The evening world., 1891-12-16

VETERAN EDWARD FISHER.
Although Fisher served with credit in the
struggle with Mexico, the War Department
records bear opposite his name the word
"Deserter." This is why the Old veteran has
been unable to get pension for his services
and injuries received during the Mexican war.
And yet, II his old comrades are to be be-
lieved, the Government records are wrong,
and, instead of being deserter, Fisher was
one Of the bravest soldiers that ever fought
under Uncle SANS flag.
Thursday evening, while pursuing his voca-
tion, Fisher received the Injuries which now
confine him TO his bed, and which make the
reasons WHY the record snould be corrected
and he be g.onttd pension all the more
urgent.
Fisher had two fares from the Union League
cub. He drove them to Fortieth street and
Fifth avenue, where they alighted. Fisher
drove on TO Fifty-fourth street, where the
front axle OF his cab suddenly broke.
The driver was thrown violently to the
hard stone pavement, striking on his right
shoulder and grazing his right temple. Had
he struck ssquareiy on the head he might
never have been able to tell what followed.
He was picked up in half-unconscious
condition and sent to st. vincent's Hos
pital. There physicians dressed his wounds.
avenue.
When an EVENING WORLD repol ter called
on Fisher, he found him light-hearted and
that has been done him by the Government
for nearly fifty Years and the painful In
)uries he received the other night.
The old veteran was much averse to giving
any details OF his deeds OF valOr, although his
old comrade Col. Kerrigan pronounces him
"one OF the bravest soldiers that ever stood
on battlefield" lie did, however, consent
toglye few facts in regard to his career as q
soldier
He wa: born in Albany, \. Y, Oct. 2s,
e 1928, anu Is therefore over siXty-three years
old All his life Fisher has worked with
cabman or owner.
He was only eighteen years old when ne en-
listed as q soldier for the Mexican war In
1S4O, Joining the First New York Volunteers,
Col. Ward b. Burnett. With his comrades
Young Fisher was In the thickest OF the lights
at Vera cruz Cerro Gordo, Jalapa, Castle OF
Perote Pueblo, COntreras, Cherubusco, Nc
limo del Rey, Chapultcpec and the City OF
The regiment was conspicuous for Its gall
lantry IN all these engagements and, accord
Ing to Col. kerrigan and others OF his COM
rades no individual was braver than Eddie
Fisher.
Probably no engagement is so vivid in
veteran Fishers memory as the battle OF
CherubuscO. During that fight the young
soldier received two bullet wounds in the
LETT side. He insisted on remaining with his
regiment, and IN few days was again en-
gagged In pulling unerring beads" ON the
hostile "Grel.ers."
During the hottest part OF the battle OF
Cherubusco one OF Fishers comrades turned
To him and asked him for drink OF water.
I" Haven't anything but wine In my can
teen." said Fisher, between shots.
well, that viii do" rejoned the other.
Fisher handed his canteen to his comrade,
but instantly noticed that 1t was remarkably
light. Closer examination showed that a
Mexican bullet had cut straight through the
canteen ard Fisher had known nothing about
II. Not drop OF wine was lett.
little later on that same day he received
the two wounds In his side.
TAT the close OF the war Fishers regiment
proceeded to Vera cruz TO sail for home, and
IN the interim before cmbarking, Fisher. Col.
kerrigan, Jacob H. Riley. james o'Iara,
Matthew Conlin, VIM. Moulton and other
members Of the regiment went on a sort OF
painting excursion through the old town.
They found Vera cruz sours considerably
more seductive than New York rum punches,
and aS result a small riot was soon under
way and company OF regulars was or
dered to quell IT,
Fisher was arrested and locked up in the
York the next day without him, and when
they were mustered out or the service Fisher
was still IN Mexican jail, unable to get
away.
This is how he became " deserter" but 1t
Is readily seen that his descrtion was forced
by the Government, which has wronged him
for so many years.
Riley, who Is now a night watchman In the
CustoE!-H u'e Conln, who keeps Hudson
street saloon, aud col. Kerrigan have all
made affidavit to the foregoing facts, which
show that Fisher wa not deserter.
AS soon as Fisher returned from Mexico he
went TO Albany, where he opened livery
stable, and IN ls54 he married Mary Jane
Hawey, by whom he had four daughters.
when The rebellion broke cut the old mar
tial spirit again seized Fisher. Thinking
there would De little business done until the
"difliculty" was settled he sold his stable
and enlisted rs First Lieutenant In the Eigh-
teenth New York Volunteers under Col. Wm.
A. Jackson
He was In both battles Of Bull Run, tho
Seven DAYS Fight, Wilderness and IN mos
OF he noted battles ~ the war and escaped
without even n scratch.
April lB 1858, he was granted an honor
able discharge, having served two years.
Twelve days after he had enlisted daughter
Anna f., WHO Is still livinS was born, ana
Lieut.. Fisher was anxious TO see her, so he
hastcned home to Albany.
In 1863 his wife died, and two years later
Fisher moved 10 chicago. lie remained West
until 1872, when he came 10 New YORK,
where he has since mace his home. :,
July 81, 1873 he married Margaret r.
Murphy, OF this city. They have TWO sons
Mr. Fisher has many good yarns to tell.of
his experiences In both wars lie says the
lest meal he ever ate m his lille was Just after
the battle OF Cherubusco, when he was
wounded Some OF his comrades caught
young porkCr and roasted him, and Fisher
Insists that t0 this day ne can remember Just
how lnal pig tasted.
In his ,ny Fisher has met and carried In mis-
cab many notable men. Among these was
the late Billy Florence, whom he knew per-
sonally, and the od veteran nGlnt; WIN Win
Which he himself gave his cab-drver friend
While not exactly destitute, Fisher and his
family have hard work sometimes 70 make
both ends meet. They occupy humble but
scrupulously neat aud well-kept apartments
on the top floor OF 427 Eighth avenue
Teu.onir SteHms Away Crowded.
The White Star steamship Teutonic sailed