Soldiers Give Eyewitness Testimony about Christopher Tinkler's Head Injury During the Battle of Gettysburg

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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