The Red Cloud chief., 1893-08-25

being shot in the arm uca the elbow.
But slight as the wound was, II proved
mortal; for in q few days tetanus,
commonly called lock,jaw, set IN from
which he soon died. The grief-,trick-
en- father, under the weight Ct this ad-
ditional affection was almost distrac.
ted, and unfit for duty, and asked for
. discharge from the service, which
was refused him by the surgeon who
examined him, on the ground that he
was not suffering from any bodily dis
ability that would cntitle him to a
discharge. An appeal to a higher
authority met with q more favorable
result, a discharge being granted
through the humane consideration
that he had already given too much
for his country's good to be compelled
TO remain in the service against his
will.
Of bis subsequent history l know
nothing; but as he was a poor man
and had been largely dependent on
his two son for the support Of his
family I cherish the hope that the
government which proposes to be 'iust
6rst, and generous afterwards" al.
lowed him q pension, if such vas sp-
piled for.
A commissioned officer when not
under charges could tender his reslg.
nation at any time, and it would be
accepted, whether he was suffering
from a disability or not; but it re.
quired q great deal Of "red tape" to
procure a discharge for an invalid
soldier with a serious and permanent
disability; aud a great deal more Of
the same article to get the allowance
Of 2 small but deserved pension after
his discharge. l do not claim orig
inality for this last remark for l think
| have heard something like it on sew.
era! occasions since the war. On 60.
ing out to battle on the morning Of
March Z our men were ordered to take
their clothing and blankets that they
might be prepared to follow . fleeing
foe, or possibly to have them in case
OF fleeing from the enemy, a good pre-
caution 10 either case. Some com
planned Of this as being too cumber.
some for the men and too heavy fol
the horses, which we're not at that
time in very good condition. The or
der however was obeyed, and if cum
bersome, the roll Of blankets saved the
life Of Miller Nelson of Go. A., who
would doubtless have been killed but
for his pair Of blankets rolled up and
firmly strapped to tho front Of the
r saddle; for in the same charge in
!, which so many were killed aud wound.
cd his roll of blankets was pierced
, through with a mimic ball which
, lodged in the pommcl If his saddle.
Had not the blankets broken the force
, OF the ball he would dcutless have
| been killed. A careful count showed
G2 holes in his blankets, all made by
5 one ball. Any n familiar with the
manner Of rolling up soldiers blanket,
, will not think this incredible. Nelson
Q had also a hole shot in his hat in th,
same fight.
, The bundle of clothing strapped tt
the saddle behind aud a roll of blank
D cts in front makes It somewhat diff
; cult to get into the saddle, but the,
s also help to keep the rider in the sad
!. die when he once gets there. Thi,
4 accounts for the fact of Scargt. Mont
gomery remaining in saddle So lonp
Q after he was dead. In this same On
eaGcmont one Sergeant, Chambers, Of
TO. A., was shot thrcush one of hi,
n toes which, though not a serious wouut
e was extremely painful; so much $,
"
y that he upbraided himself for maxim,
/ more fuss than did those who were so
4. verely wounded.
j
u should nsc Ia Every House