The Portland daily press., 1886-10-22
HERO OF SUMTER.
Sergeant Scheianer Turned Out of
the Chicago Custom House.

N. Y. Tribune.
When the first shot of the Charleston Sc
cessionists was fired upon Fort Sumter
there was handsome young sergeant in the
garrison, remarkable for pluck and courage
His name was Eugene w. Scheibner. When
overtures has been made to Anderson and
Doubleday for the surrender of the fort, the
first sergeant along with his companions had
Indignantly refused to desert his post and to
haul down the American flag. Throughout
the bombardment he stood by his guns; and
when the garrison was forced to evacuate
the dismantled fort and to return to New
York, he was among the first to apply for ac-
tive duty In the field. He remained in SER
vice throughout the war, was promoted for
gallantry in action, became captain, and
was honorably discharged from the regular
army in 1870. He was thrown out of militia
ry service when the army was recognized,
since he did not have sufficient influence to
| insure his retention. But he obtained the
| position of inspector in the Chicago custom
house, where he was enabled to remain for
many years. Every outgoing Collector gave
him testimonial of good conduct and capa-
bility. He was known as one of the most
efficient customs officials. When the civil
otIflCt rules WENT lQLO eU6cI lie passed
very credit table examination.
Few, indeed are the survivors of that
brave band of loyal soldiers who were ex-
posed to the first shock of treason and rebel
lion. Gen. Doubleday remains, full of years
and honors and here and there a veteran OF
the garrison is to be found; but the rank
and file have gradually disappeared Ser
geant Scheibner with his medal won for dis
tinguished service in the beleaguered fort
and his rank of captain in the regular army,
nf 4haI Last of he. -
He was Republican, to be sure, but he was
not in any sense working politician. He
was an honest, efficient, capable inspector in
the custom house, with as honorable rec
ord as any official in the civil service. But
neither his medal nor his record stood in the
way of his removal when his place was de-
manded by Democrat. About ten days ago
the collector called upon him to resign. Very
frank was this Democratic official. He told
the. veteran that there were no charges
against him; nobody had found fault with
him, he was, in fact the most competent in
spector in the force. But he was good Re-
publican and his place was wanted for
good Democrat The collector had tried to
resist the pressure, but it had become too
great. The resignation must be offered.
so Sergeant Scheibner, one of the last of
the Sumter garrison, was turned out of office.
His loyalty In the opening scene of the war
went for nothing. Ten years of active mill
tary service with gallantry on the field re-
warded by promotion were left out of the ac-
count. His efficiency and capacity as GUS
toms inspector, andi his credtable civil SER
vice examination, passed unnoticed. He
was Republican. That was his only Of
fence. He was Republican, and his place
was wanted for Democrat. The pressure
upon an administration which is stepped to
its lips in canting phrases about civil ser
vice reform had become overpowering. The
old soldier with his Sumter medal must go,
even if the civil service rules were violated,
and cowardly blow were struck against
every veteran of the Union Army. His
was nothing more to be said He marched
out of the custom house to make room for
Democrat.