AGENCY: Commissioner of Indian War Records
SERIES: 2217
TITLE: Indian War service affidavits
DATES: i 1909-1919.
ARRANGEMENT: Alphabetical by soldier's surname
DESCRIPTION: Legislation in 1909 created a Board of Commissioners of Indian War Records to ascertain the names of the persons who were members of any organization performing military duties during Indian wars against the Indians during territorial years. Veterans completed affidavits of service and two witnesses also completed affidavits supporting the facts. The primary function of the form was to validate pension claims, first to the federal government, and after the 1917 creation of a state pension fund, to the state. The bulk of the affidavits date to 1909-1910; a few were filed as late as 1919.
The soldier's affidavit consists of a preprinted form with blanks for the name of county where filing, the individual's name, his residence, length of residence, age, date of enrollment, type of company (infantry, cavalry, etc.), his captain, residence at the time, age at the time, length of service, transfer dates and type of company served in following transfer with its captain's name up to the final organization served with, and date of release. Then there is space for the description of duties and engagements participated in while in each company. The witnesses are named and an oath taken to insure information was accurate. The widow or child of a deceased veteran could complete a similar affidavit. The accompanying two witness affidavits reiterated the information with an oath that the service rendered by the soldier was "honest and faithful."
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in State Archives permanently and then microfilm.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
APPRAISAL
Historical
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public