The National tribune., 1907-08-08
STATE PENSION BILLS.
That of Pennsylvania Did Great Inju
tire TO Veterans Outside the state.

Editor National Tribune: 1 see in The
National Tribune that the great State
of PENNSYLVANIA is about to do for the
old soldiers something that will place
her in the line where she was during
the war. as one of the most patriotic
States in the Union. 1t is very crafty
ing to know that the brave men who
followed her old flag are to be remem-
bered in their old age. They made his
tory for their State, history which all
Pennsylvanians can well read with ad-
miration for all time to come. None
but the old soldiers know what they
suffered in that long and bloody strug-
gle. No State sent better troops to the
field, nor brayer nor more loyal men
ever followed any flag.
While ! note with pleasure what
Pennsylvania has done for the soldier
that happened to remain in the State,
certainly think she might have given
vote of thanks to the soldiers that help
ed to make her proud history. but have
been called to some other State to live.
There are many true men who followed
the flag of Pennsylvania who are now
living in other States. and when they
read the bill to pension the old soldiers
they must feel as if they had received a
slap in the face. New Hampshire passed
bill last Winter exempting from taxa
ton on $1,000 all old soldiers within
her borders. She did not ask what
State flag they followed: she simply
wanted to do something for any man
that helped save this Nation.
If every State should follow the lead
of Pennsylvania in making conditions
that q man must have enlisted in the
State and still live there great inius ice
would be done to many good soldiers.
/ happened to be q member of Co. X,
84th Pa. and ] have been always glad
that ! cast my lot with 80 good a rcgi-
I enlisted a (TIpa rfia al ', X
This had been an old militia company
before the war. and had as good 4 lot Of
men as ever followed the flag. They
were mostly expert shots and brave to
fault. ] enlisted as II private on Oct
3. 1851. Oct. % ! WAS promoted over
nine non-commissioned officers TO
Fourth Sergeant. ! commanded the
company at the battle of Winchester
March %. 1862. and Port Reuublic, June
and 9. 1862. and for the job was gi:--n
commission as Second Lieutenant
dated June. 21. 1862. Man 3. 1868. II
was promoted 70 i'i's. lieutenant. and
Sept. 3. 1864 to Caotsin When we
went to the front we had three commits
stoned officers. and not one of them
ever saw rebel or fired gun in de-
fense of the flag. and early in 1862 they
were all out of the service. These men.
If living. Will be remembered by Penn
sylvania with $40 a month, while the
%! tnat commanded the company anu
stayed with the flag and helped to write
those pages of Pennsylvania history
doesn't even get a vote of thanks II
am not making kick" for anything
for myself, as / have always been able |
to make living without asking any |
favors of anybody. but / can see whera
many of the best men that Pennsylvania |
had in the service. many of whom are
perhaps now in need of all the he Ip they
can get. men of sterling worth will be- |
given the cold shoulder for their de- |
votion to the old blue flag of Pennsyl- |
yan!a. This bill is wrong. and does no !
credit to such wealthy and patriotic |
state as Pennsylvania. Please give a |
vote of thanks to the old soldiers that |
have drifted away from the State.-Lu-
ther p. Sampson. Captain. Co. X, Si,h
Pa. Rochester. N II.