Died in Hospital

Does your family tree include someone who died while serving during the civil war? My fourth great-grandfather, John Reed, enlisted in 1863, even though he was in his sixties. According to Find A Grave, John Reed, died in 1864 but his burial site is unknown. Because some trees, including sourcing on the FamilySearch tree, are placing John Reed in Andersonville, I recently obtained the full medical, service and pension files for John Reed.

While I still don’t know where John Reed was buried, these files show that John Reed got sick in the Memphis area, was hospitalized and died in Memphis.

In July 1864, a ‘Certificate of Disability for Discharge’ was added to his record.

Army of the United States
Certificate of Disability for Discharge

Private John Reed of Captain William S. Hubbard Company K of the Seventh Regiment of Indiana Vol Cavalry was enlisted by Lieut Siegfried Sahm of the Seventh Regiment of ind Vol Cav. at Indianapolis Indiana on the Seventh day of September 1863 to serve three years; he was born in __ in the state of New York is sixty years of age 5 feet 6 1/2 inches high light complexion blue yes fair hair, and by occupation when enlisted a farmer. During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty sixty days * having most of the time pains int he back right shoulder and arm also frequent spells of head ache and sick stomach he has complained of one or the other or both of these most of the time for the last two months and has been excused from duty on that account
Station: White Station Tenn
Date July 4 1864
Charles T Nobb
2d Lieut

I certify, that I have carefully examined the said private John Reed [ond?]
Captain W. S. Hubbards Company and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of general disability and a broken down constitution said patient is sixty years of age and has been totally unfit to discharge the duties of a soldier for two months In my opinion he is not a fit subject for field duty and unfit for the invalid corp.
Station: Whit Station Tenn
Date July 4th 1864
J Chit[wood]
Asst Surg in charge
7th Ind Cav

Discharged the 23d day of July 1864 at Whites Station Tenn
John P C Shanks
Colonel

The soldier desires to be addressed at
Town Berlin Post County of Clinton State Indiana

Also in his file is a discharge record dated 8 August 1864. In the middle of the document, is a statement that John Reed was ‘entitled to discharge by reason of death in Gayoso Hosp at Memphis Tenn Aug 18 / 64’

I certify, on honor, that John Reed a private of Captain W S Hubbard’s Company (K) of the 7th Regiment of Cavalry Volunteers of the State of Indiana, born in _ State of New York, aged [4]3 years; 5 feet 6 1/2 inches high; light complexion, blue eyes, light hair and by occupation a farmer, having joined the company on its original organization at Indianapolis Ind., and enrolled in it at a muster into the service of the United States at Indianapolis, Indiana on the Seventh day of September 1863 …
to serve the term of three years; and having served honestly and faithfully with his Company in the Field to the present date, is now entitled to Discharge by reason of death died in Gayoso Hosp at Memphis Tenn Aug 18 / 64 of chron diarh
JME
The said John Reed was last paid by Paymaster Maj Dollman to include the 24th day of February, 1864, and has pay due him from that time tot he present date; he is entitled to pay and subsistence for traveling to place of enrollment, and whatever other allowances are authorized to volunteer soldiers, drafted men, or militia so discharged. He has received from the United States clothing amounting to forty one 47/100 dollars since the 7th day of September 186[3] when his clothing account was last settled. He has received from the united states ($25) twenty five dollars advanced bounty
…
Given in Duplicate, at Memphis Tennessee, this 8th day of August 1864
Wm S Hubbard
Captain

The Summary of Proof in the pension file for Mary Reed confirms John’s death at the Gayoza Genl Hospital on August 18, 1864. This record also indicates that John Reed was admitted to the hospital on July 26, 1864.

Service
The Adjutant General U.S.A. Reports name on rolls as John Reed
also the rank, company, and regiment, and the dates of Corpl Co K ‘7’ Ind Cav
as stated on preceding page. He also reports Enrolled Mustered into service
Death

On the muster & des roll of CO K consolidated with Co E dated Sept 19 1865 he is reported died in Hosp Memphis Tenn, Aug 18 1864 of Chronic diarrhoea
A.G. reports Privt John Reed Co K 7 Ind Cav as having died Aug 18 1864 at Gayoza Genl Hosp Memphis Tenn of Chronic Diarrhoea Admitted Jul 26 1864 from Regiment

Rejected widow died Feb 14 1867 & claim was not filed until May 13 67

The ‘M. and D. Roll of Men Transferred’ found in John Reed’s military file also indicates that John Reed died in a hospital in Memphis.

7 Cav. Ind
John Reed
Pvt, Co K 7 Reg’t Indiana Cavalry
Appears on
M. & D. Roll of Men Transferred
from the organization named above by consolid’n
Roll dated Sept. 19 1865
Present or absent
Company to which transferred
Remarks: Died
in Hosp Memphis Ten

x
Died at Memphis Tenn
Aug 18 64 of Chronic Diar
rhea [Side D.D.D.]

• As shown on Roll

B. Fit[ch]
copyist

John Reed’s service medical record also indicates that John Reed died Aug 18, 1864

7 Cav Ind
John Reed
Rank Pri Co K 7 Reg Ind Cav
Admitted July 2, 1864
To Gayoso U.S. A. Gen’l Hops.
Memphis, Tenn
From Regiment
Diagnosis, C Diarrhoea

…
Died Aug 18, 1864

age 61

Tem Reg. No. 621 HOs. No. 3347

[veoria]
Copyist

While I still don’t know where John Reed was buried, these files indicate that John Reed was in his sixties and died in a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Pension Denied

Have you ever felt like it took forever to have an application processed, like one might ‘die’ before getting a benefit? Well, that’s exactly what happened to Mary Reed with her application for a widow’s pension after the death of her husband during the civil war.

A ‘Declaration for Widow’s Army Pension’ dated in 1867 shows where Mary Reed applied for a pension.

