The National tribune., 1906-07-26
TWO YEARS MEN.
An Appeal for Justice to Them

An Appeal for Justice to Them.
Editor National Tribune: On July
., 1851, George Blackwell, Delos Cur
tbs, Charles Howard, Alvin G. Hunt,
John Hall, Edward d. c. Jones, Charles
King, Albertus Kellogg. Henry T. Lati-
mer, Peter Mckenzie, Henry c. Tucker,
and Henry g. Wells enlisted at Albion,
discharged" in Co. X, 9th n. Y. The
muster-in rolls show they were mus
tered in for two years unless sooner
discharged" Mckenzie. kellogg and
Curtis were killed at the First Bull
Run battle. Aug. 6, 1862, certificate
No. III. Seth w. Kellogg's father. was
paid 500 bounty, and July 81. 1868.
was paid $50 additional bounty. Mrs.
Curtis, widow of Delos Curtis. was paid
original and additional bounties Au-
gust, SO. and January, '6S. No heirs
for Mckenzie have made claims. The
others served until mustered out with
the regiment, May 81. 1868, and re-
eeived no bounty. being given dis
charge which stated that they enlisted
for the ''unexpired term" notwithstand-
ing the enlistment and muster-in "for
two years unless sooner discharged"
and notwithstanding they left the State
with the regiment and returned with
them, having seen all it's service. On
July Is, 1887, Hunt received 500
refused. and Tucker was also refused,
after being told by Hunt that he had
received ihe bounty. Whether either
of the other seven has received bounty
since parting at Albion in 1863 / do
not know. Neither do / know how
many others of our regiment or of the
other 35 two-years' regiments from
New York or the two from Maine are
being deprived of bounty under similar
conditions.
The men killed at Bull Run and
Hunt. Tucker and Wells enlisted the
same day in the same company, an ]
the three last were mustered out at the
same time. The claims of the dead
men and Hunt were paid because the
enlistment was for two years, and
Hunts discharge was identical with
that received by Tucker and Wells.
signed by the same officers. given the
same day and place and each stating
discharge was given because of expira-
lions of service and each falsely stating
that they enlisted for the unexpired
term. They lacked from May 81 to
July OF two years service under
muster-in of two years unless sooner
discharged" The Government exer-
cised it's option and did not consult
them. The Comptroller refuses bounty
to Tucker and Wells because the dis
charge stated we enlisted for "the un-
expired term" He pays Hunt under
the same circumstances. and acknowl-
edges the proof was before him that we
mustered for two years unless sooner
discharged" There could have been
no claim maintained for the heirs OF
kellogg and Curtis or by Hunt himself
II the enlistment had not been for two
years.
1t seems there Is no power to which
we can appeal for this notification OF
law, except to Congress. The man
making the outrageous decision is
greater than all courts or Congress or
President, unless new act can be had
that labels each particular hair on the
dog SO there Is no possible chance to
evade the law now on the statute book.
1 would be glad to hear from any OF
the comrades in exactly the same con-
dition. 1t is not a square deal"-it Is
justice facing both ways. It Is mighty
poor acknowledgment for services com
menced when the pay was only 81 per
month, and in my case covers nearly a
years Observation-Disclosures 8. Wells,
Co. K. 9th N. Y, Second Brigade, First
Division, Sixth Corps, Quincy. i'll.