Lincoln County Genealogical Society

by Joetta McCallister

The Andersonville National Historic Site is the preserved remains of the infamous Camp Sumter a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp operated during the final twelve months of the Civil War, nicknamed Andersonville. The site contains the Andersonville National Cemetery and the National Prisoner of War Museum.

The conditions at Civil War prisons were generally horrific but Andersonville exceeded all of these. In fact Captain Henry Wirz, Andersonville’s commander, was tried and executed after the war, the only Confederate official to be tried and convicted of war crimes resulting from the Civil War.

However, it is clear that Wirz’ superior, Brigadier John. H. Winder, was largely responsible for the base conditions. In John McElroy’s 1879 book Andersonville, Winder is quoted as saying “I am killing off more Yankees than twenty regiments in Lee’s army.” Despite Wirz’ requests, his superior ignored conditions at the Camp. Adding to the overcrowding was the Union’s cessation of prisoner exchanges. Winder was unavailable for prosecution, as he died on duty in South Carolina, of a heart attack in 1865.

Andersonville was overcrowded to four times its capacity, with an inadequate water supply, inadequate food rations, and unsanitary conditions. Of the approximately 45,000 Union prisoners held there, nearly 13,000 died– primarily of scurvy, diarrhea, and dysentery all easily preventable diseases.

Damaging evidence came from the Confederates themselves. Dr. James Jones was sent to investigate conditions at the camp by the Confederate surgeon general. He reportedly vomited twice and contracted influenza from the single hour he’d toured the camp, and wrote a detailed report that did not cover up the conditions.

A Mother’s Claim for Pension

Below is the information accumulated when a widowed Mary Pauley, supported by her neighbors, approached the courts to obtain survivors benefits based on the service of her son Private Jesse James Pauley, a victim of Andersonville.

The State of West Virginia, County of Kanawha, SS

On this 15^th day of May A.D. 1866 personally appeared before me John Slack, Clerk of the Circuit Court, a Court of Record with and for said County, Mary Pauley, aged 63 years, a resident of Coal River, in the County of Kanawha, and State of West Virginia, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862: That she is the widow of David Pauley, deceased, and mother of Jesse James Pauley, deceased, who was a private in Company C, commanded by Captain Charles Smith, in the 7^th Regiment of West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, commissioned by Colonel John H. Oley {OHLEY} in the war of 1861, who died at Andersonville in the State of Georgia of the extreme privation and exposure to which he was subjected while a prisoner of war, he having been captured by the enemy at Jacksons River in the State of Virginia on the 19^th day of December 1863) that his death occurred on or about the 16^th day of August 1864) while in the line of duty in the service of the United States.

She further declares that her said son, upon whom she was almost entirely dependent for support, having left no widow or minor child under sixteen years of age surviving, declarant makes this application for a Pension under the above-mentioned act, and refers to the evidence filed herewith, and that in the proper department to establish her claim.

She also declares that has not, in any way been engaged in, or aided or abetted, the Rebellion in the United States; that she is not in receipt of a pension under the second action of the act, above-mentioned, or under any other act, nor has she again married since the death of her son, the said Jesse James Pauley.

Signed Mary Pauley (her mark)

Also, personally appeared Andrew Cunningham and Nicholas Kennady of State of West Virginia persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Mrs. Mary Pauley make her mark, to the foregoing declaration. They further say, that they were acquainted with David Pauley, the late husband of said Mary Pauley, in his life-time, and know that he and she lived and cohabited together as man and wife, at the time of his death, and for a long time previously thereto: that they were generally recognized as such by the acquaintances and neighbors, and affiants never heard their marriage question. They further say, that the said Jesse J. Pauley, who served and died, as stated in the foregoing declaration, left neither widow nor child surviving him; that he was the son of the said David Pauley, and Mary Pauley, born to them during the continuance of their aforesaid marriage; that the said David Pauley died on the 19^th day of February, A.D., 1862, that the said Mary Pauley was dependent upon the said Jesse J. Pauley for support at the time of his death; that since the death of her said husband, the said Mary Pauley has not married, but is still a widow; that she has not been engaged in nor aided or abetted the Rebellion in the United State; and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. All the foregoing statements they make from their personal knowledge; and they have no interest in the presentation of this claim.

