JAMES POLSTON'S CIVIL WAR RECORDS

These records have been copied from the National Archives as originally written without spelling or punctuation corrections. Blanks have been placed where handwritten letters or words were not legible.

I, Andrew Polston a resident of Forrestville in the County of Hart State of Kentucky late Private of Company H of the 26 Regiment of Ky. Inft on oath, depose and say, that I was well acquainted with James Polston late private in Company H of the 26 Regiment of Ky. Inft of the war of 1861; that at the time of his enlistment, said James Polston was in appeareantley good health and free from paralisisis of left side arm and leg and while in the military service of the United States, in the line of his duty, and without fault or improper conduct of his own, on or about the about the 10 day of June 1865 at Salsbarry in the State of North Carlina I found said Polston sick in camp he remained sick until the company was mustered out of the service. when we started for ____ for by rail Louisville Ky when we got to Louisville we carried him to a citizen Doctor. we then carried him by rail from Louisville to Bacon Creek Station in Hart County we then carried carried him 2 1/2 miles on horse back to his home and I know that the Dr called the Disease parcelis at the time When in Service and I know that he is Still afflicted with the Same Disease of Leg I know these facts from beaing alon with him and from beaing from the time named and I have no interest whatever in the prosecution of this claim for pension

Signed: Andrew (his x mark) Polston

Two Witnesses Signed: George W. Smith and David Meredith

it is impossible for me to name the Disease any more than Doctors Cleaver called it Dr Cleaver paralises When he got home

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 day of June 1887 at Priceville in the County of Hart State of Kentucky. I certify that I am disinterested, that the affiant is to me well known, and is respectable, and worthy of full credit as a witness, and that the contents of the affidavit were made know to him before execution

Signed: James B. Craddock JP H.C.

State of Kentucky
County of Hart

In the matter of Claim of James Polston 145.716.
Personally came before me, a County Clerk in and for aforesaid County and State, Robert Rennick age 68 years of Cave City Barren Co.Ky, person of lawful age, who being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: I am 68 years of age my post office Address Cave City Barren County Ky and I Served in Co H 26 Regt Ky Inft and from all appearance James Polston of Co H Was a Sound able man When he enlisted and I know when the Regt was mustered out of Service he was not able to walk I have not lived a near neighbor to James Polston But I have often Saw him sence the War and I am Satisfide from all appearance of him that he is unable to Earn a Support By his Labor, I can not name the Doctor that treated James Polston Sence the War. He further declares that he has no interest in said case, and is not concerned in its prosecution.

If either affiant sign by x mark, two persons who write their names MUST sign here as witnesses there to.

Signature: Robert (his x mark) Rennick

1. Samuel B. Waddle, Witnessed x Mark
2. J W. Laird, Witnessed x Mark

To be executed by an officer or enlisted man of the soldier's company and regiment having personal knowledge of the circumstances under which the disability was incurred on account of which pension is claimed

State of Washing
County of King
In the matter of the Pension claim of James Poleston 145.718. Pvt., Co.H. 26 Reg't Ky Inf Vols., personally came before me a Notary Pub in and for the aforesaid County and State, Lafayette S. Becks of Ravenna, County of King. State of Washin, who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim that his age is ___years; that he is the identical person who served as a Capt in Co. H, 26 Reg't Ky Vols., and knows the above soldier, who was a member of Co. H, 26 Reg't Ky: that on or about ___ day of ___1868, while in the line of duty said soldier incurred severe sickness I believe it was at or near Salisbury N.C. in the year 1865 and I am satisfied he had to be carried from one car to the other while in rout from Salisberry N C to Louisville Ky to be mustered out of service in July 1865.

I have made a certificate in relation to this claim before though perhaps not quite so definite as the above one.

Affiant further declares that he has no interest, direct or indirect, in this claim. and that he makes the above statement from personal knowledge and being in command of the detachment at that time. Affiant's Post-Office address is as follows Ravenna Washington

Signed: Lafayette S. BICK
Late Capt Co H 26 Reg't Ky Vol

State of Kentucky
County of Hart

Vol William Wooden and Master Manion late Soldiers Co I 26 Ky Infty Vols whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law doth depose and say that they are well acquanited with James Polson late soldier in Co H of Said 26 Ky Infty. Said Polson took sick at Saulsbury North Carolina about June 1865 was attacked with ______ fever and chronic Diarhea, the fever fell in his left side his left arm is _____ and his left leg has been _______matter and the veins of his left leg are very much enlarged and swolen the enlargement of said veins very up into the body. Prior to said soldier Sick ____and also at date of and ______to his enlistment he was a stout able bodied and healthy man and free from disease and he further say that our knowledge of the above facts is obtained from the following source, viz: we know the above facts by being present and with same Polson and that he has no interest nor concern in the prosecution of this claim for pension.

Two Witnesses required When Mark is Made.

Signed: William Wooden
Mastion Cullanion

William Wooden
Mastion Cullanion

Sworn to and subscribed before me this _____ day of December A.D., 1874 and I hereby certify that I have no interest nor concern in the prosecution of said claim and that I read the following to deponent, and that he subscribed and swore to the same with a full knowledge of its contents.

