Continued....
The Pension File of Ernst C. Reif, US Civil War Veteran, 34th Illinois Reg. Vols.
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Question: What were the requirements for an injured, invalid person who served the nation, to be able to obtain a government pension for support, in the event he could not support himself because of that injury?
Answer: The War of 1861. Act of July 14, 1862
Under the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862, pensions are granted to the following classes of persons.
I. Invalids, disabled since March 4, 1861, in the military or naval service of the United States, in the line of duty.
II. Widows of officers, soldiers, or seamen dying of wounds received or of disease contracted in the military or naval service, as above.
III. Children, under sixteen years of age, of such deceased persons, if there is no widow surviving, or from the time of the widow's remarriage.
IV. Mothers (who have no husband living) of officers, soldiers or seamen, deceased as aforesaid, provided the latter have left neither widow nor children under sixteen years of age; and provided, also, that the mother was dependent, wholly or in part, upon the deceased for support.
V. Sisters, under sixteen years of age, of such deceased persons, dependent on the latter, wholly or in part, for support, provided there are no rightful claimants of either of the [???] last preceding classes. http://www.nytimes.com/1862/08/12/news/army-pensions-instructions-forms-be-observed-applying-for-them-under-act-july-14.
Ernst C. Reif applied for his invalid pension on the 12th day of September 1863 in Ogle County, Illinois. The County Clerk, Albert Woodcock, filed the paperwork, with witnesses, Cyrus Billig and Robert Crunkleton, both residets of the county. Ernst was 24 years old, sworn to testify the true answers to each question. He confirmed that he was a volunteer of the 34th Regmt. of Illinois, and entered service at Mount Morris. His company H was commanded by Capt. Miller, and the 34th Infantry was commanded by Col. Kirk, Bristol(?), etc. He confided that he was discharged while in Louisville, Ky on the 4th of June in 1863. Further, Ernst told his story of being engaged at the Battle of Stone River in Tennessee on the 31st of Dec in 1862. He was shot in the front side of the left thigh, with the ball going through and seriously injured the bone so as to produce lameness, which still existed, and no prospects of improvement. He refers to the Surg. Certificate that shows he was discharged and the certificate of Doctor Colescott of Louisville, the resident surgeon. He returned to Forreston, Illinois, and has been resting himself, not being able to labor on account of his disability.
Prior to his injuries, he was of good health and had good tempermant. Now he is considered three fourths disabled and not earning wages. He wishes to be placed on the Invald Pension Roll. His represented attorney, C C Tucker, of Washington DC, said he will issue his pension certificate. He agreed to have his pension mailed to the Post Office at Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, because his place of abode is in this town, and it is a small place without numbers on the houses. He signed his name as the applicant, (and quite nicely, I might add)
The two witnesses and the Clerk of Ogle County signed the form, and it was notarized.
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On February 8, 1864, Ernst Reif was allowed a pension of $4 per month, commencing June 4, 1863.
A brief was written in the case of Ernest C. Reif, Priv, Co H 34th Ref. Ill Vols.
He reported that his post office address was Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, along with his dates of enlistment and discharge.
The brief asked for proof exhibited for Ernst to claim for an invalid pension. The points written were as follows:
1 Discharge for gun shot wound of left thigh rec'd at Battle of Stone River.
2. Adjutant General reports him wounded at the Battle of Stone River
3. 1st Lt. certified claimant became disabled Dec 31/62, that his Co. was ordered to advance under fire of the Enemy, and in so doing claimant rec'd a gun shot wound in the front side of left thigh, ball going through and injuring the bone so as to produce lameness & unable to walk without crutches.
4. Attndg Surg. certifies June 12/63 to gun shot wound of left thigh, Some contraction & adhesion of parts injured, cannot straighten limb at knee, walks on toes of injured limb, Disability one half and permanent. Exm. not ordered.
Disabled by Contraction of left leg
His Cert. No. 34.340, was paid to him, through the Chicago Illinois pension office from 1863 ending 1867.
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The Report of the Death of a Pensioned Veteran :
A very yellowed form from the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, dated Nov. 29th, 1876
"Sir : Your respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, must, service duty, and discharge of death of Ernest Reif, who was a private in Company H, 34th Regiment of Illinois Vols. reported died October 19th 1867.
If the above name is not found on the rolls of said Company, will you so state, and report as to enrollment, in the case of any man bearing a similar name, whom you have good reason for believing to the soldier inquired for.
Please, also, to furnish any evidence on file that may enable this Office to decide whether the soldier's death resulted from injuries received or disease contracted in the service and line of duty."
Please return this circular with your report. Claim No. 228.542
Very respectfully, signed JA Bentley, commissioner pensions
Adjutant General, U.S.A.
The reply is as follows:
The Adjutant General's Office has an acknowledgement of the receipt for the Pension Application
No. 228.542, (widow and child pension application) dated Dec. 18, 1876, Washington, D.C.
They are repeating what had appeared in the Rolls on file in the Adjutant General Office :
"Ernest C. Reif, was enrolled on the 7 day of Sept, 1861, at Mt. Morris, in Co. H,
34th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war, and mustered into service as
a Priv. on the 7 day of Sept., 1861, at Camp Butler, in Co. H, 34 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers
to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Master Roll of Co. H, of that Regiment, for the period
from muster in to Feb. 28, 1862, he is reported present. So reported until roll for Nov. & Dec 1862,
reports him. Taken prisoner at Murfreesboro. Subsequently reported wounded in Battle of Stone
River Dec 31/62. In hospital at Nashville, until roll for May and June, 1863 reports him Discharged
June 3 1863, for disability. Regt. was in action at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dec 31/62.
Prisoner of war records furnish no information.
Certificate of disability reports him dischd. at Louisville, Ky.
June 4th 1863, which date is accepted as correct."
I am, sir very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
S N Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General
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Additionally, this letter...
On 4 Jan 1877, a form letter sent by the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, requested the full medical history as possible on the soldier, Ernest Reif, Co. H,34th Regt. Ill. Vols.
Enlisted Sept 7 1861
Discharged June 4/63
Allegations of Claimant in regard to Fatal Disease or Injury,
Wounded at battle of Stone River Dec. 31st 1862
Report of the Adjutant General U.S. Army
Enlist.d Sept. 7/61 Pm. Co. H. 34th Ill Vols
Wounded in battle of Stone River Dec 31/62
In hospital at Nashville until June 1863
Roll for June reports him dischgd. June 3 1863
for disability
Cert. of disability reports him dischgd. at Louisville Ky
June 4, 1863
No comments on Death
No comments on Miscellaneous Statements
Please return this circular with your report.
Signed : J A Bentley, commissioner, pensions
The Surgeon General, U. S. Army
Claim No. 228.543
To be continued...Catherine Reif and her daughter, Mary, file for support as a widow and child of the deceased Ernst C. Reif
