The National tribune., 1893-09-07

her struggle and on one or more fields was COM
pnented for distinguished services After the war
he assisted in establishing the overland telegraph
line To Salt Lake City and was the irst man to ops
crate telegraph line from that far-wesiern city.
reunion Of The members of the family OF he
/ late Rev. John Rankin, D. D.. was recently held
/ at the residence OF DR.. A. G. Rankin and wife in
! Chicago. The reunion lasted two days the frsh
being given mp TO "reminiscences Of the home DAYS
( the antisavery agitation, underground railroad
| experiences, war stories, singing the campaign
/ songs OF 1910 and the patriotic songs Of the war
/ times. Capt. r. C. Rankin, whose memory is
| marvellous, led in "reminiscences and songs. He
| was the conductor Of the underground railroad
train that carried off to Canada on their crossing
/ the Ohio, Eliza and Harris Of Mrs. Stoves Uncle
Toms Cabin" Photographs Of the exact place Of
| her crossing the Ohio River. and many others Of
| equal interest, were exhibition, making vivid
the remembrance Ofthe days Of 'Auld Lang Syne."
William Piimley, who for the last % years has
| been employed in the New York PostOhlce and for
over % years was Superintendent Of the Money
Order Department. was requested to resign take
effect OF sept. l. Maj. PimIey was appointed "a
clerk. after his return from the war on July r.
1865. by Postmaster Kelly. and passed through
various minor positions until he was made Super
intendent. At the breaking Of the war he en-
listed in the l20h n. Y. private, and WAS pro-
NOTED through all the grades of Corporal Sergeant,
acknowledgements, Quartermaster-Sergeant. Second
and First Lieutenant and Captain and at last was
brevetted Major by the President for conspicuous
bravery and gallsntry before Petersburg One OF
his comrades tells how Serg't Piinlley visited thu
'front.' during an engagement to issue clothing to
the boys. II became hot that he sent his wagon
to the rear. and then returned the regiment took
up rifle dropped by wounded cOmrade snd
fought the battle through. Col. Happen innmedi-
ateiy recommended him as Lieutenant and never
afterward lost sight of his gallant young officer,
although he was soon after selected as Aid to Gen.
MoAllisler.
The Colonel Of the Division of Oregon Sons Of
Veterans. f. Hofer, recently made n speech before
joint Campfire, in which he showed how some
OF the Government expenses could be cut down.
In part he said: The pensioners Of the Republic
are at present the subjects Of much unfriendly
criticism. The Administration seems to be afraid
too much money will get into circulation among
the people. and thousands Of veterans find their
quarterly allowance cut Off with little justice and
less ceremony. Before inquirng the justice Of
that proceeding let glance at some of the other
evils that sffict the body polite and about which
not so much is said. The most casual observer
must have had his attention called to bilIion-dollar
Congresses. both Republican and Democratic
where every member has clerk and some several
of them and their relations TO them not much more
respectable Than those of the patriarchs Of scrip
ture toward their concubines. We hear OF the last
Legislature in this State approprating every thing
in sight and all that the taxpayers possibly raise
in the next two years. We hear of their creating
scores of new offices and employing all the young
men and women they seemed to be acquainted with
for clerks-a pension roll that while It lasted consd
ering the population of the State was Eve times as
great that of the Federal Government and not
one of them ever smelled powder except on some
70 Id
money centers where the principal capital Of our
suspended banks was the taxes taken from the
people and not accounted for the proper author
ity. In the light Of some of these evils crying for
reform and the enormous expense proposed for
things that have not shadow of merit but against
which the metropolitan press has nothing to say,
the pension bills have badge Of responsibility and
draft upon the conscience and integrity Of our
country which will never be dishonored.'
Another interesting episode has grown out Of the
Washington Encampment, which resulted in Serg's
Hiram Myers, of Co. F, 10th n. V. now employed
at the BoOkyu Postofice, securing his rifle which
he lost during the at Petersburg in the charge
of June IS, 1864. In speaking Of it to a reporter
Sergt Myers said: when in the line at the WASH
ington Review was very much surprised to have
a stranger rush up to and grasp me By the
hand. After awhile recognized him as my old
comrade-in- arms, CorpT Chas. Sheridan, and he
was the man who got hold of my rifle in the
charge Petersburg and has Kept it until now
when he returned it to me. Just before my COM
pany formed for that desperate charge it was
Joined by Corpr Sheridan who came from Head
quarters, without n rifle. 1t too late for him
to get then and grssping a stout stick he took
his place in the line. 1 threatened to put him
under arrest, but it use; he said he was
going into that charge, gun gun. and he did.
Well, we went into that wild charge, and after
getting under way we crossed plowed field under
a CALLING fire, in which was badly hit. When we
passed the field and got Into piece of woods be-
yond we took to the trees. Sheridan saw was so
desperately wounded as 70 be unable to help my
self and lie carried me to big tree and fixed mo
comfortably as he could. for he thought was
done for. Taking my rife. he said: 'GoOd-by. old
friend; 1 don't think you'll have any further use
for this, I'll take it to remember you by I
didn't think would need it again, either, for
shot in the breast and in the left arm, and I'd
have died from loss ofblood only of our fellows
carried me to the rear. was sent to the hospital
at David's Island and never recovered sufficiently
to rejoin the regiment. Sheridan went into the
charge, told you, with my rife. and he came
out without a scratch. He carried the old gun all
through the war, and then took it home with him
to Peckville, Pa. We never or heard of each
other until we met in Washington