Oliver Cromwell
(1844-1905)
MSA SC 3520-3122
U.S.C.T. Soldier, Howard County, Maryland
Biography:
Oliver Cromwell was born in Howard County in 1844. On August 18th, 1862, Cromwell enlisted into Co. F of the 4th USCT.1 The 4th United States Colored Infantry was organized in Baltimore, Maryland, from July 15th to September 1st, 1863.2 The Regiment served in the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, The Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill, and the Capture of Wilmington.3 The unit also notably served in Siege Operations against both Richmond and Petersburg.4
Cromwell honorably discharged on June 17th, 1865 and moved back to Baltimore.5 Approximately five months after discharge, Cromwell developed malaria fever; he “was sick with chills and fevers for 22 months just after discharge and” developed “head trouble and deafness,” conditions that haunted him for the rest of his life.6 Cromwell never fully recovered from his illness; on April 3rd, 1891, Cromwell was examined by Dr. AA White. Dr. White recorded that Cromwell had “pains through the lungs with smothering feeling and palpitation of the heart. [Cromwell also experienced] pains in the head with ringing in the ears. [Cromwell had] pains across the back with difficulty in stooping[..., suffered from severe] diarrhea all the time…[and that his] general condition [was] below par. [Cromwell was] somewhat emaciated and [had a] feeble...badly nourished appearance. [Cromwell’s] muscles [were] flabby[...the] veins of both legs [were] enlarged, slightly tortuous and knotted as high as the middle of the thigh. [Additionally, Cromwell claimed] to have pain and aching in the limbs when standing for any length of time…”7
On May 6th, 1868, Cromwell married Sarah R Smith; the couple had five children together.8 However, Cromwell was debilitated as a result of his service and needed a way to support his family. Turning to the government for a pension, Cromwell attributed most of his illnesses to his time in the war. In his original declaration for an invalid pension, Cromwell wrote that his “varicose veins [were] from marching...Lungs and heart trouble [developed] in service from heavy marching. Head trouble results of 22 month fever about five months after service. I also claim chronic diarrhea piles and deafness of both ears. The diarrhea piles [developed] in service and deafness from malaria fever.”9 On June 23rd, 1890, Cromwell successfully applied for an invalid pension at the rate of $12 per month due to “chronic diarrhea, bronchitis, varicose veins of both legs, and general debility.”10
Written and Researched by Daniel Ingham, 2013.
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