The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-03

10 Stflke uOWn the greaSer anu plauL Tue Rrlu-
iron banner upon the halls of the Montezumas,
and, perhaps as he yielded to the softening in
fuence of pale Cynthia on that eventful night
he dreamed of young loves daliance with the
charms of unveiled 'senortas.' But it is entirely
impossible to do justice to the situation, by rea-
son of the imperfect record on these points.
Suffice it. however, to say that whatever of
future unrolled itself to his vision and hopes
soon became a reality of drest misfortune and
blight, and here again we are compelled to real
ize-Lhomme propose, mais Dieu dispose.
'But to return to the record: On said last
mentioned day. as the disciple of Chitty would
say, Edward Kincade was enrolled to serve dur
ing the war with Mexico in Capt George Weav-
ers Company D, Fourth Ohio Volunteers. and
served therein until June 10, 1847, when he de-
serted from Camp Ohio and never returned to
his command This is the entry on company
rolls)
'It is not surprising that a military record so
young and tender as this should excite the
lveliest desire on the part of its possessor to
have it corrected And the committee now pro-
ceed upon that operation. and let the man tell
his own story, which during the present year,
for the first time, he filed in the Office OF the Ad-
iutant-general. He was not very soon,' but he
got there at last. He says
THAT Immediately after his muster, the company
went into camp the banks of the Ohio river, at
place called Sporstmans Hail. where from rain and ex
posure to the weather while in the line OF his duty he
was taken sick and contracted rheumatism or about
May 25, 1S47.
This man certainly ought to have a pension,
and the phraseology of his affidavits shows that
he has applied already Mark the dates; he en-
listed on May "a 1847, and on the Goth contract
ed rheumatic which seems to have cropped out
in 1885, Under the propagating influence of the
pension laws rheumatic and diarrhea' have been
made epidemic in this country by claim agents
under the pension laws. And it is suggested in
passing that, independent of all other questions,
and considered in a sanitary view, pure and sim
Or
attention as preventive and cure for epidemic
diseases would be nearly so efficient as to de-
clare rheumatic and ciarrhea' ron-pensonable
diseases. But we are wandering, 'as it were,'
aud hasten back to Kincade's statements:
He told his captain that he had friend in Cincin
natl to whom he could go and stay till he got better
or until the company was ready to move that the cap
tain told him to go there, and he would call for him
never called for him. And he very sick [un-
questonaby sick of his enlistment,l and when able to
manned sick until August 1848 and has ever since
suffered from rheumatism. His company mus
tered July, Is, 1848, and he sick just long
enough to his term of service. How fortunate!
But fate was not content thus to strike down this
soldier, hut-ah me miserum-he exclams also con
tracted darrhoea from drinking Ohio river water.
"Only think. one night in camp in the latter
part of May, 1847, on the banks of the Ohio
gives birth to the pension twins, rheumatic and
darrnoa.' What an ungrateful country! To per-
NIT this man to remain so many years on the
borders of the grave without recognizing his dis
tinguished service Of its own motion. And more
ungratefu still, when his claim agent overcame
his difidence and induced him to apply for pen
sion, to interpose as bar little thing like a
'deserton,' when, if it had not been for the
'pesky Ohio river water the government allowed
him to drink. perhaps he might have married
immense wealth in Mexico and have been long
ere this President of our sister republic.
"But this Is not ALL this remarkable state of
facts is vouched for by the usual eorroborativs
evidence in pension cases, taking n man, step by
baleful effects of the dual disease. But there is
nothing going to the charge of desertion.
"Your committee have taken this pains in this
case that this mans sufferings and sacrifices may
be known and appreciated and this is all the re-
lief they think the facts will warrant, therefore,
they report the bill adversely, and recommend 1t
to lie upon the table,"