Three Forks Battalion
Sylvester Coots Pension Papers
DECLARATION FOR ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION
State of Kentucky
County of Leslie
On this 22nd day of February, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine personally appeared before me, Clerk, of Leslie County Court, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, SYLVESTER COOTS, aged 50 years, a resident of Leslie County, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical SYLVESTER COOTS who was ENROLLED the 7th day of October 1864, in Company D of the Three Forks Battalion of Kentucky commanded by Captain Shade Combs and was honorably DISCHARGED at Irvine, Kentucky, on the 17th day of July 1865, that his personal description is as follows: age 50 years; height 5 feet 6 inches; complexion dark; hair dark; eyes blue. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Irvine, in the State of Kentucky, on or about the day of May, 1865, he was taken down sick and had fits which was caused by exposure while in the army.
That he has never been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above
That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the Counties of Perry and Leslie in the State of Kentucky and his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a farmer. That he is now three fourths disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries above described, received in the service of the United States; he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation.
William Fitch & Co.
Of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney, to prosecute his claim, That he has never received nor applied for a pension, That his post office address is Manchester, County of Clay State of Kentucky
Sylvester X Coots
mark
Witnesses:
R G Potter
Levi Pennington
Also personally appeared Levi Pennington, residing at Leslie County, Kentucky, and James Coots, residing at Leslie County, Kentucky, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Sylvester Coots the claimant make his mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
John X Coots
Mark
Attest
Levi Pennington
R G Potter
Levi Pennington
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22nd day of February A.D. 1879, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim
John S. Melton, Clerk
WAR DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, D.C, March 12, 1880
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your office of application for pension no. 286268, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
There are no Records. Three Forks Battalion Kentucky State Troops are not on file in this office
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Assistant Adjutant General
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
HEADQUARTERS KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS,
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
Frankfort, August 5th, 1880
I hereby certify, That it appears from the Official Muster-Out Rolls on file in this office, that SYLVESTER COOTS was enrolled on the 7th day of October, 1864, and mustered into service on the 7th day of October, 1864, a Private in Company D Three Forks Battalion Volunteers, to serve Six Months. It further appears from said Rolls that he was Mustered-Out July 17, 1865 at Irvine, Kentucky
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, this 5th day of August, 1880
J.P Knuckles
Adjutant General of Kentucky
DECLARATION FOR ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION
State of Kentucky
County of Leslie
On this 19th day of February, A.D. 1890, personally appeared before me J.M. Baker a Justice of the Peace and a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, SYLVESTER COOTZ, aged 62 years, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical SYLVESTER COOTZ who was ENROLLED as Private on the 7 day of October, 1864, in Company D of the 43rd regiment of Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Captain Shade Combs and was honorably DISCHARGED at Irvin, Kentucky, on the 17th day of July, 1865, that his personal description is as follows: age, 62 years: height, 5 feet 6 inches; complexion, dark; hair, black; eyes, blue. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Irvine, in the State of Kentucky, on or about the _ day of April, 1865, he contracted diseases of fits and hurting in right side and lameness and hurting in my limbs that my right leg and arm
That he was treated in hospitals as follows: there was no hospital and I was just treated in the camps from April until discharged
That he has not been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above
That he has not been in the military or naval service of the United States since 17 day of July day of July, 1865.That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the Counties of Perry and Leslie in the State of Kentucky and that his occupation has been that of a farmer,
That he is now half disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation.
William Fitch & Co.
