A Pension Interrupted

[East Tennessee Roots]

MARY SIMMONS COX, (1861-1930) ONLY DAUGHTER OF JACKSON & SARAH RATLIFF SIMMONS.

Jackson C. Simmons & Sarah Jane Ratliff were married on Aug.30, 1860, in Washington County, East Tenn. Their first-born, Mary Ann Simmons Cox, was the mother of my maternal grandfather. In May 1862 Jackson (or "Jack") became one of 25 East Tennesseans that enlisted in the Confederate 3rd Maryland Light Artillery. The previous February the battery had been transferred to Knoxville, Tennessee, and placed in Alexander W. Reynolds Brigade. In January 1863 the battery was sent to Vicksburg and served throughout the siege. After the surrender, Jack was paroled on July 10, 1863, along with many of his fellow East Tennesseans, and was paroled and furloughed home until exchanged. He never reported to the Rebel parole camps and in October 1863 was declared deserted.

JACKSONS PAROLE FROM VICKSBURG

On July 4, 1864, Jackson formerly "reconciled" with Uncle Sam and enlisted in the newly formed 90-day Union unit, 3rd Tennessee Mounted Infantry mustering in September. It soon gained a reputation even among area Unionists of being a "well-organized band of outlaws" and "make-believe Federals". Simmons served with them until their muster-out at Knoxville in Dec.1864. "Sims" as he was now known to his "home Yankee" comrades applied for a Federal Pension on May 31, 1892, and was approved.

RICHARD CARL COX (1901-1960) YOUNGEST CHILD OF MELVIN & MARY SIMMONS COX, MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER.

Jackson & Sarah's problems really began when he started actually receiving his pension. They belonged to the same Church with several former Confederates, one of which was George W. Irvin, formerly of the 60th Tennessee. George had managed to survive the Vicksburg Campaign but had narrowly escaped death during a terrible tornado there on March 28, 1863. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/ea...-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-at-vicksburg.190813/

Several conspired to have his pension taken away, informing authorities that Jackson's disability (slow loss of hearing) was the result of his service in the Southern Army as a gunner in the Artillery. Jackson claimed it was the result of "standing picket in the rain, sleet, and snow, on or about Nov.3, 1864, while with the Yankees.

Fortunately, Mr. Irvin later had a change of heart and publicly apologized to Jackson and Sarah in front of the Church and asked for their forgiveness. Simmon's pension was reinstated. Jackson was struck and killed by a train he obviously didn't hear, at Jonesboro, Tennessee, on May 3, 1904.

 

[lupaglupa]

Revenge and repentance - what a great story!

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

https://legacy.catalog.archives.gov/id/41587957

Union Veteran, William Waller said that all the men called Jackson "Sims"

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

G. W. Irvin stated that the members of Company F of "said regiment were regarded by both sides as a band of robbers".
On Jan.16, 1912, Mary Nell Irvin, granddaughter of George Washington Irvin, married Charles Cleveland Land. Older brother of my paternal grandfather.

The Irvin homeplace. Uncle Charlie is the tall guy on the right. Aunt Mary is in the center with her parents.


G

Great-Uncle Charlie Land

 

[2TN_Inf_USA]

Several years ago, when I was doing extensive pension research on USA Regiments in Southeast TN, I did a deep-dive on the 6th TN Mtd Inf (USA), and it definitely was a rather bizarre organization full of men who enlisted in 1865 and served only a few months of service, and they did apply for pensions.

This is from 'Sequatchie County Valley Soldiers in the Civil War' by Jerry Blevins (1990):
'The 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry Regiment (Federal) completed initial organization, in August 1864, at Chattanooga. George A. Gowin helped with initial organization, mustering into service as a Lieutenant in Company A. Attaining a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in October, he commanded the reorganized regiment for the duration of the War. Major William H. Bean, who mustered into service as Captain of Company A, in October 1864, served as second in command.

'All the Sequatchie Valley counties provided soldiers for this Federal Regiment. Marion County soldiers, while primarily concentrated in Company C, are also found in Companies D, E, and F. Sequatchie County provided a few soldiers in Company E and Jackson County mustered a few soldiers into Companies A and C. Lieutenant Andrew Payne organized Company G at Pikeville, in February 1865; however, some Bledsoe County soldiers joined other companies. George W. Hixson of Bledsoe County enlisted as a private in Company D but accepted promotion to Lieutenant and became second in command of Company F.

'In his reports as Tennessee's Adjutant General, J.P. Brownlow states the 6th Mounted Infantry operated primarily against the "numerous guerilla bands that infested the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee and North Georgia." Detachments of the regiment continually scouted the region and frequently engaged these bushwhackers in brief skirmishes.

'In January 1865 the regiment attacked the notorious Gatewood guerilla band in North Georgia, near Summerville, in McLemore's Cove. About midnight, two companies led by Captain McWilliams and Lieutenant Adam Kelly surrounded the band of 80 bushwhackers in camp. In the ensuing attack, soldiers of the 6th killed fourteen guerillas, badly wounded several and the others scattered, leaving most of their horses and arms.

'This regiment suffered the same depredations that their Confederate neighbors experienced during the War. Many could not tolerate the restrictions and discipline of a soldier in the ranks and desertions were not uncommon. Also, many died while in service, either from wounds or the many communicable diseases that plagued the troops on both sides. Compiled Service Records reveal that John Panter of Bledsoe County died in March 1865. James Griffith of Marion County died in May. Also, Privates James J. Walker, John Moore and John Keener of Bledsoe County died in service. Alexander Auls (Awls) was listed as "under arrest" in June 1865. Also, Absalom Ware's record states he was arrested as a guerilla at Nashville, in March 1865, and was supposed to be executed.

