Need some input

[Bmanz1085]

I am helping my wife do genealogy an came across a letter written by a g-g-uncle who was a member of the 2nd Md US. The letter was dated 7 June 1865, and they were near Alexandria. The question I have is this. In the letter he notes that he received the state certificate, but since they do not have an adjutant only an acting adjutant he couldn't get it fixed. But he states that the next time he makes it into town he would see a squire and have it fixed and mail it home. I assume (dangerous) that he means having it signed or notarized. The question I have is what exactly would this certificate be? Discharge authorization, verification of service for a state pension??? Interestingly, he doesn't appear on the roster of Co D 2nd MD, but that unit sort of became a holding unit for MD enlistees that still had time left on their enlistments.

If anyone has a thought, I am really up a tree.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Need some input

Hallo!

My WAG is that it that it was part of the signing of state loyalty oaths.

In brief and to over generalize...

Radical Republicans were afraid that returning Confederate veterans would sway locall votes agains them and ruin "Reconstruction" efforts by returning to positions of office and power all the way from elected offices down to teacher and minister positions. As a form of "voter suppression," and limiting public office/position holders, even down to some job holders.... those who would not sign would be "disenfranchised" as well as punished for the War.

Only because I have it handy, here is the wording of Missouri's...

Section 9: No person shall assume the duties of any State, county, city, town, or other office, to which he may be appointed, otherwise than by the vote of the people, nor shall any person, after the expiration of sixty days after this constitution takes effect, be permitted to practice as an attorney or counselor at law; nor, after that time, shall any person be competent as a bishop, priest, deacon, minister, elder, or other clergy man of any religious persuasion, sect or denomination, to teach or preach or solemnize marriages, unless such person shall have first taken, subscribed and filed said oath.

Section 14: Whoever shall, after the times limited in the seventh and ninth sections of this article, hold or exercise any of the offices, positions, trusts, professions or functions therein specified, without having taken, subscribed and filed said oath of loyalty, shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine not less than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and whoever shall take said oath falsely, by swearing or by affirmation, shall, on conviction thereof, be adjudged guilty of perjury, and be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than two years.

Curt

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Need some input

Curt,
Thanks for the reply, he was a Union soldier. I know I am shooting pool with a rope, but there are some really sharp folks like yourself on this site. 3 Fold has a document for an A. Randall, looks like possible for the Purnell Legion. I ain't paying $35 to guess though. Looks like a trip to the archives is in the offing.

[lukegilly13]

Re: Need some input

Was ther talk of anything else in the letter? Wondering if it could be a certificate of service for some kind of benefit like a pension or tax exemption?

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Need some input

The letter was rather mundane, talked about getting money they sent him, and about this mystery certificate. I do know that the unit mustered out of Federal service on July 17 and was transported to Baltimore where it was paid and disbanded on July 25. I have sent a request to the state historical society, but I'm guessing they won't be much help.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Need some input

Bob-

Most pension certificates from my experience were issued to widows during the war and those severely incapacitated from wounds. The huge amount of pensions that happened would be into the 1880s,90s and beyond.

The fact that you mentioned he is not listed on the roster is curious. What was the extent of his service? When did he enlist?

It might be a good idea to post the letter here for everyone to read and maybe there is something in the letter that someone will be able to figure out what he meant.

[Bmanz1085]

Re: Need some input

Thanks Louis, from what I can find, there is only his draft enrollment from 1863 (listing an A.Randle), a image of an possible service file for an A. Randall from the Purnell Legion (that 3 fold has) and this letter from 1865. I will scan the letter or transcribe and post it later. I have no reason to doubt his service, and I am really getting frustrated (not even my relative).

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Need some input

Bob-

I have been playing with the information you here over lunch and the results have been mixed.

My experience, and I am not an expert, is that usually when its difficult to find information on a soldier/sailor there name is listed differently on their service record or pension.

As an example I have been looking under Randle and Randall. A couple of probables have come up but nothing conclusive.

If you would like to post more information on this soldier I will do what I can to help you get to the bottom of this mystery. Or send me a pm.

Whatever you have will be helpful. His full name, birth year and place, parents names, his wife's name, where they lived and date/place of death. Some or all will help narrow it down.