Civil War Pension: Samuel W. JOHNSON; Putnam County, TN Contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Mitzi P. Freeman http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************* SOLDIER'S APPLICATION FOR PENSION S. W. Johnson Filed May 18, 1904 No. 6375 I, S. W. Johnson, a native of the state of Tennessee and now a citizen of Tennessee, resident at Jernigan, in the county of Putnam in the State of Tennessee, and who was a soldier from the State of Tennessee, in the war between the United States and the Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under the Act of General Assembly of Tennessee, entitled "An Act for the benefit of the indigent and disabled soldiers of the late war between the States, and to fix the fees of attorneys or agents for procuring such pensions, and fixing a penalty for the violation of the same." And I do solemnly swear that, while in the discharge of my duty in the service of Confederate or United States as a member of "the 25th Regiment Company K." I was wounded in the battle or battles of "never wounded" or contracted the following disease of disability, to wit: "braking down constitution and Rheumatism." and that by reason of such wound and disability I am now entitled to receive the benefits of this Act. I further swear that I do not hold any National, State or County Office, nor do I receive aid or pension from any other State, or from the United States, and that I am not an inmate of any soldier's home, and that I am unable to earn a reasonable support for myself and family. I do further solemnly swear that the answers given to the following questions are true: In what County, State and year were you born? Answer: was born in year 1830 May the 7th in Putnam county formerly White county Tennessee When did you enlist and in what command? Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you were serving at date of wound or disability: Answer: enlisted May --- 1861 Capt Abraham Fords, Company Colonel S. S. Stanton's Regiment What was the precise nature of your wound or wounds? Answer: had no disability where I was cut off from my command What limb, if any, did you lose by reason of said wound or wounds, and, if no limb, state fully the disability caused by said wound or wounds, and is said disability permanent? Answer: disability permanent Were you incapacitated for service by reason of said wound, wounds, or service? Answer: No, I was sent back as a Registry Officer was cut off from my command Were you discharged from the army by reason of said wound, wounds, or service? Answer: ??? no discharge If discharged from the army, where were you and what did you do until the close of the war? Answer: I was cut off from my command & stade at home until the close of war What was the surgeon who attended you? Answer: I had no surgeon How did you get out of the army, when and where? Answer: I was cut off from my command and stade at home Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government? Answer: I did If so, when and under what circumstances? Answer: had to take the oath or go to prison Are you married, or have been married? Answer: Am married If so, what is the size of your family? Answer: self and wife What are the respective ages of your wife and children? Answer: wife is 64 years no children with us all married To what sex do you children belong? Answer: 3 girls 3 boys all married Are not some of your children able to support you? Answer: they are not In what business are you now engaged, if any, and what do you earn? Answer: I am gardening a little What estate have you in your own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer: have 80 acres of land valued $150 one cow and calf What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer: She has no estate How have you derived support for yourself and family for the last five years? Answer: what little rent com I get from my little farm & what little work I can do Do you use intoxicants to any extent? Answer: none How long have you been an actual resident of the State of Tennessee? Answer: All my life Have you an attorney to look after this application? Answer: no attorney If so, give his name and address? Answer: no atty Witness my hand, this 18th day of May 1904 S. W. Johnson D. C. Gossage Current Clerk for Putnam County, Tenn Witnesses T. H. Cooper, Physician Alex Welch, Witness J. S. Chance, Witness ********************************************** braking down constitution and Rheutmatism he is not able to earn a living by manuel labor and that he is entitled to the benefits of a pension. *********************************************** Alex Welch stated that he served in the Confederate army with the above named applicant even 1 year he returned have as a Recruiting officer & never returned. I understand he was cut off from our command, he served a good and faithful soldier I John A. Phrasier stated he served in the Confederate army with the above applicant about 2 years. I was wounded and discharged said applicant no more until the close of the war Witness my hand and seal of office, this 20th day of May 1904 D. C. Gossage, Clerk ************************************************** State