The Portland daily press., 1895-01-09
THOSE MEDALS OF HONOR.
Another Veteran Has Something to Say
about Their Award.
To tie Editor Of the Press:

To the Editor Of the Press:
was much interested in an article which
appeared in recent issue of the Daily
PRESS, wherein officer Newcomb describes
his experience at Wilmington and Smith
vile, N G. just before the war. Smithville
was the last place where performed mill
tary duty in the South, and that is the
place where was finally discharged from
the army, September 1866. If time and space
permitted, would like to tell Nj. Newcomb
how Smithville looked at the close of the
war. and how its inhabitants deported them
selves then.
But discovered other game in another
column at which I cannot refrain taking
shot. i. g., "shoot Of my mouth
The other article. an unsigned one,
was in the nature of reply to a Massa-
chusetts comrade for his criticism of the
bestowal of medals of Honor" by the
bushel where the service rendered, did
not seem to warrant the distinction.
The Massachusetts, comrade is right. and
his words have the honest ring of true
soldier. Nineteen twentieths of the real
veterans of the war will indorse his views.
The act of the 9th, Me. referred to. was
patriotic-it was even brave,-but there was
nothing heroic about it. 1t is deeds Of he
roism for which medals are given.
Contrast. please. the action of the 9th Me.
with that of Bay State regiment in which
the writer is proud to have served. 1t was
a nine months regiment and its term ex-
pired at the same time with the 9th Me.
We were part of the forces beseiging Port
Hudson. The fight was on, every day, and
We were in the thick of it when our Germ
ended. There was no request by the Presi-
dent or by Secretary Stanton that we re-
main, nor did the general commanding Or
der. or urge us to do SO. The most of US
were veterans who had seen from three
months to years service in previous en-
listments, and as soldiers We appreciated
the situation and knew our duty.
By vote of the regiment. without dis
senting voice. or vote. we rendered our
services to the commanding general. when
ever and however he might command us. SO
long as the exigency existed True, we
we're rewarded in the shape of a general
order complimenting us in the highest
terms, That was proper. But as member
of the regiment, am free to say. that to
have medeled US all, would have been low
ering of the standard for which such high
honor is awarded.
Immediately following the bloody attack
of June 18th, Geueral Banks called for 1000
volunteers to compose forlorn hope for
another assault to be made July 4th. More
than 2QC0 responded for the deadly work,
a large proportion being men whose terms
would expire before the day named. Med
ais of honor were promised the survivors
of this heroic band. But they were Lot
used, the timely SURF ender of Vicksburg
rendering the bloody sacrifice unnecessary.
True and tried veterans of the war. let me
ask you; which of these two bodies of men.
the 27th Me. or this devoted band of 1000
heroes better deserved medals of honor?
The latter never received such recognition,
and as they wee not called upon to per-
form the work for which they had volun-
tered, they made no claim to the distinc-
ton.
When the order was published compliment
ing our regiment for its gallant action,
before mentioned, certain other troops
were unkind enough to say the order was
largely in the nature of rebuke to other
regiments that had pursued a different
course fl ON ours. And SO in the 9th Me.
case; I have heard it explained that Secre-
tary Stanton caused to be served out the
extra ration of medals, not SO much as a
reward of merit, as to punish other regi-
ments that voted unanimously to go home.