| SENATE 45TH
CONGRESS, 2d Session IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 4, 1878 – Ordered to be printed. Mr Maney, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the following REPORT (To accompany bill H. R. 694) The
Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the
bill (H. R. 694) for the relief of William H Needham, late second
lieutenant Company D, Twenty-second Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers,
beg leave to report: That the committe have carefully examined the evidence on which Mr Needham's claim is based. In the judgement of the committee the claim is eminently just and fully sustained by the evidence. Mr Needham was a sereant in Company D, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and so continued until June 5, 1863, when he was recommended for promotion to the office of second lieutenant in said company by Col. W M Stone, his commanding officer, to Governor Samuel J Kirkwood, governor of Iowa, and in due time was commissioned by him as second lieutenant, bearing date June 5, 1863. Mr Needham was at once put on duty as second lieutenant and so continued till November 11, 1863, when he was commissioned first lieutenant. Colonel Stone states that he was short of company officers, and that there was an actual neccessity for his services. The commission, by some delay, not reaching within reasonable time, Colonel Stone brought the matter to the attention of General Ord, commanding his corps, who advised him that Needham should be continued as lieutenant; that it was necessary. Thus matters continued till Needham's commission from Governor Kirkwood reached him, August 5, 1863, and the mustering officer declined to muster him in as second lieutenant because the company by that time had been reduced below the number authorizing a second lieutenant. Still Colonel Stone says he was continued because neccessary. All this was in front of Vicksburg. The major and the adjutant of his regiment, and the captain of his company, corroborate these statements. All testify that he was a faithful, gallant officer, never absent from duty with or without leave; that he was mustered out as sergeant June 5, 1863, and drew no pay nor rations nor clothing between that date and November 11, 1863, when he was appointed first lieutenant. The Secretary of War, in a communicaiton to him, states that his claim is meritorious and he would gladly order it paid if allowed by law. Upon the whole case, therefore, the committee being satisfied, first, that he is justly entitled; second, has not been paid, report the House bill back to the Senate and recommend its passage without amendment. |