The National tribune., 1891-01-01
A NEW SOCIETY.
The Order Of Three Months, Wen.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Very much
is being said in the papers, and among the
old veterans, about organizations that shall,
IN some manner, indicate that Its members saw
actual service during the war.
The best known of these orders is the Union
Veteran Legion. of which the writer has been
a member for several years. IL is much 20 be
regretted that in some localities quite a little
ili-feeling has been exhibited toward this
Order by members Of the GAR There is
certainly no occasion for this so far as the L.
vi, proper, is concerned. am aware that
some Of its members have very thOughtlcssly al
times used language calculated 10 engender
unpleasant feelings.
The facts are these: The GAR admits any
one who was regularly mustered into the L. s.
service and hOnorably discharged, under sun
dry restrictions) regardless OF how long he
served.
Very many Of the old veterans thought il
would be wise 10 have an organization 10 show
actual service, aud for that purpose the U.N.L
was GrGaniZed-in no manner conflicting with
or rejecting on the GAR.
Bat, as a matter Of fact, the U.V.L. has not
accomplished what il set out to, or what its
name is supposed TO indicate; for il is possible
for person 20 become a member OF il who saw
no service and never had a chance to smell
gunpowder, aud who have not the faintest idea
"old rebel yell sounded.
But there is an organization into which il is
impossible TO gain admission unless the appli-
cant can prove that he was living target for
the Iohnnics. Not only must he have been a
target, but he must prove that he was in such
position that rebel shells or bullets actually
passed by OF struck around him on not less
than 80 days.
This society is known as the "OTder OF
fitgf hnc fFsfa -
one Of those who served as targets for 80 days,
aud the higher degree, those who served as tar
gets for lSO days. lThe writer can only prove
Us days of such service, and therefore IS not
eligible TO the higher degree.)
You can sec that certificate OF membership
IN this Order means something. The very
thought Of such membership brings 10 the mind
oi the eligible volumes Of experience on the
tented field, and his ear recalls myTiads OfsOunds
unheard ia civil life and utterly indescribable-
sounds, made by the missiles Of various sizes
Cnd shapes as they shoot through the air. or ex-
plOdC, or strike the various kinds OF obstacles
that struck a man; that one a tree that one
Iicochottod; that one buried ITSELF" etc. The
tolls pleasures, sufIerings aud all the varied
phases OF army life that must have occurred IN
the life Of one who served sufficiently long %
have become eligible-all pass before his mind
as lie sees the name or meets a badge OF the
badge, what a lratcrnal tie is there between
them The dangers through which one passes
on becoming Free Mason, and which creates
tie that is never severed, are as nothing COM
pared with the thought: I'VE were living tar
gets Tor 80 days at least!" How the flesh
creops at the thought Of calmly standing up
for 80 days and letting scores, hundreds, or
thousands, by bullet, shell or solid shot, en-
doav0r TO take his life!
Comrades you who made such record
should, without delay, produce the proof and
become members Of the Order of Three Months
Men, and leave the certificate that you made
such record, for your posterity TO point 10 with
pride
II during the 90 or more days you CHANGED
to be wounded by any Of the death-dealing
messengers Of the enemy, that should be noted,
giving the date, extent, how long disabled, cic.
While ] hope every one who can viii join
the Order Of Three Months Men, / also hope
that every one who is eligible will also join
the U.A.L. and GAR. We are rapidly passing
away, and we cannot belong 10 too many old
soldier Orders nor meet too often with our
comrades Of yore.-G. L. DoLToN, Is South
Main St., St. Louis, No.