Branch, Theophilus in the Union Army; Winn, Rapides, LA Submitter: Junior Branch Date: 17 Oct 2006 Source: NARA ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Submitters Note: This series of files are all abstracted as is from the pension application of Theophilus Branch and his widow, Mary Dyess Branch. This file may not be uploaded to any other website or used by any person(s) in a mailing list message other than the USGenWeb Archives, Winn Par., LA without the express written permission of the submitter.*********************************************** Deposition Case of Mary Branch, no 617622 On this 18th day of June 1902 at near Gaars Mill County of Winn State of Louisiana Before me S.S.Galihes a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions,personally appeared Claimant,who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension,deposes and says: I am 66 years of age;my post=office address is Gaars Mill,La. I am the widow of Theophilus Branch and he was in the army but the company and regiment I do not remember.My deceased husband drew pension of twelve dollars per month until his death I do not think that he enlisted,but one time as he went away and was gone something over year and came home for good.I was married to Mr Branch about the year 1849,and I wasmarried under the name of Mary Dyess I was married to the soldier by Preacher Holden near Newport,La. I had not been married before I married Theophilus Branch,as I was not fifteen years of age when I was married.My husband had not been married prior to my marriage to him.I had known my husband about two years when I married.I lived with the soldier from the date of our marriage until his death.Theophilus Branch died June 12,1895 in this neighbor hood about two miles from here. I have not remarried nor lived with any man as his wife sence the death of the soldier.The soldier did not leave any child under the age of sixteen years at the time of his death.The soldier left 120 acres of land at the date of his death,this land had no encumberace on it.I do not know at what amount this property was assessed.This land was old and almost worn out.The place was not mortgaged at all,but I gave a note for the amount of our indebteness.I owed at the time of his death about forty dollars.I do not own this land now as it sold for taxes.This place was sold for ten or eleven dollars taxes,I think that this land was sold finally for something over one hundred dollars.I have owned no property sence this land was sold and I live with my children,awhile with this one,and then go to another one.I live from one to the other.My husband THeophilus Branch was not in the Confederate army,but after he had hidden out for about two years a squad of confederates came to the place where we lived and captured him while in the field at work.The squad of cavalry that captured my husband carried him to captian Smith`s company This man was known as dog smith because he hunted these men with dog`s.My husband was not gone but a short time when he returned to me possibly two weeks.My husband told me that he begged these soldiers to give him a furlough to come home attend to his affairs at home and get his clothing.My husband remained at home as long as his furlough lasted and then remained in the woods until he was able to get away to the yankees.A crowd of men,my husband included made their way to alexandria,La and joined Union army there.The time stated about was the only time that my husband was with the confederates.I am postive that my husband did not go voluntarily with the confiderates. My husband had on the confiderate clothing when he returned to me,Iwas mistaken,as I did not under- stand I was thinking of the kaukees,hr wore away when the confiderate cavalry took him.I do not think that my husband had been at home more than about and week when he went away to the union army at Alexandria La. The confiderate`s had been through this neighborhood by the scores before they caught Mr Branch,but he had been in hiding for nearly two years and the rebels thaught that he was gone.He did not let his younger children see him when he would come out of hiding I have heard my statement read and my answers have been correctly recoreded.Witness W Branch Mary Branch her mark X Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18 day of June 1902 and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing S.S.Galihes clothing when he returned home