The National tribune., 1903-05-14

What is said here does not refer to any
particular Administration or any party or
person, but to instances occurring III con-
npction with East Tennesseans from time
to time during and since our war 1t Is
not given in the spirit of criticism or fauit
finding, and still may afford instances
which will show plainly that, If possible,
some remedy should be had that would
avoid some of the Illogical conclusions and
rulings.
One of the curioSities presented to the
mind of an old soldier who served at the
front and through trying places Is that
the Pension Department places so much
credence in hospital records. and appears
to regard with so much suspicion disabii-
ties incurred where there is no hospital
record to support the allegations in appli-
cations for pensions.
Every soldier who was in active ser
vice during the time Of our war for any
length of time knows too well that there
was scarcely deadbeat that did not
break into the hospital, if possible, when
the time of greatest trials came. This
was so patent that it was often the case
that good, brave ard spirited soldiers
either wounded or sick, had to be forced
to the hospital.
On one occasion there was an officer,
spirited and determined, but quite sick,
who sat on his horse, marching out to
meet the enemy, until lie fell like dish
rag in pile by the side of the road. He
absolutely refused to be sent to the hospi-
tai. He preferred death rather than even
the appearance of an attack of rebel
fever" He had been i'll for some days.
but would not even report sick for treat
ment, ard when he fell from the horse his
commanding officer, knowing of his deter
mined spirit, gave orders that he should be
hauled in an ambulance. When the line
of battle was ordered lie crawled cut and
took his place, although scarcely able to
hold to the saddle, and lay the greater part
of night in line of battle. That is simply
one instance that occurred, and there were
many others.
There was no record of this instance,
and that officer would not allow any to
be made, even on the muster-out rolls.
Bear in mind, it was not all or any large
per cent of those who were in hospital
that were deadbeats but all the deadJeats
There were thousands of the best, BRAY
est and truest soldiers who died concealing
their ailments rather than be sent to the
hospital. Just after the battle of Stone
River, for weeks the ambulance came
every morning and hauled the dead from
the camps Of the ID and I'd Tenn.
Cav They died in their tents, sometimes
alone. Peacefully and silently they went
into the sleep of death, determined to re-
II. 6 es-ol
ferring cold bed on the ground or on the
cornstalis rather than 90 to the hospital
and let anyone even suspect that they were
not able to meet tie enemy. This may be
said to have been a whim, but wllim
it was on the part Of a very great many
men who bore the brunt of battle.
4 list of pensions allowed by special
acts Of Congress was published n few
months since. 1t is understood that the
reason for passing these private acts al
lowing pensions is that pension had been
refused by the Pension Bureau, and there
fore Congress grants relief.
A LOYAL ALBANIAN.
In that list published and above referred
to was one to the widow of Harris Tram
mel, Sd Tenn. Cav. Trammel was loyal
Alabamian, and n better soldier never
buckled belt. He was a large. active,
pONttlul young HidE. iultl III uCuitdHOI,
obedfent to orders, and brave as a lion.
In the battle with Forrest at Sulphur
Trest!e, Trammel was on the skirmish
line, which was ds.nOunted. Tie line
was ordered to fall hGcl; i'll order The
Confederates followed up. He was coming
in slowly with body bent forward, carbine
in hand.
A mimic ball from the Confederates
struck him between the shoulders ranging
jaw and coming out at his cheek. The
wound was so severe that he was left
there to die.
The Fedcrals were captured and taken
away, and when the enemy had disap
peared Trammel made his way rs best he
could to the remnant of camp left by his
regiment He remained in camp and stood
ready to perform such duty as might be !
assigned to him rather than go TO the hos |
pital: He did not go, for soldier of his
qualities commanded the respec. of his |
officers. Knowing his aversion, they
would not order him to 60
The muster-rOll doubtless shows that he |
was wounded, but there is no hospital re-
cord of his disability. 1t was doubtless |
hard for him to make the proof of the |
wound received, for his comrades were
carried off TO Cahaba, where many Of them |
died or were never again with the com
HlHEfi, diu ilidlly more perlSned on tIe Ill |
fated Steamer Sultana. Then, Trammel's |
home was in Alabama, where comrades in |
the Federal army were scarce.
Isn't il a curious thing that soldier Of |
that kind has trouble to get the pension |
which the law allows him, and when he is |
gone that his widow is compelled to appeal |
to Congress for relief.
a SHAREHOLDERS DEVOTION TO THE
UNION.
Another instance. Generally. slavehold- |
ers threw their allegiance with the Confed- |
eracy, but there were exceptions. There !
was man in East Tennessee who held an |
interest in slaves Gnheritedt to the value !
Of perhaps S6,CG0. lie was 40 years old. /
in good health, ard very hardy, strong |
man. He adhered to the Union with all |
the power of his being.
The war progressed to that extent that |
he could not safely remain ct home longer. |
so, taking the most valuable part of the |
slaves, leaving his wife and three young |
daughters and two little boys behind. made |
his way to Kentucky, and following in the |
trail of the retreating army Of Gen. G. w. |
Morgan from Cumberland Gap. came TO !
the army in Ohio. Enlisting, he donned |
the blue.
Soon after, while at "ovington, Ky, he |
was suddenly seized with a severe illness, |
from which his life appeared TO hang in |
tho i1 11Dnpa fnp bar g