Lafayette Parish, LA; Civil War CSA Pension Application Submitted by: Keith A. Melancon ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The below pension for Napoleon Melancon, resident of Youngsville, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, a soldier who served in the 26th Louisiana Infantry, Company A. This pension application was transcribed by Keith A. Melancon from microfilmed records located in the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Melancon, Napoleon. 26th Louisiana Infantry, Company A, Lafayette Prairie Boys ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Confederate Application for Pension, State of Louisiana 12 Documents, 15 pages ------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Napoleon Melancon Confederate Application for Pension, State of Louisiana READ ACT AND ARTICLE ON BACK Lafayette No. 2162 Soldier's Application for Pension. The Board Reserves the Right to Call for Additional Testimony. Youngsville Nap Melancon Filed: May 10th, 1899 Allowed: Quarterly Allowance: Pension Allowed from: Rejected: President [Signed] E. F. Brian Secretary Board of Pension Commissioners All documentary evidence substantiating your claim should accompany the application. Applications should be addressed to the Secretary of the Board of Pension Commissioners at Baton Rouge. Blanks will be furnished by the Secretary on request. Regular meetings of the Board second Tuesdays in March, June, September and December. [There is a script "R" at the bottom of the document, indicating it was rejected.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soldier's Application for Pension I, Napoleon Melancon, a native of Louisiana, and now a citizen of Louisiana, resident at in the Parish of Lafayette in said state of Louisiana, and who was a soldier (sailor or marine as the case may be) from the state of Louisiana in the Confederate States army (or navy as the case may be) in the war between the United States and Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under act 125 of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana of 1898; and I do solemnly swear that I served the Confederate States honorably from the date of my enlistment until the close of the civil war, (or until discharged or paroled as the case may be,) as shown by my answers below, and that I remained true to the Confederate cause until the surrender, and that I am now in indigent circumstances, and unable to earn a livelihood by my own labor or skill, and that I am not salaried or otherwise provided for by the State of Louisiana or by any other State or government, and am entitled to receive said benefits of said Act 125 of 1898 as further shown by my answers to the questions below, which I swear to be true and correct: 1. In what town, county, State, Country and year where you born? Answer: In the parish of Lafayette, La in the year 1836. 2. When and where did you enlist, and in what command? Answer: In the year 1862 at Lafayette, La, in the 26th Louisiana. 3. Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you enlisted, and under whom you were serving at the date of your discharge or parole. Answer: I enlisted under Col Declouet and Capt Eraste Mouton: at the end of the war I was under Col Hall and Capt Eraste Mouton 4. Were you wounded? If so, in what battles, and if not, state under what circumstances during the war you received injury or injuries. Answer: I was wounded in the leg at Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi 5. What was the precise nature of your wound or wounds, if any? Answer: A flesh wound in the leg 6. If you have lost a limb or eye, state where, when and how. Answer: no 7. Were you discharged from the army by reason of wound, wounds, or from effects of service? Answer: no 8. If discharged or paroled by the army, where were you and what did you do until the close of the war? Answer: 9. What was the name of the surgeon who attended you when discharged? Answer: 10. Where were you at the surrender? Answer: Near Alexandria, La. [Note: there is a question mark in the margin next to this question.] 11. If a prisoner, at what camp, and when you were released, and to where sent? Answer: I was taken prisoner at Vicksburg, Miss. On July 4th, 1863, and was released on July 8th same year on parole: and was exchanged in the spring of 1864. 12. Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government at any time during the war? Answer: No 13. If so, when, where and under what circumstances? Answer: 14. How long have you been a resident of the State of Louisiana next preceding the data of this application? Where have you resided during that period? Answer: All my life: in the parish of Lafayette 15. Are you married or have you been married? Answer: I am married 16. If so, what is the size of your family? Answer: I have a wife and nine children. 17. What are the respective ages of your wife and children? Answer: My wife is 48 years: my children are 41, 39, 38, 28, 21, 19, 17, 6, years and the last one 10 months old. 18. How many children have you and how many of each sex? Answer: Nine: 6 boys + 3 girls 19. Are you engaged in any business? If so, what do you earn? Answer: No. 20. Have you any estate in your own right, real or personal, and what is its value? Answer: None. 21. Has you wife any estate in her own right, real or personal, and what is its value? Answer: No [There is a note in the margin here that says, "This fellow won't give his Co + Reg right but he has got his boys and girls right i.e. 6 to 3."] 