Osborn Ayer - Civil War Correspondence

[upside down top of the page] Direct to Ward F. Tilton U.S. Hospital Wilmington, Delaware

He was earnest and capable and never let an opportunity pass to deal a blow to treason He was always where danger was most eminent cool and collected and inspired confidence wherever he commanded I know we shall never find another so good a friend to the Reg [Regiment] and one who could inspire such universal confidence During this campaign he has had twelve horses shot from under him and never untill [until] he received his fatal wound has he been touched by a bullet We have fallen into a verry [very] poor hospital here, with no sanitary arrangements allowed and nothing allowed to be brought in for the soldiers by those who would gladly supply many

delacies [delicacies] They guard us as if we were prisoners of war instead of wounded soldiers There is no grounds to walk in arround [around] the hospital and one can only obtain a pass for a few hours seldom It makes no difference to me at present but I am only telling how they use the soldiers here There are many McClelan [McClellan's] Copperheads here in the town and they are bolder and more braggart than the rebels in the front But the adage says "a barking dog never bites" They keep away from where teeth are appleed [applied] for their disease I hope peace McClelan George B. McClellan peace men are scarce Where as they should be in all loyal places I wish I could help the right with my vote I have tried to with my saber and believe I have done some service in that way. Write soon Love to all

[Imprint 3-700 No. 78.465 Increase

United States of America Department of the Interior Bureau. Engraving & Printing Bureau of Pensions]

It is hereby certified That in conformity with the laws of the United States, Osborn Ayer who was a Corporal Co. L. 2" Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry is entitled to a pension at the rate of Fourteen dollars per month to commence on the fifth day of September one thousand nine hundred and This pension being for Gunshot wound of left leg and resulting varicose veins

[Imprint: Given at the Department of the Interior this Fifth day of June one thousand nine hundred and one and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and twenty fifth

Ethan A. Hitchcock Secretary of the Interior

Countersigned. H. Clay Evans Commissioner of Pensions.]

[Imprinted along left side of page] Former payments covering any portion of the same time to be deducted.

That section forty-seven and forty-five, title fifty-seven of the Revised Statuses of the United States is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 4745. — Any pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer of any right, claim, or interest in any pension which has been, or may hereafter be, granted, shall be void and of no effect, and any person who shall pledge or receive as a pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment or transfer of any right, claim, or interest in any pension or pension certificate which has been, or may hereafter be granted or issued, or who shall hold the same as collateral security for any debt, or promise, or upon any pretext of such security, or promise, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars and the costs of the prosecution; and any person who shall retain the certificate of a pensioner and refuse to surrender the same upon the demand of the Commissioner of Pensions, or a United States pension agent, or any other person, authorized by the Commissioner of Pensions, or the pensioner, to receive the same shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars and the costs of the prosecution.

Approved February 28, 1883.

561

No. 78.465 Pension Certificate of Osborn Ayer

Payable Quarterly by the U.S. Pension Agent at Des Moines Iowa

Anderson Clerk. CERTIFICATE