Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon
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For research about Augustus Williams, click HERE.
About the Southern Claims Commission
The Southern Claims Commmission was set up by Congress in 1871 to adjudicate claims for property taken by U.S. federal troops during the Civil War. More than 140 Liberty County residents — both black and white — filed claims, mostly for property taken during December 1864 when a unit of Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick camped at Midway Church and conducted foraging raids throughout Liberty County. Horses, cows, hogs, poultry, corn and rice were the most common items of property taken. In Liberty County, many slaveowners allowed their enslaved people to work on their own time and own small amounts of property, most of which was taken by the U.S. troops for use by the Army.
The claims files, which are held at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), have been digitized and are available at Ancestry.com or Fold3.com. For more information on these files, click here. A set of standard questions were used to take the testimony of claimants and witnesses. This set of questions was amended twice, in 1872 and 1874. The questions are not usually part of the digitized file, but we have included them to help make sense of the answers. The questions we used were provided online courtesy of the St. Louis County Library Special Collections, as taken from National Archives Microfilm Publication M87, Roll 1, Frames 104–105, Records of the Commissioners of Claims (Southern Claims Commission, 1871-1880), and can be found here.
About This Transcription
What you are seeing: The Southern Claims Commission files for each claimant included all forms filed for the claimant, including cover pages, standard forms with filled in information, a special agent’s report about the claim, remarks made by the Special Commissioner summarizing the case, testimony from the claimant and his or her witnesses based on a standard set of questions, and copies of other paperwork involved. Much of the information contained in the forms is repetitive. We have summarized that information into one block, and transcribed all testimony, the Special Commissioner’s remarks, the special agent’s report, and any other relevant text.
Methodology: The testimony of the claimant and the witnesses has been transcribed exactly as seen. Some of the files are faded and/or difficult to read. Any words that cannot be read are indicated by “[word]”, or, in the case of entire sections, “[section illegible]”. Alternative spellings of names are also indicated with brackets.
The Claim: Summary & Transcription
Find the digitized original of this claim file at this Ancestry.com link.
Summary
Amount of Claim: $185
Total Amount Allowed: $65
Nature of Claim: Stores for Genrl Sherman’s Army 1864
Claimant living in: Williams Ridge, Liberty County, GA
Incident occurred in: Gashen [or Goshen] Farm, Liberty County, GAClaim #: 20701
Secondary Claim #:
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]:
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-10-08, 1878-01-08
Claimant’s Attorney: James M. Simms, Savannah, GA; R.Q. Cassels; Gilmore & Co, Washington D.C.
Property Removed to: The camp of the Army
Date property removed: 1864-12-14 to 1864-12-21
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1878-12-13
Post Office of Claimant: No. 3, A & G Railroad
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: The claimant was a slave. He swears to the ownership and taking of the property but gives no particulars as to how he got the property or of whom he purchased it. The gentleman from whose plantation it was taken says he [word] that claimant owned the property excepting the horse. We cannot therefore allow for the horse but must confine our allowance to compensation for other items of the claim, and allow $65 in full of same.
A.O. Aldis
J.B. Howell
O. Ferris } Comm [Commissioners] of Claims
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Augustus Williams 43 years Liberty County for 20 years Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
I am claimant
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
I was owner by purchasing the property
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
taken from plantation Liberty County about 75 acres about fifty acres 25 acres woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
[Question 69 only asked of women]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
Slave. at the close of the war Farming before I was free before the war by hard labor from different persons. Worked for it Mrs Hines Bryan County She is dead no because dead no no no no no other person
The following questions will be put to all colored witnesses in behalf of white claimants:
71. Were you formerly the slave of the claimant? Are you now in his service or employment? Do you live on his land? Are you in his debt? Are you in any way to share in this claim if allowed?
N/A
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
Yes I did 1 Roan Mare 1 Milk Cow 3 Head Meat Hogs 20 Head Fowls 30 bushels Rice
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
was taken in day not secretly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
complaint was made to officer I made the complaint officer said you will get it back if you go to Uncle Sam
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none did not ask because I did not have the knowledge at that time
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
in Camp
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Mare was in good condition Roan color at Mrs Robert Hines plantation Liberty County about 2d quality about one hundred dollars in December 1864 about the 15 or 16th of the month. Kilpatricks Cavalry Saddled the Mare and rode off with her between 800 and 1000 men and about 500 Horses 40 or 50 wagons about two hours carried the Mare off on the March Officers were present knew they were officers by their dress they said I must go to Uncle Sam I heard officer tell the men to take Mare I saw them march off with her.
