Confederate Pension Application of Jesse P. Ayers

Banks County, Georgia

NAME. Ayers, J. P.
WHEN AND WHERE BORN? <Blank>
ENLISTED WHEN AND WHERE? <Blank>
COMPANY AND REGIMENT? Private Co. I, 4th, Brunesedge Ga. Cavalry
                                                      C. C. Cruse Brigade.
NAME OF CAPTAIN AND COLONEL? Commissioned Officer. Isaac W. Avery.
WOUNDED? Maryville & Lowden, Tenn. Knee and foot.
                        April 8th, 1863. Lowden, Tenn. Horse fell on him and
crushed a
                        Shoulder and hip.
CAPTURED, WHEN AND WHERE? <Blank>
RELEASED. <Blank>
WHEN AND WHERE SURRENDERED? <Blank>
IF NOT PRESENT AT SURRENDER, WHERE WERE YOU? <Blank>
DIED, WHEN AND WHERE? <Blank>
BURIED. <Blank>
WITNESS: Isaac W. Avery.  No data
P.O.            1890              County. Banks County

Cover page of initial 1890 application, with notes.
Ayers, J. P.
Not allowed- Proof called for not furnished.
1890.
Sept 1/90 W.H. Harrison Clerk
Ayers, J.P.
Banks Co.
No. 3086
Application for Allowance for
Dis’d by body hurt
Applicant, J. P. Ayers
County, Banks
Amount, 50
Date of Warrant, Oct 8
Entered on record
Oct. 8, 1890
W.H.H.
Secretary Executive Department
Warrant Handed To
T. F. Hill

Note on initial 1890 application.
Ex. Dept. Atlanta Ga.
June 7, 1890
Respectfully forwarded to Col. I. W. Avery for fuller statement by him.
Applicant affidavit bears note since Col. Avery’s and it may be that the latter
did not intend to qualify to all the statements in applicants affidavit. Was
Col . Avery present when the horses fell on Mr. Ayers and does he personally
know precisely how he was injured then & how the injury disables him now? Write
out full account & make oath thereto & return to this office & oblige.
W. H. Harrison
Clerk

Handwritten response clerk’s note to Col. Avery above.
Washington D.C.
June 10,1890
Respectfully returned with the information that my statement was made after the
applicant's. I don't know how the sequence of dates recurred in___. Mr. Calhoun
Ordinary of Fulton Co. who witnessed my own & with whom it was left to mail
after putting his seal on may have delayed all making his date. But I had
applicant's statement & know his injury, etc.
I. W. Avery

Initial application, 1890.
For Use of Applicants Who Have not Heretofore Drawn.
STATE OF GEORGIA
Banks County
Personally appears J. P. Ayers of Banks county, State of Georgia, who, being
duly sworn says on oath that he is a bona fide citizen and resident of said
State, and has been continuously since the 9 day of September 1832;  that he
enlisted in the military service of the Confederates States during the war
between the States, and served as a Private in Company I of 4th Brunesedge
Regiment of Georgia Cavalry Volunteers C. C. Cruse Brigade; that whilst engaged
in such military service at the battle of Maryville & Louden in the State of
Tennessee, on the 8th  day of April 1863, he was wounded as follows: By a shell
in my knee and foot at Maryville, Tenn. By horses and artillery at Louden,
Tenn. The horses were killed by a shell and in falling they mashed me in my
shoulders and hips so that I was not able to stand up for about a month. Have
not been able to work since. My shoulders are stiff now and I am sore and
suffer much from whenever I stir about. Can stir but little and I have not been
able to do any manual labor since the 8th April 1863. Which immobility was
caused by said wound.
Deponent desires to participate in the benefits of the Act, approved October
24, 1887, and the acts amendatory thereof, and makes application for the
allowance to which he is entitled for the thereunder, ending October 26, 1890.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 2 day of Jun. 1890, J. H. Caudell
J.P.
J. P. Ayers
Commissioned Officer’s Affidavit.
State of Georgia
Fulton County.
Personally came before me Isaac W. Avery of the county of Fulton State of
Georgia, who, being duly sworn, says the he was a commissioned officer “in
Company I” (struck through) of the 4th Regiment of Ga. Cavalry Volunteers, and
that deponent knows J. P. Ayers, and that he received the wounds in the
military service, as stated in his foregoing affidavit, and that wounds
permanently disables the said J.P. Ayers as stated by him in said affidavit.
Deponent further states that said J. P. Ayers is a bona fide citizen of this
State and resides in Banks county.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30 day of May 1890. W. L. Calhoun
Ordinary, Fulton Co. Geo.
I. W. Avery

