Slavery and Four Years of War Part 72

(10) In the Florida Indian War of 1812 some depredations were committed on Fisher's corn fields. For this he made a claim originally for $8000. Congress has since paid on it $66,803, and there was still a claim in the Forty-Third Congress for $66,848, on which a committee of the House reported in favor of paying $16,848, leaving $50,000 of the claim to bother future Congresses.

--_Rep_. (No. 134) _on Law of Claims_, H. of R., Forty-Third Cong., p. 18.

(11) Later the Forty-Seventh Congress pa.s.sed an act authorizing the distribution of about two-thirds of the whole fund to persons whose claims were rejected by the Geneva Arbitrators in making up the award.

(12) For an authoritative decision on the right of the National Government to use physical force to compel obedience to its laws, etc., see _Ex parte_ Seibold, 100 _U. S. Rep._, 371.

(13) _Proceedings Society of the Army of the c.u.mberland_, 1887, pp. 115-40.

(14) Mr. Blaine was nominated for President in 1884, but was defeated by Mr. Cleveland. Notwithstanding his duplicity towards me, I supported him. He was disloyal to Mr. Reed, of his own State, though he then also professed to support him.

(15) An unwary, but doubtless well-meaning person (M. P. Follet) of Quincy, Ma.s.s., in 1896 published a small volume on the _Speaker of the House_, in which she gathered up these stories. She says Keifer appointed on the elections Committee "eleven Republicans and two Democrats"; that he appointed one nephew "Clerk to the Speaker," another "Clerk to the Speaker's table." These and other like falsehoods appear to have been inspired by a member who, notwithstanding his free-trade proclivities and other objectionable qualities and incapacities, sought to be appointed Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. The Committee on Elections was composed of nine Republicans, five Democrats, and one re-Adjuster from Virginia. The Clerk to the Speaker's table was, throughout the Congress, a poor young man who had been a page on the floor of the House and a resident of the State of New York, and no relative of mine. A nephew of mine, a resident of Washington, was, for a short time, my clerk, a purely personal position, as was also that of private secretary.

The statement of Miss Follet that Keifer's "partisan rulings soon won him the contempt of Republicans as well as of Democrats," is shown to be basely untrue by the significant fact that no parliamentary or other decision of mine was ever overruled by the House, although my party can hardly be said to have been in the majority of the House over all other parties.

What "partisan ruling" of mine was not heartily approved by my party, or did not command at least the respect of the Democrats?

Miss Follet was imposed on.

(16) An incident occurred near the close of the last session of the Forty-seventh Congress which should be mentioned. The reporters of newspapers, through the courtesy of the House, had been a.s.signed a separate gallery for their convenience. This gallery, as well as others for the convenience of visitors, was under the general control of the Speaker, subject to the order of the House. There were but few occupants in the reporters' gallery the last night of the session, and there were many ladies who could not be accommodated with seats in other galleries.

I declined, however, though repeatedly requested, to order the reporters' gallery opened even to ladies, and I also refused to entertain a motion by a member of the House to order it thrown open to them; but appeals became so urgent that I, as Speaker, submitted to the House the request of James W. McKenzie, a member from Kentucky, for unanimous consent to open the gallery.

Here is an extract from the _Record_, showing the action taken:

"Mr. McKenzie.--I ask unanimous consent that the reporters' gallery be thrown open to the occupation of the wives and friends of Congressmen, who are unable to obtain seats in other galleries.

"The Speaker.--The gentleman from Kentucky asks consent that the rules be so suspended as to permit the reporters' gallery to be occupied by the wives and friends of members of Congress.

"There was no objection, and it was ordered accordingly."--_Con.

Record_, vol. xiv., Part IV., p. 3747.

I was, under the circ.u.mstances, the only member who could not have prevented the gallery being opened.

Notwithstanding the fact that no reporter was seriously inconvenienced by the presence of ladies, the incident was viciously seized on by certain reporters (and, through them, the metropolitan press) to a.s.sail me as the enemy of the press. The truth was suppressed at the time, and I was personally charged with wilfully opening up the press gallery as an insult to the dignity of newspaper men, and, with this, other false statements were published, which could not be answered through the same medium, by me or my friends, which made an unfavorable impression, scarcely yet removed from the public mind.

(17) It is comparatively easy for a Speaker to preside with a large political and friendly majority to support him, as was the case when Colfax, Blaine, and other Speakers were in the Chair.

(18) See _Con. Record_, vol. xiii., Part V., p. 4313.

(19) _Con., etc., Rules, etc._, H. of R.; Second Sess. Forty- seventh, Con., 358.

(20) My views of the situation in Cuba were expressed in a letter to General Corbin, dated January 28, 1899. Appendix E.

APPENDIX B

It is due from me, and it gives me pleasure to mention some of the deserving officers of the 110th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. N. Foster served for a time with credit.

Major Otho H. Binkley, later Lieutenant-Colonel and brevetted Colonel by the President for distinguished services, Captain Wm.

S. McElwain, who became a Major and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, Captain Aaron Spangler, later a Major and brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel for gallantry, Captains Wm. D. Alexander, Nathan S. Smith (an eminent Presbyterian divine), Wm. R. Moore, (died of disease while acting as a.s.sistant Inspector-General on my staff), Joseph C. Ullery, Joseph G. Snodgra.s.s, Luther Brown (wounded at Monocacy, brevetted Major for gallantry, and for a time Provost- Marshal of a division), these all were accomplished soldiers and fought on many fields with distinction. Lieutenants Joseph B. Van Eaton, Wesley Devenney and Wm. H. Harry, each of whom served as Adjutant, were all promoted from non-commissioned officers to Lieutenant, then to Captain, each wounded, Devenney mortally at the battle of Opequon.

