The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-01-04
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

Correspondents should write each question on
separate sheet OF paper, give full name and adj
ate ton will be paid to communications not
conpanied with name and address of writer. II s
requested that stamp be iDclosed for reply by
letter. Postal cards will be replied 10 by mail
only. Replies by mail will ordinarily be made
within week. and II in this colnmn within three
weeks.l
Us, Algona. Iotoa-To settle n dispute would
like 10 have you tell Us what ia the highest mill
tary title ever conferred upon any man In the
United States? Some say that simply General is
the highest; others say The title, General of the
Army. title conferred on Grant, is higher Which
is right? Ansner. The title is General. The words,
"of the Army" do not belong to tiIe iitle and
mere explanatory. General is the highest military
title ever conferred upon any man in the United
States, and was enjoyed equally by Grant, Sher-
and Sheridan.
s. o. North SedrsDsont Me-To settle a dispute
please give the population of some of our largest
cities both the of 1850 and 1890 Aas,Uer.
New York. 1880, 1.206 200; $780, l,5l35ol Chicago.
1880. SOB 1875; $780, LOGS. $40 Philsdelp hs, 1880,
S47 10; 1890, l,0I4S9l. Brooklyn. 1880. 565,663;
1890. SOC 343 ST. Louis 1886, 3505ls; 1890. 4502i5.
Boston. $780, 362 $780, 1890. 4465O7. Baltimore lss0.
352 3l3: $780, 434 ISL San Francisco, 1880 z33 $780,
1890 2g7, $50.
j. w. H. ZanesrRte OIL. Please inform me IL it
is irme that deei ION or ruling has been rendered
ia the Interior Department TO the effect that the
minor children of IA deceased soldier are barred
from pensienable status IL their claims are not
flied until after they have arrived At the age of Is
years under both the old or new laws? II So when
WAS The decision rendered, and does it relate back
to claims Il ed prior TO the date OF the decision? 2
Has the Secretary of the Interior yet rendered
decision on appeals TO reverse the ruling Of Cyrus
Bussey rendered Sept. IS 1892 in which he decided
that Section 47l8 of the Revised Statutes, United
States in the matter of reimbursement for penses
of The last sickness AID funeral from the accrued
pensions of deceased pensioners. only applied in
the Of soldiers peusoned under the provisions
of Sections 1862 and 1893? Answer. l. Yes; 1t is
recent ruling of the Commissioners Of Pensions, and
covers every case pending, no matter when filed.
The ruling, in our opinion, Is erroneous. 2. No.
j. g Annie GFOCe OFF peuSlDner should
Nov l5 1893. aud his wife having previously died,
could his children legal heirs get the accrued
pension since his last draw. which Sept. 4.
1893? AnSwer. If he left minor children, yes;
oiierwise, See Section ais. Revised Statutes.
United States.
H. H. Beae Spring Neb.-A widow OF a soldier
dying before receiving pension due her. and there
being no children under le years of age will the
heirs be entitled pension due her up the time
of her death? 1aslocr. No.
C. N. d., Mentone, Ala.--f have just received a
notice from the Pension Office that my claim has
been referred TO the Medical Referee. What docs
that mean and how long will IL be likely to be
before action is taken? AnSWer. II has probably
been nedicaily proven: If so. whether rating
therefor is justified, and if so. how much We can
mot say when action is likely to he taken when
you viii hear from 1t, because no two claims are
alike.
s. r. r.. EEmira.-If an applicant Is drawing sl2
under tile act OF June q. $780, for total disability,
and finds out In Il lie prove his disability was
contracted in the service and in line OF duty
by his CHpannnd two Sergeants to that effect, aud
I'VE DOCTORS statements mat lie was unable TO earn
support both mentally and physically. and the
direct results OF the service, he file
claim under the old law? Will it be original or
Increase as he has no claim under the old law.
viii 1t be rejected on the grounds that he is draw
ing Si2 for total disability? 1ns,Uer. He and
should at once file claim under the old law Such
calm will be an original claim. 1t will not be
rejected on the ground stated
C. W. d.. Grafton. M.-A man enlisted for
year in tile State Militia and served three months.
and was discharged by General Orders from the
War Department. Now. is there any law that he
would come under for pension? ARs,Uer. No.
Such claims, if not heretofore filed and prosecuted
TO success, are barred.
H. B. c. Houston Tnd.-Was Gen. Hull justified
in the surrender of Detroit. Mich, In the of
1872? Give names of men who sentenced him.
We disputiDg this question, and II you VIII
give some light it will greatly oblige -4nseer.
Most certainly he WAS not justified. He made
attempt to defend the fort, but inglorousiy
rendered although bis forces were ready and eager
TO fight. He tried by eouri-martia for treason,
cowardioe, neg ect of duty and unoffcer-like
duct OF the first he was acquitted but was found
guilty of the others, aud was sentenced to be shot
to death, but the court, in consideration of his adj
vanced age and his services in the Revolutionary
war. recommended him to the mercy of the Presi-
dent who reunited the punishment of death and
ordered his name to be stricken from the roll of
the ARMY.
s. j. III. Utied. w. WAS the battle before the
last fought at Petersburg by Gen Grant in Mo-
vombef. 1864 aud what day of tie month? Ansper.
There fighting at Petersburg, Va, during
November, 1864. The battles at that place occurred
March 25 aud April g 1885,
L. b., Falls, Pa-Where wns Gen. Pickett ked9
Ansrer. Gen. George E. Pickett, Major-Generai in
the Confederate army, died July so. 1873, from
natural causes.