of Tennessee Putnam County} I, G. W. Henry, of Putnam County, Tennessee, do hereby certify that I have had a life long acquaintance with S. W. Johnson, of this county, who now has pending before the State Pension Board an application for State pension, In the beginning of the war, we both volunteered at the same time, being in Capt. Abraham Ford's, Company K, 25th Tenn, Rgt. We were sworn into service at Tullahoma on July 15, 1861 and we served together throughout the war, until near the close, when Johnson was sent back to Putnam County on the mission explained in the statement submitted by him to your board, that of collecting and bringing back a company of recruits and deserters, he was commissioned and appointed to do thru Col. Hughes. He was a brave and true soldier and was a Lieutenant in my company, he resigned his office and came back to this county under appointment of Col. Hughes and while I was away in the army my information has always been that after getting ready with his men to return to the army he was cut off by Stokes men, who infested this section at that time. and was forced to dodge and hide about during the brief remainder of the war in order to save his life, and was unable to return to the army. After the first twelve months of the war he commanded our company and at the battle of Murfreesboro he signally distinguished himself at the battle by refusing to lie down when the company was ordered to do so but stood up boldly and ordering the charge. He was a fearless and dauntless soldier and was no deserter. He is now very old, poor and deserving of help, he is an honest, intelligent, law abiding citizen. I am myself a state pensioner and have carried a perished and maimed arm since the battle of Chickamauga where I was badly shot, rendering me cripple for life. I make this state without the knowledge of S. W. Johnson but hearing of his efforts to secure help I deem it my duty as well as a pleasure to certify to the bravery and good war record of this valiant old soldier. This Nov. 20, 1906 G. W. Henry Subscribed and sworn to before me this Nov. 20, 1906 E. H. Boyd, Notary Public, Putnam County, Tennessee ********************************************** State of Tennessee Putnam County } I, S. H. Carr, Register of Putnam County, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with S. W. Johnson, of this county, who now has pending before the State Board of Pension Examiners an application for a State Pension. He bears the reputation of a law abiding citizen and having made a brave Confederate soldier. This Nov. 20, 1906 S. H. Carr Subscribed and sworn to before me this Nov. 21, 1906 E. H. Boyd, Notary Public for Putnam County, Tenn ************************************************* Cookeville, Tennessee Nov 24, 1906 Nashville, Tenn Dear Sir:- I desire to write you concerning the pending application of S. W. Johnson, of this county, for a State pension. The record and proof in his case is before you and it is unnecessary for me to refer to it at length. I simply desire to say that this poor old man is now about 77 years old, if anything is ever to be done for him it must be done soon as in the very nature of things he will soon pass away. His brave record - as a soldier is before you and aside from the performance of a perfunctory duty you will be performing an act of humanity to give this old soldier claims a prompt and careful consideration. This old man is not able to appear before your Board in person and present his claim. He has no influential friends to urge his claim but in the dark and bloody days of that fearful struggle on many battle fields he served his country as bravely as Caesar and his ????. Old, poverty stricken and entirely worthy the pittance of a pension will be to him a God send during his few remaining years. With kindest regards, I am Your Friends John H. Verble Trustee of Putnam County P. S: This letter is written without the Knowledge or solicitation of the applicant. J. H. V. *************************************************** Cookeville, Tennessee Feb. 12, 1907 Capt. Frank A. Moses Nashville, Tennessee Dear Capt. Moses:- There are a number of deserving applications pending before your board from this county and without detracting from the meritorious claims of the other I desire to briefly call your attention to the exceptional worthiness and justness of three of them. I refer to the applications of Mrs. Mary Wooten, Homer A. Powers (8599) and S. W. Johnson (6373). Mrs. Wooten is the widow of Benjamin H. Wooten, her husband was a brave and worthy soldier, he fought through the war from the beginning to the end, he was desperately wounded and was badly crippled to the day of his death, his parole is filed with his widow's application. He was a poor, hardworking old man of splendid character. He left his widow without a dollar, She now lives with her son-in- law, a very poor renter with six or seven children. The old woman is in as poverty stricken and destitute condition as one can well imagine. From what I know of this old woman and her husband I don't believe a more deserving claim than hers could be filed. The proof in her case is full