Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-31
A VETERANS ENUMERATION.
After Four Years DR.. Alderman IL
RestOred TO Pension Office Roll.

After Four Years DR.. Alderman is
Restored to Pension Office Roll.
DR.. A. H. Alderman of Langdon was
Saturday Teinstated to a position in the
pension office, from which he was ousted
nearly four years ago. Back of his re-
moval, and connected with his restoration
to a position which he gained, after many
years of faithful service to the govern
nlent, lies story, which may have sequel
disclosed later on.
DR.. Alderman is a veteran of the late
war, and could have been put back in the
pension Office under the "old soldier clause
of the civil service regulations, but his re-
instatement was due to the fact that, after
most thorough investigation of charges
filed against him by some of his fellow
clerks in the bureau four years ago, he
was exonerated and the charges were pro-
nounced to be without foundation.
DIR. Alderman, while yet a mere boy, en-
listed. August l.. 1861, in Company = of
the 18th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In
fantry, of which George Crook, who after
ward became a major general in the regu-
lar army, and was a famous Indian fighter,
was the colonel. Two years after his en-
istment Dr. Alderman was at his own
request. transferred to Company G of the
same regiment, and served there as a pr-
vate until he was mus tered out, precisely
four years from the date of his enlistment.
DR.. Alderman took part in the memorable
campaign which resulted incidentally in
giving imperishable renown to Gen. Sheri-
dan.
The day CT the battle of Fishers Hill, re-
gardng which r. Buchanan Read COM
posed the famous poem, 'Sheridan'S Ride"
DR.. Alderman was q member of the body
guard of Gen Crook, and had been sent to
order up the stragglers who were badly
needed at the front, and who were then
only too numerous on the Winchester pike.
While engaged in this duty he met Gem
{. l...lf
his own body guards. and together the two
at once proceeded to Gen. Crooks head
quarters, then on the extreme left of the
line of battle. Gems. Sheridan and Crook
conferred, and later the former dispatched
his aids-de-camp with orders to the several
commands to advance" and the rout of
Early followed.
After the Alderman took up the
study of medicine. July, 1882, he was
appointed to a clerkship in the patent Of
flee, and in a short time was transferred to
the pension office. where, during the en-
suing eleven years. he was frequently pro-
roted until he reached the grade of ex-
aminer. October IA, 1893 he was amazed
to receive a letter from the acting commits
sioner of pensions, notifying him that his
services would not be required after the
following day. =
Despite the most earnest efforts on his
part, DR.. Alderman was for a long time
unable to ascertain the cause of mis- sum-
mary dismissal from Office Finally how.
clerks, one of whom was a woman had
submitted sworn statements to the commits
sioner of pensions, in which DIR. Alderman
was charged with grossly ufiprofessionai
conduct while attending lady during an
attack of Illness
For month after month and year after
year DR.. Alderman pleaded in vain for n
copy OF the charges and for an opportunity
70 meet his accusers and disprove their al
iegations 1T was not until some of The
leading citizens of Langdon interested
themselves In his cause and petitioned the
commissioner to investigate the case that
that Official would take any active steps In
the matter.
Meanwhile the health board refused to
issue license to him. giving as a reason
that there were charges pending against
him, and 1t was not until the court to which
DIR. Alderman carried the matter had is
sued mandamus commanding the health
officer to givethe former a license that his
name was entered on the registry of the
physicians Of the District authorized to
practice.
After the receipt Of the requests from the