Civil War Pension Record of James Ditty 2nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Transcribed by Mary K. Hill, Ph.D., 3/29/99 Note: The format of this transcription is as close to the format of the paperwork as possible. The grammar and spelling have been copied directly from the papers. “XXX” indicates illegible handwriting. The only changes were to capitalize any surnames mentioned in the file and exclude the legal oaths recorded at the bottom of each sworn statement. Also, since some of the documents were not dated, I had to estimate where to place them in order them by date. Surnames listed these documents: ARTRIP, BANTRAM, BARRETT, BENNINGTON, BETTS, BLACKSTONE, BOWEN, BRATTEN/BRATTON, CHAPLIN, CLEVELAND, COLDREN, CROSS, DITTY, EARLES, FOX, GOLDEN, GRAHAM, HARRISON, HOOD, HURD, HUSH, KILPATRICK, LANTZ, LEMON, MCDOWELL, POLLEY, SCOTT, SHAW, SMITH, SUMMERS, WALBURN, WELCH, WILSON, WOOD, ZEEKE ACT OF JULY 14, 1862. James DITTY, Reeds Mills, Vinton Co, Ohio. Cripple Creek, May 11, 1863 I, Jesse C. HURD, do hereby certify that I am Lieutenant of Co. F of the Second Regt. Kentucky State Volunteers, and am acquainted with James DITTY, late a member of my Company, and an applicant for an Invalid Pension. The said, James DITTY was mustered into service on or about the 17th day of May 1861 and discharged for disability about the 15th day of October 1862, having become disabled from doing duty as a Soldier from on or about the 18th day of July 1862, while in the service of the United States, and in the line of his duty as a Soldier, in the manner and at the place as follows: While the regiment was being transported from Reynolds Station, Tenn to Nashville on the cars – when near Columbia, Tenn was thrown in from the tracks – James DITTY having his right leg broken. That the said Soldier was in good health at the time, he entered the service, and the disability above referred to affected him while in the service and at his discharge, as follows: right leg was broken. Signed: Jesse C. Hurd WAR OF 1861 ACT JULY 14, 1862 Brief in case of James DITTY, Private of Company F, 2nd Regiment Ky Vols. POST OFFICE ADDRESS OF APPLICANT: Reeds Mills, Vinton Co, Ohio, CLAIM FOR INVALID PENSION Declaration and Identification in due Form PROOF EXHIBITED. Discharged because of a fracture of the tibia and fibula and an injury to the spine. The 1st Lieut of his Company certifies on May 11, 1863, that claimant had his right leg broken Oct 15, 1863. While the Regt was being transported from Reynolds Station, Tenn., to Nashville, on the cars, the cars were thrown off the track. Examining Surgeon Wm. J. MCDOWELL, October 18, 1864, reports him one-fourth disabled because of a fracture of the right leg in two places near the knee and the ankle. No external evidence of injury to the back. Admitted October 29, 1864, to a pension of $2.00 per month, commencing October 17, 1862. J.C. WINN, Examining Clerk NETTLETON, GILBERT & CAMP State of Ohio, County of Vinton. On this 13th day of Feby A.D., one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three personally appeared before me, George LANTZ, C. Clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for the County and State aforesaid, James DITTY aged Forty-two years, a resident of Vinton County in the State of Ohio who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James DITTY who enlisted in the service of the United States at Ironton Ohio on the 8th day of May in the year A.D., 1861 as a Private in Company F commanded by Captain J. C. HURD in the 2nd Regt of Kentucky Volunteers, in the War of 1861, and was honorably discharged on the 17th day of October in the year 1862; that while in the service aforesaid, and in the line of his duty, he received the following injury viz; On the 18th day of July 1862, his regiment was shipped on the cars of the Nashville Memphis RR at Reynolds Station for transportation to Nashville Tennessee, when 12 miles from Columbia, Tenn, the two hindmost cars came uncoupled and ran off the track and turned over breaking his leg below the knee injuring the spine and dislocating the left shoulder rendering him an invalid for life and that since leaving the service of the United States he has resided at Ironton in the County of Lawrence in the State of Ohio and has been engaged in no business and he hereby appoints NETTLETON, GILBERT & CAMP of the City and State of New York, his Attorneys, with the full power of substitution, to prosecute this his claim for an Invalid Pension, under the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862, and to receive such Certificate as may be issued for the same which I hereby request may be made payable in the City of Cincinnati Ohio. Athens, Athens County, Ohio Sir: I report the case of James DITTY, late a private in company F. Lieut. J.C. HURD commanding, 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 17th day of October 1862. I have examined him, at his request, with reference to disability arising from a fracture of his right leg just below the knee and from an injury of his back occurring at the same time. I find the fracture firmly united. And the leg though not