and complete in every particular. Homer A. Powers is old, poor and in every way worthy, the proof in his case is full and complete. S. W. Johnson's application has been pending for some time, he is, I believe, seventy-seven years old, yet he is compelled to do day's work as a hireling in order to make support. His reputation is that he made a splendid soldier and his character as a citizen, is, like the other two applicants referred to the very best. Johnson commanded his company for some time and his comrades all say that he was an unusually brave and true soldier. The "hitch" in his application has I trust been satisfactorily removed by the supplemental proof. These three applicants are all very old, they cannot possibly live much longer, they are poverty-stricken and in every way worthy. If they are ever to receive a pension it will have to be granted at once as they can't possibly survive much longer. All who know them feel an interest in their application and would be glad indeed for them to be allowed pension. With kindest personal regards, I am your friend sincerely E. H. Boyd ************************************************ Cookeville, Tenn. State of Tennessee Putnam County } We, H. D. Whitson, Co. Judge, and Algood Moore, Tax assessor, do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with S. W. Johnson and that he bears the reputation of a good citizen and a brave rebel soldier. This Nov. 3, 1906. H. D. Whitson, Judge Algood Moore, Assessor Subscribed and sworn to before me, this Nov. 3, 1906. E. H. Boyd Notary Public ****************************************************** Cookeville, Tenn. Nov. 8, 1908 Pension Board at Nashville Gentlemen and Comrades Please carefully go over the papers in my case again I can't se what could be certainly deserve a pension. Please let me hear from you. I got out of the army as lawfully and as honorably as any soldier in the Confederacy and this is all in the proof and I I (sic) can't see why it ain't satisfactory. Your comrade, S. W. Johnson ****************************************************** Additional affidavit in behalf of S. W. Johnson of Putnam County applicant (No. 6375) for a State Pension State of Tennessee Putnam County } Personally apper Before me A. P. Robinson notary public in and for said county G. W. Henry makes oath in due form of Law and states I am well acquainted with S. W. Johnson in army he was ligely discharged at Loudon, East Tennessee in 63. I and S. W. Johnson went in to the army together and remained together until He was discharged. I know that he made a good soldier in army I think. He is entitle to pension and is a Good sitisen and Has ben ever since the army close. He was nock down with ???? burn shell after He got up He look lik he was hurt vary bad I thoug that He was dead this was dun at Murphburo Tenn Oct 30, 1908 G. W. Henry Sworn to an subscribe before A. P. Roberson Notary Public **************************************************** R. F. D. 6 Cookeville, Tenn Nov. 3, 1906 To the Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners Nashville, Tenn Gentlemen:- My name is Samuel W. Johnson, I will be seventy-seven years old on May 7th next. I was born and reared and have always lived in what is now then, Putnam County, Tenn., except during the Civil War, where I was in the rebel army. I now have pending before your Board an application for a state pension and I desire to submit for your consideration and assistance this sworn statement and affidavit of my life, and service in the rebel army. I have been a voter for fifty-six years and during that ??? time I have never voted for but one republican and that was for School director. I have always been a Jeffersonian Democrat and always worked actively for my party. My War Record In June 1861, on the Calf Killer river, in Putnam County, near Johnson's Mill, I enlisted in Capt. Abraham Ford's Company K -- Col. Stanton's, 25th Tenn. Regiment. We were mustered into service at Tullahoma, Tenn., in a short time thereafter. My entire service throughout the was was in the 25th Tenn., Regt. (Infantry). I was in the battles of Fishing Creek, Corinth, Tupelo, Stevenson, (Ala), Perryville, Murfreesboro and many other engagements. In the beginning of the war I was elected Corporal of my company and was soon thereafter elected 2nd Lieutenant. It the battle of Murfreesboro I commanded by company (Co. K - 25th Tenn Rgt) throughout the battle and I also commanded it in many other battles and engagements. Throughout the war I was often detailed to secure rations for my company, to guard prisoners and do other special work. I was in continuous and uninterrupted service from my enlistment until the battle of Chickamauga, just before the battle of Chickamauga our company had run down so from deaths, desertions and cut off soldiers that my colonel - Col. Hughes appointed myself, John Spencer. H. T. Craton, Mark Sherrill and John Tabors to come back to Putnam County after deserters, new recruits and cut off soldiers -- Col Hughes appointed me in charge of there men and gave me a written commission to bring back the men for whom I was to go and to organize and command the company. We got