John Salling, Confederate Veteran Claimant

Audio interview with John Salling (1858-1959), who was claimed to be the second-to-last veteran of the US Civil War. Was survived a few months by one other veteran claimant who has also been proven as a faker. Last confirmed veteran was Albert Woolson (died 1956). Last confirmed Confederate was Pleasant Crump (died 1951), but William J. Bush (died 1952) was probably legitimate as well. In any case, Salling was alive during the Civil War and old enough to remember living during it, whether a falsifier or not.

Sorry about bad audio quality, it sounds better from the original audio files but won't mix into the video well. Even though Salling was not a veteran, this audio still has some value for historical reasons, by virtue of his childhood memories alone, if nothing else.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Civil
• War
• Veteran
• Confederate
• John
• Salling

[boomer5483]

explain this to me....how is he a civil war vet when he was only 3 years old when the war started....look at the year of birth

[IgnatzKolisch]

@boomer5483

I can't explain what you asked for, since he wasn't actually a veteran. Hence the "Claimant" part of the title of this video. And if you'd read the freaking information that I put in..... but then, you'd probably be the first, since nobody else seems to either, and ask the same questions over and over and over, questions that are usually answered in the video description.

Sorry if I seem to be overreacting, but you're like the 50th person to do this. I usually just delete it.

[chessbuff]

the interview touches on his true age.

[IgnatzKolisch]

The only things that touch on his age in this interview are false. When the interviewer mentions the Mexican War (which was over before Salling was born), and 1846 (Salling wasn't actually alive in 1846).

[chessbuff]

well, if some things could not be substantiated, how then was 1858 proven to be his birth year?

[IgnatzKolisch]

All records that do exist of Salling indicate 1858, including the 1860 census, which notes him as a 2-year old. In addition, in the year 1900, there is paperwork uncovered in 1991, with writing by Salling himself (long before he ever claimed to be a Civil War veteran!) where he lists his own year of birth as 1858.

William Marvel's research in the 1990s into these "last Confederate veteran" claimants led him to believe that William J. Bush was plausible, P.Crump was last provable.

[jimr1951]

I had the honor of seeing this man in a parade in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, in the 1950's when i was a child. Whether he was the last surviving soldier or not doesn't matter to me, I salute his life and only hope that i can live to be his age. Glad i happened upon this recording,I've saved it and will treasure it forever.

[HARDCAS1939]

Got your note. My great-uncle and his sister collected their father's pension until the day they died, which was in 1948 and/or 1950. If a Confederate veteran did not sign the surrender documents, which my great-great uncle did not, he could apply for and collect a CONFEDERATE pension. I have the papers. Since his kids never married, they as his heirs were entitled to collect it as well.

[blackpearlfan01]

guys the dude said he was born in 1846

[CheechMarin4TW]

@MrDavearama

The guy is a fake veteran you retard, he lied about his service.

[MrDavearama]

@flopdanuts23 -yes I agree. Where did they get the buffoon that interviewed him from? Sounded more interested in song than the war.

[MrDavearama]

@IgnatzKolisch -Concur. Game center is some kid living in his parent's basement. Too bad we don't have a draft today.

[MrDavearama]

@CheechMarin4TW -Coward? This old guy had more fight in him than some dope like you,

[sallinggeorge]

My dad met him when he was about 102 he was my dads great uncle my greatgreat uncle he did us a great service to all by living so long to tell us the storys no matter what people say he was my family and I'm prode to be a SALLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elkcreek29]

What is the guy's name that interviewed John Salling in this video? Was he doing this for an oral history project and if so where is the original tape housed?