Joseph Little – Pension Record # 80121 An Example of Data that may be found in a Pension File By Joe Scraper Jr. Joseph is the ancestor of many in Adair County, Oklahoma and various states throughout the country. Including Vanbebers, Scrapers, Kirbys, Meridiths, Clintons, Cagles, Smiths, Bartons, and of course Littles. Joseph M. Little enlisted July 15th 1863 at Nashville, Davidson Co, Tennessee, as a Private in Company A commanded by Capt W. L. Cates, Lt Col. I. M. Thornburg, in the 4th Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry to serve three years. His unit took part in the Rousseau Raid through Alabama then immediately was sent on the McCook Raid around Atlanta. His regiment was the rear guard during the mission. They were cut off from the rest of the compa ny during the retreat, lost their horses, and were eventually captured near Philpot’s Ferry. Prisoner of War records show Joseph M. Little captured at Rome, Georgia on Aug 4 th 1864. He was taken to Andersonville Prisoner of War Camp in Georgia. About the last of Sept 1864 he was removed to Charleston, South Private Joseph Little - Tennessee Cavalry Carolina and about last of Oct 1864 was removed to Florence, South Carolina. While confined his feet and legs froze solid from the knees on down some time in January 1865. Besides trying to survive the inclement weather, the prisoners had to survive rampant disease and near starvation. Joseph was admitted to General Hospital Number 3 Goldsboro, North Carolina on Feb 23rd 1865 suffering from frost bitten feet and general debility. After about three w eeks he was sent to Fortress Monroe State of Virginia and stayed there about five weeks before being admitted to 1 st Division Hospital Annapolis, Maryland on April 22nd 1865 still suffering from same injuries. The surgeons decided that he would never be c ured, the right foot being nearly entirely useless and the left very painful. He was honorably discharged from the service of the United States on June 21 st 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio. He was given a pass to travel by train back to Nashville where he had enlisted. The doctors gave him a ¼ disability rating which entitled him to two dollars a month, patted him on the back, and hollered, “Next!” “He was discharged June 21, 1865, by reason of General Order # 77 A. G. O. dated April 24, 1865. He returned to the company at Nashville, Tenn. (camp in Edgefield) the latter part of June, or early in July 1865, and was then going on crutches on account of frozen feet. I think it was caused by exposure in prison. At the time he was captured he was suffering with piles. He returned home crippled. I knew him for 12 years afterwards and do not think he had recovered from his prison experience in that time. He was a good, faithful soldier, always on hand if able to ride.” Quote from Joseph’s Captain, W. L. Cates. “Said soldier came back to his or our “Co” & Regt and when he came he was using Crutches and had his feet tied up and they had sores on them. He told me his feet had been frost bitten and that was the cause of them being sore of course, this I do no t know of my own knowledge tho I do know that he was in a very bad fix. The last time I saw the soldier Joseph M. Little, he was using his crutches & as I then thought in a very bad fix. Some time in 1864 while we was on the McCook Raid in Alabama and ????? he was captured in Georgia near Atlanta. I cannot give the exact dates. At that time he was a sound and healthy man so far as I could see or know, always ready for duty. I have not seen the soldier since discharged. At that time I was what was called the Second Duty Sergeant of the Company.” Quote from Joseph’s Sergeant, William A. Robertson Claim filed in 1876 at Chattanooga, Tennessee- Joseph states that his feet and legs were solidly frozen from the knees down while in the rebel prison at Florenc e, South Carolina during January 1865. Claim filed on Jan 2nd 1884 for increase in pension due to “loss of health from starvation and hardships – frozen feet, while a prisoner of war. Current pension was $2 per month and Joseph’s address was listed as Flint District, Cherokee Nation. Isham C. Simmons of Chatata, Bradley Co., Tenn- states (1893) that he was on the McCook Raid south of Atlanta, and that he was not captured but knows that Joseph M. Little was captured and taken to Andersonville prison in Geo rgia. Also confirms that Joseph M. Little incurred piles and bowel troubles while in the army and suffered with them prior