Correspondence from James McMullen's military file at the National Archives.

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ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY FOR DISCHARGE
James McMullen, Pvt of Captain William F Dennis' Company C of the Second Regiment of the United
States Infantry was enlisted by Lieutenant Drum of the Second Regiment at Cincinnati, Ohio on the
(illeg) day of (illeg) 1873 to serve 5 years; he was born in (illeg) in the State of Virginia, is
thirty-nine years of age, 5 feet 4-1/2 inches high, dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair, and by
occupation when enlisted a Soldier. During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty
(blank) days: Transferred to Port Hospital at Vancouver W.T. for treatment by Special Order No. 67.
Head Quarters Dept. of the Columbia, dated Portland Oregon June 5 1878.
Station: Fort Vancouver W.T.
Date: July 20 1878
/s/ Eli McClellan, Commanding Company, Post Surgeon
I certify that I have carefully examined the said James McMullen of Captain Wm. F. Dennis Company and
find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of an unreduced dislocation of the
heat of the humerous; the result of a fall from his horse in White Bird Canon on the 7th of February
1878. The direction of dislocation is downwards into the axilla and the head of the bone is so bound
down as to be unmovable by any means at my command. Disability incurred in line of duty. Disability
3/4.
/s/ Eli McClellan, Surgeon
Discharged this 29th day of July 1878 at Fort Vancouver Wy. Territory.
/s/ C. W. Sully
Colonel 21 Infantry
Commanding the Post
…sires to be addressed at
…Newport County, State Kentucky (address of James McMullen?)

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DECLARATION FOR ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION
To be executed before a court of record or some officer thereof having custody of its seal
State of Kentucky )
County of Campbell) ss
On this 16th day of September, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Campbell County Court, a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid, James McMullin, aged 37 years, a resident of the City of Newport, county of Campbell, State of Kentucky, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James McMullin who was ENROLLED on the 28th day of November 1873 as a recruit U.S. Army and was assigned to Co. C 2d U.S. Infantry and was honorably DISCHARGED at Fort Vancouver W.T. on the 29 day of July 1878; that his personal description is as follows: Age 37 years, height 5 feet 4-1/2 inches; complexion Dark; hair Dark; eyes Black. That while a member of Co. C 2d U.S. Infantry in the service and in the line of duty at Whiteburg Canon, in the State of Idaho Territory on or about the ninth day of January 1878, he received a dislocation of left shoulder joint while herding stock belonging to hostile Indians, his horse slipping on frozen ground and throwing him with force against a rock. Several attempts (five) have been made to reduce the dislocation but unsuccessfully.
That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Post Hospital, Camp Howard, Idaho, Post Hospital, Walla Walla, W.T., and Post Hospital Ft. Vancouver, W.T. from Jany 13 1878 to July 29 1878.
That he has (blank) been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above in Co. A. 2d U.S. Cavalry from Oct 1862 to Oct 1865.
That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the City of Newport in the State of Kentucky and has been unable to work.
That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a Teamster. That he is now wholly disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.
He hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation (blank) of (blank) State of (blank) his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has not received nor applied for a pension. That his Post Office address is Newport, county of Campbell, State of Kentucky, and desires to prosecute his own claim.
Claimant's signautre: James (X his mark) McMullin
Attest: /s/Charles E O'Lord
/s/Fredk M Guyon
Also personally appeared Charles O'Lord residing at Newport, Ky. and F. M. Guyon residing at Newport, Ky, persons whom I certify to be responsible and entitled to credit and who being by me duly sworn say they were present and saw James McMullin, the claimant, sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
/s/Charles E. O'Lord
/s/Fred'k M. Guyon
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th Day of September A.D. 1878
/s/ Thomas Jones Clerk
Campbell County Court

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State of Kentucky )
Campbell County )

Personally appeared before me:
James McMullen of Newport, Campbell Co., Ky. he being duly sworn according to law deposes and says
that he is the identical person who served as a soldier in Company A Second United States Cavalry from the (blank) day of October 1862 to the (blank) day of October 1865, when discharged therefrom by reason of expiration of term of enlistment. That he was borne on the rolls of the aforesaid company as Michael Mullen and was discharged as of that name. That the circumstances of his enlistment and being borne in the rolls of said company as Michael Mullen are as follows: At time of said enlistment at Buffalo NY, he could neither read nor write; in being asked his name he gave it as McMullen to Sergeant Joseph O'Brien of the recruiting party, but by some misunderstanding his name was entered as Michael Mullen on his enlistment papers which he signed by mark, instead of his true name James McMullen.
That he did not become aware of this error in name until his arrival at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. with recruits from Buffalo when he was told the
error and asked that it might be corrected. That the correction was not made though deponent repeatedly asked that it might be done.
That he is the identical person whose claim for pension No. 260542 is now pending.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of January 1879.
/s/James (X his mark) McMullen
Attes as to marke:
/s/ Thomas Jones
/s/ James Wallace

