I just received a packet of information from a cousin about my Great Grandfather, John W. Shafer. He started out as a private and ended up as a Major (family tradition says Colonel, but I haven't seen anything to confirm it). He was wounded at Gettysburg on the first day, taking a minie ball that broke his ulnar bone, hit a nerve leaving him partially paralyzed in the right hand. He returned to service after a series of hospitalizations. He was at Appamattox for Lee's surrender. What I found interesting was that he was apparently receiving some kind of pension at the time of his death. It was $20 per month and seems to be associated with the damage to his right hand. Was this customary at the time, or was it just a regular veteran's pension?