The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-23
ON THE DEATH ROLL FOR YEARS
A Soldier Reeppeers Who Was Re-
ported Killed in action.

A Soldier Reappesrs Who Was Re-
ported Killed in Action.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2O.-One Of the most
remarkable cases that has ever been brought
to the attention Of the bureau of pensions is
that of William Newly. private Of Com
pany D, Fourth regiment. Illinois Volun-
teers This regiment was commanded by
| Col. Stephen G. Hicks of Illinois, aud was
conspicuous for its gallantry at the battle OF
! Shiloh. Newly was in this battle on April
| 6, 1862, and was reported "killed Ia action.
! It seems, however. that instead Of being
killed he received a severe wound
| of the head and was captured and
sent to the rear By the confederate forces.
He was imprisoned at Belle Isle, and was
afterward transferred to Andersonville. II
seems that he was released in course of time,
and was In poorhouses in various parts OF
the south. He was finally taken to Key
West by a man who recognized him as a
kinsman. Here he remained until some time
in 1869, when his uncle died. Newly wan
dered from place to place and finally turned
up at Shreveport, La. While there the colOred
people made up purse. ami a passage was
was given him on steamboat to Cincin-
natl. On the way up the river the steamer
landed at SDawneetown. I'll. Newby, hear
ing this name called out, seemed to recog-
nize something that was familiar and got
off the boat. From here he wandered to
kankakee, ILL.,, where he was in the poor
house for a time. Leaving this place he
struck out southwark, and at last reached
McLeansborough, in Hamilton county, Hi
nois. and was sent to the poorhouse.
During these years he was in a demented
state, bordering upon insanity. the supposed
result OF the wound in the bead. In wander
ing about he finally went over into White
county, and when he got near his old home
he was seen and recognized by two OF his
| comrades, who had served in the regiment
with him. His wife was sent for, and she
identified him, as did bis relatives and
many of his friends and comrades.
After Newby was reported as "killed in
action his wife applied for a pension. 1t
was granted. and she has been drawiog
widows pension from the date Of his death
to the present time. This soldier has filed
a claim for pension and is now receiving
| the consideration of the pension office, the
| claim Of the widow being suspended in the
mean time. No discharge has ever been
granted to the soldier, and the c)nsidera-
| ton of his pension claim is being postponed
until such time as the Secretary OF War
shall grant discharge.
This soldier has been separated from his
family for a period Of twenty nine years,
they believing all the while that he was
dead, and now he reappears distressed, de-
mented old man. His case has attracted
great attention in the southern part of llli-
nois, aud has excited the sympathy Of all
who have become acquainted with it. He
recently attended a large reunion OF old
veterans Of his county, where the subject
was the theme of conversation. The PEN
sion will no doubt soon be granted, and he
will receive O sufficient sum to smooth his
way to the end OF his life.