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Mar 13, 2019

Goodwin, Fortune. USCT Pension File Abstract, Company F, 34th USCT, Beaufort, SC

Certificate of Discharge for Disability, Fortune Goodwin, 34th USCT, Application #832620.

Fortune Goodwin was born in Coosawhatchie, SC about 1819. He was 45 years old at the time of his discharge. He was 5-feet 7-inches high with black complexion, eyes, and hair. He was a field hand before enlisting in the United States Colored Troops. After the war, he lived in Port Royal and Beaufort, South Carolina.

Status of Pension Application

Fortune Goodwin served as a private in Company F, 2nd Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, which later became the 34th US Colored Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted on 25 April 1863 and was honorably discharged on 12 March 1864.

Fortune Goodwin was examined by two doctors in 1891 and was found to be disabled due to rheumatism and sciatica. He was approved for a pension under the Act of 27 Jun 1890 and was pensioned at a rate of $8 per month. He was assigned pension certificate #603503. Witnesses to his pension file application were Josiah Daise and Anthony Bailey, both of Beaufort, SC. His attorney was E.A. Crofut.

Apparently his pension was never claimed by him, and he was dropped from the pension rolls in November of 1895.

Summary of Testimony

Summary of statement of Fortune Goodwin, 14 July 1890: He was 71 years old at the time of his statement and a resident of Port Royal Island, Beaufort County, SC. He stated he enrolled on 25 April 1863 in Company F, 2nd Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. He was honorably discharged at Beaufort, SC for disability on 12 March 1864. He stated he was entirely unable to earn support by manual labor because of rheumatic pains in his right knee. Witnesses to his signature were Josiah Daise and Anthony Bailey of Beaufort, SC. Both signed their names.

Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.
Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.
Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.
Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.

Summary of statement of Fortune Goodwin, 11 March 1891: He stated he served as a private in Company F, 2nd South Carolina Volunteers and in the 34th Regiment US Colored Troops. At the time of his statement, Fortune was a resident of Beaufort, Beaufort County, SC. He enlisted on 25 April 1863 at Beaufort and was discharged for disability on 12 March 1864. He stated he had never served in any company or regiment except the two he named. witnesses to his statement were Benjamin Reed and Flora Gadsens.

Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.
Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.
Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.
Testimony of Fortune Goodwin, Pension File Application #832620.

Summary of Military Service form, 27 February 1891: Fortune Goodwin was alleged to have enlisted on 25 April 1863 and served as a private in Company F, 2nd Regiment South Carolina Infantry (later the 34th Regiment US Colored Infantry.) He was discharged at Beaufort, SC on 12 March 1864.

Summary of Certificate of Disability for Discharge, 30 April 1864: Fortune Goodwin was a private in Capt. John M. Adams’ company, Company F, 2nd Regiment US South Carolina Volunteers. He was enlisted by Capt. Bryant on 25 April 1863. Fortune was born in Coosawhatchie, SC and was 45 years old at the time of his discharge. He was 5-feet 7-inches high with black complexion, eyes, and hair. His occupation was that of a field hand. Fortune was examined by Asst. Surgeon H.M. Kuke and found to be suffering from chronic rheumatism that occurred previous to his enlistment. He was discharged on 12 March 1864 at the US General Hospital in Beaufort, SC.

Certificate of Discharge for Disability, Fortune Goodwin, 34th USCT, Application #832620.
Certificate of Discharge for Disability, Fortune Goodwin, 34th USCT, Application #832620.

Summary of report of Dr. W.H. Ellis, 10 February 1891: He examined Fortune Goodwin and found him to be suffering from chronic sciatica of the left side with much tenderness upon pressure throughout the whole course of the sciatic nerve. Fortune had constant pain in his left hip that extended into his back. He also had pain in the left leg, especially at the knee. There was persistent weakness and numbness with reduced range of motion.

Summary of report of Dr. Arthur P. Prioleau, 23 March 1891: Upon examination, Fortune Goodwin was found to be 5-feet 5-inches tall and 139-lbs. His heart was found to have some arrhythmia. His joints were not swollen and Fortune complained mostly of pain in the right hip and knee. The heads of the tibia and femur were quite prominent. There were no marked structural changes in evidence but there was a slight wasting of the muscles of the hip joint.