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The National Archives in America hold various documents pertaining to the military service and subsequent pension claims of William (4) Woodhurst. Transcriptions of the pension-related documents are given below. Where text appears in red font, this signifies that the original writing is unclear and that the transcription is uncertain. Text appearing within square brackets is the transcriber's commentary.
Soldier's Certificate 99066 Veteran: William Woodhurst Rank: Private Service: Co. L. 2 Iowa Calv. Can No. 1706 Bundle No. 12
To All Whom It May Concern: Know ye, That William Woodhurst a Private of Captain ... [blank] Company (L) 2nd Regiment of Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, who was enrolled on the Eleventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and Sixty two to serve Three years or during the war, is hereby Discharged from the service of the United States this Sixth day of June 1865, at Memphis, Tennessee, by reason of G.O. [General Order] No.77 War Dept. A.G.O. [Adjutant General's Office] Apl. 28 1865. (No objection to his being re-enlisted is known to exist.) Said William Woodhurst was born in Kent Co. in the State of England, is Twenty five years of age, Five feet Six inches high, Light complexion, Blue eyes, Light hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a Farmer. Given at Memphis, Tennessee this Sixth day of June, 1865 [Signed] Manywell Capt. 8th Iowa Infty. (A.C.M. 3rd Div. P.C.)
State of Iowa, Jackson County
On this 23rd day of September 1868 before me the undersigned a Judge of the County Court in and for said County and State aforesaid
personally appeared William Woodhurst a resident of Maquoketa Jackson County Iowa aged 40 years who being duly sworn according
to law declares that he is the identical William Woodhurst who was a Private of Company L 2nd Regt. of Iowa Cavy. Vols
war of 1861 & 2 for the suppression of the rebellion in certain of the United States. That he volunteered at Maquoketa, Iowa on
or about the 11th day of August 1862 to serve three years and was honorably discharged at Memphis Tennessee on the 6th day of June 1865
as will appear by his certificate of discharge herewith presented. That while in said service in the line of his duty at Lagrange in the
State of Tennessee on the 5th day of February 1863 while riding his horse to water said horse stumbled & fell dead and in the fall said horse
fell upon claimant which caused Hernia of his right side. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided at Maquoketa Jackson County
Iowa was treated in Washington Hospital and his occupation has been that of Baker. He makes this declaration in order to be placed on the
Invalid Pension Roll of the United States by reason of the disability above stated. And he hereby constitutes and appoints B.F. Thomas of
Andrew Jackson Co. Iowa to prosecute this claim and to procure a certificate.
[Signed] William Woodhurst
Sworn to subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year first above named and on the same day personally appeared before me
Morgan H. Cavanagh and John J. Wright residents of Jackson County, Iowa and made oaths that they are personally acquainted with
William Woodhurst who has made and subscribed the foregoing declaration in their presence 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 that they
reside as above stated and are disinterested in this claim for a pension that since leaving the service of the United States as aforesaid his
habits have been uniformly good and his occupation has been Baker.
[Signed] Morgan H. Cavanagh
John J. Wright
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am not interested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution. That I
believe the affiants to be creditable witnesses and the claimant is the person he represents himself to be.
[Signed] J.S. Darling Co. Judge
State of Iowa, Jackson County I, W.S. Belden being duly sworn says William Woodhurst a Private of my Company, while in the discharge of his duty as a soldier at Lagrange, Tennessee at some time during the months of February or March A.D. 1863, was injured by the fall of his horse, was sent to the Hospital and was never afterwards returned to his Company for duty. The Surgeon of the Regiment said the said Woodhurst was ruptured - Woodhurst was kept on light duty in and about the Hospital until six June 1865 when he was mustered out of service by order of G.O. No.77 War Dept. [Signed] W. Scott Belden Late Capt. Comp. "L" 2nd Iowa Cavy. Vols. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24th day of September 1868 [Signed] Geo. L. Wright Notary Public
William Woodhurst, Maquoketa, Jackson Co., Iowa of the Town of Dover, County of Kent of England. On this 7 day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the County and State above mentioned, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William Woodhurst who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain W.W. Eaton in the Regiment 2nd Iowa Cavalry commanded by Col E. Hutch, that he enlisted on the 11th day of August 1862 for the term of Three Years, and was discharged at Memphis, Tenn. on the 6th day of June 1865 by reason of Genrl. Order No.77. [Signed] Wm. Woodhurst sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year above written. State of Iowa, Jackson County. W.S. Belden being duly sworn says that at the time of the enlistment of the ... named William Woodhurst, William W. Eaten [sic] was Capt. of the Company and that he, said Belden, was 1st Lieut. thereof. [Signed] W.S. Belden Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24th day of September 1868 [Signed] Geo. L. Wright, Notary Public.
