Do you have an ancestor who fought in the Civil War? If you do, you’re surely aware that many applied for pensions – these can be a terrific source of genealogy information. And, if you really want to exploit the information, it’s best to delve in and transcribe the file. This greatly enhances your ability to explore the information in depth and then you can easily do searches on the file. I’ve been transcribing the Civil War pension files of our ancestors that I obtained from the National Archives some years ago. I’m working on Samuel Bair’s file — this is my paternal grandmother Zaring’s great-grandfather, my generation’s 3rd great-grandfather. This file is big – 250+ pages and has documents from the 1870s to early 1900s as he (and then his widow) went through the process of getting rejected, filing more affidavits and undergoing examinations to obtain a modest pension. The amount was first set at $2/month and eventually to $17/month — at least from what I see so far. Today, I’m sharing one of the affidavits given 134 years ago.
A pensioner had to prove that his disability was due to the war. That was harder to do when it was a chronic condition and not a wound. In Samuel Bair’s case, he was awarded a pension for: “chronic rheumatism and resulting disease of heart.” Many, many friends, relatives and acquaintances testified that he had been a hale and hearty man before the war. He served two enlistments and, after the second one, came home a “broken down man,” according to one affidavit.
Reading the file in detail has been fascinating, providing a look at the war through our relatives’ eyes and also at life as it was in Perry county from the 1840s to early 1900s. There is one humorous story I found. According to a comrade at the front, Samuel Bair’s wife sent him “a box containing pies, caks [sic] a chicken stuffed with a bottle of whiskey – the clt. [claimant] was so sick he could not eat any of it – he gave it to other members of the Co. [company] I know I recd my share of the chicken and stuffing.” This was while they were at the front at Petersburg, Virginia, during late winter 1864. To begin with, I wondered if the chicken was even good to eat, but it was cold then, so hopefully it was okay. I was struck by the comrade who was happy to have gotten his share of the “stuffing.”
Below is the affidavit of George Myers. George was not the only one to talk of Samuel falling in a ditch filled with water while at the front; some said he nearly drowned. And note the reference to them chasing after (Robert E) Lee. The action at Petersburg lasted nearly a year – and Samuel Bair was there for a good bit of it (he re-enlisted Sep 1864). Further, Alexandria is where Samuel was mustered out after the war. If you want to read more about Petersburg, this site has some quick facts:
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-petersburg-campaign
Note on the transcription – clt. expands to claimant. Wording is as reflected in the original affidavit.
Deposition “I”
Case of Samuel W. Bair, No. 172.402
On this 5th day of Aug. 1887, at
Montgomerys Ferry, County of Perry
State of Pa., before me, J.H. Bostick, a
Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Geo. W.
Myers, who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says:
My age is 42 occupation Laborer P.O. add. Montgomerys Ferry Pa.
States: I first knew clt. since I was a small boy. I have not lived over two miles from him since I have known him. We worked together in harvest and on the canal before his enlistment.
We were intimate; and were together a great deal before the war. I never knew any thing to ail him before his enlistment. I can not remember of his ever being sick.
Q – Did he not have the fever and ague prior to his enlistment?
A – Not as I know of. If he did have it was unknown to me. After he came out of the first service he had a cough and I did not think he would last a month. He had the cough when he came home
He allowed he had a grave yard cough and said he was raw on the inside. He did not complain of any particular pain in the breast – He doctored with Dr McMorris, but he got fixed up pretty well before he entered the last service. It is more than I can tell as to whether he worked any between services.
He looked pretty well at the time he and I enlisted in Co. “I” 208th Pa. Vols. We were not mess or tent mates. He stood the service pretty well from enlistment until March 1865, when on fatigue duty in camp, when he dropped over as if shot. I can not tell you what did ail him. I was on duty with him; I saw him fall, but did not go to him; He was carried to his tent. I saw him being carried away. I can not say who did carry him. In the morning before going on duty he claimed that he was not feeling well.
No sir. I can not tell what did ail him when he fell over. I saw him that evening after he fell over in the morning (I think it must have occurred between 9 and 10 o’clock. I dont remember what he did complain of – except he said there was a pain started in the small of the back and shot through his breast to his heart.
I know he laid around for some time and was treated by the Regt. Surgeon. I can not say what his ailment was but he look badly and he said he felt bad. I understood that the surgeon pronounced his disease heart trouble. He became better after a time, became so he could perform duty. At the time he was taken as I have stated we were laying in front of Petersburg Va. He continued to perform his duty, and during the charge on Fort Steadman and while in the ranks he fell in the ditch filled with water. I did not see him fall – saw him after he came out – I cant say how long he was in it – He was all wet and covered with mud when I saw him. I am unable to say whether he made any complaint at that time – I know we kept on after Lee, and I did not see him for some time after this.
It was reported in the Co. that he had been sent to the hospital. I did not see him so far as I can remember until we returned to Alexandria Va. on our way home. He was not well, neither did he look so. He complained of pain in his back on kidneys, heart and of rheumatism in his left leg or knee since his leg and knee pained him. He seemed to be short winded. He was also nervous –
Q – How did the nervousness affect him?
A – When excited he would tremble, he also seemed to get weak when attacked with it. After we reached Alexandria Va. there was no duty to perform except camp guard. I am unable to say whether he performed any camp guard. I can not remember of his having any cough while in this service. He was able to go a long with us when mustered out but how well he was I can not say. After he came home he complained as he did when he came to us at Alexandria Va. and was treated by Dr. Witmer
I also think he doctored with Dr Ritter. I can not tell you what he did do from 1865 to 1870. I dont think he done much, but he worked when able
Q – What did he do from 1870 to 1875?
A – It is hard for me to tell but he worked around at diferent [sic] places. I dont think we worked together after the close of the war. I saw him about once per week since discharge. He never looked well and was always complaining a good bit of his back, legs, headack and of his heart.
George W Myers
Deponent.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5 day of Aug. 1887, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.
J.H. Bostick
Special Examiner.