ANDERSON COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - Thomas McNamara, Civil War Pension Application --------------¤¤¤¤¤¤-------------- McNAMARA, THOMAS, Co. B, 4th Regt, U. S. Vol. Infantry, Civil War #723670 Transcribed/extracted by Mary Lu Nelson Johnson 29 July 1880: Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior…report of hospital treatment in the Claim No. 666,645 of Thomas McMar [sic], late a Priv Co B, 4 U.S. Vol. Inf. Disability from Erysipelas of back, neck and left shoulder contracted at Fort Sill, Dak. Jan 1st 1865. In Camp at Fort Sill Dak 6 weeks before discharge. The adjutant General’s report shows: Sept 26 absent sick at Sioux City, Iowa Sept 7, 65 – In Hospital July 13 to 21, 65’. Discharged Nov 21, 1865. 5 October 1888, Anderson County, Tennessee, affidavits of Elizabeth Nelson aged 48 a resident of Oliver Springs, Anderson County, Tennessee and C. Columbus Jiles aged 24 years, a resident of Oliver Springs, Anderson County. Both post office addresses Oliver Springs, Tennessee. State they have been acquainted with Thomas McMar [sic] 13 years, heard him complain many times of his left arm being crippled. 9 October 1888, State of Tennessee, County of Roane, affidavits of Robert Campbell aged 53 years and Elisabeth Nelson aged 45 years, both residents of Oliver Springs, County of Anderson, state in the year 1865 they were living at or near Rockwood, Tenn, and about the last of Nov of 1865 Thomas McNamara came to their house, ‘appeared to be very unwell’, left arm in a swing [sic]; that he had been discharged from the hospital at Sioux City, Iowa and was on his way to Knoxville, Tenn. Stated that his left arm was a good deal smaller than his right. McNamara returned from Knoxville in about 4 months and they saw him an average of once every week; left arm useless. “their statement was written down by Nannie Chiles at Oliver Springs in their presence and in presence of Mary Campbell and Wm Chiles”. [Signed] Elisabeth Nelson, Robert Campbell 10 October 1888: Affidavit of “Thomas McMar” [sic] re his Claim for Pension, Co B, 4th U.S. Vol, #666,645. Aged [blank] resident of Olivers in the County of Anderson, State of Tennessee. Born in Ireland in the 1830s. [12 Oct 1899 stated age about 70 years]. Immigrated to the U. S. about 1845. “That on or about the 15th of Oct 1864 he enlisted in Co B 4th Regt U.S. Vol Inft at Norfolk, V.A. to serve three years, and was sent to decota territory, and while in the line of duty at fort Silia contracted a disease something like erysipelas in my left shoulder and arm disabling him to such an extent that he was discharged on or about the 21st of Nov 1865. Affiant further states that after his discharge he went to St Louis Mo and was treated there for said disease by Dr. O Riley getting a little better he went to New Orleans, La there he got worse & was taken to the Sisters of Charity hospitle & was treated by Dr Stone getting some better he went back to St Louis & thare learned that Dr O Riley was dead. From thare he came to Memphis Tenn. Thare I learned Dr Stone was dead remained at Memphis for a time and then came to East Tenn to Olivers where I now reside Affiant States he has not been treated by any Dr since he come to E. Tenn but has used lineaments & home remedies Affiant States that (So far as he knows now he is unable to make any proof of his disability from discharge to the time he come to East Tenn) an account of the Dr now being dead who treated him & he being at so many places before he came to where he now lives. [Signed] Thomas McMar Wits: Joseph Richards, Chas B. Ross 2 Nov 1888: Adjutant General’s Office report states Thomas McNamara, Pvt Co B 4th Regt U.S. Vols, enrolled 15 Oct 1864, Pt Lookout Md for 3 yrs; mustered in at Portsmouth, Va Nov 5/64; Muster Roll Dec 31/64’; present to Aug 31/65; Sept & Oct/65 absent sick at Sioux City, Iowa; Mustered out Pvt at Sioux City, Iowa Nov 21/65; Co’s Morning Reports show July 13/65 in Hosp. 21 Jan 1892: Invalid Pensioner’s Form from Bureau of Pensions, addressed to Thos McNamara. 1. Are you a married man, and if so, what is your wife’s full name, and what was her maiden name? Ans. “yes married wifes full name Margaret McNamara maiden name Margaret Butler” 2. When and where were you married? Ans “maried in 1866 in Morgan County Tenn” 3. What record of marriage exists? Ans. “Got married by Catholic Prist” 4. If you had been previously married, state the name of your former wife and the date of her death or divorce. Ans. “Never was before” 5. If you have any children living state their names and ages. Ans. [blank] July 13, 1895: Bureau of Pensions memo returning pension to Chief of the Record and Pension Division, War Department with the request that he [McNamara] furnish a report showing the soldier’s service while in the Confederate army and whether conscripted. July 17, 1895: “Prisoner of War Records show Thomas McNamara, Co B, 30th Va, Captured at Fisher’s Hill Sept 23, 64, confined at Point Lookout, Md, where he enlisted Oct 15, 64. The name of Thos McNamara has not been found on rolls of Co. B 30th Va Inf. CSA. The latest roll on file is June 30, 1864.” 