Person:Thomas Erskine (9)

Notes from Dorothy Johansen: BIRTH: Family Bible, family records MILITARY: General Services Administration, Co. 175 Ohio Vol. Inf. PENSION FILES: Declaration for Origanal Invalid Pension, stating while at Andersonville Prison he "was attacked with Camp diarahea and he has not been able to do any heavy work since that time, being sick most of the time with said desease." Elm Dale, Morrison, Minnesota - Dated 1 Mar 1880. PENSION FILES: Proof of Disability claim filed by Erastus Fouch of Minnesota: He's acquainted with Thomas Erskine, and knows him to be the same Thomas Erskine who was a Private in Company B, 75th Regiment of Ohio Vols, and who "was discharged after the close of the war, precise date unknown, of reason unknown, but he was sick when I last saw him in May 1865 which was previous to his discharge." That the said Thomas Erskine while in the line of duty, at or near Gainsville, in the state of Florida did, on or about the 17 of August 1864 become disabled in the following manner: "Was taken prisoner and went to Anersonville and according to the best of my knowledge was a prisoner until the close of the war." That the facts stated are personally known to the affiant by reason of "the affiant being with the command atthe time, we had a severe fight and but of 249 that went in, there was about 80 of us escaped, either were shot, or captured; He was with me when we started to retreat, we were on a raid to Gainsville Station, and the Rebs got us --- --- and we had to fight our way out. The fight lasted one hour at the Station, and we were marched about ten miles, we were under Col. Harris. Dated 4 May 1880.

PENSION FILES: Elm Dail (Dale) Morrison, Minnesota, a letter from Thomas Erskine to those in authority: "Sir, This is another blank that was filled out by wone of my ofiecers it will show you that I ain't wanting to fool the overnment I volunteered and went out willingly to fite for my contery and was broke down never hav been abel to Do a Days work sinc nor never will sow I justley Diserve a pension from the government No wone knows how I Did sufer while in them prisons naked and covered with lise and kep on a pint of corn meal ground up cob and oll a Day when I went out in to the surves I was in the 75 Ohio Co I, and when I got out of prison I was put in Co. B and when I was Discharged I blonged to Co B--------I hope that I will hear from you soon Thomas Erskine, 75 Ohio Volenteer, Company B" and then he added a postscript: "I hav suffered a gradel (great deal) with this camp diarhea ther is some times I am scarsley able to walk a round it wood hav been beter for me that my bones had lade in the andersonvill sand then to hav sufered a way I hav yours with respect" Dated January 17

PENSION FILES: Elm Dale, Morrison Co., Minnesota, another letter from Thomas Erskine to those in authority: "Sir, I have waited with patience to her from my pension it is now roling on near one year sinc I aplide for my pension if you knew how I sufered in them southern states and in them stockades and sinc I hav come home I think you wood tend to it for me I hav sufered a gradel for the governement if you cood ov seen the inside of andersvill prison when I lay in ther you wood think that I ought to hav a pension I am broke Down so that I ant able to make a living for my family by laber please anser my leter and let me no how soon my Clame will be tended to -----yours with respect Thomas Erskine

PENSION FILES: Affadavit of Claimant as to inability to furnish: "I am unable to complye with the Requirments of Medical proof on the account the Doctor that docord me in Ohio he is ded and the Doctor that doctored me in Misouri I hav fogot his naim and the Doctor that doctored me in this state is gon to som part of Misouri I hav Doctored my self a great Deal with paten medeson. Yours truley, Thomas Erskine" Morrison, Minnesota

PENSION FILES: There are more letters in the pension files that attest to Proof of Disability, doctor's examination reports, and inquiries from the Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

PENSION FILES: History of Claim - Pensioned from 14 Jun 1865 at $4 & $8 per month from May 1, 1889 for chronic diarrha & res. disease of rectum. Dropped by reason of allowance under Act June 27, 1890 at $12.00 from July 9, 1890 for ch. diarr and res. disease of rectum, impairment of vision and debility Origanal declaration. Act of July 14, 1862 filed Mch 19, 1880 alleged Camp diarrhoea, Claim filed July 9, 1890 under Act June 27, 1890 ch. diarr. disease of eyes and general debility. ORIGANAL INVALID CLAIM: States Thomas was paid $4.00 per month commending June 14, 1865, and $8.00 from May 1, 1889.

PENSION FILES: Thomas filed for Renewal and Increase in Pension, stating "an increased disabilty and he thinks the rate of pension he is now receiving is unjustly and unreasonably low and disproportionate to the rate drawn by other pensioners for similar or equivalent disabilities. This was approved 22 Apr 1891, and was upped to $12.00 a month.

DEATH: General Services Administration, death certificate state of Wisconsin Died at the home of his wife's step-brother.

He stood 5'8 1/2", light complexion, auburn hair, blue eyes. He joined Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Swan Vinton Co., Ohio 26 Mar 1864, was assigned to Co. 175 Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was captured August 17, 1864 in the battle of Gainesville, Florida and taken to the infamous Andersonville Prison, and family legend says he was one of the fortunate few who escaped from this prison.

After Thomas Erskine's escape he was assigned to Co. B, 21 Dec 1864. After discharge at Camp Chase, Columbus, OH, he went to Missouri where my grandfather was born. After Thomas died, his wife Evelinah went to live with her oldes son Cyrus in Cloquet, Carlton, Minnesota. She later lived with the Charles Clarence Erskine family (a son) deduced from a family picture taken, and then with Frances Wilda Erskine Williams family (a daughter). CENSUS:

    1850 Census Guernsey Co., Ohio as child
    1860 Census Guernsey Co., Ohio
    1870 Census Watertown, Carber, MN
    1880 Census Swan River, Morrison, MN #48459 pt. 430 - Mary Jane, Charles and
         Flora at home

The father and mother of the parents on the census were born in Ohio, which is incorrect, as David, the father born in PA, Jane, the mother born in Ireland.

1. ↑ Johansen, Dorothy; Askey geneology.