The National tribune., 1897-02-11
TIE GRAND ARMY.
What is Being Done by the Veterans
for the Good of The Order.
THE BUTTON IN THE ARMY
Gen. Alger Insisted Upon the Right of Sol
diers to Wear IL.

diers to Wear IL.
Enron NATIONAL TRIBUNE: i highly ap
move of the choice Of Gen. Airer for Secretary
of War twill please the veterans very much'
Though at this time they have no demands 10
make upon the Secretary OF War; Hen. Ateef
is the right man for that position His ripe
experience as a military officer is quaihci-
lion i'm which MANY of his predecessors were
deficient.
had at one time occasion to test Gen. Anger
during his term AS Commander-in-Chlet OF the
Grand Army of the Republic. Al Fort handaii
we had Post OF the GAR. named den. NC
Dowel / had the honor OF heing Commander
at the time The 18th U. S. lnf. was stationed
here. and had many soldiers in the ranks who
belonged to Mcdowell Post, one Of whom WAS
a Chinaman named Cohotco. an honorable SOL
der, who has since completed the 90 years
service necessary for retirement Inc COM
pany to which this soldier belonged TO mao Inc
misfortune to be commanded by u Second Lieu
tenant named w. \. Blow, and. Ia the ABSENCE
of the Captain of the company, he maze Ill
most disagreeabie for poor Cohoico he Sc
lected him for special attack. but could Emu no
other cause than that Comrsde tohotco wore
the G. A f. button. Blow ordered hifD TO take
the button from the lapel OF his coat or blouse
and throw it away, saying that the sight oil IL
made him sick. Blow informed Cohotco that III
he should have cause TO speak again TO MIN
he would prefer charges for direct disohedience
of orders.
j being the only citizen in the garrison
belonging to the Grand Army at the time. and
the Post Commander, i approached Blow re.
garding the insult he offered TO our Post aud
10 the GAR told him that the simple but
ton Cohotco and all other comrades of the
GAR. wore was far more honorable than
the straps he wore, or ever would wear, IL
he lived for 100 years. and that none could
wear the badge button but an honorabiy-
discharged soldier let him be ever so humble,
and it was more honorable than the star or
garter, and / informed him that L would seek
redress through my Department Commander,
:. J. Langley.
He said TO me that his father was Major in
the Confederate army, and had no love for a
Yankee soldier.
Ny report to the Department Commander
was al once acted upon by submitting it to the
Commander-in-C Chief, Gen. Alger, for his action.
The following are his remarks with indorsc-
ment:
HEADERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
DETROIT, MICE. June Z, 1880. J
Comrsde L. II. LANGLEY. Department Commander.
Huron, Oak.
My DEAR SIR AND CoMRApE: 1 have just re-
ceyed YOUR letter OF the 81 instant forwarding the
complaint of Comrade John ii. Mclaughlin. Com
malsder Of Gen. Mcdowell Post, 81 of your Depart
ment cannot understand what motive could IN
duce a commanding officer % forbid an old soldier
from wearing the Grand Army button consider
it outrage. and beyond the authority of amy
officer and will submits the The Secretary of
War at once and ask him straighten il out.
Please SO inform Comrade Mclaughlin.
Sincerely yours II. A. ALGER.
Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.
Washington ID. e.
iconsider this case as stated. an outrage.
T. 4. ALGER, Detroit, Mich, June ., $780,
WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
OF WAR, Washington, d. C., June IA. 1890.
DEAR GENERAL 4 have read the letters touch
ing the prohibition 10 wear the Grand Army but
Ton by enlisted men in the Army. enforced by GER
tain officers, Enclosed in your communication of
The ftb instant, and in reply have 10 stale that
strict technical construction of the Army regu-
Iatons might seem 10 afford basis for such action.
j cannot. however. give my assent TO such an in
depreciation. aud have given the necessary lnsiruc~
tlons 10 make known to the Army my decision that
the regulation ia question shall not be held 10
vent such officers aud enlisted men are entitled
bon orabe and patriotic service To their country.
The letters referred to are herewith inclosed.
Sincerely yours. REDFIELD PROCTOR.
j. H. McLAUGHLIN, Fort Randall, S. ID.
w. n. Blow, to whom Comrade Mclaughlin
REFERS is still an officer of the 18th L. s. He
appointed from civil life-from Virginia
a Second Lieutenant in 1884, promoted to
First Lieutenant in 1891, and is now Quarter
master of the regiment-EDIToR NATIONAL
TRIBUNE.]