80. Now take the next item of property you saw taken and give the same information, and so proceed to the end of the list of items.
The Cow was in good condition red Side with white Back Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 1 Cow 1st quality $20.00 dollars taken about 15th or 16th of December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Cow was driven off about 800 men present about 50 men driving Cows about 500 Horses 50 Wagons about one hour to their camp at McIntosh Station about 4 officers present by their dress go to Uncle Sam I heard officer tell men to drive her off drove her off with other Beef Cattle.
The Bacon Hogs were in Pen fat ready to kill Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 3 Head fine Bacon Hogs fife [five] dollars a head taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry. Killed them in pen and threw them in wagon and carried off about 800 men about 500 Horses about fifty Wagons ½ hour to Camp 4 officers know them to be officers by dress Heard officer tell men to kill them carried them to camp
The Fowls were all grown and in good condition. Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 20 Head good quality 25 cts [cents] a head about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry they Shot them on the ground carried them off in Wagons 800 men 500 Horses 50 Wagons ½ hour to their Camp 4 or 5 officers present knew they were officers by dress go to Uncle Sam. Heard officers tell men to kill them
The Rice was ripe and Harvested and threshed Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 30 bushels measured 1st quality gold Rice worth one dollar and ½ pr [per] bushel about the 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry took it out of House and put in the Wagons about 800 Men 500 Horses about 50 Wagons ½ hour to Camp 4 officers present knew them by their dress they said go to Uncle Sam Heard officers tell men to put it [in] the wagons carried it off to camp
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th October 1877
Henry Way Special Commr [Commissioner]
[signed] Augustus Williams [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (Newton Bacon)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Newton Bacon 55 years Liberty County all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
not claimant not related to claimant nor interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Augustus Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
about 30 years Known him intimately all that time
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
on same place about 75 yds [yards]
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
met him often every day or two
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
talked with claimant about the war about the distress on the plantation don’t remember that any person was present our distress caused the conversation don’t remember his words
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
dont [don’t] know anything
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
dont [don’t] know of anything
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
never heard anything
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
public talk was that he was a Union Man know his reputation because I was with him all the time Abram Hines [first name written over] Hines Cuffy Hines
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Gus Law Brister Fleming I think they can
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
yes claimant knew me as such by what I told him
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
dont [don’t] know
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
dont [don’t] know
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
dont [don’t] know any other facts
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Agustus Williams bought property
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
from plantation Liberty County about 75 acres about 50 acres cultivated about 25 acres woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
[Question 69-71 not asked]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was present did not see all property taken Saw them take the Hogs Fowls and Rice
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
taken in day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
did not hear any complaints
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
not to my knowledge
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
they were camped
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Hogs were large fat Hogs, Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 3 Head counted them Big fat Hogs ready for killing worth five dollars a piece about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Shot Hogs in pen and cut them in half and carried them off in wagon about 800 men about 400 Horses about 50 Wagons about ½ hour to camp dont [don’t] know the officers they Said you will get it all back I went to their camp and told him the men were taking every thing from us and he said we would get it all back
80. Now take the next item of property you saw taken and give the same information, and so proceed to the end of the list of items.
The Fowls were all grown Fowls, Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 20 Head Counted them good Fowls worth 25 cts[cents] apiece about the 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry. Caught Some and Shot Some in the yard carried them off in Wagon about 800 men about 400 Horses about 50 Wagons camp officers were there dont [don’t] know names by dress they Said you will get all back. I went to their camp and told the officer the men were taking all of our property he Said well you will get it all back.