Of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney, to prosecute his claim,
That he has never received nor applied for a pension. That his Post-Office address is Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky
Sylvester X Cootz
mark
Witnesses:
L G Baker
John M. Baker
Also personally appeared L G Baker, residing at Cutshin in the County of Leslie, and John M. Baker, residing at Cutshin Leslie County, Kentucky, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Sylvester Coots the claimant make his mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
L G Baker Sylvester X Cootz
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John M. Baker
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of February A.D. 1890 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim
J.M Baker
Justice of the Peace for Leslie County
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No._ of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, SYLVESTER COOTS, aged 62 years, whose P.O. is Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
That he was in camp at Irvine Kentucky in the year of 1865 and about April in the latter part of the month in the year above stated while in the service and while in the line of duty contracted the disease of fits and injury in the right side and when the first attack of fits I was in camp and in my tent and after the fits wore off of me I was attacked with a misery in my right side and weakness in my limbs of the right side.
Sylvester X Coots
Mark
L.G. Baker
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 18 day of March 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
David T. Lewis, D.C.
Clerk of Leslie County Court, J.M Howard
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT
Whereas I SYLVESTER COOTS, Late a Private in Company D, of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, war of 1861 having made application for pension under the laws of the United States-
Now this agreement witnesseth: that for and in consideration of services done and to be done in the premises, I hereby agree to allow my agents, William Fitch & Co., of Washington, D.C. the fee of twenty-five dollars, which shall include all amounts to be paid for any services in the furtherance of said claim, and said fee shall not be demanded by or payable to my said agent in whole or in part, except in case of the granting of my pension by the Commissioner of Pensions, and the same shall be paid to him in accordance with the provisions of sections 4768 and 4769 of the Revised Statutes, US.
Sylvester X Coots
mark
1. L.G. Baker
2. John M. Baker
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie,
Be it known, that on this 18 day of March A.D. 1890, personally appeared Sylvester Coots the above named, who, after having had read over to him in the hearing and presence of two attesting witnesses the contents to the foregoing articles of agreement, voluntarily signed and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed.
J.M. Baker,
Justice of the Peace for Leslie County, Kentucky
And now, to wit, this 29 day of March A.D. 1890, I accept the provisions contained in the forgoing articles of agreement and will to the best of my ability, endeavor faithfully to represent the interest of the claimant in the premises. I hereby certify that I have received from the claimant above named, the sum of _ dollars, and no more; _ dollars being for fee, and the sum of _ dollars, being for postage and other expenses. And that these agreements have been executed in duplicate without additional cost to the claimant as required by law, in excess of the fee above named, the said agent making no charge thereof.
Witness my hand the day and year above written.
William Fitch
District of Columbia, City of Washington
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No._ of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, GREEN PENNINGTON, aged 50 years, whose P.O. is Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
I was in the army with said soldier at Irvine, Kentucky. He took something like fits and seemed to be very bad off and which has followed him till now. Which is more violent in him now and is affected on the right side and lameness in right side, so he can not use them very well I was at Irvin with him when he took it April about the 20 day 1865 he was a sound man when he was mustered in but he has been affected ever since the time
Above referred to and I know these facts by being well acquainted with him before the war and ever since for I have lived a neighbor to him ever since his discharge in 1865 and was well acquainted with him before the war.
Affiant further states he has no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
Green Pennington
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 7 day of April 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
J.M. Howard, Clerk Leslie County Court
By David T. Lewis, D.C.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No.760054 of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, JOHN WILLIAMS, aged 55 years, whose P.O. is Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
I was in the army with said soldier at Irvine, Kentucky on or about the 20 day of April 1865 said soldier took something that seemed to be the fits and was bad off and has still taken them and he is affected in right side and lameness. My means of knowing these facts of this case is by being in the army and with him and living a neighbor to him before and since his discharge from the army in 1865.