14 Oct 1895, U. S. Pension Agency, Knoxville, Tenn, Thomas McNamara, Invalid under Act of June 27, 1890, pensioner on rolls last paid at $12 to Aug 4, 1895, dropped. 22 May 1896: Mary E. Connelly aged 38, citizen of Harriman, Roane Co, TN…claimant well known to me, entitled to credit…”I been acquainted with Thomas McNamara ever since I was a small child, knew him well before he enlisted in the U.S. Service…at the time of enlistment he was considered an able bodied man. I saw him soon after he was discharged from the U.S. service say 10 days or two weeks, and I saw that his left arm seemed to be useless.” Wit: Geo W. Morgan, Albert L. Pratt, Harriman, Tenn Mary [her X mark] Connelly 19 July 1897: Oliver Springs, Tenn, Affidavit of Columbus Jiles, states he first saw soldier “upwards of 20 years ago. When the Cincinnati southern RR was being built – first time I saw him after the war.” Complained of left arm hurting him…arm perished away and could not do ½ labor; known ever since and have never been away from him for any lenth of time. “I have worked with him and know his arm is badly diseased.” [Signed] Columbus [his X mark] Jiles 15 Sept 1898, Mary E. Connelly, Harriman, Roane Co, Tenn, “I saw him at my Mothers house the year pease was made…afflicted in his shoulder an arm an head” [Signed] Mary E Connelly 12 October 1899: Oliver Springs, Anderson Co, TN, Affidavit of Thomas McNamara, age about 70 years. Occupation has been a stone mason. Lived Richmond Va, Carey St before enlistment for several years. Lived in Norfolk Va for several years immediately before enlistment. Was a single man and boarded with Tom Ellis, does not know whether living now; does not remember anyone there. “I boarded here and there and worked in different places once at Lynchburg. I have not been in Virginia since this war. I could not say where I were from April 1861. I do not know the Confederate organization I was with and I was not with them long. I tried to get away from them and at Fisher Hill I fell behind and gave myself up to Sheridans Cavalry, and soon after that I enlisted in the Union Army. I don’t whether I was with the 30 Va CSA or any thing of Co B of that regiment. I was in Norfolk when the war broke out, and I could not get away. I laid in Lynchburg jail for 5 days once because I would not join”. Q: Did you not receive a months pay June 23, 1864 at Richmond for pay as a confederate soldier? A: “Never a cent. I was not in Richmond with the rebel soldiers. There are plenty of McNamaras about Richmond. I know Dennis McNamara and Paddy McNamara. I don’t know of any Thomas, but there might be. “Enlisted in Co B 4 US Vols at Norfolk Va. I dont know the date. We went from there to New York City and from there to Fort ‘Sully’, since Sykes City. I was entirely sound until the erysipelas struck me at Fort Sully. It came first in the back of the neck and kept spreading until it got into my shoulder arm and elbow and became a running sore on my neck shoulder arm and elbow and never healed up till it ruined my arm. “Our doctor name was Beard and the Capt Wm C Johnson of Boston Mass took me to the doctor and they said I would have to be discharged on account of it The doctor had looked at the places before and said he could not stop it. The doctor said it was erycipelas The sore kept spreading and eating the arm. I was discharged before the Company was discharged on that account. I was in the Army about 2 year I don’t know the date of discharge. I incurred no other disability than this erysipilas of the neck left shoulder and left arm. I was not in any hospital but was in camp unable for any duty two or three weeks before discharge. “I can not remember the names of the mess mates. I don’t think we bunked together. I was the only man in my tent. “I remember the names of the following comrades who knew I was discharged on account of my sore arm. Capt Wm C Johnson then of Boston Mass. 1st Sgt Wm Bain. Sgt Patrick Dempsey. Corporal – Murry, John I believe. John S. Cooley. I don’t know whether they are living or not or where. I know Wm J Cheatham and David F West. They testified for me in my case. “I have heard you read the names on the list of comrades and know these marked ‘yes’ Wm Bain Wm J Cheatham. Patrick Hearn and Joseph C. Riley all knew why I was discharged and about my disability”. Q: Do you know the name of any man in the Confederate organization you were with who knew you before your enlistment in the Union Army? A: “Yes Patrick Hearn and maybe Patrick Dempsey I am not sure about Dempsey. I knew him before my enlistment in the Union Army. “When I was discharged I went via St. Louis Mo and stayed two weeks at McKnights on the levee I did not work any there except as deck hand one trip to Memphis. I could not do much on account of my arm. I forget the name of the boat. I then went to New Orleans and worked along the shore for one month. “I went into the charity Hospital and sayed awhile on account of my arm and was treated there, Dr Stone there stopped the running of the sore in the Elbow. He told me I would have to give up hard work. My arm was wasted away then