The National tribune., 1897-05-06
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along
the Whole Line.

". ii. Wilder. 9th N. Y. Cav, Wilton,
Wis, writes Allow me to make sug-
gestion or two to the comrades who expect
to attend the Natiohal Encampment next
August Let each. year upon his hat or
coat conspicuous badge indicating his
regiment or State. Get piece of ribbon
two inches wide and eight inches long-blue
for infantry, red for artillery, and yellow for
cavalry; take it to your printer and have
him print in large type the number of the
regiment and State; thus, both Mass or
9th N. Y Pin the badge on your hat or
coat, so that he who runs may read My
word for it, you will find many. many more
of your comrades than you will without any
badge, or with one that cannot be read two
feet away without pair of spectacles OF an
electric light. After you arrive at Buffalo
and get settled, go to State Headquarters
and register, and don't forget to write OPP
posite your name not only your home ad-
dress, but your address or location while in
the city; then your old friends can look you
up Call the attention of your Post to the
above"
Medal of Honor Should Garry Funds.
Timothy Donoghue, 565 Warren ST., Brook
Ign, N. Y, writes: 1t may not be generally
known to comrades that the officers and SOL
diers of the British army who perform
acts of bravery in battle are awarded deco
ration called the Victoria Cross. This like
the Congressional Medal of Honor, il of little
value in itself, but carries with it salary OF
10 pounds year, and is considered the
greatest honor a British soldier can receive.
consider the medal as great an honor to a
United States soldier, as both decorations
are given for distinguished gallantry.
Perhaps some officers and soldiers who
have medals of honor are blessed with con-
siderable share Of this worlds goods, and
would not care about $50 year; but many
are in straitened circumstances. Fifty
dollars year would be a Godsend to these
veterans. There are only about 800 men
who have medals of honor, and $50 to each
would come to $4,000 year, small item
added to the National expenses This is
great, grand and glorious Republic, and I
think it is large enough and rich enough to
reward her distinguished soldiers, as well as
England or any other country in the world. J"
That Appomattox Apple Tree.
Lieut.. T. r. Lackie, 10th Mich, Detroit,
Mich, writes: "The letter from DIR. E. c.
Kitchin, 155th Pa, gives all the facts neces-
sary to establish beyond doubt that that
historic apple tree at Appomattox did exist.
In reading Grants Memoirs l see that he
had no faith in the report that Lee waited
under its branches for his coming to perfect
the surrender of the Confederate army.
I'm the afternoon Of, the surrender passed
along that road, in company with several Of
the 10Th Mich. We saw several thousand
Union and Confederate soldiers surrounding
an apple tree. We we're told that under the
branches Of that tree Gen. Lee waited for
the arrival of Gen. Grant. Some men were
chopping the tree, Down. We made our way
through the crowd to, the tree, and by much
hard work got some of the chips. / have
one chip of the tree in my possession yet"
New York Men Not Guilty.
Comrads Henry Ward, Veteran Corps,
Goth N. Y, 70 Astor Place, New York,
writes: was much amused by the article
from the pen of Cemrade Pilkington, Of the
I'd Conn.,, called The Fight that Failed"
If, as he says, he saw the 14th Brook
lyn,. 69th and 18th N. y, their bayonets
loaded with pigs, ducks and hens, as they
passed through Germantown, he certainly
makes mistake as regards the two latter
regiments. As for the Brooklyn regiment
cannot say, not having seen them, but do
not believe they were guilty. The 14th was
not in our brigade, and / rather think our
Connecticut friend must be talking through
one of those silk hats his regiment robbed
the stores of on their way to Germantown"
Hero of Two Wars.
j. G. Mcbride, Captain, 48th Ind, Alvin,
Tex, writes: We have just had visit
from number Of old Federal soldiers, who
came to look over the Gulf Coast country and
to visit day or two with the Gulf Coast
Soldier Colony Of Alvin. Among the num-
Der was Capt. G. II. L. Lang, 5th Iowa, now
resident of Ortonville, Mimi, who has the
distinction of being probably the only man
in the United States who draws q pension
from two Governments. He is German,
and before coming to America was an officer
in the German army, and for gallantry, not
for disability, he was granted a pension.
when our civil war broke out he raised
company for the 5th Iowa and was made
its Captain. After long term of service he
was discharged and draws pension from
this Government for disability"
Hard to Forgive and Forget.
Mrs. L. M. Borton, Xenia, O., writes: SIN
the issue of March IL an ex-COnfederate
asks if 80 years is not enough to heal some
wounds It seems to me some recollectiOns
are more vivid since read his query than
ever. After the first call for troops, at the
time we were living two miles from Partition,
Md, on the N. G. r. r. The rebels, engaged
in burning bridges, passed our home. Never
can forget threats which heard made to
my old father, who was noted for his intense
loyalty. In the Fall of 1862 visited, a part
of stated days, the old McKim Hospital,
ministering to the sick and wounded boys
in blue It is hard to forget the sights I
saw. Thirty-fye years to forgive, still we
can't forget"
Memorial at Appomattox.
Comrade M A. Cleveland, gainesville, O.,
writes "Some monuments should be
erected at Appomattox bearing inscriptions
80 worded that no exception could be taken
by any survivor of the war, blue or gray,
and Of no expense to the Government ex-
cept the ground for the site. The funds
could be raised from voluntary contribu-
tions from any and all patriotic Americans.
Each State might donate blocks of stone or
other aid. OF course | would advocate a
hearty indorsement.pf anything of this kind
from all the Southern portion of our Com
monweslth, and Ihad some correspondence
previous to the National Encampment at
Louisville in order that it might be sug-
gested at what deemed fitting time"
Young Ksnsucky Soldier.
G. w. Littlejohn, 10th KY, Grayson, KY,