FOURTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY, USA
Miscellaneous Items
From the papers of
Luther Mead Blackman
Transcribed by
Janelle Swearingen
Return to PENSION PAPERS
James A. Griffin, Company B
War Department, Adjutant General’s Office,
Washington, May 4, 1865.
Sir: Final Statements in the cases of deceased soldiers are required to be sent to the Adjutant General’s Office in duplicate . . . None of the final statement have been received in the case of Private James A. Griffin, of Co. AB@, 4th Regiment of Tenn Inf. Volunteers . . . Sam ?reck
[notation on bottom] Co. AB@ 4th Tenn Vols. Died in Cumberland Hospital,
Nashville, Tenn. April 16, 1865, of T. M. Fever.
Elisha H. Simpson, Company K
Declaration for the increase of an invalid pension
State of Tennessee County of McMinn . . . 1883 . . . Elisha H. Simpson of Cog Hill McMinn County . . .He is a pensioner of the United States enrolled at the Knoxville Tenn Pension Agency at the rate of Four dollars per month by reason of a disability from Disease of lungs result of measles incurred in the military service of the United States while Private AK@ Co. 4th Tenn Cavalry. That he believes himself entitled to an increase of pension on account of chronic diarrhea the result of measles. . . he appoints L. M. Backaman of Madisonville County of Monroe State of Tennessee his true and lawful attorney. Postoffice address is Cog Hill, Monroe County, Tennessee
Simpson enlisted Feb 1864. The record of the Regiment shows that at that time the regiment was somewhere in west Tenn returning to Nashville from the raid into Mississippi. It arrived in Nashville March 18, 1864, Hence Simpson if he enlisted at Nashville could not have been with the Regiment on that raid. Was you on that raid? You say in your affidavit that your acquaintance with Simpson began in February 1864. Therefore if so I infer you was not on raid. Now this is an important point for it you were with the regiment on that raid you could not have known anything of Simpson until after the return of the regiment to Nashville.
If you was not on that raid I think your dates are correct because you was with that part of the regiment that remained at Nashville. As Simpson enlinsted Feb 1864 he could not have been with the regiment as the regiment did not as before remarked return to Nashville till March 18, 1864.
In your last letter you say you think it was in March 1864 that Simpson took measles. If so it must have been immediately before or after the return of the regiment from Mississippi. How is this? You will readily discern the importance of this point.
Written to Price on June 1883.
Cog Hill, Tenessee, May the 25th 1879
Mr Stephen Hale & Pardner Gentlemen I have bin partialy examined by a phasition and am sadisfied that if I can get at the matter right and you have ben recomended to me as safe hands and I wish you to take my case in hand and write to me what I have to do and send me the proper Blanks to fill out and Surtifcats to fill out that I can get a Pention for diseas contracted in the late war. I was discharged at Marine Hospitel L. A. On account of Disability May the 16th 1865 was enlisted 14th day of February 1864 for three years or during the war. I am affested from the measles and I am not Stout and my meanes is limited and I have bin informed that you have that authority to say what Phasition to examine me can you appoint any Country Phistian or does the Examination have to be made by a dr that has bin appointed by the Goverment if it will do there is a good dr in a mile or too of me in McMinn County 15th District that is Dr King if he wil do ti would he be great saving to me as I am not abel to go far to see a Dr. neither have I the means ‘ now I have one troubel in the way in making my description list provin some cause or other. I was put down that I was Borne in Bledsoe County Tenn and I was borne in Union County Ga. I think that the day that mistake was made when I joined the army I aimed to join Company L 4th Tenn Cavalry volunteers and K Company and L Company war both mustered in at the same time and I was mustered with company K and most of that company was made at Blendsoe County and I think the oficers made the mistake. This lettter is written by the 1st Sergant of Company L who knows that I staid with L Company untill after I was musterd and alsoe knows that I was hardly ever abel for Servis and was acquainted with my condition whe I was in the armey and by which I will have to make most of my proof I have one Lieutenant now living in McMinn County who became Captin of K Company after I went to the hospittle and he is going to start to Texas in a few days now I want to know if the proof has to be made by my company oficers or not and all the instructions necessary. I have bin told that you whan the proof could he come at that your [illegible] get a pention in Six weeks please anser by return mail and oblige E. H. Simpson. Written by N. S. Prile a Justice of the peace in Polk County.
