(James Leftwich was born in Cumberland County, KY. His
family moved to Adair County when he was a small child. He served in Co. D,
13th Kentucky Infantry. He moved to Missouri in 1874, where he was living at
the time his pension claim was filed.)
Scanned originals of neighbors: George Keltner; John M. Wilson;
Tabitha Roach; Thomas Coffey; William Willis
Deposition
Case of James E. Leftwich, No. 547.628
On this 17 day of January 1898 at Pierce City County of Lawrence, State
of MO., before me, H .B. Suraringru, a special examiner of the Bureau of
Pensions, personally appeared James E. Leftwich clt., who being by me duly
sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this
special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: That
his ade is 59 years; post-office address< Pierce City, Mo.; occupation,
_____
"I have been a stock dealer but am not doing anything now. I am a
pensioner at $12.00 per month under the claim of June 27, 1890. I am
pensioned for deafness and rheumatism. I served as a private in Co. D 13th
Ky. Inft. I enlisted Oct. 1861 and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky. Jan.
1865. I have a claim pending under the general law for rheumatism &
deafness which I contracted in the service. I never was in any other federal
service, nor in the navy and never was in the confederate service. I lived
from childhood to enlistment in Adair Co Ky my post office was
Gradyville, Ky part of the time and part of the time at Columbia, Ky.
I lived at my father's house until July 1859 when I married. I then lived
at my own home till I went into the service. I was a stock trader and
farmer. I never had had any serious sickness before the war. Had never been
sick abed from my earliest recollection and never had any affliction of my
head, never had been troubled with catarah and my hearing was perfectly
clear until after the Battle of Resaca. I had never had any rheumatic
trouble before enlistment. I could ride day and night hunting stock and
never felt any serious effect from it. The only person residing here who
knew me before the war and would know of my health is Elijah Deaten who
lives here in town. Dr. Taylor & Dr. Fields and Dr. Estes were my family
physicians prior to the war. They all practiced on our family but I don't
think any of them ever gave me a dose of medicine. They all are dead.
George A Kemp of Columbia, Ky and Ga????? De H????, I don't know his P.O.
James Hineman (ex Lt. Gov. of Ky) Ralston Price & Whit Flowers all of
Columbia knew me prior to enlistment.
I was taken into the doctor office when I was mustered in but I can't
recollect whether they made me strip off my clothing or not. The first
disability I incurred was rheumatism. It was in the Atlanta Campaign. It was
on the march from lauder Tenn to Resaca , Ga. I can't now recollect just
when I first gave down but two or three times on that march I got so badly
off that I could not travel. It was since that time after we started that
march and I think we left Knoxville about March or April 1864. I went back
to the ambulance and stayed a few days until I was able to travel and then
went back to my rgt. I recollect that once after we got into Ga we had to
wade a river and the pl sgt did not want me to get wet and he carried me
across the river on his back. That was Sgt James W. Vanzant but he is dead.
From that time on I was troubled with rheumatism more or less. I had to
go to the hospital once just before we reached Marietta Ga. I frequently had
to go back to the ambulance and remain there until I got so that I could
walk and would then go back to my command. I can't give the date of my going
to the hospital but it was just after the battle of Alatoona Mtn. I was away
from the company and just got back a short time before the battle of Resaca.
I recollect that we went through a corn field and the corn was about knee
high. I received deafness at the battle of Resaca. I was stunned by the
explosion of a shell so I was told I was unconsious for some time. When I
came to myself I was in the hospital at Marietta Ga. The last I recollect I
was in line of battle and we were standing shooting. I heard a cannon and
knew nothing more until I came to myself in the hospital. Lt. Hall told me
that the shell passed by me and exploded just back of me. No sir I was not
struck by any piece of the shell. James Skaggs & Lt Hall & Col Estes
all have told me of the circumstances and they said I was carried off for
dead. I was carried off by some of the ambulance Corps but I don't know who
they were. For several days after I came to myself in the hospital I could
not hear anything at all. My hearing gradually returned to my left ear but
the hearing has never returned to my right ear. I can't hear anything at all
if I close my left ear. No sir I have never been able to hear thunder with
that right ear. The hearing in my left ear has always been badly affected. I
can scarcely understand anyone even if they raise their voice very high and
my hearing has never been better since that shock. I have been using a
trumpet or artificial means of aiding my hearing for the past 10 or 12
years. I got one as soon as I learned my hearing would be improved by the
use of it.
