The National tribune., 1886-05-13

stances where drummer-boys were OF very great
service, and was astonshed to hear the gentleman
from Wisconsin MIR. Braggl belittle their aid in
carrying wounded men and officers of the field
One of the most valuable services that boy could
possibly render would be to aid in carrying on the
wounded because IL he did not do Il another soldier
would have TO do IL, and so two soldiers would be
taken out of the line, one wounded and the other
helping him off the field. Therefore, when n
drummer-bOy helped n wounded soldier he was
really keeping another soldier in line.
know. sir. as have said that some war pic
tures are very deceptive, and VIII tell you one
that is far more likely 10 deceive than the picture
OF the dTummer-boy AT the front; that Is the pic
ture Of the officer with his epaulettes in frsnt Of his
men, leading the charge and saying, T" Come on,
boys, and carry the works" IL there Is humbug
in American military history it is that portion OF it
which represents the commissioned officers leading
the charge upon the enemy's works. As rule,
they were to be found where their orders and the
rules OF war required them TO beat safe place Ia
the rearwhile the private soldiers did the shooting
and the fighting and the dying. Applause.
Mr.. Johnston Ind.):
The gentleman wants to know who ever heard
Of boy who was too young 10 be mustered into
the army rendering any military serviceg can
tell the gentleman Of two boys in my own regiment
who were young that the mastering officer re-
fused 10 muster them. They were orphan boys.
Their two uncles had command of "A company each I;
they uniformed the boys, gave them musket
apiece and the boys started along with us without
being mustered At the battle Of Richmond, KY,
they went into line and did as good fighting as any
had been driven back, Gen Manson was passing
and these two little fellows together and they
presented arms and saluted him. The rest Of US
did not think of showing that respect to the COM
manding officer. That attracted the attention of the
General, and he inquired about them and had n
special order issued that they should be mustered
In for gallantry upon the battlefield. They
were mustered in, and they aflerward became the
left and the right guides of the regiment and when
II was mounted they became scouts and messen,
gers and went with Sherman TO the sea. Applause
i say they were ordered to be mustered in, not for
that particularly but for gallantry and they after
ward did as much for their country as the man who
led the Iron Brigade and who now comes here to
attack boy who barred his breast in the service OF
his country. lApplausel II this young man did
his duty he has right TO be paid for his service.
But the brave Chairman of the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs (which ought to be a brave cOmmittee)
comes here and not only attacks this boy, but he
seeks 10 travel outside of this record to attack the
nurses who took care of the sick soldiers during
the war; he says they coming here now asking
10 be padfOr their serYce-coming here as beggars.
Why, sir. il poor woman who gave her services
TO her country years ago has since lost her health
and her means. and now comes and asks the repre-
sentatives OF that country 10 do something for her
by way OF compensation for her services IN the
past, ask the Chairman OF the Military Committee
II II Is not as honorable for the Government to
grant her request as If is to raise the pension of
widow OF General officer from $40 to so month,
or as honorable as 90 stand here and block legisla-
tion unless the House will consent To such an in
crease OF pension. The committee have reported
IN favor of this bill because they believe that the
Government can afford TO be honest with the men
who helped to defend it.
Mr.. Bragg Wis.,:
! beg pardon Of this committee ought TO have
remembered that the bare idea of officer in the
service is 60 my distinguished friend who has just
addressed the committee about like a red rag TO a
bull. had no idea that he would break out into
such terrible commissions or should certainly have
alDstained from my opposition 10 this bill
Where did this brave boy bare his breast ?
Why, lac blew bugle somewhere as a scout Did
the scouts who served with the genilemans COM
AnrrN q
the kind OF soldering that the gentleman from In
diana did? When he went as q scout did he 90
with brass band? Laughter.l II so, it shows
me very conclusiyey that that portion Of the army
10 which he was attached suffered very much be-
cause II did not have some officer Of the Regular
Army connected with it 10 teach them some little
part of their duty.
