Transcribed by Joseph R. Mosher

Great-G-Grandson of James & Altha (Luther) Mosher

State of Michigan

Town of VanBuren

I, James W. Mosher, born in Clinton, Macomb Co, in the State of Michigan. Eighteen years, and by occupation a farmer. Do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this Eighteenth day of December, 1863 to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of Three Years, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, James W. Mosher do solemnly swear, that I will, bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.

Sworn and subscribed to, at Van Buren this 26th day of December 1863 before Thos. Brysan Justice of the Peace.

James W. Mosher

I certify, on honor, that I have carefully examined the above-named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that in my own opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.

Geo. Landon

Examining Surgeon

I certify, on honor, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my previously to my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him a duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service.

Mark ______

Capt. Pro. Mar.

Fifth Regiment of Cavalry Volunteers, Recruiting Officer

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your office of applications for Pension No. 129.136, 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 this Office, that James W. Mosher was enrolled on the 18^th day of December 1863, at Van Buren in Co. 5^th Regiment of Mich. Cav. Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war and mustered into service as a Private on the 5^th day of January, 1864, at Detroit, in Co. 5^th Regiment of Michigan Cav. Volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. "H" of that Regiment, during June 18^th, 1865, he is reported among those mustered out on that date.

Record for March and April 1865 not in files. No evidence of disability. The name James Mosher in not found.

I am sir very respectfully your obedient servant,

Signature

Assistant Adjutant General

The Commissioner of Pensions,

Washington D.C.

State of Michigan,

County of Wayne ss.

On this sixth day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven (1867), personally appeared before me, the Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, James Mosher aged 22 years, a resident of Commerce in the State of Michigan who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James Mosher who enlisted in the service of the United States, at Dentonville, Mich. on the 18^th day of December 1863, as a private in the Company (H) of Michigan Cavalry commanded by Colonel Alger in the War for the Suppression of the Rebellion in the Southern States, and was honorably discharged on the said, and in the line of his duty, he became disabled at the time and place, and in the manner following, to wit: That on or about the 8^th day of April A.D. 1865 while in the line of his duty in April near Appomattox Court House, Virginia on the morning of said day, a shell from the rebels exploded near by and partly under the horse upon which this deponent was mounted and he was thrown from him and in his fall struck on his right side a top a log which ruptured his said right side. And continues that at the time of his enlistment he was a healthy man a farmer by profession that since his discharge he has been unable to follow his regular profession more than one third to one half his time and is almost entirely unable to lift any weight and scarcely able to use his back at all.

This said James Mosher makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the Invalid Pension Laws of the United States; and doth hereby constitute and appoint Joseph R. Bowman his true and lawful attorney with full power substitution, authorizing him to prosecute this, his claim for a pension, and to receive and receipt for any draft or certificate which may be issued thereon, and to do all other acts which may be necessary in the premises. That his P.O. address is Commerce, Oakland County, Michigan.

James Mosher

Also personally appeared, Henry M. Secord and James H.C. Mosher residents of Wayne Co. Michigan persons whom I know.

State of Michigan

County of Oakland

For James Mosher of White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan being duly sworn deposes and says that he is an applicant for pension No. 128,136 for service as a private Co. "H", 5^th Michigan Cavalry and discharged from said service on the 7^th day of July A.D. 1865, that he has not been in the military in name service of the United States since the date of his discharge.

James Mosher

Sworn to and subscribes upon this 30^th day of April A.D. 1870 and I further certify that I know the applicant to be a credible witness that I have no interest whatsoever in the claim.

(Oakland County Clerk's Office)

I John Fitzpatrick, Clerk of said County of Oakland, do hereby certify that A.S. Mathews esquire, before whom the annexed instrument, in writing, was proved acknowledged was, at the time of taking the same, a Notary Public within and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn and authorized by law to take the same, and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe his signature subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine; and that the annexed instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of this State.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Circuit Court for said County, at Pontiac, this 30^th day of April A.D. 1870.

John Fitzpatrick Clerk

To be executed before a court of record or some officer thereof having custody of its seal.

