Scope and Contents The collection contains letters, claim forms, affidavits, memoranda, and other documents, 1880-1911, concerning William M. Coffin's military pension and medical disabilities from his service in the Civil War. The papers describe Coffin's state of health and war related disabilities as well as his experiences with medical care and treatments during and after the war. Coffin suffered from typhoid fever, gunshot wounds, hemorrhoids, chronic diarrhea, and rheumatism.