In December 1881 William Muffley applied for an invalid 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.

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.

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension

State of Iowa
County of Bremer

On this 8th day of June A.D. on thousand eight hundred and eighty one personally appeared before me, Clerk of the District Court, a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid, William Muffley aged 65 years, and resident of the town of xxx County of Franklin State of Iowa who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William Muffley who enlisted under the name of William Muffley on the 30 day of March 1864, as a private in company G of the 8th regiment of Iowa Vol Infnty commanded by C.A.L Roszell Capt and was honorably DISCHARGED at Selma Ala on the 20 day of April 1866; that his personal description is as follows: Age 65 years; height 5 feet 6 inches; complexion fair; hair brown was ging; eyes clear. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Fort Blakely and near Montgomery in the State of Alabama on or about the 9th day of April 1865, he received a gun shot wound of the right shoulder blade by which the same unknown injured and permanently disabled ever since that time and also while on picket duty near Montgomery Alabama on or about the 18th day of April 1865 was smitten down with sun stroke by which he was disabled and rendered unfit for service and has been affected with said disability ever since that time and that such is the effect of said gun shot wound and sun stroke that he is disabled and xxx incapable of supporting himself and family by manual labor.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: was treated in hospital at Montgomery Ala from about the first of July up to about the first of September - the rest of the time was treated by the surgeon of the Reg in camp.

That he has never been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above.

That since the 20th day of April A.D. 1866, he has not been employed in the military or naval service of the United States. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the town of Dora in the State of Iowa 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 enrolled a farmer. That he is now nearly 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 A.I. Cole, Waverly Bremer County Iowa his true and lawful Attorneys to prosecute his claim; and requests that the certification issued in the case be delivered to him. That he has never received nor applied for pension. That his post office address is Dora in county of Franklin State of Iowa.

William Muffley (signature)

H.B. Elsworth
C.H. Blossom

Also personally appeared H.B. Ellsworth & C.H. Blossom, residing at Waverly Iowa 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 William Muffley the claimant sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reson 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.

H.B. Elsworth (signature)
C.H. Blossom (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of June A.D. 1881, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c. were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words State Iowa Bremer Gilmore & Co. of Washington D, erased, and the words A.I. Cole Waverly Bremer County Iowa added; and I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

E.O. Cooper (signature)
Deputy Clerk District Court

In the physical description William Muffley's hair is described as brown and there follows two words that are small and difficult to decipher.  They may be was ging, implying that his hair color has changed from ginger to brown, though that is my interpretation and is based on two words that are not easily read. The claim for pension was made on a form preprinted with the legal firm Gilmore and Co. in Washington, DC.  That preprinting had been crossed off and replaced with reference to A.I. Cole of Waverly, Iowa.

This affidavit from Charles A.L. Roszell was sworn 22 August 1881 and was marked with a date stamp from the US Pensions Office: 30 January 1882.  Charles Roszell was captain for the company (Company G) in which William Muffley was enlisted.

Invalid Pensions
Claim No 428182 –

State of Iowa
Butler County

I C.A.L. Roszell being duly sworn depose and say that my residence and Post Office address is at Clarksville in the County and state aforesaid. That I am the identical person who was late Captain of Company "G" Reg Iowa Inf Vols in the late War of Rebellion.

That William Muffley was a private in said company being mustered into service April 9th 1864 and enlisted March 30th 1864 for a period of three years. That at the time of his enrollment he was a sound able bodied man as far as I know. I further state that while in the time of duty at the siege of Fort Blakely Alabama about April 9th 1865 he was struck by a bullet or missile of the enemy in his rubber overcoat or Ponca so called, which he then carried in a twisted form about his right shoulder. That this applicant is unable to state the nature or extent of the bruise or wound received thereby, but knows that said Wm Muffley ever after that complained of lameness and weakness in the right shoulder and thereafter seemed unable to carry his musket thereon. That said Muffley also while doing picket duty near Montgomery Alabama about the 18th day of April 1865 was much afflicted by the heat of the sun so that for a time he was wholly prostrated and unfit for duty and at no time after that did I feel it my duty to compel him to march in the ranks, but permitted him to do any light duty he was able or in which he could carry his musket at a hold or otherwise show on his right shoulder. That soon thereafter and on the muster out of the 32 Reg Iowa Inf said Muffley was transferred to the 8th Iowa Reg Vol Inf by GO Dep Gulf June 26 1865 and that this applicant does not know the date of his discharge there from.

