The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-08-11

u;el Haln..A heDty WHICH
Ought to Effectually ST.
lence His Accusers.
WAsHINeT N Angus, 4.-rhe enemies
of G-D. Black have attempted through
numerous brutal attacks, to be!ittle his
war record and hesmirch his character
rbey have endeav red to show that he
oh aimed his pension Of 500 month
by false pretenses Gen Black has not
seen Rt to notice these attacks, which
have indeed been beneath notice. In a
letter, however, written in reply to the
reunest Of an old Illinois friend, he
makes plain statement OF fac's in the
case. 1t was not intended for pubica-
ton, but the Generals friends believe
that it is due to him under the crcum-
stances that it should be given to The
public. Gen. Black writes:
"I was wounded March 7, 1862, and
again on Dec. Tot the same year. The
homes of both arms were affected in the
Joints, that of the right arm being spin
tered, broken or scraped, and that OF the
left broken into many pieces. have
had six operations performed In all, the
first in D cemher. 1862, when II pieces
'of bone were taken from one arm, and
the last in that long winter Of misery
and trouble at DanviIe in 1877, when an
entire elbow Of the right arm was re-
moved 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 inter-
vals.
81 have been sick a hundred tins s
from blood-polsoning from my wounns.
PHYSICIANS may he able to tell the res-
SOUS for these things only know the
facts The result of the last sickness
and operation was enforced absence of
two wears from all profess onsl duties
from 1874 to the middle OF 1875, at
which time, as YOU remember, l took the
stump as a candidate for Congress. But
YOU know the condition / was in at that
time. Ny enforced absence from work
in the attempt at saving my life hal
wasted fearfullv the little accumulations
Of the few years Of peaceful lite which /
had had, for you know / was hard
working, self-supporting hoy and college
student. / had no friend 10 hack me
financially entered the army from co!
lege and studied law after nv return from
the army. The doctors bills and surgi-
cal bills ate up and ran away with all |
could gather, and in the winter OF 1861
I hal very little more than when | had
taken my sword in The service 1t is
painful for me to think now OF that hor-
rible winter with its cuttings, punchings
Of broken arm and its unutterable
ghastlness of surgical operations 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 account Of the cutting OF
the nerves, is paralyz.d as to the exten-
sor muscles OF the left hand. and in the
other elhowless 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 cease
less 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 l Gould only
hou ho.,lfh md otrannth on1 hod
hands as other men to give &c labor and
to friendship. I can oaly keep one po
sition in nv bed at night, and that is fla'
upon nv back, without being aroused by
the pains OF the threatening nervous
numbness which arises on account of my
troubles in any other position, aud there
is scarcely one night 10 ten, and lately no
ght, when nv sleep is not broken by
these causes. seem pretty strong.
don't 60 around grumbl,ng have told
but few men the long story OF my troub
les as tell you, but feel them none the
less.
81 applied for pension shortly after
I left the service, which was granted me
4 dom. remember when, but upon am.
pie testimony for full disability according
to my rank at the time the injury was in
flicted. subsequently under the opera
tions OF the law 1t was increased the sum
Of $50. and up to this time no man has
been called upon to give me any favor.
81 have but very indistinct recollec.
ton of many of the things that occurred
during that deadly winter Of Danville
but / do recollect you and Senator Voor
hees being at my room and taking ms
testimony in the case. / think Voor
bees then saw my condition / believe
he thought would die, and soon. AnC
believe It was at that time, acting upor
his or the suggestion of some othe
friend, that made application for arrears
Of pension. This application was all th'
application that ever made made i
out in due and formal manner. fler
proof OF my disability unieRF 4 ka'
regularly employed pension attorneys il
Washington looking to this interest.
never was near The Capital City durin;
all that time. / subsr qnently was mad
aware that bill was pending In my be
half This bill was put before Congress
in the shape In which it subsequently,
passed without my knowledge. 1t wa
advanced without my cooperation sub
stautially. / had no particular knowl
edge until on Sunday morning receive,
a dispatch at home from Senator Voor
bees or Davis announcing that the bill
had been passed. Subsequently. the bll
was certified to me.
81 have never had one hours doubt o
the correctness Of the action. hay
mot had any hesitancy in believing tina
if pensions were granted on the groun,
of suffering, that l was entitled to a
that had been given me. AS pension
are given for physical disability / nee
only add that according to the sam
standard set up for others am physi
cally totally disabled for labor. ! am no
aware of any manual labor which ca
perform. l have not raised my hand t
my face for eight years. The little wor
which / do with the pen causes my arr
to swell. and this you will understan
when / tell you that half Of It's muscfe
are entirely cut end have never reunited
Others have been granted as much per
sion Hundreds are receiving Under th
name OF retired very much larger sup
port from the Government for their dis