Veteran officers typically had more financial resources than the troops they commanded but their injuries were often as devastated. This officer began his career in Company L, Third New York Infantry and was promoted to Company K, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. He settled in Ohio after discharge.
Invalid — 608,968 / 420,005
Questionnaire (Form 3-065), Sampson J.L. Whiteman, 7 January 1888
“Disability from gun shot wound of left knee incurred at at Basque Creek, Va. about July 1864 … Treatment as follows: in Post Hospital, Newport News, Va from July 1864 to Dec 1864 … Discharged Jan 26, 1866, at Brazos, Tex”
Note: “Basque Creek, Va.” was “Pagan Creek, Va.” — Leslie
General Affidavit, SH Whiteman, 13 February 1888
46 years old; residence, Xenia, Greene Co, Ohio; post-office address, Xenia, Ohio
“Capt Whiteman with a small squad of men detailed from our Regt were ordered to Smithfield on Pagan Creek with instructions as I now remember to bring to Newport News all floating craft and contraband articles, and while on such expedition said detachment was fired on by the enemy in ambush and said Capt Whiteman was then and there wounded. My knowledge of the facts were gained by the report of Capt Whiteman when he returned to camp and by conversation with him and the men of his company at that time”
Sworn Statement, William H. Seip, 5 December 1888
53 years old
“He was a Major in the 1st Regiment US Col’d Cavalry; that the regiment at that time was encamped at New Port News [sic], Va., having on or about the 6th of August, 1864, left Bermuda Hundred, Va. for that place. That while encamped at New Port News [sic], Va. … said regiment was ordered with a detail of sixteen men to go Smithfield, Va. on Pagan Creek, for the purpose of breaking up a contraband mail said to be carried on by means of small boat near said place”
Questionnaire (Form 3-402), Sampson Whiteman, 4 June 1898
[married] “No – wife died Dec 27, 1885”
[when, where, by whom] [blank]
[record of marriage] [blank]
[previously married] [blank]
[living children] “Yes – 5. John G, 30 – Arthur L, 28 – Lawren M, 20 – Grace, 18 – Addie J, 16
General Affidavit, J.L. Carter and J.H. Alexander, 21 October 1899
[Carter] 63 years old; residence, Buena Vista, Polk Co, Oregon; post-office address, Buena Vista
[Alexander] 30 years old; residence, Buena Vista, Polk Co, Oregon; post-office address, Buena Vista
“We are near neighbors and intimately acquainted of claimant and see him frequently from my own personal knowledge and observation … uses a crutch all the time
General Affidavit, U.J. Lehamn, 2 May 1901
32 years old; residence, Salem, Marion Co, Oregon post-office adress, Salem, Marion Co, Oregon
“Whiteman has stopped at my home on different times during the past year and I know from personal acquaintance with him that one of his limbs is entirely useless”
General Affidavit, Henry Ammon, 27 May 1902
22 years old; residence, Sidny, Marion Co, Oregon; post-office address, Jefferson, Oregon
“I live about one mile from from the aove claimant. I see him over at his home, have assisted him to dress and to bathe to get into waggon [sic] or hack and I do know that he has to have assistance of another person”
General Affidavit, John Keeshnick [sic], 27 May 1902
54 years old; residence, Sidny Precinct, Marion Co, Oregon; post-office address, Jefferson, Oregon
“I live about one mile from the above claimant have known him for sixteen years … I see him quite frequently”
General Affidavit, Roy Porter, 2 May 1901
14 years old; residence, Jefferson, Marion County, Oregon
“I have known the above claimant 8 years. I lived with him during school, waiting on and assisting him to dress, undress, and bathe during fall and winter 1901 & 1902”
Questionnaire (Form 3-389), Sampson J.L. Whiteman, 22 March 1915
[birth date and place] [blank]
[organizations in which you served] “3d NY Volunteer Cavalry — Capt of K, 1st US Vol Col’d Cavly
[post office at enlistment] “Old Town 3 miles north of Xenia, Ohio”
[wife’s full name and maiden name] Margaret A. Whiteman, maiden name Gorley [sp?]
[when, where, by whom] 1867 at Wilmington, Ohio – lost the records when home burned in Jan 1869
[official record] “I do not known as all my papers and records were burned”
[previously married] “none – my wife died Dec 23, 1885”
[names and birth dates of children] John G. White, 1868; A.L. Whiteman, 1870; Laura M, 1876; Grace, 1878; Addie J, 1883; There is 7 grandchildren. I am all alone living with my children. I am past 79, Almost deaf & blind and when I die there will be no call for pension for wife or children for wife dead & children all of age & years old”