The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-04-14
A CRIPPLED VETERANS arruay.
Frank Mcadams of Gallant Company "a
Surprises His Old comradss.-Said {,
Have Been Granted Long Delayed
Pension.

Frank McAdams, who returned to SOM
erset few days ago, after an absence of
thirty years, was a sturdy young man
living with his fathers family one mile
south of this place, when President Lin
coin issued his proclamation calling for
1900 volunteers TO go To the defense of
the National Government. lie was a
member of the local military company,
and when they offered their services and
were accepted by the Government he
went with his comrades TO Pittsburg
whero they were assigned 10 the 10th Pa,
Reserves as Company "A" and were
shortly afterwards shipped to Harrisburg
and thence to Fair Hope, Bedford county,
where they were uniformed and equipped
before being hurried back to Harrisburg
and on to the front. McAdams was pres
ent at all the engagements in which his
regiment participated until the battle of
Fredericksburg. When the smoke Of
that battle cleared away ON the morning
of Dec. II, lS52, il was found that only
seyen members of Company "A' report
ed to Corporal Rufus Landis, the only
officer left, who conducted them from the
field. All of the rest had been killed,
wounded or taken prisoner. A rebel
minnie ball lodged in McAdams right
hip at Fredericksburg and he was carried
from the field. His brother-Isaac Me-
Adams-a member of the same company
was killed. McAdams was sent to
military hospital and after his
wound healed he rejoined his command
and served until the close of the war.
After the war McAdams enlisted in the
United States Army and after serving
the term of his enlistment he visited
nearly all of the States west of the Mis-
sissippi. About twenty-five years ago he
took up his residence i'll Chicago, where
he resided until he came 10 the home of
his brother John, who continues 10 oe-
clpy the old McAdains homestead.
Several months ago the wound in Nc
Adams hip reopened and gangrene de-
veloping the physicians at the Chicago
hospital to which he had been admitted
decided that il would be necessary to
amputate his right leg above the knee in
order to save his life. The amputation
was successfully performed. McAdams
was without means and the story goes
that in his distressed condition he COM
municated with his brothers-one Of
whom lives at Braddock, Pa.,-with the
result that he was furnished with means
to bring him to Somerset. When old
"Dad'' alighted from the Somerset and
l.rfa NJ hn Of hA
stantly recognized by several of his
friends who had not seen him for more
than quarter of a century.
i remarkable part of McAdams history
is yet 10 be told. \ day or two after his
arrival word came from Chicago that he
had been granted pension, which with
the accumulations since the date of appli-
cation would be sufficient to provide for
his wants during the declining years of
his life. Some time in the early seven
ties McAdams filed an application for
pension, but owing TO his unsettled resi-
dence never pushed his claim. The
story goes that his application was duly
received and filed away in pigeon hole
in the Pension Office. where it was per-
mitted TO slumber until recently when it
was discovered by a department clerk,
who brought it to the attention of the ad-
Indicating board. by whom it was favora-
bly, acted upon, and Government draft
for sum approXimating in round num-
bers $1,000 was drawn subject to McAdms
order.
Mr.. McAdams has not yet been official
ly notified of pension having been
granted to him, but all of his old COM
rades hope that the report is true, and
believe that his long delayed draft will
reach him in due course of time. OF
course if voucher was issued in his favor
payable through the Chicago pension
Office some time must elapse before it
reaches him through official channels
The loss of his limb is clearly attribut-
able 10 the wound he received at Fred
ericksburg and it is probable that he will
file an application for the increase to
which he is entitled.