Signed in the presence of Andrew Cunningham and Nicholas Kennady (his mark)

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 15^th day of May, A.D., 1866 and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Contents fully explain to and understood by claimant and witnesses.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, Mary Pauley of Coal River, in the County of Kanawha, and State of West Virginia, do hereby constitute and appoint Greenbury Slack, my true and lawful Agent or Attorney, for me, and in my name, to prosecute the claim presented by me or a pension by reason of the service of my late son, Jesse J. Pauley, deceased; and I do hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine the papers, documents and records relating to my said claim, which may be found in any Department or Office of the Government; to appoint one or more persons to assist him in the business aforesaid; to file additional evidence or arguments when necessary; to receive the certificate which may issue in my name upon said claim; and to do any and all lawful acts necessary in effecting the object of his said appointment.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereto set my hand and seal this 15^th day of May, A.D. 1864.

Signed and delivered in presence of Andrew Cunningham and James Atkinson.

Mary Pauley (her mark)

ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE

Washington, D.C.

June 8, 1866

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office for application for Pension No. 127154, and to return it herewith with such information as is furnished by the files of this office.

It appears from the Rolls on file in the Office, that Jesse J. Pauley was enrolled on the 15 day of December, 1862, at Coalsmouth in the Company –, 7 Regiment of West Virginia Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war and mustered into service as a Private on the 5^th day of January 1863, at Coalsmouth, in Company –, 7 Regiment of West Virginia Volunteers to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Company C of that regiment dated January 24, 1865, he is reported Died at Andersonville, GA, August 17, 1864 of anasarca. Died while a prisoner of War. July 19, 1866.

I am Sir very respectfully your obedient servant. Sam French. {name is illegible} Assistant Adjutant General.

The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.

State of West Virginia, County of Kanawha, SS

On this 6^th day of August 1867 before me John Slack county recorder in and for the county and state aforesaid personally appeared George W. Hundley, Clarissa E. Grant, Mary J. Martin and William D. Kennedy residents of Kanawha county persons who I certify to be entitled to belief who being duly sworn according to law declare as follows. That they have been well acquainted with Mary Pauley over 20 years and with her family, that David Pauley, Husband of the said Mary Pauley and Father of James Pauley (or Jesse J. Pauley) [I find that names was sometimes called James and sometimes called Jesse James which was his full name] which was his full name late of Co. C 7^th West Virginia Cavalry (or 8^th Infantry) who died some 4 or 5 years since was for many years previous to his death very severely afflicted with rheumatism and had his hop dislocated that he was entirely helpless for many years before his death the he became so reduced in circumstances, that he was unable to maintain his family and was almost entirely dependent upon the labor of the said James or Jesse J for the maintenance of himself and his wife Mary Pauley. That the said James remained at home and worked devoting much the larger portions of his earnings to the support of his parents. That while in the army they have every reason to believe that he sent his mother the larger portion of his earnings, but they do not know of this of their own personal knowledge, as to the sending of money except that the said Clarrissa E. Grant declared the on one occasion she saw a soldier who was on furlow {sic} give to Mrs. Pauley twenty file dollars which he stated was sent by her son James. That the soldiers name who brought the money was Thomas Graley. That on one other occasion a soldier named William K. Moore gave her ten dollars to give to Mrs. Pauley it having been sent by her son James. (This was a t the home of Mrs. Pauley). They all declare that Mrs. Pauley is in a state of certain destitution and in very feeble health.

The said William D. Kenneday declares that he has known all the parties named in the foregoing statements for many years. That a short time before the death of David Pauley, the father of the soldier. The said James worked for him (the witness) for several months, that he took up nearly all his wages in provisions and supplies for his parents who were to a very great extent dependent upon him for their support. That Mrs. Pauley is a very old woman and much afflicted and almost entirely destitute. They all declare that having no …(illegible) and was before them they are unable to fix the exact dates of the circumstances state by them respectively and that they have no interest in Mrs. Pauley causes.

Witness: G. W. Atkinson

Signed George W. Hundley, Clarissa E. Grant (her mark), Mary J. Martin (her mark) and William D. Kenneday (his mark)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day.