No. 137,511 Maquoketa, Iowa Jan. 7th 1869 I hereby certify, That I have carefully examined William Woodhurst, late a Private in L of 2nd Reg. Iowa Cavalry in the service of the United States, who was discharged at Memphis Tenn., on the Sixth day of June 1865, and is an applicant for an invalid pension, by reason of alleged disability resulting from Inguinal Hernia. In my opinion the said William Woodhurst is Three Fourths incapacitated for obtaining his subsistence by manual labor from the cause above stated. Judging from his present condition, and from the evidence before me, it is my belief that the said disability was caused in the service aforesaid in the line of duty. The disability is Temporary if properly treated. A more particular description of this applicant's condition is subjoined: This applicant has oblique Inguinal Hernia of the right side, which by pressure on the testis causes pain, nausea and debility, which prevent him from earning his subsistence by manual labor. [Signed] Preston L. Lake, Examining Surgeon.
Adjutant General's Office, Washington D.C., Janry. 9th 1869 To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 137,511, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office. There is no evidence on file in this Office that William Woodhurst was enrolled and mustered into service in Co. L, 2nd Regiment of Iowa Cavy Volunteers. But on the Muster Roll of Co. L of that Regiment, for the months of Janry & Febry 1863, there is the following evidence of service. He is reported present for duty. Roll for May & June 1863, reports him absent "sick in Hospital Lagrange, Tenn. since March 19. 1863". Roll for July & August 1863 reports him present for duty. Station of Co. Febry 28, 1863, Lagrange, Tenn. Roll for May & June 1865 reports him absent "in Hosp. Memphis Tenn. since Febry 4, 1864". And M.O.R. [Mustering-Out Roll?] dated June 6, 1865 reports him mustered out at that date pursuant to Gen. Order No. 77, War Dept. A.G.O. Apl. 28, 1865. Said Roll states that he was enrolled Aug. 11, 1862 at Davenport, Iowa. I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Signed] ... Breck, Assistant Adjutant General.
State of Iowa, County of Jackson Personally appeared before me the Clerk of the District County Court in and for said County William Woodhurst whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me first duly sworn, according to law, do depose and say, that William Woodhurst who was a Private in Co. "L" 2nd Regt. Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, and I am an applicant for an Invalid Pension No. 137,511, and I do further state that on [or] about the 17th day of March 1863 I was sent from my Company then at Camp near Lagrange Tenn. to Washington General Hospital at Memphis Tenn. and remained at said Hospital last named for the period of over two years, that he was unable to do anything for a long time after I went to said Hospital, but, after the soreness from the bruises received in the fall, I served as a Baker of said hospital on light duty until my Discharge, 1865 and he further say [sic] that his knowledge of the above facts is obtained from the following source, viz: Personal being the Applicant. [Signed] William Woodhurst Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23rd day of February A.D. 1869, and I hereby certify that I have no interest nor concerned in the prosecution of said claim, and that I read the foregoing to the deponent, and that he subscribed and swore to the same with a full knowledge of its contents. [Signed] E.J. Haline Clerk Dist. Court
Webster City, Hamilton Co., Iowa March 5th 1869 I, Jesse R. Burgess do hereby certify that I was late Asst. Surgeon of the 2nd Regiment of Iowa Cavy. Volunteers, and am acquainted with William Woodhurst who was a member of Company "L" in said Regt. That the said William Woodhurst was mustered into service on or about the Eleventh day of August 1862, and discharged about the Sixth day of June 1865, having become disabled from duty as a soldier from, on or about the 17th day of March 1863, while in the service of the United States, and in the line of duty as a soldier, in the manner and at the place as follows: On or about the 17th of March 1863 he was injured by the fall of his horse which causing [sic] an inguinal hernia in the right groin. The Regt. was stationed near Lagrange Tennessee. That the said soldier was in good health at the time he entered the service, and the disability above referred to affected him while in the service and at his discharge, as follows: he was unfit for military service, and was sent to Hospital where he remained until he was Discharged. My knowledge of the above facts is obtained from the following sources: I was surgeon of said Regt. and was called to attend said soldier immediately upon the occurrence of the accident. and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, nor concerned in the prosecution of a pension claim in the case of said soldier. [Signed] Jesse R. Burgess MD late Asst. Surgeon 2nd Regt. Iowa Cavy. Vols. