Comments on: Droppin’ Dime: Civil War Pension Records

By: Mariann Regan

Mariann Regan — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:42:30 +0000

This is fascinating. I had no idea that so much information and so many stories (even with the drama of snitching) were in the Civil War pension records. I’ve made a note of Donald Shaffer’s book. It seems as if the “snitcher” ought to give a name, at least — isn’t there something about the right to face one’s accuser? And I can’t help but wonder how these folks managed without their pensions.

Isn’t “dropping a dime” a saying for an anonymous tip, come to think of it? Like, calls from a public telephone used to require you to drop a dime in the slot, and then you could call from the phone booth and accuse someone anonymously..

By: Andrea Kelleher

Andrea Kelleher — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:45:10 +0000

I enjoy pension records too. They give so much additional background information. It is funny how there is always someone willing to snitch. Great post!

By: LindaRe

LindaRe — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:57:16 +0000

The Civil War pensions records are my favorite records to research. There was always someone willing to snitch and someone willing to steal the money from the pensioner.

By: Melvin C.

Melvin C. — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 04:28:11 +0000

Great article! I’m looking forward to researching more pension records at NARA later this year!