a number of men together some of whom were new recruits, some cut off soldiers and some deserters, and I endeavored in every possible way to get back with them to my command but we were cut off by Stoke's men who were trying to kill me and from them until the close of the war a few months later. I was in almost constant hiding from Stokes men who were trying to kill me. Although I did all that I could possibly do to get back with my men to my command I could not do so as this section was over run with Stoke's men. I have heretofore submitted full proof of my record during the war, my standing as a man, my impoverished financial condition, etc. and conscience of the fact that I made a good soldier and that I deserve and need a pension. I ask that I be given one. I am now in my seventy-seventh year, am very feeble and in needy circumstances. There is not an old soldier of my company now living but what will give me an good a record as any soldier. This Nov. 6, 1906. S. W. Johnson Subscribed and sworn before me. This Nov. 3, 1906. R. E. L. Proffith Deputy Court Clerk ************************************************************** 6375 Cookeville, Tenn Oct. 17, 08 R. F. D. 6 Dear Sir:- Will you please let me know the trouble in my case why I can't get a pension. I am now old and needy and I feel that I ought to have a pension. My proof has been filed a good while. Please notify me, Your Friend, S. W. Johnson R. F. D. 6 Cookeville, Tenn. ************************************************************ SOLDIER'S APPLICATION FOR PENSION S. W. Johnson Filed Sept 30, 1911 No. 6375 I, S. W. Johnson, a native of the state of Tennessee and now a citizen of Tennessee, resident at Cookeville R 6, in the county of Putnam in the State of Tennessee, and who was a soldier from the State of Tennessee, in the war between the United States and the Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under the Act of General Assembly of Tennessee, entitled "An Act for the benefit of the indigent and disabled soldiers of the late war between the States, and to fix the fees of attorneys or agents for procuring such pensions, and fixing a penalty for the violation of the same." And I do solemnly swear that, while in the discharge of my duty in the service of Confederate or United States as a member of "25 Tennessee Company K." in the service of the Confederate or United States, and that by reason of such wound and disability I am now entitled to receive the benefits of this Act. I further swear that I do not hold any National, State or County Office, nor do I receive aid or pension from any other State, or from the United States, and that I am not an inmate of any soldier's home, and that I am unable to earn a reasonable support for myself and family. I do further solemnly swear that the answers given to the following questions are true: In what County, State and year were you born? Answer: I was bornd in White county State of Tennessee. I was bornd May 7, 1830. When did you enlist and in what command? Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you were serving at date of wound or disability: Answer: Cornerl S S Stanton Regimentt. I inlisted in 1861 A. Ford, Captin, So 1 Lieutenant S. J. Johnson Second Lieutenant S. Horn third R. Robeson In what battle or battles were you engaged, and, if not wounded, state under what disabilities did you receive, if any? Answer: I was nock down by Bum shell in the Murfreesburo Batle I was struck on the sholders it fected my eyes when it struct me I haver seen good since What was the precise nature of your wound or disability, if any? Answer: I had to leave the army on the account of the hirt by Bunch shell and rilaps of measle Were you incapacitated for service by reason of said wound or disability? Answer: I was not able for service Were you discharged from the army by reason of said wound or disability? Answer: I was discharged on account wand and disability If discharged from the army, where were you and what did you do until the close of the war? Answer: I was discharg at louden east tennessee. I did not ???? much What was the surgeon who attended you? Answer: Doctor John Painter wated on me when I got home How did you get out of the army, when and where? Answer: at Louden east tenn Were you ever in prison? If so, state what prison and when released. Answer: I never was in prison Were you paroled? If so, when and where? Answer: no sir Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government? Answer: yes sir I tuck the oath to keep from loos my life If so, when and under what circumstances? Answer: I had to take oath to keep my life Have you applied for pension before this. If so, about when? Answer: yes sir I have a bout 3 years ago Are you married, or have been married? Answer: I have been married but my wife is dead If so, what is the size of your family? living together? Answer: I have no family What are the respective ages of your wife and children? Answer: To what sex do you children belong? Answer: In what business are you now engaged, if any, and what do you earn? Answer: I have no children living with me What estate have you in your own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer: