The National tribune., 1907-03-07
Ex.pR1soNERs OF WAR.
COmrade Wells Made the Same Mistake
a. Senator Tillman in Trying TO he
Humorous,

Humorous.
Editor National Tribune: A COM
munication Of mine on the Prisoners of
War matter, published in your paper
some time ago, was entirely misunder-
stood by Comrade W. H. Mott, of Bris-
tol, Conn, and ] wish to explain that
the article was written in spirit of
irony. 1t Is now nearly 20 years since
a Prisoners of War Pension bill past
| the House and failed in the Senate.
That this class of soldiers should have
| special recognition for their sufferings,
have always felt to be just. The rea-
sons Congress gave for refusing this
relief Were poverty. needing the money
for other things; that we had received
all that was promised us. and took our
chances of capture when we enlisted.
Because all measures of relief had fail
ed. I wrote as I did, holding up their
arguments to ridicule, while ostensibly
praising them. Like Senator TilIrnan.
tried to be funny and failed The fact
that l stated that Uncle Sam was poor,
and that we ought not to infiict a bur-
den upon him simply because we had
been unfortunate, should have caused
anyone to read my article understand
ingly. Who is go fll-informed as to be-
lieve that Uncle Sam is poor, and who
so hardhearted as not to sympathize
with the prisoner Of war in the only
helpful way possible, viz, a slight
money recompense in his old aye for
the burden placed upon him when
young from the effects of which he
must suffer while life lasts? Uncle
Sam is rich beyond compute. Let him
fnr0at no ON nh l1 III,
especially those who suffered tho hor-
rors of prison. I am sorry that any
one should have misunderstood me-
Many are lacking In sense Of fumor
For all such I am sorry, As humor
helps to grease the wheels, and makes
life better worth the living From
personal letter I learn that Comrade
Mott was prisoner eight months
From Fox's statistics. learn that his
regiment lost 76 men and six officers
killed. 240 men and three officers died.
and that 148 of these died in prison.
Over 400 were captured at Plymouth,
N. c. He may well be proud of that
record. But all this does not warrant
the comrade in saying, T would like
very much to know Mr.. Wells's record.
Ten to one he did little or nothing, but
lived on Uncle Sam during his service.
He is worse than the rebels themselves"
Well, comrade, here II is: I enlisted
July 9. 1861. In Co. X. eth N. Y. On
July 21, 1851. I with many others was
taken prisoner. On July 3, 1862, I was
paroled. and on Nov. 7, 1862, was ex-
changed. Was in the battle Of F'reder-
icksburg. Second Brigade, First Divis-
Ion, Sixth Corps. in Burnside's mud
campaign, in Chancellorsville, and
Salem Church, where the brigade lost
500 OF 700 killed and wounded. My
muster in was "for two years, unless
sooner discharged" Was mustered out
with my regiment May 81, 1868, and
then and ever since denied bounty 7
enlisted the second time Feb. 13. 1854,
in an Independent company for old 4th
Mich, in Second Brigade. First Divis-
lon. Fifth Army Corps. This regiment
is 33d in Fox's fighting S00 and has the
distinction of being the only one I'm tho
service losing three Colonels killed In
action. ! was at Spotsylvania wound
ed at North Anna, acting First Ser
geant and Right Guide Of company in
the charge at Cold Harbor, June 9. Il
was in the siege Of Petersburg, helped
build the advanced line of works and
occupied them until relieved to assist
in taking the Weldon Railroad. I was
one of about 100 men who formed the
advance of the army in moving to bat
tie at PEBBLES Farm, Sept. 80. 1854
Was wounded and permanently dis
abled, and discharged June 10, 1885,
Total service, three years and two and
one-half months; under fire and in bat
tie. 1876 days. Comrades, you have my
record.-Henry S. Wells, Quincy, Ill.