Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-04-09
State Aid to Volunteers Families or Parents
Instructions from the Secretary of State.


The following circular explaining the regu-
lations for drawing State pay by families and
parents of volunteers under the new law, has
been issued by the Secretary of State. All
persons drawing such poy, or acting as their
agents, should give it an attentive perusal:
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE,
MADISON, Wis, March Is, 1864.
Chapter III of the General Laws of 1864,
revising and consolidating the laws relating
to extra pay to Wisconsin Soldiers, repeats
all former laws relating to that subject,
and prescribes new rules in reference to the
manner of proving claim in favor of par
ents of soldiers in the service of the United
States.
In order to make the proof conform to the
provisions of the law, the following rules
must be observed:
A father applying for the extra pay, must
prove by the oaths of three credible and re-
sponsible persons not interested in procuring
the extra pay claimed, who must swear of
their own knowledge that at the time the son
was mustered into the United States service,
the father was actually and whoUy disabled
from supporting himself, and was achoLly de-
pendent upon the labor of the soldier for
support. To this must be appended the GER
tiicate of justice of the town or ward, and
the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
or senior Alderman, stating that the persons
making the affidavit are to them personally
known and are credible and responsible per-
sons, and their statements can be relied on.
The law as amended, provides the exuapay
for widowed mothers only. Therefore, all
applications on the part of mothers must
show that they are widows, and all applica-
4
must be supported by the oaths of three per-
sons, as in case of father, and must show
that the mother was actually dependent on
the labor of the son for support at the time
he was mustered into the service of the Unit
ed States. The credibility and responsibility
of the person making the affidavit, must be
certified by Justice and Chairman of the
Board, or senior Alderman, as in case of a
father. All applications on the part of faith
ers and mothers must be proved in the man.
ner above set forth, whether the party is now
drawing extra pay or not.
| Applications for extra pay on behalf of a SOL
der who died prior to the 4th day of April,
| 1868 must be accompanied by the affidavit of
the agent employed by the party applying,
stating positively, of his own knowledge, that
no pension has been received for any part of
the time for which the extra pay is claimed
or, if more convenient, by the affidavit of
three persons, as in the case of father, sta
| ting the same as required of the pension
agent, which affidavits must be certified in
the same manner prescribed in case of a
father.
The families of soldiers in the Invalid Corps
are entitled to the extra pay, the same as
persons in any other branch of the service.
No change is made by the law in relation
to the claims of wives and children. The
| applications heretofore used in such cases,
may still be used, and in the same manner as
heretofore.
In all cases where applications are received,
| if in due form, properly authenticated, and
| the soldier known to be at his post, the claims
| will be audited, and the money forwarded as
J early as the force employed can dispose OF
them. If the applications are in any way de-
| fective, they will be Immediately returned for
correction. If the soldier is absent without
leave, or has deserted, the party applying will
be so notified. If the application is all right,
and the report from the Regiment to which
the soldier belongs has not been received, the
application will be retained until the report
| is received, and no notice will be given to
| the party applying. Therefore, in all cases
where the party applying receives no com
munication in return, it may be taken for
1 u a.
not been received, and no inquiry will be
necessary in reference to the claim. Justices
of the Peace and others will please observe
this rule. 1t will relieve this department
from an immense amount of labor.
All kinds of blanks furnished upon applica-
ton. In a case in which parents are depend
ent for support upon two or more sons, all Of
whom are in the service, either one may be
selected, and if the one selected dies in the
service, the dependence may be transferred
When this is the case, the fact must appear
on the application.
The wives of soldiers married after the
soldier enlists, are not entitled to the extra
pay.
Correspondents asking information in refer
ence to the condition of any claim, must give
the name of the soldier, and the Company
and Regiment to which he belongs.
ALI communications in reference to the ex
ira pay provided for soldiers, must be adj
dressed to the Secretary of State.