A cover-up Elisha Buchanan

Historian, Erwin L. Jordan, Jr., calls it a cover-up which started back in 1865. He writes, “During my research, I came across instances where Black men stated they were soldiers, but you can plainly see where ‘soldier’ is crossed out and ‘body servant’ inserted, or ‘teamster’ on pension applications.”

I wrote to the South Carolina Archives to collect some info on pensions. First I want to say the South Carolina Archives are very professional and sent me prompt information and by no means are part of a cover up as stated in the topic here. The archivist stated there was no info in the archives accept possibly at the county level if the individual counties kept such records. Thus begins the search at the county level.

My basis for Contacting the South Carolina Archives was due to this article Athens Daily Banner April 27, 1901 where Elisha Buchanan was denied a pension.