It seems that Grampa Dyer (Lida writing this) tried to get apension from the government which he never did -- thought you(meaning Gladys Hopkins) might be interested in the letters socopied them off along with the rest of the information. P.S.Gladys--Your grandfather's name was Edward L. Dyer and yourgrandmother was Mary Jane Hamilton so you have quite a lot ofHamilton in you.(1) Portland, Maine January 15, 1891Under the Act of June 27, 1890 (No. 19142)Sir: This is to let you know that I am unable to work withmy arm and I have rheumatism in both legs and my family isdestitute. Sir, I have not asked this of my Country untill Ireally am in need.I Am Your Obedient ServantEdward L. Dyer41 Lincoln StreetPortland, Maine(2) Portland, Maine February 21, 1891Mr. Thomas HopkinsSir: Not hearing from my pension claim I take this opportunityof inquiring of you if there is anything wrong of finding myname on the books or records of the department. If there isone Hon. Thomas B. Reed, our representative of the 1st Districtof Maine knows all about our taking the ships - Express,Oraginbo, and Alice Ball in the Bay of Fundy in the summer andfall of 1861 - write and let me know if any other proof iswanted as there are five or six seamen in Portland that willtestify that I received the injury to my arm as stated in myclaim.(3) Portland, Maine March 11, 1891Sir: I received your rejection of my claim on the ground of mybeing in the Post Survey.The Arago came from New York to Portland.At Portland we took on board one brass conical cannon and onebrass twelve pount round shot cannon, also shot powder and ball- we took the oath and was mustered into the U.S. Navy as wesupposed at Eastport, Maine.Our time was occupied in cruising in the Bay of Fundy lookingafter rebel merchant ships running into St. John, New Brunswickand while cruising we captured three ships and sent them intoEastport as prizes. The ships names were the Oraginbo, AliceBall, and Express. It was putting a prize crew aboard theAlice Hall that I received my injury to my left arm of which Iam suffering at the present time which I received in the line ofduty.The government has taken my prize money from me and now havetaken my pension. Also the above statements I can prove.I would site you to Section 4693 Section 2 - any master servingon a gun boat or any pilot, engineer, or sailor or other personnot regularly mustered - serving upon any gunboat or war vesselof the United States disabled by any wound or injury receivedor otherwise incapacitated while in the line of duty forprocuring his subsistance by manual labor.P.S. We were in the coast survey until we took the Oath ofAllegiance and was mustered into the Navy service.