The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-10-01
STRANGER THAN FICTION.
PATHETIC CASE OF AN ILLINOIS
UNION SOLDIER.

Reported Killed in Battle, and Srourned
as Dead for Twenty mine Years. IIo Now
Turns UP and Claims Il Pension.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2O.--Olc Of the
most remarkable and pathetic cases that
has ever been brought to the Bureau of
Pensions, is that OF William Newly, a
private of Company d. Fourth Reg,-
ment, Illinois Volunteers. Tnls resl.
mcnt was commanded kv the heroic Col.
Stephen G.. Hicks, Of Illinois, and was
conspicuous for its yallantrY AZ tho
battle Of Shiloh. Newly WAS III this
battle, on the 9th Of April, 1862, and
was reported killed in action. Itseem,,
however, that instead Of being killed,
he received a severe wound on the
head and was captured aud sent to th4
rear by the Confederate forces. was im-
prisoncd at Belle Isle aud was attcrwl.l,
transferred t0 Audcrsonvillc. 1t seems
that NcwbY was released in c)utsa ,!
time and was In pOorhOuscs in various
parts OF the South.
He was finally taken ~ KY W1Ss,
Fla, by gentleman who rcco -n;z al
Newby as Il kinsmau. Here he renamed
until some time in 1869, when his uncle
died. Newby wandered from place to
ace, and finally turned up at Shrcve-
port, La, and while there the colored
people made up purse and he was
given passage on steamboat to Cincm-
natl. On the way up the river the
stcambort lnn,ed at ShawnceLown, LII.
Ncwby, hearing this name called out,
seemed to recognize something that was
familiar and got oil the boat. From
here he wandered to Kankakcc, Ill.
where he was in the poorhouse for Ii
time. Leaving this place, he struck out
Southward, and at last reached Mel ,enus.
| borough, In Hamilton County, H., and
was sent TO the poorhouse.
During these years ne was in a de-
mentcd state, bordering upon insanity,
as the supposed result OF the wound in
the head. In wandering about he finally
went over into White county, and when
he got near his old home was seen and
recognized by two Of his comrades who
had served i'll the regiment with him.
His wife was sent for, and she identified
him, as did his relatives and many OF
his friends and comrades.
After Newly was reported us killed III
, action, his wife applied for pension,
and 1t was granted, and she has been
drawing a Widows pension from the
date OF his reported death to the pres
ent time. This soldier has filed claim
for n pension, and it Is now receiving
the consideration of the Office, the claim
OF the widow being suspended in the
meantime. No discharge has ever been
granted to the soldier. and the considera-
lion OF the pension claim is bciu. post
poned until such time as the Secretary
OF War shall grant the man a discharge.
This soldier has been separated from
his family for period of twenty.n!ne
years, they believing all the while that
he was dead, and now he turns up for
lorn. dcmcnted old man.
His case has attracted great attention
in the southern part Of Illinois, and has
excited the universal sympathy OF all
who have become acquainted with it.
He recently attended large reunion OF
Old veterans Of his county, where the
subject was universally discussed. The
pension will no doubt soon be granted,
aud he will receive sufficient sum To
smooth his way to the end of hjs life.