The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-08

very poor opinion alike Of your motives and
your manhood, you will. pardon me if. in what
write, use some plaiuuess and freedom OF ex-
preston
az know the game you sought in the outset to
bring down by your partisan rifie-practice was
much higher and more important than an OBJ
scure private soldier, like myself. Circum-
stances over which your abilities exercised but
small control hsd recently elevated you to the
head of the Pension Departments, highly re-
sponsible position, requiring am told the
most patient and conscientious labor, rather
than the noise ard show for which during your
life in the West You became 90 Justly celebrated.
Ignorant Of the real services the position de-
mauded of you, and not content 70 settle down
to inconspiouous usefulness, your iuordinats de-
sire to attract attention led you to make In your
first report q malignant and baseless attack
upon your predecessor Colonel Dudley, q brave
and discreet soldier, who left ono OF his legs as
Gettysburg. whose services to the country In
civil life have been equal TO those rendered in
the field. and whose solitary remaining shoe. in
my Judgment, and that Of all the soldiers OF my
acquaintance. You were never worthy to unite.
There would, perhaps, be no shorter nor more
Just way to praise the predecessor you have
libeled than to say he differs in all respects
from yourself
chivalrous task of destroying the official reputs-
tion of wounded brother officer 10 we'll known
to the country, and while . common soldier in
private life, like myself. could not aspire to be
uouoreu Dy uuy Budro OK your original dbtouSlous
it seems, from your letter, my small claims to
honor and responsibility are to be incidentally
and casually crushed by you in the undieni6ed
scuff1e through which you are vainy striving TO
let go OF the tigers tail. which you now find you
siezed hold Of rather prematurely. A weak nro-
test from q solitary atom that 10 thus being
ground mp in the lniil of your ambition may not
be awaiting. but 1t shall none the less be made.
Private Fifer then reviewed she evidence on
which his pension was increased. showing. as
General Black could hardly have helped know
ing, that the appeal Of Senator Cullom Was but
an incident in the case Having completely ex-
posed the Commissioner. he concluded with .
comparison.
Now, sir, how stands the case between you
and met, he wrote. ~ enlisted In 1861, then
quite young, and. taking my lot ia the ranks.
served over three years My contribution to
my country was small, know. but gave 1t no.
complainingly. You. moro fortunately. or
will say. If IL suits you better. moro con-
spicuous for your ability. entered tas service
about the same time as officer and became
general of volunteers. Both of u had the mis-
fortune to be wounded-I through the body,
you in one or both Of your arma We both
came homo and prActiced Law. and in that voca-
ton the stars you brought from the services
gave you . prestige which my old battered
the pension roll. but with this DIFF
fersuee: /. still willing 20 take
my chances with the great body Of my com
rades. nled regular application TO be passed
upon under general Law applicable 70 all cassa
tardily brought forwards proofs Of the disa-
biiity that bad long weighed me down In the
race Of life, and on that proof asked IN increase
Of the paltry sum hrst allowed me. What did