I was treated while I was in the hospital by the surgeon. I don't know
his name. There after I came home I had first Dr. J.J. Tayler (died) then
Dr. Fields (died) then Dr. Estes (dead) then I had a Dr. George Fields who
is now at Gainesville Texas and the last I had in Ky was Dr. Wm Bingham of
Gradyville, Adair Co., Ky.
Since I came here in 1874 I have had Dr. Saunders (died) Dr. Wilson
(dead) Dr. Anderson and Dr. HB Wovley. These men have all treated my ears
but none apparently could aid me.
The rheumatism when it first appeared in the service began in my right
arm and then came on in my left arm it then went to my back and from there
to my legs. My legs got so bad on that march from Knoxville that I could not
travel. James Skaggs was my tent mate on that trip and I think he will
remember all about my rheumatism on that trip. I went to Dr. Ingram the
regimental surgeon and he gave me a liniment and some medicine to take
initially. Dr. Ingram is dead. I can't remember who I got to rub me but I
think I had some of the boys James M & James W Vanzant were my most
particular friends but they are both dead. They were both orderly Sgts. My
tent mates were John Roe, Lawson Janes, John H Wilson, Jack Moor, Jesse T.
Leftwich my brother (died) John Denton & Russ Fletcher. They were all in
Adair County, Ky the last account I had of them.
After that shell exploded I was sent to the hospital and never did any
more service. I rejoined my rgt at Marietta Ga. some time in Nov or Dec,
1864 and came on to Louisville and remained there until we were mustered
out. I never did any duty whatever after the battle of Resaca. I forgot to
mention John W. Demenburn as a tent mate. He lives in the same vicinity as
the others. My hearing was very bad when we were mustered out. I went back
to my home at Gradyville, Ky. I lived on a farm known as the Turner Hughes
Farm. I lived there about 2 years. I had attacks of rheumatism after I got
home. I was not able to do anything for some time after I got home. I had
Dr. JG Tayler & Dr. Paul Fields both dead. Then I had Dr. George Fields
who now lives in Gainesville Texas. I then had Dr Bingham who lived at
Gradyville Adair Co, Ky. Dr. John Henry Grady was one of my neighbors also
Thomas Grady. They lived at Gradyville but I think Dr John H. has moved to
Columbia, Ky. George Wilson of Gradyville was another neighbor. Those men
saw me when I could not go on account of rheumatism. Jim Skaggs also was
with me frequently. After about 2 years I moved to a farm of my own. Arch
& Jim Skaggs & Frank Dehaney were my friends. I think all of them
will recollect my deafness and rheumatism. I came to this place (Pierce
City, MO) in Aug 1875. I have lived in town since I have been here except
one year I farmed. I drove team hauling and bought and drove stock. I worked
for 10 years for W. J. Lindsay of this town. I worked for him from about
1875 to 1885 but had to give up on account of rheumatism. I was handling stock
for him buying and shipping. Since I quit working for Lindsay I have carried
the mail for 3 years but frequently would have to get some one to make the
trip for me. Frequently I would have to have some one help me down from my
cart and frequently I would not be able to carry my mail into the post
office. I have had severe spells of rheumatism from time to time ever since
I have been here. Would frequently be down for a week at a time. Elijah
Deaton and John Thomas can testify as to my condition since I have been
hear. Capt Geo. A. Purdy the postmaster has known me ever since I have been
here and can testify as to my disabilities during that time. When the claim
goes to Adair County, Ky for examination of the witnesses there I should
like about 10 or 15 days notice as I would like to be present to accompany
the examiner when he calls upon the witnesses.
I forgot to mention one sickness I had when I first enlisted. I took
measles at Nashville Tenn soon after enlistment and was sent to the
hospital. While in the hospital I had pneumonia. I was not in the hospital a
great while not over a month any how.
I have understood your questions & my answers have been correctly
recorded.
James E. Leftwich.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 day of January 1898, and I
certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing
H.B. Suraringru