, 1922-09-14


war for Il period of 90 days or more
aud providing pensions for their widows, minor
children and dependent parents"
While the bill was recently under consideration
10y 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
at the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Kansas cavalry.
Said Mr.. Little:
mir. 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 Il point Of order. He did
not SHY what ii was, but | presume he means
that they do not belong 10 the Civil war troops
nor t".the Spanish war troops, and so there is no
way ia Gods world to take care of Them
Mr. Langley-What ( had in mind was that this
Is II hil dealing with the Civil war legislation. and
these men came into the service after the Civil
wac was over.
Mr. Little-ilerc are two volunteer regiments,
aGd the only ones in Il generation that did not
t'ave'a Civil war record or Il Spanish war service.
They do not belong to 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 ot order by
sabpoenalng n witness, and let us find out whether
u is right to do anything. | nm reading from the
Official report OF Gen. George A. Custer:
The point Mt which we found the Cheyenne
village was In Texas. on the Sweetwater. about
ten miles west OF the state line. Before closing
say report | desire to call the attention of the
'aojor general commanding to the unvarying good
conduct OF this command since it undertook the
.oRrcit. We started with all the rations and for
age that could be Obtained. neither sufficient for
the time for which we have already been out.
tirst, II became necessary to reduce the amount
~ rations; afterwards Il still greater reduction
was necessary ana tonight most OF my men made
'Geir suppers from the flesh of mules that have
died on the march today from starvation. When
called upOn to move La light marching order they
abandoned tents and blankets without II murmur,
although much Of the march has been made dur
ing the severest winter weather | have expert
CnCcd In this latitude.
"ilP horses and mules Of this command have
suhsistcd day after day upon nothing but green
cottonwood bark. During all these priyations the
udicCrs and mcn maintained n mos cheerful
epirit, and know not what | admire most, their
eiiiantry in battle or the patient but unwavering
persistence ana energy with which they have
withstood the many disagrceable ordeals Of this
campaign.
AS the term Of service Of tho Nineteenth Kan.
sas cavalry is approaching It's termination. and I
nun3 not again have the satisfaction of command
ing them during active operations. | desire to rec
"Umend them-onicers and men-to the favor
able notice Of the commanding general. Serving
"n foot, they have marched in n manner and nj n
su'c that would put some az the regular regi-
Wents Of infantry 10 the blush. Instead Of crying
cut for empty wagons tn transport them. each
morning every man mnrched with his troop. and
whni might De tnkcn MS an example by some of
thr line officers OF the regular in-funtry-company
officers marched regularly on foot at the head OF
their respective companies. and now. when APP
preaching tho termination Of Il march of over
three hundred miles, ON greatly deficient rations.
I inyc yet to see tic nrst straegler."
When Gen. Georgc a. Custer sends the heroes
81 ttu' great organization hefurc YOU FOR decent
treatment unl recognition. they ARE met with n
point ~ order. H. that n good argument against
~ Which side do they belong TO- the Spanish
wtr 90 the Ctvii wnr7 Where are you going TO
gut ilCmf From 1869 down they have never had
"us recognition. They hive been "lnwept. un.
hourrcd and unsung" Tor nfty yeurs. Gentlemen.
herr nre two Regiments. For the first time they
come here and really get the opportunity to ask
for decent treatment. which yuu are going to give
tWc militinmen. and they are met with Il point OF
order. ! hope the gentleman viii withdraw his
F'"'nt Of order. | do not believe II ls good; but
" v ", suggest to him that he do this honor
I" General Custer and the two splendid regiments
Hod le' them be treated ms you nre treating other
inilltism.n.