The National tribune., 1908-04-30
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
The wirx Monument.


George Nolan, 69th N. Y, Larned.
Kan, approves strongly of F. A. Cooper,
the ex-Confederate, who wrote letter
in The National Tribune of Feb. 20:
This letter voices the sentiments of all
right-thinking men. Wirz was tried,
and found guilty of numbering Union
soldiers with his own hands ana OF
causing the death of $4,000 more lndl-
rectfy All who were in AndersonVllie
and now survive will say that WirZ and
the South got off very cheaply for what
was practiced at Andersonville. If the
Daughters of the Confederacy had seen
the sights that other women did of
their loved ones drifting back nome
mere shadows of their former selves,
they would be far from commemoratinS
the memory of one of the principal
agents in that infamy. Wirz repelled
such of the Southern women as were
cognizant of his cruelties, and they tried
to give some relief to the poor prisoners
Jesse Millikan, 139th Ind, Lodi, Cal,
thinks that the Wirz Monument is a
direct result of the yielding to Southern
sentiment in the return of the battle
flags, something that was attempted by
Cleveland, but carried out by President
Roosevelt. Comrade Millikan is only
SIS years old, and is consequently de-
barred a pension under the McCumber
when he offered them, and it should not
now plead the baby act against him.
VIII F. Stewart Post, Uniontown, Pa,
has adopted strong resolutions denun-
ciatory of the WirZ Monument.
At a great campfire of Phil Sheridan
Post at Philadelphia on Washington's S
Birthday resolutions denunciatory OF
the monument to Wirz were unanimous
ly passed by rising vote.
Where Van velsor Lay.
Comrade H. B. Van Velsor, of Chi
cago, writing to a personal correspond
ent in this city, says: ''I have been
subscriber to The National Tribune since
1902 1 am mainly interested in the
civil war chronicles. In the latest issue
received, devoted to the battle of Antie-
tam, in that cut of the bunker Church,
bless me, if 1 do not see the Identical
spot where I ground my nose into the
earth on Sept. II, 1862. The 1st n. j.
Brigade lay under the protection of a
slight knoll across the road from the
church. almost directly opposite it, and
not 100 yards from it, as l recollect.'
Equal Credit to Others.
George W. Haigh. Mankato, Mimi,
says that the history of the Army OF
the Potomac is the work of a ripe schol-
ar and correct historian. Bull Run was
good, but Charlottesville much better.
His regiment, the oath Mich, was given
credit for crossing the Rappahannock
and occupying Port Royal. The 14th
Brooklyn should also be given the same
credit They got some boats across, but
not as many as the oath Mich. The 14th
Brooklyn was a good regiment, and
stood gallantly by the side of the 24th
Mich. during many hard-fought engage
ments.
Widows Pensions.
James NJ. Heminger. Plymouth, Ind,
enters his protest against the limita-
ton on widows pensions He married
his second wife in 1902. She was war
widow, and getting $8 month. She
has no home, and if he should die she
would be left without pension. There
are 25 or 80 old soldiers in Plymouth
and the surrounding country that have
married the second time in the last IL
or Is years, and in some instances their
wives gave up pensions in order to mar
ry them. Among his acquaintances only
one married a young woman. This one
knew before she married that she
would not get pension when he died,
but this did not deter her. She was the
only woman who was young enough to
bear children, and she has been faith
full wife to her husband. It will be a
great DlJusllCc " oCpilNC Oh VA siiN''N
widows of their pensions because of the
date of their marriage.
The Eleventh Corfs.
August Ehrhardt, Joliet, ILL.,, writes
to thank US for what was said of the
SD ILL.,, the old Hecker regiment, OF
which he was member. He knew capt.
Frey very well. He was splendid SOL
der and on his return to Switzerland
became Minister from that country to
this and later President of Switzerland.
He is held in affectionate remembrance
by all the members of his old regiment.
Now 81 Years Old.
John Burr. Sioux Rapids, Iowa, says
that he is now go years old, and thinks
he is one of the few remaining ones
who served in the 18th Wis. for three
years and never missed fight and but
one march.
Opposed to the Consolidation.
Robert Elliott, 511 Maple avenue.
Springfield, H., is delighted with the
success OF the widows pension bill,
which has been largely due 10 The Ma
tional Tribune efforts. and is opposed
TO the consolidation of the pension
agencies. The present system is work
ing well and should not be changed.