Affiant further states he has no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
John X Williams
mark
Witness:
Anderson Williams
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 7 day of April 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
J.M. Howard, Clerk Leslie County Court
By David T. Lewis, D.C.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No.760054 of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, ELISHA SHEPHERD, aged 38 years, whose P.O. is Hazard, County of Perry, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
I have been acquainted with claimant ever since discharge. He has took fits ever since that time till present time and has nearly lost the use of right side and limbs and he is not able to do more than one half of manual labor of no consideration
Affiant further states he has no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
Elisha X Shepherd
Mark
James Dixon
Green Pennington
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 6 day of May 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
J.M. Howard, Clerk Leslie County Court
By David T. Lewis, D.C.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No.760054 of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, JAMES TURNER, aged 65 years, whose P.O. is Pigeon Roost, County of Clay, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
I treated him in the service at Irvine Kentucky. He was sick and bad off at that time and said he had had a bad fit the date was about April 1865 and he has never been well since. He has been taking fits ever since from the best of my knowledge I have of him. He is damaged about one half manual labor in each year.
Affiant further states he has no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
James Turner
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 6 day of May 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
J.M. Howard, Clerk Leslie County Court
By David T. Lewis, D.C.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No.760054 of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, SOLOMON ADAMS, aged 45 years, whose P.O. is Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
That I am acquainted with the claimant in this action for 20 years and more I suppose. He has been taking fits for I saw him take a fit and I thought it would kill him and I hear of him taking them frequently. He has been complaining of right side and limbs. He seems to not be able to travel from the effects right side and limbs. His right hand is perishing a way to some extent. I think he is not able to do more than one half of manual labor.
Affiant further states he has no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
Solomon Adams
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 25 day of May 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
J.M. Howard, Clerk Leslie County Court
By David T. Lewis, D.C.
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In claim No.760054 of SYLVESTER COOTS of Company D of the 43 Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County, SYLVESTER COOTS, aged 62 years, whose P.O. is Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows:
I was not treated in the service for fits by a physician but taken medicine from some of my comrades in the service and I can not find them. I was treated since discharge by Dr. Thomas Pitts, he then lived in Magoffin County, Kentucky, but I have not heard from him lately. I do not know whether he is a live or not. I can not get the affidavit of a physician.
Sylvester X Coots
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William B. Coots
Henry M. Coots
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 10 day of June 1890, and I hereby certify that the contents of this affidavit were fully made known to the affiant before signing and I have no interest in this claim or its prosecution.
J.M. Howard, Clerk Leslie County Court
By David T. Lewis, D.C.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D.C, December 23, 1890
Sir:
It is alleged that SYLVESTER COOTS enlisted October 7, 1864 and served as a Private in Company D, 43 Regiment Kentucky Infantry commanded by Captain Shade Combs and was discharged at Irvine, Kentucky July 17, 1865
It is also alleged that while on duty at Irvine, Kentucky on or about April, 1865, he was disabled by fits and lameness in right leg and arm
In case of the above named soldier the War Department is requested to furnish and official statement of the enrollment, discharge, and record of service so far as the same may be applicable to the foregoing allegation, together with full medical history. Please give the rank he held at the time he is claimed to have incurred the disability alleged, and if records show that he was not in the line of duty during that period, let the fact be stated.
Very respectfully,
Green B. Raim
Commissioner
The Officer in Charge of the
Record and Pension Division,
War Department
DECLARATION FOR INVALID PENSION
State of Kentucky
County of Leslie
On this 30th day of May, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety 1 personally appeared before me, a J.M. Baker a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, SYLVESTER COOTS, aged 64 years, a resident of the County of Leslie, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical SYLVESTER COOTS who was ENROLLED the 7th day of October 1864, in Company D, 43rd Kentucky in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was honorably DISCHARGED at Irvine, Kentucky, on the 17th day of July 1865, that he is 2/3 unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of Fits, coldness in limbs, hurting in my right side
That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are not to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent; that he has applied for pension under application No. 760654; that he is a pensioner under certificate No. ----
That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of June 27, 1890
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation.
William Fitch & Co.