I hav a pice of land value $150.00 I am in no business cant ern eney thing What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer: She has no estate How have you derived support for yourself and family for the last five years? Answer: no sir Do you use intoxicants to any extent? Answer: no sir How long have you been an actual resident of the State of Tennessee? Answer: since I was bornd Have you an attorney to look after this application? Answer: no sir only ???? If so, give his name and address? Answer: Witness my hand, this 22 day of Aug 1911 S. W. Johnson G. S. Trapp, Physician Postoffice Address Sparta RFD #8 G. W. Henry, Witness Postoffice Address Cookeville RFD #6 Alex Welch, Witness Postoffice Address Monterey RFD #1 *********************************************** State Of Tennessee Putnam County } I, O. N. Draper, Trustee of said County, certify that S. W. Johnson and his wife "had no wife living" are assessed with 80 acres valued at $250, and with $00 of personal property. Witness my hand this 7 day of Sept, 1911 O. M. Draper, Trustee If applicant and his wife have no property, the Trustee must so certify. State of Tennessee Putnam County } Personally appeared before me A. P. Robeson a notary Public of said County, the above named S. W. Johnson the applicant, with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and fully explained to him, as well as the statements and answers therein made oath that the said statements and answers are true. Witness my hand and seal of office, this 22 day of Aug 1911 A. P. Robinson notary public State of Tennessee Putnam County } Personally appeared before me A. P. Robinson J. T. Trapp, M. D. of said County, the above named S. W. Johnson one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, and who is a physician of good standing, and being duly sworn says that he has carefully and thoroughly examined _______ the applicant, and find him laboring under the following disabilities nefaris and lumbago also totle blind in the rite eye and alde nerly blind in the other eye also beliving it bing in the army and the fict of the eyes beney affected in the Battle of Murfresburg and while in the line of duty a considand a company and his disability ????? Witness my hand and seal of office, this 15 day of Sept 1911 Sworn to and such before me J. S. Trapp M. D. State of Tennessee Putnam County } Personally appeared before me A. P. Robeson, a notary public of the said County, the above named G. W. Henry and Alex Welch, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, with whom I am personally acquainted, and known to me 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 applicant's habits are good and free from dishonor, And S. W. Johnson further make oath to the following facts touching the applicant's service in the ???? army: I alex welch stats that I was in the army with S. W. Johnson in the same ridegement in the same company and enlisted at the same time in year 1861 and I firth state that S. W. Johnson was second lieutenant in army and was a good soldier and officer I G. W. Henry saw S. W. Johnson fall from a strack of bumshell in the Murfreesboro Batle while commanding his company G. W. Henry S. W. Johnson was second lieutenant in the 25 tenn Regiment Co K Alex Welch Witness my hand and seal of office, this 22 day of Aug, 1911 Sworn to and such before me A. P. Robinson, notary public ************************ Cookeville, Tenn., R. F. D. 6 Feb 8, 1907 Capt. Frank A. Moses, Special Examiner, State Pension Board Nashville, Tenn. Dear Sir:- On Dec. 3, 1906, you addressed the enclosed inquiry to E. H. Boyd, and the same would have been attended to promptly had I been able to have come to Cookeville but as I will be seventy-seven years old on the 7th day of next May I have, on account of my age and feeble health been unable to come to town earlier to attend to the matter as I live eight miles from Cookeville. I went to Sparta in company with several others and took the oath two or three months before the surrender. The facts and circumstances under which I took the oath are fully proven and established and on file with the paper in my care. I claim for myself as honorable war record as any soldier ever had. I enlisted in Capt. Abraham Ford's Company K. Col. Stanton's 25th Tenn. Rgt. in Putnam County, on the Calf Killer river in June 1861. We were mustered into service at Tullahoma, Tenn., a short time there after. My entire service throughout the war was in the 25th Tenn. Rgt. Infantry. I was in the battles of Fishing Creek, Corinth, Tupelo, Stevenson, Ala., Perryville, Murfreesboro and many other engagements. In the beginning of the war I was elected 2nd Lieutenant. I commanded my company for two years, among he many battles and engagements in which I commanded my Company was the bloody battle of Murfreesboro. I was in continuous and interrupted since until just before the battle of Chickamauga when my Colonel, Col. Hughes appointed myself, John Spencer, H. T. Watson, Mark Sherrill and John Tabors to come back to Putnam County after deserters and recruits. I appointed in charge of these men, and with a written commission from