"Meaning of "Discharged for Disability?"" Topic

Often in records for the ACW, the above term is used – What does the term cover – disabled from wounds, disabled by accident, health issues?

Or, is it just the catch-all phrase used for all of the above, including "unknown reasons?"

I suspect a catch all, meaning the person can no longer perform the required physical duties.

Yup. Discharged for disability covers the entire gamut. For whatever reason(s) the soldier can no longer perform the duties required.

Some of these fellows were discharged, then reenlisted into the Veteran Reserve Corps, formerly known as the Invalid Corps. FWIW, the VRC had 3 levels of "disability" or "performance" it used when making assignments for it's soldiers. The first was those who could make light marches. These were primarily used to escort prisoners from the front lines to wherever they were sent. Also saw some combat, such as at Monocacy, Parts of the Overland Campaign, etc.

The 2nd level were those who could perform garrison duty. These were used to guard POW camps, hospitals, furlough camps for returning troops, etc.

the 3rd level were those who were useful for clerical duties and other light duties. These were assigned to various hospitals, Army HQ's in Washington such as the Ordnance Dept, and the various arsenals and depots.

Thus, if a man was injured and unable to perform his full duties, but still wanted to remain in the army, he could find a position within the VRC.

I should also mention that the VRC also had bands that performed for various audiences. Hospitals, Sanitary Commission Fairs, etc.

My great (x2???) grandfather was discharged in this manner. He contracted some type of flu/respiratory problem which hospitalized him for a long period. He was discharged upon release from the hospital. I too suspect that this was a catch all term used for any who could no longer serve.

It was, and it took a lot for the Army to be convinced of it

My great grandpa was in the 4th Minnesota, got a Minie ball in the leg at Iuka and spent 6 months in hospital while the Army docs decided whether or not to cut off his let – they decided not to – but when released from hospital he couldn't march at the usual infantry pace so he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps – as noted by TKindred, to a 2nd Level position, being a Provost at an Army hospital in Ohio

Interestingly he was never listed as Discharged for Disability – only Transferred

My G-G-Grandfather, George Washburn, was a major with the 16th Connecticut Vols. and was shot in the groin at Antietam. He was discharged for disability, joined the VRC, and served out the rest of the war, rising to the rank of Lt. Col. He was mustered out as a brevet brigadier general.

To explain my query -

Great, Great Grandfather served in the 14th Brooklyn from April of 1861. Discharged for disability in February 1863 from a hospital in Buffalo, New York.

From my Grandmother, his granddaughter, she remembered a stern looking man who could not move his right arm.

So, I am trying to understand the cause of his disability. From family history, it seems to have been passed down as a wound – although the fact he kept his arm is outside the norm, to an extent.

Since the 14th was active in the Antietam campaign, the stretch from Sept '62 to Feb '63 and the hospital stay in Buffalo might indicate a possible wound, as opposed to an accident of some type.

Sounds like a pretty cut and dried description. Given that troops were disabled for all kinds of reasons, wounds, accidents, diseases.

@fred: Have you tried to get a copy of his service record? That will show any wounds he received.

fredjg

His wound could very well having been a glancing blow from a shell fragment, or other similar wound which damaged the brachial plexus nerve bundle in the shoulder. If severe enough,such as a severed series of nerves, or crushed beyond regeneration, it could easily have rendered the arm useless.

I suffered a similar injury last July which, while not nearly as severe, has still hampered my use of my right hand. I cannot fully extend it nor any of the fingers. It also slightly damaged the ulna and radial nerves which rendered my right thumb useless. Although I have regained feeling and some gripping motion with the thumb, the main muscle has atrophied sufficient that I can't raise the thumb. I have regular OT rehabilitation visits and there's been significant improvement, but even so with just a light injury, full recovery can take 1.5-2 years or more.

link

Thanks to all, for sharing some interesting histories and anecdotes.

I will follow up on the service record request this evening. Family stories talk of a $3.00 USD monthly pension, which may have generated additional records.

The injury GG Grandfather Arthur suffered didn't seem to slow him down – 14 children with a wife he coaxed out of Virginia…..and as I mentioned, my Grandmother (born 1907) remembered him, so a fairly long life for the times.

TKindred, it sounds likely there may have been muscle or nerve damage. Thanks for the detailed post regarding the disability levels, made for an interesting post. In the interim, hope your recovery goes well.

ScottWashburn, 16th CT, formed up and less than a month later – Antietam, tough men back then…..

Yes, application for war pensions would have generated additional paperwork.

The State of Nevada is currently looking into "medical separation" for me, I gather it is the civilian version of the same thing.

fredjg, My G-G Grandfather had served from the start of the war in the 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery and was with them all through the Peninsular Campaign, rising to the rank of Captain. In August of '62 he resigned, went back to Connecticut, and was appointed major of the 16th. As you say, they had only been mustered in a month when they fought at Antietam. My ancestor and one other man were they only two in the regiment with any military experience. As you'd expect, their first combat experience was a disaster.