Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1902-07-31


Long appeared and told his story as
follows:
Il was appointed by President Lin
coin as second lieutenant. Second in
fantry. August ;. 1sS1- Was with
my regiment constantly on duty un-
til June -. ls62. when at the battle
of Gaines Mill | was wounded in the
foot. wrist and face. and thoroughly
disabled for the time. While at
home at Buffalo before the bandages
were taken from my face | was put
on recruiting service. | returned to
nv regiment and was detailed rs as
sistant eommissary of musters under
command of Gen. Heintzelman. My
right eye was put out at Gaines Mill
and my remaining eye began TO
trouble me. Surgeon Basil Norris.
well known in Washington. insisted
that | should be discharged for disa-
bility. But | was born in the army
and raised in it. and would not give
up. | was promoted To be- captain.
Joined nv regiment on the Kappa
hammock. then went to New York to
suppress draft riots. and again back
To the field. Although suffering IA
cial neuralgia all the time. | partici-
pated in the battles of the Wilder
ness and Spottsylvania. l was then
ordered 10 Annapolis for treatment
Of my left eve. and while there re-
NAMED on active duty in military
command Of the officers hospital
continued on various field duties IN
I'll May = 1863. when | was ordered
on duty as Indian agent. being in
clGdei in general order providing
for numerous officers who were left
out of their regimentaI organizations
by consolidation of infantry regi-
ments provided for by act of con-
gress. The order contained these
words; should vacancies occur en-
titling them TO promotion in the reg
ular army during their term of serv-
ice on such Indian duty. they shall
receive promotion the same though
on ordinary detached military duty"
While thus serving. Maj. Longs eye
became very weak and painful. and
he finally applied for retirement be-
cause of incapacity. To his surprise.
the examining board refused him re-
tirement. although he had lost one
eve in battle and the other one was
palpably disabled. He applied for re-
lief from duty as Indian agent. and
the necessary order was issued; but
it was sent through the Indian Office
and did not reach him for more than
six months. Not knowing that this
order had been issued; being assured
with many others. on December 81,
1870; preferring resignation to being
legislated out. Maj. Long resigned.
During the past % years he has been
trying to have the wrong righted. by
act Of congress. II is done at last
He Is restored to the army as a cap
tain and placed on the retired list.
He will receive 500 per month dur
ing the remainder Of his life. This
viii gradually dispose of his embar-
easements. and support his family in
comparative comfort.
Congressman Hull. of Iowa. chair
man Of the house committee on mill
tary affairs. said: II am very glad
that Maj. Long has finally succeeded
in getting his bill through both houses
of congress. We have many cases be-
fore the committee, only a small pro-
portion Of which ever become laws.
Each ease is carefully scrutinized. and
Won may be sure that only the truly
meritorious cases receive favorable
reports from our committee"
Gen. Dick. Of Ohio. a member of thu
committee. saws: I'VE have Subcom-
mittees Of the full committee. and in
this manner most of the work is ae-
complisheu by private Investigations
When our subcommittee report "a
the full committee. we have all of the
available facts Consequently, when
a favorable report is made to the
house by the full committee. through
Chairman Hull it receives respectful
consideration by the house ~ repre-.
sentatives if the house has time 70
take IL up Very many meritorious
cases are sometimes delayed because
INC muse haS Hot Time 70 take them
up
That is true Many meritorious
cases are delayed year after year. and
sometimes good men die before JUS
tiee is melted out to them. Mai. LONG
and Lieut.. Davidson are made happy.
by having lived long enough to sc.
quire rights which should never have
been taken from them. Justice is not
only blind, but sometimes d.readfuur
slow. SMITH D. FRY.