Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-08-15

my regiment constantly on duty un-
til June 81, 1862, when at the battle
of Gaines Mill I 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 1 was put
on recruiting service. I returned to
my regiment and was detailed as as
sistant commissary 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 I should be discharged for disa'
bility. But I was born in the army
and raised in it, and would not give
up. / was promoted to be captain.
joined my regiment on the Kappa
hammock, then went to New York tic
suppress draft riots, and again back
to the field. Although suffering ia
cial neuralgia all the time, l partici
pated in the battles of the Wilder
ness and Spottsylvania. I was ther
ordered to Annapolis for treatment
of my left eye, and while there re
manned on active duty in military
command of the officers hospital. ]
continued on various field duties I'm
til May z, 1869, when [ was ordered
on duty as Indian agent, being in
cluded in general order providing
for numerous officers who were left
out of their regimental 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 as 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 enc
eye 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 thar
six months. Not knowing that this
order had been issued; being assured
of being legislated out of the army,
with many others, on December 81,
1870; preferring resignation to being
legislated out, Maj. Long resigned
During the past 80 years he has been
trying to have the wrong righted, by
act of congress. It 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
will gradually dispose of his embar
easements, and support his family ir
comparative comfort.
Congressman Hull, of Iowa, chair
man of the house committee on mill.
tary affairs, said: ST am very glad
that Maj. Long has finally succeeded
in getting his bill through both horses
of congress. We have many cases be-
fore the committee, only small pro
portion of which ever become laws
Each case is carefully scrutinized, and
you may be sure that only the truly
meritorious cases receive favorable
reports from our committee
Maj. Long and Lieut. Davidson are
made happy by having lived long
enough to acquire rights which should
never have been taken from them
Justice is not only blind, but some
times dreadfully slow.
SMITH D. FRY