The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-03
MAJOR LEWIS MERRILL.
His Promotion Defeated Because of His Re

ora as a Oefenu9r Oh the OnlOus
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 2-The case of Major
Lewis Merrill, of the army, presents one of the
most fragrant instances of confederate persecu-
tion that has occurred since the advent of this
administration, and one that will warm the
blood of every gallant man who fought for the
Union. when the outrage is understood During
the past two or three weeks great deal of frag-
mentary comment has been written on this case,
but not sufficient connection has been given to
it all to make it fully understood.
A short time ago there arrived at the Senate,
among other army nominations, that Of Major
Lewis Merrill, to be lieutenantcolonel. The
nomination was referred to the committee On
when it was expected to reappear in the Senate
for confirmation, it was announced that the
President had Withdrawn the nomination.
About this time dispatch appeared in New
York paper from New Orleans, announcing that
Representative Blanchard had telegraphed from
this city that he had succeeded in having the
| nomination of Dog Merrill" withdrawn, and
that he would not receive his promotion, which
would be good news to Louisianians. Behind
all of this is an interesting story.
During the late war Major Merrill commanded
what was familiarly known as ''Merrill's Horse"
a brigade of cavalry which acted in conjunction
with the dashing men commanded by Phil Sher
idan, now commander-in-chief of the army.
Merrill was known far and wide as one of the
most sincere and faithful fighters on the Union
| side. He was sagacious, far-seeing, determined,
| and brave as bravery itself. When the war
closed his name was notorious in some Of the
Southern States, and many unforgiving Are
eaters laughed to hear him mentioned only as
those who were no more
When the Ku-klux organized in North and
South Carolina. in 1906 and continued their
reign Of terror till the close of the following
year. Major Merrill's Horse was dispatched into
that country TO arrest the white men who were
beating, hanging ara shooting the negroes, and
as result Of his visit there, nearly two hundred
Of the "best citizens were arrested, tried and
convicted, ard sent to the penitentiary and Major
Merrill was not prone to handle these despera-
does as though they were lords dukes and princes.
He arrested them and cast them into prison just
like ordinary criminals. And his brigade swept
through the country like hurricane and new
broom. andgathered in every one engaged in the
effort to exterminate the colored race. The rich
Jared just like the poor, when they were guilty
of crime, and it took but a short time for Major
Merrill to make himself Infamous in the eyes Of
| the murderers.
When the war broke out again in Louisiana.
| in 1874, Gen. Phil Sheridan was sent to New
| Orleans to command the United States troops.
| The moment he reached his destination he saw
| the situation was alarming. Not only were
many soldiers needed but brave and coolheaded
| officers. An officer to take charge of the fighting
was needed-a man full OF manhood, courage
| and good military experience was needed. Major
Merrill was sent for, and the war was ended,
but not until some shooting was INDUCED in. and
the iails and station-houses were full of prison
ers. Among the latter was Mr.. Blanchard, the
| congressman. who, few days ago. telegraphed
his friends that Dog Merrill" had been defeated
| for promotion. and suggesting that it was mat
ter of congratulaton for the people of Louisiana.
Blanchard was arrested and imprisoned at the
order of Merrill, and has been. laying for' the
latter ever since.
| In the many battles Major Merrill ard his men
fought, that gallant officer did not escape unin-
| iured. Time and again he was shot. The in
| juries he received have been causing him more
| pain, as years move on, until, six months ago,
| it became evident that the rapidly-increasing
| complications his wounds were creating had un-
| fitted him for active duty. He was, therefore,
summoned before retiring board, condemned
and recommended for retirement. This was not
done at Major Merrilrs request. He had. how
ever, long been entitled to promotion, and this
was determined upon prior to the decision of the
retiring board The force of clearly defined law
| and official duty operated. and Secretary Endi-
! colt recommended the promotion. which the
President made, as stated.
/ As soon as Representative Blanchard saw the
nomination Of Major Merrill. he rushed to Secre
tary Endicott and laid bare his grievances. He
told him how Merrill had played havoc with the
! Ku-klux in the Carolinas, and how he had in
| vaded Louisiana with Phil Sheridan and arrested
"good citizens" engaged in friendly riot-even
going so far as to arrest the speaker. And in
| the name of the unreconstructed rebel element
and revenge Mr. Blauchard demanded the with
drawal of the nomination. AS Mr.. Endicott is
| trucking to this element and is in sympathy
with it he Immediately acceded to the request
Not moment did he pause. It was enough
| that the confederates wanted il done. Hasten
/ ing to the President Mr.. Endicott asked for the
withdrawal of the nomination. Without asking
for reasons the President made the order, the
nomination was withdrawn, and now Mr.. Blan-
chard, Mr.. Endcott and the various Messrs. Ku-
klux, confederates and 'nieger-bsaters" of the
South have dangling at their belt, in the name of
riot. treason, blood and revenge, the scalp of
Major Lewis Merrill the hero of many bloody
battles, who riddled with bullets and worn by
decades of gallant service, has been declared un-
ut for tho service OF an active soldier
This instance Of confederate supremacy is not
a great deal more striking. however, than that
presented by Secretary Whitney, who has pro-