Athens Tennessee October 17th 1882. Major M. L. Blackman. Dear sir after some delay I send you the price ans weaver affidavits the delay is on the account of Prices child being so loe he could not leave it and now Captain Blizard is not here and we cant seem him for some time. I have found another witness that can make me a good affidavit if you think I need him. His name is Thurney McKinny of the 10th Tennessee Cavalry Co. Who knew me 2 or 3 years before I went in the army and will swear that I was stout abel bodied and was free from any trouble of the Breast and was sound to all appearance befor enlistment - he further can state near the same as Price except waiting on me he knowing that the measels caused my troubels and has seen me often since the war closed out to be short he will make the same statement that Price did as to any condition since the war and if you want his affidavit and haint got the time to come down you can draw up a blank from this and Prices affidavit leaving dates blank and I will get McKinney and take him to N. S. Price and we will fill it out and have it sertafied and sind it to you after wishing you good success I asing my self your friend Elisah H. Simpson. P. S. He is one of Dr. A. Slacks special pensioners and his post office is Cogg Hill.
Coghill Tenn, Sep the 28 >83
Mr Blackman. Dr Sir I would like to now how you are getting along withe my claime Doct King is now willing to do something he is willing to make an affidavid that he has new me aulmost ever sinc the ware and has given the meddical advic and now is a splendid tim to get him to do right circunstances being as they are and if you will draw at affidavid as respect my head and back I will get him to sware to it. Hav you got eny thing from Nathern Hitggerls. Dos Doct Hale remember me giving out in my back at Vickburge and having to be hauld to the river in a wagon. Dose he remember giving me turpentine after we returnd from Alabamy for my back and hands. So let me her from you soon. E. H. Simpson.
Cog Hill, Tenn Oct the 26 >83
Mr Blackman. Der sir I received yours letter containg a blank for Doct King to make affidavid in regarde to my head and back he ses he can mak me a good affidavid and is wiling to do so. His affidavid will be as good as eny you drawed while you was heare if we could onley get the form correct. If you would come down at once you can get what you want from him. Can you cam right away if you cannot come let me no and I will do the best I can I would much prefure that you would come if not send the forme of the last affidavides you took. Doct King has past since I commenced this letter and ses he is redy eny time. Yours truly E. H. Simpson
Coghil Ten, Oct the 26 >83
Mr. Blackman
Der Sir
I went with Simpson to Knoxville and was permitted to go in and was aulso ast some questions. The Doct seamed to conclude that simpson was not safe to travel by himself and at times not competent to tend to his one business. I had a privt talk with the forman of the Board before examination and only ast for a faire examination that I told him that not personaly acquainted with simpson and that his head being disised he was easly confused but they examind him gentlemany and kindly. I hav aulso talked to Doct King and he ses on the points now brought in he can raise Simpson to twelv dolars per month. Your Frternely G. F. Wilson
Cogg Hill Tenn Jan 4th 1883
Major L. M. Blackman. Dear sir I have bin making compliance with your request as fast as posabel tho my health is in such a condition that I cant make progress as fast as I wish I went before Dr. Cahley on the 28th of December 1882 and was examined by him I hope will come up all right. I seen Dr J. C. King he said he would make me a good one tho wanted me to wait a while perhas a month as soe I am geting up a lot of proof which I will send up as soon as I can get it Certified I received a letter from the office of the Interior which states that the address of E. B. Hale is Talbot Jefferson County Tenn do you want us to write him again we have never got no answer to our other letters to him or will you write him and see if he can do any thing in my behalf after this proof as received if there is still other proof that is necessary in the case pleas notify me and I have procured the assistance of N. S. Price to hlep me get up the proof as called for. There is one thing Captain Stone was Laient in our company and after we come back from Kantucky him and Osterly Ledford loosed a horse from the Rope and kept him for me because I was sick and the horse was jintel and would not let the rest of the company have a chance to draw him if you know his address and can get him to do any thing in my behalf I want you to do all you kin and as soon as you can I alsoe if you think it necessary proove Dr. J. Kelly hand write on the Certificate that he started to make for me in your hands yours as ever E. H. Simpson
[note on top says answered Jan 5, 1884]
Coghill Tenn January te 1 1884
Mr. Blackman. Der Sir I receid a note directing me to apear personaly before a special Board of U. S. Pension Examining Surgeons for medical examination at Knoxville Tennesee one the 12 of January 1884 if posably if not by the 22 of January 1884. I want to know if you understand what it means and aulso giv me advise four the best concerning it. If I am able I will go to see Fitzgeraels in few days but would like to hear from you before I go so pleas right by return maile. Yours Truly E. H. Simpson. If you think that regarding Dot King affidavid you can draw one to send and I think there will be no trubble to get him to sware to it.