That since his discharge and return home, I have seen him occasionally and know that his health is impaired and that he is wholly unable to earn a livelihood by manual labor. I further state that I have made the above statement from my own personal knowledge, having been personally in Command of the Company at the time of the casualties to the said Private Wm Muffley occurred. That I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim for pension.

C.A.L. Roszell (signature)
late Captain C G 32d Reg Iowa Inf Vols

Sworn before me and subscribed in my presence by C.A.L Roszell this 22nd day of August 1881 and I certify that the said applicant is well and personally known to me and is a credible witness and well understood the contents of the foregoing affidavit before swearing and signing the same and that I have no interest whatsoever in the prosecution of this claim for pension.

C.S. Schuller (signature)
Notary Public

This affidavit from William Muffley was sworn 19 December 1881 and was marked with a date stamp from the US Pensions Office: 30 January 1882.

xxx Division
Claim No 428182—

State of Iowa
Brenner County

I William Muffley – claimant – being duly sworn an oath, state that since filing my application in this case, I have changed my place of residence to Waverley Brenner County, State of Iowa – where I wish all future correspondence in this case directed. That my occupation for the three years next preceding my enlistment was that of farmer and that since my discharge I have done light work at gardening and shoe making and have resided most of the time in Waverly, being some of the time temporarily absent in Mitchell County Iowa the dates of my coming and going I cannot give. I was also temporarily living at Dows Franklin County Iowa at the time of making my application as aforesaid. The circumstances and history of my disability is the same as set out in my application in this case. I received medical treatment in hospital at Montgomery, Alabama also by Dr. Pxxlaxxxxx Byram surgeon at the 32, Reg, who now resides (I am informed) at Hopkinton Delaware Co Iowa. That I have never suffered from any acute attack of any disease since my discharge, except what was the result of my disability, but have not been regularly treated for the source by any physician but have frequently got prescriptions from the drug store for a cough which I have had more or less since I retired from the army.

That since my discharge I have not been able to perform much manual labor, only light work and cleaning about the house and a little shoe making as above stated, but never since my return have I been able to do the ordinary labor of a common man, and have been prevented from following my usual occupation by reason of said disabilities. I also state that ever since I was sun struck in the last of the summer I have suffered severely from dizziness and have had a sxxace breaking out on my back and shoulders, causing an abrasion and raw [area] of the skin in and around the region of the disabled shoulder.

William Muffly (signature))

Sworn to and subscribed before me by William Muffley this 19th day of Dec, 1881, and I certify that affiant knows the contents of the foregoing affidavit before swearing to the same and that I have no intent whatsoever in the prosecution of that claim for pension.

EC Cooper (signature)
Deputy Clerk Dist Court

This affidavit from Washington Lenhart was sworn 19 December 1881 and was marked with a date stamp from the US Pensions Office: January 30, 1882.  Washington Lenhart was a private in the service with William Muffley.

Invalid Pensions
Claim No 428182 –

State of Iowa
County of Bremer

I Washington Lenhart – being duly sworn an oath depose and say – that my residence and PO address is Waverly, Bremer County State of Iowa – that I was late a member of Co. G. 32. Reg – Iowa Vol Infantry – in the US Military Service in the late War of the rebellion.

I further state that private William Muffley was also a member of said Company and regiment – having enlisted about the 30th day of March 1864 – and at the time he joined said co, he was to all appearance a sound able bodied man – that I was with him at the siege of Fort Blakely Alabama in April 1865 – and that while in the time of his duty as a soldier in said service at said siege while at work I the trenches on or about the 8th or 9th day of April 1865 he was struck by a bullet or missile from the enemy – on or about the right shoulder – disabling the shoulder and arm so much that he was unable to carry his musket and any weight thereon – and to do only light duty about the camp thereafter.

