New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-10-14
Leave OUT HOME GUARDS
Militiamen Will Not Get Indian
War Pensions.
Only Those Who Were in Battle
to Participate.
Col. VIM. Pfaender Now After
Proofs of Service.

Militiamen and sixty day volunteers
who enlisted for patrol duty after the
repulse of Little Grow and his savages
at. the battles of New Ulm will not be
included among those who are to be
benefited by the proposed pension bill
for veterans of the Indian war. In
drafting the measure it will be prepared
with the sole purpose of reWarding the
men who actually took part in a battle
orsenga and no attempt will be
made to secure recognition for soldiers
who served with independent COM
mands. To try for general bill
would probably endanger the entire
matter and for this reason only those
who fought at New Ulm and Fort
Ridgely will be included.
Saturday afternoon, after his con-
ference with Congressman J. T. Nc
Cleary, a reporter for the Review in
terviewed Col. VIM. Pfaender and OBJ
tanned his views regarding the matter.
SOAs L l6CAuO1 ID COnN1uCOu b41<1U d Oll1
which would extend the benefits of the
pension laws to all persons who took
part in military operations during the
outbreak is impractical. Following
the engagements here three companies
were organized in New Ulm and count
less others sprang up in all parts of
Minnesota. ~ Ges.. ---
They were essentially state organiza-
tions and received pay out of the state
treasury, the object in forming them
being to restore confidence and induce
the fleeing settlers to return to the
claims which they had abandoned.
Very few of these men heard shot
fred in anger and to ask the govern
ment to pension them would be in the
nature of an imposition. Such a re-
quest will not be made but it will be
stipulated that citizens who served with
the garrisons of New Ulm and Fort
Ridgely during the battles and skir-
mishes of the 18th, 10Th, 23rd and oath
of August, 1862, are to be entitled to
relief under the act. T -
An amendment to the present pension
laws is not wanted, this being regarded
as a special case and demanding a
separate and distinct bill-not COM
plicated and covering the various
points in clear and concise manner.
Col. Pfaender intends embodying in it
all the requirements and will make it
as free from red tape as possible. It
will state plainly that pensioners must
have taken part in an engagement or,
in case of death of a soldier, that his
widow may apply. ~
Probably the most difficult part of
the preliminary workwill be to establish
proofs of service. Years ago there
were records in st. Paul of the men
who were in the campaign but it is a
question in Col. Pfaender's mind if
these were not burned when the capitol
was destroyed by fire. He has written
to the adjutant general and when a
reply is received will call meeting of
the veterans to discuss the project. In
all likelihood they will appoint a
committee to handle the bill and it can
then be taken up with thecongressional
pension committee and influential
senators and representatives
From lists which Col. Pfaender has
prepared he finds that there are 156
men and 60 widows who would be bene-
fitted. This is not the total number
but he is of the opinion that it will not
go above 225 or $50. Should the bill
become law these persons will be en-
titled to draw pension of s12 monthly.
| Working at Sink Hole.
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