State of Michigan

County of Kalkaska ss:

On this 30^th day of August, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety (1890), personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Circuit Court, a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid, James W. Mosher, aged 45 years, a resident of the town of Kalkaska county of Kalkaska, State of Michigan, who, being duly sworn, declares that he is the identical James W. Mosher who was enrolled on the 18^th day of December, 1863, as a Private in Co. "H", 5^th Regiment of Michigan Cavalry Vol. in the War of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was Honorably Discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on the 7^th day of July, 1865. That he is unable to earn a support by reason of Rheumatism and resulting Heart-Disease caused by exposure while in the service.

That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he has applied for pension in 1867 which was rejected and he does not remember the number and has no papers to show it.

That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States, under the provision of the Act of June 27, 1890.

He hereby appoints Travis & Brown, of Crawfordsville, State of Indiana, his true and lawful attorneys to prosecute his claim. That his Post-Office Address is Kalkaska, County of Kalkaska, State of Michigan.

James W. Mosher

Attest: John Lewis

Walter Sherwood

State of Michigan

County of Oakland

In the matter of Original Claim for Pension of James W. Mosher, Late of Co. "H", 5^th Mich. Cav. Vol. Claim No. 128.136 (Cert. No. 570.758). On this 8^th day of August A.D. 1891, personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, Isaiah J. Luther aged, 64 years, a resident of East Bloomfield in the County of Oakland and State of Michigan well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: That he has been well and personally acquainted with James W. Mosher for 26 years and that the said James W. Mosher worked for him in the fall of 1865 and worked for him more or less of the time from 1865 to 1874 and that the said James W. Mosher was troubled with a rupture of the right side and I made him a truss to wear and I know that he wore the truss for 4 or 5 years and further says that the said James W. Mosher was not able to perform manual labor no more than ½ the time on account of said rupture. These facts I know from personal knowledge and the said James W. Mosher was working for me and from 1865 to1874 I used to see the claimant every week and most of the time every day and since 1874 I have seen him about once a year.

And further said that his Post-Office address is Box 383 Birmingham, Michigan and he further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned its prosecution.

Isaiah J. Luther

Signature of Affiant

State of Michigan

County of Washtenaw

In the matter of Pension Claim of James W. Mosher, Co. "H", 5^th Regt. Michigan Cav. On this 7^th day of November A.D. 1891 personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, Henry Snowball aged 47 years, a resident of Augusta in the County of Washtenaw and State of Michigan well known to ne to be a reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: That he has been well and personally acquainted with James W. Mosher for 30 years, and that James W. Mosher was a private in Co. "H", 5^th Regt. Mich. Cav. that on the 8^th of April 1865 the claimant was injured by a shell thrown from the enemy, killing his horse and throwing him violently to the ground injuring his right side and rupturing him also. This happened near Appomattox Court House in the state of VA. He was unable to ride a horse and serve and talked with him several times after Lee's surrender and he showed me his injuries the night of the Grand Review in Washington and I next saw him in June 1865 near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was in the hospital being treated for rupture and after injuries resumed at the above stated time. These facts I know from personal knowledge. I was a member of "H" Company and same regiment. I was with the regiment from the time it was organized until the end of the war. His Post Office address is Whittaker, Washtenaw Co., Michigan.

He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.

Henry Snowball

Signature of Affiant

State of Michigan

County of Kalkaska

In the matter of James W. Mosher, Co. "H", 5^th Michigan Cavalry, on this 17 day of June A.D. 1893 personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, John Lewis aged 53 years a resident of Kalkaska in the County of Kalkaska and State of Michigan well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: That he has been well and personally acquainted with James W. Mosher for 21 years, and that I am very intimately acquainted with James W. Mosher the above claimant that I live beside him and see him about every day and I know from personal knowledge that on May 31, 1892 he was suffering with rheumatism, piles and general debility and he continued suffering with each of them until October 19, 1892 and ever since and for a long time before May 31, 1892 and during that time he was disabled from performing manual labor on account of said disabilities to the extent of 2/3 of what a well man could do. During the above time he was badly affected with rheumatism and part of the time he could not get out of his house with it. He complained a great deal of the piles and he has been very feeble and sickly and it is my opinion from my intimate acquaintance with him that said disabilities are not the results of violent habits for the reason that his habits are good and his moral character is good. He is temperate.

