Pages 1-7. Service Record.

Mustered into Captain Arribus D. Cunning's Company, 70th Regiment of the Indiana Infantry -- this later became Company H.

Enlisted in at Martinsville, Indiana for 3 years by A. D. Cunning. Enrolled as a private -- a bounty of $25 was paid to him for his enrollment. At the time of his enrollment the following description of him was given:

Age 34 years; height 5 feet 8 inches.

Complexion: sand

Eyes: blue; hair: sand

Where born: Ind.

Occupation: Blacksmith

Promoted to corporal on February 28, 1863.

Went on furlough to Nashville on September 13, 1863.

Mustered-out near Washington D. C. on June 8, 1865 (Lee surrendered April 9, 1865).

Last paid to August 31, 1864. Clothing account settled on August 31, 1864, he had drawn $46.51 in pay since that time.

8. Declaration for Invalid Army Pension. Filed on November 9, 1883, by Preston D. Wakeland before John Handwick, a circuit court clerk for Morgan County, Indiana.

It states that the applicant lived near Martinsville in Morgan County, Indiana. That he was enlisted in the service and was honorably discharged. His present age was 53, his height was 5' 8", with "Sandy" complexion and "Sandy" hair and that his eyes are "black" [!]. It goes on to state that near "Murphysborough" in Tennessee on or about the l5th day of December, 1863,

...he contracted disease of his kidneys by being exposed and the hardships of Military life. Also while a member of the aforesaid organization in the line of his duty at or near a place called Nashville Tennessee on or about the 15th day of January 1864, he contracted Rheumatism caused by exposure and having to lay on the cold wet ground. That he was treated in the Regimental Hospital at Murphysborough, Tenn. during July & part of August 1864.

It goes on to state that he was a blacksmith before the war and after his discharge he was a farmer but has "almost wholly" been disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries.

He must of been in the Nashville area for several months since he had also taken a furlough there in September of 1863.

Written in pencil on the side of this form is the word "Declin." which I assume means that the application was not accepted.

9. War Department, Adjutant General's Office. Letter from the Assistant Adjutant General dated June 3rd, 1884. He states that the records show that Preston D. Wakeland was a corporal in Company H, 70th Regiment of the Indiana Infantry Volunteers, however this is "no evidence of alleged disabilities". His name is not mentioned on any Company Morning Reports as being sick. He also states that these records are "incomplete" and there is no record of a Preston D. Wakeland ever being in the Regimental Hospital.

10-11. Letter by Preston D. Wakeland to John C. Black

Pension Claim No. 508.982

P. D. Wakeland

Cedar Rapids Neb. Aug the 22 '85

Commissioner John C. Black

My place of residence since discharge to the Fourth of March last was Morgan Co. Ind. Post Office Martinsville from the ninth of March to present time Boone Co. Neb. Post office Cedar Rapids farming has been my occupation but not being able to do hard labor have road considerable for the Sheriffs of Morgan the last ten years that I was in the County. As to the history of my disabilities I have been afflicted ever since the latter part of 63 or the beginning of 64 part of the time a part of the time could not work any and none of the time I been able to labor as I could before my disabilities occurred have never employed a physician but went to one in the Spring of 84 when home treatment would give me no relief that was with Dr. Bridges of Aluska Morgan Co. Ind. there has been quite a number of times when I have not been able to do any labor dates I can not give for it has been too frequent but was of frequent occurrence was treated in the service by Doctor Fitzgerald (now dead) for disability alleged in claim was also treated by Doctor Ragorn of our Regiment 70th Ind. for fever in Aug. and Sept. before present disabilities occurred Will give you the names of some of my nearest neighbors that know of my condition since the war George H Rotts William Burkhart John Whitson Post Office Wakeland Morgan Co. Ind for my standing as a truthful and honest man I refer you any or all the Co. officers Morgan for the last twelve years past and present, hope to have an early settlement of my claim.

Yours Respectfully P D Wakeland

12-13. Letter by Preston D. Wakeland to Commissioner of Pensions

Cedar Rapids Neb.

Dec the 26 1885

Commissioner of Pensions

I received a notice from you Aug last asking for a history of my disability in Pension Claim No. 508.982 of Preston D. Wakeland which I answered but have not heard my claim Since have also written my attorney J. J. Hilton Martinsville, Ind but hear nothing from him have sent all evidence I could for myself from Physicians since the tour that I can not send as much as I had not employed one my afflictions are growing worse all the time and am not able to work but little any more.

I would like to hear from you soon if there is any prospect of my claim being allowed or not.

Yours Respectfully

Preston D. Wakeland

Cedar Rapids Neb.

14-15. Medical Evidence Received November 10, 1887.

A Dr. Sample Luftin states that he knew Preston D. Wakeland 12 years before the war and he was healthy except for a slight attack of "bilious fever" in his youth. This illness is not in my medical dictionary but bilious can mean suffering from liver dysfunction, or a "peevish ill-natured disposition."