That said Muffley while doing picket duty near Montgomery Alabama on or about the 18th of April 1865 was so much xxx xxxx and effected (sic) by the heat of the sun that he was prostrated and rendered unfit for duty and xxxxx after while in the reg – was unable to see full duty.

That on the muster out at the 32nd Reg – Ia Infantry – he was transferred to the 8th Iowa Reg Vol Infantry – where he remained until his discharge. That since his discharge and return home I have frequently seen and xxxxx from him and know that his health is, and has been very poor – and that such are his disabilities that he is not able to earn or obtain his support by manual labor – that his disabilities were not xxxx aggravated nor prolonged by any intemperate or other bad habits, he being a temperate, moral and upright man and a good soldier & citizen.

I make the foregoing statements from my own personal knowledge of him and the facts and circumstances above set forth and that I have no interest direct of indirect in the prosecution of that claim for pension.

Washington Lenhart (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me by Washington Lenhart this 19th day of December 1881 – and I certify that affiant is known to me to be a credible witness worthy of belief and know the contents of the foregoing affidavit before swearing to the same & that I have no interest whatsoever in the prosecution of this claim for pension.

E.C. Cooper (signature)
Deputy Clerk Dist Court

This affidavit from Dewitt Harrison was sworn 19 December 1881 and was marked with a date stamp from the US Pensions Office: January 30, 1882.  Dewitt Harrison was a corporal in the military service with William Muffley.

Invalid Pensions
Claim No 428182 –

State of Iowa
Butler County

I Dewitt C. Harrison being duly sworn an oath depose and say that my residence and PO address is Clarksville Butler County Iowa. That I was late a member of Co G. 32nd Reg Iowa Vol Infty in the US Military Service in the late War of the rebellion. That Private William Muffley was also a member of said Co & Reg – that I knew him at the time of his enlistment in said Co – and that at that time he was to all appearances a sound able bodied man.

That at the siege of Fort Blakely, Ala – about the 8th or 9th of April 1865 – while in the line of his duty as a soldier in said service while at work in the trenches he was struck by a bullet or missle (sic) from the enemy – on or about the right shoulder- disabling the shoulder and arm so that he was unfit for duty at the time – and after that only light duty about the camp.

That after on or about the 18th day of April 1865, while on picket duty near Montgomery Alabama, said Muffley was smitten down and overcome with the heat of the sun – and rendered unfit for any duty for a long time and was taken to the hospital at Montgomery – and never after that was he able to do but little if any duty while in the Reg – and that he was disabled as before stated when discharged from the service. I have frequently seen him and known him since his discharge up to the present time and know from my knowledge of and acquaintance with him that he is still disabled and prevented from doing any manual labor necessary to his support – and that of his family.

That in the heat of summer I have seen his back and shoulders in the vicinity of the wound – badly broken out in xxx sores by which he was greatly afflicted and disabled. That his disabilities were not xxxxxxxxxx aggravated xxx prolonged by intemperance or other bad habits – I wrote the foregoing statement from my being present with him on duty in the service and my acquaintance with him since that time and that I have no interest whatsoever in his claim for pension.

Dewitt C. Harrison (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22nd day of December 1881 – and I certify affiant is well known to me and is a credible witness – and because the contents of the affidavit before swearing to the same and that I have on interest whatsoever in that claim for pension.

J.J. Eichorn (signature)

Examining Surgeon's Certificate

State: Iowa      County: Franklin
Post Office: Hampton     Mch 15, 1882
I hereby certify that I have carefully examined
Wm Muffley, late a Prv
Co "G", 8th Reg't, Iowa Infty
in the service of the United States, who is an Applicant for an
invalid pension by reason of alleged disability from G.S.W. in
right shoulder blade effects of sunstroke

In my opinion the said William Muffley
is one half total 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 did truly originate
in the service aforesaid in the line of duty.

