WAR of 1861 - ACT July 14, 1862 - Brief of Claim to Original INVALID Pension in the case of SYLVESTER TRUESDELL, a Private of Company "F", 8th Regiment Minn. Vols.  PO Address: Redwood Falls, Redwood Co MN. Sylvester at 20 was 5'9", light complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, occupation - farmer.  At 41, weight 150, 5'9', pulse 62, respiration 18, temperature 98.  At the time he passed away, he was receiving disability of $24.00 a month.

Enlisted August 20, 1862.  Discharged July 11, 1865.  No-re-enlistment. Filed May 31, 1871.  Declaration and identification in due form, filed Jan 21, 1871. 

Statement given by Sylvester Truesdell:

        ALLEGES DISABILITY FROM: Epilepsy - I was detailed in the summer of 1864 to run the Ferry Boat at Fort Ripley, Minn. for the Government & one St. Clair Noyes who was detailed to assist me, obtained a leave of absence for two days on or about the 1st of August 1864 and the entire work of running the ferry during those two day, devolved upon me and was more than I could endure and on the evening of the second day, I had a fit and another on the following day, the first ones I ever had, which were hard and left me in a state of unconsciousness for two days - About one month after this, I had another fit, the next fit came in Dec 1864, I had fits after this at different times while in the service and since my discharge they have been increasing in frequency and violence.  I was not treated in any General Hospital for said disease.  I cannot furnish any medical evidence as to my physical condition prior to/at enlistment, as from my earliest recollection I had been vigorous, robust and had never been treated by an physician nor had medical treatment for any disease whatever, before my enlistment.  For the most part, since my discharge, I have been without medical treatment or medical attendance by a physician except such as administered by my Mother.  

                                                                                      Signed by Sylvester Truesdell

     Adjt. General reports him: "Enrolled August 20, 1862."  Roll for July & Aug 1864 reports him "On detached service at Fort Ripley" - M. O. Roll of Co date July 11, 1865 reports him: "Present and mustered out with the Co. as of that date."

AFFIDAVITS:

Affidavit by Joseph E. Chapman, late 1st Lt same Co. & Regiment certifies that claimant a the the time of enlistment in Aug 1862 was of sound body and in good health. While in the service and in line of his duty  on or about the 1 of August 1864 at Fort Ripley Minnesota, he contracted Epilepsy, from excessive hard labor while running a ferry boat at said point.  The disease has rendered him unfit for duty and disabled him for the performance of all kinds of manual labor.

Affidavits from the following attesting to his good health prior to the service and illness after: Robert Silk (brother-in-law), W. N. Scofield of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Dr. John L. Armington, Dr. Hartford Peters, Dr. D. l. Hitchcock, Ex. Surg. Dr. Flinn, Henry Hamilton, Matthew Wilson.  Claimant says he is unable to find any of the Officers of Co. and has had great difficulty in finding the two comrades who testify in the above Affidavits.

WASHINGTON TRUESDELL certifies that I am a brother to claimant, I was with him from fall of 1867 till the first of May 1868 and from Sept 1868 til the spring of 1869 and I am knowing to the fact of his having frequent attacks of Epileptic fits during this time.  I was present, saw & cared for him many times when suffering and prostrated from these violent spasmodic attacks and his health was such as to unfit him for manual labor."

LAFAYETTE TRUESDELL certifies that I am a brother to claimant and he and I were together from Jan 1868 till Sept 1868 and I am well known to the fact of the infirmity of claimants' health during this time in consequence of Epilepsy.  During the above period he had many malignant attacks of Epileptic fits of which I was an eye witness and which reduced him to a state of helplessness and unconscious for a time and unfitted him for manual labor.  I cared for and attended him frequently at such times.
 

LEVI KING & EMMA JANE KING, being duly sworn says, I am acquainted with Sylvester Truesdell late Private of Co F, 8th Minn Vol. Inf., he made his home at my house from the middle of May 1866 to the Fall of 1867 and during said time suffered greatly from the disease known as Epilepsy or Epileptic Fits.  I am well known to the fact of him having during this time many malignant paroxysms attended with unconscious fits and helplessness; and to the fact of his filing on a Homestead Claim and being obliged to abandon the same on account of the frequent and sever attacks from these fits and of his inability to do any kind of manual labor for many days after having a paroxysm. I am also well acquainted with him previous to the time of his enlistment, knew him for three years prior to his enlistment and during said time he was of sound body, heath and free from this disease of Epilepsy.  I am disinterested in this application.

Signed: Levi King & Emma Jane King (wife of Levi)

(NOTE: Levi King & Sylvester were first cousin)