Many poor people in the North and South believed this was "the rich man's war and the poor man's fight." The South started a military draft in April 1862 that made all able-bodied men ages 18 through 35 liable for three years' service; however, the draft law allowed draftees to pay a substitute to serve for them. The North passed a similar law with The Enrollment Act of March, 1863 that allowed Northern draftees to pay $300 to a substitute who served for them. This amount was a healthy sum in 1863. It was mostly young, healthy rich men who were able to take advantage of this law. The New York Draft Riots, the deadliest in U.S. history, was a result of growing resentment in the North because of this law. The enactment of the "Twenty Negro Law" in October 1862 that exempted one white man from the draft on every plantation with 20 or more slaves further fueled the resentment of poor Southerners.
The following was taken from a book which is located at the Camp Moore Confederate Museum.
LOUISIANA 3RD (WINGFIELD'S) CAVALRY REGIMENT
Organization: Organized by the redesignation of the 9th Cavalry Battalion, Partisan Rangers ca. September 1864. Surrendered by Lieutenant General Richard Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, at Citronelle, Alabama on May 4, 1865.
First Commander: James H. Wingfield (Colonel)
Field Officers: Obediah P. Amacker (Lieutenant Colonel) Edwin A. Scott (Major)
Assignments: [Sub-]district of Southwest Mississippi and East Louisiana, District of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana (September-December 1864)
Scott's Cavalry Brigade, Northern Sub-district of Mississippi, District of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana (December 1864-February 1865)
Scott's Cavalry Brigade, District of North Mississippi and West Tennessee, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana (February-May 1865)
Battles: Bayou Sara [skirmishes] (October 9-10, 1864) Jackson (October 5, 1864)
Muster Roll
Knight, James, Pvt. Co. A, 3rd (Wingfield's) La. Cav. En. May 13, 1862, Camp Moore, La. Present on Roll not dated.
The following is James Knight's Civil War Pension Application that can be found in the Louisiana Archives in Baton Rouge, LA.
Civil War Pension Application
James Knight, son of Charles Knight
This Civil War pension application is on file at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Reel: CP1.78 Microdex 1 Sequence 4 Parish: Washington- Pages: 11. Soldier Information & Variations: Knight, James, State: LA, Branch: CAVALRY, Unit: 9TH BATTALION PARTISAN RANGERS, Company: CO. A, (Above military data is from the War Department.)
James Knight applied for his pension for the Civil War October 16, 1898. This pension application was transcribed from the original application.
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READ ACT AND ARTICLE ON BACK.
_____ Washington_______
260
No. __333__
Soldier s Application for Pension.
_____________________
The Board Reserves the Right to Call for Additional
Testimony. _
___Franklinton, La_______
___James Knight_________
Filed __Oct 16th 1898________
Co A 9th Bat Co. A.
12.72
Allowed __10.00____12..72___
Quarterly Allowance, $____________________
Pension Allowed from_____________________
Rejected_______________________________
J. A. Chalason__ sp? President
__C. F. Briace__ sp?________Secretary.
Board of Pension Commissioners.
____________________________
All documentary evidence substantiating your claim should
accompany the application. A 1 applications should be
addressed to the Secretary of the Board of Pension
Commissioners, at Baton Rouge. Blanks will be furnished by
the Secretary on Request. Regular meetings of the Board
second Tuesdays in March, June, September and December. |
SOLDIER S APPLICATION FOR PENSION.
I, James Knight, a native of Washington Parish and now a citizen of Louisiana, resident at Franklinton in the Parish of Washington La in said State of Louisiana, and who was a soldier, (sailor or marine as the case may be) from the State of Louisiana Confederate states army (or navy as the case may be) in the war between the United States and the Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under Act 125 of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana of 1898; and I do solemnly swear that I served the Confederate States honorably from the date of my enlistment until the close of the civil war, (or until discharged or paroled as the case may be.) As shown by my answers below, and that I remained true to the Confederate cause until the surrender, and that I am now in indigent circumstances and unable to earn a livelihood by my own labor or skill, and that I am not salaried or otherwise provided for by the State of Louisiana or by any other State or government, and am entitled to receive the benefits of said Act No. 125 of 1898, as further shown by my answers in the questions below, which I swear to be true and correct:
1. In what town, county, State, country and year were you born?
Answer: I was born in the State of Louisiana Washington parish in the year 1829.
