New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-12
RELIEF FOR ARMY OFFICERS
AN ADDITIONAL GRADE FOR THOSE WITH CIVIL
WAR RECORDS ON THEIR RETIREMENT

AN ADDITIONAL GRADE FOR THOSE WITH civil
WAR RECORDS ON THEIR RETIREMENT
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The General commanding the Army in his
annual report recommends that officers of the
Army with creditahe records who served during
the Civil War be granted the same considerations
concerning rank and pay have been accorded Off
GERS of the Navy by Section II of the approved
March g. 1898"
The act referred to confers one additional grade
in rank upon naval officers with Civil War records
upon their retirement. 1t would simple act
of justice that the benefits thus conferred should
be extended the officers of the Army with like
records and additional grade in rank given
them upon retirement. Possibly the somewhat
common impression that the officers of the Army
who served during the Civil War have all reached
high rank by virtue Of their long service. and are
abundantly well provided for in the matter of hon
ors and pay, may have had its influence in with
holding this benefit from them. If this is true it
is unfortunate, for such an impression is not based
upon facts.
present year shows that there the active
list of the Army 1872 line officers below the grade of
colonel who served during the Civil War. 1t seems
almost incredible that fortyseven of these officers
have not got beyond the grade of captain, but the
Register shows that thirteen of them who hold
that rank serving in the infantry, four in
the cavalry and thirty in the artillery. These Off
GERS all belonged tc the column that carried the
flag during the Civil War and still serving
with the fighting line many of them bearing the
hardships of field service with their in
island possessions.
II is evident therefore, from unquestoned official
data that at least the number of officers named
have not reached high rank. and IT would TO
be necessary corollary as we'll have not reached
high pay. The facts that they have
joyed high pay. and that their salaries do not
and never have afforded than sufficient
for the modest support of themselves and their
families
The majority of these officers look forward with
apprehension to the time when age or wounds
disease Will take them to the retired list with its
reduced pay. Under existing law they will go
that list with only three-fourths pay, apparently
liberal compensation. but, unfortunately, accom-
panied by other losses than pay, due to the with
drawal of all previous allowances, reducing their
salaries in fact but half pay. Officers the
active list provided with quarters at Govern
ment expense, and with fuel at reduced rate, all
OF which is denied to officers the retired list
After deducting house rent and other incidental
subject. only one-haf of the salaries Of retired
officers remains for living expenses.
This fact cannot be too strongly emphasized, and
should be constantly kept in view in considering the
officers of the Army the active list who
served during the Civil War all old men, and
unless the present Congress comes to their relief
a considerable number of them will pass to the
Is 1t not reasonable and just that these old sol
ders, veterans OF two wars. who have served their
country for more than the lifetime Of a human gen
Grafton. should gain additional grade in rank
upon retirement. has been provided for their
brother officers in the Navy. in order that they
may enjoy a small advance in their half pay
leaving the active LIST JUSTICE.
San Juan de Puerto Rico Dec. %. 1899.