STATE OF Tennessee
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the under signed authority in and for the state and county aforesaid Wm B. Bowman whom I certify to be a substantial citizen of my county and entitled to full faith and credit as a witness, who after being by me dully sworn states as follows:
That he was in prison with John S. Nelson at Rock Island state of Illinois, and that they both enlisted out of prison into the federal service. They having been so confined as prisoners of war. It is the best impression of affiant that Nelson enlisted prior to the time he did but does not now remember distinctly. Nelson enlisted in the 2nd US Infantry and affiant in the 3rd Regt. but were associated together to some extent after our enlistment or enrollment. And release from prison, and disconnected from prison, but yet at Rock Island after enlistment or enrollment in to the US service, Nelson became sick, but I do not now remember with what specific disease he was afflicted with. I may have known the disease at that time but do not now remember. Affiant does not now remember where he was sick but his best impression is that it was in the early part of the year 1865. Nelson and affiant were both residents of Washington County, Tenn and were members of Co. G 29th Regt. Tenn. Vols. Confederate service and were intimate with each other and entered prison in the latter part of the years 1863. Affiant does not remember of said Nelson being sick at any time while a prisoner of war, not until after he had been enlisted for some time. Affiant further remembers the fact that all the prisoners who were enlisted out of prison were stripped of their clothing and put through a close medical examination as to their physical ability for admittance in to the service. Affiant further states that he has no interest in said Nelson’s claim for pension.
W. B. Bowman
Sworn to and subscribed before me this April 18th 1887 and
certify that I have no interest in this matter.
Jacob Leab
County Court Clerk
This must be executed before some Officer of Court of Record having custody
of the seal.
STATE OF Tennessee, County of Washington
On this 19 day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven personally appeared before me Jacob Leab Clerk of the County of Court of Record with in and for the County and State aforesaid John S. Nelson aged 45 years, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical John S. Nelson who was enrolled on the 13th day of October 1864 in Company K of the 2nd Regiment of U.S. Inft. commanded by Capt. Cartin Berkley and was Honorably discharged at Ft. Leavenworth on the 7th day of November 1865; That the personal description is as follows: Age 45 years; height 5 feet 5 inches; complexion ruddy, hair light; eyes blue. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in his line of duty at Rock Island in the state of Illinois on or about the ....... day of February 1865 from exposure or contracted scurvy and chronic diarrhea, from which he still suffers and is thereby largely incapacitated for manual labor. That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Rock Island, Ill. in the hospital but dont know the number or name. That he has not been employed in the military or naval service otherwise that as stated above except in Confederate service about 17 months prior to his capture in December 1863 Co. G 29th Tenn Infy. That he has not been in the military of naval service of the United States since the 7 day of November 1865. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the Counties of Washington, Sullivan and Carter in the State of Tennessee, and that his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound physical health, being when enrolled a farmer. That he is now greatly disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States. He hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation E.A. Shipley of Jonesboro, Tenn. his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim; That he has not received nor applied for a pension that his residence is......and that his post office address is Clover Bottom, Sullivan Co. Tenn.
John (his mark) Nelson
J.R. Taylor
J.O. Taylor
This form of fee contract is prescribed by the Commissioner of Pensions and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, July 8, 1884, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 4, 1884.
WHEREAS, I, John S. Nelson late a Pvt in Company “K” of the 2nd regiment of U.S. Inft. Volunteers War of 1861, having made application for Pension under the laws of the Untied States;
NOW, THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH, That for and in consideration of service done and to be done in the premises, I hereby agree to allow my Agents, E. A. Shipley, of Jonesboro, Tenn the fee of Twenty-five dollars, less no fee paid, which shall include all amounts to be paid for any services furtherance of said claim; and said fee shall not be demanded by or payable to my said agents, in whole or in part, except in case of the granting of my pension by the Commissioner of Pensions, and then the same shall be paid to them in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4768 and 4769 of the Revised statutes, U.S.
| J.R. Taylor J.O. Taylor (Two Witnesses’ Signatures:) |
John S. (his mark) Nelson (Signature of claimant) |
STATE of Tennessee, COUNTY of Washington
BE IT KNOWN, That on this, the 19 day of April A.D. 1887, personally appeared John S.