Declaration for Widow’s Army Pension
State of Indiana
County of Tipton
On this Fifth day of February, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven personally appeared before me George W [Bould] Notary Public of the Circuit Court within and for the county and state aforesaid Mary Reed a resident of New Berlin in the County of Clinton and State of Indiana aged 74 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following the declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, approved July 14, 1862. That she is the widow of John Reed who enlisted in the service of the United States at Indianapolis in the state of Indiana on the _ day of 186, as a Corporal in Company 7E commanded by Capt Hubard in the 7th Regiment of Indiana VOls in the war of 1861; who while in the service aforesaid, in the line of his duty, died of disease contracted while in the service at Memphis in the State of Tennessee on the 15 day of August A.D. 1864. She further declares that she was married to the said John Reed in the County of Jennings and State of Indiana on th 22 day of December in the year 1822 that her name before her said marriage was Mary Rodgers. That her husband, the aforesaid John Reed, died on the day above mentioned and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. …
That the said John Reed deceased leaving no children under the age of sixteen years of age
certified copy of marriage license on file second Auditors office Washington City DC to which you are refered
She also declares that she has not, in any manner, been engaged in or aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States. She hereby appoints Dan [Waugh] of Tipton State of Indiana, her true and lawful Attorney with full power of substitution to prosecute this claim for pension, and to receive the certificate which may be issued therefor. She requests that her pension be paid at Indianapolis, State of Indian. Her post office address is Berlin County of Clinton, State of Indiana
Signature: Mary (her mark) Reed
Signature of Witnesses: Anthony Holmes
George Young

Also personally appeared Anthony Holmes and George Young residents of near Berlin County of Clinton State of Indiana whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me first duly sworn, say they were present and saw Mary Reed sign her name Mary Reed to the foregoing declaration and power of attorney; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; that they have been well acquainted with her and her said husband John Reed deceased, for sixteen year and know they lived together as husband and wife so reputed in the neighborhood in they lived up to the time of his (deceased) death
…
Anthony Holmes
George Young
Sworn, to acknowledged and subscribed before me, this 5th day of February 1867 and I hereby certify that the contents of the foregoing declaration of claimant and affidavit of witnesses was made known to each of them before administering the oath, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
George W. Boulden
Notary Public

Then in 1869, there is a statement by a physician indicating that Mary Reed died in 1867.

State of Indiana
County of Clinton
This certifies that I William Farrer of a practicing physician of the County of Clinton and State of Indiana attended Mary Reed widow of the late John Reed who was a corporal in Co K 7th Cavalry Indiana Vol and that the said Mary Reed died on the 14th day of February 1867 and further states that he has no interest in the prosecution of claim for pension.
William Farrar MD
attest
John W Lydy
Subscribed and sworn to this 10th day of December A.D. 1869 Witness my hand and seal.
Aaron Ford
Notary Public

This is to certify that I Aaron Ford a Notary Public in and for Clinton county and state of Indiana am personaly acquainted with William Farrer and know him to be a regular practicing physician and of good reputation.

back of page
Worthey of full faith and credit and made th above affidavit from his personal knowledge of the facts therein set forth.
Aaron Ford
Notary Public

Which is ironic since the pension file contains an inquiry from Mary Reed about the status of her application. The inquiry is dated December 1868.

Pickard’s Indiana December 12th 1868
Chris C. Cox Pension Commissioner
Washing
D.C.
Sir, You will please inform me what evidence is required if any in my claim for pension which was filed in your office sometime in the year 1866 by Daniel Waugh of Tipton Indiana I have not means of ascertaining the exact time that it was filed. I am the widow of John Reed who was a private in CO ‘K’ 7th Regt Inda Cal Vol
Direct Pickard’s Mills
Clinton County
Indiana

I remain your most obedient servant
Mary Reed
Care of Col
Noah N Shaffer

Then in 1871 is a ‘Widow’s Pension’ document that indicates her application was rejected because of her death.

War of the Rebellion
act of July 14, 1862 and subsequent acts
Widow’s Pension
(Original without Increase)

Mary Reed (deceased, widow of
John Reed Rank Copl
Company K 7th
Regiment Ind Cav

Residence of Administrator Clinton county, and State of Ind.
Post office: Berlin, Clinton Co. Ind
Attorney: Geo H. Ziegler, Indianapolis Ind

No contract, and material evidence filed since July 8, 1870

Rate of pension 48.00 commencing August 19 1864 the date
of soldiers death, and ending February 14 1867, the date
of widow’s death

Rejt March 11 1871 F A Smith, Examiner
Rej March 24 71 [HSM], Receiver

Dates Shown by Papers
Enlistment, Sept 7, 1863 Widow’ s app. filed May 13 1867
Muster into rank Sept 11, 1863 Claim completed Feb 25 1871
Discharge no Marriage to soldier Dec 9 1822
Death Aug 18 1864 Re-marriage of claimany Died Feb 14 1867
Invalid app filed no
Invalid last paid to No

Cause of death, Chronic Diarrhea Place of Death MemphisTenn

Incidental Matter
Affit of Attg Physician shows widow died Feb 14 1867
John Ricketts of Berlins Ind was appt Administrator Aug
30 1869 of the estate of Mary Reed (dec’d) as shown by cert from Clerk of the Court of Common Please of Clinton Co Ind

Prior marriage of herself or soldier; No
No children of soldier; under 16 year of age
Loyalty: Loyal Declaration

Marriage Affidavit

Do you have an ancestor who served for the union during the civil war? If so, have you retrieved a ‘full’ copy of the military and pension files? When I first started researching my family history, I would send a request for a copy of these files to the National Archives. Little did I know, but if one did not request a copy of the entire file, they would pick out parts of the file to fulfil the request.

One of those ‘partial’ files in my genealogy collection is the file for John Reed and his wife, Mary. Having used the services of Brad Quinlin last year to obtain copies of the military files for my 2nd great grandfathers, I took advantage of his most recent trip to Washington, D.C. and hired him to get me a copy of John Reed‘s military, pension and medical records from his service during the civil war.

Even though these files are rather thin when compared to other files I’ve obtained, there is a lot of information buried in them. One important document in the pension file is an affidavit from Jennings county, Indiana regarding the marriage of John Reed and Mary Rogers.

License issued December 2d 1922 to John Reed to May Rogers Married by Thomas Hill a Minister of the Gospel December 9th 1822
The State of Indiana
County of Jennings
I Abram Wagner Clerk of the Jennings Circuit Court in and for said County do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true ful and complete copy of the marriage licensed [+c] issued to John Reed to Mary Rogers ad fully as appears of record in my office
In witness whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name at the City of Vernon this seven 7th day of April 1870
Abram Wagner Clk

If you have a civil war soldier in your tree, you might want to consider obtaining a copy of their records since a variety of family information can be found in the documents.

---

I first learned of Brad Quinlin and his research trips to the National Archives thru a post of his to the Facebook group: Descendants of Andersonville. He recently posted that he is planning another trip for this coming June. Below is a link to the FB post, but it may not work for people who are not members of the group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/113696832149138/user/100032931795437/

Militia

When researching civil war records, have you used any militia records? If you had ancestors living in Kansas during the civil war, they just might be listed in Kansas militia records.

Since my BRILES family was living in Coffey county Kansas during the civil war, I found Alexander Briles, his son, John Briles, nephew, Branson Briles, son in law, Japhet Mentzer and son-in-law, Thomas Ruggles on the muster roll for Company I of the 16th Regiment of the Kansas Militia.