2. When and where did you enlist, and in what command?
Answer: I enlisted in the town of Franklinton La in the 9th La Batt Commanded by Col J. H. Winfield Capt J. J. Slocum.
3. Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you enlisted, and under whom you were serving at the date of your discharge or parole.
Answer: Col Winfield Commanding 9th La Batalion Cavalry Capt. J J Slocum. at the time of Surrender Col O P Amacker was in Command.
4. Were you wounded? If so, in what battles, and if not, state under what circumstances during the war you received injury or injuries.
Answer: I was not
5. What was the nature of your wound or wounds, if any?
Answer: --------
6. If you have lost a limb or an eye, state when, where and how.
Answer: ---------
7. Were you discharged from the army by reason of wound, wounds, or from the effects of service?
Answer: effects of Service
8. If discharged or paroled from the army, where were you, and what did you do until the close of the war?
Answer: I was at home on sick furlough at time of close of the war
9. What was the name of the surgeon who attended you when discharged?
Answer: Dr G W Varnado
10. Where were you at the surrender?
Answer: I was at home in Washington Parish La on Sick furlough
11. If a prisoner, in what camp, and when were you released, and to where sent?
Answer: ----------
12. Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government at any time during the war?
Answer: No
13. If so, when, where and under what circumstances?
Answer: ------------
14. How long have you been a resident of the State of Louisiana next preceding the date of this application? Where have you resided during that period?
Answer: for nearly 70 years all my life in Washington Parish
15. Are you married or have you been married?
Answer: I have been married but now a widower ---
16. If so, what is the size of your family?
Answer: I have no family now. I live with one of my daughters who is married
17. What are the respective ages of your wife and children?
Answer: My wife is dead. My children are most of them Married. I have no home of my own
18. How many children have you, and how many of each sex?
Answer: I have 10 living 8 boys 2 girls
19. Are you engaged in any business? If so, what do you earn?
Answer: I am not
20 Have you any estate in your own right, real or personal, and what is its value?
Answer: I have none
21. Has your wife any estate in her own right, real or personal, and what is its value?
Answer: - no
22. How have you derived support for yourself, and family if you have one, for the last five years, and what prevents you from earning a living now?
Answer: by farming but now owning to old age and infirmities I am unable to work and am dependant upon others for my support
23. Do you use any intoxicants to any extent?
Answer: I do not
24. Have you an attorney to look after this application?
Answer: I have none
25. Give his name, address, and the compensation agreed between you.
answer: ---------
26. Give names of two or more of your comrades with their postoffice addresses.
Answer: Asy Strahan and Malcom McLain G W Eli Stafford
27. Give your postoffice address and that of the two witnesses.
Answer: My P. O. Franklinton H S Burkhalter W A Burris both of Franklinton La
Witness my hand this 14th day of October 1898
James Knight
APPLICANT
Witnesses:
H. S. Burkhalter
W. A. Burris
APPLICANT MUST GO BEFORE CLERK OF COURT
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
Washington Parish.} Personally appeared before me, G. W. Knight Depty
Clerk of Court of said parish, the above named James Knight the applicant, with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and fully explained to him as well as the statements and answers therein made, made oath that the statements and answers are true.
Witness my hand and seal of office, this 14 day of October 1898
G W Knight________
Deputy CLERK OF COURT.
READ ACT AND ARTICLE ON BACK.
Parish of _Washington_______
No. __ 260__
Soldier s Application for Pension.
_______________________
The Board Reserves the Right to Call for Additional
Testimony. _
_________________
___James Knight_________
P. O. Franklinton________
Company and Regiment Co A 9 La Bat Co. A.
Filed___________________
Allowed_____________________
Quarterly Allowance, $____________________
Rejected_______________________________
_______________________ President
___________________________Secretary.
Board of Pension Commissioners.
