New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-19
4 SUMTER HERO RETIRED.


when the first shot OF the Charleston Seces-
sionists was fred upon Fort Sumter, there was
a handsome young sergeant in the garrison, re-
| markable for plnck and courage. His name
was Eugene W. Scheibner When overtnrrs
had been made to Anderson and Doubleday for
the surrender of IN, fort, the first sergeant
along with his companiors had Indignantly re-
fused to desert his post and to haul down the
American flag. Throughout the bombardnent
he stood by his guns; and when the garrison
was forced 10 evdIuate the dlsInantled fort and
to return to New-York, he was among the
first to apply for active duty in the field. He
remained in service throughout the war, was
promoted for galantry in action, became a
captain, and was honorably discharged FROM
the Regular Army in 1870 He was thrown out
| of military service when the army was re-
organized, since he did not have sufficient i'll
| nuence 70 insure his retention. But he OBJ
! tanned the position Of Inspector i'll the Chicago
| Custom House, where he was enabled to re-
main for many years. Every outgoing Collector
| gave him testimonial of good conduct and
capability He was known as one of the most
eff cient customs officials. When the Civil Ser
ice rules went into effect. he passed very
creditable examination.
Few, indeed, are the survivors Of that brave
band of loyal soldiers who exposed to the
first shock of treason and rebellion. General
Doubleday remains, full of years and honors
and here and there veteran of the garrison is
TO be found but the rank and file have gradu-
ally disappeared. Sergeant Scheibner, with
his medal won for distinguished service in the"
beleaguered fort and his rank of captain in
the Regular Army. one of the last OF the
men of Sumter He was q Republican, to be
sure, but he was not in any sense a working
politician. He was an honest efficient, capable
insp ,ctor in the Custom House, with as honor
able record as any official in the Civil Ser
vice. But neither his medal nor his record
stood in the way of his removal when his place
was demanded by a 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 a good Re-
publican ar 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 Schebner, one of the last of the
Sumter garrison, was turned out of office. His
To- alty in the opening scene of theWar went
ior nothing. Ten years of actiy e military SER
vice with galantry on the field rewarded by
promotion we're left out of the account. Ills
efficiency and capacity as customs inspector,
and his creditable Civil Service examination.
passed unnoeiced He was a Republican. That
was his only offence. He was a Republican and !
his place was wanted for n Democrat. The |
pressure upon an Administration which is
STEPPED to its lips IN canning phrases about
Civil Service reform had become overpOwer-
Ing. The old soldier with his Sumter medal
must 90, even IL the Civil Service rules we're
violated and a cowardly blow we're struck
against every veteran Of the Union Army. His