Of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney, to prosecute his claim, and to receive therefore a fee of ten dollars, that his post office address is Cutshin, County of Leslie,
State of Kentucky
Sylvester X Coots
mark
Witnesses:
Levi Lewis
James W. Johnson
Also personally appeared Levi Lewis, residing at Cutshin, Kentucky, and James W. Johnson, residing at Cutshin, Kentucky, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Sylvester Coots the claimant make his mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Levi Lewis
James W. Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of May A.D. 1891, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim
James M. Baker
Justice of the Peace for Leslie County, KY
State of Kentucky
County of Leslie
I J.M. Howard, Clerk of the Leslie County Court in the State of Kentucky do certify that on the 8th of March 1890, JAMES M. BAKER was a Justice of the Peace of Leslie County, Kentucky legally commissioned and sworn and that his official acts was then entitled to faith and credit his term of office expired on the 31st day of May 1891
Given under my hand and seal of Office this 22nd day of December 1891
J.M. Howard
Clerk, Leslie County Court
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE THIRD AUDITOR
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
August 1, 1894
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Replying to your inquiry of June 30th, 1894, I have to inform you that the records of this office show that Sylvester Cootz, late Private Co. D., Three Forks Battalion, Kentucky States Troops, joined for service October 7, 1864 in Perry County, Kentucky. Mustered into service same date by G.W. Daniel. Ordered into active service February 17, 1865- continued in active service until July 17, 1865, when he was discharged. Paid in full by Kentucky for 5 months service as above.
Your letter returned herewith.
Respectfully yours,
Samuel Blackwell
Auditor
CLAIMANT'S AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky, County of Leslie
In the matter of SYLVESTER COOTZ- #760054
Company D- 43rd Kentucky Infantry
Personally came before me, a Deputy Clerk in and for aforesaid County and State, SYLVESTER COOTZ, aged 67 years, citizen of the town of Cutshin, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Says I never was employed in the service of the United States previously to October 7, 1864
Sylvester X Coots
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Hiram Cornett
J C Pace
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiant; and I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same; and that said affiant is personally known to m; that he is credible person so reputed in the community in which he resides.
Witness my hand and official seal this 3 day of September 1894
J.M. Howard, Clerk
By J.M. Baker, D.C.
DECALRATION FOR PENSION
State of Kentucky } ss
County of Leslie }
On this 13h day of March, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and 1907, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, SILVESTER COOTS, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 78 years of age, and a resident of Farler, County of Perry, State of Kentucky; and that he is the identical person who was ENROLLED at the mouth of Wooton's Creek, Perry County, Kentucky under the name of SILVESTER COOTS, on the 7th day of October, 1864, as a private, in Company D, Three Forks Regiment State Troops under Captain Shadric Combs in the service of the United States, in the Civil War, and was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Camp Irvine, Kentucky, on the 17th day of July, 1865.
That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 feet 6 inches; Complexion, dark; Color of Eyes, Blue; Color of Hair, dark; that his occupation was farmer; that he was born in Scott County, Virginia, 1828
That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows:
I lived one year in Harlan County, Kentucky and ever since in Leslie and Perry Counties
That he is not a pensioner. That he has never heretofore applied for pension under the act of Congress approved February the 6th 1907
That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of February 6, 1907.
That his post-office address is Farler, County of Perry, and State of Kentucky.