____________________________
All documentary evidence substantiating your claim should
accompany the application. A 1 applications should be
addressed to the Secretary of the Board of Pension
Commissioners, at Baton Rouge. Blanks will be furnished by
the Secretary on Request. Regular meetings of the Board
second Tuesdays in March, June, September and December.
____________________________
SOLDIER S APPLICATION FOR PENSION.
I, James Knight, a native of Louisiana and now a citizen of Louisiana, resident at near Franklinton in the Parish of Washington in said State of Louisiana, and who was a soldier, (sailor or marine as the case may be) from the State of ____________in the Confederate States army (or navy a the case may be) in the war between the United States and the Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under Act 125 of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana of 1898; and I do solemnly swear that I served the Confederate States honorably from the date of my enlistment until the close of the civil war, (or until discharged or paroled on as the case may be.) As shown by my answers below, and that I remained true to the Confederate cause until the surrender, and that I am now in indigent circumstances and unable to earn a livelihood by my own labor or skill, and that I am not salaried or otherwise provided for by the State of Louisiana or by any other State or government, and am entitled to receive the benefits of said Act No. 125 of 1898, as further shown by my answers in the questions below, which I swear to be true and correct:
1. In what town, county, State, country and year were you born?
Answer: In Washington Ph. La. on the 16th day March AD.1829
2. When and where did you enlist, and in what command?
Answer: In 1863 at Franklinton La. under the 9th La. Battllion Co. A.
3. Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you enlisted, and under whom you were serving at the date of your discharge or parole.
Answer: I went out under Col James Wingfield Major Debond Capt J. J. Slocum. & was serving under Col. O.P. Amacker Major Defond. Capt JJ 1st Lieut. T. J. Simmons
4. Were you wounded? If so, in what battles, and if not, state under what circumstances during the war you received injury or injuries.
Answer: No
5. What was the nature of your wound or wounds, if any?
Answer: --------
6. If you have lost a limb or an eye, state when, where and how.
Answer: ---------
7. Were you discharged from the army by reason of wound, wounds, or from the effects of service?
Answer: From the effects of Service
8. If discharged or paroled from the army, where were you, and what did you do until the close of the war?
Answer: I was at home on sick furlough about four months before close of War & remained at home sick until close
9. What was the name of the surgeon who attended you when discharged?
Answer: Dr Carter
10. Where were you at the surrender?
Answer: At Home in Washington Parish La
11. If a prisoner, in what camp, and when were you released, and to where sent?
Answer: ----------
12. Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government at any time during the war?
Answer: I did not
13. If so, when, where and under what circumstances?
Answer: ------------
14. How long have you been a resident of the State of Louisiana next preceding the date of this application? Where have you resided during that period?
Answer: 71 Yrs In Washington Parish
15. Are you married or have you been married?
Answer: I have been married. Wife dead
16. If so, what is the size of your family?
Answer: I have no family at all now
17. What are the respective ages of your wife and children?
Answer: Children From 62 down to 22 yrs
18. How many children have you, and how many of each sex?
Answer: 9 7 boys & 2 girls
19. Are you engaged in any business? If so, what do you earn?
Answer: Hired to ride United States Mail at $7.00 per month
20 Have you any estate in your own right, real or personal, and what is its value?
Answer: None
21. Has your wife any estate in her own right, real or personal, and what is its value?
Answer: - --
22. How have you derived support for yourself, and family if you have one, for the last five years, and what prevents you from earning a living now?
Answer: By What work I could do on the farm & by the help of children
23. What prevents you from earning a living now?
Answer: Old age and disease
24. Do you use any intoxicants to any extent?
Answer: No
25. Have you an attorney to look after this application?
Answer: No
26. Give his name, address, and the compensation agreed between you.
answer: ---------
27. Give names of two or more of your comrades with their postoffice addresses.
Answer: W. J. Thigpen. Warner, La. John Tison. same P.O.
