New-York tribune., 1911-02-20
THE NINETY DAYS MEN"
Veteran Believes Their Services Entitlo
Them to Civil War Pensions.
, the Editor of the Tribune

To the Editor OF the Tribune:
Sir--In recent copy Of the Tribune
read an editorial on the pension legislation
now before the United States Senate. in
which the ground was taken that the rate
OF pension should be regulated by length OF
service. eliminating the so-called ninety
DAYS men. While there is much I'm that
article which commends itself to my judg-
ment believe the structures therein are
unjust as applied 10 the majority OF that
class Myself a ninety DAYS man, who aft
erward served more than three years at the
front / believe I can speak knowingly on
the subject. and with impartiaity. as
cannot be affected by any legislation
against them.
1t is fac. well capable Of demonstration
that but for the prompt appearance OF the
ninety days men at Washington In April
1861. the rebel army would have taken pos
session of the capital Of the alton and OBJ
tained recognition from foreign govern
ments with disastrous results to our ma
tional welfare II not to our national exist
ence.
Among those troops were number or
regiments Of New York militia, ard the
term Of enlistment of several OF them eX-
pired July II, 1851. orders were received
by the commandants OF these regiments
about that time, while EN- route TO the bat
tie field of Bull Run, giving them the op-
ton OF discharge then, or OF remaining
until after that campaign. All volunteered
to remain and Of those that went into ac-
tlon at the first battle of Bull Run, the
list Regiment. out Of total OF $50. lost co.
or one-tenth. which up to that time was
considered very heavy casualty list.
The men Of these regiments all left their
occupations from pure motives OF patriot
| ism--no lire Of bounty or large pension
attracted them--and they returned, many
of them to find their business destroyed
and themselves out OF employment. They
are now old and infirm-should they not be
well taken care Of?
To this day the State Of New York, !
believe. alone Of those that responded TO
Lincoln's first call. has never by single
line Of legislation in the slightest manner
recognized the services OF these men.
The other ninety days men were called
out for emergency service after Antietam
and Gettysburg. Because they did not go
into battle, who shall say they did not do
| their full duty? Their presence in garrison
enabled the government to reinforce the
Army of the Potomac with veteran troops.
up to that time held for garrisoninS our
defensive works: and in my judgment they
are as much entitled TO credit for full serv-
ice as II they had been sent to the front.
Indeed. from their inexperience they could
render most efficient service in that way
only.
Now, the fact that the war was ended
nearly fifty years ago is no reason why the
debt (for IT rs a debit Of the nation should
not be paid to those whose services have
given them claim on its gratitude. These
men expected no extraordinary reward, nor
have they asked any; but that is no reason
why they should be omitted from any legis-
lation enacted by grateful country.
JOHN HAZEN,
Past Commander Winchester Post No. 1877.
Dept. n. Y. G. A. r.
| Brooklyn Feb. II 1911.