Washington County, TN Pensions Robert L. Zell S. 2559. Robert L. Zell served as a private in Company I, First Regiment District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, in the War with Spain; he was enlisted May 16, 1898, and honorably discharged November 20, 1898. He made claim for pension December 10, 1898 (No. 1213901), alleging in his declaration that at Santiago, Cuba, July 12, 1898, he contracted scurvy and disease of gums; that at same place, last of July, 1898, he contracted affection of bladder, and that early in September, 1898, at Montauk, Long Island, he had an attack of lung fever, followed by general weakness, vertigo, and slight affection of the heart. In application filed August 17, 1901, he alleged that at Santiago, Cuba, in July, 1898, he contracted scurvy and asthma or bronchial trouble, chills and malarial fever and resulting heart trouble, and loss of teeth, causing indigestion. In affidavit filed May 5, 1915, soldier stated that he had not been troubled with indigestion, affection of bladder, or affection of heart for several years, but had been under treatment in Soldiers’ Home hospital at Johnson City, Tenn., since January 5, 1908, for lung trouble; that he was not then troubled with any other disabilities contracted in the service except disease of gums and loss of teeth; that he could not state when heart trouble first appeared; that he stated that malarial poisoning and indigestion had entirely left him; that he had been under treatment for lung trouble since January 4, 1907, and did not expect to prove anything on that complaint; that he had only five or six teeth left and only wanted what he was entitled to on the loss of his teeth resulting from scurvy of gums contracted in Cuba. The soldier’s claim was rejected in September, 1915, on the ground of no record in the War Department of alleged disease of lungs, vertigo, asthma, and indigestion; no medical or satisfactory evidence of their origin or treatment in the service, or of their existence at and since claimant’s discharge, and his inability to furnish the evidence necessary to establish claim therefore. The claim for disease of bladder, disease of heart, bronchitis, malarial poisoning, scurvy, disease of gums and resulting loss of teeth was rejected on the ground of no medical or satisfactory evidence showing their continuance each year since discharge and claimant’s inability to furnish same. The medical records on file in the War Department show that soldier was treated in service from August 14 to 16, 1898, and again From August 25 to 27, 1898, for intermittent fever. On his examination preliminary to discharge soldier declared that he was totally disabled; that he was suffering with his head and general weakness in legs and arms, incurred in Cuba, in July and August, 1898, from exposure. The Army surgeon reported that soldier was suffering from myalgia, irritable bladder, chronic bronchitis, irritable heart, and marked debility; that the disability originated in the service and might prove permanent; that soldier was then totally disabled for performance of manual labor. Dr. W. L. Masterson, testifying January 23, 1915, said that he treated soldier in September, 1898, for scurvy; that soldiers gums were badly affected and several teeth dropped out; that he had just arrived from Cuba. One comrade testified that soldier complained of sore and festered gums while in the service and was treated for the same immediately after discharge; that the falling out of his teeth resulted and that he has continued to suffer from disease of gums to the present time. One neighbor testified that he saw soldier periodically after his discharge and that he suffered from mouth and gum trouble. A certificate from Surg. W. F. Erwin, of Soldiers’ Home, Tenn., dated June 5, 1915, states that soldier was admitted there August 8, 1907, and was then suffering from fistula in ano and chronic bronchitis, and that his medical history while there was as follows: Was admitted to hospital January 6, 1908, and has been in hospital most of the time since. During the time he has been in hospital he has been in tubercular ward under treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. Examination shows increased fremitus, dullness, and tubercular breathing over both upper lobes, more marked on right side, moist rales are noted over most of this area, sputum positive for tuberculosis. Has lost most of his teeth from disease of teeth and gums. Has now only eight teeth, two or three of which are loose and decayed. Gums have receded from teeth to some extent, and are red and inflamed in places at this time. Soldier, now 41 years of age, was medically examined March 11, 1908 by the Johnson City, Tenn., board of surgeons, who rated him $4 on scurvy and results, $12 on disease of lungs, and $6 on malarial poisoning. Accompanying the bill is the certificate of Surg. W. F. Erwin, who says that soldier has been a patient in the hospital at Soldiers’ Home, Tenn., since January, 1908; that soldier is afflicted with pulmonary tuberculosis and is not able to do manual labor; that he has no means and tries to support his wife by doing such work at the hospital as he is able to do. It is believed that the service and resulting disability shown warrant the committee in reporting the bill favorably with recommendation for pension at $17 per month. [Source: Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors of the regular Army and Navy, etc. February 22, 1917, Serial Set Vol. No. 7113, Session Vol. No.B, 64th Congress, 2nd Session H.Rpt. 1532 - Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by Terry Wages] Back to the Military Index © Genealogy Trails 2007 Contributors retain all copyrights