Person:Emeline Allen (1)

Report of the Committee on Pensions, 10 Jan 1911, "Pensions and Increase of Pensions to Certain Soldiers and Sailors of the Civil War, Etc." Senate Calendar No. 886, 61st Congress, 3d Session, Report No 947. (p. 11). Published in the Congressional Serial Set, Senate Reports, Vol A. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1911.

S. 3396. Emeline C. Wachter, of Bristol, R. I., is the former widow of Charles L. Wachter, late hospital steward, United States Army, who rendered long and honorable service during and since the Civil War. Soldier enlisted September 1, 1862, as a private in Company D, First Maryland Volunteer Infantry, and nerved as such until February 9, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He enlisted in the Regular Army February 12, 1864, and was appointed hospital steward shortly thereafter and detailed for duty with the Nineteenth United States Colored Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted second lieutenant Company D, same regiment, July 1, 1865, and was honorably mustered out January 15, 1867. He enlisted as hospital steward, United States Army, July 1, 1867. and reenlisted August 5, 1868. He was honorably discharged August 6, 1871, on surgeon's certificate of disability, on account of disease of stomach contracted in service and line of duty during his last enlistment.

Soldier died of disease of stomach at Bristol, R. I., December 11, 1871. and claimant was granted pension under the general law at S8 per month, which she received until February 4, 1876, when she remarried to one Willet M. Slocum, who died April 27, 1880. The evidence shows that she has not again married since the death of her second husband, and by resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island her name was changed in June, 1880 from Slocum to Wachter.

Claimant was married to her soldier husband March 14, 1865, and was therefore his wife during a great part of his service in the Army and while he was doing duty with the Volunteer troops. She is now over 65 years of age and is left without means of any kind for her support. She was formerly a seamstress, but her sight has failed her to such an extent that she can no longer earn her living.

Claimant applied for the renewal of her pension under the remarried widows' act of March 3, 1901. but the Pension Bureau denied her claim for the reason that her soldier husband's fatal disease was not contracted during the period of his service in any war. Your committee are of opinion that her case comes within the spirit, if not the letter, of the law, and that she should have her former pension renewed at $12 per month. A precedent for this is found in the case of Susan E. Baker, passed during the second session of this Congress.

1. ↑ Fall River Marriages, in Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records 1841-1915. (From Massachusetts state archives)
   Vol 280 p. 89.

   Emeline C (Allen) Wachtel, age 35 at second marriage on 4 Feb 1876. Daughter of John and Mary Allen, born Bristol, RI.