Bill Since the petition was filed in 1851, it predates the Civil War. I figure that these men were called up for some combat in the 15 year period prior to 1851 - perhaps the 1st or 2nd Seminole or the Mexican War. Here is a list of US combat actions 1835-1851 Seminole Indian 1835 - 1842 FL, GA, AL Heatherly Disturbance 1836 MO Creek Indian 1836 - 1837 FL, GA, AL Sabine or Southwest Indian 1836 - 1837 LA Osage Indian 1837 MO Mormon 1838 MO Aroostook Indian 1839 ME Door's Rebellion 1842 RI Mormon 1844 IL Mexican War 1846 - 1848 Mexico Cayuse Indian 1846 - 1848 OR Texas - New Mexico Indian 1849 - 1855 TX, NM California Indian 1851 - 1852 CA Rouge River Indian 1851, 1853, 1856 Oregon ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Joel Pate Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 4:30 PM Subject: Re: [PATE] 1851 Petition to US Congress by PATE family Joel: These sound like yankee Pates, given that they're petitioning to the federal govt., but it's perhaps possible that Chip Pate (my last email address for him is pates@mindspring.com) could have some info. Chip, a very distant cousin, is a confirmed Civil War buff and has collected much info. Bill Pate ----- Original Message ----- From: Joel Pate To: PATE-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2003 9:35 AM Subject: [PATE] 1851 Petition to US Congress by PATE family In a private claim for relief presented to the US House of Representatives, 31st Congress, dated 18 Feb 1851, John, David and William PATE petitioned for relief on account of back rations due them. Petition was to Military Affairs Committee (bureaucracy never changes). Any one got a lead on this? Joel