Soldiers Give Eyewitness Testimony about Christopher Tinkler's Head Injury During the Battle of Gettysburg
My ancestor Christopher Tinkler served in the 107th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Company D in the Union Army during the Civil War. In April 2001, I obtained a copy of his pension file from the National Archives Records Administration in Washington, D.C., File No. WC-488-382. Here is a transcription of affidavits submitted by his fellow soldiers prepared in support of Christopher's pension application:
The State of Ohio )
Stark County )
ss
On this 6th day of
October AD 1874 before me the undersigned authority within and for said County
personally came Harrison Failor and William H. Steiner, both of Pike Township
Stark County Ohio, both well known to me as credible persons, entitled to full
faith and credit, and who being duly sworn say:
That they are both well acquainted
with Christopher Tinkler, who was a member of Company AD @ in the 107th Regiment of
Ohio Vols; That they were both members of said Company and Regiment during the
late war, and they were during that time the intimate associates of said
Tinkler. That they were both present
with their said Company at Stafford Court House in VA when the said Christopher
Tinkler, then present with his said Co and the line of his duty became sick
with a severe attack of Diarrhoea, which greatly frustrated him; that they
were his comrades at that time and assisted him in his said sickness, and they
know that he was attacked by said sickness while in said service and while in
the line of his duty and without fault on his part.
That he was first attacked with
said sickness about the 25 day of December 1860 while lying at said
Stafford Court House. That while
encamped at that place and about the time and before he was taken sick the
weather was very cold and they had only shelter tents to protect
themselves from the inclement weather, and while thus exposed the said Tinkler
fell sick as aforesaid. That while the
Regiment remained at said Stafford Court House, said Tinkler lay sick in his
tent and received treatment at the hands of the Regimental Surgeon. That no Hospital accommodations were
provided, and when the Regiment marched which was about the 25 of January 1863
they left the Sick at said place and among them the said Christopher
Tinkler.
That about a month or six weeks
after the 25 of January 1863 said Tinkler returned to his command but was not
well, in fact was in very feeble health on account of a constant Diarrhoea with
which he was afflicted and he so continued with his command but in the some ill
health until about the first of May when the affiant William H. Steiner says
his Knowledge ceases, as he was at that time taken prisoner, and further he
cannot say.
The affiant Harrison Failor says
that he continued with his said company and has personal Knowledge of the fact
that said Tinkler continued in the same ill health and constantly afflicted
with said Diarrhoea until the Battle of Gettysburgh, when on the first day of
July 1863 the said Christopher Tinkler while in action and in line of duty was
wounded on the left side of the head by the fragment of a shell. That he was in the ranks in the Company as
was said Tinkler and he knows that said Tinkler and he knows that said Tinkler
was ...illegible... There wounded in his
presence in manner as above set forth. He says that said Tinkler was sent to the Hospital and never afterwards
returned to said Company.
Affiants both say that they have
no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of a claim by said Tinkler
for pension.
/s/ William H. Steiner
/s/
Harrison Failor
Not reported absent. AG (spelling?)
Also at same time came Peter
Koller of Pike Township Stark County Ohio, a person well known to me as
respectable and entitled to full faith and credit who being by me duly sworn
says:
That he was a member of Co AD @
107th Regt O.V. Infantry during the late war: that he was well
acquainted with Christopher Tinkler who was a member of the Company
Regiment. That he was present with his
said Company at the Battle of Gettysburgh when the said Christopher Tinkler,
who was also present with his said Company, and in line of duty, was wounded on
the left side of the head by the fragment of a shell. That said Tinkler was so severely wounded
that he was taken from the field and placed in Hospital and never returned to
his command. He says he knows all the
above facts by personal Knowledge and that has no interest in the claim of said
Tinkler for Pension.
/s/ Peter Koller
Sworn to before me and sub...illegible... in my presence by
said Wm H. Steiner, Harrison Failor and Peter Koller, respectively this 6 day
of October AD 1874. And I certify I have
no interest direct or indirect in the above described claim for pension.
OFFICIAL
SEAL
/s/
James J. Clark
Notary Public
Stark County Ohio
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