Muster Roll of Captain John Douglas,
Company I
of the Sixteenth Regiment,
Kansas State Militia,
Colonel F. W. Potter
Twelfth Day of October 1864,
when last mustered to the twenty-ninth day of October 1864

Briles, John 3 Corp – Joined Sept 12, 1863 Neosho Twp; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; relieved from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Briles, Branson Priv – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Mentzer, Japhet – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Rugles, Thomas – joined Sept 12 1863 Neosho Twp ; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; releived from duty Oct 29th by F W Potter
Briles, Alexander – joined Sept 12th Neosho Twp; ordered into active service Oct 12th Leroy by F. W. Potter; relieved form duty Oct 29th by F W Potter

Muster Rolls, Price’s Raid October 1864 14th thur 16th Regiments, Vol. 6 (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), page 480; digital image, Kansas Memory, kansasmemory.org viewed online 3 August 2022.

At the time these men were mustered into service, General Sterling Price was causing havoc in Missouri in what is known as “Price’s Raid“. A search of newspapers for “Kansas Militia” in October 1864 finds a transcript of the telegrams to the governor about the threat General Price posed to Kansas, the governors response and the order calling up the militia.

Telegrams

United States Military Telegraph
Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 8, 1864
To Governor Carney — The line is now cut this side Sedalia. This indicates a rebel move by some body west or south. Hurry up the militia.
S. R. Curtis, Maj.Gen.

United States Military Telegraph
Fort Leavenworth, Oct. 8, 1864
To Governor Carney — I request that you issue the call. Let the militia turn out. If not needed, they will of course be discharged. Their call and collection would enable us, at lest to give an impetus to Price’s departure. In your prompt responses to my request heretofore. I am sure we have saved the State from desolation. Let us do it now. The enemy is near Sedalia, and a fight is expected there to-night. They have burned Syracuse, Lamine and Otterile depots to-day. You see, they seem moving steadily westward. Delay is ruinous.
S. R. Curtis, Maj. Gen.

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Governor’s Response

Kansans rally! You will do so as you have always promptly done,, when your soil has been invaded. The call, this time, will come to you louder and stronger, because you know the foe will seek to glut his vengeance upon you.
Meet him, then at the threshold and strike boldly, strike as one man against him.
Let all business be suspended. The work to be done now is to protect the State against marauder and murderer. Until that is accomplished, we must lead a soldier’s life, and do a soldier’s duty.
Men of Kansas, rally! One blow, one earnest, united blow, will foil the invader and save you. Who will falter? Who is not ready to meet the peril? Who will not defend his home and the State?
To arms, then ? To arms and the tentod field, until the rebel foe shall be baffled and beaten back.
Thomas Carney, Governor
N. B. – Major General Deitzler will lead the brave men of Kansas and issue the necessary orders. Commanding Officers of brigades and battalions will se that their respective commands are in readiness for immediate service.
Thomas Carney, Governor

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Orders Calling Up the Militia

Major-General Deitzler’s Order

In pursuance of this call of the Governor, the Militia of Kansas will turn out and rendezvous immediately, as follows:
Headquarters, Dep’t Kansas State Militia
Topeka, Kansas Oct. 9, 1864

General Order
No. 54
In pursuance of the proclamation of the Commander-in-Chief, of the 8th inst., the Militia of Kansas will turn out and rendezvous immediately, at the points indicated below:
Doniphan, Brown, Nemaha and Marshall counties, at Atchison under Brigadier General Byron Sherry.
Atchison, Leavenworth, Jefferson, Jackson, Pottawatomie, Riley, Davis, Waubaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas and Johnson counties. at Olathe, under Brigadier General M. S. Grant.
Wyanodott, at Wyandott, under Major E. S. Hubbard.
Miami, Franklin, Osage, Morriss and Lyon counties, at Paola, under Brigadier General W. H. M. Fishback.
Linn, Anderson and Coffee counties, at Mound City, under Brigadier General S. N. Wood.
Bourbon Allen and Woodson counties, at Fort Scott.
Commanders of Brigades and Regiments will promptly prepare their respective commands for active service for thirty days, unless sooner discharged, and see that each man is supplied with two blankets, a tin cup, knife and fork and a haversack; and also, a coffee pot and frying pan for every five men.
Let each Regiment and detachment bring its own transportation and all the rations possible, but there must be no delay on any account. The general Government will undoubtedly pay all proper charges for such transportation and supplies, and will furnish rations and forage as far and as soon as possible, at the points indicated in this order.
Let each man come with such arms as are at hand and a full supply of ammunition. As this campaign will be a short one no change of clothing will be necessary.
Until further orders the Headquarters of the Militia will be at Olathe, to which point all returns and communications will be sent. By order of
Geo W. Dietzler, Maj Gen. K. S. M.
John T. Morton, A.A.G.
All Federal officers in this Department will aid in giving circulation and success to this effort to concentrate troops for immediate service.
Quartermasters and Commissaries will aid to the utmost of their abilities to have requisite provisions accumulated as fast as possible.
An earnest and united movement should animate officers and men — Volunteer and Militia.
Let business and personal strife be suspended; partisan discussions and political animosities avoided: and instead of impatience, fault-finding and detraction, too common among raw recruits, let every man display the fortitude, patience and endurance which distinguish the patriotic soldier engaged in the defense of his home and his Country.
The sooner this call is met the more certain will be its success; and the General earnestly appeals to soldiers and citizens to unite all their moral and physical energies in this effort to stifle the fiendish hordes that again threaten the people of Kansas and the peace of our country.
By Command of Major General Curtis.
oct11 G. S. Charlot, A.A.G

The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) 11 Oct 1864, page 2

Many of these militia registers called up in response to General Price have been digitized and posted on the Kansas Memory site hosted by the Kansas State Historical Society.

Hammond Civil War Service

Have you ever researched a military unit’s history to write about an ancestor’s military service? I have to admit, that I haven’t done much of that research.

While going thru my HAMMOND files, I re-discovered a document that provides lots of details about the military service of my second great-grandfather, Richmond F. Hammond. This magic document is a certificate from the Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society.

Certificate of Records
To all whom it may concern

Requested to every American
is a priceless legacy

Preserved to us by the valor
of the Boys in Blue

This Certifies that Richmond F. Hammond

Enlisted from Knox County, Illinois, on the 25th day of May,
1861, to serve three years or during the war, and was mustered
into the United States service at Galesburg, Ill., on th same
day, as a Private of Captain Roderick R. Harding’s Company “E”
17TH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, Colonel Leonard
Fulton Ross commanding.

Shortly afterward he was taken sick at Bird’s Point, Mo.,
and was confined in hospital at Iron Mountain, Mo., until Au-
gust 21, 1861, when he received an HONORABLE DISCHARGE by
reason of a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability.

He re-enlisted at Galesburg, Ill, March 1, 1862 to serve
three years or during the war, and was mustered into the United
States service as a Private of COMPANY “G”, 1ST REGIMENT ILL-
NOIS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, Colonel Thomas A. Marshall commanding.
This regiment had been captured at Lexington, Mo., on Sep-
tember 18, 1861, and was awaiting exchange, but on July 14, 1862,
it was mustered out at St. Louis Mo.