STATE OF GEORGIA
                    County,
Personally comes before me                  Ordinary of said county, H. P.
Quillian and A. H. Stapler, both known to me as reputable physicians of said
county, who, being severally sworn, say on oath that they have carefully
examined J. P. Ayers and after such examination say that the applicant has been
injured as follows: There is partial anchilosis of the right elbow joint, the
power of supining the hand is lost. The head of the humerous is dislocated and
can be felt in the oxilla. The muscles over the scapula and the arm are
atrofied <sic>, they are atrofied <sic> over the left scapula also and the 
left shoulder is stiffened. Both scapula are out of shape as though they had
been crushed. Applicant is not able to perform manual labor. Applicant is
permanently disabled. In fact, he is not able to put on and take off his
clothes without assistance. He is practically and essentially disabled from
said wounds.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 17th day of May 1890 T. F. Hill
Ordinary.
H. P. Quillian, M.D.
A. H. Stapler, M.D.

STATE OF GEORGIA,
Banks County.
I, T. F. Hill ordinary of said county, do certify that I am well acquainted
with J. P. Ayers the applicant in the foregoing affidavit, and am well
satisfied that the statements made by him in his said affidavit are true, and
he is disabled as he claims and I know he is the individual he represents
himself to be, and that he resides in the county. I also certify that the
foregoing witnesses are persons of respectability, and that their statements
are worthy of full credit and belief.
I further certify that J. H. Caudell before whom the foregoing affidavits were
made and power of attorney was signed, is a Justice of the Peace of said
county, and the said affidavits and signatures thereto are genuine.
Given under my official signature and seal, this 2 day of June 1890.
T. F. Hill
Ordinary Banks County.

Power of Attorney
STATE OF GEORGIA
Banks County.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, J. P. Ayers of Banks county, in said
State, do hereby appoint T. F. Hill of Homer Ga. my true and lawful attorney in
fact, for me and in my name, to receive and receipt for whatever amount of
money I may be entitled to from the State of Georgia by reason of the injury
received as aforesaid in the military service of the Confederate States (or of
this State) as stated in the foregoing affidavit; hereby authorizing my said
attorney to receipt in my name for any Warrant that may be issued by the
Governor, or for any sum of money which may be coming to me for the reason
aforesaid.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2 day of June
1890.
J. P. Ayers
Executed in the presence of me:
John H. Sellers
J. A. Caudell, J. P.

Letter on Senate Chamber stationary.
SENATE CHAMBER
WASHINGTON, D.C. Aug. 29, 1890
Capt. W. H. Harrison
Ex. Dept.
Atlanta, Ga.
My Dear Captain,
I can add no details to my oath, that will make it stronger. He was in my
command and disabled and while I have seen or heard little of him since, I know
his disability, and as far as me not a Doctor can know this war injury is the
cause.
Very Truly Yours
I. W. Avery

Letter on Illinois Central Railroad stationary.
Jackson, Tenn.
Sept. 13, 90.
J. P. Ayers
Dear Comrade and Friend,
I well recolect <sic> the Battle at Louden, Tenn. And that you was wounded at
that fight by a horse falling on you. You was badly crushed in the shoulders
and I attended you for a while. I was not Surgeon of your Regiment but Surgeon
of Whites Battery attached to your Brigade. You was carried from the field in a
very critical condition on a blanket and was not expected to live and I thought
you dead until I received your letter. I hope you may get your Pension and do
well yet.
Very  Respectfully,
Dr. W. R. Cole.