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th day of March A.D. 1869, and I certify that I have no interest nor concern in the prosecution of said claim, and that the affiant is respectable and entitled to credit. [Signed] Albert A. Wicks clk [clerk] District Court of Hamilton County, Iowa.
Surgeon General's Office Record and Pension Division Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions. It appears from the records of this Office that Jesse R. Burgess was Asst. Surgeon of the 2nd Regt. Iowa Cav. Vols., at the date specified in the enclosed Statement, and the signature thereto appears to be genuine. By Order of The Surgeon General: [Signed] J.J. Woodward, Brevet Lt. Col. and Asst. Surgeon, U.S.A.
Pension number 137,511 Vol. 20 No. 1698 War Department, Surgeon General's Office, Record and Pension Division Washington D.C., July 17th 1869 Certificate from Records It appears, from the records filed in this Office, that William Woodhurst, Private, Co. L 2nd Regt. Iowa Vol. Cav., was admitted to No.1 General Hospital, Lagrange, Tenn., Mch. 24th 1863 from 'not stated' for treatment for Hernia - date and cause of exit not given. Entered No.2 General Hospital, Lagrange, Tenn. May 20 '63, with Hernia, and was returned to duty May 29, 1863. Entered Washngton G.H. Memphis, Tenn. May 15, 1865 and was discharged the service - mustered out June 8, 1865. By Order of The Surgeon General [Signed] J.J. Woodward, Brev. Lieut. Col and Asst. Surgeon, U.S. Army.
WAR OF 1861 Act July 14, 1862 Brief in the case of William Woodhurst Prvt. of Company L, 2 Regiment Iowa Cavly. Post Office Address of Applicant: Maquoketa, Jackson Co. Iowa Enlisted Augst. 11th, 1862, Discharged June 6th, 1865 CLAIM FOR AN INVALID PENSION Declaration and Identification in Due Form PROOF EXHIBITED Said Woodhurst is reported on the Roll for Janry & Febry 1863 present for duty. Station of Company Febry 28/63 Lagrange Tenn. Roll for May & June /63 reports him absent sick in Hospital Lagrange Tenn. since March 19/63. Discharged June 6th/65. Capt Belden certifies that said Woodhurst while in discharge of his duty as a soldier at Lagrange Tenn. some time during the months of Febry or Mar /63 was injured by the fall of his horse and sent to Hospital. Asst. Surgeon Burgess certifies that said Woodhurst on or about 17th of March 1863 was injured by the fall of his horse which caused an inguinal hernia of the right groin. Regiment stationed near Lagrange Tenn. Said Woodhurst was admitted to No. 1 Genl. Hospital Lagrange Tenn. Mar 24/63 for treatment for hernia, was again admitted May 20/63 with hernia. Examined by Dr. Lake Sept 24/68 and reported three fourths disabled by right inguinal hernia which descends into the scrotum, pressing on the testis thus stretching the cord causing fainting and debility. Again examined Janry 7/69 and reported as above. Admitted July 19, 1869, to a Pension of $6.00 per month, commencing June 7th, 1865. Disability three fourths. Disabled by right inguinal hernia. Name and Residence of Agent: [Signed] B.F. Thomas Esq., Andrew, Iowa Examining Clerk: [Signed] J.C. Williams
of Biennial, Annual or Semi-annual Examination, on which the Pensioner draws his Pension. Montana Territory County: Lewis & Clarke Post Office: Helena Sept. 10th 1873 I hereby certify, That I have carefully examined William Woodhurst, who was a Private Co. L. 2nd Iowa Cavalry in the war and was granted an Invalid Pension under Certificate No. 99066 to be paid now at the Agency in Merion Iowa by reason of alleged disability resulting from Femoral Hernia, which he states to have been received in the line of duty while he was in the military service of the United States. In my opinion the said Pensioner's disability, from the cause aforesaid, continues at Third Grade $8 per month. [It is surmised that this denoted three quarters of the maximum pension of $8, so he was still getting $6.] A more particular description of the Pensioner's condition is subjoined: Height 5 feet 6 ins; weight 141 lbs; complexion dark; Age 46; respiration 24; pulse 61. The above applicant is now suffering from Femoral Hernia in Right Side which is reducible & uncomplicated requiring only the use of a common truss. [Signed] Thomas Reece Examining Surgeon
