The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-26
GENERAL dFsfScERs


- the RedFea List.
The following IL lie petition accom-
panyfng the bill to put all general OH
GERS OF volunteers ON tho retired list:
Washington, d. c...'Feb. %. 1906.
Hon. Knute Nelson, United States
Dear Sir: Referrins:sto our letter Of
the 3oth ultimo in respect to Senate
Bill 21ss to create Volunteer Retired
tached thereto. we 'haye the honor to
call your attention to the fact that since
the writing Of said letter inform alton
has been received Of The residence OF
IL and of the death OF 10 Brevet Brig
adler Generals OF Volunteers whose
length OF service and rank made them
eligible under the provisions Of said
herewith.
1.-THE humber OF survivors whose resi-
dences are known Is as follows: Major
Generals. B; Brigadier- Generals. 3d.:
Colonels Of regiments ana Brevet Brig
adler Generals, ISL; total number
known to be living. 1877
''The number OF Brevet Brigadier-
Generals whose residences are unknown
who IL living would be eligible is So.
This small number is the remnant of
that large body OF volunteer officers
who commanded and led the National
ioTceS III the great struggle Tor the
preservation Of the Union.
But a small proportion Of this gem
Grafton of people, more than $4,000, 900
or whom have entered upon American
life since the firing upon Fort Sumter,
can for1n+a just conception OF that
mighty struggle.
THE claim made by the people OF
certain States, of the constitutional
right OF secession. involved a question
OF law too big to be settled by Congress
or Court The issue was submitted to
the arbitration OF the sword II was
conflict between Americans.
"The contention on each side was
maintained with a degree OF loyalty,
courage and. furtitude never excelIed
years. -.s.. -. -:
During that period more than 4,O00,-
600 men rallied under the standards of
the opposing forces. II = ),
'"rhe actual operations Of the war
extended into Is States. The contend
ing armies met and fought in more
than $500 engagements. This conflict,
with It's great commanders and fits
mighty campaigns and battles, attract
ed the attention of the world. While
SIKH and courage In war hold a place
In the history of mankind, the civil war
I'm America will be recognized as one
OF the most tremendous military cpl
sodes since the invention of firearms.
The men whose names appear in
the list of eligibles under your bill rep
resent every great campaign entered
upon, and every great battle fought by
the Union army during the civil war.
The petitioners respectfully ask that the
Congress of the United States will grant
them the recognition for their services
provided for I'm your bill They submit
that the justice OF this measure should
gress has by previous legislation retir-
Ing volunteer officers of the civil war
established precedents which invited
its enactment. hs
Are the provisions Of your bill too
narrow? II so. the. friendly hand Of
Congress Will make such amendments
as will be deemed just aid equitable.
"Wiil objection be made to this meas
ure because OF the expense? AS an
item OF appropriation the amount will
not be large. Nor ean-the item con-
tinue long. The natvraiIorder Of things
settles that question.
Consider the pension: roll. During
the period OF 10k years. from July 1,
1895. to Dec. 81. 1905. OF the officers
and soldiers of the civil war who were
Oh the pension roll izBS.sg1 have died.
They were nl,istered.ou by the Great
Commands ts33si.@s sfa 80! - 9%..H1 s>-.'
'"The heroic men or the civil war now
OH the pension roll are receiving their
filal earthly discharge at the rate of
500 per week. Il ~f -,-'
"As compared with the previous fiscal
year the number of ciyil-war pensioners
decreased 6,184 during the fiscal year
1908. The annual decrease hereafter
will no doubt be greater.
ut is obvious that creating the Vol
unteer Retired List authorized by your
bill. and placing all the eligibles there
on provided for. will not cause an in
crease in the payments heretofore made
to the officers and soldiers who served
I'm the civil war.
"On behalf Of the petitioners We have
the honor to earnestly request favor
able action on said bill at the present
session OF Congress. We respectfully
call the attention OF both Houses of
Congress to the extreme old age of
many Of these men who have defended
their country's flag.
Every respectfully yours,
Green B: Raum. l.. A. Grant, c.. ID.
MacDOugall Samuel J. Crawford"
Every G. A. r. Post should have q copy
of tho new poem. Our Flag Defenders"
for use ON Memorial Day. See adv in