The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-30
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Replies to Questions on a VARIETY OF Interesting
Subjects.

ITO Correspondents questions on n sep
arate sheet of paper, give full name and address,
and mark 1t Correspondents Column" Noatten-
uon VIII be paid to communications that are not
accompanied with full name and address of writer.
Our readers are requested 10 incose a stamp for
reply to their inquiries. Postal cards will sbe
replied to by mail only. Replies by mail will ordi-
narily be made within a week. and if in this col
umn within three weeks.l
J.H g. Cambria, Mfch-1 What class of pen-
sioners will receive increase under act of Aug T.
1856, without application? 2. How long will it take
before the allowance of claim for increase AFTER IL
has been referred TO the War Departments for afdi-
tiOnal evidence? AISUsr. 1. Those who suffered
amputations or those totally disabled in limbs. 2.
we cannot say, because no two claims alike.
report in one case may be rendered in a few
weeks, and in another il may take some months
A A. L., Lel0tSt0'cn, IH.-During the late
Illinois sent IL regiments of cavalry, regiments
and batteries of artillery. lJ7 regiments and
companies of infantry. Total, I76 regiments com
panics and 8 batteries. The cavalry regiments
were numbered from No. up. Infantry regiments
commenced at No. because regiments had been
furnished to the Mexican and their numbers
were not duplicated
o. g.. GienIgOod. JRnn.-l What is the Congress
sional Globe now called the price and to whom
should apply to obtain same? AgS'ger. 1t is now
called the Congressional Record and ia issued every
day, embracing the proceedings of Congress the
previous day. IL IS published by authority of Con-
gress and the price Is "A for short session and So
Tor a long one. Address the Public Printer Wash
iDgtOn, ID. G..
CT. E.. IGGtin, OIL incurred inguinaI hernia by
lesping over an earthwOTk during the battle of
Peach Tree Greek, July 20, 1851 but as i was not
treated for same in hospital otherwise am un-
able to prove the origin Of said disability Can
obtain pension under the circumstances? AnstUer
You cannot obtain pension unless you can prove
how. when and where the rupture originated. The
Government cannot take an unsupported allegation
As a basis for "a claim.
L., Colfar, Indian entitled TO increase I'M
der act Of Aug. A, 1886? My pension certificate
reads total disability. AHs'0er. IL depends upon
the nature of the disability If YOU are pensioned
for amputatiOn Of limb or for a disability which
causes total disability in limb, you are entitled
not otherwise.
pension unless the person prove that the dis
ability for which he claims pension originated in
the service and IN line ofduty The fact thRt soldier
discharged for disability does not necessarily
prove when, where and how said disability origi-
mated; therefore, in the majority of cases evidence
of origin must be furnished We are unable TO adj
wise you how to proceed in the case because you do
not give US any particulars. You fail TO state the
nature of your disability. the circumstances
under which it was contracted, the nature of the
disability for which discharged. or any important
facts. This IS the case with many of our CORE
spondents and if they would state clearly the facts
and details OF cases submitted for decision they
would receive more satisfactory replies In the
absence OF definite information we are often unable
TO answer at all.
10 now stands should pass the next Congress, would
il affect the class Of widows whose husbands
through Ignorance or neglect failed to apply for
pension while living, and would said pensioners be
entitled to arrears from date of discharge from
date of disability of soldier? AIlSger. No there is
no legislation contemplated upon the subject. The
law does not provide a pension for q widow until
the soldier dies; then her title To pension COM
mences For the period prior to the soldiers death
ne was the only person entitled to pension and If
he failed to apply, the widow cannot file a claim
for him. because pension for that period belonged
only To him. widow cannot be pensioned q
soldier. III the husband failed to file claim prior to
his DEATH pension for that period cannot be paid to
any person whatever.
S. c. r., Rising sum Ind--How long after exarni-
of. Kaf,.
OF Its allowance or otherwise? 4RStger. We cannot
say, because no two alike and the action
IN one case would be no indication of the action
taken in another case. Ordinarily claim for in
crease based upon the same disability for which
| pensoned would go through within two months.
" L. r, Eureka, iH.-A pensoRer dies. and his
widow remarries after six years. Can she draw a
pension for said six rS?-ARStger. She cannot
unless she fled her claim prior to July L. 1880.
Mrs. K. H.-How near to the city of Washington
can the largest war vessels approaehP AnsUsr
/ They can reach the city at the Navy Yard.
| ID. g.. ShOeHsakersriiIe Pa.-The letter 7" was
omitted from the designation of companies because
OF :he similarity Of the letter with that of l. and
| To prevent mistakes in designating companies the
was omitted and K substituted.
