The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-01-31
PORT HunkhN MEDALS.

Senator Proctor last week introduced in the
Senate q bill to authorize the Secreta y of War
to procure suitable bfonze medals for presenta-
ton to the officers and men who volunteered
for the Port Hudson stormng column in June,
1863. srF
The explanation otthe failure to award these
medals long ago is made that it has seemed I'M
fair to the heroes OF Tremendous battles like
Gettysburg, Autietan, Cold uarbor, Fredericks-
burg Chickamauga And others that mi ght be
named which were bloodier than the contests
around Port Hudson, that the s,orming party
of the latter should DO singled out for an honor
such as would be conferred under the pending
bill Hence, in former years. when Congress
has considered this proposal. circumstances
have come in from Union veterans against 1t.
As it turned out, the storming party never
was called upon to attack tho enemys works
Hence there seems double injustice in giving
a medal to those who never undertook the
"forlorn. hope attach" for which it was prom
iscd while passing over without such an honor
the fierce and sanguiDary charges, fully equiv
alent to forlorn hopes, that sgDalized other
fields And, in support OF this view, 1t is
urged that the language of Gen. Banks. in
promising the medal, was evidently based upon
the making of such an attack since he spoke
Of the promotion which should be given to
officers who lead the column to victory" and
the medals to those who share its perils and
its glory"
The point urged by the to-be- gamers il the
bill passes is, that the 500 or 900 men who
volunteered did so in the full expectation that
they would do what they offered themselves
to do, and by that acquired claim on the
promised medal
ARMY AND NAVY.
Tho report on the naval appropriation pre-
sented 10 the House by Mr.. Talbot of Mary
land, shows that the bill carries a total of
So, S01, 023-an increase over tho estimates,
which were $3O952,096. The sum given to
the Bureau of Navigation-Sl590 00-is a ma
tcrial reduction from the estimates-$307, $50
The estimates for the increase of the Navy
were $l3 ,52l. OF this increase $4,000 is
for armor and armament, and 1863, 200 for con-
structi0n aud steam engineering.
Regarding the enlistment of 1000 more sea-
men, which is provided for, Ar. Talbot says
that while the increase has been denied before
the time has arrived when it can no longer
be delayed, yet the committee has allowed
only half of tho amount asked. as it is not
likely that the whole number authorized will
be enlisted during the next fiscal year.
In advocating the allowance OF the three
battIeships and the IL torpedo boats recon-
meuded by the Secretary Of the Navy, the
report says that after careful and exhaustive
study of our naval needs. the committee is of
the unanimous opinion that the additional
vessels called for should be granted. The
necessities of our geographical position have
been carefully taken into consideration, and
the committee has been forced TO the conclu-
sion that the continuation Of the building of
battleships is OF vital importance These
sells, as represented by those heretofore pro-
vided for. are believed to be of u class equally
well adapted for defensive and offensive opera
tons. and are specially suited for the defense
OF our own coasts