He re-enlisted at Galesburg, Ill., September 29, 1862, to
sere three years or during the war, and was mustered into the
U.S. service at Peoria, Ill., as a Private of Captain E. L.
Foote’s COMPANY “D”, 14TH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Colonel Horace Capron commanding.

The Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry was recruited and organ-
ized in the fall and wither of 1862, with headquarters at
Peoria. January 7, 1863, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were mus-
tered, and February 6, the Third Battalion. On March 8, it
started for the front, and arrived at Glasgow, Ky., April 17,
where it was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, Stoneman’s Division,
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio. Two hours later the Brigade
started to attack the rebels at Celina on the Cumberland River,
marching day and night. Pursued and attacked Colonel Hamilton’s
rebel force near Turkey Neck Bend, driving the enemy into the
mountains of Tennessee, capturing a number of prisoners, sever-
al pieces of artillery, 800 stand of arms, a wagon train of
supplies and the Commander’s papers. It pursued the Rebel
raider, John Morgan, from July 4, until he was captured, the
expedition covering 2,100 miles. The regiment participated in
the following engagements, viz: Buffington Island, Ohio; Cum-
berland Gap; Bristol, siege of Knoxville, Bean’s Stations, Dand-
ridge, and Franklin, Tenn. January 30, 1864, the 14th alone
was designated to fight the “Thomas Legion” of whites and IN-
dians in North Carolina. February 2, it surprised the “Legion”
in the mountains, killing and capturing the greater part, for
which the regiment was highly complimented in a despatch from
General Grant. June 13, it started to join General Stoneman’s
command organized for the Atlanta Campaign. July 27, it left
Lost Mountain on the famous Macon Raid, reaching the City on
the 30th. At Sunshine Church, after a hot battle with the
enemy, General Stoneman decided to surrender his command, Colo-
nel Capron, with the 14th regiment, first receiving permission
to cut his way out, which he did with success, taking his com-
mand with him. August 3, at one o’clock A.M., Colonel Capron,
supposing he was beyond the reach of the enemy, ordered a halt,
and about daylight the men were attacked. Being without sleep
for seven days and nights, they could not be aroused. In this
condition, many were killed or captured. After this raid, the
scattered fragments joined the line of battle in front of At-
lanta. September 15, the regiment returned to Kentucky, where
it was remounted and re-equippped. November 8, moved to Waynes-
boro, Ga., where it disputed Hood’s advance, and took part in
the engagements which followed on the 23rd and 24th. It after-
wards took part in engagements at Duck River and Nashville, and
was later stationed at Pulaski, Tenn., performing guard and
camp duty, until July 31, 1865, when it was mustered out, hav-
ing marched over 10,000 miles during its service.
The said Richmond R. Hammond was promoted to Sergeant of

Record continued : –

Compiled form Official and Authentic Sources by the
Soldiers and Sailors
Historical and Benevolent Society
In testimony whereof I hereunto set
my hand and cause to be affixed the
seal of the Society
[D]one at Washington DC this 13th day
of Sept. A.D. 1907
[M Wallingsford]
[Historian]
No. 62730

Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, 803 N. 8th, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Richmond F. Hammond Certificate of Record form Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society. photocopy from unknown source.

Page 2

-: Record No. 62730. concluded :-
Company D, 14th Illinois Cavalry.
He was captured during Stoneman’s raid in Georgia, Aug. 3,
1864, and taken to Andersonville prison, thence to Charleston,
S.C., thence to Florence, S.C., thence to Wilmington, N.C.,
thence to Raleigh, N.C., and from there to Goldsboro, N.C.,
where he was paroled and sent to Wilmington, at close of the
war.

He was constantly with his command during its service as
above outlined, until captured, and rendered faithful and meri-
torious service to his Country.

He received a final HONORABLE DISCHARGE at Springfield, Ill.
on the 16th day of June, 1865, to date May 30, 1865, by reason
of General Order from War Department.

He is the son of Horatio and Louisa (Fisk) Hammond, and was
born in Licking County, Ohio, on the 20th day of November, 1840.
He was untied in marriage to Sarah E. Ralston, in Knox County,
Ill., January 1, 1867, from which union were born six children,
four of whom are living, viz: – Stella M., Nellie E., Jessie
M., and Clyde N.

His wife died on the 28th day of March, 1892.
His second marriage was to Mary E Myers, at Dodge City,
Kan. on the 7th day of November, 1897, from which union was
born one child, viz: Hattie L. This wife died March 14, 1901
He was married to Mary E. Grim at Larned, Kan., on the
28th of October, 1906.

He is a member of Lewis Post, No. 294, Department of Kansas
Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is at present (1907)
Officer of the Day, and has held all other offices including
Commander.

He has held civil office as Justice of the Peace.
His brothers, Jehial P. and George M., served in the 71st
Illinois and 5th Iowa, respectively. His father served in the
war of 1812. His grandfather, Jason Hammond, served in the
Revolutionary War.

His son, Clyde N., served in the 21st Kansas Volunteers in
the Spanish-American War.

These facts are thus recorded and preserved for the benefit
of all those who may be interested.

Crawford Family Papers; privately held by Marcia Philbrick, 803 N. 8th, Seneca, Kansas, 2016. Richmond F. Hammond Certificate of Record form Soldiers and Sailors Historical and Benevolent Society. photocopy from unknown source.

While I have no record of how a photocopy of this document came to be in my possession, I am very thankful for locating this rare document in my files!

Civil War Report

Below is a list of the individuals in my RootsMagic file that have a military fact between 1861 and 1865. This report was created using a marked group and the Facts List report found in RootsMagic 7.