State of Kentucky
Campbell County
I, Thomas Jones, clerk of the County Court for this county aforesaid, certify that James McMullen to me personall known, who made oath before me, that the statement in the foregoing is true and further that I have no any interest in said claim.
Witness my hand and Official Seal of Office this 29 day of January 1879.
/s/ Thomas Jones, Clerk
Campbell County Court

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WAR DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington D.C. February 18 1879
Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for pension No. 260542, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
It appears from the Records of this Office that Michael Mullen was enlisted on the 10th day of October 1862 at Buffalo, NY to serve 5 years and was assigned to Co. "A" 2nd Regiment of U.S. Cavalry. On the Muster Roll of Co. "A" of that Regiment for the months of September and October 1865 he is reported Discharged Oct 10 1865 by Expiration of Service at Monrovia, Md., a private. Was present with his company during Service.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your (cut off) servant, (cut off)

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War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington DC August 16 1887
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions, James McMullen, Co. C., 2 Regiment of U.S.
Inf.
Under date of Aug 3/87, Capt. Henry Cattey, 2 Inf reported: "The records of Co. C 2 Inf. show Pvt.
James McMullen to have gone on detached service Jan'y 14/78 from Camp Howard, Idaho (the duty upon
which he was detached was herding captured Indian ponies, and the party with which he was on duty was
located at various points in the vicinity of Camp Howard, among others at White Bird Canon). This
clause in parentheses is from the memory of myself and Pvt. Michael Schaffner Co C 2 Inf. The co.
records further show that James McMullen was reported sick in hospital Feb'y 16/78 from detached
service the same date, his injury having occurred at some date unknown during his absence.
Feb'y 27 1878 his injury is diagnosed as "sprain of left arm, contracted while on duty". He was
returned to duty Mar 26/78 and again reported sick Apr 15/78, and at this time, although it was the
same trouble, his disease is diagnosed "rheumatism". Shortly after this, McMullen came to me with a
complaint to the effect that he did not think that he was being skillfully treated and that he did
not believe that the doctor knew what was the matter with him, and he entreated me to examine his
arm. I was then the 1 Lieut. of the Co. and to explain why the man came to me, I will say that I had
frequently treated the men when no surgeon was present, having been for two enlistments, a hospital
steward. I made some slight examination of the man's arm and without telling him so, concluded that
his shoulder was out of joing. I went to the Co. Comdr. Capt. W. F. Drum, and privately stated the
matter, saying (I think) that the doctor did not know what was the matter with McMullen. Capt. Drum
took some action, I do not know exactly what, but on May 17 '78, McMullen was ordered transferred to
the hospital at Walla Walla for treatment; from there he was sent (date unknown) to the hospital at
Vancouver where he was discharged July 29 '78 on surgeon's certificate of disability. I do not know
of my own knowledge nor can I now ascertain in what manner or to what extent McMullen was originally
injured, but I have every reason for believing that he was thrown from his horse while on duty and
that he sustained serious injuries and that he did not receive proper treatment for quite a period
after his injury. This report would be incomplete if I ommitted to state that McMullen was at times
addicted to drink, and that it was reported after he went to Vancouver that he injured his chances of
a more complete recovery by becoming intoxicated."
/s/R. C. Drum, Adjutant General

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War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington DC August 18 1887
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions, James McMullen, Co. C., 2 Regiment of U.S.
Inf.
Under date of Aug 6/87, Lieut. Cal, W.F. Drum, 12 Inf. reported: "I certify that James McMullen was
a private in Co. C, "2" Inf early in 1878 and while engaged in herding captured Indian ponies
(horses) at White Bird Canon, a few miles from Camp Howard, Idaho, was hurt by his horse falling and
throwing him. The comd'g officer at once sent the Actg. Asst. Surgeon on duty with the command out
to see him, who, when he returned reported that the man was somewhat bruised but not seriously
injured. He was, however, brought back to camp for treatment. A short time afterwards (how long I
cannot now remember) I asked McMullen how he was and he told me that he was not getting on well, that
he felt as though he had a bone in his armpit. Being satisfied that the man's shoulder had been
dislocated when he received the injury above referred to, I spoke to the doctor who then called in a
physician to assist him, but they failed to afford relief owing probably to the time that had elapsed
since the injury. Application was then made to have the man sent where he could have better
treatment and he was sent to Ft. Walla Walla and thence to Vancouver Bks. At neither place, as I was
informed, were they able to give the necessary relief, and the (cut off)

