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.*********************************************** 3-296 Jun 26,1902 (old no.3-450) S.E.D No.617622 Claimant:Mary Branch Soldier:Theophilus Branch P.O.Address Garrs Mills County Winn State:La Recommendation:Consideration of Chief of Board of review S.S.Galiher Speical Examiner Reference Jun ?,1902 Respectfully referred to Chief of Board of Review for consideration A.L.Graig Chief S.E.Division. J.H.S Chief S.E.Division. W.Reviewer Widows 617622 Mary Branch Widow of Theophilus Branch Private Company C.1 La Vol Cav Scouts Alexandria La.June 23,1902 Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Sir I have the honor to return the papers in the above cited claim and to submit my report therein.This claim was referred for special examination to determine wehether the soldier had a voluntary conf- ederate service,whether she has been and is dependent whether the meaning of the act of June 27,1890,whether any previous marriage of either soldier or claimant,and whether claimant has remarried or violated the act of August 7,1882 and came to me for initial examinetion The testimony taken shows that this soldier did not have a confederate service beyond being caught up and carried away by a squad of burleson confederate cavalry.According to the best information he was not absent more than three weeks.The son William Branch who has testified is most emphatie in his statement that his father was forced to go with this cavalry and that he did not remain away more than three weeks.All information to be obtained points to this one time that the soldier was with the confederates as the only one.As to whose men captured Branch there is a diversity of statement,some state that Captain Smiths men captured him and carried him away.It is further stated that Captain Smith according to his methods of catching men was called Dog Smith for the reason that he used bloodhounds to trace those in hiding. In order that he may know how long Branch was with the confederates search should be made to as certain whether he was enrolled in Captain Smiths company or in Burlesons cavalry, Texas.If the records of these organizations do not show any service of Theophilus Branch I am certian that he has a clear record.In regard to claimants depondant the soldier left at his death 120 acres of very poor land which afterwords sold for taxes,and finally sold for $100.The locality in which this land is located is noted for its poor land,and in addition to being originally poor this land has long since been worn out.As shown by the testimony the claimant has been dependent within the meaning of the act of June 27, 1890,since July 15,1895 the date of filing her claim for pension. The testimony to be found herewith shows that neither the claimant nor the soldier had been previously married,that she was not divorced from the soldier and that she has not remarried,nor assumed marriage relations since the death of the soldier.The claimant and her witness are good people no mixture in their neighborhood.They are not wealthy and are not the poorier but they are a hard working and providing people.From the information gained many of these people,if not a large majority of these were opposed to the war,and did not wish to take sides.One thing that makes this easer to belive is that the negro was not a factor in this neighborhood.I herewith submit this report for the consideration of the Chief of the Board of Review. Very Rrespectfully S.S.Galiher Special Examiner INDEX TO SPECIAL EXAMINERS REPORT Claim of Mary Branch NO 617622 Pages Names of Witnesses Etc. Depositions Reputations 1 to---- index------------------------------------------------------ 2--------Notice to claimant----------------------------------------- 3 to 5---Summary---------------------------------------------------- 6 to 8---Claimants statement-------- A-------------- Good 9------- John W.Shumake------------- B-------------- " " 10 to 11 W. Branch-------------------C-------------- " " 12-------Columbus J. Hammons---------D-------------- " " 13 to 14-P.E.Grisham-----------------E-------------- " " 15 "16---W.F.Hammons-----------------F-------------- " " 17 "18---Viena M.Dyess---------------G-------------- " " 19 "20---Nancy E.Bernett-------------H-------------- " " 21-------J.C.Adams-------------------I-------------- " " 22 "23---John F.Smith----------------J-------------- " " 24-------James M.Thornton------------K-------------- " " 25 "26---Mary Branch Final Statement-L-------------- " " State of Louisiana.Parish of Caldwell I Wade H.Hallaw ordained Minister of the Gospel,within said parish and state,do hereby certifythat I have in presance of a license issued by the clerk of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for said parish and state celebrated and Saleminized a marriage between Mr.Theophilus Branch and Miss Mary Dyess agreeably to the laws and customs of the state of Louisiana.In full faith whereof these parties have hereunto signed their names in presence of the undersigned witnesses and me said minister of the Gospel,This the 18th day of April AD 1850. Witness Theophilus Branch Cly.Tyroon Mary Dyess WM.Fatheree W.H.Hallaw John D.F.Gerald Minister of the Gospel (Signed in Duplicate) I certify the above and foregoing to be a correct record R.Duckworth Jr. Clerk 11th Dist.Court I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the marriage Certificate and certification happeaning there after.AS recorded in Marriage Record No 1 on page No 133 of the records of Caldwell parish La.Witness my hand and seal officially this the 8th day of April AD 1897. M. L. Mecan Clerk 4th Dist. Court Parish of Caldwell, La (Stamped: Pension Jun 24 1898 Office)