Amanuensis Monday--The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter, Document #8

If you had been following this series at its inception in August 2011, you may discover that I have skipped over documents 4-7. Perhaps one day I'll go back and fill in the missing information. Currently I am most interested in documents which help us gain an understanding of this ancestor's character and experience which affected his quality of life.

Document #8 is a three and one-half page affidavit which sheds a little more light on the incidents leading to Isaac's disability. I have chosen to transcribe this one at this time because the details proved interesting to the conditions leading to his disability.

State of North Carolina)
County of Craven         )
In matters of original Claim No. 662872
of Isaac Carter [--ot] 2 Sergeant of
Co. G 14 Regt U.S.C.H. Arty
on this 17 "Day of Oct-- A.D. 1888
Personally appeared before me a
Clerk of Superior Court a Court
of record in and for the County
of Craven and State of North
Carolina   Isaac Carter age 48 "years"
Resident of Clubfoots Creek, Craven
County N.C. P.O. address P.O. Box 570 New Bern N.C., well known to me to be reputable and Entitled to credit who being
Duly sworn according to Law Decloses (sic) as follows, I was Born and Rais (sic) in Craven County N.C. I never had any sickness Prior to my Enlistment. I Enlisted as Privet (sic) in Co. B. 14 Regt U.S.C.H. Arty on the 12 Day of March 1864  I was promoted Corporal in Fall 1864 and transferred to Company G. 14 Regt U.S.C. H. Arty on a bout March 1865   I was promoted Second Sergeant of Co. G. 14 Regt U.S.C.H. Arty under Captain John B. Willett. the first time I Every having the Dirrhea (sic) and Piles it was at Moorhead City on about November 1864 I was taken with the
Rheumatism in feet Legs and pains in the Breast and Shortness of Breath and [houghtness] I contracted the Rheumatism in the following manner viz on a bout Nov 1864 the Regiment
was ordered from New Berne N.C. to Moorhead City N.C. and we arrive there in the night  We Layed out all Night for
Three or four Nights with out any tents in the open air Nothing but our
Blankets. our Tents was Left to New Berne and it Rain and [         ] and I
got wet. I was taken first with a Deep cold up on the Lung. I could not Speak Louder than a whisper and my feet taken to swelling and I sent Hospital. I Remain the Hospital for Three
Months, More Less and was Treated by the Surgeon  I am able to give the Surgeon Name. This was Two and Three Surgeon Moor Less and I have Suffered Every Since with Diarhea (sic)
and Piles and Swelling Feeling Legs Pains in Back and Shoulders and Knees and Larger Joints and Shortness of the Breath I am Generally Down in Bed Two and Three times a year Each and every years Generally in fall and though the winter and Spring and Bothered a great Deal. Asthma and weakness of the Eyes from Date of Discharge up to the Present   I have lived on Clubfoot Creek Craven County N.C. My occupation have been that of a farmer when I could Do any thing. I have not been able to work one third of any Time. I have Suffered a great Deal for the Necessaries of this Life and have not been able to work. My children and wife has work to suport me. I have not been able to Employ any Doctor to Treat Me. I have Bought Medician (sic) from First one Doctor then and other. I generally use
Linement and Balsom to Rub my Back there has not been any change in my Resident  My P.O. address is P.O. Box 590 New Berne N.C. I am unable to Prove my Disability by Commissioned officers of my Company by Reason I do not know where they are at or Post Office address. I have not seen or heard from them since the 11 Day of December 1865 or the Surgeon or Assistant Surgeon. I am able to prove it by my Comrads (sic) which I ask to be accepted in Lieu of Commissioned officers or Surgeons, of My Regiment
my P.O. address is P.O. Box 590 New Berne N.C.

                                         his
Witness                   Isaac  X  Carter
E.W. Carpenter               mark
J. B. Willis

Sworn & subscribed to before me this 17th day of Oct 1888 & I certify that the foregoing was read to Claimant before
executing samd & that he is the identical person he claimed to be & is creditable & worthy of belief.

                           E.W. Carpenter
                           Clerk Sup Court