~ IN MEMORY OF ~

James B. McDonald, Cpl.

James B. McDonald served as a pvt and cpl in Enoch Voyles' CO G 3rd TN MTD INF REGT. Copies of invalid pension applications reveal that he enrolled on 9 Jul 1864 as a Cpl in 3rd TN MTD Scouts INF, CO G and was honorably discharged 30 Nov 1864 at Knoxville, TN and that he was unable to do manual labor because of "lung disease caused by measles and rheumatism."

James Blythe McDonald b 15 June 1844 Hanging Dog, Cherokee CO, NC d 29 Feb 1912 Atwood, IL buried Mackville Cem, Atwood, IL
son of Jonathan McDonald & 1st wife Harriet M. Davidson of Hanging Dog, NC
m 15 Sep 1868 Sweetwater, Monroe CO, TN by Squire Burton to
Elizabeth M. Nichols b 1846 VA d 15 Mar 1917 Atwood, IL buried Mackville Cem, Atwood, IL
dau of John & Elizabeth Nichols

State of IL
Pratt CO

In the matter of James B. McDonald late a private of CO G 3rd TN Sols. personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for said county and state aforesaid, David Barrett age 59 yrs a citizen of Atwood, CO of Douglas and state of IL and T. G. Roberts aged 51 yrs. a citizen of Lowstown CO of aforesaid state. Each well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit and who being duly sworn declare in relation to aforesaid soldier as follows: That they are well acquainted with the aforesaid soldier living a near neighbor and from our personal knowledge gained by living a near neighbor know the said soldier is in needy and destitute circumstances on account of not being able to do very little manual labor and a large family of girls to support. And the affiants further states his understanding is that said soldiers claim for pension is believed to be on completed files and affiants makes this affidavit that the commissioner may make a special case in advance of its turn. And they further declare they have no interest in said case and are not concerned in its prosecution and are not related to said applicant.
David Barrett
T. G. Roberts
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of October A. D. 1892
Joseph W. Nurritt, Notary Public

The Bureau of Pensions requested enrollment, discharge, service record, and medical history in order to determine if the disability was incurred during time of duty. Data received and filed indicates that James B. McDonald enlisted 9 Jul 1864 and served as a Cpl. in CO G 3 Regt TN Mtd Inf Scouts also as a teamster TN Dept US Vols Capt Enoch Voyles and was discharged 31 Dec 1865. While on duty at Knoxville, TN on or about 15 Sep 1864, he was disabled by measles and resulting disease of lungs.

Another "General Affidavit" for increase in pension is dated by the US Pension Office 26 Jun 1897 and reads as follows:

State of IL
CO of Moultrie

In the matter of James B. McDonald Pension's Claim personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid CO and State, James B. McDonald, aged 53 yrs of the Town of Lowe CO of Pratt State of IL well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit and who being duly sworn on oath declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
That he is the applicant for increase referred to above. And that he is unable to furnish the evidence asked for in the order herewith enclosed. That I have never seen a Commissioned Officer, first sergeant, or any enlisted men of my Company since I was mustered out of the service at Knoxville TN on or about the 30th day of Nov 1864 and do not know where these parties are. And will also say same of the Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon of my regiment. I further state that the lung trouble was contracted from a relapse after having the measles, during service, at Knoxville TN and am troubled with same more or less ever since and especially when I take cold. I further state that the above statement was made by me to H. F. Kirk and written by him in my presence from my own oral statement and that I was not prompted or assisted by any oral or written statement from any other person or persons.
H. F. Kirk
James B. McDonald

James B. McDonald was granted pension # 815,154 by Special Act and received his last payment of $24 on 4 Jan 1912. His widow Elizabeth McDonald was granted pension # 740926 and received her last payment of $20 on 4 Jan 1917. A letter from the postmaster of Atwood, IL, reveals a great family tragedy as follows:

21 Mar 1917
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, DC

My Dear Sir:

Mrs. Elizabeth M. McDonald, Certificate No 740926 (widow of James B. McDonald; CO G 3rd Regt of TN MTD INF; enrolled in 9th day July 1864; discharged 30th day Nov 1864 at Knoxville TN Capt. Enoch Voyles) was on the 15th of March struck and killed by Through Freight Train; leaving without any means of support one child.

This child born Oct. 21, 1875; girl, is mentally deficient; entirely dependent and without any means of support; both parents now having passed away. Will you please advise me if anything can be done for her? and how to proceed.

Thanking you for your kindness in the matter, I am,

Respectfully,
Charles Hamilton
Postmaster

by
Sandra Ratledge, 1st cousin 4 times removed

* * * * *

James L. McDonald, Cpl.

There was no such soldier by this name serving in this company. James L. McDonald was an alias by which Joseph Leander McDowell was mustered into the company. The real James L. McDonald, an acquaintance of J. L. McDowell's, resided in Hanging Dog, Cherokee County, NC and was unaware that his name had been stolen during the Civil War by J. L. McDowell. Joseph Leander McDowell chose a second alias by which he was re-enrolled into this regiment. See Leander Dickey, Cpl. listed in the addenda for J. L. McDowell's vital statistics and biographical data.

by
Sandra Ratledge, gr-gr-gr-granddaughter of
the real James Lewis McDonald, resident of Hanging Dog, NC