Pension Approval Rates for Civil War Veterans … 1865-1906

Table 1. Pension Approval Rates for Civil War Veterans by Period, Race, and Military Medical History: United States, 1865-1906

“According to [Donald] Shaffer, Blacks were investigated about twice as often as Whites and these investigations were more thorough and took longer. Furthermore, claim agents (who often assisted in the application process) often took advantage of Black soldiers by submitting fraudulent claims. Finally, the difficulty Blacks had in providing essential dates, including dates of birth, marriage, military service, wounds, and illnesses, ‘led to frustration and suspicion on the part of pension bureaucrats.'”

Sven E. Wilson, PhD. “Prejudice & Policy: Racial Discrimination in the Union Army Disability Pension System, 1865-1906,” American Journal of Public Health, Volume 100: S56-S65.

[Note: The table above is on page S60 of the 10-page article — Leslie]

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