In March 1889 William Muffley applied for an increase in his invalid pension pension based on his service in the War of the Rebellion, where he was wounded and succumbed to sunstroke in April 1865.  These original papers are located in his file in the National Archives in Washington, DC.

In 1881 William lodged a successful application for an invalid pension.  The result of the application was a monthly pension of $4.  In this application, William is seeking to increase the award based on his worsening conditions.  His children are more visible in the application process as witnesses and in preparing statements.

His application, the support letters and the examining surgeon report are hand written and have been here transcribed.  There are some words which were not deciphered.  They may be found written as xxx.

To facilitate reading, all of the reports are included in this single web page.  Each panel is a separate affidavit, report, or action.

Re-Rating and Increase of Pension

State of Iowa, Mitchell County, $$
On this 16th day of March A.D. 1889, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, duly authorized to administer oaths with and for the County and State aforesaid, William Muffley aged 80 years, a resident of the County and State aforesaid, who, being duly sworn according to the law, declared hat he is a pensioner of the United States, duly enrolled at the rate of 4 dollars per month, under Pension Certificate No. 228041 by reason of disability from gun shot of the right shoulder which disability is increasing and renders him less capable of obtaining his subsistence by manual labor incurred in the service of the United States while a Pvt in Co. G, of the 32 Regiment, of Iowa Vols. That he believes himself to be entitled to an increase of pension on the account of his rate being low and disproportionate to his degree of disability.

He claims that during the time from his discharge to this date his rate has not been in accordance with his disability, nor in proportion to the rate allowed to others for similar e and equivalent disabilities, and therefore he asks that his rating be corrected and he be Re-Rated from his discharge to date in accordance with law as his disability is permanent and specific.

That he appoints J.Y. Hazlett, of Waverly, Iowa, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim: that his Post office is Osage County of Mitchell State of Iowa.

Claimant sign here William Muffley (signature)

Also personally appeared Hiram E. Tuttle residing at Osage Iowa and Louisa Hunt residing at Waverly Iowa, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, say they were present and saw William Muffley the claimant, sign his name (or 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 that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

Hiram E. Tuttle (signature)
Louisa Hunt (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day first written above; and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration &c, were fully made known and explained to applicant and witnesses before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.

Otis P. Woodland (signature)
Notary Public
in and for Mitchell County Iowa

Increase Pension Claim 228041
Wm Muffley, Rank, Priv
Company G, 8th Reg't Iowa Vols   Osage Iowa State
Osage Iowa   July 10, 1889

We hereby certify that in compliance with the requirements of the law we have examined this applicant, who states that he is suffering from the following disability, incurred in the service, viz:
Gun Shot Wound right shoulder
and that he receives a pension of 4 dollars per month.

Pulse rate per minute, 70; respiration, 18; temperature, 98; height, 5
feet 6 inches; weight, 110 pounds; age 72 years.

He makes the following statement upon which he bases his claim for Increase

    Statement Area Is Blank

Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: Poorly nourished - very feeble - right shoulder somewhat shrunken and complains of much pain and stiffness.  He is nearly demented as says from a sun stroke while in the service so that we can get no xxx statement from him in regard to his symptoms and condition.  He is not able to do any manual labor. Lungs, liver, spleen and bowels normal.

From the existing condition and the history of this claimant, as stated by himself, it is, in our judgment, probable that the disability was incurred in the service as he claims, and that it has not been prolonged or aggravated by vicious habits.  He is, in our opinion, entitled to a 8/18 rating for the disability caused by GSW right shoulder.

Increase Invalid Pension

Rate, $6 per month commencing July 10, 1889

Disabled by GSWd. right shoulder

Discharged Apr. 20, 1866.    Last paid to <blank> at $4
Pensioned from Aug. 25, 1881, at $4, for above

Original declaration filed Aug. 25, 1881; alleged same

Present Claim
Mch. 25, 1889, same