22. How have you derived support for yourself, and family if you have one, for the last five years, and what prevents you from earning a living now? Answer: I make a little garden: I am not able to earn a living, being crippled in the hand 23. Do you use any intoxicants to any extent? Answer: No. 24. Have you an attorney to look over the application? Answer: No. 25. Give his name, address, and the compensation agreed between you. Answer: 26. Give names of two or more of your comrades with their postoffice addresses. Answer: Norbert Morvant, Broussardville, La, Cleobule Doucet, Lafayette, La, Alfred Peck, Lafayette, La 27. Give your postoffice address and that of the two witnesses. Answer: My post office is Youngsville, La. Witness my hand on this 12 day of May 1899. Applicant [Signed] Napoleon Melancon Witnesses [Signed] A.J. Mars [Signed] A. Peck ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Applicant must go before Clerk of Court. State of Louisiana Lafayette Parish, Personally appeared before me, Ed G. Voorhies, Clerk of the District Court of said parish, the above named Napoleon Melancon, the applicant, with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and explained to him as well as the statements and answers therein made, made oath that the statements and answers are true. Witness my hand and seal of office, this 12th day of May 1899. [Signed] Ed G. Voorhies Clerk (If possible, the two witnesses as to character should have served with the applicant in the army, and if so, let them, or either, state it in their oath; also any other information regarding the applicants army services.) State of Louisiana, Lafayette Parish, Personally appeared before me, Ed G. Voorhies, Clerk of the District Court of said parish, the above named A.J. Mars and A. Peck, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, with whom I am personally acquainted, and known to be citizens of veracity and standing in this community, and who make oath that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in this application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim, and that said applicants habits are good and free from dishonor. Witness my hand and seal of office, this 12th day of May 1899. [Signed] Ed G. Voorhies Clerk of Court ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fourth Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ READ ACT AND ARTICLE ON BACK Parish of No. 2162 Soldier's Application for Pension. The Board Reserves the Right to Call for Additional Testimony. P.O. Company and Regiment: Filed: Aug 10, 1899 Allowed: Quarterly Allowance: Pension Allowed from: Rejected: President Secretary Board of Pension Commissioners All documentary evidence substantiating your claim should accompany the application. Applications should be addressed to the Secretary of the Board of Pension Commissioners at Baton Rouge. Blanks will be furnished by the Secretary on request. Regular meetings of the Board second Tuesdays in March, June, September and December. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fifth Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soldier's Application for Pension I, Napoleon Melancon, a native of Louisiana, and now a citizen of Louisiana, resident at in the Parish of Lafayette in said state of Louisiana, and who was a soldier (sailor or marine as the case may be) from the state of Louisiana in the Confederate States army (or navy as the case may be) in the war between the United States and Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under act 125 of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana of 1898; and I do solemnly swear that I served the Confederate States honorably from the date of my enlistment until the close of the civil war, (or until discharged or paroled as the case may be,) as shown by my answers below, and that I remained true to the Confederate cause until the surrender, and that I am now in indigent circumstances, and unable to earn a livelihood by my own labor or skill, and that I am not salaried or otherwise provided for by the State of Louisiana or by any other State or government, and am entitled to receive said benefits of said Act 125 of 1898 as further shown by my answers to the questions below, which I swear to be true and correct: 1. In what town, county, State, Country and year where you born? Answer: In the parish of Lafayette, State of Louisiana March 14th, 1836. 2. When and where did you enlist, and in what command? Answer: In the Parish of Lafayette March 27th 1861 under Captain Eraste Mouton, Company A, 26th La. Regiment, which was afterwards changed to Company C. 3. Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you enlisted, and under whom you were serving at the date of your discharge or parole. Answer: Alexander Declouet, Colonel; ----- Cage, Lieutenant, Eraste Mouton, Captain; Hazard Eastin, 1st Lieutenant; William Campbell, 2nd Lieutenant; Fernest Martin, 3rd Lieutenant 4. Were you wounded? If so, in what battles, and if not, state under what circumstances during the war you received injury or injuries. Answer: Yes, a slight wound in the leg, at the battle of Chickasaw 5. What was the precise nature of your wound or wounds, if any? Answer: A flesh wound 6. If you have lost a limb or eye, state where, when and how. Answer: Have not lost limb or eye 7. Were you discharged from the army by reason of wound, wounds, or from effects of service? Answer: No 8. If discharged or paroled by the army, where were you and what did you do until the close of the war? Answer: I remained in the army until the close of the war. 9. What was the name of the surgeon who attended you when discharged? Answer: Was not discharged 10. Where were you at the surrender? Answer: Had left the army on a furlough; was in Lafayette Parish [Note: There is a question mark in the margin next to this question.] 11. If a prisoner, at what camp, and when you were released, and to where sent? Answer: Was made a prisoner at Vicksburg July 4, 1863 and released on parole July 8th, 1863. I herewith annex parole papers for reference. 12. Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government at any time during the war? Answer: None except for parole papers herewith annexed 13. If so, when, where and under what circumstances? Answer: As stated above. I was subsequently exchanged + I again joined the army June 4th, 1864 in command of Captain Eraste Mouton. 