J.B. Craddock
J.P. H.C.

Pg 20
Exhibit "H"

Stamped: Army & Navy Survivors' Division APR 22 1897

Apr. 19, 1897

Commissioner of Pensions.
I hereby report that the name of James Polston, Pvt B 33 Ky. V. I. and H, 26 Ky. V.J., who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under Certificate No. 701322 and who was last paid at $12 to 4 Aug. 1896 has been dropped because of death, Aug. 10 1896

'96 Suptl.

Very Respectfully,
Geo. M. Adams
Pension Agent

No. 241.177

Sir:

I have the honor to return herewith your request for a report of hospital treatment in Claim 145.716, with such information as is furnished by the records filed in this Office, viz: that Private James Poulson Co. H. 26 Ky. Vols. was admitted to Barracks Hospl No. 1 Louisville, Ky. Aug 3/64 with Intermittent Fever disposition not stated. Records of Med. Dir's office Louisville Ky. (embracing admissions to Hospls at that place) from July to Sept. 1865 furnished no evidence in their case. Records of the Regiment are not on file.

By order of the Surgeon General:
Signed: __. F. Pope
Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army.
(125)

To the Commissioner of Pensions.

State of Kentucy
County of Hart

On this 12 day of July 1890 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace for Hart County Kentucky within and for the County & State aforesaid James Polston age 54 years, a resident of Hart Co Kentucky who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James Polston who was enrolled on the 15 day of Aug., 1862 in Co. H 26th Ky Inf-Vol- in the war of the rebellion, and Served at least ninety days and was honabbly, discharged at Salisbury North Carolina on the 30 day of June 1865 - that he is now unable to earn a support by reason of neuralga of head and Eye sight

that said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he has applied for pension under application No 45716 That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the U.S. under to previous of Act June 27th 1890. He hereby appoints J. B. Duggins of Priceville Ky be his true and lawful attorney to prosicute his claim that his P. O. is Kessinger Ky Hart Co

Signature:James (his x mark)Polston

_____(His x mark)Vanfleet
John W. C. Cott___

Also personally appeared _______Vanfleet of Hart Co Ky and R.W. Cave of the same Co & State, persons whom I certify to be respectable and Entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, Say they were present and saw James Poleston 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 for thirty years & Thirty years, respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosicution of this claim

(His + mark) ______ Vanfleet
R.W. Cave

Attest John C________ J P H C

Stamped: U. S. Pension Office A Jul 21, 1890

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12 day of July 1990, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration ___ were fully made known and Explained to the applicant and _____ before Swearing thereto and that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosicution of this claim

Subscribed and sworn to Before me this 12 day of July 1890
John Ca_elin JPHC
filed by J. B. Duggin
Priceville Hart Co Ky

State of Kentucky
County of Hart

In the matter of claim of James Polston 145716

Personally came before me, a Deputy Clerk in and for aforesaid County and State, Elizabeth Polson, person of lawful age, who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: that my present age is 52 years I reside in Hart County Kentucky My Post Office is Kessinger. I have lived a neighbor to James Polson since his discharge I saw him the day after he came home from the Army. I set up with him and waited on him for about two months during his sickness his physician, was Dr. Cleaver and I saw him treat Claimant many times during sickness and Claimant was reduced in flesh until left hip and left elbow cut through. This was in July & August 1860 and for the remaind of year 1865 was not able to perform any labor I am Sister at law of Claimant but have no interest in caim. I further state that Dr. Cleaver Called the disease Paralysis of left side further declare that ___no interest in said case, and ___not concerned in its prosecution.

If either affiant sign by X mark, two persons who write their names MUST sign here as witnesses thereto.

W. L. Fitzpatrick
Wm. W. Gonterman

State of Kentucky
County of Hart

On this 7th day of July 1869 personally appeared before me a County Clerk in & for the County & State aforesaid, James Polston applicant for invalid pension and after being sworn by me according to law declares that it is impossible for him to get the affidavit of the surgeons of his regiment in _____ to his having contra____Said disease in the service of the U. S. as set forth, in his application accompanying this for the following reason, ToWit. A short time before he was attacked with Said disease his regimental Surgeon (N____ H Jett) was pro_____to Brigade Surgeon. & he does not recollect the name of the surgeon who took his place and he does not believe it possible for him to get the affidavit of any Surgeon who knows the facts and he does not know the whareabouts of any Surgeon who knows such facts.

James (his + mark) Polston

Attest
J.H. Shipp
__it., Lee
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 7th day of July 1869 & I hereby certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.

Joshua M Brents Clerk
Hart County Clerk

I know these facts from a personal acquaintances with him and the circumstances attending the Case and I have no interest whatever in the prosecution of this claim for pension

James J. (his x mark) Dyer

Attest:
John C______
Charles R. Wheeler

Subscribed and sworn to before me this Dec 21st 1882 and I certify that the affiant is the person he represents himself to be and a credible witness and the foregoing affidavit was read to and fully explained and understood by the affiant before signing the same and I have no interest direct or indirect in the claim for pension

Ed O Brown Clerk
C.R.Wheeler, D.D. Glele

U.S.Pension Office Dec 27 1882
James J. Dyer Prior Commade Service

Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 145.716, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this office.

