The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-07-31

was hung up in the house of repre-
ssutatives. lie told me that after |
luach he would personally look into |
the case. Although he had many |
statters of greater Importance on his
mind, when the time came the old
gentleman took me by the arm and
walked that long distance from the
senate to the house. That body was
in session. and | remained out in the
corridor while he went inside. He
saw members of the committee on
military affairs, and then left the
ease in charge of a representative
from Massachusetts, who is TO look
after it.
"Now, il / had been politician, |
might not have been surprised at
senator doing so much for me. But
| am not politician, and | have not
roted in Massachusetts, for many
years. The senator knew me as
citizen of Massachusetts who had
served in the civil war and after
wards in the regular army. He
knew that | had been uniustly
turned out of the army, and he de-
sermined to help me get justice. He
had the bill passed by the senate
awo months ago, and now il must be
passed by the house. | am sure that
IL will be all right, because the SEN
Etor has taken personal interest
in it. My Uncle Tom and he were
classmates at Harvard; hence he
Knows the family, and has turned
aside from his duties of statesman
ship long enough to give me help
ing hand. Out of many years ex-
periepce ] can say that there are
few, senators who would do so much
for one who can do nothing in re-
turn, except express heartfelt
thanks"
Lieut. Francis S. Davidson. who thus
iells of the kindness of the venerable
statesman from Massachusetts, was
5 cadet at West Point from July /,
1862, to January 81, 1863 when he was
commissioned a second lieutenant in
she Fifth Massachusetts cavalry, and
served with that regiment until Oc-
toher 81, 1865, when he was honora-
6ty mustered out with the regiment.
an March z 1867 he was commissioned
second lieutenant of the Ninth United
States cavalry and promoted to first
lieutenant, July 81, 1867. He served
Nith his regiment on the Texas from
sier against hostile Indians until July,
1875, when he was ordered with his
company on scout and to make a
temporary camp at a water hole called
lei Louz ranch"
Lieut.. Davidson is not the first good
soldier who has suffered from envies
and jealousies; and it was in 1875 that
ais prosecutions began. The writer
bad personally known him for almost
~ years, and hence is familiar with
bis story. When he left Fort Brown
Tex, to go on that scout, the officer
who inspected his company preferred
charges against him as to the condi
aiOn of his company and wagons. Oh
these charges he was acquitted. But
.hat did not end the matter. 1t i,
well known to those familiar will
ahe old army that when conspirators
hegin to seek court-martials they
usually succeed in some manner
Charges were later preferred agains
Davidson for ''breach of arrest ant
gaming in the presence Of enlisted
men" He had not been placed il
close arrest during thetrial before tn,
court which acquitted him, but wa
simply ordered to remain with hi
company under arrest. He did no
acaye the ranch of FL Louz, nor di
he leave his company. The assertion
Ss to gaming was that he had throw
q $40 bill on a table that "A MeXicaI
had in front of one of the huts n
that ranch, where some of the soldier
played monte. The judge advocat
general, in May, 1873, reported:
-"rne new evidence submitted may b
deemed to cast doubt upon the guilt G
the accused. In view of this doubt tn
bureau is now inclined to the opinion tina
abe sentence of the accused was probabl
teO severe He has suffered under thi
sentence two and half years, and hi
q reappointment to the army would not !
prejudicial to the interests of military jul
n 1lee."