having quite its original symmetry, will, I think, in the course of a few months, have its former strength and action. And as to the injury of his back, though attended with some inconvenience at present, proper care and treatment will probably be of short duration. Certificate withheld. Yet as some time must elapse and some expense is incurred before he is fully able to resume manual labor, it may be your desire that such should be placed temporarily upon the pension roll. If so, please remand this case for reconsideration. Respectfully yours, EXAMINING SURGEON’S CERTIFICATE Application 11804 In my opinion, the said James DITTY is one-fourth incapacitated for obtaining his subsistence by manual labor from the cause above stated. Judging from his present condition and from the evidence before me, it is my belief that the said disability was received in the service aforesaid in the line of duty. The disability is perhaps curable. A more particular description of the applicant’s condition is subjoined: The right leg has been fractured in two places, near the knee, and near the ankle. The fractures have been well-adjusted. Little or no inconvenience arising there from. He alleges that his back has not recovered from the injury sufficiently for him to labor. No external evidence of injury. Wm. J. MCDOWELL CLAIM OF SOLDIER FOR INCREASE OF PENSION The State of Ohio, County of Lawrence, on this 3rd day of December, A.D. 1866, personally appeared before me, (1) Clerk Court Common Pleas within and for said county, James DITTY aged 46 years, a resident of Elizabeth Twp in the county of Lawrence, and the State of Ohio, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is a pensioner of the United States duly enrolled at the Cincinnati Ohio pension agency, at the rate of Two dollars per month, by reason of disability incurred in the (2) military service of the United States(3) as a Private in Co. “F” of the 2nd Regiment of Kentucky Infantry Volunteers and that his present physical condition is such that he believes himself entitled to receive an increased pension of the (4)Third grade provided for in the first section of the supplementary pension act, approved June 6, 1866. He further declares that he is disabled in the following manner, to-wit: (5) He is wounded in his right leg and spine of his back, which wounds were caused by the railroad cars running off the RR tracks near Columbia in the State of Tennessee on the 27th day of July A.D. 1862 while he was in the line of his duty as a such soldier and he further says he is disabled by said wounds equivalent to the top of his right foot and he herewith returns his original pension certificate Nr. 34078 and hereby appoints Ralph SHAW of Ironton, Ohio his true and lawful attorney and authorizes him to present and procure this claim and to receive and receipt for any orders or certificates that may be issued in satisfaction thereof.J. W. EARLES Witnesses to verify the identity of James DITTY on 3 December 1866: By W. P. BARTRAM, Clerk, Court Common Pleas, Ironton. State of Ohio On this 5th day of June, A.D. 1872, personally appeared before me C.C. BOWEN, a Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, a duly authorized officer of a court of Record in and for the County and State aforesaid, James DITTY, aged 52 years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is a pensioner of the United States duly enrolled at the Cincinnati, O. pension agency at the rate of $2.00 per month by reason of his disability incurred in the military services of the United States while in co. “F” 2nd, KY Regiment Infy. Volunteers, in the War of 1861, that his present physical condition is such that he believes himself entitled to receive an increased pension: that he herewith returns his present Pension Certificate. He further declares that he was disabled in the following manner, to wit; On or about July ___ 1862, while on the R.R. train en-route from Athens, Ala, to Nashville, Tenn, the cars were thrown off the track, injuring him severely, his spine being broken and his right leg broken in two places, totally unfitting him, for duty, and he is now unable to earn a living without the assistance of his children. That he hereby appoints Joseph P. SHAW of Ironton, Ohio, his attorney, to prosecute his claim. That his residence is at Howard Furnace, Scioto County, State of Ohio, and his Post Office Address is Ironton, Ohio. Also personally appeared G? C. WILSON and J. L. ZEEKE residing at Ironton in the County of Lawrence, state of Ohio, persons whom I certify to be respectable and extolled to credit and who being by me duly sworn, say: they were present and saw James DITTY, the claimant make his mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be: and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. NO. 34078 ACTION Injury: Spine & Rhey EXAMINING SURGEON’S CERTIFICATE IN THE CASE OF AN APPLICANT FOR AN INCREASE IN PENSION STATE: Ohio COUNTY: Lawrence It is hereby certified that James Ditty, formerly a Private of Captain Jacob SMITH’s Company in the 2nd Regiment of Ky. Vol. in the war of 1861-1862, is now paid at Cincinnati Agency at the rate