Hi Susan, Yes, veterans did have to "fight" for their pensions. One of my husband's ancestor's file contains dozens of affadavits about his service and his health. He died without receiving a pension and his wife then applied. She, too, died without receiving a widow's pension. The GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) often interceded on the veteran's behalf. Fran Susan Faulkner <denmother4@hotmail.com> wrote: I have two direct ancestors that were Civil War veterans that lived and served in Barry County. A year or so ago I ordered and received the complete Civil War Pension file of my third-great grandfather, Leeland Betterton. This week I received my fourth-great grandfather, Benjamin Whittington's, Civil War Pension file. These files are both fairly large and contain a lot of correspondence that covers a span of years. Leeland Betterton finally received a small stipend for a couple of years before he died in 1911. Benjamin Whittington, also a veteran of the Mexican War, was denied any pension. My question is this. did most veterans of the Civil War have to fight for their pensions? Were these pensions difficult to come by? I would like to know if my grandfather(s) are an example of the norm or an exception. Have other Barry County researchers looked at copies of their ancestors Civil War Pension files? Did their ancestors have to prove a lot in order to obtain a pension? Thanks for your input. I'm rather perplexed. ~Susan Faulkner Please tell us about your Barry county ancestors. The list-admin is Donna Cooper, address - (saarisr@sbcglobal.net) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MOBARRY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.