to the McCook Raid. Besides the enlistment and discharge papers, and the copy of his marriage record, of special interest to genealogists within this pension file was form 3-173. A questionnaire from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, asking the pensioner several family questions. He gives his name as Joseph M. Little, Esq., of Goingsnake District, Indian Territory. State your wife’s full name, her maiden name – Nancy Delila Jackson. When, Where, and by whom married – February the 27, 1877, Chattanooga, Tenn by James Sanders J.P. Were you previously married? – No. Have you any children? If so, state names and birthdates – Julia L., April the 17, 1878; Robert S., August the 6, 1879; Benjamin F.L., November the 20, 1880; Mary R., January the 11, 1883; Cattahlyah E., September the 13, 1884; Ancel Z., December the 10, 1886; Nancy Ann L., May the 17, 1888; Churchwell R., May the 24, 1890; Araminta E. & Lecta P. twins October the 10, 1892; Susie Ann L., February the 5, 1895; and Jennie Dosha, March the 4, 1898. This was filled out by Joseph Little in his own handwriting. It is dated Aug 1898 so his last two children were not yet born. In April of 1902 M. L. Barnes M. D., filled Joseph Little - Christie, I. T. out a physician’s affidavit stating that he had been a practicing physician for 28 years and had known Joseph Little for 12 years. He concludes that Mr. Little is disabled to the extent of ¾ percent and that for the past 12 months has been totally disabled as far as farm work or manual labor. In 1907 Joseph filed a claim for an increase in pension due to having reached the age of 70. To provide proof of his age, his sister Lamenda P. Grissom of Sanger, Texas, sent an affidavit stating that her remnant of the family bible showed her brother born on Saturday, Sept the 16 th 1837 in White County, Tenn. Lamenda further stated that the old record was written in her mother’s handwriting. Affidavit certified by County Clerk W. P. Hays stating that: Joseph V. L. M. Little and Nancy D. Jackson were married on Feb 27 th 1877 by J. A. Saunders, Justice of the Peace, Hamilton County, Tennessee. (other items show a more precise marriage location of Chickamauga Station, Hamilton, Co., Tenn) It would seem from these records that the soldier was required to submit a new medical examination report from a qualifying doctor each time he filed a claim. When Joseph died, as widow, Nancy was entitled to continue receiving his pension and accordingly filed the necessary paperwork. Her claim was rejected due to “no medical exam in the claim.” Before long however the mess was straightened out and the claim approved when a bright doctor wrote “no medical action required.” (difficult to examine him after he was dead and buried). rd Honorable Discharge G. W. Wright and Thomas P. Nowlin testify (Feb 3 1909) that they are neighbors of Nancy Little and family and know that she has the following named children under 16 years of age: Susie Ann Little, born Feb 5th 1895; Jennie A. Little, born March 4th 1898; James C. Little, born April 24, 1901; and Gracie M. Little, born Feb 23, 1904. (this is to provide required proof that Nancy has dependant children under her care as the pension now switches to her at her husbands death). A notice shows that Nancy to begin receiving $12 per month as of Feb 1909 ( widow & minor children) Act of April 19th 1908. On Sept 13th 1909 – administrator communicates: relative to headstone for soldier, should be addressed to Quartermaster General. ( Nancy had requested a $40 headstone for Joseph). In 1924, Mr. Charles Miller of the Miller Store at Christie, Okla, retained Nancy’s whole pension check when her daughter tried to cash it and pay half toward t he families account at the store. A letter from the Pension Bureau firmly stated to Mr. Miller that he was in violation of federal law in interfering with Mrs. Little’s pension check. Mr. Miller complied. (Mr. Miller had generously allowed the family to run a tab, and was trying to reduce the balance due) Widow Little’s pension was raised to $40 per month commencing Nov 10 th 1931. (Act of June 9th 1930). This must have been quite a blessing to Granny Little and made her life just a little bit easier. Uncle Dutch (Churchwell) Little holding the brake on wagon Photo taken before this Christie store was owned by Charlie Miller Some names who signed affidavits on behalf of Joseph M. Little: (showing who his friends and neighbors were at various times) Charley Whitmire- of Goingsnake District.