WAR DEPARTMENT
The Military Secretary's Office, Washington, NOV. 29, 1904.
Respectfully returned to the President, Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners, Nashville, Tennessee.

The name James M. Forbess appears on a roll of prisoners of war at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana, which roll shows that he had been a Private of Company H., 51st Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A.; that he was captured at Marietta, Georgia, July 5, 1864, and that he was released on oath May 20, 1865.
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Soldier's Application For Pension

I, J.M. FORBESS a native of the State of TENNESSEE and now a citizen of Tennessee, resident at SIMONTON, in the County of TIPTON in said 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 the General Assembly of Tennessee entitled, "An Act for 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 services of the Confederate States as a member of

CAPTIAN SHELTONS CO., 51st TENN. INFANTRY VOLS I was disabled as follows: BY CONSTRACTING HERNIA AND VARICOSE VEINS OF LEGS.

In what County, State and year were you born? TIPTON CO. TENNESSEE 1841.

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 wounds or wounds? IN 1862.

CAPT. E.O. SHELTONS' CO. 51st TENN. INFANTRY. CAPT. E.O. SHELTON. 1st LEUIT. THOS CAMPBELL. 2nd LEUIT. WM. CAMPBELL, COL. BROWDER, COL. CHESTER, FIRST COL. JOHN HALL.

In what battle or battles were you wounded, and, if not in battle, state what circumstances you received the injury or injuries? AS AN INCIDENT OF SERVICE. HARD MARCHING ETC. CONTRACTED VARICOSE VEINS OF LEFT LEG BADLY AND SLIGHTLY IN RIGHT LEG AND HERNIA OF RIGHT SIDE AND MY FEET WERE BOTH FROST BITTEN DURING WINTER OF 1862 & 1863 WHILE ON DUTY IN SOME COLD WEATHER CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY TOE NAILS NEARLY EVERY WINTER UP TO PRESENT TIME.

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? SEE STATEMENT ABOVE. DISABILITY IS PERMANENT.

Were you incapacitated for service by reason of said wound, wounds, or service? NO.

Were you discharged from the army by reason of said wound, wounds, or service? NO.

What was the name of the surgeon who attended you? BLANK

How did you get out of the army? WAS CAPTURED AT BATTLE OF KENISAW MOUNTAINS 1864 AND TAKEN TO PRISON AT CAMP MORTEN IND. AND REMAINED UNTIL DISCHARGED AT END OF WAR.

Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government? YES.

If so, when and under what circumstances? SOON AFTER BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO WAS AT HOME ON FURLOUGH AND CAPTURED INSIDE OF FEDERAL LINES AT MEMPHIS, TENN AND FORCED TO TAKE OATH TO GET OUT WHICH I DID. AND THEN RETURNED TO MY REGIMENT AND CONTINUED IN THE SERVICE.

Are you married or have you been married? YES

If so what is the size of your family living together? SELF AND WIFE AND WIDOWED DAUGHTER AND HER 5 YEAR OLD GIRL CHILD.

What are the respected ages of your wife and the children living with you? WIFE 60 YEARS.

To what sex do your children belong? 2 BOYS AND 3 GIRLS ALL GROWN AND MARRIED.

Are not some of your children able to support you? NO ALL HAVE FAMILIES OF THEIR OWN TO SUPPORT WHICH KEEPS THEM BUSY.

In what business are you now engaged if any, and what do you earn? SMALL SAW MILL EARNINGS VERY LITTLE. TIMBER ABOUT EXHAUSTED AND MILL NEARLY WORN OUT.

What estate have you in your own right, real and personal, and what is its value? MILL ABOVE MENTIONED AND A FEW ACRES ON FARM AND SMALL HOUSE. OLD FURNITURE VALUE IS HARD TO FIX BUT IS VERY SMALL.

What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is its value? NONE

How have you derived support for yourself and family for the last five years? BY WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EARN IN SAID MILL BUSINESS.

Do you use intoxicants to any extent? SCARCELY ANY. TAKE A DRINK AT LONG INTERVALS BUT NOT TO EXCESS OF TO INTOXICATION

How long have you been an actual resident of the State of Tennessee? ALL MY LIFE.

Have you an attorney to look after this application? YES

If so, give his name and address? SR HENSON TIPTON COVINGTON TENN.

Witness my hand, this 14th day of FEBUARY 1903.

Signature: J.M. FORBESS

Witnesses: J.B. WITHERINGTON, Physician. J.M. BLACK, Witness. J.L. TURNAGE, Witness --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letter in File
JAN 8 ---
General Tomphson, i thout i wold rite you in behalf of the old Rebel Solger that is depindant. We have had no increas in our Pension on a Long time and Liven is do high and seams thair is Plentie of monie and the old Bois is goin out so Fast that we mite get a Rais on our Pension I understand govener Roberts is goin to cal a Exter sesion of legislar i thot maby you could have somthing Don Fur us in this sesion Would Be glad to Hear From you, J.M. Forbess
PO Brighton Tenn

i Doant no how to rite too propoly is Why i am adresen you while i am pofily intersted i Doo Hope you can Doo us som good in this mate i remain your Friend J.M. Forbess
Brighton Tenn
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-Letter in File-
J.M. Forbess, No 5010

1st interrogatory

I J.L. Turnage a Citizen of Tipton Co Tenn and a Comrade in Arms of the above applicant for Pension Do Solemnly Swear that the applicant J.M. Forbess was a Soldier in Co 51st Tenn Regt. and that he served continuously in the service from 1862 until the date of his Capture about Sept 1864 and, to the best of my knowledge and belief he was confined in Prison from that date until May 1865.

5th interrogatory
The Soldier was discharged from Prison about May 1865 from where he came home to this Tipton Co where he has resided since

6th interrogatory
The Applicant; both as a Soldier and a Citizen, Maintained a character above reproach.
J.L. Turnage

Subscribed and Sworn to before me this the 13 day of Sept. 1904 H.M. Turnage N.P. My Commission Expires April 1908
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Additional: Soldier's filed in Tipton Co., TN all of the 51st TN Inf. C.S.A

This Applicant: Forbess, J.M. PENSION #: S5010 in
Witness: Black, J.M. PENSION #: S7475
Witness: Turnage, John L. PENSION #: S10985
(not mentioned) his brother: Forbess, Thomas J. PENSION #: S11807