Andersonville was a horror story alright, and the pensions were precious little compensation to those who DID get them. My great grandfather suffered from rheumatic pains all the rest of his life, which he ascribed them to his time in Anderson- ville, but he never received any compensation for that disability. The document cutting off his benefits the instant he died is almost chilling in its cold detachment. HIS grandfather had served in the Revolution and was at the surrender at Yorktown. In the 1830s, when he was in his 80s, with the help of affidavits from his former mess-mates, he finally convinced authorities he qualified for a pension. With back payments, it came to a total of $210, with a continuing $20 a year, paid in two semi-annual installments of $10 each. It's like the "Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?" song after World War I. Paul ---------- From: MAn4579465@aol.com To: ANDERSONVILLE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: William Henry Pierson/Pearson Date: Thursday, April 08, 1999 1:49 PM Jim, Thank you for your interesting note! Andersonille was the worse prison during the American Civil War. Yet, prisoners from all prisons died from illness, diseases in those cruel years. What is so sad many times these soldiers could not collect their pensions. It is good that today we honor vets. and are interested in our history or genealogy to honor those made POW.. Mara