16. Affidavit to Origin of Disability. A statement from 1889 by Willis Record of Paxton County, Nebraska, who was a lieutenant in Co. "H" 70th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, claiming that Preston D. Wakeland

...on or about 15th day of November, 1863, while in the line of duty, and without fault or improper conduct on his part, at or near Nashville, State of Tennessee, said soldier incurred Rheumatism and Kidney disease affecting his hip and shoulder making him very lame and said disability existed when I last saw said Preston D. Wakeland which was in May or June 1877.

This affidavit, as well as the following were filed by a George E. Lemon, Attorney and Counselor at Law in Washington D.C.

17. Letter by Willis Record to Commissioner of Pensions, dated June 1, 1889.

Mentions the previous affidavit. Restates that Preston D. Wakeland was taken ill with rheumatism and:

...a pain in the back & hip and in fact he was in a bad fix & was treated by our Regimental or company Surgeon and when I last saw him was on 1887 he was a physical wreck claimant was first taken I believe in latter part of 1863 or first part of 1864 he was an excellent soldier ever ready to do his duty when able it seems to me when a man swears to an affidavit setting forth the facts as he knows them or as he recollects that ought to be sufficient unless you attack his oath...

18. Undated letter by William H. Monroe to Commissioner of Pensions. He knew Preston D. Wakeland when he came home in August '65:

...he was then complaining of rheumatism I believe it was in right shoulder and was not able to do much manual labor with out suffering pain and he also has suffered with kidney disease from time to time since then I have seen him so lame that he could hardly get his hand to his mouth to feed himself and I have seen him completely laid up a great many times from year to year ever since...

Goes on to say that he has been a near neighbor to Preston D. Wakeland both in Indiana and Nebraska.

19. Letter by William Herdinbrook to Commissioner of Pensions, dated May 29th, 1889, Wellington Kansas.

Herdinbrook was "1st Lieut. Colonel" for Co. H 70th Indiana Volunteers. He states that Preston D. Wakeland had complained of rheumatism and distressed pain of the arm, shoulder and hip, and to the "Best of my Knowledge" was sent to the Regimental Surgeon, Dr. Fitzgerald who treated him:

I think he was treated for disease of kidneys while at Nashville Tennessee in the later part of 1863 & 1864 so much so he had to be released from duty a good part of the time -- he was a good and faithful soldier.

20. Letter by J. R Carter to Commissioner of Pensions, dated Madison Neb June 11, 1889.

When he first met Preston D. Wakeland in Martinsville, Morgan Co. Indiana on April 1, 1885, we was:

...complaining of Rheumatism in Right Leg, Right Arm and shoulder also complaining of his kidneys. I saw him almost every year since and frequently every month in the year and he continually complained of Rheumatism and general disability and has been disabled in my estimation from one half to 2/3 and a great part of the time is not able to perform any kind of labor which would require exertion.

21-22. Surgeon's Certificate, dated June 19, 1889.

Examination of Preston D. Wakeland by Army doctors. Report states that Preston D. Wakeland claims to have rheumatism and kidney disease, however his urine "test" is negative, though he does show signs of muscular rheumatism. They recommend that he should get a pension of "4/18 of $18" since he has rheumatism. At this time he was 59 years old, is 5' 8" tall, and weighs 153 pounds.

23. Medical Evidence, dated September 1889.

From a Dr. M. M. Hazel who has been practicing medicine for 18 years, and has known Preston D. Wakeland since 1885. Has treated his rheumatism and kidney problems for years. States that Preston D. Wakeland has suffered from diabetes mellitus for at least a year as well.

24. Original Invalid Claim, dated October 12th 1889.

Document approves of a pension of $4 a month commencing on March 22, 1884 (which I assume means it is retroactive). Only approving of a pension for the rheumatism and not for the kidney disease since there is no proof that the disease exists in the applicant. "Important Dates" -- Enlisted, Aug 6, 1862; Discharged, June 8, 1865; Declaration filed, Mar. 22, 1884. "Basis of Claim" -- "At Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec 15/63, disease of kidneys. At Nashville, Tenn. Jan. 15, 1864, rheumatism"

Obviously, one could complain about government red tape as they do now, not only did it take nearly six years to get this pension, they got the causes for the disabilities mixed up. Four dollars a month in 1889 was not much -- it had the same amount of buying power as $59.26 did in 1990. A filing fee of $25 also had to be paid to his attorney Geo. E. Lemon.

25. General Affidavit, dated October 14, 1887. By James R. Carter, age 43 of Cedar Rapids, Boone County Nebraska.

States that he has known Preston D. Wakeland for 25 years and that he has been unable to do any heavy work since returning from duty because his rheumatism and kidney disease and has been totally disabled at times. Seems to be a companion document to the letter above (page 20).

26. Declaration for the Increase of an Invalid Pension, dated December 21, 1889.

A form filed by Preston D. Wakeland and George E. Lemon Attorney, stating that his physical condition is such that he believes himself entitled to receive an increase in pension. His illness inflected him in "Nashville Tennessee while in the line of duty by exhaustion incidental to soldier's life while on duty" The document was witnessed by a James A. Thompson and a William T Riley both of Cedar Rapid, Nebraska.

