The National tribune., 1902-11-06

| the following is copy:
"Copy. War Department, A.-G. o.
Dec. 9th, 1868.
Special Orders No. 54O.-Extract:
"XVI.-The following named enlisted
men are hereby relieved from duty with
their respective commands, and will report
in person without delay to Maj.-Gen.
Casey, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding
Provisional Brigades, for duty in connec-
ton with the organization of the U. S. G.
drafted men and recruits being raised in
the District of Columbia.
Corporal r. K. Beecham, Co. FL, I'd Wis.
Vols.
"The Quartermaster's Department will
furnish the necessary transportation.
"By order Of the Secretary of War.
[Signed.] E. D. TOWNSEND, A. A.-G.
Headquarters First Army Corps, Dec.
Tsigned.l c. K1NcsBuRY, JR., A. A.-G.
HEADQUARTERS First Division, Dec. 11th,
1868.
TSigned.l ROBERT MoNTEITH, Capt.
and A. A. A.-G.
Headquarters First Brigade, Dec. 18th,
1868.
TSigned.l J. D. WooD, A. A.-G.
Headquarters I'd Wis. Vols, Dec. 18th,
"a true copy.
"ISigned:l 6. WOODWARD, First Lieut..
and Adjt."
The reader will notice that this order
came to me through the regular official
channel" the Secretary of War having
discovered that in no other way could he
reach man in the army. 1t was dated
at the War Department Dec. s. arrived
at Corps Headquarters Dec. II, and
reached me ON the 18th. Not very much
redtape about that transaction, but for
six months had been in suspense on the
red-tape-line of promotion, and it was,
surely, about time to be getting to the end
of the string.
Bidding farewell to my comrades and
terminates, most Of whom / never met
again, l was soon in the National Capital,
where reported to Gen. Casey and was
instructed to report there each morning
until further orders.
Dec. 20 1 received the following ap-
pointment:
"War Department, Washington, d. c.,
Dec. 10, 1868.
"Sir: You are hereby informed that the
President of the United States has ap-
pointed you First Lieutenant in the 23d
Regiment of U. s. G. Troops in the service
of the U. s. to rank as such from the 10Th
Gay Oh Dec, 1906.
"ISigned.] EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War"
A few days later was ordered to cross
the Potomac into old Virginia with small
squad Of recruits to establish the nucleus
Of the 23d Regiment, at point afterward
known as Camp Casey" On Dec. %
1 received the following:
"War Department, Adjutant- Generals
Office, Washington, d. G.. Dec. %. 1868.
Special Orders No. 566-Extract:
go. The following enlisted men are
hereby hOnorably discharged the service
Of the U. s. to enable them to accept ap-
pointments in the U. S. G. Troops.
Corporal X. X. Beecham, Co. ii, Cd Wis.
Vols.
"By order of the Secretary of War.
"ISigned.1 u. ID. TOWNSEND, A. A.-Gen.
| Vols.
"omcial-Lsigned.] c. W. FOSTER, A.
Approved: ]. X. CASEY, Capt. and A. A.
| A.-G."
| This order, which the reader will notice
had passed through the Irregular official
channel" discharged me from my former
lowly service as an enlisted man, and on
| receipt of which l was ON Dec. %, 1868,
mustered into the service of the United
States as a commissioned officer, hence
forth to be hOnOred among the mighty,
with the magnificent privilege of snubbing
private soldier as much as wanted to,
| and indulging in the senseless show Of Off
cial "fuss and feathers"
| l have given the full particulars Of this
little transaction, that the American peO-
pie, especially ambitious young men, may
| see and understand how delightfully."- easy
| 1t Is for private soldier who possesses
the physical manhood, the intellectual
ability and the sand in his craw to get q
commission in the American army.
| ITO ka continued