Autobiography of
Joseph McCabe
Found in his pension file with a date stamp of May 15, 1907. If the originals were written single sided, there are five pages. Not all entries appear to have been written at the same time.

"After being discharged from the US Navy I went to Washington and got work from Capt Mercer's commocery as Baker. He suplyed Hancock core at givesborough point on the Potomac River. I left there and went to Boston and while in Boston I received $60 or a little more prize money that was coming to me from the capture of the Tennessee & Selma and Gaines Southern. I then went west and to ???? Wyoming T and got work on the U Pacific Road. I worked for company for 6 or 7 years. I left and came to New York and fetched my wife from Ireland to New York. We lived in Brooklyn North Ellott Place No 76 for two 2 years. Came to Minn. St. Paul. Stay in St. Paul XXXX over 3 years then I went to Swift county Minn. and lived there 4 years. Then I came back to St. Paul year 82 and lived on Plato av for 21 years. Then we moved up here on Curtice Street 329 about 18 months ago.

"The above 21 years was spent in the employment of the Pioneer press foundry of St. Paul and was discharged for old age. I was not able to any other work janitor"

"Those dates may correspond with my discharge which is filed in Washington by George E. Lemon of Washington about the time President Garfield was killed. I was then living in Clontarf Swift County Minn."

"Sir, my voucher was always filled out in this capital in the city since I was awarded it and on account of my eyes being poor and flooded with water most in the winter I always X marked the signing with two witness and received my pension all right. So if you think it was wrong to do so please let me know and I will thank you very much."

From his pension file on Treasury Department letterhead:

"Sir: October 9, 1880
"In reply to your letter of the 10 August last in relation to Joseph McCabe, late coal heaver, you are respectfully informed that from the records on file in this office, it appears that he enlisted February 23, 1864, for one (1) year as Coal Heaver and served on the "North Carolina" from that date to June 6, 1864, on the "Manhattan" from June 7, 1864, to March 10, 1865, and on the "Great Western: March 11, 1865, when he was discharged."