I do not know if this is the same person, but there was a James A. Thompson who was the brother of John Bolton Thompson who married Preston D. Wakeland's daughter, Eliza. He was born in Tennessee and was living outside the state of Tennessee at this time. I have yet to find any more details in this matter.

27. Surgeon's Certificate, dated June 11, 1890.

Examination of Preston D. Wakeland by military doctors. They say that Preston D. Wakeland is 59 years old (!) and weighs 156 pounds. He is in a "brokendown" condition: he has rheumatism in the right shoulder, back of right thigh, front and back of the right knee. That he has a week back. His rheumatism is caused by the kidney trouble, and that the kidney trouble "appears to be caused by nervous exhaustion." Nervous exhaustion was a common excuse which doctors gave at that time for a lot of difficult to diagnose ailments. They say that he is entitled to "6/18" for rheumatism and "neuralgia" and another "2/18" for kidney trouble. I think that means he is entitled to $8 a month pension.

28. Surgeon's Certificate, dated Dec 24, 1890.

Preston D. Wakeland is 60 years old and weighs 150 pounds. He is still only getting four dollars a month pension. The military doctors states that he shows a positive glucose test for diabetes, that he has rheumatism in both shoulders, that he has "cardiac dullness'', that his nutrition is impaired and is emaciated to a slight extent. The doctors claim that the rheumatism was caused by diabetes. In their opinion he is entitled to a "8/18" increase for the rheumatism and a "8/18" increase for the diabetes.

29. Additional Invalid Pension, dated July 6, 1891.

Preston D. Wakeland has his pension finally increased from $4 a month to $12 a month because of his "Rheumatism, disease of the heart, and diabetes mellitus." His attorney J. G. Parish of Cedar Rapids is paid a fee of $10 to file the forms.

30. Declaration for the Increase of an Invalid Pension, dated September 29th, 1892.

Preston wants an increase in pension from the $12 a month:

On account of an increased disability, and he thinks that the rate of pension he is now receiving is unjustly and unreasonably low, and disproportionate to the rate drawn by other pensioners for similar or equivalent disabilities. His Rheumatism is so bad that he cannot do any work at all and he is a very great suffering being unable to hardly get around about the house without help.

31. Surgeon's Certificate, dated January 4, 1893.

It states that Preston D. Wakeland is 63 years old and his weight is 160 pounds. He has tenderness in both right and left shoulder joints and motion limited to about half. Soreness about knee joint. There is crepitation (crackling sound from a worn out knee cap) in the knee joints with enlargement of lateral ligaments Tenderness over sciatica nerves in right and left hip. Heart impulse very feeble on left side. However, urine tests show that he probably does not have diabetes after all but rather his difficulties are from an enlarged prostate gland: "... larger than common sized hens egg." They recommend that he should not get any money for the diabetes condition. This is their reason why he is only getting $12 a month and not the full $18 which his is allowed.

32. General Affidavit, by Reuben D. Fouts, age 54.

This is to certify that I, Reuben D. Fouts, have been intimately acquainted with Preston D. Wakeland since 1885, until the present time, and that he was complaining of kidney trouble at our first acquaintance and a part of the time since then he has not been able to perform any labor whatever from the stated reason above.

I certify that I have not used nor have been aided or prompted by any written or printed statements prepared or dictated by any other person.

This statement is written in my presence and only from my dictation made Nov 2 1893 at my residence Greely Co. Neb.

Written by Clara A. Fouts wife

Reuben D. Fouts and Clara A. Fouts were the parents of Edwin Lee Fouts. The Fouts family has had a long peripheral relationship with the Wakeland-Wendt family lines since at least this time.

33. General Affidavit, dated November 7, 1893, by William H. Monroe, age 46 of Cedar Rapids, Boone Co., Nebraska.

Has been acquainted with Preston D. Wakeland since March of 1884 and has lived as a near neighbor to him since March 1885 to the present time:

...and he was then and has been ever since suffering more or less with kidney trouble the reason I know this is because I have been with him very often and in his company to town on different times and place and have seen his sufferings and distress... he told me numbers of times what misery he was in...

34. Declaration for the Increase of an Invalid Pension, dated March 18th, 1896.

Preston wants an increase in pension which is still $12 a month. He is now 65, and:

...as age increases the disabilities increase in proportion and at this time his disabilities are such that he cannot perform any manual labor and can scarcely get around the house and help himself and at time he does not get but very little rest or sleep at nights by reason of the diabetes & Rheumatism aches & pains ...

Preston D. Wakeland passed away on May 31, 1896 without any increase to his $12 per month pension.

35. Record Proof of Death, dated July 23, 1896.

Has been acquainted with Preston D. Wakeland since March of 1884 and has lived as a near neighbor to him since March 1885 to the present time:

It is stated that Preston D. Wakeland suffered for a number of years from diabetes millitis, rheumatism, and heart disease and that he died suddenly from heart disease. His death was caused by the illnesses that he contracted while in the Army and that his widow, Sarah P. Wakeland should get a widow's pension.