CIVIL WAR SOLDIER'S PENSION APPLICATION - JOHN LEE SMITH, COLUMBIA CO., FL File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joan Renfrow USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or publication by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ******************************************************************************* CONTRIBUTOR'S NOTE: I have no relationship to anyone mentioned in the below file ***************************** Application No. 23537 Pensioner No. 8858 SOLDIER'S PENSION CLAIM FORM A STATE OF FLORIDA County of Columbia Dated: 21st August 1929 Soldier: John Lee Smith Age of Soldier: 80, 12 January 1850 in Hamilton Co., Florida Resident of: Columbia County, Florida, since birth Enlistment: At White Springs with the Home Guards of Florida Discharge: near White Springs at close of war Address: Lake City, Columbia County, Florida Claim for Pension Filed: Sept 9 1929 Approved: Oct 14 1929 With pay from: Sept 9 1929 At the rate of: $450.00 per annum Signed: Secretary of Board ****************************** War Department Washington September 13, 1929 The records show that one John L. Smith, Co. E, 5th Battn. Fla. Cav., C.S.A., enlisted August 11, 1864, at Camp Finly. Muster roll Dec. 31, 1864 to - , dated May 6, 1865, (latest on file) shows him absent. Feb 7, 1865, detached duty, order Capt. McElvy, a Private. Capture, parole or later record not found. Not found as John Lee Smith. William H. Cone was Captain of Co. G of the Battn. One __ L. Smith, who enlisted at Lake City, served in Co. G, same Battn., and was transferred. James F. McKinley Brigadier General Acting the Adjutant General ****************************** AFFIDAVIT County of Columbia 1. That I know J. Lee Smith of Lake City, and have know him since the fall of 1864. 2. That while I was a private soldier in Captain Bill Cone's company, McCormick's regiment, C.S.A., stationed at Moseley Hall, Florida, from the fall of 1864 to the spring of 1865, I personally knew the said J. Lee Smith to be a private soldier in said McCormick's regiment, during that period, serving as courier between the Confederate forces then stationed at Moseley Hall, Madison, Old Columbia (now Elleville) and other points. 3. That I knew the father of the said J. Lee Smith, the late Edmond M. Smith, who during the same period was our quartermaster. Signed: Hezekiah Feagle 22nd May 1929 ****************************** LETTER Columbia Gazette Lake City, Florida May 14, 1929 Hon. J.P. Huntley Representative Columbia County Tallahassee, Florida, Dear Sir: Complying with your kind request through Mr. Meitzen, I am herewith submitting such facts about my service in the army of the Confederacy that I can distinctly remember in the hope that it will be of service to you in your kind effort to secure a pension for me through a legislative act. In 1863, at best I member, responded to a call of the Confederate government for old men and boys to volunteer for home guard service and to be held in a reserve for the regular forces if needed. I enlisted at the age of 13, in the home guard company of which Joshua H. Lee was captain and Davis S. Bryant was first lieutenant, and which was organized near the present site of White Springs, Hamilton county, Florida. After my company had had sufficient training, I was called away to the rest camp of the regular Confederate forces at Mosely Hall, Florida, where I became connected with the company of Captain Charles P. Cone as a courier because of my splendid horsemanship and fine horse. I served as courier between the various commands of the regular army stationed in North and West Florida, for a period of about three months. From there I was sent back home in Hamilton county near White Springs to assist in guarding the women and children against the many dangers arising from the war, including discontented slaves, and served in that capacity and as courier until the close of the war. At the time the pensions were authorized for Confederate home guard and reserve troops I did not apply for the reason, then stated, that I did not need the money as much as my state did. I could then have found all the evidence I wanted to prove that I had been a Confederate soldier, but today all my comrades are dead but one, that I know of. This living comrade is Mr. H. Feagle, of Mason, Columbia county, whose affidavit is enclosed herewith. I am only now making application because of my physical and financial condition. I am now in my 80th year, having been born in Hamilton county, Florida on January 12, 1850. I have been a citizen of the state all my life, have served it as peace officer and as a battler for re-establishment of white men's government throughout the reconstruction period. I served Hamilton county as representative in the state legislature for two terms, and have tried all my life to protect and foster the best interests of my home state. Thanking you for your kindness in this matter. Yours very truly, J. Lee Smith