of Biennial, Annual or Semi-annual Examination, on which the Pensioner draws his Pension. Montana Territory County: Lewis & Clarke Post Office: Helena Sept. 10th 1873 I hereby certify, That I have carefully examined William Woodhurst, who was a Private Co. L. 2nd Iowa Cavalry in the war and was granted an Invalid Pension under Certificate No. 99066 to be paid now at the Agency in St. Paul Minn by reason of alleged disability resulting from Femoral Hernia Right Side, which he states to have been received in the line of duty while he was in the military service of the United States. In my opinion the said Pensioner's disability, from the cause aforesaid, continues at one half. A more particular description of the Pensioner's condition is subjoined: Height 5 feet 6 ins; weight 141 lbs; complexion dark; Age 46; respiration 24; pulse 60. William Woodhurst is afflicted with Femoral Hernia of right side which is reducible and uncomplicated requiring the use of a single truss. [Signed] Thomas Reece Examining Surgeon
of Biennial, Annual or Semi-annual Examination, on which the Pensioner draws his Pension. Montana Territory County: Lewis & Clarke Post Office: Helena City May 19 1876 I hereby certify, That I have carefully examined William Woodhurst, who was a Private Co. L. 2nd Iowa Cavy. in the war Rebellion and was granted an Invalid Pension under Certificate No. 99066 to be paid now at the Agency in St. Paul & Minn by reason of alleged disability resulting from Hernia of right side, which he states to have been received in the line of duty while he was in the military service of the United States. In my opinion the said Pensioner's disability, from the cause aforesaid, continues at Total one half $4 per month. A more particular description of the Pensioner's condition is subjoined: Height 5 feet 6 ins; weight 141 lbs; complexion dark; Age 48; respiration 72; pulse 23. [The latter two figures appear to have been accidentally interchanged.] Femoral Hernia of right side which is reducible requiring the use of a truss. [Signed] Thomas Reece Examining Surgeon
Territory of Montana County of Lewis & Clarke On this 10th day of November A.D. 1877 before me a County Clerk & Recorder within and for said County personally appeared William Woodhurst a resident of said County aged 53 years who being by me first duly sworn, declares that he is the same person in whose favor a certificate of Pension was issued on the 23rd day of July 1869 by the Acting Secretary of the Interior (W.J. Otto) No. 99066 at the rate of six dollars per month from the 7th day of June 1865 (afterwards reduced to four dollars per month) and which pension has been paid to him to the 4th day of June 1877 at the agencies of Saint Paul Minn & Milwaukee MT [Montana Territory]. That the disability for which this said pension was allowed was caused by hernia in the line of duty as a private in Company L in the Second Regiment of Iowa Cavalry in the war of the Rebellion and was graduated for three fourths disability from manual labor. That said disability has since increased to such an extent as to render him less able than formerly to perform manual labor. He makes this declaration for the purpose of attaining an increase of his Pension, corresponding with the increase of his disability as aforesaid. He hereby appoints with full power of substitution William Conrad of Washington D.C. his true and lawful Attorney to prosecute his claim and that he desires all communications relative to this claim sent to him at Helena Cy [City] Care of Robert C. Walker. [Signed] William Woodhurst Witness Geo. B. Foote Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of November AD 1877. [Signed] O. Besottue County Clerk & Recorder
[Small note bearing no explicit author - probably an internal memo in the Department of the Interior Pension Office.] 1.78 [January 1878] - Due rej. atty infd [... rejected; Attorney informed] R.C. Walker of Helena, Montana, that P.C. [Pension Claim?] is retained, subject to the call of the widow, children or legal representatives of late pensioner. Pensioner dead.