State of West Virginia, County of Kanawha, SS

On this 27^th day of December A.D. 1866 before me John Slack Clark of the Circuity court in and for said county personally appeared William K. Moore, a resident at present of Cabble (sic) County, WV a person whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to law declares. That on a certain time in the fall of 1863 while the 8^th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers (afterward 7^th Cavalry) were stationed at Beverly in the County of Randolph that he the said William K. Moore being a private of Company C of said … came to his home in Cabell County on a furlough to visit his family. That James Pauley of said Company C sent by him a small sum of money to his mother Mary Pauley of Kanawha County. That their residences at that time thought in different counties was some less mails distant though they previously live much nearer. That he was well acquainted with the Pauley family and knows that for several year previous to his death. Mrs. Pauley who was a widow in very destitute conditions was to a very great extent dependent upon her some James for support. That he resides as above stated and has no interest what so ever in Mrs. Pauley’s claim.

Signed William K. Moore

Swore to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid.

State of West Virginia, Kanawha County, SS

On this the 19^th day of December 1866 before me I. N. Chamberlin, Notary Public in and for said County personally appeared John A. Pauley a resident of said county as person whom I certify to be a person of respectability and entitled to credit who being duly sworn according to law declares that he was a private in Company C 8^th Regiment Virginia Volunteers and that on one occasion James Pauley (now deceased) gave him fifteen dollars to send to his mother (Mary Pauley) which he did as directed. He further declares the same James was in the habit of sending money to his mother when he was paid that he contributed largely to her support before he entered the service and that he has no interest in her claim.

Signed John A. Pauley (his mark)

I.N. Chamberlin

G.W. Holmes

State of West Virginia, County of Kanawha, SS

On this 23^rd day of March 1867 before me Hedgman Slack, a notary public and for said county personally appeared Dr. Nelson McClure and George W. Hundley residents of Kanawha county person whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit who being duly sown according to law declare that are well acquainted with Mary Pauley, Mother James Pauley as he was sometimes called (Jesse James Pauley) that she is the widow of David Pauley, deceased, who was the father of the James or Jesse James. That for many years previous to the death of the said David Pauley he was entirely unable to perform any manual labor. That he was afflicted with rheumatism and other disease up to the time of his death. That the said James until he entered the army remained at home and supported his parents t o a very great extent That they had several other sons who also enlisted in the army but who had families of their own to provide for that the said James was the main dependence of the parents and that Mrs. Mary Pauley is a very old woman and is very destitute as to what he did for his mother after he went into the service they nothing of their own knowledge but have reason to believe that he contributed the most of his means to the support of his mother the said McClure lives about (unlisted) miles from Mrs. Pauley and Hundley a half mile and knows the facts stated above of their own personal knowledge and are entirely disinterested in Mrs. Pauley claims. That the said soldier was.. taken prisoner by the enemy on the (unlisted) day and died in one of the southern prisons.

(Signed) Nelson McClure and George W. Hundley

West Virginia Mary Pauley, mother of Jesse J. Pauley, Rank: Private, Company C, Regiment 7 West Virginia Volunteers, Wheeling Agency, commencing 17 August 1864, Certificate filed 7 November 1867 and sent to Greenbury Slack, Kanawha C.H. (Court House), West Virginia, Act 14 July 1862, Boone C, Vol. 15, Page 264, Heonse, Clerk.

Casualty Sheet: J. Polley, Private of Company C 8^th Regiment of Virginia State Volunteers. Nature of Casualty, Death, died at Andersonville, Georgia 17 August 1864.

Polley, Private, Company C, 8^th Regiment, Infantry, State of Virginia, Death Certified by Bvt. Maj. W. T. Hartz, AAG, date of discharge death 17 Aug 1864, place of discharge death Andersonville, Georgia, From what source this information was provided by Comsy Genl. Of Prisoners, signed by George W. Clark, Clerk.

Inventory of the Effects of Jesse J. Pauley, Private, late of Company C 7^th Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, who died at Andersonville, Georgia on the 17^th Day of August 1864.

