Military Pension Files for Sergeant James H. Jackson, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Co. D & 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Co. B. Special Examination by C.E. Paul. Summary. p. 3

Transcription 3 of 3:

being in Company F 54th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry, it is possible claimant may be one of these three.

Claimant on page 23 of his statement refers to a James W. Curry alias Dorsey of the Marion Branch National Military Home being his Company. The records show this man in Company D 55th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry and the other comrades I saw said Curry alias Dorsey knew claimant only as a member of the Home and as claiming to have been in both the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry.

--(cont'd on p. 4)--

Transcription 2 of X:

recall Sergeants Pinckney and Butler as in his company, but does not recall the Captain and Lieutenant named by claimant. It is recommended that the history of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry be examined (supposed to be on file in the Record Division) and the company located in which Captain Phelps and Lieutenant Smith and the two Sergeants named served. Then a list of comrades of that company should be obtained for further examination. From the reference of claimant to his correct name being William Henry Jackson (lines 23 to 40, page 16, Hampton's report, No. 1) and Mr. Hampton's reference in his summary to William Jackson being a member of Co. D 54th Massachusetts and a William H. Jackson being in Company B 54th Massachusetts and a Henry Jackson

[Researcher note: William H. Jackson served in Company B 55th Massachusetts, not the 54th]

--(cont'd from p. 2)--

Transcription 1 of X:

likely imagined he was in the 55th as well as 54th.

I did not think it necessary to go to Fort Wayne, Indiana to see list comrade William N. Sweet, B 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as he could add nothing to testimony already secured. It is plain that further examination must be directed among 54th Massachusetts Infantry comrades.

Claimant names as his officers Colonel Shaw, Captain Phelps, Lieutenant Smith, and Sergeants Pinckney and Butler. These last four men were not with Company B 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and witnesses I saw recall Colonel Shaw as commanding the 54th Massachusetts.

William Cebolt of Company D 54th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry seems to

See also Special Examination Index

National Archives Catalog #300020. "Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Veterans of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, compiled 1861 - 1934."

National Archives retrieval courtesy of American Origins, LLC

Fee provided by J.M.

Photo editing and transcription by K Raymoure