The disability is permanent
A more particular description of the applicant’s condition is subjoined:

height: 5 ft 6 in; weight, 115; complexion, light;
age, 65; pulse, 96; respiration 22

I find a cicatrix just at posterior margin of scapula midway between superior and inferior angle. When arm is raised above level with shoulder there is a drawing of tissue, loss of strength and motion. Claimant states that he can perform any labor that is low down but cannot work the arm when any reaching up is required – is all the time dizzy and has headache. Everything looks blue before him – is worse in warm weather, has bad cough and a troublesome eruption all over him. I find a decripid demented and generally debilitated old man. If present condition of mind and body is directly traceable to sunstroke he should have xx made.

I find disability as above described to be equal to and entitling him to ½ total – for G.S.W. of shoulder.

J.H. Hutchins MD (signature)
Ex Surg

I have the honor to return herewith your request for a report of hospital treatment in Claim No. 428182, with such information as is furnished by the records filed in this Office, viz: that Wm Muffley Sergt Co G 8 Iowa Vols was admitted to Post Hospital Montgomery Ala Aug. 24, 1865 diagnosis not stated and returned to duty Jan. 15, 1866. There are no records of the Regiment on files.

By order of the Surgeon General:

B.F. Pope (signature)
Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army

This five month stretch in the hospital commenced four months after William Muffley's wounding at Ft Blakely. Following Wm Muffley is a word that is difficult to decipher.  It appears to be Sergt, which might imply a rank of Sergeant for William Muffley at this time, however, there is no other indication I have seen (anywhere) suggesting William Muffley was any rank above Private. 

Document from the War Department – Adjutant General’s Office to the Pension office, reporting the status of the witnesses (Roszell, Lenhart, and Dewitt) at March/April 1865.  It was prepared 6 February 1883.

428182
War Department
Adjutant General’s Office

Washington, Feby 6, 1883

Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
C.A.L. Roszell was a Capt. Of Gompany "G" 32 Regiment Iowa Volunteers and Washington Lenhart was a Pvt & Dewitt C. Harrison was a Corporal same Co & Regt and are reported on the Muster Roll of said Co for March & April /65. All present Regt’l Return for March /65, reports Roszell. Present and does not report either Lenhart or Harrison absent.

No additional information regarding presence or absence at the time indicated.

M Barlin (signature)
Assistant Adjutant General

The signature is not easily deciphered and the best representation of it is M. Barlin. The US Pension Office placed its stamp on the document 7 February 1883.

428182
War Department
Adjutant General’s Office

Washington, February 7, 1883

Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
William Muffley, a private of Company G, 32nd Regiment Iowa Inf Volunteers, was enrolled on the 31st day of March 1864 at Cold Water 3 yrs, and is reported: from enrollment to Oct 31/64 present. Dec 31/64 absent sick at Nashville Tenn. Feby 28/65 present. Same to June 30/65. On transfer roll of men from 32 to 8th Iowa Vols his name is borne with remark, "wounded at Fort Blakely Ala".

Co was in action at Ft Blakely Ala from Mch 31 to Apl 9 '65/ On roll Co G 8 Iowa Inf (to xxxx of 8) July to Aug '65 absent sick Montgomery Ala since Aug 29 '65. Same to Dec 31/65. July 28/66 present. Mustd out with Compy Apl 20/66 at Selma Ala.

Nature of sickness and Location of wound not stated. The Regimental hospital records are not on file.

M Barlin (signature)
Assistant Adjutant General

Original Invalid Pension

Claimant, William Muffley
P.O., Waverly       Rank, Private
County, Bremer     Company "G"
State, Iowa     Regiment, 8 Iowa Vols
Attorney, A.J. Cole   Waverly Iowa
Fee, $10.   Agent not to pay
Rate, $4 per month, commencing Aug. 25" 1881

Disabled by Gun shot wound right shoulder
Submitted for admission Feb 12" 1883, by B.F. Rose, Examiner.

Basis of Claim

Alleges in declaration filed Aug 25th 1881 that at Ft Blakely near Montgomery Ala about 9th April 1865 he received a gun shot wound of the right shoulder blade by which the same has been injured and permanently disabled ever since, that while in picket duty near Montgomery Ala about 18th April 1865 was smitten down with sun stroke.