The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-01-08
MEN WHO DESERVE
THE NATIONS GRATITUDE.


Tho Conditions Under which Promotion
Are Made by The Special Army Board
bravery In Action Necessary
WASHINGTON. Jan. 7.--Attcntion hal
boon drawn recently 10 tho work belni
done by tho special army board. charged
with tho accommodation OF officers anC
mon In tho army for broyet rank and foi
rewards by medals of honor for gallant
and heroic services. Such statements
IN have been made have failed to disclose
tho actual state Of tho work and ths
methods witch are being followed In 10
prosecution and In order 30 prevent a
miaconccption In the public mind that
nigh, tend to depreciation OF these
tokens Of nations gratitude the board
today made public tho following state
mont
The board appointed 30 make recon.
mondailons for tho awarding OF brcyeta
medals. and certificates OF merit In the
Cuban. Porto Rlcan and Philippine cam.
palgns. has met with considerable dim
Guilty on account Of the manner In which
tho reports were prepared.
1T must be remembered. especially in
the campaign AZ Santingo-ihat gren,
deal OF sickness prevailed In the army
Immediately subsequent TO the battle
and tho troops had 10 be- landed withou,
books desks. or papers. 40 that II was
almost impossible 10 get accurate reports
In regard TO tho part performed by In
dlviduAls Of each organization In these
campaigns
The nature OF the country and the
manner In which the action was fought
Of course prevented any commanding Of
hcer from seeing very large part OF
his regiment at ono time.
THE board has been guided In It's ac-
ton entirely by recommendations which
have been laid before II and tho only
tests applied have been those prescribed
by law and order Tho statute regulating
breyets specifics that tho honor shall be
conferred for distinguished conduct and
public service In presence Of the enemy.
The regulation requires that;
lin order ,has congressional
medal Of honor b. deserved. service must
be- performed In action Of. such a con-
splcuous character az 10 cloariy dis
iinguish the man for gallan,ry and In
trcpldity above his comrades-servicc
that involved extreme jeopardy OF life or
tho performance OF extraordinary haz-
arious duty. Recommendation fofr the
decorations will be judged by this stand
ard OF extraordinary merit and incontcs-
iiblc proof OF performance Of the service
viii be- exacled.
"s--Soldlcrs OF the union have ever
displayed bravery IN battle. else Victories
could not have been gained; but as cour-
age and sclf.saorince are the character
ls,lcs or every true soldier, such badge
of distinction as the congressional medal
is no, 10 be expected as the reward OF
conduct that does not clearly distinguish
the soldier above other men. whose
bravery and gallantry have been proven
In battle.
Accommodation for medals on
account OF services rendered In the vol
nnteer army during the late war and In
tho regular army previous TO January ].
1890 will, n practicable be submitted by
some person other than the proposed re-
,lplen,, one who Is practically familiar
with all the facts and circumstances
'lalmed as Justlfying the award. but
he application may be made by the one
TO have earned tho decoration.
n which case II will be In the form OF q
deposition, recitlng narrative descrip-
i've OF the distinguished service per-
ormcd. II official records are relied on
~ evidence proving the personal service,
he reports OF the action must be submit
ed or cited. but II these records are lack
ng the testimony must embrace that
u one or more witnesses who, under
'ath, describe specifically the act or
Icts they saw. wherein the person re-
or applying clearly distin-
sulshcd himself above his fellows for
most distinguished gallantry In action.
ut Ia hardly possible that all OF the
,cts OF bravery which should be rewarded
re included In those before the board.
L Is possible that some OF those reported
nay not bo receiving as much as they
deserve On the other hand, II may be
hat many who have received nothing
nay be- Just as deserving as those who
lave been recommended, 1t is believed,
however, that the publication of the re-
of this board by the war
department. will result In bringing to
ight large number OF cases which
ave been heretofore overlooked by SUI
'ordlnate commanders. II should be
that when u company or
egiment goes into battle, II Is difficult
or those In authority to distinguish be-
ween men who are apparently equally
rave.
ut Is impossible for board to make
my distinction except on recorded evil
Ionce. Where any officers or men are
reelected II is the fault OF those whose
luty Il was to call attention to such
ases. or course. where superiors were
disabled by wounds or disease those
lnder them suffer in consequence, but
very effort is being made to bring all
Iuch cases to light. The board will not
complete Its work for some time, and
10 reports nave yet been made in cases,