Gus's Pension and War Record

Gus had served his new country honorably, been a POW at Camp Ford in Tyler, Texas, for 15 months, and now was back home with his family in Iowa.

Gustus Linn

His granddaughter, Elsie Linn Carlson (sister to Frank and Peter), wrote the following about what she knew of the effects of the war on her grandfather:

"Starvation brought him down from 190 pounds to less than 100, living on just bread and water. He owned a pocket knife which they let him keep, and he whittled many lovely things which he sold and received more bread and water for which he divided with his fellow prisoners. He was never well after returning home."

Gus Discharge on 29 July 1865 in Davenport, Iowa

On September 15, 1879, Gus filed a Declaration for an Original Invalid Pension. Written in Gus's hand, the document shows Gus to have served in Company D of the 32nd Infantry, enrolled on the 4th of January 1864 and discharged from Company I, 8th Infantry, in Davenport, Iowa.

Additionally, Gus was listed as being 5' 5 1/2" tall, light complexion, dark hair, blue eyes. Gus states that he was captured on the 9th of April 1864 and "contracted the chronic diarrhea by exposure while a prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas, from about the 16th day of April 1864 by starvation and  improper and unhealthy food. Contracted the chronic diarrhea from which I have suffered more or less to the present time that, from said chronic diarrhea I have had disease of the spine that has almost disabled me entirely...." In this same document, Gus lists himself as a farmer from Boone County, Iowa. Prior to that, he was a carpenter. He indicates that he is partially disabled. He has retained James D. Fox, a lawyer from Illinois, to prosecute his claim.

Gus's pension, number 311900, was denied in 1881 with the notation "no evidence of disability as alleged." However, his appeal must have been successful because Gus did begin receiving a regular pension of $4.00 per month in March 1882 and later $5.00 a month under certificate 204.032.

Portion of Gus's original pension request denied because "no evidence of disability as alleged"

After Gus's death in 1897, his widow Catherine continued to receive his $5.00 per month pension. She did, however, need to file legal papers indicating that she and Gus were married, lived together as husband and wife, and that she had not remarried after his death. Along with her statement, she filed statements attesting to these facts and her character from Peter Olson (a family friend from Sweden), John Linn (her brother-in-law), M. E. Curtis (her son-in-law), Andrew Lundblad (Catherine Linn's brother), J. L. Kinney and Swan Johnson, friends, and Robert J. Shannon who  had served with Gus in the Civil War.

Gus returned from the War with physical challenges he had for the rest of his life. However, from all family accounts, Gus was proud to have served his new country. His granddaughter Elsie wrote the following:

"We used to drive a team of horses and a spring wagon to go to Dayton to visit them [Gus and Catherine], especially on the 4th of July. How we loved to see him marching in the parade. He always carried the flag. How lovely he looked in his blue uniform and brass buttons. How proud he looked.... What a fine military funeral he had, which I didn't understand. His flag draped over the casket and there were many flowers. His comrades carrying his casket."

Gus was involved with the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) as shown in the following from the December 12, 1884, Dayton Review:

"The old soldiers of Dayton met last Monday and organized a GAR Post and elected: J. L. Kinney, Comm.; Gus Linn, SVC (Senior Vice Commander); N. J. Howaard, SVC; M. J. Durrell, chap.; Jas. Broomfield, surg.; C. J. Clink, officer of the day; J. E. Swanson, officer of the guard; U. M. Goltry, Sgt. Major."

Also in the Dayton Review, September 11, 1890, "There are now 6 men in our vicinity who were rebel prisoners: Chas. Steward, the new bridge boss for the C & NW, who escaped after a long prison stay; Chas. Huglin, who only spent one night and was left as they thought he would die; A. Grossenbaugh, who spent a month wounded before he escaped; J. M. Daniels, Gus Linn, and M. J. Umsted, who were held until they were exchanged."

Gus is buried at the Linn-Bethel Owen Cemetery near Pilot Mound. At the gate of the cemetery is a monument that reads, "in honor of our fallen veterans". Augustus Linn, Civil War, is listed on the monument.

How very proud I am of the service Gus gave to his newly adopted country. His ability to survive the battles, the capture and long march to the POW camp, and then to live through such deplorable conditions show the strength of this man. He never knew his father, but somehow Gus learned to be a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a brave soldier.