The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-13
REID A DESERTER,
But Was Appointed Pension Examiner
in Calhoun County.

Admission, April 12.-(Special)-It is charg-
ed and proved, seemingly beyond doubt,
that E. M. Reid, one of the men appointed
as a confederate pension examiner for this
county by Governor Johnston, was de-
serter from the confederate army, the
specifications being that he deserted two
years before the war was over. went north
and remained until year after the sur
render
The confederate pension law was amend
ed by the last general assembly. Under the
amended act the governor appoints two
examiners in each county to examine appli-
cants for pensions and pass upon applca-
lions. The confederate veterans of Cal
houn county recommended Captain J. N.
Hood, of Piedmont, and DR.. ]. F. Walker,
of Admission, and they were appointed. For
some reason, however, Captain Hood could
not serve and did not accept the appoint
ment. While the old veterans were look
ing around and deciding upon some other
good man to recommend the startling news
came that Governor Johnston had appoint
ed Reid to the vacancy. Reds personal
reputation was bad, and as 1t was also
rumored that he was a deserter, the old
soldiers were highly indignant at the APP
pointment. Strong protests were made to
the governor against the appointment OF
such man to the honorable and resporsl-
BILE office of pension examiner, but the gov
ernor replied that 1t was too late, the
appointment was already made.
Reid was a member of Company A,
Eleventh Georgia, which was organized in
Hall county, Georgia, and letters were writ
ten to members of the company for the
details of Reds deserton. David r. john
son and his brother, of Hall county, both
Of xuIn in
that Reid did desert and tod the circum-
stances. These letters were sent to the
governor
Commander F. M. Hight of Camp Pei
ham, No. 25S, United Confederate Veterans,
wrote to Mayor ]. b. CASTOR, of Gaines
vile, Ca, asking If he knew anything
about it.
G. P. Boone, city clerk of Gainesville, re-
piled as follows:
Gainesville, Ca, April g. 1899.
Hon. r. M. Hight, Admission, Ala
Dear Sir:-Your letter to our mayor has
been referred to me for answer.
| have been waiting to see David r.
johnson, who was member OF Company
A. Eleventh Georgia regiment, and man
In every way reliable. He came In TO-DAY
and told the following:
1T was a member of Company A, Eleventh
Georgia regiment, and was on picket under
Lieutenant Keith when %. M. Reid Marion
Mulinax and Iron Grey deserted below
Richmond, and went to the Yankee army.
That was on the night before the fight on
the Darbytown road, when his brigade
captured 600 or 700 men and several stands
of colors. Some of the Yankee prisoners
told me that these deserters told them th2t
our army was very weak and that II they
would be quick and attack our army they
could capture the breastworks and probably
Richmond before re-nforcemonte could
come from Petersburg.
REID told me when he came back to this
country after the war that they carried
their guns with them and sold them for $40
each.
REID is a deserter from the confederate
army and you may say il further proof is
wanted it can be had"
Very respectfully,
G. P. BOONE.
The statement made by Mr.. Johnson to
Mr.. Boone was substantially that made by
him and his brother in their letters.
1t is said that the old veterans all over
the county are highly indignant and will
make every effort to have the appointment
revoked.