Now. there Is no occasion for all this talk about
officers Here is my friend from Iowa who wants
10 know whoever saw an officer lead a charge. l
can tell him what have seen. have seen gentle
men who followed the stars and bars" who bore
commissions as officers, coming down IN advance
OF their lines. the men having their muskcts at
right shoulder shin at trail arms and their slouch
hats DOWN over their heads. and have seen these
officers lead those men plump up against the mus
ketry, and, being in front, keep them from firing
with the view Of carrying the works at the point
OF the bayOnet. / Will say that much for them.
have seen officers who followed the other flag who
did not say. Go ia, boys, a little lame; you
viii probably get driven back, and VIII be here
TO receive you when you come" The army that I
had the honor TO serve with had officers in IL who
men had confidence, because the believed
them 10 be as brave any men ia the line be-
lleyed them 10 have courage and nerve, with the
skill and the coolness TO sweep with the eye over
the field 10 take advantage oftbe position 70 cover
the men where cover could be had. and TO reach
the point where the enemy could be assaied with
most success and with the least loss Those officers
had the confidence OF the soldiers. When any man
who says he was a soldier makes il a part of his
daily vocation TO abuse officers, think he must
have belonged TO that squad who were camp fol-
lowers, who were always in the rear, who always
reported the terrible destruction that had taken
place in their command at the 'front.' and that they
were the only men who had not been killed the
battle went on.
That tremendous battle al Richmond Ry-what
was i'll Where II the record Of that wonderful
battle? How many troops were engaged? What
advantage was gained or lost?
Why. sir. IL was. L have no doubt, OF those
skirmishes between outlying troops where here
and there "A shot was fired from the picsets and
they rallied back the center and the horns were
sounded and the drums beat 10 move on Johnny
Reb. and when they moved up where they sup
posed he was he had gone. lI4aughier.l
Mr. Johnston qnd.):
only want to recommend TO the gentleman thai
he read the history OF hs country a little II ht
will do 50, he viii find that the battle of Richmond
Ky, lasted for about 10 hours that there were
several engagements. and that, for the number o.
troops engaged, IL was as severe a battle as wa
fought during the war.
/ am not ieaching the gentleman history. lie
ought 10 understand the history Of his country
There were about 500 men the Union side anc
the other about II 600 or IS O00 Of Kirby smith
troops IL was the fight in which the Union force,
were trying 10 stop Kirby Smith from marching
upon Cincinnati.
The gentleman departs from tie point In issu,
and seeks 10 say do not know W ether he mean
! his remarks for for the gentleman from low.
that we have been abusing the officers. No ont
/ ever heard me abuse officer. / have never OF
this floor tried 10 detract from the merits Of an
officer; but do try to stand by the interests Of tn
private soldiers, and not say TO them We hay
time for legislation In the interest Of the Officers
but none for legislation ia your interest" That
/ the issue.
Mr.. Bragg (wis.):
Permit me one question ne 20 statistics. Was
not the fact that nearly all of that command {
| which you belonged were captured at Ri''mo =
Ky.7-
Mr.. Johnston und.):
Many Of them were.
Mr. Bragg Wis.,:
And is Il not true that the balance Of them wer
] cent back 10 Gen. Wolford TO be drilled becatIs
they were such poor soldiers? lLaughter.l
Mr.. Johnston (Ind.):
Now Mr.. Chairman. II gentlemen will be quiet
want 10 say that Ia that battle were subjected
many huIniaiions but 20 no humiliation 80 grea
as 10 be drilled by the gentleman from Kentucky
| lI-aughter.l / wish 10 say further that lie was
very brave man, but never saw him have his oW
troops under command Ia the line. and u j. part
the history Of the war that while he nominAlly ha
about 800 men, lie never was able 10 have moT
than 2O0 Of them together at once. Laughtcr.I
viii say, in answer 10 the gentleman from wis
consin, that IL IL n remarkable spectacle for "A ma
who claims 10 be Union soldier and claims {
have sympathy with the Union cause, now at thi
late day 10 goat over "A Union defeat Applaus
! on Republican side. That j. n strange spcctaci.
Whether IL j. because he had no sympathy wit
the cause at the time or because his surrounding
are such now a. TO prompt him 10 do ~ / know no
but suppose II was the former.
/ Ilfc gentleman seeks % after the gentema