Name	Date	Description/Place
Barrett, William	abt 1844
	20 Jun 1846	New Albany, Floyd, Indiana, United States
	9 Feb 1847	Matamoras, Mexico
	bet 1861 and 1865	Iowa, United States; as a member of Co. I 156h Iowa Infantry
	1864	Plymouth (historical), Plymouth, Iowa, United States
	14 Oct 1864	Fort Dodge, Webster, Iowa, United States
Betzer, Anthony R.	14 Aug 1862	in Company F Iowa 24th Infantry
	3 Sep 1862	was mustered in
	14 May 1863	was wounded at Champion Hills MS
	19 Sep 1864	severely wounded at Winchester, VA
	15 Feb 1865	transferred to V. R. C.
	28 Jun 1865	Washington, D. C.; mustered out
Briggs, Elisha Vance	bet 7 Jul 1863 and 6 Jul 1865	in Co. F 72nd Indiana
Briles, Alexander	1864	Kansas, United States; under Captain John Douglas in Company I of the Kansas State Militia
Briles, Branson	1864	Kansas, United States; under Captain John Douglass in Company I of the Kansas Militia
Briles, John F.	1864	Kansas, United States; under Captain John Douglass in Company I of the Kansas Militia
Briles, Nathan	Sep 1863	Shawnee, Kansas, United States; in Company H of the 15th Kansas Calvary
	2 Oct 1863	Kansas, United States; mustered into Company H, 15th Cavalry
	22 May 1865	mustered out
Briles, Noah Washington	13 Jun 1861	Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa, United States; enlisted in Company I, 1st Regiment, Iowa Cavalry Volunteers
		as a private in Company I, 1st Regiment, Iowa Cavalry Volunteers
	1 Jan 1864	re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer in Company I of the First Iowa Cavalry
	15 Feb 1866	Austin, Travis, Texas, United States; mustered out
Burke, William Carrol		Tennessee, United States; as a private in the 4th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry
	31 Dec 1862	Murfreesboro, Rutherford, Tennessee, United States; suffered a severe arm injury by serving the the Confederate Army
Crandall, Hampton Lillibridge	1 Jan 1863	by enlisting in the Iowa 7th Cavalry
	31 Jan 1865	Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; mustered out
Crandall, Horace Stanley	20 Feb 1864	as a private in Co. I 1st Iowa Cavalry. He was furloughed out sick. According to his muster out information, he died of disease.
Crandall, John Nafus	20 Feb 1864	enlisted in Company G of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry
	9 Aug 1865	Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States
Crawford, Daniel	13 Sep 1862	enlisted in Company A 36th Iowa Infantry
	27 Mar 1865	Keokuk, Iowa, United States; discrached
Crawford, James H.	bet 1861 and 1865	Co. F 72nd Regiment Indiana Infantry as scout and assistant wagon master
	18 Oct 1883	Leavenworth, Leavenworth, Kansas, United States; attended soldiers reunion
Crawford, James Samuel	abt 1861	in Company E 86th Regiment Indiana Volunteers during the civil war. He died of measles after being captured at Stone River Dec 31, 1862. He was last seen at West Point, Georgia, January 5, 1863.
Crawford, John Maxwell	9 Aug 1862	St. Francois, Missouri Territory; enlisted as a Corporal in Company C 33rd Missouri Infantry
Crawford, Stanford Riley	26 Oct 1861	Arkansas, United States; as a private in Company D of the 1st (Stirman’s) Battalion, Arkansas Cavalry of the Confederate Troops
Crawford, Washington Marion	3 Aug 1861	began military service as a Sergt in Co. H 2nd  Regiment New York Cavalry Volunteers
	27 Aug 1861	The  2nd New York Cavalry was better known as the “Harris Light Horse”
	30 Jun 1863	last paid for military service
	22 Sep 1863	Liberty Mills, Orange, Virginia, United States; was captured
	bet Sep 1863 and Mar 1864	Belle Isle, Lancaster County, Virginia; was imprisoned
	bet Mar 1864 and Nov 1864	Andersonville Prison, Macon County, Georgia; was imprisoned
	Nov 1864	Charlesteon, South Carolina; imprisoned
	7 Dec 1864	Florence, Florence, South Carolina, United States; paroled
	8 Apr 1865	New York, New York, United States; was mustered out as a Sergeant
	25 Feb 1870	Chambersburg; was granted a ‘Certificate to Disability of Soldier’
Crawford, William Marion	abt 1861	Warren, Indiana, United States; in Co. E 86th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He died at Camp Dennison in Ohio.
Currey, George Byron	27 Feb 1856	Oregon, United States; began military service as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. D, 2nd Regiment for 90 days on Captain William’s Muster Roll
	26 May 1856	Oregon, United States
	1857	Oregon, United States; during the Indian War under Captain Williams
	abt 1861	Wasco, Oregon, United States; raised Company E
	12 Nov 1861	Oregon, United States; enlisted in First Oregon Infantry as 1st Lieutenant
	20 Mar 1862	promoted to Captain of 1st Oregon Cavalry
	22 Mar 1865	promoted to Lt. Colonel of 1st Oregon Cavalry
	24 Mar 1865	promoted to Colonel of regiment
	Jul 1865	placed in command of the department of the Columbia, which embraced all of the troops in the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho
	14 Jul 1865	appointed commander of California sub-District of Oregon
	20 Nov 1865
	26 Jun 1866	made Commander of the Department of the Columbia
Currey, Hiram M.	8 Oct 1864	Atchison, Atchison, Kansas, United States; to Company B of the 12th Cavalry Regiment of the Kansas State Militia under Captain Samuel Hollister
	27 Oct 1864	discharged
Curry, James Barnes	bet 1861 and 1865
	bet 1861 and 1865	Missouri, United States
	29 Mar 1862	Saint Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri, United States
	31 May 1863	Sedalia, Pettis, Missouri, United States
Curry, James Leander	26 Dec 1861	Oregon, United States; in Company E of the 1st Cavalry
		along with Lt. Hobart commanded Oregon Cavalry as it cleared a road to Canyon City and thence to Ft. Boise
Curry, William L.	24 Apr 1861	Ohio, Kentucky, United States; for a term of three months
	1 Sep 1861	as a private in Company K, first Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and upon the organization of the company was appointed first sergeant
	16 Jun 1862	promoted to second lieutenant
	25 Jul 1862	Courtland, Alabama; captured
	Feb 1863	remained a prisoner until
	3 Mar 1863	first lieutenant
	4 Jan 1864	Pulaski, Giles, Tennessee, United States; reenlisted
	14 Dec 1864	promoted to captain
	30 Dec 1864	Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States
Duggins, John F.	30 Oct 1861	enlisted for service in the Union army in Company C, Seventy-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Harris
	2 May 1863	was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville and held for six weeks before being exchanged
	May 1864	captured near Lake George, Florida
	bet 19 May 1864 and 26 Nov 1864	in prison
	13 Jan 1865	Columbus, Franklin, Ohio, United States; discharged
Foster, James Coke	3 Jun 1853	commissioned as captain of Company A, Fifty-ninth regiment of colored troops
	17 Oct 1861	a private in Company F, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry
	1 Jan 1862	promoted to second lieutenant
	Sep 1862	transferred to Company I
	18 Jun 1864	commissioned as major
	31 Jan 1866	discharged
Foster, Samuel Douglas	bet 1861 and 1865	as a major
Foster, William F.	24 May 1864
	29 Sep 1864	Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States; discharged from the military having served as a private in Company K of the 135th Indiana Infantry
Gilmore, Joseph	bet 1861 and 1862	in Company I of the 27th Indiana volunteers. He died from wounds received at Gettysburg.
Guthrie, Samuel Wilson	bet 1861 and 1865
Hammond, George M.	15 Jul 1861	enlisted in the 5th Infantry Iowa Regiment
