History of Harriet Tubman's Pension Claim, by Charles Wood
6/1/1888
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
Add only page 1 to activity:
Add only page 2 to activity:
Add only page 3 to activity:
Add only page 4 to activity:
Add only page 5 to activity:
Add only page 6 to activity:
Add only page 7 to activity:
Add only page 8 to activity:
Add only page 9 to activity:
During the Civil War, abolitionist and former slave Harriet Tubman Davis served the Union side as a scout, nurse, cook and spy. After the war she received a pension as the widow of Union veteran Nelson Davis who had served as a private in the Eight United States Colored Infantry. Tubman later petitioned Congress for additional benefits for her own service. Congress received numerous documents and letters supporting Tubman’s claim. In 1899 Congress passed, and the President signed, an increase of Tubman’s pension to $20 per month for her service as a nurse.
Show/Hide TranscriptTranscript
Harriet Tubman was sent to Hilton Head. She says in May 1862, at the suggestion of Gov Andrew, with the idea that she would be a valuable person to operate within the enemies lines in procuring information & scouts. She was forwarded by Col Frank Howe - the Mass. state agent in New York, by the Gov't transport - Atlantic - was sent-up to Beaufort, attached to the H Qrs of Genl Stevens and rendered much, and very valuable service acting as a spy within the enemies lines - and obtaining the services of the most valued Scouts and Pilots - in the Gov't employ in that Department.
Among the original papers in Harrietts possession is a list of the names of the Scouts & Pilots
"Isaac Hayward" "Mott Blake" "Gabriel Cahern" "Sandy Sellres" "Geo Chisholm" "Solomon Gregory" "Peter Barns"
"Pilots who know the channels of the River in this vicinity, and who acted as such for Col Montgomery up the Canibakee river
"Cha Simmons"
Endorsed "Saml Hayward"
"apps
R. Saxton
Brig Genl"
Unconcious of the great value of the official documents she had from the several officers at different times, Harriet has lost some of these - and the first documentary proof we have of her service in the Department of the South is a pass issued by Genl Hunter - a copy of which is hereto appended. On July 6th 1863 Col Montgomery wrote as follows
"Hd Qrs Col Brigade
St-Helena Island
July 6th 1863
"Brig Genl Gilmore
Conid'g Dept of the South
General
I wish to commend to your attention Mrs Harriett Tubman a most-remarkable woman, and valuable as a scout. I have been acquainted with her character and actions for several years. Walter D Plowin is a man to tried courage and can be made highly
[Overlay] FROM GEN. HUNTER. HEADQ'RS DEP'T OF THE SOUTH, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C., Feb 19, 1863.} Pass the bearer, Harriet Tubman, to Beaufort, and back to this place, and wherever she wishes to go, and give her free passage at all times on all Government transports. Harriet was sent to me from Boston, by Gov. Andrew, of Mass., and is a valuable woman. She has permission, as a warrant of the Government, to purchase such provisions from the commissary as she may need. D. HUNTER, Maj. Gen. Com'g. H. Q. DEP'T. OF THE SOUTH, July 1, 1863.} Continued in force. Q. A. GILLMORE, Brig. Gen'l Com'g. [in manuscript: + servant]
useful. I am General your most-obt-servt
Signed "James Montgomery
"Col Comd'g Beaufort -
on the back is endorsed
"I approve of Col Mongomery's estimate of the value of Harriett Tubmans services
Signed R Saxton
Brig Genl."
From the annexed of an original paper in Harrietts possessions we find that she was still rendering valuable services at Beaufort, where she remained until the month of January or Feb'y 1865. When she came North on leave of absence to see her aged parents residing in this City. She was taken sick and so failed to return to New York City within the time specified in her leave, and for that reason was refused return transportation to Hilton Head. To remedy this difficulty she went to Washington and on representing her case at the War Dept she was promptly furnished with the following "Pass Mrs Harriett Tubman (colored) to Hilton Head and Charleston S. C."
[Overlay] FROM SURGEON DURRANT. I certify that I have been acquainted with Harriet Tubman for nearly two years, and my position as Medical officer in charge of "contrabands" in this town, and in hospital, has given me frequent and ample opportunity to observe her general deportment, particularly her kindness and attention to the sick and suffering of her own race. I take much pleasure in testifying hereby to the esteem in which she is generally held. HENRY R. DURRANT, Act. Ass't Surgeon U.S.A. In charge "Contraband" Hosp'l. Dated at Beaufort, S. C., this 3d day of May, 1864} I concur fully in the above. R. SAXTON, Brig. Gen.
[Dated Washington March 20th 1865]
"with free transportation on a Gov't transport. By order of Secy of War
signed Louis H Pelouze
asst-agt-Genl
"To Ret-Brig General Van Vhel-
U.P.I.M. N.Y."