Lieutenants Albert M. Starke (regimental Quartermaster), E. A.

Shepherd, Wm. D. Sh.e.l.lenberger (twice wounded), Wm. L. Cron, John T. Shearer, Charles M. Gross, Henry H. Stevens (killed in a.s.sault on Petersburg, April 2, 1865), Wm. A. Hathaway (for a time a.s.sistant Adjutant-General on my staff, and killed at Monocacy), Alexander Trimble (died of a wound received at battle of Opequon), George P.

Boyer, Elam Harter, John M. Smith (killed in Wilderness), Joseph McKnight (mortally wounded in Wilderness), and Thomas J. Weakley, each became a Captain and were all gallant and more than usually efficient officers, most of whom were either killed or wounded in battle. Lieutenants Joshua S. Deeter and Edward S. Simes, promoted from privates, both wounded in the battle of Opequon, the former mortally, were likewise gallant officers. Lieutenant Paris Horney, who heroically fought at Winchester in June, 1863, until surrounded and captured, died in prison at Columbia, S. C. Lieutenant Robert W. Wiley served as my aide-de-camp and especially distinguished himself. Lieutenant Henry Y. Rush served gallantly until broken by disease, when he resigned and resumed his calling (minister of the Gospel), in which he is now eminent; also as a writer. Lieutenant James A. Fox was promoted from Sergeant-Major, served on staff duty, and was killed leading a company in the battle of Orange Grove.

Wm. L. Shaw was promoted to Captain from Lieutenant and brevetted Major by the President for distinguished services. He served on division-staff and on cavalry-corps staff duty for a time in Rosecrans' army, and for a considerable time was my a.s.sistant Inspector or a.s.sistant Adjutant-General. He was an energetic and capable officer. Those of the regiment who bore the musket in the ranks equally deserve mention for what they did and for the sacrifices they made for their country; but the story of the 110th Ohio is elsewhere told.( 1)

( 1) John W. Warrington and John B. Elam, now eminent lawyers, the former in Cincinnati, the latter in Indianapolis, served as private soldiers in this regiment. Elam was severely wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864, and Warrington in the successful a.s.sault of the Sixth Corps at Petersburg April 2, 1865.

APPENDIX C FAREWELL ORDER

"Headq'rs 2d Brig., 3d Div., 6th Corps, Army of Potomac, "Camp near Washington, D.C., June 15th, A.D. 1865.

"General Orders No. 28.

"Officers and Soldiers: This command will soon be broken up in its organization. It is sincerely hoped that each man may soon be permitted to return to his home, family, and friends, to enjoy their blessings and that of a peaceful, free, and happy people.

"The great length of time I have had to honor to command you has led to no ordinary attachment. The many hardships, trials, and dangers we have shared together, and the distinguished services you have performed in camp, on the march, and upon the field of battle, have long since endeared you to me. I shall ever be proud to have been your commander, and will cherish a lasting recollection of both officers and men. Your efficient services and gallant conduct in behalf of _human rights_ and _human freedom_ will not be overlooked and forgotten by a grateful country.

"I cannot repress the deepest feelings of sadness upon parting with you.

"I mourn with you, and share in your sorrow, for the many brave comrades who have fallen in battle and have been stricken down with disease. Let us revere their memories and emulate their n.o.ble character and goodness. A proud and great nation will not neglect their afflicted families. The many disabled officers and soldiers will also be cared for by a grateful people and an affluent country.

"You have a proud name as soldiers; and I trust that, at your homes, you will so conduct yourselves that you will be honored and respected as good citizens.

"I shall part with you entertaining the sincerest feelings of affection and kindness for all, hoping that it may be my good fortune to meet and greet you in future as honored citizens and friends.

"J. Warren Keifer."

_Summary of Casualties in Regiments of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Third and Sixth Army Corps, 1863-65_

Killed Wounded Total Officers Officers Officers Aggregate | En. Men.| En. Men. | En. Men.

110th Ohio Infantry ... ... 10 102 18 443 28 545 573 122d Ohio Infantry ... ... 7 92 17 432 24 524 548 126th Ohio Infantry ... ... 9 111 10 379 19 490 509 6th Maryland Infantry ... . . 7 103 21 213 28 316 344 138th Pennsylvania Infantry . . 5 120 16 223 21 343 364 67th Pennsylvania Infantry . . 2 90 3 130 5 220 224 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ... 14 204 16 590 30 794 824 -- --- --- ---- --- ---- ---- Total ... ... ... ... 54 812 101 2410 155 3232 3387

APPENDIX D

"Springfield, Ohio, October 22, 1888.

"General Horatio G. Wright, Washington, D. C.

"_My Dear Friend_,--After expressing to you that high regard I have always had for you, and also expressing the hope that your health is good, also that of your family, I have the honor to call your attention to the following matter, of some interest to you no doubt.

"General R. S. Ewell, of date of December 20, 1865, in the form of a report addressed to General R. E. Lee, to be found in Vol. XIII., _Southern Historical Papers_, page 247, in speaking of the battle of Sailor's Creek, after having concluded his general report of this battle says:

'I was informed at General Wright's headquarters, whither I was carried after my capture, that 30,000 men were engaged with us when we surrendered, viz., two infantry corps and Custer's and Merritt's divisions of cavalry, the whole under command of General Sheridan.'

"On page 257, same book, in a note appended to a report of the same battle, by General G. W. C. Lee, he says:

'I was told, after my capture, that the enemy had two corps of infantry and three divisions of cavalry opposed to us at Sailor's Creek.'