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While the House had under consideration the bill to appropriate $100 annually to Wm.
Mills, an old confederate soldier of 96 years of age, of Greene county, Mr.
Harris, of Washington, made a patriotic speech in favor of the measure, and Mr. Bowles, of Adams, moved to make
the amount $150. Both Harris and Bowles are colored men, but they are broadgauged. [Clarion
Ledger February 6, 1890 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]
That Proposed Pension Leaf, Miss., February 19, 1890
Editor of the Clarion-Ledger:
William Mills of Greene county, to whom
an annual pension of $100 has been given by the Legislatture, was never in the Confederate Army a day in his life.
He went with his boys to Camp of Instructions at Marion Station, but was not required to drill, stand guard or
do any other duty, and left camp and went home before the Company ("A." 24th Miss.) was mustered into
service.
Five of his own sons were members of the company and served faithfully and gallantly during the entire war. All
of them were more or less serously wounded, all returned home safe, and four of them are now living in this county,
and are regarded as among our best and most progressive citizens. Their names are on the official bonds of some
of our county officers, and the stubs of our tax-collector's books will show that they are by no means paupers.
The old gentleman lives with them, turn and turn about, as his fancy leads him, and no mother can care for her
infant with more tnederness and affection than these men care for their aged father; and the statement in the preamble
to the resolution, "that he has no one on whom he can call to support him," is a slander on good and
true men. The truth is, that the Mills boys are models in their care and affection for their father.
Mr. Mills had six sons in the Confederate army, five of them in Company "A." 24th Miss. Reg't., and one,
Andrew Mills died in the hospital. They were conspicuously brave and daring as soldiers, as they are conspicuously
worthey and honorable as citizens.
Respectfully, W. W. Thomson.
[Clarion Ledger February 27, 1890 - Submitted by Dena Whitesell]