Military Documents

Only a few military-related documents appeared in the old suitcase.  Frank saved  a letter sent to "Irish" John Smith  from the US Pension Bureau increasing  his Civil War pension.  The most interesting document is John Smith's original Civil War discharge papers dated December 1864.  It was found in an old envelope which admonished the holder not to crumble or lose this document!

Why Frank kept this document all these years is unknown; however, it is an important original family artifact. Perhaps Frank thought ancestral ghosts would haunt him if he threw away this valuable document.  Many years ago we saw a copy of John’s discharge papers.  It was sent to us from the US National Archives.   Even today ex-military people are told to guard their form DD-214 discharge papers.

Department of Defense letter to Irish John Smith, 1914. Click to Enlarge. (Right) Envelope that contains discharge papers. Note says "do not lose"
	In 1920, John Smith's pension increased to $50 a month. Click to Enlarge. Click to enlarge. (Left) Smith Horse sale in March 1922. Click to enlarge.
1914 Change in pension letter to John Smith. Click to enlarge.	Irish John Smith's discharge papers. He was 5' 3" inches tall at age of 20. Click to enlarge.
1864 Discharge papers. click to enlarge.	Official notice 1914. Click to enlarge.