The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-10-11

anne placed upon the nations roll
{ honor is he to be classed as
rand and an impostor?
Below we produce the letter so
ur readers can judge for themselves
IS to whether or not there is any
hing in it that is dishonorable:
Knoxville, Tenn, July y, 1866.
Hon. E. STANTON,
Secretary of War,
War Dept, Washington, D. G.
Sir-On the 9th of November, 49,
"a, l applied for a commission as
Capt. & G. s. Vols. Said applica.
ton being endorsed by Capt. A. P.
Bilyeu, G. S, Vols, Chief Com'sy,
for the Dist. of Del. & E. Shore of
Md, by Col. S. M. Bowman, Comdg.
said Dist, by Lieut.. Col. Joseph q.
Crane, Chi. G. s. 9Th Army Corps,
by Lieut.. G. S. Benham, Chi. G. S
Dept. Arkansas. & 7th Army Corps,
and by Brig. Genl. Henry G. Thorn
as, U. S. VOL, and was forwarded
to you by Gov. Fenton of New
York.
At the time of making the above
application, for two years previously,
and for nine months subsequently,
was Chief Clerk to Capt. A. p Bill
yeu, G. S. Vol, and had been as
signed to many difficult, arduous and
perilous duties as officer in charge Of
Beef cattle for the Army of the Po-
tomac, then as connected with the
organization of Colored Troops in
Maryland and Delaware, and lately
as chf. G. s. of Dist. of Dist. of Del.
& E. Shore of Maryland. The en-
dorsements establish my efficiency
under the above circumstances.
Being citizen of South Carolina,
and one Of her few loyal sons, earn.
estly praying and working in my
humble capacity, for the success o.
the federal armies, / was naturally
anxious to be recognized by my
country as one Of her defenders, and
would have enlisted had I not been
persuaded by officer friends (some
of whom endorsed my application,
to continue as Commissary Clerk,
they promising to use their inhu.
ence to obtain for me Commission
of Capt. & G. s. WY application
was postponed from time to time un.
til Nov. 9th, 1864, when it was writ
ten and sent round to DO endorsed
by those in authority who deemed il
deserving. But we awoke ont
bright April morn, and-the wa
was over, the Rebellion was dead
the old flag had triumphed; and thi
I suppose decided the chance
against me.
Now sir, upon this brief statemen
of facts and upon my endorsed appli
cation (Which is, l believe, in your
Office l respectfully request that
may be granted a commission as
Capt. & G. s. Vols, dated Nov. 80
1864, Tor earlier,), and a muster GU
dated July 4th, 1866; and l will sigr
the necessary papers to deprive my
self of all compensation for said Pc
Rod, or will accept the Commission
on condition that l shall receive M
pay, rations, or compensation of an!
kind for self or servant, (said condi
tons Of course, not appearing ON tn,
commission).
This is doubtless unique and un
heard of application, but l am living
in a Southern city, and feel keenly
and sensitively the humiliation arts
ing from my never having been reg
ularly in the U. s. service during
the war. That l did serve my coun.
try earnestly and well my own con
science and the voices of my SUI
perior alike assure me, bu
alas! where is the proof tina
l ever served her at all? Any com.
mission, even of a lower grade thar
Capt. & G. s. Vols, will be hailet
as a boon for l long to be able tt
say, 81 too stood up for the flag o
my country when rebellion arose il
the land" and long to show the tri
umphant proof.
Praying, though little hoping,
favorable response, / am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed.) HENRY r. GIBSON.
A true copy:
ALBERT Macarthur, JR.,
Asst. Adiutant General.