14. How long have you been a resident of the State of Louisiana next preceding the data of this application? Where have you resided during that period? Answer: Was born, raised, and always lived in the Parish of Lafayette, La. 15. Are you married or have you been married? Answer: Yes, I was married three times. 16. If so, what is the size of your family? Answer: A wife and nine children. 17. What are the respective ages of your wife and children? Answer: My wife is about 47 years of age. My children are forty-one, thirty-nine, thirty-seven, twenty-nine, twenty-one, nineteen, eighteen, six and one year respectively. 18. How many children have you and how many of each sex? Answer: Nine: Three daughters and six Sons. My children are all poor + unable to support me. 19. Are you engaged in any business? If so, what do you earn? Answer: The only work I can do now is to work in a small garden which is not sufficient to provide a living for myself and a family, besides I have a crippled hand and my eyesight is failing. 20. Have you any estate in your own right, real or personal, and what is its value? Answer: I have no real or personal property. 21. Has you wife any estate in her own right, real or personal, and what is its value? Answer: My wife has no real or personal property. 22. How have you derived support for yourself, and family if you have one, for the last five years?? Answer: I was ward constable, but on account of my failing eyesight I was compelled to resign my office, and am now unable to earn a living. 23. What prevents you from earning a living now? A crippled hand, failing eyesight and infirmities of old age. 24. Do you use any intoxicants to any extent? Answer: No. 25. Have you an attorney to look over the application? Answer: No. 26. Give his name, address, and the compensation agreed between you. Answer: none 27. Give names of two or more of your comrades with their postoffice addresses. Answer: Anderson J. Mars, Lafayette, La., Norbert Morvant, Broussardville, La. 28. Give your postoffice address and that of the two witnesses. Answer: Youngsville, La., Derbes Landry, Broussardville, La., Victor Landry, Leroy P.O. Abbeville, La. The above two witnesses were in my regiment. Witness my hand on this 10th day of August 1899. [Signed] Napoleon Melancon x his mark Applicant Witnesses [Signed] Derbes Landry x his mark [Signed] Victor Landry x his mark ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sixth Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Applicant must go before Clerk of Court. State of Louisiana Lafayette Parish, Personally appeared before me, Ed G. Voorhies, Clerk of the District Court of said parish, the above named Napoleon Melancon, the applicant, with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and explained to him as well as the statements and answers therein made, made oath that the statements and answers are true. Witness my hand and seal of office, this 10th day of August 1899. [Signed] Ed G. Voorhies Clerk (If possible, the two witnesses as to character should have served with the applicant in the army, and if so, let them, or either, state it in their oath; also any other information regarding the applicants army services.) State of Louisiana, Lafayette Parish, Personally appeared before me, Ed G. Voorhies, Clerk of the District Court of said parish, the above named Derbes Landry and Victor Landry, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, with whom I am personally acquainted, and known to be citizens of veracity and standing in this community, and who make oath that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in this application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim, and that said applicants habits are good and free from dishonor. Witness my hand and seal of office, this 10th day of August 1899. [Signed] Ed G. Voorhies Clerk of Court ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seventh Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 8th, 1863. To all whom it may concern, Know ye that: I, Napoleon Melancon, a private of Co A, 26th Reg't La Vols C.S.A, being a Prisoner of War, in the hands of the United States Forces in virtue of the capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its garrison, by Lieut. Gen. John C. Pemberton, C.S.A., Commanding, on the 4th day of July 1863, do in pursuance of the terms of said capitulation, give this my solemn parole under oath - That I will not take up arms against the United States, nor serve in any military police, or constabulary force in any Fort, Garrison, or field work held by the Confederate States of America, against the United States of America, nor as guard of prisons, depots or stores, nor discharge any duties usually performed by Officers or Soldiers, against the United States of America, until duly exchanged by the proper authorities. [Signed] Napoleon Melancon Sworn to and subscribed before me at Vicksburg, Miss, this 8th day of July 1863. [Signed] Sam Roper, 56th Reg't Ills Inft Vols Captain and Paroling Officer ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eighth Document: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Affidavit State of Louisiana, Parish of Lafayette Justice of the Peace Court 4th Ward. Before me, J.O. Savy, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said Parish, personally appeared Dr. R.O. Young, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and says, that on or about the eleventh day of August, A.D., 1899 he has examined Napoleon Melancon, applicant for pension under act no 125 of 1898 and finds him crippled to such an extent hat he deems him incapacitated to perform manual labor sufficient to supplement self and family. And further the deponent sayeth not. [signed] R.O. Young Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of Aug., A.D., 1899 [Signed] J.O. Savy Justice of the Peace 4th Ward ------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of File ------------------------------------------------------------------------ USGenWeb Archives Project Notice: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.