Testimony by Porter Bereman regarding a disability pension for Andreas "Andrew" Dittmann

Porter Bereman
Company C

This is an 1899 testimony by Porter Bereman of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. It concerns the disability pension of Andrew Dittmann who was in the same Company. [It has been transcribed with the original spelling, grammatical errors, and minor editing.]

I have known Andrew Dittman since 1861. He was in my Regiment Co C 60th OVI. I was with him all the time after we enlisted until we were honorably discharged. We went into camp at Hillsborough, O. and remained there some time and was then ordered to Gallipolis, O. We remained at this point drilling and preparing for the front. We were then ordered into Va, arriving at Peidmont on the B & O RR. We was at the front and ready to join Gen. Fremont's army then and there, which we did.

From the start we were put on a forced march up the Shenandoah Valley in pursuit of Jackson. It was one of the most terrible ever endured by men. We overtook and engaged the enemy at Port Republic at the same time we engaged Ashby's Rebel cavalry. Ashby was killed there.

At Cross Keys we had quite a battle where several of our Regiment was killed & wounded. We marched through the valley and finely landed at Winchester Va. where we ingaged in building a fort and digging Rifle pits & breastworks. This was a rough forced march from beginning to end, and was compelled to leave all our baggage behind us. Had to lay on the bare and damp ground. Had to ford cold Streams & Rivers of water, many so swift that we were compelled to hold each other to keep on our feet. We were ordered from Winchester to Harpers Ferry where we all were taken prisoners.

When at Camp Hillsborrow, & Gallipolis Mr. Dittman was stout, healthy and sound as a dollar. And I well remember him having a Severe Cold After all this exposure. We used to devil him (in fun) telling him to "cough Em up," "Spit Em out," "our boys can eat Em, " & all such stuff.

(From another handwritten addendum):

He became worse & worse and it finely terminated in asthma. At Camp Douglass he suffered terebly and complained of his breast hurting him so much with asthma Troubles. He would Suffer Cough And Wheeze All the time. I am confident that Asthma & Disease origonated from the aforesaide exposure, while in the U.S. Service. I Know this to be facts because I was with him all the time he was in the U.S. Service. I have not Seen Mr. Dittman for a long-long time but understand he is Still Suffering with Asthma. I further declare that I have no interest in this case and am not concerned in it's prosecution.

Porter Bereman

A special thanks to Karen O'Hara for contributing this information. Andreas "Andrew" Dittmann was her great grandfather.