The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-09-14
SUFFERED FOR COUNTRY,
But Is Unfortunate Enough to Live in
Another Land.

But Is Unfortunate Enough to Live in
Another Land.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: see in a
recent issue that there is danger Of the PEN
sions of Union veterans who are living out
side of the United States being cut off, for
reason of their pIace~of residence. AS I am
one of these comrades, / would like to cite
my own experience as a protest against such
an outrage.
When the war broke out was the only son
of widowed mother with one daughter 10
years old, and no home, no property, and not
n dollar.
We resided about two miles southeast of
Leroy, n. T., and the 105th n. Y. was then
being recruited at Leroy. This was in the
Winter of 1861, and several business men of
the town asked me why did not enlist. I
said | could not leave my invalid mother !;
but they told me if l enlisted l would get
$100 bounty, and the County Commits
soners Zone was named Robinson) would
look after my mother and see that she did
not want for the necessaries of life, and if /
got killed she would get pension sufficient
to keep her from want.
So, on Feb. /, 1862, at Leroy, n. Y, at
the age OF II years aud eight months, l en-
listed in Co. D, 105th N. Y. From that day
!. out one cent of assistance from the Town.
County, State, or Government.
The rest of my history goes with the regi-
ment to Hatcher's Run, Va, where, at about
p H., in charge near a small stream and
cabin, defending the colors of the Oath n. Y,
/ was shot down, the ball going in at the
top of my right pocket and coming out and
grazing the back bone, and breaking off the
two lowest short ribs, making wound that,
with the best of care, was running sore for
two years, and which kept me in the hospital
until after the war was all over and my
regiment had gone home.
And after was discharged, and still on
clutches, l applied for that promised pen
sion, and was granted the magnificent sum
Of So per month, that myself and invalid
mother, who gave her all to her most gener-
Gus country, might roll in peace and plenty
the rest of our dear lives.
About 1880 was advised by the Examin-
ing Surgeon to apply for increase of PEN
sion, saying 1 was fully entitled to So per
month. went before Board of Examin-
ers at Oil City, Pa, and as / could then walk
without crutches they agreed that L was
entitled to more than when / could not
walk, so got magnificent rise of So more.
/ enlisted under false pretenses made to
me, and Misrepresentation and promises
which were never fulfilled. After l got in l
could not get out. Later / was persuaded
to go to Australia, through misrepresenta-
tions and promises which were never full
filled, through no fault of mine, and after
/ got there could not get back again.
L am an American citizen, registered on
the American ConsuPs book, and claim pro-
lection from that officer under his flag.
Now, why should l lose my pension, which
barely keeps my poor mother in medicine,
and who has had to have medical aid for
over 80 years? And why, in the name of
God and humanity, cannot l have my check
signed over to go direct from the Pension
Office to my mother, instead of coming
$4,000 miles, round trip, and taking five
months before she gets it?-E. S. HEATH,
Leaanecoorie, Victoria, Australia.