Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-08
GEN. BLACKS DEFENSE.
Why and How He Was Granted Gov
ernment Peusion.


Gen. Black nave attempted, through
numerous brutal attacks, to bellttle his
war record and besmirch his character
They have endeavored to show that ne
obtained his pension OF 500 month by
false pretenses. Gen. Black has
not seen fit to notice these
attacks, which have indeed been be-
meath notice. In a letter, however, writ
ten in reply to the request of an old Illi-
nOis friend, he makes a plain statement
OF facts in the case. 1t was not intended
for publication, but the Generals friends
believe that 1T IS due to him under the cir
cumstances that it should be given to the
public. Gen. Black writes:
~ was wounded March 7, 1852, and
again ON Dec. of the came year. The
bones of both arms were affected in the
Joints, that of the right arm being splint-
cred, broken or scraped, and that of the
left broken into many pieces. /
in all, the first in Dec.
1852, when seventeen pieces Of bone
were taken from one arm, and the last in
that long winter of misery and trouble at
Danville in 1877, when an entire elbow Of
the right arm was removed, owing to the
diseased condition of the closed wounds
prior to the final operation, for during all
this time they had opened and closed at
regular intervals.
81 have been sick a hundred times from
blood poisoning from my wounds. Physi-
clans may be able to tell the reasons for
these things. / only know the facts The
result Of the last sickness and operation
was enforced absence of two years II om
all professional duties from 1874 to the mid
die OF 1876, at which time, as you remem-
Der, | took the stump as candidate for
Congress. But you know the condition
was in at that time. My enforced abb
sence from work in the attempt at saving
my life had wasted fearfully the little
accumulatiOns ofthe few years Ofpeaceful
life which | had had, for you know | was
a hard-working, self-supporting boy
and college student. l had no friend to
back me financially / entered the army
from college and studied law after my
return from the army. The Doctors
bills and surgical bills ate up and ran
away with all | could gather, and in
the winter of 1851 | had very little
more than when had taken my sword in
the service. 1t is painful for me to think
now of that hOrribl- winter with Its cut
tings, punchings of broken arm and its
unutterable ghastlness of surgical opera
tiOns and execution, and | have lived
through six such scenes and now carry
an arm which is anchylOsed at the left
elbow one-half, and which, on ac-
count Of the cutting of the nerves, is
paralyZed as to the eXtensOr muscles of
the left hand, and IN the other elbowless
arm carry constant, open, suppurating
wound If any man thinks have made
money out of the government by pensions,
he need only remember that for twenty
years a ceaseless drain of my strength
has been going ON day and night, to
realize something of the balancing of
accounts. l would give all | have if |
could start armed and barefoot, but
strong, in the world at the age of 46.
would gladly assume all the burdens
of poverty if 1 could only have health
and strength and had my hands as
other men to give to labor and to friend
ship. | can only keep one position in my
bed at night. and that is fiat upon my
back. without being aroused by the pains or
the threatening nervous numbness which
arises on account of my troubles in any
other position, and there is scarcely one
night in ten, and lately no night, when my
sleep is not broken by these causes.
seem pretty strong. l don't go around
grumbln@ l have told but few men the
long story of my troubles as L tell you,
but l feel them none the less.
II applied for pension shortly after
left the service, which was granted me,
don't remember when, but upon ample
testimony for full disability according to
my rank al the time the injury was in
fiicted. Subsequently under the opera
tiOns OF the law it was increased to the
sum of 500, and up TO this time no man
had been called upon to give me any
favor.
Il have but a very indistinet recOllec-
ton of many of the things that occurred
during that deadly winter at Danville,
but do recOilect you and Senator VOOr-
hees being at my room and taking my tes-
tmOny in the case. | think Voorhees,
then saw my condition. | believe he
thought l would die, and soon. And
| believe it was at that time, acting
upon his or the suggestion of some
other friend that I made applica-
ton for arrears Of pension. This appli-
cation was all the application that /
ever made. l made 1t out in due and for
nal manner. / filed proof of my disabil-
ity under it. l had regularly employed
pension attorneys in W Washington looking
to this interest. / never was near the
Capital CITY during all that time.
l subsequently was made aware
that a oil was pending 10 nv be-
half. This bill was put before Congress
in the shape in which 1t subsequently
passed without my knowledge. 1t was
advanced without my cooperation sub
stantially. | had no particular knOwl-
edge until on Sunday morning 1 received
a dispatch at home from Senator VOOr-
hees, or Davis, announcing that the bill
mad been passed. Subsequently the bill
was certified to me.
81 have never had one hours doubt OF
the correctness of the action. | have not
had any hestancy In believing that ifpen-
sions were granted on the ground Of suf-
tering, that / was entitled 10 all that had
been given me. AS pensions are given
for physical disability i need only add
thar according TO the same standard set
up for others / am physically to-
tally disabled for labor. am
not aware of any manual labor which ]
can perform. 1 have not raised my hand
TO my face for eight years. The little
work which do With the pen causes my
arm 10 swell, and this you will understand
when | tell you that half OF its muscles are
entirely cut and have never reunited.
Others have been granted as much pension.
Hundreds are receiving under the name OF
retired very much larger support from
the government for their disabilities
aud their honorable wounds. First and
Second Lieutenants and all OF them
vastly exceed me in the amount whichthey
receive. I am glad that such OF them as
have been wrecked or torn in battle are
able 10 receive the benehcence of the
we n nent. casually men ION the fact
Dy way OF illustration in regard TO the
falsify OF the charges, that mine Is the
ONLY instance OF the kind. More than that,
4 Of