His Post-Office address is Kalkaska, Michigan. I further declare that I have no interest in said case and I am not concerned in its prosecution.

John Lewis

Signature of Affiant

State of Michigan

County of Kalkaska ss:

In the matter of James W. Mosher, Co. "H", 5^th Michigan Cavalry on this 17 day of June A.D. 1893 personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, James W. Mosher aged 47 years, a resident of Kalkaska in the County of Kalkaska and State of Michigan well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: That I am the claimant in the above entitled pension claim and in reply to call of the Department dated June 10, 1883, I will say that I first became affected with rheumatism about October 1873 and I first became affected with piles about 1883 and as to general disability I will say I have been affected with it and been generally used up with general disability for the last 10 years and the above disabilities have not been due to vicious habits and are to the best of my knowledge and belief permanent.

His post office address is Kalkaska, Michigan

James W. Mosher

Signature of Applicant

Bureau of Pensions

Washington, D.C.

January 15, 1898

Certificate No. 570.758

Name, James W. Mosher

Sir:

In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.

Very respectfully,

M. Clay Evans

Commissioner

First: Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name.

Answer: Altha Harriet Mosher (Altha H. Luther)

Second: When where and by whom were you married?

Answer: Dec. 29^th 1865 at Commerce, Oakland Co. Mich. by F.B. Owens, Justice of Peace

Third: What record of marriage exists?

Answer: On file at county clerk's office of Oakland Co. Mich.

Fourth: Were you previously married? If so, state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.

Answer:

Fifth: Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.

Answer: Only two under sixteen. Elroy G. b. March 21^st 1884 and Lillie G. b. June 16^th 1886

James W. Mosher

Date of reply, June 4, 1898

Act of April 19, 1908

To be executed before a Court of Record or some officer thereof having custody of its seal a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace, whose official signature shall be verified by his official seal and in case he has none, his signature and official character shall be certified by a Clerk of a Court of Record, or a City or County Clerk.

State of Michigan

County of Kalkaska, ss:

On this 31^st day of August A.D. on thousand nine hundred and eight, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid Altha H. Mosher, a resident of Kalkaska County of Kalkaska, State of Michigan. Who, being duly sworn according to law, declare that she is the widow of James W. Mosher, on the 18^th day of December A.D. 1863, as a private in Company "H" in the 5^th Regiment of Michigan Cavalry and served at least ninety days in the late War of the Rebellion in the service of the United States, who was Honorably Discharged July 7^th 1865 and died August 27^th, 1908. The he was not employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above. That he was never employed in the military or naval service of the United States after the 18^th day of July 1865. That she was married under the name of Altha H. Luther to said James W. Mosher the 29^th day of December A.D. 1865 by Francis B. Owen at Commerce, Michigan, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that she had not been previously married; Neither myself or my husband was ever married before. That she has not remarried since the death of the said James W. Mosher. That the names and dates of birth of all the children of the soldier, now living, and under sixteen years of age are as follows: No children under the age of 16 years. That she has not abandoned the support of any one of her children, but that they are still under her care or maintenance. That no prior application for pension has been filed by herself or the soldier. That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension-roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of April 19, 1908. She hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, James Greacen of Kalkaska, Michigan, her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim, the fee to be Ten Dollars, payable as prescribed by law. That her Post-Office Address is: Kalkaska, Michigan R.F.D. No. 1 County of Kalkaska, State of Michigan.

Altha H. Mosher

Claimant's Signature

State of Michigan

County of Kalkaska

In matter of Altha H. Mosher, Widow of James W. Mosher, Co. "H", 5^th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, on this 11^th day of November A.D. 1908, personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid county duly authorized to administer oaths, Arthur L. Bonnell aged 38 years a resident of Kalkaska in the county of Kalkaska and state of Michigan well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: That he has been well acquainted with Altha H. and James W. Mosher. I am the Town Clerk of the Township of Excelsior in the County of Kalkaska, Michigan and as such Township Clerk I am the custodian of the Cemetery records of said Township, and I certify under oath that the following attached certificate is a true and perfect copy of the record in my office as such Clerk pertaining to the death and burial of James W. Mosher.

A.L. Bonnell