'As the Confederate forces surrendered in Virginia and North Carolina, the 6th continued operations in North Georgia performing courier service along the railroads. In June 1865, the Federal high command ordered the 6th to Nashville where they mustered out of service.'

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

A 3 x 1st cousin from Sequatchie County, TN. William Land along with his brother, Jesse, and brother-in-law, Pearl Wimberly began the war as Confederates in the 35th TN. They got caught up in a smallpox epidemic and sent home. Neither rejoined the Confederate Army. In March 1865 William joined Company E Union 6th TN Mounted Infantry and served through September. Afterward, he drew a pension. Family lore handed down says he was threatened with going to prison if he hadn't enlisted.

National Archives NextGen Catalog

The online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records.

catalog.archives.gov

https://legacy.catalog.archives.gov/id/41672195

 

[TnFed]

Several years ago, when I was doing extensive pension research on USA Regiments in Southeast TN, I did a deep-dive on the 6th TN Mtd Inf (USA), and it definitely was a rather bizarre organization full of men who enlisted in 1865 and served only a few months of service, and they did apply for pensions.

This is from 'Sequatchie County Valley Soldiers in the Civil War' by Jerry Blevins (1990):
'The 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry Regiment (Federal) completed initial organization, in August 1864, at Chattanooga. George A. Gowin helped with initial organization, mustering into service as a Lieutenant in Company A. Attaining a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in October, he commanded the reorganized regiment for the duration of the War. Major William H. Bean, who mustered into service as Captain of Company A, in October 1864, served as second in command.

'All the Sequatchie Valley counties provided soldiers for this Federal Regiment. Marion County soldiers, while primarily concentrated in Company C, are also found in Companies D, E, and F. Sequatchie County provided a few soldiers in Company E and Jackson County mustered a few soldiers into Companies A and C. Lieutenant Andrew Payne organized Company G at Pikeville, in February 1865; however, some Bledsoe County soldiers joined other companies. George W. Hixson of Bledsoe County enlisted as a private in Company D but accepted promotion to Lieutenant and became second in command of Company F.

'In his reports as Tennessee's Adjutant General, J.P. Brownlow states the 6th Mounted Infantry operated primarily against the "numerous guerilla bands that infested the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee and North Georgia." Detachments of the regiment continually scouted the region and frequently engaged these bushwhackers in brief skirmishes.

'In January 1865 the regiment attacked the notorious Gatewood guerilla band in North Georgia, near Summerville, in McLemore's Cove. About midnight, two companies led by Captain McWilliams and Lieutenant Adam Kelly surrounded the band of 80 bushwhackers in camp. In the ensuing attack, soldiers of the 6th killed fourteen guerillas, badly wounded several and the others scattered, leaving most of their horses and arms.

'This regiment suffered the same depredations that their Confederate neighbors experienced during the War. Many could not tolerate the restrictions and discipline of a soldier in the ranks and desertions were not uncommon. Also, many died while in service, either from wounds or the many communicable diseases that plagued the troops on both sides. Compiled Service Records reveal that John Panter of Bledsoe County died in March 1865. James Griffith of Marion County died in May. Also, Privates James J. Walker, John Moore and John Keener of Bledsoe County died in service. Alexander Auls (Awls) was listed as "under arrest" in June 1865. Also, Absalom Ware's record states he was arrested as a guerilla at Nashville, in March 1865, and was supposed to be executed.

'As the Confederate forces surrendered in Virginia and North Carolina, the 6th continued operations in North Georgia performing courier service along the railroads. In June 1865, the Federal high command ordered the 6th to Nashville where they mustered out of service.'

The 6th did well in busting up Gatewood's guerrilla band. If memory serves me right, the 5th TN Mounted Infantry USA was also involved.

 

[Mike Serpa]

G. W. Irvin stated that the members of Company F of "said regiment were regarded by both sides as a band of robbers".
On Jan.16, 1912, Mary Nell Irvin, granddaughter of George Washington Irvin, married Charles Cleveland Land. Older brother of my paternal grandfather.

View attachment 462681
The Irvin homeplace. Uncle Charlie is the tall guy on the right. Aunt Mary is in the center with her parents.


GView attachment 462682
Great-Uncle Charlie Land

I hope you don't mind that I cleaned this up a little.

 

[Peace Society]

a side note on pensions and TN:

I was in the Civil War. Mighty rough times, I tell you. My marster sold me. I was in Geoirgia, then they brought me to Tennessee. I was on the Northern side. The man that bought me brought me from Atlanta to Knoxville. Right at the Knoxville branch, the Yankees met us and made him give me up, so he lost me. I got a discharge, all right, but after the war I was met one night out in the woods, and some robbers robbed me of all the money I had, which was two dollars, and took my discharge papers. I never thought much about it then, but I have never been able to get a pension on account of not having them papers. Several people have tried for me, but I never could tell what regiment I was with. The regiment was from Wisconsin; I remember that all right. And I remember two names of officers; they were Lieutenant Parker and Lieutenant Hughes.

name unknown, TN

from the real voices real history series of Depression-era interviews with former slaves

p. 4 from the book Mighty Rough Times, I Tell You
ed, Andrea Sutcliffe, 2000
John F Blair, Publisher
Winston-Salem, NC

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I hope you don't mind that I cleaned this up a little.
View attachment 465519

Not at all, Mike I appreciate your interest! Thanks a bunch!