	30 Jul 1864	Chattanooga, Hamilton, Tennessee, United States; mustered out
Hammond, Jehiel P.	1861–1865	Company B 72nd Illinois Infantry
Hammond, Richmond Fisk	25 May 1861	Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States; enlisted as a private in Company E 17 Ills  Vols
	21 Aug 1861	Missouri, United States; honorably discharged
	1 Mar 1862	reenlistedin the 1st Illinois Cavalry Volunteers
	14 Jul 1862	St. Louis (city), Missouri, United States; discharged from the 1st Illinois Cavalry Volunteers
	26 Jul 1862	Galesburg, Knox, Illinois, United States; enlisted as a private in Company H of the 102nd Infantry
	2 Sep 1862	Knoxville, Knox, Illinois, United States; deserted
	29 Sep 1862	enlisted as a private in Company D of the 14 Illinois Calvary
	1 Mar 1863	was appointed Sergeant in company D 14 Illinois Cavalry
	3 Aug 1864	captured near Atlanta, Georgia.
		Georgia, United States; was held prisoner
		Charleston, South Carolina; held as a prisoner
		Florence, South Carolina; held prisoner
	May 1865	Benton, Missouri; stationed as part of a detachment of paroled prisioners
	12 May 1865	Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States; was mustered out by telegram
Harding, Abel	9 Feb 1865	enlisted in Company K Wisconsin 49th Infantry Regiment
	8 Nov 1865	St. Louis, Missouri, United States; mustered out of Company K Wisconsin 49th Infantry
Hodge, Wm. W.	bet 1861 and 1865	in the 128th regiment Indiana Volunteers
Hunt, Robert G.	10 Dec 1861	enlisting in Company E 35th Regiment Indiana Volunteers
	19 Jun 1862	was discharged because of an injured knee
	15 Aug 1863	enlisted in Co. B 7th Regimental Calvary
	18 Feb 1864	was honorably discharged
Hutchinson, Albert	30 Sep 1862	Iowa, United States; Albert Hutchinson enlisted as a private in Company D of the 1st Regiment of the Iowa Cavalry Volunteers command by Captain Jinks.
	31 Dec 1863	Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States; was mustered out of Company D 1st Regiment of the Iowa Cavalry
	1 Jan 1864	Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States; reenlisted
	14 Mar 1864	Sumner Township, Buchanan County Iowa; was mustered in as a private in Iowa First Calvary Company D
	Jun 1864	had 3rd installment bounty due withheld for being absent without leave from June 18, 1864 to June 30th, 1864
	15 Feb 1866	Austin, Travis, Texas, United States; discharged from the military
Mentzer, Charles Lewis	abt 1863	in the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry Co D
Mentzer, George	25 Sep 1861	Massachusetts, United States; enlisted in Company C Twenty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry
	25 Sep 1864	George Mentzer’s term of service ended
	6 Jun 1890	applied for a pension based on service in 24th  Massachusetts Infantry
Mentzer, Japhet	1864	Kansas, United States; under Captain John Douglass in Company I of the Kansas Militia
Mentzer, Rufus	Jun 1863	listed as subject to mulitary duty
Miller, Alen Cope	1861	enlisted in the confederate army
	abt 1863	was taken prisoner
Minnick, John W.	Aug 1861	John W. Minnick served as a private in Company A 42nd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was killed at the battle of Stone River.
Minnick, Wilson J.	18 May 1864	enlisted in Company H,  Illinois 134th Infantry
	25 Oct 1864	Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States; mustered out of the military
Nidey, Reason	5 Sep 1861	Indiana, United States; enlisted in Company E of the 8th  Indiana Infantry
	26 Oct 1861	Middletown, Indiana; listed as ‘deserted’ from Company E, 8th Regiment, Indiana Infantry
Ralston, James McCormick	1862	in Company I of the 102nd Regiment of the Illinois Infantry
Ralston, John Nelson	9 Aug 1862	Oneida, Knox, Illinois, United States; as a private in Company I of the 102nd Regiment Illinois Infantry
Reed, Francis Marion	from 23 Sep 1864 to 15 Aug 1865
	15 Aug 1865	Victoria, Victoria, Texas, United States
Reed, John C.	from 11 Sep 1863 to 23 Jul 1864	in Company K, 7th Regiment, Indiana Cavalry
Ricketts, Andrew Duncan	bet 1861 and 1865	veteran of the Union Army
Ricketts, Jacob	Aug 1864	in Company D, 57th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry
	5 Jul 1865	New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States; discharged
Ricketts, James Marshall	18 Aug 1863	Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States; as a private in Co. K 7 Regiment of the Indiana Cavalry Volunteers
	17 Sep 1863	mustered into Company K 7th Regiment Indiana Volunteers Cavalry
	Nov 1863	Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States; was reported absent sick and in hospital
	bet Dec 1864 and 19 Sep 1865	in Company K 7th Indiana Cavalry
	19 Sep 1865	Hempstead, Waller, Texas, United States; discharged from the military
Roberts, John Wesley	7 Sep 1862	Lawrenceburg; mustered into Co. E 83 Regt. Indiana Volunteers
Rose, Daniel DeVinney	abt 1861–1865	Michigan, United States; in the Michigan infantry
Ruark, Harrison	bet 1861 and 1865	in the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry 45th Regiment
Ruggles, Thomas	1864	Kansas, United States; under Captain John Douglass in Company I of the Kansas Militia
Sellers, John L.	4 Sep 1862	in Company L of the 45th Regiment of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry
Sellers, Joseph Brown	abt 1861	in Company I of the 27th Indiana Volunteers
	2 May 1864	was wounded in right leg in Battle of Chancellorsville
	15 May 1864	was in battle at Resaca (New Hope Church) where he lost his left leg
Sellers, Nathan Finley	bet 1861 and 1865	in civil war
Sheets, Austin	1861	Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, United States; as a member of the Frontier Guards
Simkins, James Bailey	9 Aug 1862	serving in Company H, 102nd Illinois Infantry
	6 Jun 1865	Washington, D. C.; mustered out of the military
Smith, George W	1862	enlisted in Company K Thirty-Third indiana Volunteers
Spragg, Fred	13 Aug 1862	in Company C, Iowa 27th Infantry Regiment
Stoner, Nelson Crawford	12 May 1864	Fidelity, Jersey, Illinois, United States; Company H of the 133rd Illinois Infantry serving as a corporal
	31 May 1864	Butler, Montgomery, Illinois, United States; mustered in
	24 Sep 1864	Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States; mustered out
Strahan, Samuel Parker	20 Apr 1861	Winchester, Randolph, Indiana, United States; enlisted and later recruited the fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry
	8 Dec 1863	was wounded and discharged from the military
	Aug 1864	re-enlisted
Thompson, Daniel G	Sep 1862	Company K, Forty-Second Indiana Regiment and was elected Captain
	Dec 1863	was discharged by reason of ill-health
Thompson, Francis Marion	13 Aug 1862	enlisted in Company D 29th Iowa Volunteer Infantry
		in Company D 29th Iowa Infantry
	10 Aug 1865	discharged
Thompson, James Allen	13 Aug 1862	as a private in Company D of teh 29th Regiment Iowa Infantry
Thompson, John E.	22 Apr 1864	in the 29th Iowa Infantry
Thompson, John L.	13 Aug 1862	in Company D 29th Iowa Infantry
Wells, William O.	Aug 1862	Calhoun, Michigan, United States; enlisted in company A of the 25th Michigan Infantry
	1865
Wilson, John Wesley	1861	enlisted in the northern army during the Civil War
	1864	was honorably discharged
Young, Barzilla	abt 1861	in the civil war
Young, Richard Corwine Ricketts	10 Aug 1861	Iowa, United States; in Company 8 of the Iowa Infantry
Young, Thomas Kent	2 Nov 1861	enlisted as a private in Company I, Iowa 13th Infantry Regiment
	1 Nov 1864	mustered out of Company I, Iowa 13th Infantry Regiment

