A Couple of Examples

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Posted by Bryan Howerton on July 21, 2001 at 23:19:12:

In Reply to: Camp Priceville posted by Dorene ford on July 21, 2001 at 20:31:33:

Dorene - here's a typical notice of the death of a soldier, made via a letter written by a comrade to a friend back home, to be passed on to the deceased soldier's father. This is from the 3rd Arkansas Regiment, dated Camp Bartow, Virginia, August 28, 1861 --

"* * * John McClure and Newton Ewing is dead. Newton died a little while ago and the boys are making his coffin. You may tell Dr. Ewing that he is dead and John you need not let on but I do not believe that J. D. Farris will ever get well. He is very bad off. * * *"

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Here's an example of a so-called "death claim" that I referred to earlier. It was incumbent upon the next of kin to initiate the claim. There was nothing automatic about the procedure; the army did not take any action unless a proper claim was received. An attorney was sometimes retained to expedite the claim --

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State of Arkansas, Union County, to wit:

On this 3d day of January A.D. 1863, personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Elijah Cate, who, after being duly sworn according to the law, deposes and says that he is the father of Jefferson Cate, deceased, who was a private of Capt. Tucker's Company, 3d Regt. of Arkansas Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Manning, in the service of the Confederate States in the present war with the United States. That said Jefferson Cate entered the service at Lynchburg, Virginia, and died at Fredericksburg, on or about the 25th day of July, A.D. 1862, leaving no wife nor children. That he makes this deposition for the purpose of obtaining from the Government of the Confederate States whatever may be due the said Jefferson Cate at the time of his death for pay, bounty, or other allowances for his services as a Private aforesaid.

ELIJAH CATE.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on this 3d day of January, A.D. 1863.

JAMES GREENLEE, J. P.

And, on the same day and year aforesaid, appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, as aforesaid, H. B. Cobb, who is well known to me and whom I certify to be a person of veracity and creditibility, who, having been by me duly sworn, says on oath that he is well acquainted with Elijah Cate, the Claimant, and also well knew for twelve years Jefferson Cate, the deceased soldier herein mentioned, and that the statement made under oath by said Elijah Cate, the Claimant, as to his relationship with the deceased soldier, is true and correct in every particular to the best of his knowledge and belief, and that the said H. B. Cobb is wholly disinterested.