Silvester X Coots
mark
Attest: (1) Anderson X Fields
(2) Elizabeth X Hall
Also personally appeared Anderson Fields, residing in Farler, Kentucky and Elizabeth Hall, residing in Viper, Kentucky, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Silvester Coots, the claimant, (make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the claimant and their acquaintance with him of 50 years and 25 years, respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Anderson X Fields
Elizabeth X Hall
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of March, A.D. 1907, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words___________, erased, and the words____________, added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
P.W. Hall
Notary Public
My commission expires January 19th, 1908
Sassafras, Kentucky
March 14, 1932
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Please send me application blanks for Civil War Veterans who served in the Union Army. -----------Attached
Sincerely yours,
W.G. Combs
This man who served in the service
Has a widow who is entitled as I
Understand, please return this
Certificate
U.S. Veterans Bureau
I sent to your office a letter concerning Sylvester Coots a Union soldier who served in Kentucky Volunteers Civil War, Three Forks Battalion and enclosed a certificate of his services which I received from the Adjutant General's Office at Frankfort, Kentucky
Your Office has not returned the certificate
Please send it to me
SO 286268
W.G. Combs
D, Three Forks Battalion
Guards Kentucky Infantry
Box 619
Sassafras, Kentucky
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS
UNITED STATES ARMY
---------------------------------------------
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
---------------------------------------------
Frankfort, Ky., January 13, 1932
I hereby certify that it appears from the Official Muster in Rolls on file in this office that SYLVESTER COOTS was enrolled on the 7 day of October, 1864 and mustered into service on the 7 day of October, 1864, a Private in Company D, Three Forks Battalion Regiment, and Kentucky Capitol Guards Volunteers, to serve ½ years. It further appears from said Rolls that he was mustered out of service at Irvine, Kentucky July 17, 1865
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 13 day of January 1932
Henry H. Den?
The Adjutant General
Attest: E.B. Beackwell
Chief War Pension Office
April 22, 1932
S.O. 286268 Silvester Coots
Mr. W.G. Combs,
Sassafras,
Kentucky,
Dear Sir:
In response to your inquiry of March 14, 1932, you are informed that the above entitled claim of Silvester Coots, was rejected June 10, 1907, on the ground that Company D, Three Forks Battalion, Kentucky Capitol Guards, in which he served, was a State organization and never mustered into the United States service, therefore he had no title to pension, and his widow would not be entitled to pension for the same reason.
The certificate of the Adjutant General of Kentucky showing soldier's service is herewith returned as requested.
Respectfully,
E.W. Morgan
Director of Pensions
April 2, 1934
Mrs. Elizabeth Coots
S.O. 286268
Silvester Coots
Viper,
Kentucky,
Dear Madam:
This is in response to your communication of recent date concerning your claim for pension as the widow of Silvester Coots.
If, as you suggest in your letter, such a claim was filed with this Service by Mr. Watson Combs, it has never reached this office. The records show, however, that under date of April 22, 1932 this office wrote Mr. W.G. Combs at Sassafras, Kentucky, advising him that a claim for pension filed by Silvester Coots was rejected June 10, 1927, on the ground that Company D, Three Forks Battalion, Kentucky Capitol Guards, in which it is alleged your husband served, was a state organization and never mustered into the United States service, therefore, as the soldier had no title to pension, you would not be entitled for the same reason.
Respectfully,
E.W. Morgan
Director
Widows' and Dependents'
Claims Service
October 6, 1934
Honorable M.M. Logan
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.
Coots, Sylvester
SO-286268
My dear Senator Logan,
This is in response to your letter enclosing a copy of the State Certificate of Service of Sylvester Coots and requesting information as to his widow's title to pension.
The records of the case show that Sylvester Coots filed a claim March 8, 1890, based on service in Company D, 43rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and that the claim was rejected on the ground that the Organization in which service was alleged was never in the service of the United States as shown by report from the records of the War Department.
On March 25, 1907, a claim as filed alleging service in Company D, Three Forks Battalion, Kentucky Infantry from October 7, 1864, to July 17, 1865, this claim was rejected June 10, 1907, on the ground that the Organization was never mustered into the service of the United States as shown by a report from the records of the War Department.
There is on file a report from the Auditor, Treasury Department, under date August 1, 1894, relative to the service of Sylvester Coots as Private, Company “D”, Three Forks Battalion, Kentucky State Troops, from October 7, 1864, to February 17, 1865, and that he was paid in full by the State of Kentucky for five months service.
As it appears that the only service rendered by the veteran was State service, his widow apparently would have no title to pension under existing laws.
Respectfully,
E.L. Bailey
Director
Widow and Dependents Claims Service
Source: Pension file transcribed and kindly donated by Terry Griffith .
