Brightwell Military Records

Thomas Brightwell of Memphis, TN

Documents Relating to His

1917 Pension Application
for Civil War Service

Headquarters
Camp Grand Confederate Veterans
Department of Virginia

{rubber stamp}

Headquarters
Ass't Inspector General
4th District Grand Camp of VA.
C. V.

Farmville, Va.
Aug. 24th, 1917.

"A COPY" zzz 1907217
War Department
The Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, D. C. May 3rd, 1912.
Respectfully returned to the
Auditor Public Accounts,
State of Virginia,
Richmond.

The records show that Thomas H. Brightwell, who was first sergeant, Company D, 18th Virginia Infantry, and sergeant major, same regiment, Confederate States Army, was enlisted April 24, 1861.  He was appointed sergeant major to take effect September 1, 1863; was captured at Harpers Farm, April 6. 1865, and was released at Point Lookout, Maryland, June 23, 1865, upon taking the oath of allegiance.

Signed W. P. Hall,
The Adjutant General.

{handwritten correspondence}

No 15235

Memphis Tenn.
8/27 1917

To the Honorable board of Pension
Dear Sirs

Inclosed {sic} will find Statement of my record & discharge from 18th Va Inft.

Owing to some illness I could not attend to it sooner hoping it will be Satisfactory to {& c}

Hastily yours ob{?}ty

T H Brightwell

{names across top of letterhead:}

W. H. Coley, President
W. L. McKay, Vice President
Frank A. Moses, Special Examiner
Frank M. Thompson, Attorney General
John B. Thomason, Comptroller
Jno. P. Hickman, Secretary

HEADQUARTERS
Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners

Board meets second Tuesdays in January,
April, July and October

Nashville, Tenn.

Oct. 18, 1917.

Thos. H. Brightwell    No. 15225

Mr. Thos. H. Brightwell,
Memphis, Tenn.,
945 New York Street,

My Dear Sir;

In investigating your application we find you have no wife.  The Legislature of 1917 increased the pension appropriation of the soldiers by $243,000 when it made the same appropriation as for 1915.  This left the Board $243,000 short of the appropriation.  Therefore, the Board has determined to follow the law which can be found in Section 9, Acts of 1891, and certify all single men to the Soldiers' Home in lieu of a pension.  Therefore, the Board certifies you to the Soldiers' Home.

Very truly yours,

{signed} Frank A. Moses
Special Examiner.

{signature at bottom of page:}
Judge J P Young

{names across top of letterhead:}

W. H. Coley, President
W. L. McKay, Vice President
Frank A. Moses, Special Examiner
Frank M. Thompson, Attorney General
John B. Thomason, Comptroller
Jno. P. Hickman, Secretary

HEADQUARTERS
Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners

Board meets second Tuesdays in January,
April, July and October

Nashville, Tenn.

Nov. 20, 1917.

Mr. Thomas H. Brightwell    No. 15225

Mr. Thomas H. Brightwell,
945 New York St.
Memphis, Tenn.

Dear Sir:

We notice you have no wife.  We, therefore, recommend you to the Soldiers Home, as required by the law.

Yours truly,

{signature} Frank A Moses
Special Examiner.

13225

Memphis Tenn
11/23 1917

Mr Frank A. Moses Nashville Tenn.
Special Examiner of Pensions

Dear Sir

On or first of May inst. I was advised by Several of my old Confederate friends who are now drawing Pensions and is in the same condition as myself having no wife but Children to take care of that I make application for a pension  therefore I filled out blank properly and forwarded to Pension Board at Nashville and I answered all inquiries satisfactorily

If I mistake not stated I had lost my wife leaving three Small Children for me to look after which I did my oldest child a daughter married when quite young and this time her Daughter is a Red Cross Nurse and at Ellis Island New Yourk preparing to go to France as Field nurse under Maj. Mal{o}ne her Son is a member of 115th field Artilery {sic} now at Camp S[we}n S. C. he is only 19 year of age  My daughters Husband is on Rail Road in Arkans{e}s trying to make a living her & Children who are young

{next page}

Consequ{i}nally {sic} she is not in condition to be left alone and under no Circumstances will I leave her as she actually need me with her at the same time I am not able to do any work owing to General debility {sic}

Now under the Circumstances I cannot but think I am intitled {sic} to a Pension and my Confederate Friends is of the Same opinion  And Mr Moses if you will honor me with reply to this you do me a great favor and it will be highly appreciated

By your humble Svt

{signed} T H Brightwell

945 New York St--
Memphis

{written down right side:}
15.225
T. H. Brightwell
Nov 24.17

Submitted by Avlyn Dodd Conley.
Online transcription by Susan Shields Sasek. My notes are in curly brackets { }

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