Col. Hughes to bring back the deserters and new recruits and to organize and command the company so collected. I got a number of men together, some of whom were new recruits, some cut off soldiers, and some deserters and endeavored in every possible way to get back to my command but was prevented by Stokes men who thoroughly infested this country. I finally had to disband my men and until the close of the war a few months later I was in hiding from Stokes men who were all the time endeavoring to kill me. I tried in every possible way to get back to my command with my men but this country was literally full of guerrillas, with headquarters all armed and and I could not possible do so. It finally looked like that my efforts to save my own life would be in vain, as attempts to assassinate me were continued ??? and finally two or three months before the surrender, with three or four others of the company I had collected, I slipped into Sparta and took the oath, as it was my only means of saving my life, however form that date to the close of the war I was still hounded by Federal bushwhackers and full as before to hide out and dodge about continually. There is not a soldier living who was in my command but what will give me as good a record as any soldier who ever served in the 25th Regiment. My affidavit has been often sought by my men, but I am sure that not one of them could be in greater need of a pension or more justly entitled to it than myself. Seventy-seven years old, feeble, and destitute, I feel that I should have a pension. I have heretofore submitted abundant proof of my record as a soldier, my standing as a citizen, my poverty-stricken condition, my feeble health and my general worthiness. I have no child able to assist me. old and feeble as I am. I am compelled to work by day in order to live. I own a little racky poor place of a few acres, with a little one room log cabin on it but I am compelled to work by the day as best I can as a hireling in order to live. My reputation as a confederate soldier is known to all in this section. I have never been accused of doing a single cowardly or dishonorable act during the war. My character as a man has never been questioned. The men whom I commanded during the war were devoted to me and every one of them that are living will gladly attest to my good record as a soldier. I was no deserter and no man has less use for a deserter than I have. Feeling that I deserve a pension I hereby pray that my application be allowed, I am Very Sincerely, S. W. Johnson Cookeville, Tenn., R. R. State of Tennessee Putnam County } Personally appeared before me , D. C. Gossage, Clerk of the County Court of Putnam County, S. W. Johnson, of said county, known to me to be a man of good character and standing and stated under oath that the statements contained in the foregoing communication, addressed to Capt. F. A. Moses, Special Examiner of the State Pension Board, were true and correct. This Feb. 8, 1907 D. C. Gossage Clerk of the County Court of Putnam County, Tenn. Additional affidavit of S. W. Johnson of Cookeville, Tenn., R. F. D. #6, Putnam County, in support of his application (No. 6375) for a state pension. State of Tennessee Putnam County } I, S. W. Johnson, of Putnam County, Tennessee, do solemnly swear that I am now in my seventy-ninth year, am in feeble health and am indigent and unable to support myself. I own eighty acres of rough poor mountain land, not over one third of which is tenable. This year I have not made over thiry bushels of corn which is all that I have made. I consider my place worth ($150.00) one hundred and fify dollars, I own nothing else in the world except an old mare, eleven years old, worth not exceeding fifty dollars. In addition to the full an volumnious proof concerning my war record heretofore files with the state pension board I further state I was forced on account of wretched health to resign as 2nd Lieutenant of my company at Loudon, Tenn. in August 1863, and return to my home. I had measles which settled in my lungs and almost killed me, I was honorably discharged and came home as I was too feeble and weak since. I was improved in health when Col. John Hughes came through Putnam County on his raid and I joined him and proceeded with him into White County when he detailed me to return to my home to collect a number of deserters and to re-join him with my men near Chattanooga. I returned, go my men ready to proceed and we were preparing to start when [there is no more to this report] **************************************************** Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners Nashville, Tenn. Dec. 3, 1906 S. W. Johnson No. 6375 Hon. E. H. Boyd Cookeville, Tenn. Dear Sir:- In this case the applicant states that he took oath rather than go to prison and fails to state whether this was before or after the surrender of the Confederate armies. Some thing in one of the affidavits filed in the case leads me to believe that possibly it was after the surrender. Please let me know about this as the time of taking the oath has a very great bearing on the question of pension ability. Yours truly Frank A. Moses Special Examiner