Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-08-01

my regiment constantly on duty un-
til June %, 1862, 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. 1 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 l should be discharged for disa-
/ bility. But l 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 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 to Annapolis for treatment
of my left eye, and while there re-
mained on active duty in military
command of the officers hospital.
continued on various field duties un-
til Nav 7, 1869. when l was ordered
on duty as Indian agent, being in
cluded in a 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 sery-
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 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
| IL was SthU thS SN'AN~
and did not reach him for more than
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
I act of congress. II is done at last.
t He is restored to the army as cap
S tain and placed on the retired list
n He will receive $1O0 per month dur
s ing the remainder of his life. This
y will gradually dispose Of his embar'
:. easements, and support his family II
t comparative comfort.
d Congressman Hull, of Iowa, chair
d man of the house committee on mill
n tary affairs, said: 81 am very glat
e that Maj. Long has finally succeeded
s in getting his bill through both houses
S of congress. We have many cases be
It fore the committee, only small pro
d portion of which ever become laws
n Each case is carefully scrutinized, ant
n you may be sure that only the trul.
n merit orious cases receive favorable
Il reports from our committee"
IS Mai. Long and Lieut. Davidson ar
e made happy - having lived lonl
enough to acquire rights which shoul
,e never have been taken from then
1f Justice is not only blind, but some
~ times dreadfully slow.
~ SMITH d. FRY.