Description
Charles Bruce enlisted at Leavenworth, Kansas, on July 20, 1863, and was mustered as a Private into the 83rd USCT Infantry, Company B. On November 16, 1866, Peder Nelson of Washington Township, Buchanan County, Missouri, signed claim for compensation #464 for "Sam" a/k/a enlisted Charles Bruce and swore an oath of allegiance before Buchanan County notary public Robert Boyle in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Peder Nelson claimed he had acquired title to "Sam" by “…purchase from John P. Bruce on the 5th January 1859 as per Bill of Sale herewith filed. 'Saint Joseph, Mo. Jan. 5, 1859 - Received of Peter Nelson $1000 for a certain black Negro man, named Sam, aged about 23 years, which I warrant of sound mind and body, and a slave for life, and I bind myself to defend the title to the same. Given under my hand and seal the data above written. Jno. P. Bruce.'"
Charles W. Campbell and Charles B. France of Buchanan County swore under oath that Peder Nelson had owned "Sam" alias Charles Bruce for “3 years" and also swore oath that Peder Nelson was loyal to the U.S. Government and had defended it against the Confederate States of America. Buchanan County notary public Robert Boyle certified that Nelson, Campbell, and France had personally appeared before him and swore an oath to the truth of the claim. Nelson gave power of attorney to the law firm of James F. Gyles, St. Joseph, Missouri, to prosecute his claim for compensation.Date(s) of Creation
11/16/1866