The Rice was Harvested and threshed Robert Hines Plantation Liberty County 30 bushels Saw it measured. Good gold Rice worth about 1 ¼ dollars was taken about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry took it out of House in Baskets carried Some off in Wagons and fed Some to Horses in yard about 800 Men 400 Horses and 50 Wagons about one hour carried to camp Officers present knew they were officers by their dress. I went to Camp and told officers men were taking all we have and they said Well you will get it all back
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th October 1877
Henry Way
Special Commr [Commissioner]
Testimony of Witness (George McConnell)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
George McConnell 57 years old Liberty County all my life Carpenter
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
am not claimant not related to claimant nor interested in claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Agustus Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
all my life known him intimately all his life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
not very near about 10 miles
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
quite often about once a week
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
talked about the war during war on Robert Hines plantation dont [don’t] remember any one present the Shooting of Guns dont [don’t] remember what claimant Said
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
dont [don’t] know any thing only what he said Heard him say he hoped he would get his freedom
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
nothing all he done was in favor of Union cause
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Heard nothing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
He was considered by all who [knew] him as a union man by hearing him talk about it. Newton Bacon Kitt Williams Tom Irvin
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Brister Fleming Gus Law know they can testify to claimants loyalty
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was he knew me as such because I told him so
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
do not know of any
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
no
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
none
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
Agustus Williams by hard laber [labor]
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
from Plantation Liberty County about 100 acres about 50 or 60 acres about 40 acres woodland
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
no
[Question 69-71 not asked]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did Saw the Roan mare 1 Milch Cow Hogs Fowl Rice
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
taken in day time openly knew when taken
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
Officer Said Something but I did not hear
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none because was afraid
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no none none no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
The Mare was Roan Color about 7 years old good condition Robert Hines Plantation Liberty County good animal worth $100.00 dollars about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry When I noticed them they had bridle on Mare carrying her off leading her off about 800 men about 400 Horses about 50 Wagons to camp officers present knew them from their dress and ordering the men did not hear what they Said to claimant they carried Mare off and never seen her any more.
80. Now take the next item of property you saw taken and give the same information, and so proceed to the end of the list of items.
The Cow was red Side and white Back Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 1 Cow good Cow worth $20.00 taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry Drove her off with other Beef Cattle about 800 men 400 Horses 50 Wagons about one hour to camp officers present knew them by dress did not hear them say anything 11 cant [can’t] say
The Hogs were fat ready for Killing Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 3 Head good fat Hogs worth 5 dollars a head about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry did not see them Kill Hogs but Saw the Heads carried them off in Wagons about 800 men about 400 Horses and 50 wagons about one hour to camp officers present knew them by dress did not hear them say any thing 11 cant [can’t] Say
The Fowls all grown in good condition Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 20 Head good fat Fowls worth about 25 cts [cents] a head was taken 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry. They Sent me and made me catch them carried them off in wagon about 800 men 400 Horses and 50 Wagons made me catch them in the night carried them to camp Officers present by dress officers ordered me to catch them carried them toward Savannah
The Rice was Harvested and threshed Robert Hines plantation Liberty County 30 Bushels did not see it measured but judge it was about that quantity good Gold Rice worth $1.50 per bushel about 15th or 16th December 1864 Kilpatricks Cavalry took it out [of] House in sacks and carried off in wagons about 800 men 400 Horses 50 wagons about one hour to camp did not hear them say any thing officers present knew them by dress 11th cant [can’t] say
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th October 1877
Henry Way Special Commr [Commissioner]
[signed] George McConnell [signed by mark]
Testimony of Witness (Robert Hines) (on January 8, 1878 at Hinesville)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Robert Hines aged 66 years Liberty County Ga all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
Not related to claimant and not interested in success of this claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Augustus Williams
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
about fifteen or twenty years he was under my control about five years before the war
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
He was hired about 5 miles off
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
He came home to his wife on my plantation about once a week
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
Nothing
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Never heard anything
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
I suppose he was like all the rest of the slaves in favor of the union
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Dont [Don’t] know
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was not
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
None
The following questions concerning the ownership of property charged in claims will be put to all claimants, or the representatives of deceased claimants:
[Questions 66-71 not asked]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was not present when his property was taken as I was off in the army but knew he owned the property on my place except the horse by my cousin’s when it was taken.
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 8th Jan 1878
Henry Way Special Comr [Commissioner]
R Hines
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[Image 123]
Sett. No. 4028
Augustus Williams
$65.00
Due him
Out of the appropriation for
“Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies furnished
During the Rebellion.”
For amount allowed him
By the Commissioners of Claims
R.
Reported Mch [March] 22, 1879
Returned April ?, 1879
Requisition No. [too faded], dated
April 14 1879, transmitted for warrant Apl 18, 1879
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[Image 124]
[Copy of Draft for $65 to Augustus Williams]
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[Image 125]
State of Georgia
No. 20701
Augustus Williams
Allowed $65.00
We are the attorneys of record in this case having filed with the Commissioners of Claims a power of attorney from J.M. Simms to Chipman, Hosmer & Co to prosecute all claims in which he has a power of attorney.
Decr 11/79 Gilmore & Co
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[Image 126]
[Inquiry from the Third Auditor’s Office of the Treasury Department asking who the attorney was for Augustus Williams.]
[END OF FILE]