The Holly chieftain., 1922-09-14
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49, to the Union cause during the civil
for period of 80 days or more
and providing pensions for their widows minor
children and dependent parents" d
While the bill was recently under consideration
by the house sitting in committee of the whole,
Representative Edward c. Little Of Kansas made
an interesting speech which opens up an almost
forgotten bit Of American history and the services
of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry.
Said Mr. Little:
"Mr. Chairman, between the close of the Civil
war and the beginning Of the Spanish war in 1898
the United States government enlisted only two
regiments Of volunteer cavalry. The gentleman
from Kentucky makes a point of oSder. He did
not say what 1t was, but l presume he means
that they do not belong to the Civil war troops
nor to the Spanish war troops. and SO there is
why In Gods world to take care of them"
Mr. Langley--What had in mind was that this
ia bill dealing with the Civil warlegslation, and
these men came into the service after the Civil
war over.
Mr.. Little--Here are two volunteer regiments,
and the only ones in a generation that did not
have Civil war record or Spanish war service.
They do not belong tb anything. Nobody cares
anything about what happens to them, and the
gentleman makes the point Of order. Now, Mr..
Chairman. l will reply to the point of order by
subpoenaing a. witness, and let us find out whether
It is right to do anything. am reading from the
official report of Gen. George A. Custer:
1.-The point at which found the Cheyenne
village in Texas on the Sweetwater, about
ten miles west of the state line. Before closing
my report desire to call the attention of the
mater general commanding to the unvarying good
conduct of this command since 1t undertook the
march. We started with all the rations and for
age that could be obtained, neither sufficient for
the time for which we have alrendy been out.
First, 1t became necessary to reduce the amount
of ratIons afterwards still greater reduction
was necessary; and tonight most of my men made
their suppers from the flesh of mules that have
died on the march today from starvation When
called upon to move in light marching order they
abandoned tents and blankets without murmur,
although much of the march has been made dur
ing the seyerest winter weather have experi-
enced in this latitude.
1.-The horses and mules of this command have
subsisted day after day upon nothing but green
cottonwood bark. During NIL these privatlons the
officers and men maintained a mos cheerful
spirit and know not what admire most, their
gallantry in battle or the patient but unwavering
persistence and energy with which they have
withstood the many disagreeable ordeals of this
campaign.
"As the term of service of the Nineteenth Kan.
sas cavalry is approaching its termination. and
may not again have the satisfaction of command
Ing them during active operations I desire to rec
ommend them-officers and men--to the favor
able notice of the commanding general Serving
foot, they have marched In manner and at
rate that would put some of the regular regl-
mentS OF infantry to the buSh instead OF crying
out for empty wagons to transport them, each
morning every man marched with his troop. and
what might be taken an example by some of
the line officers Of the regular infantry-company
officers marched regularly on foot at the head of
their respective companies, and now, when ap-
proaching the termination of march of over
three hundred miles, on greatly deficient rftions
have YET to see the first straggler"
When Gen. George A. Custer sends the heroes
of that great organization before you for decent
treatment and recognition. they are met with
point of order. Is that good argument against
II? Which side do they belong to- the Spanish
war or the Civil war? Where are you going to
put them? From 1869 down they have never had
any recognition They have been "unwept un.
honored and unsung' for fifty years. Gentlemen
here are two regiments. For the first time they
come here and really get the opportunity to ask
for decent treatment. which you going to give
the militiamen. and they are met with point of
order. hope the gentleman will Withdraw his
point Of order. l do not believe 1t is good but
II 1t Is. suggest to him that he do this honor
to General Custer and the two splendid regiments
and let their he treated you treating other
miiamen.