Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24
A STARTLING STORY
Private Charles Mareni Arraigns His
Superior Officers.
EXACT IN EVERY DETAIL
Declares He Was Prosecuted
While Critically III.
NOW IN ASH1N TON

Private Charles A. Mareni of Company H,
I'd Regiment Illinois Infantry United States
Volunteers. arrived in Washington this
morning. He is sick and weak but is de-
termined to have his case heard by the
War Department authorities and RESPONSE
bility fixed for the imposition and tyranny
which he declared he has been made the
victim of. He was painfully pushing along
by means of cane when he began to talk
about his affairs this morning having just
reached here from st. Louis, where he was
taken sick on his way from Jackson vile.
ION the 18th of April last he said, 81
gave up a lucrative position with D. B.
FISK q Co, in Chicago, to give my serv-
ices to my country. Our regiment went to
the state camping grounds, Camp Tanner,
and afterward went south, arriving at
jacksonville May 81
Inc next day l was taken Ill with dysen-
terry, reporting sick call the same day.
and from this moment l became a target
LOT my superior officers, as l will explain.
Ihey proceeded to show every possible
form Of dislike for me, and l would not
nave been sick for a week had they not
shown such prejudices
He Names the Officers.
Ihose officers are Capt. J. H. Clarity
First Lieut. Walter j. Durand and Second
Lieut.. Fred V. 8. Chamberlain May %
was worse and did not get up to answer
roll call at $50 am. I was told to report
TO capt. Clarity. who discredited my sick
ness and put me on fatigue duty for two
days.
Il piucked up courage" continued Mare
nj; ana worked hard not to answer sick
calls Tor fear might be given more fatigue
uuty lor my alleged shamming, but l got
worse, and In about ten days | was taken
with asthmatic chils in addition to the
dysentery, and was carried to the regi-
mental hospital. In four days | was sent
back to my quarters sick in quarters I
was no better, but after a lapse of forty
eight hours I was detailed until fit for
duty in the camp kitchen to cook and car
ry water The kitchen detail is the hard
est work one has to do in a camp | was
taken down again with another chill out
size the Kitchen and carried on a litter to
the regfmental hospital. / felt better next
morning, but was very weak, and Major
surgeon Lydston, now resigned told Stew
ara Barcel that | should be discharged as
l was In no condition to live the life of a
soldier. 70
Made to Cook for the Stnff.
L was returned to my quarters and to
DUTY My dyseptery became chronic. Not
wlthstanding this Maj. Marquois had me
detailed as cook2for tAe regimental staff [
was compelled to arise at a. m. and fire.
quently did not get to bed until 10 pm. l
stood this untilr Capt. Clarity complained
that he could not have so many men de-
talled from his company. The fact was
that he knew l was picking up a few dol
lars from the staff officers, and his dislike
for me was so great that he didn't want to
see it. II
was sent back to- my company July II
ana Two days later my intended bride came
from Chicago and we were married Julv n
My company officers again showed their
dislike to me by refusing to take any part
IN the ceremony, sos capt. Van Zandt of
Company A gave the bride away and Sec
ond Lieut.. Adams of Company was best
man. We were married at the Brigade
Y. NJ. c. A by Chaplain Jones of the I'd
New Jersey.
Alienated His Wife's Affections.
Private Mareni then reclted how his best
friend and chum, a New York man in her
CT mpany, succeeded in alternating the af-
fections of his young wife, and how when
he CMarenD reported the proof of the af-
fair which included confessions from both
culprits, to Lieutenant brand the male
cuiprit was given two days in the guard
house for being absent from camp with
out leave.
Mareni further stated that the discovery
acted SO terribly on his nerves that he had
hysteria and was only relieved after being
given six hypodernic injections of NOR
phine TO add to his troubles his wife after
this declined to recognize him.
4 began to get weaker and my dyson
terry grew worse. They tried to cure me
at the regimental hospital but without
success. My company officers never spoke
to me other than in the terms of q man
talking to dog. At last September
Major Marquois sent for me to go before
the board to be examined for disability.
Examined by Surgeons.
He told them was suffering from chronic
hysteria and chronic dysentery. He also
said l was suffering pain constantly and
that he mad no medicine to give me to
leve 1t. He said he did not think 1 could
be cured to be fit for service. The
board voted unanimously to discharge me
for disability on account of chronic hysteria
and chronic dysentery. ] returned to my
quarters in a very weak condition and
next day our camp was moved to Panama
Park, two and one-half miles from Jack
sonvile Friday September 8, in my weak
condition. l was detailed again to work in
the kitchen. l was in terrible pain, but
managed TO help get breakfast next morn
Ing after passing a sleepless night and
then answered sick call.
II asked Surgeon Porter If he could re-
lieve me, and he said no. so | asked him If
I could see some private physician, and he
sent to Lieut.. Durand, in command of my
company, and Lieut.. Durand refused. and
said he believed 1 was shamming and not
sick at all, thus discrediting the examin~
u.
again, but ! could not endure my torture,
ard at II o'clock ! crawled into town, TAX
iEg four and half hours to go two and
half miles. l went to Dr. Romero, corner
of Bridge and Adams street, in Jackson
Vile, and he diagnosed my case as chronic
dysentery and nervous prostration. He
gave me orders not to return to camp be-
cause I was too weak and would never get
there.
Sent a Provost Guard.
II hired a room at 432 Adams street and
crawled to the telegraph office to send a
message to camp notifying my officers
where I was when.4 met Captain Wells,
Company G, I'd New Jersey Regiment, who
volunteered to take afhe message for me.
as he passed our camp on the way to the
rifle range. where Ijwas detailed. I was
very sick for thEee or four days. and Sep
TENDER Ia my doctor said he didn't think
1 could last. Sol wrote little note to my
lieutenant. telling hi4 to come and see me
and hear the last words of dying man.
Instead. he sent a provost guard. 1 sent
the guard to my doctors house to get
permit to move ne, and then crawled out,
and left Jacksonvills to go to Chicago.
Sick at Fort McPherson.
II went to Fort dcPher as 1 was taken
very i'll at Atlanta, and there made a brief
statement, which 1 sent to my officers at