The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-01
A SPECIMEN CASE.
People of New Hampshire Town Much An
gered over Evans's Injustice.
From the Newport On. Id Champion)
Cbarlestovn n n Jnly II


Charlestown, n. H., July IL.
"Mr. Editor: The most intense indigna-
ton has been aroused here by recent
receipt of the following letter, addressed
to n friend supposed to have knowledge
of Mr.. Finnigan's long pending pension
claim. The letter bears the insignia of
the G. A. X. and tells it's own story of
the gratitude and injustice portioned to
thousands of old soldiers of the civil
war:
.'T. S. Daken Post, 206, Department of
New York, G.. A. II. Headquarters 156
Broadway, Brooklyn, Il. D., July IA,
1901:
"'Dear Sir: Thomas Finnigan, mem
Der of this Post, and, as l understand,
claimant for increase Of pension, is now
an inmate of st. Mary's Hospital for the
last three weeks, suffering from actual
starvation. He has been living on charity
for the last four years to my certain
knowledge, and if anything can be done
toward an increase of pension it should
be speedily done before it is too late. If
you wish any affidavits for these facts, l
can furnish you with them.
Yours in L. C. and L.,
THOS. TRAVES,
Commander r. S. Daken Post, 206 G.. \.
r., Department of New York.
"Other facts Of interest to every citizen
the G. \. Il. and veterans everywhere are
these: Thos. Finnigan is a native of
Springfield, VT, and was the first man to
enlist from this place at the outbreak of
the war in April, 1861, in Co. III, I'd n. IL.
He participated in nearly 80 battles
with his gallant command; was i'll the
Peach Orchard at Gettysburg with
Sickles's Brigade, and there was never a
better soldier, a Drawer fighter or truer
patriot than gallant Tom Finnigan. He
was twice promoted for gallantry in &C
ton, and after three years of fighting,
which included Gettysburg, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Manas-
sas, and the entire three years service
of his enlistment, was honorably discharg-
ed, having refused promotion for his SPLEEN
did bravery and valuable service. After
the war, though he was suffering from in
jury and disease contracted i'll the service.
he refused to apply for a pension which
was his by right, saying that as long as
he could care for himself he would not
ask for aid from the Government he did
SO much to save and of which he was
and is one of the most honorable parts.
When he finally, totally disabled and a
wreck of his former stalwart manhood,
asked for the pension which acts of Con-
gress had provided for him and his COM
rades, he was, after long contention, given
Il miserable pittance of SO per month, I'M
der the act of June 81, 1890. Notwith-
standing that repeated efforts have been
made to increase that pittance to the limit
of the act, and his condition of total dis
ability shown by his family physician and
Medical Boards and Special Examiners,
his claim has stood persistently rejected.
While sick and alone with only the visits
Of comrades to break the monOtony of
the long days and longer nights, he has
starved in little room in q Brooklyn ten
ement house, while the press of the cOun-
try is teeming with reports of the gener-
GUS q treatment of the old soldiers, and
the people are informed that S5,000,0O0
Of the last pension appropriation for the
payment of such claims is turned back to
the Treasury as not required. 1t is stated
that an appeal will be made to President
Mckinley in behalf of Thomas Finnigan.
(Signed) l.. w. BROWN.