Jackson, Tenn.
Sept. 13, 90
I certify I attended Mr. Ayers when he was wounded at the Battle of Lowden and
that he was badly crushed in the shoulders by a horse falling on him killed by
a shell exploding.
W. R. Cole, MD
Surgeon
Whites Battery
Cruse's Brigade
Sworn to before me Sept. 13th 1890.
Jno. W. Gates
Mayor of Jackson, Tenn.
(Voucher for the year ending October 24, 1890.)
Banks, Maimed Soldiers, Voucher No. 3086, Amount $ 50
Paid to J. P. Ayers, For Disability from Body injury.
Oct. 11, 1890, WARRANT CLERK, T. F. Hill, by W. H. Harrison

STATE OF GEORGIA
Executive Department, Atlanta, Ga. Oct. 11, 1890.
Mr. J. P. Ayers of the County of Banks having filed his application in the
Executive Department for an allowance under the Act approved October 24, 1887,
as amended by Acts approved Dec. 24, 1888 and Nov. 11, 1889, and the same
having been examined and allowed for Disability from body hurt.
He is entitled to receive the sum of Fifty  & 00 p Dollars for such disability,
the same being the allowance due for the year ending October 24, 1890.
The Treasurer will pay the same and hold his receipt on this voucher and return
same to Executive Department for warrant.
J. B. Gordon, Governor
By the Governor, W. H. Harrison, Sec’y Executive Department
$50, Received of State Treasurer, R. U. Hardeman,
Fifty & 00 p Dollars per above voucher, this 11 of  Oct 1890.
J. P. Ayers, by W. H. Harrison, for T. F. Hill

J. P. Ayers, 1891, County Banks, No. 2119, $50, Recorded: May 11, 1891
For Year Ending: October 24, 1891, Application Date: February 17, 1891
Resident Since: September 9, 1832
Private,  Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Battle of Louden, Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: W. F. Hill, J.P. 265th GMD; T. F. Hill of Homer,
Banks County, Georgia; J. E. Wilmont; W. F. Hill, J.P.

J. P. Ayers, 1892, County Banks, No. 1410, $50, Recorded: May 8, 1892
For Year Ending: October 26, 1892, Application Date: February 29, 1892
Resident Since: September 9, 1832
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Battle of Louden, Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: Thos. F. Hill, Ordinary; T. F. Hill of Homer,
Banks County, Georgia; L. N. Turk; W. F. Hill, J.P. 265th GMD

J. P. Ayers, 1893, County Banks, No. 40, $50, Recorded: March 18, 1893
For Year Ending: October 26, 1893, Application Date: March 15, 1893
Resident Since: September 9, 1832
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Battle of Louden, Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill, Ordinary Banks County; L. N. Turk,
Commissioned Officer; D. F. Daniell
J. P. Ayers, 1894, County Banks, No. 39, $100 (Note: “increase asked for –
allowed 1894”)
For Year Ending: October 26, 1894, Application Date: February 28 - March 1, 1894
Resident Since: September 9, 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Battle of Louden, Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill, Ordinary Banks County; L. N. Turk;
Oscar Brown; L. F. Hill
Previous applications have shown his actual signature. This one has “his mark”,
possibly because of his deteriorating condition. Later pensions again show his
signature, but the writing is generally less neat. Details of injuries varies
sufficiently from previous applications to be worth quoting.
“While on Cavalry horse, a shell exploded between the two horses, killing both
of them and knocking him under. In the effort of the horses to get up was badly
crushed in the breast and shoulders. He was struck in many places with pieces
of the shell. He was carried to a private house until sent home. He was never
able to do other service. The left shoulder is out of joint. He can not use
either of his arms for eating or dressing without assistance. He gradually
grows worse from its effects and suffers a great deal. His arms are not only
disabled from the wound as stated, but his whole body was infirmed by the crush
and shells and now he is unable to do anything and he asks that in increase is
allowed him of fifty dollars and submits this additional affidavit.”

State of Georgia
Banks County
Personally appears before one T. F. Hill, Ordinary of said county, Dr. V. D.
Lockhart and Dr. J. S. Daniel, both well known to me as reputable practicing
physicians and after being duly sworn, they say on oath that they have
carefully examined J. P. Ayers who is making application for increase of
allowance under the Pension laws of Georgia, and who is now drawing $50.00 per
year. After such examination they say that he is totally disabled for the
performance of labor of any kind on account of wounds received in the army and
from disease resulting therefrom. Right arm is dislocated at shoulder with
almost complete auchyloris of arm and wrist. He cannot feed himself or use that
arm scarcely in any way whatever. The left arm is also nearly as stiff as the
right. Is unable to dress himself without assistance. His feet are very much
swollen and the right ankle joint is very tender, red and inflamed so that he
can hardly walk. There is a number of soars on his ankles & legs but the right
leg appears to have been shattered above ankle, apparently from gunshot wound
or explosion of a shell as stated in his application. He is very weak and
emaciated, weighs about ninety pounds and is going down in health rapidly and
in our opinion is every worthy and fully entitled to such increase.
Sworn to and submitted before me this 18th day of February 1894.
T. F. Hill, Ordy.
V. D. Lockhart, M.D.
J. Sam. Daniel, M.D.


