American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

Approximately 17 documents, spanning 1863-1872, associated with William H. Wade (1839-1864) of Blooming Grove, Orange Co., N.Y., and the efforts of his widow and her attorney to secure a "colored bounty" following Wade's death while serving with the 20th Regiment USCT in the Department of the Gulf.

War-date documents include: Partly-printed letter submitted to Mrs. William Wade by the 20th USCT on behalf of her husband notifying her of eligibility for a "Relief Fund" for the aid of the families of soldiers in the U.S. Army, New York, 15 February 1864, an accompanying certificate of enlistment issued by Headquarters of the 20th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops, 13 November 1863; and a partly-printed pass request for Mrs. William H. Wade to visit her husband on Riker's Island where the company was being organized, [1864].

Additional documents appear to have been gathered by Attorney Darwin W. Esmond, Attorney at Law, of Newburgh, New York, who was working on behalf of Wade's widow and his only child to obtain a pension. Among Esmond's correspondence are letters to the regimental surgeon seeking confirmation of Wade's death in the New Orleans prison and to Wade's widow with instructions on securing testimonies from Wade's fellow soldiers on his service, as well as a copy of a record of the remarriage of Wade's widow. Government documents from the Treasury Department, State of New York, and Department of the Interior are also present. Letters and documentation demonstrate the laborious, years-long process of verifying a soldier's service, acquiring mandatory affidavits, and submitting forms as part of the pension and bounty pay claims.

U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records indicate that Wade was drafted. He was a 25-year-old laborer when on 13 November 1863 he enlisted as a private with Co. C, 20th US Colored Infantry Regiment. Company muster rolls indicate Wade was present with his regiment throughout 1864, but absent for May/June 1865 "absent sick in Genl. Hosp. N.O. La." The roll for July/August remarks that Wade was discharged, and "Final Statements given" as per requirements for a deceased soldier. The 20th was attached to the Department of the East, Defenses of New Orleans, the District of Western Florida and Southern Alabama, and then again to Defenses of New Orleans.