The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-23
HONORS TO A PRIVATE.
Sergeant Sacrifices soldisrlY Standing to Prnei.
MIA


The NATIONAL TRIBUNE tells every week
OF tho Reunions of various regiments through
out the country, and every now and then Of
houors extended and receptions given to some
Colonel or Brgader or Major-Goueral. A
meeting WAS held ia Providence, X. l., on Sat
urday night, Sept -. which was worthy of
special mention, since IL was out Of the ordinary
order.
IL was an almost full meeting of the snfviv.
ors OF the 4th K. l. TO do honor aud extend
welcome to their old friend aud e0mrade in the
ranks, Scrg't Albert T.. Sholes, OF Co. |, now
resident in Georgia, and Past Senior Vice Com
mander of that Department of the Grand
Army. AZ the annual Reunion of the regi-
mental association in July IL was learned that
Comrade Sholes would in September visit his
native State, aud IL was voted unanimously 10
tender him a reception at that time and in
accordance Herewith the meeting was held as
mentioned, and a welcome given him that he
must be proud or Members of the regiment
were present from NIL parts of tho little State
aud some from Massachusetts,, and il was an
enjoyable time for ALL Comrade Sholcs was
one of the faithful ones OF the 4th in every
fight, on every march, always ready 10 take the
place OF q sick or hroken.d0wn comrade and he
soon won and always retained the affection of all
the boys but there is one special reason why
tho 9TH K. j. are glad 10 remember him kindly
aud show their regard for him still. The story
Is too long 10 tell IN detail now. In brief the
facts are these: An outfit of clothing was given
by the State Of Rhode Island 10 the 4th when
II entered tho service. In the Winter of 1863,
when the 4th was paid off for six months, the
payment covering the one due at end OF it's Il rst
year OF service, this State clothing was mixed
with tho u, 5. clothing account, and it's value,
| 5000, was deducted from the pay of each man
| present 10 WAS never deducted from the pay
of any man discharged during the year. or
| from any man who was absent from tho regi.
mont aud paid while absent. Sorg't Sholos
| protested against the deduction, and advised
| his company not to sign the roll, and they did
| not until after every other company had been
induced to sign, and he signed last Of all. For
| his earnest protest against this wrong he was
| reduced TO the ranks, and remained private
| for more than year, refusing promotion after
| ward at the hands of the officers who had been
| parties 10 his reduction. In the later years
| COmrade Shoies has been active. although liv.
| ing far away from his Old home and friends. In
his cndeavors 10 have this wrong of % years
| ago righted. Ho has written statement oil
| the facts for presentation 10 the General As.
sembly of Rhode Island has appealed to the
| Governor, and has materially aided In putting
the matter in such shape that there is reason tC
| believe few more months will see each living
comrade of the 4th, and tho widows and orphan,
of the dead, reimbursed the principal aud in
| LtfehL OF tnb sum tHub thhch iIOiu tucin nearly
n generation since.
Comrade Sholes has been for many years
citizen of Georgia, residing in Savannah nnt
to him is due the fact that there is to-day
Department of Georgia of tho Grand Army, ht
having organized all OF the Posts of that De
partment, with the possible exception Of two
The years that have gone since the war have
not changed him at all, and to-day he is II
ready MS when he marched aud camped an(
fought with the 4th TO aid with heart an(
hand and purse any comrades who need hi
assistance.