| SENATE 45TH
CONGRESS, 2nd Session IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 4, 1878 – Agreed to and ordered to be printed. Mr Cockrell, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of John Edwards, late brigadier-general United States volunteer service, praying to be placed on the retired list, after due consideration submit the following report:Petitioner, General John Edwards, states in his petition that in May, 1861, he was appointed Lieutenant-colonel on the staff of the governor of Iowa, and in August, 1862, was appointed colonel of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and in 1864 was promoted to and appointed brigadier-general, and was mustered out of service on January 15, 1866. During all this time and in all these positions he served with gallantry, fidelity, and efficiency, and did very useful, honorable, and important service. Petitioner claims "that in consequence of the hardships endured, and long exposure in defense of the Union, his constitution and health became greatly impaired, and now is an invalid, is poor and unable successfully to battle with the world. He therefore prays Congress that his name may be placed upon the retired list with the rank of brigadier-general United States Army." The country acknowledges its gratitude to General Edwards for his valuable services, and has kindly provided that "any officer of the Army, including regulars, volunteers, and militia, or any officer in the Navy or Marine Corps, or enlisted man, however employed in the military or naval service of the United States, or in its Marine Corps, whether regularly mustered or not, disabled by reason of any wound or injury received or disease contracted while in the service of the United States and in the line of duty," shall be entitled to a pension. While your committee deeply sympathize with General Edwards, they cannot feel justified in recommending that his request be granted and his name placed upon the retired list of the United States Army. Your committee, therefore, recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be not granted. |