Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-03
GOT HIS PENSION RAISED.
An Old soldier Writes Directly TO the
President With Favorable Re-
suits.

An Old soldier Writes Directly TO the
President With Favorable Re-
suits.
B. F. Balch. of Fargo, Dakota, says
dispatch TO the StPaul Globe, responded
TO the first call of President Lincoln for
volunteers, and went out as a private in
company l, 18th Ohio infantry. On the
9Th of August. 1869. he enlisted in
company G, 18th Ohio. at the battle of
Murfreesboro he was taken prisoner, but
reported dead He remained in Pine
Forest prison three months and was then
removed to AndersoEville, where he
spent eight months, finally escaping by
means of the tunnel. Mr.. Balch is spoken
of in Keys 'Andersonviile Prison" as the
man who acted as prosecutor at the trial
of the New York toughs, the result of
which was that several of them were
hanged in the prison for murder. After
his escape from Andersonville he made
his way to Washington, where he bad a
long personal interview with Mr.. Lincoln,
Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Stanton.
Mr. Balch did not apply for a pension
until 1882, when the government, under
President Arthur, granted him IS per
month. Then he had bill introduced
in congress for an increase, but il failed
to accomplish the object, aud he has
since drawn his 1924 in each quarter.
| Along in June this year. while in the
office of Taylor Crum. a lawyer of Fargo
discussing with Mr. Crum and some othel
friends the best means of securing the
desired-aud Observation-Disclosures of pen
sion he suddenly said: I'm tell yor
what boys: III write to the president
myself" So he wrote as follows:
| FARGO, Dakota, July 8. 1888.
Grover Cleveland:
Dear Sir: Do not consigu this letter
to the waste basket 1t comes from ar
old soldier. have been informed thai
you sre opposed to pensioning old sol
diers, but don't believe this report.
have noticed several of the pension bills
brought before you for your signature.
should have vetoed them myself if hat
been president. l believe as you do
that it is better to husband the pension
fund and give it to deserving old sol
diers in sums that will do them som,
good.
Now, Mr.. Cleveland. the favor | sn
about TO ask you will be a small thing fo
you, but it will be as big as the mountain:
for me. as | am unable to do any manua
labor. Will you just step down to th,
pension Office and if You find in my re
cord any reason for granting an increas,
of pension. please have it given m,
in sum that will do some good |
not, please take awav the So which
have now. as it is more of bother, as
have to pay the lawyers and others nesrl,
as much as it amounts to get it. Your
truly, B F. BALCH.
Mr. Balch says; Some OF nv friend
laughed at me, saying that it would g,
into the waste basket and that Mr. Cleve
land would never see it. | sent the let
ter Just the same, and in just eight day
| got the answer. Here it is
| EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON
July II, 1888 B F Balch, ESQ Fargo
Dakota-Dear Sir:-The president direct
me to acknowledge the receipt of you
| letter of recent date and to say to YOU
that your request has been granted. You
pension has heeu increased to $24 pc
month, which amount you will draw OIL
the date OF your next payment. Tn
president is well satisfied from your rec.
ord that you are entitled to to even
higher rate. He directs me to say to you
''At the expiration of six months, go be
fore the pension bureau and be thorough
ly examined, and notify me and will Sc
that you receive justice"
DANIEL LAMONT,
Private Secretsry.