My family at that time was in SE Ohio and fought for the Union. My great-great-great grandfather sent a letter to President Johnson following the war. We have the President’s reply with his letter attached about how veterans were not being given what they had been promised when they joined the Union Army.
I would have to get out the info but I think the 8th Cavalry is the unit my relatives were also in during the Civil War — after the War they moved to Miami County, Ohio.
Originally they came from Virgiania where they settled long before the Revolulionary War where they fought the Brits.
We don’t have any Presidential letters, but we do have a record of one of those uncles going AWOL!
This was not the only time the “union” government failed veterans. Look up “Bonus Marchers” to learn how both Herbert Hoover and FDR treated WWI veterans in the midst of Depression- denying their health claims and claims for their bonus payments they were promised on enlistment for WWI. FDR had no problem denying them. Elitists hate our military, except when they are in an embassy somewhere and expect the Marines to protect them. Cowards all.