J. P. Ayers, 1895, County Banks, No.1628, $100
For Year Ending: October 26, 1895, Application Date: January 25, 1895
Resident Since: September 9, 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Witnesses and others listed: J. E. Stephens; J. H. Caudell, J.P.; T. F. Hill

J. P. Ayers, 1896, County Banks, No. 1033, $100
For Year Ending: October 26, 1896, Application Date: February 22-28, 1896
Resident Since: September 9, 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: L. N. Turk; Oscar Brown;  T. F. Hill

J. P. Ayers, 1897, County Banks, No. 2739, $100, Recorded: February 24, 1897
For Year Ending: October 26, 1897, Application Date: January 19, 1897
Resident Since: September 9, 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill; _ Ragsdale;
Details of injuries again varies sufficiently from previous applications to be
worth quoting.
“Gun shot wound in his right side which resulted in disease and resulted in
dislocation of the right arm at the shoulder. Rendering applicant unfit to any
kind of labor as he is totally disabled from doing any thing.”

J. P. Ayers, 1898, County Banks, No. 3055, $100, Recorded: February 28, 1898
For Year Ending: October 26, 1898, Application Date: February 14, 1898
Resident Since: 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, Cruse’s Brigade
Wounded: 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill; L. R. __ia__; M. J. Ragsdale, Atty.

J. P. Ayers, 1899, County Banks, No. 2570, $100, Recorded: February 19, 1899
For Year Ending: October 26, 1899, Application Date: January 10, 1899
Resident Since: September 9, 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, Avery’s Regiment
Wounded: Tennessee (near Louden), June 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill; J. S. Parks

J. P. Ayers, 1900, County Banks, No. 827, $100, Recorded: March 6, 1900
For Year Ending: October 26, 1900, Application Date: February 5, 1900
Resident Since: September 9, 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, Cruse’s Brigade
Wounded: Louden, Tennessee, June 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill; J. S. Parks

J. P. Ayers, 1901, County Banks, No. 2188, $100, Recorded: February 7, 1901
For Year Ending: October 26, 1901, Application Date: January 2, 1901
Resident Since: 1834
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, Cruse’s Brigade
Wounded: Tennessee, June 1864
Witnesses and others listed: M. J. Ragsdale; T. F. Hill

J. P. Ayers, 1902, County Banks, No. 2218, $100, Recorded: February 5, 1902
For Year Ending: October 26, 1902, Application Date: January 11, 1902
Resident Since: 1828
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, C. C. Cruse’s
Brigade
Wounded: Tennessee, June 10, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill; R. J. Dyar

J. P. Ayers, 1903, County Banks, No. 2328, $100, Recorded: February 18, 1903
For Year Ending: October 26, 1903, Application Date: January 3, 1903
Resident Since: 1828
Private, Company I, 4th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry Volunteers, Cruse’s Brigade
Wounded: Tennessee, 1864
Witnesses and others listed: T. F. Hill; J. D. Hill, J.P.

Personal Notes (Not on pension documents.)
Jesse P. Ayers was most likely born September 9, 1828. He died May 1, 1903. I
found “Cruse” is usually listed as “Crews” in other Confederate records. There
were two “4th Georgia Cavalry’s”. This one is often referred to as Avery’s 4th
to distinguish it from the other. Service records for Jesse Ayers list him as
being a member of the 12th Georgia Cavalry. That unit was also headed by
Colonel Avery and involved in the battle at Chickamauga.
I am still researching, but believe I understand some of the discrepancies in
the descriptions of Jesse Ayer’s wounds, how, when and where he received them.
I believe he received minor wounds at a skirmish in April 1863, near Maryville,
Tennessee. I believe this was a gunshot wound to his foot. His disabling
injuries were received in June of the next year near Lowden, Tennessee. If
anyone has additional documented proof of Jesse Ayers’ service record, I would
very much like to hear from you. I would also be interested in any sources of
information concerning the history of Avery’s 4th Cavalry, especially
concerning their activities in eastern Tennessee during 1863 and the first half
of 1864.

Mark Kelly wmkelly@bellsouth.net