Returning with the intention of embarking at New York - She was intercepted in Philadelphia by some members of the Sanitary Commission who persuaded her to go instead to the James River Hospitals where there was pressing need of such service as she could give in the Govt Hospitals. And relinquishing her place of returning to the Dept. of the South without a thought as to the unfortunate pecuniary result of this irregular proceeding she went to the Hospitals of the James River, and at Fortress Monroe in Hampton where she remained until July 1865. In that month she went to Washington again to advise the Govt of some dreadful abuses existing in one or more of the Hospitals there. And so great was the confidence of some officers of the Govt in her that Surgeon Genl Barnes directed that
she be appd. "Nurse or Matron" as appears by the following copy of an original paper in her possession. "I have the honor to enform you that the Medical Director Dept of Virginia, has been instructed to appoint Harriett Tubman Nurse of Matron at the colored Hospital Fort Monroe, Va
Very Resp'y
Signed your obt-servent
J K Barnes Surgeon General
To Hon W H Seward Sec'y of State Washington"
and with the following pass she returned to Fortress Monroe
"No 663 War Department
Washington D. C. July 22d 1865
"Permit Harriett Tubman to proceed to Fortress Monroe. Va. on Government transport -- free of cost.
By order of the Secretary of War
Signed L H Pelouze
Asst Adjt Genl"
It does not appear that she rec the appointment above indicated, and soon after this date she returned to Washington and thence home to devote herself since the countrys need had ceased to her aged Father & Mother
who still survive, at a very advanced age entirely dependent on her.
During the service of more than three years, Harriett states that she received from the Gov't only two hundred dollars ($200) of pay. This was paid her at or near Beaufort, and with characteristic indifference to self she immediately devoted that sum to the erection of a wash-house, in which she spent a portion of her time in teaching freed women to do washing to aid in supporting themselves instead of depending wholly on Govt aid. During her absence with an important expedition in Florida this wash-house was destroyed or appropriated by a Reg't of troops fresh from the North to make shelter for themselves but without any compensation whatever to Harriett. When she first went to Beaufort she was allowed to draw rations as an officer or soldier, but the freed people becoming jealous of this privilege accorded her she voluntarily relinquished this right and thereafter supplied her
personal wants by selling fries and root beer which she made during the evenings and nights when not engaged in important service for the Govt.
The value and extent of Harrietts services to the Government seems to be sufficiently attested by the papers copied of which are herewith and originals now in her possession. But General Saxton certifies more explicitly and under later date as follows.
Copy "Head Qrs 3d Military District
Chief Q Masters office
Atlanta Ga March 21st 1868.
"Dear Madam
I have just recd your letter in regard to Harriett Tubman I can bear witness to the value of her services rendered in the Union Army during the late War in South Carolina & Florida. She was employed in the Hospitals and as a spy. She made many a raid inside the enemys lines displaying remarkable courage zeal and fidelity. She was employed by Genl Hunter and I think both by Generals Stevens and Sherman and is as
deserving of a pension from the Government for her services as any other of its faithful servants.
signed very truly yours
Rufus Saxton
Ret Brig General
U.S.A.
To Mrs Mary Derby
Augurn NJ
When in Washington in July 1865 Harriett was in need of money, and applied to Mr. Sec'y Seward to present her claim to the proper Department - Genl Hunter being there in Washington. Mr Seward refered the matter to him in a note of which the annexed is a copy. But no pay whatever was obtained and another attempt has been made since-- I believe with the same result. This letter of Mr Seward shows the estimate of Harriett Tubman by all who know her. She is known throught this State and New England as an honest earnest and most self sacrificing woman. The substance of this statement has been obtained from her lips and in making it up I have before me the original
[Overlay] LETTER FROM SEC'Y SEWARD> WASHINGTON, July 25, 1865.
MAJOR GEN'L HUNTER -- MY DEAR SIR: Harriet Tubman, a colored woman, has been nursing our soldiers during nearly all the war. She believes she has claims for faithful services to the command in South Carolina, with which you are connected, and she thinks that you would be disposed to see her claim justly settled. I have known her long as a noble, high spirit, as true as seldom dwells in the human form. I commend her therefore to your kind attention. Faithfully your friend, WM. H. SEWARD. Major Gen. HUNTER
papers in her possession, which are copied.
That Harriett is entitled to several thousands of dollars pay - there can be no shadow of doubt - the only difficulty seems to be in the fats that she held no commission, and has not - in the regular way and at the proper times and places, made proof and application of and for, her just compensation. On such certificates as she holds she should have it without further delay.
Chas P Wood
Auburn June 1st 1868This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. House of Representatives.
National Archives Identifier:
306575Full Citation: A history concerning the pension claim of Harriet Tubman written by Charles Wood; 6/1/1888; Accompanying Papers of the 55th Congress; Accompanying Papers, 1865 - 1903; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Record Group 233; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/history-tubman-pension-claim, April 19, 2024]