Fisher Family Genealogy
Military: Matthias Fisher Civil War Pension File
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Title Military: Matthias Fisher Civil War Pension File Short Title Military: Matthias Fisher Civil War Pension File Call Number Soldiers Certificate No. 774738 Repository National Archives Source ID S82 Text The following documents are from Matthias Fisher's Civil War pension file. They provide insight into Matthias' military service, health late in life, and document his death.
Matthias' military service detailed here and here suggests that he was not the best of soldiers. In the first, he is listed as absent without leave from January 10, 1963 to March 1, 1963, returning to duty voluntarily in April 1963. Oct and Dec 1963 find him absent sick. April 30, 1964 to June 30, 1964 Matthias is shown absent in arrest. The cause is detailed in the second document: Tried by general court martial and found guilty of sleeping at his post. He was sentenced to six month confinement and hard labor. This sentence commuted May 25 to three months confinement.
Matthias' health is described in his pension applications and several affidavits by friends and neighbors. The most complete description is provided is this medical report. It details an "irritable" heart, piles, stomach and kidney problems.
Interestingly, the Bureau of Pensions learns of Matthias' death from this envelope, containing a letter sent to Matthias, but returned unopened and marked "deceased." The Bureau replies with a request for the Postmaster of La Plata, Missouri to provide a date of death. The Postmaster replies with "Feb 22 1915."Linked to (1) FISHER Matthias
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Documents 
Matthias Fisher Civil War Pension File
Matthias' military service records suggest that he was not the best of soldiers. In his record of service dated 27 Oct 1910, he is listed as absent without leave from 10 Jan 1863 to 1 Mar 1863, returning to duty voluntarily. Oct and Dec 1963 finds him absent sick. From 30 April 1864 to 30 June 1864 Matthias is shown as "absent in arrest." The cause is detailed in a document dated 9 Dec 1912: "Tried by general court martial for sleeping upon his post. Was found guilty and sentenced to be confined at hard labor for 6 months." The same document states his sentence commuted to three months confinement on 25 May 1864. Matthias' health is described often in his pension applications and several affidavits by friends and neighbors. The most complete report is found in the medical exam performed at Kirksville MO dated 11 Nov 1891 which states Matthias suffers from stomach, kidney problems and piles. Interestingly, the Bureau of Pensions learns of Matthias' death from an envelope postmarked 30 Mar 1915 at Washington DC, 2 Apr at La Plata MO, and again on Apr 6 at the pension office in Washington DC. It contained a letter to Matthias requesting information on his birth. marriage, spouse, and children. The La Plate Postmaster returned the envelope unopened, marked "deceased" and stamped "Return to Sender." The pension office replies by letter to the Postmaster asking him to provide Matthias' date of death. The Postmaster returns "Feb 22 1915."