Evening star., 1901-06-01
Would Fight Again.

AS soon as he was able to travel he was
discharged with a pension for total dis
ability, and sent to his home in Batavia,
N. Y. For many weary months he suffered.
his wounds refusing to heal. Finally he
became tired of waiting, and, while his
wounds yet needed care surrendered his
pension certificate, secured a commission
and reported for duty with his new regi-
ment in the field. But the medical officers
of the regiment refused to pass him, as
his sword arm was powerless. Instead
they ordered him to report to the hospital
for treatment. He respectfully declined to
go. He then appealed to the colonel and
the general in command, but in vain.
There was now but one chance left him.
He would appeal to the commander-in-
chief of the armies-the President of the
United States.
He returned to Washington and made his
way to the White House with beating
heart. He admitted to the President S
private room, where he was not long in
stating the reason for his visit, that be-
cause of wounds received in action he was
refused service President Lincoln became
interested and questioned young Rand
closely. By degrees he drew from him his
whole history-that In his native town he
had been the first one to answer the call
for 5000 men; that he had been in every
battle from Bull Run to Gaines Mill; that
he was the only son of a widow; that his
that his left hand was still fit for service.
The President kept his eye upon the shriv-
eled hand and showed his sympathy when
he learned that while in prison the soldier
had been his own surgeon, dressing his
wounds with old newspapers. For some
time President Lincoln kept the young off,
Ger answering questions. then he placed
his hand on the shoulder OF the lieutenant
and remarked:
my young friend the surgeons did their
duty. They could not do otherwise. You
are not able to DO any more work in the
Sorrow and JOY.
This last remark took away Rand's
power Of speech. He had hoped from the
Presidents manner that his request would
be granted Now the only words that fell
from his lips were, my God. Mr.. Presi-
dentw He rose and started for the door.
his heart nearly bursting. He could not
even say goodbye. In an instant the
President was beside him, and, throwing
one arm affectionately around the officer.
he said, in voice filled with emotion:
Lieutenant Rand, we need you here in
Washington great deal more than they
DO at the. front. II you will go over to the
War Department in the morning l think
Mr.. Stanton will fix you OUT
At 10 o'clock the next morning commits
sion had been made out and before noon
it was signed by the President.
After leaving the army in 1870 Lieuten-
ant Rand entered Georgetown University,
received the degree Of NJ D. and practiced
his profession up to four years ago, when
he was obliged to give 1t up owing to in
cessant pains arising from his old wounds
Two governors Of the state Of New York
and three Presidents of the United States
have recognized DR.. Rand's patriotism and
galantry He holds four commissions, all
preserved in the Holland Purchase His
torical Societys archives at Batavia, n. Y;
one signed by Governor E. D. Morgan, one
by Governor Horatio Seymour, one by
President Lincoln and one by President
Andrew Johnson. New York has remem-
bered him with q medal, appropriately in
scribed, and will erect monument to him
when the time comes on the plot In Ar
lington presented to him by the govern
ment.