Civil War Veterans

Have you ever wondered which of your relatives served during the civil war? Or have you wondered who served for which side? I can tell you which of my 2nd great grandfathers served, but I don’t have information about their siblings or cousins stored in my brain.

Thus, I decided to try and create a list of everyone for whom I have a military service fact during the civil war using my genealogy software program, RootsMagic 7.

The first step to creating this list is to create a marked group. To do that, I click on the icon above the index of people that (at least to me) looks like a folder with people poking out.

Clicking on that icon changes the screen from a list of people (Index) to a list of Groups. The top of this list contains a pull down box that allows me to select the group. Once a group is selected, the members of the group are displayed. To the right of the drop down menu is the group icon.

Clicking on this icon to the right of the drop down menu opens up the ‘Named Group’ window. This window has buttons to manage the groups, including the ‘New’ button.

Clicking the ‘New’ button on the NAMED GROUPS window opens the SELECT PEOPLE window. I can manually go thru and select people to create a group. However, most of the time, I’m not certain whom to put in a group and rely on the computer to search for people to add to a group. To do this, I click on the MARK GROUP button.

When I click on MARK GROUP a menu appears.

For this project, I want to use the “Select people by data fields” option. Clicking on that option opens a window where I can search for information.

This is where I have to think like the computer program and build my statements to pull out the people I want. Since this project involves locating individuals who served during the civil war, I’m going to use the MILITARY fact DATE to build my search criteria.

When I clicked OK, RootsMagic searched my database and found 76 people which it marked. Clicking OK on the SELECT PEOPLE window opens a window to ENTER NAME FOR THE GROUP.

Now, I can switch to that group and browse thru the list of members.

Now that I have marked those with a military fact between 1860 and 1867, I can print a report. The ‘Individual List’ report allows me to print a list of these people and include their spouses.

However, that report isn’t very informative. Using the ‘Fact List’ report, I can print a list of these individuals along with their military facts. To create this report, I have to indicate that I want a list of people with a military fact. Then I want to narrow the list down to just those people in the ‘Military Civil War’ group.

This creates a report showing their name and each of their military facts. The date and description/place associated with the military fact is displayed.

Not only do I have a list of those who served during the civil war, I can see that I have some ‘clean-up’ to do with these facts. For example, I often customized the sentence to use the words enlisted or discharged.

This customization does not appear on the fact list report. Thus, my report isn’t very informative. To improve my ability to pull this information, I need to put this information in the description field and then use the description in the sentence.

By doing that, I get a more detailed sentence.

This small change also impacts the Fact List report. I now have the word enlisted appearing on the report.

Now, I just need to work my way thru the individuals in my marked group to make sure their military facts include details in the description.

Civil War Deaths

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend that was totally unrelated to your genealogical research that caused you to go search your data for facts related to that discussion?

That happened to me when a friend described a trip she and her mother and sisters took to the Atlanta area. During the trip they visited the Kennesaw mountain battlefield. During their tour, they were told that the fighting stopped to allow both sides to bury the dead on the battlefield due to the stench. This battle fact was recorded in the first hand account written by Confederate Private Sam Watkins.

On the third morning the Yankees raised a white flag, asked an armistice to bury their dead, not for any respect either army had for the dead, but to get rid of the sickening stench.  I get sick now when I happen to think about it.  Long and deep trenches were dug, and hooks made from bayonets crooked for the purpose, and all the dead were dragged and thrown pell mell into these trenches.  Nothing was allowed to be taken off the dead, and finely dressed officers, with gold watch chains dangling over their vests, were thrown into the ditches.  During the whole day both armies were hard at work, burying the Federal dead….

Watkins, Sam. The Dead Angel. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/dead-angle

Discussing this battle, the comment was made that so many had died while fighting the civil war. Knowing that none of my second great-grandfathers who served were killed during their service. I was curious as to whether I have anyone in my file who died during military service in the civil war, I decided to investigate.

To begin my search, I created a marked group of those people who have a military fact with a date between 1860 and 1866.

That identified 76 individuals in my tree with military facts dated between 1860 and 1866. To narrow down the list to those who died during the civil war, I added a line to my search for a death date before 1866.

That left me with nine people who died while serving in the military during the civil war. Since I already had a custom report showing military information and date of death, I used that report.

This produced a report showing the military information for each of the nine along with their death date.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the cause of death for all nine of these civil war deaths. Thus, further research is needed to learn how all of these men died.

Now that I know how to pull this information from RootsMagic, I can create similar reports for other wars.

Measles

Did you have the measles as a child? Or, perhaps you’ve had the measles vaccine. In today’s society, an adult catching the measles is rare. However, during the civil war, measles played a deadly role.

The article, The Impact of Disease on the Civil War, provides some statistics regarding the impact of this disease.

 From the records during the Civil War, we know that two thirds of the soldiers died from infectious diseases. In the Union army over 67,000 men had measles and more than 4,000 died

Thus, finding that an ancestor had the measles should not be surprising. However, finding that the disease caused lifelong disabilities is somewhat surprising.

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension

State of Kansas

Woodson County

On the 2 day of June, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety personally appeared before me, clerk of the District Court, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, George Mentzer aged 51 years, a resident of ______, county of Woodson, State of Kansas, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical George Mentzer who was enrolled on the 15 day of Sept, 1861, in Company C of the 24 Mass Regiment of Vol Inft Commanded by Colonel Stephenson and was honorably discharged at Petersburg on the 15 day of Sept, 1864,that his personal description is as follows: Age, 51 years; height 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, light; hair, brown; eyes, Grey. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Annaplis in the Sate of Maraland on or about the ____ day of November, 1861, he contracted measles and tool cold resulting in lung disease & kidney disease resulting heart decease and efection of eyes.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: did not go to any hospital but was treated on board of boat think the name was [Videtoe]

That he has not been employed inthe military or naval service otherwise that as stated above.