CogHill Tenn. January 15 1884. Mr. Blackman. Der Sir Yours of the of the 5 and of the 10 inst to hand. I had sent that affidavid that you sent me to exicut to Washington as you Directed in your letter that you sent with the affidavid. I sent it Jannary 3. I rote to fitzgearld and hes ses at present that did not remember me but was wiling to do eny that he could and I think if I could see him I could make him remember the incidents that I spoke to you about. I will go to Knoxville the 21 of Jany if I am able to go and I want you to meet me at Loudon and go with me to Knoxville. I may go as fare as Loudon the 20 and if I do I would like for you to be thire befoe trine time if you cant go with me to Knoxville. I dnt se how I can come to your hous unless my health was better. I want see you beffor I go to Knoxville and if you dont come to Loudon I dont know wether to go eny further or not by the way you rote be shure and be thire. E. H. Simpson.
Coghill Tenn. June the 16 1884. Mr. Blackman. Der Sir. I heard the Law to give increase for deefnis has past and in any case is the proof as good as needed or would more proof on that point make it better if so I can furnish it. I can aulso give a number of affidavid of good men that will give me a full Pencion or will it be of eny benifit now. I can make proof that my case is the worst in the neighborhood of eny soldiers that is drawing a Pencion that if eny needs a full pencion it is me. If we can make it eny shure by more proof we can get and we need and proo that will stand examination. I am needding my money and would like to hav it pushed through if posable. So let me hear from you soon. Yours truly. E. H. Simpson.
A Weaver ses write to him at Ias___ay Pa. Mc Co. Yers
Cog Hill Tenn. June 29, 1884. Mr. Blackman. Der Sir. I recived orders to go before the Board at Knoxville by the 23 of Sept the order gives no name of any of the Buard but gives street and number. Wilson saw Robinson in Mattisonvill and talked with him abot my case and he seemed to think thire should be some additionll application in regard to my hearing as it was not on the first application or the proof shoes that my hearing was injurd it would probably be best to make the applica. You can think over the matter and do what you think best. If you come down bring my discharge. Let me heare from you soon. Yours Truly E. H. Simpson. Thommas Crabtree wants you to take a case of his that has bine in the hands of Doct Slck but if it rejected you can rite to him at Coghil.
Cog Hill, Tennessee Oct 8 1884. Major M. L. Blackman dear sir E. H. Simpson brings to me a statement of some proof that may be of intrust in his claim and he wants you to put the statements in proper shape for thir affidavits and send them to him so he can have them sworne to before tha git into some troubel about the mill and land that Simpson has bout of G. F. Wilson. Major tha are treating him badly and he wants to bring them to time but wants ther affidavits before tha git mad with him pleas put them in shape and send by return mail whether you can use them in your part or not. I think the will be of value in a suit with Willson here . Your Fried N. S. Price. Here is the statement may be G. F. Willson aged 33 years. I have bin personally acquainted with the said Simpson for three years being a neighbor to him. The above stated time bing part of the time being part of the time in two hundred yards of said Simpson and not over two miles at any of the time and have seen said Simpson on an average of twice per week and have often heard said Simpson complain of pain in head Breast and Back and have seen said Simpson affected with swimming in the head so much that if standing would have to set down quickly to keep from falling and seemed at times that his mind was injurd and very easily confused and alsoe his hearing is injurd very much at times and have seen said Simpson give way in his back when attempting to work and realy think that said Simpson is fully disabled for manual labor. I have travald with said Simpson and find at times his mind is so confused that he is not competent to give rationel answers to questions. Coppy of G. F. Willson. I can alsoe give a like affidavit from M. T. Stenson age 48 with G.F. Willson affidavit except he never travaild with me but has known me ever since long before the war your Friend.
Cog Hill Tennessee. Feb 11th 1885.
Major L. M. Blackman. Dear Sir enclosed you will find the condition of my Pension claim as reported by the commission. I thout I would drop you the letter that you might better understand what steps to take next. You understand how my proof runs. He seems to think my proof dont show the origan of my head and Back affections it seems to me the proof was intended to show that measels and hard servis and exposure was the cause of all my affections. He alsoe seems to aledge that the medical examination dont sho a sufficient injury to the raise or increase I submit the matter to your management.
There is one other thing. I will state to you that on Tuesday before the election in November last fall one Dr. John Parkerson the indipendant cendidate for Representative in McMinn County claimed that he had orders from the government to examine me and my Dr there was one Henry Rice and J. D. Porter Esq was to meet at my house on Monday night as Rice said where he come to examine me and Rice come and staid till a late hour in the night but the Dr and Porter came on Tuesday morning and backed down on account of some parties that were presant but he thumped my breast and said after the election was over he would give me a thorough examination but it did not seem to catch my vote by the trick and he haint bin back to complete the examination yet and I think some of the Parties was not well pleased because tha failed in ther trick and same parties are mixt up with my mill property troubels and I dont know that tha have affected nor what tha may affect. I would like to see you and tell you all about it I wish you to let me know what the penalty for such usage should bee if looked into & there is any thing worth looking into. I wish you and Esq Robberson to take the job if you want it yours Truly E. H. Simpson.
