The Montana courier. [volume] (Shelby, Mont.) 1922-192?, 1922-09-13

and providing pensions for their widows, minor
children and dependent parents"
While the bill was recently under consideration
by the house sitting in committee of the whole,
Representative Edward G. 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 order. He did
not say what it 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 no
way in Gods world to take care of them"
MIR. Langley-What / had in mind was that this
is a bill dealing with the Civil war legislation, and
these men came into the service after the Civil
war was over.
Mr.. Little-Here are two volunteer regiments,
and the only ones in a generation that did not
have a Civil war record or a 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, j will reply to the point of order by
subpoenaing a witness, and let us find out whether
1t is right to do anything. / am reading from the
official report of Gen. George A. Custer:
1.-THE point at which we found the Cheyenne
village was in Texas, on the Sweetwater. about
ten miles west of the state line. Before closing
my report l desire to call the attention of the
major general commanding to the unvarying good
conduct of this command since it 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 already been out.
First, it became necessary to reduce the amount
Of rations; afterwards a 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 a murmur,
although much of the march has been made dur
Ing the severest winter weather | have expert
ence1 in this latitude.
, Ayhe horses and mules of this command have
subaisted day after day upon nothing but green
cottonwood bark. During all these privations the
Officers and men maintained a mos cheerful
spirit, and l know not what | admire most, their
g~,liantry in battle or the patient but unwavering
persistence and energy with which they have
,,ithstood the many disagreeable ordeals of this
campaign.
"As the term OF service of the Nineteenth Kan
sas cavalry is approaching its termination, and I
may not again aave the satisfaction of command
Ing them during active operations, | desire to rec
ommend them-0ffcers and men-tO the favor
able notice of the commanding general. Serving
on foot. they have marched in a manner and at a
rate that would put ONE of the regular regi-
ments of infantry to the blush. Instead of crying
out for empty wagons to transport them, each
morning every man marched with his troop. and
what might be taken as an example by some of
the line officers Of the regular
officers marched regularly on foot at the head Of
their respective companies, and now, when ap-
preaching the termination of a march of over
three hundred miles, on greatly deficient rations.
| 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 a
point of order. Is that a good argument against
It? Which side do they belong to, the Spanish
war or the Civi! war? Where are you going to
nut them? From 1869 down they have never had
my recognition. They have been "unwept, I'M
ionored and unsung' for fifty years. Gentlemen,
lere are two regiments. For the first time they
,ome here and really get the opportunity to ask
or decent treatment, which you are going to give
he militiamen, and they are met with a point Of
I hope the gentleman will withdraw his
,oint of order ! do not believe it is good; but
+ it is, / suggest to him that he do this honor
General Custer and the two splendid regiments
nd let them be treated as you are treating other