of two dollars per month, on account, as he states, of R.R. injury of right leg and spine while in the line of duty in the military service of the United States, on or about the 12th day of July 1862, at a place called Columbia, in the State or Territory of Tennessee, is still suffering in consequence of said R.R. injury of right leg and spine. The disability originates entirely from the injury or disease on account of which he was originally pensioned, as follows: He was injured by an R.R. injury. The right tibia was fractured just above the ankle and a few inches below the knee joint. There is a dislocation of the upper end of the fibula backward. His knee joint is deformed, and flexion and extension of the leg are impaired. The joint is painful on exercise, and the leg is atrophied. Disability 1/2. D. E. WILSON INCREASE IN INVALID PENSION PENSIONER NAME: James DITTY RANK: Private FORMER ACTION PRESENT ACTION: DISCHARGED: October 17, 1862 CERTIFICATE SURRENDERED? Yes ORIGINAL APP FILE: February 25, 1863 MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS ADMITTED: August 9, 1872, to a pension of $6.00 per month, from July 9, 1872. The State of Ohio, Lawrence County, ss: Thomas A. BRATTEN, J.P. As before stated, I never knew James DITTY until the year 1872, and during that year, I treated him at various times for what I then understood to be trouble growing out of injuries received while in the service of the United States. To wit by being thrown from a train of moving cars while in the Service and fracturing his leg, and injuring his spine. For days, he would be helpless with his back and hips, then again, he would feel better. I saw him the day previous to his death, Dec 11th, 1872. And from the circumstances attending his death, I verily believe it to have been caused remotely by injuries received while in the service. I understand Mr. DITTY to have been a late private of Co. F, 2nd Ky Infy. State of Ohio that she is the widow of James DITTY, who enlisted under the name of James DITTY of Ironton O on the 8th day of May AD 1861 in Co. F of the 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteers in the War of 1861, and who died from the effects of a wound received while in the service of the United States, on the 11th day of December AD 1872 at his residence at Howard Furnace Scioto Co. Ohio. That she was married under the name of Mary ARTRIP to said James DITTY on the 12th day of December 1861 by Thomas BRATTEN, Justice of the Peace at Ironton Lawrence Co. Ohio. There being no legal barrier to such marriage; that the said James DITTY had been previously married and that she had herself been previously married, that she has to the present time remained the widow of the said James DITTY. That The following are the names of his legitimate children yet surviving who were under sixteen years of age at the father’s death, Viz; his by herself, Jeannette DITTY, born on the 12th day of February AD 1866, and his by his former wife, James, born 18th November AD 1860. That there are no others either by herself or his former wife under sixteen years of age. That said, James has never been under her care but was taken at the time of his mother’s death by Jackson RIGGLES and has ever since been in his custody and claimed by him and his wife as their child. That she has not in any manner been engaged in or abetted the rebellion in the United States. That a prior application was filed by her husband on Nov. 1, 1864, and a certificate was granted him, and another application was filed for the increase, and certificate No. 34,078 was granted him on November 22, 1872. That she hereby appoints Joseph P. SHAW of Ironton, Ohio, her XXXX PROOF AS OF DEATH The soldier was pensioned for injury to the right leg and spine. Witness: Drs. HARRISON and CROSS: testify in widows claim that soldier died of acute pleuritis caused by injuries received in the Army. See Invalid Claim Certificate No. 34,078 and Widows Claim original No. 212, 442 accompanying this brief. Rejected on the ground, that fatal disease – acute pleuritis was not the result of the injuries for which the soldier was pensioned, and in no way connected with his military service, as per Medical Reference in Widow’s Brief. Buckhorn Furnace Sir, the said James DITTY died, as I believe, from Acute Pleuritis caused from an Extension of Irritation from wounds contracted while in the service of the United States. P.B. CROSS, M.D. Buckhorn Furnace Personally appeared before me the undersigned authority Clara A. ZEEKE and Sarah A. BENNINGTON of Ironton Lawrence Co. Ohio, who being duly sworn according to law, say that they have been acquainted to with James DITTY and his widow since their marriage. That they are also acquainted with their child and were present at their home at Lawrence Furnace at the time of its birth on the 12th day of February 1866, and that Jeannette DITTY now living with her mother at Howard Furnace is the child referred to that we have an interest in the process of Mary DITTY’s claim for Pension. Attest. Fletcher GOLDEN Clara A. ZEEKE (X “her mark”) Sworn to and subscribed in my presence this 16th day of September 