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State of Illinois)
County of Cook ) ss
In the matter of the increase pension claim of James McMullen, Co. C, 2nd U.S. Inf.
Personally came before me a (blank) in and for aforesaid County and State, Bridget Kirby, citizen of
the Town of 156 W Taylor St, Chicago, County of Cook, State of Illinois, well known to me to be
reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn declare in relation to aforesaid case as
follows:
That she is the sister of one Phillip Dwyer who was a private in Co C 2d United States Infantry and
that said Phillip Dwyer died at the National Home for Disabled Volunteers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that
after said Dwyer was discharged from the United States service he made his home with affiant until he
went to said soldier's Home, and that she frequently heard said Dwyer speak of his comrad James
McMullen, and of the fact that said McMullen while collecting Indian ponys and stock in Whiteburg
Canon Idaho was injured by his horse falling on him crushing and injuring his left shoulder, right
shoulder and arm and brest, and of said McMullen and she heard Dwyer say that McMullen before he had
entirely recovered from said injuries, was while on duty in the Commissary department injured again
in said left shoulder, right shoulder, arm and brest as follows: he was engaged in moving a barrell
of pork down the steps from the Commissary department to the Quarter Master's department, that the
barrell slipped and he falling down, the barrell rolled over him, injuring him as above stated.
She further declares that she had no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
/s/Bridget Kirby
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiant; and I certify that I read said
affidavit to said affiant, and acquainted her with its contents before she executed the same. I
further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution;
and that said affiant is personally known to me; that she is a creditable person and so reputed in
the community in which she resides.
Witness my hand and official seal this 29th October 1888
/s/ Quida J Chott, Notary Public in and for Cook County, Illinois

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Saint Paul Minn.
October 31 1888
I certify that during the winter of 1877-8 and the spring of 1878, I was a Captain in command of
Company "C" 2'd Infantry at Camp Howard, D.T. and that James McMullen was a private in said company.
Sometime during the time above specified private McMullen was hurt
in consequence of his horse falling while he was on duty herding captured Indian ponies. One of his
shoulders was dislocated which was not discovered immediately and the medical officer with the
command, not being able to afford the required relief he was first sent to Walla Walla and then to
Vancouver Barracks, W.T. for treatment. I was credibly informed that in consequence of said injury
he was discharged from the service on surgeon's certificate of disability at Vancouver Barracks W.T.
in the summer of 1878. I am not aware of his having received any other injury while in my Company.
/s/W. F. Drum

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County of Martin
Territory of Dakota
Presenting appeared before me the undersigned authority, one Henry F Amesbury, Commissary Sergeant
S.A., who after being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that during the spring and summer
of the year 1878 A.D., he was on duty at Camp Howard, Dakota Territory as Commissary Sergeant of that
Post, that during that time, the actual date not known, Private James McMullen, Co. "C", 2d U.S.
Infantry, was on duty ?ting and herding hostile Indian horses and that while so serving the
government in a regular military detail he was thrown from his horse thereby fracturing his arm.
That he was consiged to the post Hospital and there treated for said fracture by Acting Assistant
Surgeon E. G. Pring, N.S.A., Post Surgeon, that after having apparently recovered from the above
mentioned injury Private McMullen was detailed in extra duty in the Subsistence Department at the
fort and that while handling Subsistance stores by direction of said Commissary Sergeant Amesbury and
being in the performance of duty required of him, he, Pvt. James McMullen, did again fracture his arm
in same place as formerly fractured by his fall from his horse. He was taken to the post Hospital
for treatment and subsequently taken to Fort Walla Walla W.T. for the same (illeg). After his
removal to Fort Walla Walla W.T. the deponent has no further knowledge of his condition or
whereabouts.
/s/ Henry F. Amesbury, Commissary Sergeant, S.A.
Sworn and subscribed to before me this the 31st day of December 1888.
/s/ Bard P Schenck
2d Lieut. 12th Infantry
Pvt. Abraham Lincoln, D.T.
January 1889
I certify that in taking the above affiant the requirements of Par. 1762 A.K. has been complied with.
/s/W. O. Clarke
1st Lieut. 12th Infantry

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
To all Whom it May Concern:
This is to Certify That Michael Mullen, who was enlisted on the 11th day of October, one thousand
eight hundred and sixty two to serve three years, was discharged on the 0th day of October 1865 by
reason expiration at Monrovia, Maryland, while holding the grade of Private in Troop A, 2d Regiment
of U.S. Cavalry, and serving honorably in the military service of the United States.
This certificate is given upon evidence that the original discharge has been lost or destroyed, and
in all cases upon the condition imposed by the Act of Congress approved March 3 1873, that it "shall
not be accepted as a voucher for the payment of any claim against the United States for pay, bounty,
or other allowance, or as evidence in any other case."
Given at the Adjutant General's Office, War Department, Washington DC this 23d day of May, AD 1892.
/s/ W. J. Volkinson (?), Assistant Adjutant General