Nelson, the above named, who, after had read over to him in the.........(the
rest was cut off)
STATE OF ARKANSAS
Washington County
In the matter of Invalid Pension Claim of John S. Nelson late Private Co. K of the 2nd Regiment of U.S. Infantry. On this 1st day of July A.D. 1887 personally appeared before me the undersigned authority in and for the state and county aforesaid William J. Nelson aged 45 years, a resident of Aquilla, in the County of Washington and State of Arkansas whose Post Office is Aquilla Arkansas aged 45. Who is well known to be to be reputable and entitled to credit and who being duly sworn declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I am well acquainted with John S. Nelson of Sullivan county State Of Tennessee who was a private in Company K 2nd regiment of United States Infantry and that I served in the same company and was a (unreadable) of his and I further state that in the month of February 1865 while in the line of duty as a soldier he was attacked with bone scurvy in both legs and also diarrhea and was taken to the hospital at Rock Island in the State of Illinois and remained there some three or four weeks. He was not at anytime after his return from hospital to the company able for regular service in consequence of his said disabilities of which he continued to complain the remaining portion of the time in service and did but light duty such as driving a wagon etc. as he was not able to work but little. affiant further states that said claimant was complaining of and suffering from said disabilities at date of discharge. That he resided after discharge with said claimant as a neighbor up to about ten years since and that he continued to suffer and complain of his legs and diarrhea and was greatly disabled thereby from the performance of manual labor during the period mentioned. Affiant further states that he has no personal interest whatever in said pension of John S. Nelson and his P.O. address is Aquilla Arkansas
William J. Nelson
Sworn to and subscribed before me this first day of July 1887 and certify that I have no interest in this matter also that my commission as Notary Public expires May 24th A-.D. 1890
E.B. Wall
Notary Public
STATE OF Tennessee
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the under signed authority in and for the state and county aforesaid. John P. Riggs whom I certify to be a reputable witness who after being by me duly sworn states as follows to wit.
That he was in prison as a Confederate soldier at Rock Island, Illinois together with John S. Nelson and others, and that he enlisted out of prison into the Third Regiment of United States Infantry in October 1864 and that said Nelson also enlisted and went into the 2nd Regiment US Infantry about the same time affiant enlisted and that some time during the early part of 1865 according to affiants best impression Nelson was taken sick and was as affiant was informed by his associates sent to hospital. This occurred while we were all at Rock Island in camps and in the service. Affiant does not remember the nature of the disease with which Nelson was suffering as the time has been so long and having nothing by which to refresh his recollection affiant knew Nelson well while in prison and also knew him prior to the war having lived by him as a neighbor all his life up to the war. Consequently were very intimate personally. Affiant has no recollection of Nelson being sick at any time while in prison. Never heard of him being sick until after he had entered the federal service as a soldier. Affiant knows the fact that all the enlisted men were taken through a very strict medical examination before they were accepted into the service and many of them were rejected. Affiant further states that he has no interest in said Nelson’s claim for pension and that his P.O. address is Caukling Washington County, Tennessee
J.P. Riggs
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 26th day of May 1887 and I certify that the words “that he was” were erased before swearing and made known to affiant and that I have no interest in this matter.
A.R. Piper
Deputy Clerk
Circut Court
August 25, 1887
SIR:
I have the honor to request that you will furnish from the records of the War Department a full Report as to the service, disability, and hospital treatment of John S. Nelson, who, it is claimed, enlisted October 13, 1864, and served as Pvt in Co. “K” “2” Reg’t U.S. Inf. and was discharged at Fort Leavenworth November 2, 1865.
While serving in Co. and Reg’t or above he was disabled by scurvy and Chronic Diarrhea contracted at Rock Island, Ills about February 1865
(It is very evident that claimant served in Co. “K” 2nd U.S. Vols--not 2nd U.S. Inf as alleged) and was treated in hospitals of which the names, location, and dates of treatment are as follows:
Rock Island, Ills. (no date)
Claimant was a member of Co. “G” 29th Tenn. Inf (CSA) and served in said
organization about seventeen months, prior to his capture in December 1863--please examine
Confederate records for treatment in their service.
Very respectfully,
John C. Black
Commissioner
The Adjutant General, U.S. Army.
August 25, 1888
Respectfully requested of the ADJUTANT GENERAL U.S.A., A report for the records of his Office as to the presence or absence, on or about February, 1865, William J. Nelson, Co “K” 2nd U.S. Vols of the station, at that date of the Claim No. 615616. John S. Nelson Co “K” 2nd U.S. Vols
Wm E. McLean
Washington, Sept 27, 1887
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
William J. Nelson, a Private of Company K 2nd Regiment U.S. Volunteers, is reported: present on roll from Oct 13, 64 to April 30th 65. first on file. Regimental return for Jan 65 no on file.
R.C. Drum
Adjutant General
Washington, September 28, 1887
RESPECTFULLY RETURNED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.