That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in Northborough Mass, Kewanee Ills and in the State of Woodson Co Kas, and his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound physical health being when enrolled aa Private. That he is now wholy disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.

He herby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation, Hugh Brady of Yates Center, Kans his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. that he has never received nor applied for a Pension. That his Post-Office address is Yates Center county of Woodson State of Kansas.

George Mentzer

Late Pri Co C 24th Regt Mass Infty Vols

Attest: W. E. Hogueland

G. R. Stephenson

This pension was followed by an affidavit given by John Minnick of Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois.

General Affidavit

State of Illinois, County of Henry

In the matter of the application for pension of George Mentzer, late Pri Co C 24th Regt Mass Infty Vols

On this 27th day of June A.D. 1890, personally appeared before me a notary public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, John Minnick aged 68 years, a resident of Kewanee in the County of Henry and State of Illinois whose post-office address is Kewanee, Ill and Jacob P Keneval aged 56 years, a resident of Kewanee in the County of Henry and State of Illinois whose post-office address is Kewanee, Illinois well known to me to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That we have been well and personally acquainted with George Mentzer for five years, and ____ years respectively, and that he then lived in Kewanee, Our acquaintance with him began in the year 1866 and continued till in 1871, when he left here for Kansas. He complained of having had measels while in the army and in conversing with him we became satisfied that he had some lung trouble; the kind and ext[eal] of which we cannot now remember fully. We are confident his lungs were affected.

We also remember that his eyes were weak and looked somewhat inflamed.

In Nov 1890, the Bureau of Pensions sent a request for additional information:

Department of the Interior

Bureau of Pensions

Eastern Div

Knowles Ex’r

No. 78[Eal]70

Geo. Mentzer

Co. C 24 Mass Vols

Washington D.C., Nov. 29, 1890

It is alleged that George Mentzer enlisted Sept 15, 1861 and served as a _____ in Co. C, 24th Reg’t Mass. Vols. and was discharged at Petersburg, Sept. 15, 1864.

It is also alleged that while in duty at Annapolis, Md. on or about Nov. 1861, he was disabled by measles, resulting in lung, kidney and heart diseases and affection of eyes and was treated in hospitals of which the names, locations, and dates of treatment as follows: on board boat ‘Vidette’

In case of the above-named soldier the War Department is requested to furnish an official statement of the enrollment, discharge, and record of service so far as the same may be applicable to the foregoing allegation, together with full medical history. Please give the rank he held at the time he is claimed to have incurred the disability alleged, and if records show that he was not in line of duty during that period, let the fact be stated.

Very Respectfully,

[Green] G Raum
Commissioner

The Officer in Charge of the Record and Pension Division, War Department

In December of 1890, George Mentzer filed an additional statement regarding his military service.

Yates Center Dec 28 1890

[8 am Claim of Pension]

In reply to your call no 13 will pay 1st after my discharge at Petersberg, Va in the fall of 1864 I went to Boston Mass remained there the fall of 64 & 65 from there to Northborough Mass remained there the Spring of 66 moved to Kewanee Ills remained there for about five years removed from there to Kas Woodson County in 1871 and have lived hear ever since. I am board a boat think it was the [vinelette] going form Anaplas Maryland to Roanoak Island was taken with measles and the settled on my lungs and eyes. have had but little treatment from physicians only such as I have furnished. Have continually suffered with my disabilities

George Mentzer

According to the web site, Naval Illustrators, the boat mentioned in the above affidavits was likely the Vidette. The Vidette was an armed US troop transport that carried Companies A, C and F of the 24th Massachusetts Infantry. So far, I haven’t been able to find a source to verify a measles outbreak aboard the Vidette. However, HathiTrust has the regimental history, The Twenty-Fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers 1861-1866 by Alfred S. Roe which does include information about the use of the Vidette by the regiment.

Grand Army Members

As we celebrate Memorial Day by honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military, I would like to take today to honor my ancestors who served for the Union during the civil war.

Washington Marion Crawford

• Sergeant in Company H of the 2nd Regiment New York Cavalry Volunteers
• Enlisted 3 Aug 1861
• Captured 22 Sept 1863 at Liberty Mills
• Imprisoned at Belle Isle until March 1864
• Imprisoned at Andersonville Mary 1864 to Nov 1864
• Imprisoned at Charleston, South Carolina Nov 1864
• Paroled 7 Dec 1864
• Mustered out 8 Apr 1865

Richmond Fisk Hammond

• Company E 17 Illinois Volunteers
• enlisted 25 May 1861 as a private
• honorably discharged 21 Aug 1861 in Missouri
• 1st Illinois Cavalry Volunteers
• Enlisted 1 March 1862
• Discharged from 1st Illinois Calvary Volunteers
• Company H of the 102nd Infantry
• Enlisted 26 Jul 1862
• Deserted 2 Sep 1862
• Company D of the 14 Illinois Cavalry
• Enlisted as a private 29 Sep 1862
• Appointed Sergeant 1 Mar 1863
• Captured near Atlanta 3 Aug 1864
• Imprisoned at Andersonville
• Imprisoned at Charleston, South Carolina
• Paroled May 1865
• Mustered out 12 May 1865

Hiram M. Currey

• Company B of the 12th Regiment Kansas State Militia
• Mustered in 8 Oct 1864
• Discharged 27 Oct 1864

Albert Hutchinson

• Company D of the 1st Regiment of the Iowa Cavalry Volunteers
• Enlisted 30 Sept 1862
• Mustered out 31 Dec 1863
• Reenlisted 1 Jan 1864
• Mustered in as a private
• Discharged 15 Feb 1866 in Austin Texas

Noah Washington Briles

• Company I of the 1st Regiment, Iowa Cavalry Volunteers
• Enlisted 13 Jun 1861
• Reenlisted 1 Jan 1864
• Mustered out 16 Feb 1866 in Austin, Texas

Alexander Briles

• Company I of the Kansas State Militia
• under captain John Douglas
• served 1864

James Marshall Ricketts

• Private in Company K 7th Regiment Indiana Cavalry Volunteers
• enlisted 18 Aug 1863
• Mustered in 17 Sep 1863
• Reported absent Nov 1863
• Discharged 19 Sep 1865 in Hempstead, Texas

George Mentzer

• Company C 24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers
• Enlisted 15 Sep 1861
• Mustered in 25 Sep 1861
• aboard bote “Vidette” contracting measles
• Discharged 15 Sep 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia

As I compiled this information, I realized that two of my ancestors, Albert Hutchinson from my father’s side of the tree and Noah Briles from my mother’s side of the tree, served in the same regiment.