1875, and I certify that the above witnesses are in fact reputable and entitled to credit and that I have no interest in the presentation of this claim. We, the undersigned, having been chosen family Physicians by James DITTY some six years ago and knowing all about his condition, his previous and last illness, now give the following statement of his last illness, which resulted in his death: Mr. DITTY received a severe skin injury while in the service of the United States of America by a train of cars running off of the track, throwing said DITTY in such a position that his hips were caught between the bumpers of the cars, causing severe spinal trouble to ensue. He also had his leg broken in two different places. His leg seemed to get along well, but he was always complaining about his back. Every little cold chanced to take, he was confined to his room for days and sometimes weeks. We believe he suffered continually from spinal irritations and that his last illness and decease were caused by spinal engorgement connected with acute Pleuritis. The predisposing cause of the disease was a wound received while in the service of the United States. Having taken cold, it concentrated its force on the weak part. This is why we know and in what manner his death was connected with injuries received while in the service of the United States. (missing page?) XXXX attorney to prosecute her claim. That his residence is Howard Furnace, Scioto County, Ohio, and his Post Office address is Ironton, Ohio. The word which XXX first XXX interXXX before signing. Mary DITTY (X “her mark”) Also personally appeared that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. Attest State of Ohio that they were present at his home on the 11th day of December 1872 at the time of his death, saw him after he was dead, and attended his funeral, that they have no interest in the claim of his widow, Mary DITTY, for pension. Arthur WELCH REJECTED DECLARATION FOR PENSION OR FOR INCREASE OF PENSION OF CHILDREN UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE. State of Ohio, County of Lawrence That they are the legitimate children of James DITTY deceased, who (1) enlisted under the name of James DITTY at Ironton, Ohio on the ____ day of _____A.D. 186_ in Co. F 2nd Regt of Ky Infy Vols (2) in the war of 1861 who died (3) ____ at Howard Furnace Ohio on the ___ day of Dec AD 1872 and who bore at the time of his death the rank of ___ in (4) ____ that he left a widow surviving (5) but not the mother of Claimant that the mother of Claimant died Oct 28th, 1860 that the above named are the only surviving legitimate children of James DITTY who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death, of whom (6)____ the said children were the issue of a soldier, as follows, the dates of their birth being as hereinafter stated: That the mother was married under the name of Permelia BELCHER to (8) said James DITTY, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that the said children have not aided or abetted the rebellion; and that no prior application has been filed (9) for the Claimant, that the soldier was a pensioner of the United States under Cer2 No. 23,078, that declarant hereby appoints with the full power of substitution and revocation E.J. WALBURN of Ironton Ohio, his attorney to prosecute the above claim; that his post office address is Ironton Lawrence County Ohio Box 217. WAR OF THE REBELLION No Guardian Rejection Aug 9, 1883 DATES SHOWN BY PAPERS. Enlistment, May 8, 1861 Discharge, Oct 17, 1862. Received at Pension Office, July 22, 1885 To Mr. President CLEVELAND, XXX to write you a few lines in regard to the widow DITTY’s pension. I wish if you please to inform me the reason she can’t get her pension it has been in the hand of lawyers for twelve yrs. I see every week that you are paying out hundreds of dollars. She requested of me to try and see what I can do for her. They say that her papers are in the city, and it looks like they could be looked XXX, the old XXX. She is very old and aint got any help and thinks that she will have to go to the Infirmary and I think it would be a disgrace to our Government to let our Soldier’s wives go there as Good a Soldier as James DITTY was. I have wrote to the War Department several times, and all they send me is a blank to fill and I have filled several and sent back, and I would rather receive something more interesting. There is some cause for her not getting her money, and I would like to know what. Now I hope you will have thXXX XXX its regard to the pension. No more at present. Hoping to hear from you soon in regard to this letter. XXXXctively, S.M. HUSH WIDOW’S BRIEF No. 2 Reject. (the previous page missing? ) XXXXX because of an injury to the hip and leg; that his death was caused indirectly by the said injury. Dr. CROSS (in 2nd Afft.) testifies that soldier died, as he believes, from Acute Pleuritis caused by an extension of irritation from wounds contracted while in service. Dr. HARRISON testifies that he attended soldier during his last illness and found him laboring from Acute Pleuritis caused from an extension of irritation from wounds contracted in