Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-09-03
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
Mr. Edmund. IA Friend OF the soldier.

VETERAN WHO HAD TwENTY-oNE BULLET
HOLES IN HIS body GIVES his TESTIMONY.
10 the Edit0r Of the Rutland Herald:
have heard 1t said around town that Seua-
tor Edmunds was against the soldiers and
never did anything for them, and | would
like to just relate my experience with him and
tell what he did for me in helping me.
l enlisted the 25th OF April 1861, and
served until the l4th OF April 1865, and had
81 bullet holes in my body and had both legs
and one arm broken in battle aud afterwards
had pension OF SIS month, which was cut
down to 81 by an officer of the pension bu-
resu, who was drunk when be examined me.
then went to Washington on my crutches to
get an examination before the full board,
carrying letters OF recommendation, and APP
piled to the Secretary Of the Interior for an
order for an examination, which was abso-
lutely necessary according to the rules Of the
pension Office. But he said il was OF no use,
he would not do it and when | asked him il
l could not get an order from some one,
senator or some one and have it DONE he
gruifly told me no, il was nc use that he
would not do it even II / got an order from
President Grant.
l then hobbled out and thought IL over, and
made up my mind | would apply to Senator
EdmuDds, and found his home and rung the
bell, aud Mrs T. imunds came to the door aud
invited me in, and when | asked for Mr.. Ed
munds she said he was out but would be in
soon and | waited short time, when he
came in and told him who | was aud what
wanted, aud he said was just the man he
wanted to zee and talk with and hear about
Vermont. Aud after talking awhile he said
it WAS getting late, und it vas time he was
duiug something for me, and asked the to tell
Just what was the matter and what wanted,
aud when | told my story and how tho Assist
ant Secretary of the Interior had treated me
and refused TO give me any chance AT all, he
smiled and said he guessed we could fix that /;
and be then sat down and wrote letter 20
him and told me to take that in the morning,
and if he still refused to do anything to go
Immediately to the senate and fluid him and he
would see what he could do. took the let
ter and thanked him, and got on my crutches
and went out into the street, and he followed
me, and when he saw me start fl TO go to the
hotel on foot be said, "IIold on a minute, "
aud be ckoned a hackman to come to him and
| told him to take me to my hotel and paid
him but I said could walk, and he said he
WAS not g ing to have an old soldier go away
| from his door on crutchts The next morn
ing | went to the Secretary OF the Interior
about 10 O'Clock and handed him the letter
and when he read it be raid Didn't tell
you it wouldn't make any difference with
| your case, even il YOU get letter from the
| Pr, sid.nt? No, you cant have another *
animation" then took up the letter and he
said "WhAt are you going to do with that =
| ! told him Senator EdmundH told me II you
would not grant me an examination to bring
| the letter back to him and he would ste what
could be done and | went out and got about
half way down the hall when an orderly call
ed me back, and the s. oretary said II will
| give you the order for an examination, you
| are making such A fuss about il 30 The result
was got rcinstated and again drew my IS a
month. H. A. GRAVES
| Brandon, Vt, Aug. %, 1856.
2. S. h fore | left, Mr. Edmunds said il
there was anything be could do to help any
of the soldiers from Vermont, he would DO
glad to do il any time. write this letter be-
cause l think it is in justice due to Senator
| Edmunds, and though l am Democrat,
shall cast my vote this fall for the man who
supports Mr.. Edmunds-a Democrat if he
will but il not, Republican. H @.