Joshuway, McMinn Co. Tenn. Jan the 25 1886
Mr. L. M. Blackman. Dear Sir. I Received your of the 25 Dec you said nothing about sending my papers or dooing any thing with the the pain ranges from Brest to write side & from Back to near the same place & I want you to see if you can attack the Cronical Diarear also to the same Diseas see if I can be exammond all under the same. My horse was shot in Battle & killed & My Right hip was hurt in the fall also my left ankl I want you to write to Dr Hale & see if he will pronunce my dises Rhumatism or Peurlsia. My Eyes is also affected & Dr. Slack said hit is from the Measels when I went to Berammand I think the Dr in Blacked[?] one of them told me to put in agin if I diden succeed. I felt so Bad that I couldent Make anser as I ont to hav done so if you can doo any thing I want discharge so I will hoping to hear from you soon. Yours truly E. H. Simpson.
William E. Taylor, Company F.
Name: William E. Taylor
Age now: 44
Post Office Address: Cog Hill Tenn
Where enlisted: Nashville Tenn
When enlisted: August 1864
Rank: Private; Company F; Regiment 4 Cavalry Tennessee
Captain: John Isbell decd, Robt Patty
Volunteer
Discharged: Camp Chase Ohio
When discharged: 12 June 1865
On what account: Disability. Just out of prison
Height: 6 feet; Color of eyes: Grey; Hair: Dark; Complexion [blank]
How much bounty have you received in all: $100
Do you write your name or mark? Write
Nature of disability: organ of small & C disease
Where contracted: Andersonville prison
When contracted: Early in 1865
State below the circumstances connected with the manner in which disability
was produced or brought on or the injury incurred or the wound received: Prison
life in Andersonville for 9 months.
Give name and number and location of each hospital you were treated in with date of treatment in each as near as you can. Was never in any Hospital (aside from Prison)
Had you a family doctor before enlistment? If so what was his name. Dr.
R. N. Fleming.
Have you had one since discharge? If so, his name: Dr. A. Slack
How does your disability still affect you. Cannot smell anything and
chronic direa is so bad at times that my bowels comes out and have to be put
back with fingers.
Did you ever apply for pension before? No
Where have you resided since leaving the army, mostly. In Polk County
near Cog Hill
Were you ever in any other service? No
What occupation since discharged: Farming
What before enlistment: farming.
Can you give evidence of an officer of your company if required? Yes
Can you give evidence of two comrades if required? Yes.
Cog Hill Tenn, 19 April 1883. Maj. Mr. W. E. Taylor sends answers to interrogations which will enable you to properly fill out his application. When you come down here, you will come by May of Cog Hill, his Distiller, is 4 miles immediately on the Hiwassee River at the uper end of the Savanna Farm, on the opposite side of the River, immediately in the narrows of the mountain, and one mile below where a Mr. Brown lives, who I learn that you at one time took a lease for Silver &c, I may be here during next month, if I am not notified in 3 or 4 days that I will be relieved it so will leave 1st May. Write me and say when you will come down and all the nuse of the neighborhood. Yours &c J. R. Robinson
William J. Witt, Company C
Department of the Interior . . . May 2d 1881
. . . claim of William J. Witt Private of Co. AC _st Div Lt. Art No 416788 for Pension has been received and will be examined . . .
Note to Kelley, Dec 19, 82 [Witt application]
Dr. A. W. Gregory testifies that during the last five years he has occasionally prescribed for and dressed said leg that during the last two years he has also done the same. That the last time he examined it was some 4 weeks ago. It was in a very bad condition the ulcer was much more enlarged than when he made affidavit, ulceration of cartlitages of the bone. Should be paid the same pension as if the leg was amputated. Is in a worse condition than loss of leg. Have been practicing about 28 years.
Daniel N. Kelley, Ottwah
On a march from Camp Nelson to Nashville got hot put him on box car of train to go to Seiversville chilled from that time on was not able for duty. Kelley he thinks was orderly segt at the time. Left camp Nelson he thinks the 16 day of Jan 1864. Weather cold.
Write to R. P. Mitchell, Rogersville Tenn, Surgeon of Witts Regt. He gave Witt a certificate of disability in latter part of Feb or 1st of March to get a furlough in to come home.