John S. Nelson, a Private of Company K, 2nd Regiment U.S. Infantry
Volunteers, was enrolled on the 13th day of Oct. 1864, at Rock Island, Ill. for one year
and is reported; Present on roll from Oct. 13, 64 to April 30th 65 (first on file). May
and June 65 absent on detach services in War Dept. at Fort Guarde, KS> By S. Order No
86 dated Ft. Guarde, KS April 20th/65. July and Aug 65 present, Sept and Oct 65 same
report. Mustered out with Co. Nov 7th 1865 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The records of
this office furnish us evidence of disability while in the
above organization.
Single surgeons will use this blank, changing “we” to read “I”, and “our” to read “my”. They will erase the words, “Pres.,” “Sec’y,” “Treas.,” and “Board” where the words appear, and sign at the foot of the certificate, and also, on the back of the same.
John S. Nelson
Co. K, 2nd Reg’t U.S. Inf
APPLICANT FOR Orig
No. 613.616
DATE OF EXAMINATION:
| October 5, 1887. | ||
| E.E. Hunter, Pres., | } | |
| C.L. N. Dobson, Sec’y, | Board | |
| E. S. Miller, Tres., |
Post Office, Johnson City
County, Washington
State, Tenn
P.S. Write your Post-Office address plainly and in full.
PROVIDED FURTHER, That all examinations shall be thorough and searching, and the certificate contain a full description of the physical condition of the claimant at the time, which shall include all the physical and rational signs and a statement of all the structural changes. [Extract from Section 4, Act of Congress approved July 25, 1882.]
Attention is invited to the outlines of the human skeleton and figure upon the back of this certificate, and they should be used whenever it is possible to indicate precisely the location of a disease or injury, the entrance and exit of a missile, an amputation, etc.
The absence of a member from a session of a board and the reason therefor, if know, and the name of the absentee, must be indorsed upon each certificate.
Insert character and number of claim:
Original. Pension Claim No. 615616
Name and rank of claimant:
John S. Nelson, Rank, Pvt Company K, 2 Reg’t US Inf, Johnson City, Tenn State, (Post
Office address of the Board.)
Claimant’s post office address:
Clover Bottom, Tenn.,
October 3rd, 1887 (Date of examination)
We hereby certify that in compliance with the requirements of the law* we have carefully examined this applicant, who states that he is suffering from the following disability, incurred in the service, viz:
Cause of disability: Scurvy and Chronic Diarrhea
If a pensioner, fill in the amount. If not, erase the whole line: (The line was marked through)
Pulse rate per minute, 78; respiration, 18; temperature, 98 1/2; height, 5 feet 7 inches; weight, 115 pounds; age 48 years.
Here give the claimant’s statement as briefly and as compactly as possible:
He makes the following statement upon which he bases his claim for Original Claimant states he contracted the above disabilities at Rock Island, Ill and was in Hospital at that place. Still has attacks of Diarrhea in the spring and summer season. His mouth gets sore very often and cannot eat in comfort.
Here give a full symptom picture of the cause embracing all the physical and rational signs, but confining it to the present conditions of the claimant. It must be borne in mind the duty of
the Surgeon is to give an opinion as to the proportionate degree of disability, as 1/4, 1/2, total., & c., through the grades without any regards to dollars and cents, and to make such full particular description as will afford to this office the ground for intelligent opinion and action in rating:
Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: As evidence of scurvy we find all the teeth upon the upper jaw gone and the above olar process is occurring (??) much. This makes and there is one cieatriy (?) on the inside of left cheek. We find many teeth on lower jaw gone and the remainder discolored loose and the processes broken down. We find his tongue old and rough. Skin normal. Stomach tenderness and sactrn (?) distended. and slight tenderness over liver. Bowels sactrn (?) distended. Rectum normal-contains one small intesnul pile but not bleeding or infected. He is rather emancipated and defective nutrition due to indigestion. Heart normal also kidneys. We think he is 1/2 disabled for performing manual labor.
Rate for each cause of disability. If prolonged by vicious habits, the word should be erased and the reason for erasure given:
From the existing condition and the history of this claimant, as stated by himself, it
is, in our judgment,......probable that the disability was incurred in the service he
claims, and that it has not been prolonged or aggravated by vicious habits. He is, in our
opinion, entitle to a 1/4 rating for disability caused by Scurvy, 1/4 for that caused
by indigestion, and ........caused by.....
E.E. Hunter, Pres. A.J. M. Dobson, Sec’y. E.S. Miller, Tres.
(Note: There are more physical examinations conducted on John S. Nelson. The above is a complete form. The next examination forms in this file will not have the form intructions. I will type just the information written in.)
Affidavit of John T. Taylor relating to Original Pension Claim of John S. Nelson Co. “K” 2nd Regt US Vols No. 615616. Filed by E.A. Shipley, Jonesboro, Tenn.
