Samuel L. Roberts' Proof of Service Record
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Obtained from a state adjutant-general's office, proof of service record was a major document that gave a soldier a right to claim pension. If preserved, the document gives information about the soldiers name, age, place of birth, and his history in the army.
Born in Ohio, but living in Indianola, Iowa in 1861, Roberts was only 18 when he enlisted. The 15th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment where he served was mustered in 1862, and was engaged in the Battle of Shiloh, and the Second Battle of Corinth, where the Confederate army captured Roberts and later exchanged him in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Despite the pledge upon parole "not to take arms again" he probably never quit the service and in 1864 participated in the Atlanta Campaign with the 15th Iowa. Samuel L. Robert's proof of service helps us find out he was wounded twice, first in the Second Battle of Corinth, in October 1862, and than in the Battle of Atlanta, on July 28, 1864.
The document now belongs to Roberts' granddaughters Grace Emmett and Mary Ann Hessenflow.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.
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Adjutant-General's Office
It Is Certified, That the Records of this office show that
Samuel L. Roberts, Age 18, Nativity Ohio,
Residence Indianola, Iowa, was enlisted in Company
"G", (Captain Wm T. Cunnigham) 15th Regiment Iowa
Vol. Inf. On the 24 day of Oct., 1861,
and was mustered into the United States Service as a private
for the period of 3 years on 25 day of Nov., 1861,
At Keokuk, Iowa, by Lieut, Ball, U. S. A. Mustering
Officer, and that the said Samuel L. Roberts
was wounded and taken prisoner Oct. 3, '62,
at Corinth, Miss. That he reenlisted as a veteran
and was remustered Mar. 1, 1864: wounded
in right arm (?) July 28, 1864. Mar
Atlanta, Ga. Promoted 6th Corporal Aug. 1, 1864.
3rd Sergeant Juny [sic] 1, 1865, and was mustered out
of the service July 24, 1865, at Louiswille, Ky.
In Testimony Whereof, witness my hand and seal, at
Des Moines, this 27th day of Dec., 1912
[signed]
acting Adjutant General