Il. G. f.. Hddley, Pal. Can a soldier transfer
| his land claim to his son with the time deducted
/ that he served in the army? 2 How must a SOL
der prove to the Land Office that he has been a
soldier? Anstger L. No. 2. Furnish the local land
| office with certified copy of his discharge.
e. III. H.. CGStine, He.-At what time during this
session will Congress appropriate funds for tile set
Element Of bounty claims which have been allowed
since last session? A1lsUer. Probably lust before
adjournment, March 3, 1857.
j. NJ. Webster City, I0wd.-Who had charge of
the Second Brigade Second Division Finesnth
Corps Hospital in 1854. amer the taking of Atlanta
and where was il located? AEs1Ver. Columbus p
Brent, Surgeon 5ith Ohio, had charge of said hos
pital and it WAS located in the field near Atlanta
L. r., CaRReiiOn, hd.-it cannot be determined
how many soldiers died from sickness at vieEs-
burg Miss. There were 5E5 killed and 3 1888 wound
ed during the siege of Vicksburg. During the
Revolutionary war, from 177j to 1873, there were
enlisted 800 06i soldiers in the war of 1872 al
and in the Mexican war, l0l ,2S2
H. r., OtCGy, o.. How long does it require for
| final decision after a claim has passed into the
hands of the Board of Review? 2. What are the
| names of those composing the said board? 3. Does
| the Commissioner of Pensions the Board of Re-
view take action first on a claim? ARst1er. l. Ii is
impossible to say, because some claims require diff
ferent action 2 10 would be impracticable to prn
their names. The Board of Review is composed OF
about 10 of the most experienced Examiners. g.
| After q claim has been submitted by an Examiner
To the Board of Review 10 then passes 10 the Board
/ of Re-review, whose decision is final. The Com
missioner of Pensions does not take personal ac-
ton in any unless IL - out of the ordinary
/ line OF cases. IL would be impossible for him To
pass or act upon one-tweutieth part of the claims
/ that Submitted. He would act, if at ALL in a
case after it had been acted upon by the Board of
/ Re-review.
| A. r. ", Van Vert, GA soldier was discharged
l on account Of disability and died three months
/ later leaving widow aud minor child The widow
remarked. Il the child entitled to pension until
rs years of age, and how should he proceed TO get
4 u pension
| date of mothers TemarTiage to the date when he
| becnme rs years OF age. He may apply for himself
If over q years of age. and II not II he will have
1 to apply through q guardian. OF course we as
| sumo in this case that the soldier died from dis
ability which originated in line of duty in the sery-
/ ice. otherwise the child would have title what
| ever.
| OBS York H1rbor. Me- A pensioner through
/ an enemy was reduced from IS to "a per month
/ lie went before an Examining Board, and before
| the next pay day was renstated mt his former rate
| Is he not entitled 10 the money so kept back 9.
| A son who was under age enlisted in the army and
after little over wears service died, leaving a
dependent mother. Can she draw pension on said
| sons death without having to prove that nc sent
| her money for support 1HSIUer. /. Nes if the
| pensioner could convince the Commissioner OF
| Pensions that an error was committed. 3 Yes;
| there Is nothing Ia the law which would operate
against her on that account, providing she was de-
I pendent upon said soldier for support Contribu-
lions from the soldier in such a case would be as.
| suned. aud u would not require evidence that he
sent money home to prove her claim, if otherwise
| established.
| A. H. PeotOne W-What naval battle was foua hit
\ during the Mexican war? AlIstpsr. There were
several naval battles during said war, notably mt
| Frontera TabascO, Tamnico, Vera Cruz Tuspan
I and several others OF minor Importance Vessels
! engaged the American side: Vixen, Boneta,
| Reefer Nonata, Mississippi, Spitfre, 81 Mary's,
Porpose Petrel Falcon and Others G1n,rr,,,,st,r,-
/ Conner and Perry were the commanders of the
different expeditions, and average of six prize
/ vessels were taken at each expedition
C. b w., South Butler, ". Y. writes US that he Il
| a lawyer and that in his opinion pension money
| and property purchased with pension money in the
| State of New York is exempt from levy etc for
| debt. Our opinion has been given heretofore and
we have not the time to so into the subject at any
| greater length.
A. W.. 81 Joseph, Bto-TIas an Examining Board
table of rates to be guided by ia rating a pension
for Deafness 1nSlger Yes; the rates are fixed by
i the Commissioners of Pensions.