would cost $l37 275 105
He divides the enlisted men into three classes
as follows:
First-class-Enisted men of the regular army
who entered the service between April r. 1861
and April 10, 1863 and were hOnorably dis
charged, 46,379; average duration of service,
twenty nine months.
Second class Enlisted men of all classes who
volunteered, including those recognized for com
peting the defenses of Washington and slaves
who enlisted were drafted between April p
1861, and April 10, 1865, 2,234 421; deducting
substitutes 1913 100, and enlisted men from cap
tured prisoners of war, 1882, leaves total of
2, l09 639; average duration Of service, 28.7
months.
Third Class-Enlsted men who entered for not
less than three years and were discharged on ac-
count of wounds while in the line of duty
50. 800; average duration in service, 7.3 months
Estimated cost for equalizng the bounties of
the first class, 81, POS, 25S second class, 1904
5O2 32S third class, 1868, 5S3; total 1913 1888 1863
This sum, less the amount of bounties paid and
then payable under existing laws equaling 1892
los, 004 was $l3I275 l05.
In March, 1872, the Paymaster- general esti-
mated the amount necessary to pay bounties at
the rate of 800 each to the men who enlisted be-
tween May g. 1861, and July -, 1865, and who
were honorably discharged without bounty after
service of less than two years, at 81 10000 In
April, 1874 he estimated the cost of equalizing
ali bounties at the rate of S., 33 l3 per month for
the term of service to date of mastering out of
the organization at SIG 543, G34 In March, 1876
and April of the same year, he replied
to the resolutions of Congress asking for
estimates of the amount necessary to
equalize the bounties of soldiers who served be-
tween April -, 1861 and May 8, 1865, at the
rate of 1913 1-3 per month for their term of
services. less any and all bounties already paid
them under provision of any United States or
State law. At this time he says the lowest esti-
mate yet made for the equalization of boun-
ties is that made by the Second Comptroller in
February 1884, calling for $l0l ,947 S25, and
from this amount State bounties would have to
be deducted if they could be ascertained. Con
iecturing that the item would reduce the sum
about one-quarter, he finds at least SO 900 900
would be necessary. On Feb. IT, 1880, he sent
another communication to Congress- in response
to a resolution asking an estimate of the money
required to carry out the provisions of the bill
then pending to give each enlisted man who
and was honorably discharged $3.50 l-3 per
month for his term of service, the same estimates