Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-29
MANDERsoN EXPLAINS.

OMAHA. Neb., Aug. a Senator Charles
+. Henderson has handed the following
letter to Corporal Tanner, concerning his
rerated tension, to United Press repre-
sentative:
To Hoa. James TIaR-r, CogaBsissioasr Of Pen
siOas, Washington:
MY DEAR SIR: 1 returned 10 nv home yes
terday after an absence Of nearly two months.
during which have been beyond mail commu-
nication, having been during great part OF the
time in Alaska with the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs. With my accumulated mail
1 tnd blank voucher transmitted by
the United States pension agent at Des
Moines, Ia. to be executed and returned
10 him that / may draw pension due me
under reissued pension certificate No. 5S,6iT
correcting the rate from SIS TO $50 per month
from March Is, 1855. Accompanying this blank
application is the reissued pension certificate
described and your letter Of inelosure stating
the facts Of its issuance and that a check for
the amount due me will be forwarded on nv re-
turn OF the voucher properly executed Before
my departure for the Alaskan trip il had been
stated TO me by parties claiming to know, that
the pension bureau had rerated my pension
without any application or knowledge on my
part, and have even read in some newspapers.
one false statement that 1 had received about
81, 0lo pension due me under the rerating
The letter. certificate and vouchers received
by me to-day are the first formal or Official
notification have received that the Bureau OF
Pensions had on its own motion issued a new
certificate granting me a rerating. You will
bear me out in the assertion that this action on
the part of the officials OF your bureau has not
only been without my application, but has been
without my agency or suggestion, directly or
indirectly applied. and without my knowledge
that it was 10 be done or was contemplated
Not that such application by me, and such re-
rating by you, would rot be just and right under
the law and in common fairness, but make the
statement that the exact statement may be
understood
have read to-day in papers issued during the
past few weeks so much of untruth maliciously
written, and so much that is unjust to you and
unfair TO me, that feel outraged and indig-
nant For your administration Of the affairs OF
your oft1ce, with proper regard to the law OF the
country, which does not recognize soldiers
pension bounty or charity. but as his con-
tract right. and looks upon the Republics
obligation to its defenders, not as 3
duty, but as a privilege, you are to
be broken down by outrageous misrep-
resentations and personal abuse. So far as my
own case is involved 1t is immaterial what
may be said or written concerning me. l will
pursue the course that shall give me the ap-
proval of my own conscience, uninfluenced by
clamor and not fearing abuse, counting fair
criticism and desiring the good opinion of the
just. 1t is due to you, however, as a comrade
much esteemed, that should pursue a course
that shall throw full light upon every important
fact.
1 have ever disliked to speak of my personal
ills and have not been one OF those who ''ex-
hlbited their wounds in the market places"
Although for TWENTY-FIVE years have suffered
the Inconvenience and pain incident TO a severe
gunshot wound and an unextracted bullet
have not been in the habit of boring my friends
and intimates with the recital of my woes
Perhaps the fact that was shot in the back
has had something TO do with my reticencc
1t would seem 10 be proper now that should
give the detail, however unpleasant personally
to myself ] entered the service in April, 1861,
and resigned because Of physical inability on
March Il, 1865. 1 filled every grade of rank in
the Nineteenth re giment of Ohio infantry, and
on my resignation Colonel was breveted
Brigadier-General Of Volunteers, as expressed
in the commission, for gallant, meritoriOus
and lopg continued services during the war Of
the rebellion.
1 was in charge OF my regiment in nearly
every battle of the center, west. and on Sep
tember2, 1851, at Loveioy's Station, Ca. my
command having taken the enemy's front line
of rife pits, was leading it upon the main
work, when was shot, mimic ball striking
the spine and passing into my right side. 1t is
not necessary for me to say to you that if my
back was TO the foe my face was toward
the men OF my own regiment. l was car
ried into Atlanta, remained there bed
fast and partially paraIyzed until that city was
burned. when l was moved by easy stages to
the North. practically recovering the use of my
legs. Carefully nursed until the next spring.
tried to return to duty, but was declare by the
surgeons unfit for military duty" and re-
signed In July, 1865, believing it 70 be not
only right, but duty, to get upon what 1 con-
ceived TO be the roll of honor, I applied for
pension, was examined by q board OF surgeons,
who rated me at one-half disability. With the
test of total disability, an injury equivalent to
the loss of the left hand, 1 have always felt
that was rated too low, but did not complain
or make application for higher rating, simply
accepted the situation as it was made for me,
but there never has been a time when 1 would
not have willingly suffered the amputa-
tion of either hand arm to be rid
of the existing injury with the constant
painful reminders of the limitation Of my
powers and its ever present threat OF
a dreadful result from carelessness or indiscre-
tion, the incapacity and danger growing greater
with the advancing years / doubt If would
ever have made application for such increase,
but you have seen Mt to take up my cause with
out my knowledge, and with the kindness Of a
comrade, himself a grievous sufferer from
wounds, have done that which you believe just
and right under the laws you are sworn to ad-
minister.
For this I thank you most sincerely, but IN
der this attack upon you there must be left no
room for doubt or cavil as 10 the full propriety
Of your conduct. The medical and legal ex-
perts of your office have acted upon the record
as made in your Office, and upon it, including
these examinations made since the (the
record OF none Of which have ever seem. de-
,lared that was uniustly rated. Before 1 ex-
scute the voucher received, or take any other
steps in this matter desire that there should
De rigid and searching examination by med
cal experts as to the extent Of the present dis
Ibillty.
Thanks to a careful life and an abundant
-itality have no expectation Of an early death,
md know my remaining days would be greatly
olaced and blessed il a competent medical
,oard could give me the assurance that my
,ains and ills are mere hgments of the i'm
glnation. and that / am whole in body and
ound in mind. For such result would be
lmost willing to apologize for having fought on
he right side in the war Of the rebellion
i therefore respectfully ask that either you.
II the honorable Secretary of the Interior. dis
gnate a board Of medical examiners some
There in the country. charged with the duty Of
making physical examination and report the
acts as 10 my condition. II this request shall
e complied with please advise me of the time
nd place. my only preference being in view Of
ther engagements, that it should be after
october /. Very respectfully,
CHARLES T. MANDERSON.
P. SIN one Of the newspapers Just read by
ne the statement is made that certain oficials
n your ONCE have been dismissed because OF
b ir action in my case. do not know who
hey are, and do not think am personally ac-
TAINTED with any Of those who acted. besides
ourseh VIII you kindly advise me OF the facts
this benalff
No Bids Accepted.
WASHINGTON, Aug 24-In the Navy