Department of the Interior. Pension Office. Washington D.C. June 25, 1878 Gentlemen, Information of the death of William Woodhurst, late claimant for increase of pension No. 99066 having been received at this Office, medical evidence, showing the fact, date and cause of death, is required. Very respectfully, [Signed] J.A. Bentley Commissioner Pensions Wm. Conrad & Co. Washington D.C.
Respectfully returned. From the best information I can get there is no evidence of the causes of the death of William Woodhurst except that his body was found on the ice under or near the Sun River Bridge near Fort Shaw M.T. on the morning of Janry 22nd 1878. The supposition that he came to his death by accidentally falling from the bridge in the darkness while going to his lodgings late at night, is entertained by all the citizens of Sun River who are cognizant of the circumstances. He was in usual health the day before his death and no doctor attended him. I have no doubt but that the person found dead as above stated, was the identical William Woodhurst who was a Pensioner of the United States drawing Pension by Certificate No. 99066 and a applicant for increase at the time of his death. [Signed] Robt. C. Walker Paymaster USA Retired Helena N.T. August 14, 1878
[William (4)'s application for a pension increase had been filed in late November 1877, about two months prior to his death. It appears that the formalities in dealing with (and rejecting) the claim had continued for nearly a year afterwards. The document has the word 'Reject' written diagonally across its top-left corner.] Increase Invalid Pension. Claimant William Woodhurst (deceased) Rank Pri. Company L Regiment 2nd Iowa Cav. P.O. [Post Office] Care of Robt. C. Walker, Helena County Lewis & Clark [sic] Co., Montana Ter. Attorney Wm. Conrad, Washington D.C. Fee Pay $10 Disabled by Right Inguinal Hernia Submitted Oct. 23, 1878 by J.E. Griffing, Examiner Approved for right inguinal hernia. No examination made under pending claim. Oct 24, 1878 [Signed] J.P. Dan, Reviewer Approved for No Increase. Oct 25th 1878 [Signed] Wm. Grinsted Med. ...[Medical Practitioner?] Discharged June 6, 1865 Original application filed Dec. 9, 1868 Increase application filed Nov. 26, 1877 Certificate surrendered Dec. 27, 1877 Last paid at $4 to June 4, 1877 Pensioned July 23, 1869; from June 7, 1865; at $6 per month for Right Inguinal Hernia. Reduced to $4 May 2, 1874 by Dr. Thomas Reece. Claimed, Hernia. Dr. Reece, Ex. Surgn., states that Wm. Woodhurst was found drowned some three or four months ago - dated June 4.78. Robt. C. Walker states that the body of late pensioner was found in the ice near a bridge near Fort Shaw, M.T. Jan. 22/78 and it is supposed that his death was caused by accidentally falling from the bridge in the darkness while going to his lodgings at night, his body being found in the morning.