New-York tribune., 1886-02-03
NATHANIEL GREENES GRANDSON.
BILL IN CONGRESS FOR HIS RELIEF.
UNJUsTLY CHARGED WITH DEsERTIoN-HIs sINGu-
LAR CAREER AS A SOLDIER.

UNJUsTLY CHARGED WITH DESERTIoN-HIs sINGU-
LAR CAREER AS A SOLDIER.
CHICAGO, Feb. 2.-Among the private bills
| introduced in Congress to-day to relieve
Private Richard Greene from the charge OF deseriion
which has been hanging him without his knowledge
since August %, 1862. Gr,ebo's story Is romantic
He born in Rochester In 1s2G, and Is grand
OF General Nathaniel Greene, OF Revolutionary
fame At early age he ran away TO sea,
but returning soon, entered the office OF The
BuGdio courier. leaving that to take an editorial posi-
tion on The SdnduskH ohio, Mirror. lIe returned TO
Rochester and married Mss Rachel Flower The young
couple went TO Chicago in 1853 Mr. Greene obtained
position under General Anson starer as operator on
the old ORey telegraph line. position which he re-
tamed until breaking Of the War; He enlisted in
an Illinois regiment, but 1t mustered ill., as the
Army had then more men than were required. He went
to st. Louis and joined Company /, 9Th Missouri
Infantry belonging the Third Division OF the Fifteenth
Army Corps which then engaged In pursuit Of the
Confederate General Price. After a year and a half
of service in Missouri the division ordered to
join General Grants and arrived in time to
tcpats in the battle OF shiloh after which they marched
u COrlnth From Corinth Greenes regimont went to
Memphis where his troubles began lie had served hon
oraby through two years OF army life In recognition OF
his he had been detailed to on the Sur
geOns Corps. and evening sent to Memphis,
about miles distant. with letter to surgeon sta
toned there On his return to camp he was stopped on
the lines. and having pass arrested by the Pro
vosMarshal. and without being given an opportunity
to explain taken to the guard-hOuse, where he
speut the night In the morning lie attempted
TO explain. but was not listened to. aud with
number OF other trahsgressors was marched
to the fortihcatlons. there to do pcnance
with pick aud shovel for his supposed misdeeds He
managed escape from the guard and fastening TO the
surgeon who had employed him on the previous day.
begged him TO e1culpac him The olliccr laughed at
him and through the lines 10 the quarters
OF the llth Illinois Infantry which was camped, under
marching orders, at short distance from the 6th
Missouri Regiment. Without ensting with the Illinois
Regiment he took up" with IL and left with his
new companions for the trenches before Nicksbnrg
While there no renewed his acquaintance with an old
advised to return to his old regiment aud Was given
letter to AdIutantGcneral Bowers. showing
Lieutenant Colonel j. C. smith. OF the 10Th Army Corps,
recommending him fora position on detached service.
Greene took the letter to General Grant, who In his own
handwriting indorsed II as follows:
"Approyed: II detailed clerk Is required In q VI.
Department Of the l5h Corps. where Private Greeue
belongs, would be pleased to have him tried"
This letter procured Greene position clerk at
Grants headquarters and under the immediate command
of Logan, whom he told his story and who,
duty In the 9Th Missouri infantry on
June q. 1864 his term OF enlistment having expired,
ing again attacked the fever returned to ChleaRo;
lie returned home but his health failed ami he had
business which brought his family tn state Of
want Then he applied to Washington the records were
looked IL found that two charges OF desertOn
had been oyerruod ny General Logans order and one
from the llth Illinois, regiment with which he had
never enlisted
Aflcr long search General Logan, order was found
and the first charge removed. but the second SIN
stands against tho unfortunate soldier Application was
made 10 the War Department setting forth the icts ana
asking tnat the charge OF dcscrtion from the llh li
nos be cNpunged. reply vas recently re
warrant such action and that the only method Of OBJ
t!nng relief was to secure tn' passage OF special act
accordingly presented TO Congressman Adams