the service. Matthew SCOTT and Arthur WELSH testify that soldier died Dec 11, 1872. The last affidavit of Drs. CROSS & HARRISON, to which the signatures do not appear to be genuine, they state that they believe soldier suffered continually from spinal irritation. This death was caused by spinal engorgement connected with acute pleuritis. DECLARATION FOR ORIGINAL PENSION OF A WIDOW – CHILD OR CHILDREN UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE SURVIVING. State of Ohio On this 9th day of June AD 188_, personally appeared before me, Judge of the Probate Court, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid Mary DITTY, aged 54 years, a resident of Mount Vernon Furnace, Lawrence Co, Ohio. That she married under the name of Mary KILPATRICK to said James DITTY on the ___ day of February AD 1862 by Thomas BRATTON, Esq. at Ironton, Ohio, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that both she and her husband had been previously married, Samuel KILPATRICK her husband died 12th December 1850. Permelia DITTY, his wife died Nov 30th, 1860, and she has to the present date remained his widow; that the following are the names and dates of birth of all his legitimate children who were under sixteen years of age at the father’s death, to wit: Jeanette DITTY, born ____ 1865. That she has not in any manner been engaged in, aided, or abetted the rebellion in the United States; that prior application was made by soldier, number of claim unknown. She hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, George E. LEMON of Washington, DC, her true and lawful attorney, to prosecute her claim that her Post Office address is Mount Vernon Furnace, Lawrence Co, Ohio, via Ironton. Signed: Mary DITTY (“X” her mark) WAR OF THE REBELLION Mary DITTY, widow of James DITTY, Pvt, Co. F, Regt 2nd Ky Vols. Jeannette DITTY, Born Feby 12, 1866 DATES SHOWN BY PAPERS: Enlistment, May 8, 1861 PHYSICIAN’S AFFIDAVIT That he is a practicing physician, and that he has been acquainted with said soldier for about ____ years, and that: I treated James DITTY in 1871, the exact dates of which I have not at my command. I treated him again in Dec 1872, his final and last illness. As to his physical condition prior to entering the service, I know nothing. But in the service, he was thrown from the cars in a Railroad wreck, the time of which accident I have no recollection. I knew Mrs. DITTY intimately from 1871 to 1873 or thereabouts and met him often. I was his family physician for over one year and never saw him well during this time. The result of the fall in the wreck above spoken of, I have no doubt in my own mind, was the indirect cause of his death. He was not able at any time since I have known him to do good half work’ he complained ever and anon of pain in the back side and breast and I think one of his hips. You will bear in mind that I write this statement mainly from memory it having been so long since his decease that no doubt I have forgotten much. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Cause of Rejection: Soldier’s fatal disease not due to the service. Abstract of Testimony to ReOpen: Medical testimony filed, duplicate of former testimony, and immaterial. Recommended that former adverse action be adhered to. Min. O. 296232 State of Ohio, County of Jackson, ss He has resided, since his discharge from service, in the following places: Lawrence Furnace, Lawrence County Ohio, and Howard Furnace Scioto County Ohio. He has been treated, since his discharge, by the following physicians: DECLARATION FOR PENSION OR FOR INCREASE OF PENSION OF CHILDREN UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE. State of Ohio, County of Jackson, ss That he is the legitimate child of James DITTY, who (1) enlisted under the name of James DITTY at Camp Clay, (Cinci O) on the ___ day of June AD 1861, (2) Co. F 2nd Ky Inf in the war of 1861 who died (3) at Howard Furnace Scioto County Ohio on the 12th day of Dec AD 1872 and who bore at the time of his death the rank of private, in (4) above said, that he left a widow surviving (5) Polly DITTY who died on the 16th day of September 1887. that the above named are the only surviving legitimate children of James DITTY who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death, of whom (6)____ the said children were the issue of soldier, as follows, the dates of their birth being as hereinafter stated: (7) James DITTY, of soldier by Permelia DITTY, born Nov. 18th, 1861. That the mother was married under the name of Permelia DITTY to (8) said James DITTY, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that the said children have not aided or abetted the rebellion; and that ____ prior application has been filed (9) had been filed by the soldier, he died previously for the Claimant, that the soldier was a pensioner of the United States under Cer2 No. 23,078 that declarant hereby appoint with full power of substitution and revocation F.G. COLDREN of Washington, DC, his attorney to prosecute the above claim; that his post office address is Wellston, Jackson County, Ohio. Signed: James DITTY |
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