Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-08
HIS CLAIM SHAVED DOWN
FINAL ACTION IN CASE OF GEORGE p.
ROBERTS,.
First Allowance by Controller Re-
turned by Clafmant-Settlemen
After Thirty Years.

Many queer claims arising out Of the
civil war are passed upon daily by Mr..
Tracewell, the controller Of the treasury,
but few days ago he took action on one
that was unusual in several ways, not the
least curious being the decidedly slow
manner in which claims are adjudicated
On July IA, 1870. Congress passed an act
recognizing part of the military force
Of the United States Captain David Beaty's
company Of independent scouts. This COM
pany was organized in Tennessee and
served throughout the war on the Union
side, at no time. however, having been le-
gally mustered into the service Of the United
States. Neither officers nor privates re-
eeived any compensation from the United
States The act Of Congress was for the
purpose Of declaring the company entitled
to the same pay, pensions, ETC., as though
1t had been regularly mustered in. The
act. directed the filing with the War De-
partment of a roll of the company.
Mr. Roberts Claim.
Soon after the passage of the act George
P. Roberts of Tennessee. made application
in the usual way for whatever pay was
due him by the United States His claim
went through the regular red tape. but was
quickly acted upon, and in 1871 Mr. Rob-
erts received check for s1,064 %, being
January 20, 1862 to June 1, 1865, S351 20
for use and risk of horse and horse equip
ments for the same time, and S151. .43 cloth
Ing money. OF course, Mr.. Roberts would
not have received money for over three
years services If the records had not shown
that he performed them. The company
records in the War Department showed
that MIR. Roberts had Joined the company
January 70, 1862, at jamestown, Fentress
county, Tennessee, and was discharged as
a private June 1, 1865.
The Check Returned.
Despite the testimony of the records, Mr..
Roberts sent the certificate back to the
government with statement that he did
not care to accept money obtained fraud
ulently, and only desired what was really
due him. He said he did not join Captain
Beaty's scouts until August j, 1864, having
before that time served compulsorly In
the confederate army. The check was re-
turned to the government under date of
December 6, 1871, Mr. Roberts requesting
that he be paid for his actual services
That was nearly thirty years ago and Mr.
Beaty was Just few days ago ordered to
be paid $21O.45, and the old certificate was
Cancelled.
After Mr. Roberts letter was received
thirty years ago the War Department sent
an officer to look up Mr.. Roberts record
This officer reported that Roberts enlisted
as a first sergeant in Company H 25th
Tennessee Infantry, c. S. A, August 5,
1861, and deserted December l. 1863 Rob
erts says he tried to leave once before, but
was caught and compelled to serve
Final Allowance.
The claim finally allowed Roberts is
$160.53 for pay as a soldier and $44 92 cloth
ing money as private Roberts claimed
to have furnished his horse, making affi-
davit to that, but as the record didn't show
this he was not allowed $3512O for use and
risk of his horse as was done in the first
claim. Roberts honesty with the govern
ment caused an immense shaving Of his
claim and a wait of thirty years for his
money.