Inventory of the effects of Jesse J. Pauley late a private of Captain Charles A. Smith Company C of the Seventh Regiment of West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers, who was enrolled as a recruit at Coalsmouth in the State of West Virginia on the 15^th day of December 1862, and mustered into the service of the United States as a recruit on the 5^th day of January 1863 at Coalsmouth in Company C, 7^th Regiment of West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers to serve three years or during the war; he was born in Kanawha County in the State of West Virginia; he was 19 years of age, five feet nine inches high, fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair and by occupation when enrolled, a farmer; Jesse J. Pauley died of anascanca, at Andersonville, Georgia on the 17^th day of August 1864, while a prisoner of war: No effects. I certify, on honor, that the above inventory comprises all the effects of Jesse J. Pauley, deceased. Charleston A. Smith, Captain, Commanding the Company. Station: Coalsmouth, West Virginia. Date: 26 May 1865.

Casualty Sheet: Name: Jesse J. Pauley, Private, Company C Regiment 7, Vet. Cav’y, State: West Virginia, Nature of Casualty: Died. Cause of casualty: not stated. By whom certified: Jno. J. Polsley, Lt. Col. Commanding Regiment, Date of Death: 17 August 1864. From what source this information was obtained: Quar. Ret’n of Absts. and Cas. For the quarter ending 30 June 1865 of the 7^th West Virginia Vet. Cav’y, dated Charleston, West Virginia 27 July 1865. Signed by Jno. J. Polsley, Lt. Col., Comd’g Regt. Filed in Roll Rooms. Signed by R. R. Selden, Clerk.

P, 7 Cav. West Virginia, Jesse J. Pauley, Private, Co. C, 7 Reg’t West Virginia Cavalry
Appears on Returns as follows:

December 1862: Co. C, 8 Virginia Infantry, join by enlistment December 15 Coalsmouth.

December 1863: Co. C, 8 West Virginia mounted infantry, absent prisoner of War since 19 December 1863.

January 1864 to April 1865: Co. C, 7 West Virginia Cavalry, absent (in rebel hands) prisoner of War since 19 December 1863.

May 1865: Co. A, 7 West Virginia Cavalry, died 17 August 1864 Andersonville, Georgia prisoner of war. Name appears also as Jesse J. Polly and J.J. Pauley.

P, 7 Cavalry West Virginia, Jesse J. Pauley, Company C, 7 Regiment West Virginia Cavalry appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age 19 years; height 5 feet 9 inches, complexion fair, eyes blue; hair light, where born Kanawha County, West Virginia, occupation farmer. Enlistment, when: 30 December 1862, where: Coalsmouth, by whom: William A. Walton; term 3 years.

P, 7 Cavalry, West Virginia, Jesse J. Pauley, Private, Company C, 7 Regiment West Virginia Cavlary, age 19 years, appears on Company Muster out Roll dated Wheeling, West Virginia 24 January 1865, last paid to 31 October 1863, Due $100.00, Remarks: Captured by enemy 19 December 1863 5 miles from Covington, Virginia, book mark: died at Andersonville Georgia 17 August 1864 of anasarca vide D. & D.A.

Memorandum from Prisoner of War Records. Jesse Pauley, rank P, 8 Regiment, Virginia, Arm of Service I, Company C. Captured at Alleganey {sic} County, Virginia 22 December 1863, confined at Richmond Virginia 28 December 1863, Sent to Andersonville, Georgia 15 December 1864, 21 April 1864 Dearhaven returned to Georgia 29 May 1864, where he died 17 August 1864, of secorbutus, grave # 5004.

Jesse J. Pauley was last paid by Paymaster Maj. Crosby to include the 31^st day of October 1863 and has pay due him from that time to present date; he is entitled to pay and subsistence for TRAVELING to place of enrollment, and whatsoever other allowances are authorized to volunteer soldiers, drafted men, or militia, so discharged. He has received from the United State clothing amount to sixty two and 55/100 dollars, since the 31^st day of December 1862, when his clothing allowance was last settled. He has received from the United States NO Bounty.

Cause of Death: Anasarca

Anasarca is a medical condition characterized by widespread swelling of the skin. This abnormal accumulation of fluid is most often caused by liver or kidney failure, but is also seen in cases of severe malnutrition.

These are records that have been put on line with cooperation from the National Archives. We understand that they are charging nearly $100 per printed pension file now.

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Photos: The Sand Fork Porters

Camp Sumter and the Death of Jesse James Pauley