S. S. Lee Same P.O.
28. Give your postoffice address and that of the two witnesses.
Answer: Franklinton La both witnesses P.O. is Warner La
Witness my hand this 6th day of April 1900 189_
James Knight
APPLICANT
Witnesses:
his
James X Strahan
mark
Z. T. Magee
APPLICANT MUST GO BEFORE CLERK OF COURT
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
Washington Parish.} Personally appeared before me, LA Bickham
Clerk of Court of said parish, the above named James Knight the applicant, with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and fully explained to him as well as the statements and answers therein made, made oath that the statements and answers are true.
Witness my hand and seal of office, this 7th day of April 1900 189_
L.A. Bickham
CLERK
(If possible, the two witnesses as to character should have served with the applicant in the army, and if so, let them, or either, state it in their oath; also any other information regarding the applicant s army services.)
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
Washington__________ PARISH.} Personally appeared before me L.A. Bickham Clerk of the District Court of said Parish, the above named James Strahan and Z. T. Magee two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, with who I am personally acquainted, and known to be citizens of veracity and standing in this community, and who make oath that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in his application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim, and that said applicant s habits are good and free from dishonor.
Witness my hand and seal of office, this 7th day of April 1900 189__
L. A. Bickham
CLERK OF COURT.
COL J. A. CHALARON, President E. F. BRIAN, Secretary
NEW ORLEANS, LA. BATON ROUGE, LA.
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
Office of Board of Pension Commissioners.
__________
BATON ROUGE, LA June 5th 1901.
To Chief of the Record and Pension Office,
War Department,
Washington, D. C.
DEAR SIR:
This Board, in the discharge of its duties under Article 303 of the Constitution of 1898 of the State of Louisiana, and of Act. No. 125 of its General Assembly of the same year, creating a Board of Pension Commissioners, respectfully apply for information from your records, relative to
James S. Knight of Company Co. a 9th Battallion Cavalry. How is he reported on the rolls of his company
Very Respectfully,
J. A. Chalaron
President.
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RECORD & PENSION OFFICE
656285
June 8, 1901
Baton Rouge, La.
June 5, 1901
James Knight
a 9 Batt Cav
Csa.
La. Board Pen. Comm.
by J. A. Chalaron, Pres.
Requests Record
of service. |
Address: Chief at the Record and Pension Office War Department Washington D.C.
Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, June 8, 1901.
Respectfully returned to
The President,
Louisiana Board of Pension Commissioners,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The records show that James Knight late of Company A, 9th battalion Louisiana Cavalry, C. S. A. was enlisted May 13, 1862, at Camp M. Louisiana, and that he was present for duty October 31, 1862, the day of the last muster roll of the company on file in this office.
260
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
F. A. Ainsworth
Chief, Record and Pension
260
State of Louisiana,
Parish of Washington
Before me, the undersigned authority personally came and appeared, James Knight, a resident of Washington Parish, Louisiana, who after being duly sworn, declared that he is now Eighty-one years, six months and Eight days of age; that he was in the service of the Confederate States Army, and served as a member of Company A, Ninth Louisiana Batallion, with J. J. Slocum as Captain; that he knows of his own knowledge that Eldridge Magee, late husband of Margarett Magee was a member of the same company to which affiant belonged; that the said Eldridge Magee served with him in the siege of Port Hudson; that during the siege before the surrender he was detailed on special duty outside of fortification and was cut off from the command, that after the surrender of Port Hudson, he together with several others endeavored
in the State of Miss.
to reach their command and was on their way to it, at the time the Command was paroled at Gainesville.
Sworn to and subscribed
before me, on this the 24 th James Knight
day of September, 1910.
Delos R. Johnson Notary Public.
260
State of Louisiana
Parish of Washington.
Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day came and appeared James Knight, a resident of the Parish of Washington Louisiana, who after being duly sworn declared that he is now over Eighty-one years of age; that his eye sight is almost gone, being hardly able to see his way; that he is entirely dependent upon the small pension he draws and the assistance of friends for his support; that the pension is so small that he is hard pressed at all times for subsistence.
Affiant further declared that he believes himself entitled to a raise in his allowance from the State pension fund for the reasons set forth above, and desires to make this application for same.
Sworn to and subscribed
before me, on this the James Knight
24th, 1910.
Delos R. Johnson Notary Public.
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