The American Civil War (1861-1865), fought over two irreconcilable visions of United States, one with slavery and one without, was the most divisive and defining event in the nation's history. Nearly every American had a family member, friend, or neighbor among the approximately one million wounded and 623,000 killed. While the war ended slavery and preserved the Union, the conflict temporarily shattered the myth of American unity symbolized by the national motto "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of Many, One").

After the War, the Union Army dismissed 800,000 soldiers, leading to widespread unemployment, although a government pension system provided some financial support for Union veterans. Three-quarters of all wounds sustained in battle were to the extremities, resulting in more than 30,000 amputations among Union soldiers. The Pension Claim Agent depicts one such veteran, supported by a crutch, who makes his case to the claims agent as his family members attend to their daily chores.