IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 7, 1896.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. WHITE, from the Committee on Commerce, submitted the following REPORT: [To accompany S. 2980.] The Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (S. 2980) to provide a life-saving station at or near Point Bonita, at the Golden Gate, in the State of California, report the same back and recommend the passage thereof, for the reasons stated in a letter from the General Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated January 21, 1896, and printed as a part of the report of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce on H. R. 1980, said report being No. 154, present Congress and session. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. MAY 8, 1896.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. GALLINGER, from the Committee on Pensions, submitted the following REPORT: [To accompany H. R. 4528.1 The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 4528) granting a pension to Katherine S. McCartney, widow of William H. McCartney, have examined the same, and report: The report of the Committee on Invalid Pensions of the House of Representatives is hereto appended, which your committee adopts, and the passage of the bill is recommended. HOUSE REPORT. The soldier enlisted April 19, 1861, and was honorably discharged October 19, 1864, as captain Battery A, First Massachusetts Light Artillery. The proof shows that he was in the artillery brigade hospital of the Sixth Army Corps from June 14 to June 23, 1864, with acute rheumatism. One of his comrades in the service states he suffered with rheumatic attacks after that time during his service, and after his return home. His associates in business and acquaintances testify to his having frequent attacks from 1880 to 1893 of severe rheumatic pains in his limbs and in the region of his heart, and the physicians that attended him in his last illness in May, 1894, testify that he was suffering from indigestion, complicated with rheumatic gout and valvular trouble of the heart, which was the direct cause of his death. Appended is a statement as to his service. Military record of William H. McCartney, captain Battery A, First Massachusetts Light Artillery, late of Wilkesbarre, Pa. When the rebellion came he was a Boston lawyer and lieutenant of the Boston Light Artillery, a volunteer battery which had been in existence many years. It went into the three months' service, at one hour's notice, April 19, 1861, and reenlisted for three years and was honorably discharged October 19, 1864. Captain McCartney served in Franklin's Division and in the Sixth Corps in the battles of West Point, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Cramptons Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg (December, 1862, and May, 1863), Mary Station, Mine Run, Saunders House, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Winchester, Fishers Creek. He was frequently commended in general orders for gallantry. WASHINGTON, D. C., April 23, 1866. It gives me great pleasure to state that I have known Captain McCartney's military history personally since the fall of 1861, and that I have served in the Sixth Army Corps with him three years. During our service in the Sixth Corps I have seen Captain McCartney's battery engaged in every battle of the Army of the Potomac. The intelligence, skill, and bravery with which it was served by him elicited the admiration of all his superior officers and rendered the battery a favorite one in the corps. At the battle of Salem Heights Captain McCartney was under my command and was assigned to the most exposed part of the line. The coolness and skill of Captain McCartney that day saved our line from being broken, when to break any portion of it was sure defeat to the entire corps. On the occasion he won and received the warmest praise from the division commander, General Brooks, and from the lamented General Sedgwick. On all occasions his battery could be relied upon as being always ready for action or review. I believe Captain McCartney to be worthy of any reward for his services during the war that the Government can bestow on him. Jos. J. BARTLETT, Late Brevet Major-General, U. S. V. WASHINGTON, D. C., April 18, 1866. It affords me pleasure to bear testimony to the services of Capt. W. H. McCartney, formerly of the First Massachusetts Battery of Light Artillery, who was attached to the Sixth Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the eventful campaign of 1864, from the Wilderness to Petersburg. Being frequently detailed to act with my division (Third, of the Sixth Corps), I had ample means of witnessing his ability as an officer, which was such as to render his battery one of the most efficient, while his gallantry secured him the confidence and approval of his superior officers. It was while acting with my division at Spottsylvania Court-House, May 9, 1864, Major-General Sedgwick was killed in his battery, and Brig. Gen. W. H. Morris, commanding First Brigade, was wounded. I would also add my high personal regard for Captain McCartney, with my best wishes as a brother soldier. JAMES B. RICKETTS, Major First Artillery, Brevet Major-General of Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS, GENERAL: I take peculiar pleasure in commending to your favor Capt. W. H. McCartney, Battery A, First Massachusetts Artillery, whose conspicuous gallantry and meritorious services in every battle in which the Sixth Corps has been engaged since 1861 has earned for him the highest respect from his commanders. His eminent services at the battle of Winchester, September 14, 1864, where he gallantly fought and disabled a battery that, by a galling flank fire, seriously impeded the advance of this command, are specially deserving commendation. During the campaign of 1864, commencing with the battle of the Wilderness, Captain McCartney's services were most marked and meritorious, and by the lamented Generals Sedgwick and Russell, who were both killed at his battery, were always referred to in terms of the highest praise. I consider that the valuable and continuous services of Captain McCartney entitle him to prompt promotion and reward. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK WHEATON, Brevet Major-General United States Volunteers, The ADJUTANT-GENERAL, ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. 1st Session. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. No. 894. MAY 8, 1896.-Ordered to be printed. Mr. HANSBROUGH, from the Committee on Pensions, submitted the following ADVERSE REPORT: [To accompany S. 107.] The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (S. 107) granting a pension to Jacob Niebels, have examined the same and report the same back with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed. |