It appears from the Rolls on file in this that James Polston was enrolled on the 20 day of Aug., 1862, at Hart Co Ky, in Co. "B" 33 Regiment of Ky Inftry Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war and mustered into service as a Pvt on the 13 day of Sept, 1862, at Munfordville, Ky. in Co. "B", 33 Regiment of Ky Infty Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. . On the Muster Roll of Co. "B" of that Regiment, for the months of from Sept 13/62 to April 20, 1863, he is reported "Present" to same to Feb 29/64, the 33 C Ky Vols was consolidated with 26th Ky Vols April 1864 & Co "B" 33 C formed Co "H" 26th Ky Vols. Roll of Co "H" 26th Ky Vols. Mch & April 1864 reports him "Present" and same to June 30/65. M.O. Roll of Co dated June 30/65 Salisbury, N.C. reports him "M O with Co June 30/65.

J.M. Brents Clk Hart Co Cl.
By E.H. Chapline D.C.

Stamped U. S. Pension Office A July 21 1890

James (his x mark) Polston

______Vanfleet
John W. C__a__tess

Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 145.716, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this office.

It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that James Polton was enrolled on the 20 day of Aug., 1862 at Hart Co. Ky. in Co B, 33d Regiment of Ky. Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a Private on the 13" day of Sept 1862, at Munfordville Ky., in Co. B, 33d Regiment of Ky. volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. B 26th Kentucky Vols, for the months of May & June 1865, he is reported "Present" without remark mustered out with Co. June 30/65 at Salisbury N.C. No evidence of disability. (26d & 33d Ky. Vols. Consolidated)

I am, Sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,
C. Sam Breck
Assistant Adjutant General

The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Po-182-69
15

State of Kentucky
County of Hart

On this 7th day of July 1869 personally appeared before me a clerk of Court of _____ in the County & State aforesaid James Polston age 31 years a resident of the County of Hart in the state of Kentucky who being duly Sworn declares that he is the identical James Polston who enlisted in the Service of the United States at Munfordville in the state of Kentucky on the 15th day of August 1862 as a private in Company (H) Commanded by Capt. Lafayette Beck in the 26th Regt of Kentucky Infantry Vols in the year of 1861/&2 and was honorably discharged on the 30th day of June 1865 at Salisburry N.C. That while in the Service aforesaid and in the line of his duty of Salisburry North Carolina the _____ a stroke of paralysis on or about the 15 day of June 1865 by reason of which he has ever since been one half disabled from performing manual labor and is now disabled from performing such labor _____ to his having partially lost the use of his left arm & leg. and the affection of spinal cana__ & the membranes that envelope it. He makes this application for pension provided by the Act of Congress approved July 14, 1862 dc and hereby appoints Joshua Chase of Hammonsville Kentucky his lawful attorney and authorizes him to present & prosecute this claim and to receive and receipt for any orders or certificate which may be issued in Satisfaction there of

James (his + mark) Polston

Attest
A.A. Murrey
J. C. Shofner

Also personally appeared before me Andrew Polston & William W. Wright Residents of the County of Hart and State of Kentucky to me well known as credible persons who being duly Sworn declare that they were present and Saw Said James Polston make his mark to the foregoing declaration and that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself to be and that his character and habits are good & that his occupation is that of a Farmer and they further state that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim

Andrew (his + mark) Polston
William W. (his + mark) Wright

Attest
A A Murrey
J. C. Shofner

Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 7th day of July 1869 & I hereby Certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim

Joshua M. Brents, Clerk
Hart County Court

P 26 Ky.
James Polston, Pvt, Co. H. 26 Reg't Kentucky Infantry
Appears on Company Muster Roll

Joined for duty and enrolled Aug 20, 1862, Hart Co., Ky. for Period 3 years; Mustered in: Sept. 13, 1862, Munfordville, Ky.; Present; Signed by Humphries

Appears on Company Muster Roll for May & June, 1864, Present; Signed by Humnphries

Appears on Company Muster Roll for July & Aug 1864, Present; From Second Auditor's Roll; Signed by Rosenborn

Appears on Company Muster Roll for Sept. & Oct, 1864 Present; Signed by Humphries

Appears on Muster Roll for Aug. 31 to Dec. 31, 1864, Present; signed by Humphries

Appears on Company Muster Roll for Jan & Feb, 1865 Present, Signed by Humphries

Appears on Company Muster Roll for Mar & Apl, 1865 Present; Signed by Humphries

Appears on Company Muster Roll for May & June, 1865 Present; Signed by Humphries

Age 27 years, Appears on Co. Muster-out Roll, dated Salisbury N. C. June 30, 1865. Muster-out date June 30, 1865. Last paid to Dec. 31, 1864; Clothing Account: Last settled Oct. 31, 1863; drawn since $95.96 Bounty paid $25; due $75; Signed by Humphries