Petition of Elizabeth Matilda Thompson Smith
In 1914 my grandmother, Elizabeth Matilda Thompson Smith, filed a petition for a pension on the confederate service of my grandfather, Jonathan Alexander Smith who served in Dawson's Cavalry Company. She was denied because at that time no record could be found of Dawson's Cavalry.
She obtained affidavits from two members of the unit who attested to the fact that my grandfather did indeed serve in the company. It also gives a brief history. If you think this would be of interest to you I could send you a copy.
- Contributed by George R, Smith.
Affidavit of A. W. Smith
State of Alabama
Bullock County.
I, A. W. Smith, being first duly sworn, doth depose and say that I am a
citizen of Bullock County, Alabama, and have lived here pratically all my
life; that in 1863 Capt. G. W. Dawson organized a company of calvary at
Perote, Ala., of which company I was a Private, that we were carried from
Perote to Montgomery to join other companies there, but our company and a
company captained by Capt. Canty Brown were sent to Newton, Dale County,
Alabama, where we had our headquarters for two or three months, and during
the time we were at Newton we were engaged in arresting and rounding up
deserters who were in large numbers in that neighborhood, and were acting
under the command of Colonel Lockhart, who was stationed at Montgomery. We
were ordered from newton and marched to Montgomery, where we remained a few
weeks, when we were ordered to Mobile, where we were placed under the
command of Colonel Maury, and where we remained, patrolling the Coast until
about the time of Wilson's Raid, when we were ordered back to this
neighborhood, having several fights on the way, until at Line Creek in this
County we had a fight with Wilson's Raiders, where our company was torn to
pieces, part of our men being captured and part escaping. During all this
time we drew our own rations, and when we got it, our pay, from the
Confederate States Government. I further depose and say that I am acquainted
with Mrs. E. M. Smith, and know that she is the widow of J. A. Smith, and
know that she said J. A. Smith enlisted in this command during the year
1863, and served therein until the fight at Line Creek, which occurred only
a few days before the surrender, and that the said J. A. Smith did not
desert said service.
(Signed) A. W. Smith
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 29th day of Sep. 1913.
J. T. Norman,
Judge of Probate Bullock Co.
Affidavit of T. B. Kiles
State of Alabama
Bullock County
I, T. B. Kiles, being first duly sworn, doth depose and say, that I am a
citizen of Bullock County, Alabama, and have lived here pratically all my
life; that in 1863 Capt. G. W. Dawson organized a company of calvary at
Perote, Ala., of which company I was first lieutenant, that were carried
from Perote to Montgomery to join other companies there, but our company and
a company captained by Capt. Canty Brown were sent to Newton, Dale County,
Alabama, where had our headquarters for two of three months, and during the
time we were at Newton we were engaged in arresting and rounding up
deserters who were in large numbers in that neighborhood, and were acting
under the command of Colonel Lockhart, who was stationed at Montgomery. We
were ordered from Newton and marched to Montgomery, where we remained a few
weeks, when we were ordered to Mobile, where we were placed under the
command of Colonel Maury, and where we remained, patrolling the Coast until
about the time of Wilson's raid, when we were ordered back to this
neighborhood, having several fights on the way, until at Line Creek in this
County we had a fight with Wilson's Raiders, where our Company was torn to
pieces, part of our men being captured and part escaping. During all this
time we drew our rations, and when we got it, our pay, from the Confederate
States Government. I further depose and say that I am acquainted with Mrs.
E. M. Smith and know that she is a widow of J. A. Smith, and know that the
said J. A. Smith enlisted in this command during the year 1863, and served
therein until the fight at Line Creek, which occurred only a few days before
the Surrender, and that the said J. A. Smith did not desert said service.
(Signature) Tho.? Miles
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 19th day of January 1914.
(Signature) J. Maury (Murray?)
Judge of Probate Bullock Co.