STATE OF Tennessee
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned authority in and for the state and county aforesaid; John T. Taylor who I certify to be a highly reputable person and entitled to full credit as a witness who after having by me duly sworn states as follows to wit:
That he has been well and intimately acquainted with John S. Nelson an affiant for original pension No. 615616, late of Co. “K”, 2nd Regt US Vols. ever since his return from the service in Dec. 1865. Affiant was then living in same neighborhood with claimant less than one mile distant from him. Affiant lived in this same neighborhood with claimant for some seven or eight years and saw him almost every day during this period and had every opportunity of knowing claimants physical condition. Affiant knows the fact that claimant was in delicate health when he came home from the service in Dec. 1865 was complaining with diarrhea and scurvy and was unable to do any manual labor at that time. Affiant knows the fact also that said claimant continued to suffer in like manner during the period named. Sometimes some what better then again worse, but not at anytime well. After the lapse of some seven or eight years affiant and claimant removed several distance apart and did not know quite so much of each other, but not so far distant apart as to loose sight of each other quite frequently both of us being (unreadable) made frequent changes and went thrown pretty close together for a while and there again further away and that they now reside about five miles apart. At any rate they have known much of each other since the separation married and have had continued opportunities of knowing the physical condition of said claimant, but not so intimately as at first. Affiant has heard claimant frequently complain of said disabilities and knows that he has be continuously unable to perform manual labor to any measurable extent on account of his said disabilities--being in affiants opinion a hopeless invalid. affiant further states that he is in
no way related to said claimant other then by marriage and that he has no interest whatever in said Nelson’s claim for pension.
John T. Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 15th day of Nov 1887 and I certify that the contents of the forgoing were fully made known to affiant before signing and fully understood by him and that I have no interest in this matter whatever
Jacob Leab
County Court Clerk
STATE OF Tennessee
Sullivan County
In the matter of the original pension claim of John S. Nelson, No. 615616 late of Co. K 2 Regt US Vols. On this 27 day of December 1887 personally came before me the undersigned authority in and for the state and county aforesaid John N. Dolen whom I certify to be a respectable person and entitled to credit as a witness. Who after being duly sworn states as follows to wit:
In regard to John S. Nelson’s health I have know him for the last six or seven years and he has worked for me. He is not a sound man he has scurvy his gums and teeth tell that and he has diarrhea he has worked for me more or less for the last six or seven years and I consider him not able to do one fourth part of a stout man’s labor. He is a poor man and lives by labor when he is able. I am no relation neither have any interest in this claim. My PO address is Butterfly, Sullivan Co. Tennessee
John N. Dolen
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and date above mentioned and I certify that I am not interested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution.
Dutton Hood
Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee, Sullivan County,
I, N. D. Bachman Clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that Dutton Hood whose genuine signature appears to the attached instrument is now, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice ofthe Peace in and for said County, duly elected, commissioned and qualified as such.
WITNESS my hand at office, this 5 day of January 1888
N. D. Bachman Clerk
By L. H. Denny, D.C.
STATE OF Tennessee
Sullivan County
In the matter of the original pension claim of John S. Nelson, No. 515.616 of Co K 2nd Regt U.S. Vols
This day came before me the undersigned authority in and for the state and county aforesaid William Claud and Thomas Parker whom I certify to be reputable persons and entitled to full credit who after being by me duly sworn state in relation to the above mentioned claim as follows:
That they have known said claimant John S. Nelson intimately for the past eight years and have lived in the same neighborhood during this period. Said Nelson having been in the -----of affiant Claud for about five years during this time soon after affiants became acquainted with said Nelson. They observed the fact that he we ----physically and as certified that he was suffering from scurvy and diarrhea and from which disabilities he has continued to suffer during the period they have known him. Sometimes better then again worse. Quite frequently he is entirely incapacitated from the performance of manual labor. That he complains of his legs and is frequently quite lame and his mouth---to be in a bad condition most of the time affiants means of knowledge have been from personal observations having been with said claimant a great deal and know much of him during the period mentioned. Affiants further state that said Nelson is in very poor financial circumstances and has to depend upon his daily labor for the support of himself and family which he is unable to do on account of his said disabilities. Affiants further state that they are in no way related to said claimant and have no interest what ever in his said claim. And that their P.O. address is Kingsport, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.
| Two witnesses Sam N. Cloud Judy Clound |
William (his mark) Claud Thomas (his mark) Parker |
Introduction | Index | Pages 1- 15 | Pages 16 - 30 | Pages 31 - 45 | Pages 46 - 62 |