nearly as much as it has been ever since. “I then came through Memphis where I stopped 5 days to Rockwood Tenn. “The first work there I did there was on the Coke Ovens at Rockwood where Mr. Evans was Commissioner of Pensions was Manager. I don’t suppose Mr. Evans knows any thing about my crippled arm. “Jim Johnson and John Ervin worked with me. I don’t know of any others who are living. Buck ?Short was another but I don’t know where he lives. That was very soon after the war and before the Cincinnati Southern Railroad was built. “I lived there about 7 years. “It was when the C.S. Railroad was building that I got acquainted and worked with Thomas Gorman and Robert Campbell. I worked at stone and brick work. The hand and arm was bothering me then but was not useless as it has been now for a number of years. I then moved to Old Oakdale (Elverton now) 7 miles from here and helped build Coke oven there. John Shipwash worked with me then. “I lived there about a year and then came here and have lived here ever since. “I was married only once (Family data in brief). I have no children under 16 years of age. Q: Do you wish to be present or represented by an attorney at the future examination of your claim? A: “No” [Signed] Thomas McMaMor 12 October 1899: Oliver Springs, Anderson Co, TN, Affidavit of Robert Campbell, age 59, occupation blacksmith, lived Oliver Springs about 12 years…related to Thomas McNamara. “I married his step daughter about 25 years ago”. States he knew McNamara about 3 years before the marriage; that he worked with McNamara in a rock quarry in Rockwood [TN] during this time. McNamara’s left hand was disabled…”I had to do all the heavy lifting…I don’t know how much his arm was affected only he could not lift…Thomas Gorman worked with us at Rockwood. He is dead now – I was discharged from the army in 1864 at Chattanooga and went to Kentucky and worked on the Louisville and Ohio Railroad …about 3 years then I came to Rockwood and worked on the Emory Gap Tunnel. Do not remember knowing McNamara in 1865, but the first time was when commenced to work on the C.S. Railroad. [Signed] Robert Campbell 12 October 1899: Oliver Springs, Anderson Co, TN, Affidavit of Margaret Campbell, age 40, post office Oliver Springs. “I am the wife of Robert Campbell. I am the step daughter of the claimant. I must be some older than 40 years I don’t know my age at the end of the war I was about 10 years old and I remember the breaking out of the war indistinctly. I was married at the age of 13. I have been married twice. My oldest child, boy, born a year and a half after my first marriage is about 25 yrs old, I don’t know exactly. Soon after my first marriage I first knew the claimant as the husband of my mother. I was living at Dayton Tenn when they married. I came from Dayton to Rockwood to visit them. My oldest boy was in dresses at that time.” Did not know Robert Campbell, present husband at that time. “He had a crippled arm, his hand was ‘turned down like’ and he could not use it well”. Does not recall which arm; said he would “take the boys to do the lifting when he got work at his trade of a stone mason…After my first husband died about 21 years ago, I lived in the family with claimant and my mother. Claimant may have drank some but not a great deal.” Margaret [her X mark] Campbell 24 October 1899, Thomas McNamara of Oliver Springs, county of Anderson, State of Tennessee, states he is claimant, states he has erysipeles in the neck arm & shoulder. “John S Cooley, a corporal would know if living that I was discharged on account of the condition of my arm. I do not know of my brother soldiers having this erysipeles during the service but some citizens of the neighborhood where we were camped had it. I did not know the cause of it…” [Signed] Thomas McMara Undated [after 1894]: J. W. Welborn, Special Examiner, states “Although the record does not show the claimant was discharged upon Surgeons Certificate a search should be made in the Record Division for such certificate, ___ he claims discharged before the Company. I am of the opinion that the claim may be meritorious. The more for the reason that I have heard reliably that the climate in which claimant contracted the disability as he alleges, such disabilities are common to persons not acclimated and some times called “bone Scurvy”. “I recommend further examination as follows: W. J. Cheatham, Pilot Mountain, Surry Co., NC; old address ___ Stokes Co., N.C.) David F. West, Facker Station, Wayne Co., Mo (old address Poplor Blutt Bulter Co, MO) John S. Cooley, Yellow Creek, Dawson Co. GA if living [“Dead” in margin] Patrick Dempsey if living and can be found (important) Wm Bain, 9 Bond Ct, Buffalo, NY Elizabeth Nelson, Savannah, Ind. Ter. asks continuance Very respectfully, J.W. Welborn, Special Examiner” [NOTE #1: Erysipelas, also called Saint Anthony's Fire, was a contagious skin disease due to streptococci. It was characterized by a burning sensation and running, blister-like sores.] ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Lu Nelson Johnson ___________________________________________________________________