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Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington DC, 29 Dec 1892
State of Indiana, Pension Claim No. 158114
Name and rank of claimant: James McMullen, Pvt
Company C, 2nd Reg't, US Inf
Sir: This Bureau will esteem it a favor if you will, at your earliest convenience, answer the
questions enumerated below. This information is desired for statistical purposes and it may be of
great value to your (cut off)
Claimant, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
1. Are you a married man and if so, what is your wife's full name and what was her maiden name?
Ans: Yes, Mary McMullen, Mary McKee

2. When and where were you married?
Ans: Lawrenceburg Ind. (very faint, can just make out 1880)

3. What record of marriage exists?
Ans: Record in office of Clerk of the Dearborn Circuit Court

4. If you had been previously married state the name of your former wife and the date of her death
or divorce.
Ans: Never married before.

5. If you have any children living, state their names and dates of birth.
Ans: Atlanta McMullen born Jan 31 1883; Virginia McMullen born July 3 1888, Custer McMullen Nov 188-, Mary McMullen May 15 1889, Arizona McMullen July 3 1893.

Date of reply, Jan 18 1893
Post-office address, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
s/s James McMullen (X - his mark)

Attention is invited to the outlines of the human skeleton and figure upon the back of this
certificate and they should be used whenever it is possible to indicate precisely the location of a
disease or injury, the entrance and exit of a missile, an amputation, &c.
The absence of a member from a session of a board and the reason therefor, if known, and the name of
the absentee, must be indorsed upon each certificate.

Indiana, Pension Claim No. 158114
Name and rank of claimant: James McMullen, Pvt
Company C, 2nd Regt (illeg)
Claimant's post-office address: Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Date of examination: Nov 2 1892
We hereby certify that in compliance with the requirements of the law we have carefully examined this
appliant who states that he is suffering from the following disability, incurred in the service, viz:
Dislocation of left shoulder and rheumatism, also inj. to right arm, shoulder and breast
and that he receives a pension of (blank) dollars per month.
He makes the following statement upon which he bases his claim for:
My arm is numb and painful all the time. Have numbness also in right arm and pain.

Upon examination we find the following objective conditions:
Pulse rate: 104, respiration 20; temperature 99; height 5 ft 3 inches; weight 105 pounds; age 53
years.
Tongue rough and yellow, skin pale. Left shoulder has downward dislocation the head of bone being in
the axilla. Motion is limited greatly. Can move elbow but 3 inches from body. Rate recommended
Seventeen Dollars.
Rheumatism, crepitation in right shoulder joint. Motion seems painful and limited in hips. Rate
recommended Eight Dollars.
Heart, area of dullness increased downward and to the right. Action is frequent and irregular in
pulse seen and felt. Pulse standing 104, after exercise 130. Rate recommended Two Dollars.
Nothing further found.
We are of the opinion that the combined disability equals the loss of a hand or foot.
/s/ John C Hicks, Pres
J. F. Lamb, Secy
E. D. Freeman, Treas.

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Act of June 27 1890
No. 470,469
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
It is hereby certified that in conformity with the laws of the United States, Mary McMullen, widow of
James McMullen who was a Private, Troop A, 2nd Regiment, United States Cavalry, is entitled to a
pension under the provisions of the
ACT OF JUNE 27, 1890
at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the twenty-ninth day of March 1897 and to
continue during her widowhood unless she shall forfeit her right thereto. And she is entitled to two
dollars per month additional for each of the following named children while living and under the age
of sixteen years.
Atlanta commencing March 29 1897, sixteen January 30 1898
Virginia commencing March 29 1897, sixteen July 2 1900
Custer commencing March 29 1897, sixteen April 30 1903
Mary commencing March 29 1897, sixteen May 10 1905
Arizona commencing March 29 1897, sixteen July 2 1908
Kit Carson commencing March 29 1897, sixteen March 13 1911
Maggie M commending March 29 1897, sixteen March 28 1913
GIVEN AT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR this twenty-eighth day of October one thousand eight hundred
and ninety eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and twenty-
third.
/s/(illeg) Secretary of the Interior
Countersigned: J. L. Davenport, Acting Commissioner of Pensions
Note: Soldier pensioned under Geneal Law as of Co C 2 Regiment, United States Infantry
Increased to $12.00 per month from April 19 1908 by Act of that date.

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U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
Name of soldier: James McMullen [Michael Mullen alias]
Name of Dependent: Widow, Mary Mcmullen
Minor: Maggie McMullen, child
Service: A 2 US Cav
C 2 US Inf
Date of Filing: 1878 Sept 18, Invalid, Applic#260.542, Cert#158.114, State from which filed Ky
Date of Filing: 1897 Mch 29, Widow, Applic#651653, Cert#470469, State from which filed Ind
Date of Filing: 1919 June 19, Minor, Applic#1143.381, State from which filed Ind
Roll Number: T288_307

James McMullen

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