Joel Hodges – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: Although the evidence filed by claimant tended to show him loyal – that he aided & harbored & fed refugees – that he was threatened by the rebels with hanging & shooting & had property taken etc still we thought it best to have Mr. Avery investigate the claim. He has done so, & taken evidence & made inquiries & submitted his report, which is that claimant was loyal & we so find. (See Avery’s report.)

The property was taken in Jan 1865 by Sherman’s Army.

Item 1: An inferior horse worth $75.00
Item 2: Young cattle
Item 3: fully proved

The other items proved as to taking, but prices & amounts overstated.

We allow $350.00.

A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commrs [Commissioners] of Claims

Testimony of Claimant (taken at Savannah)

In the case of Joel Hodges vs. United States } Before the Commissioner of Claims under act of Congress of March 3, 1872 and May 1, 1872

State of Georgia, Chatham Co } S.S.

Deposition of Joel Hodges the claimant taken before Virgil Hillyer Esqr [Esquire] Special Commissioner of the State of Georgia of the Southern Claim Commission under act of Congress of March 3, 1871 and May 11, 1872 to be used in the investigation of a claim now pending before the Commission of Claims in the name of Joel Hodges v.s. United States in the presence of M. G. O’Donoghue Claimants Counsel –

1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?

My name is Joel Hodges I was born in South Carolina – I am 66 years old I reside now in Liberty County I am a farmer I am the claimant in this case

2. Where did you reside from the 1st of April, 1861, to the 1st of June, 1865? If on your own land, what is the size of your farm? How much of your farm was cultivated, and how much was woodland? Where is it situated? What was your occupation during that time? Did you change your residence or business during that time? if so, where was your new residence, and what [was] your new business?

I resided from the 1st of April 1861 to the 1st of June 1865 right where I live now in Liberty County.

3. Did you ever pass beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines? If so, how often, when, where, and for what purpose, and how long did you stay within the Confederate lines on each occasion?

I never passed beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and entered the rebel lines.

4. Did you ever take any oath or affirmation to bear allegiance to the so-called Confederate States, or to aid or support them in any way, or to “bear true faith,” or “yield obedience” to them? If so, when and where? State fully in regard to the same.

I never took any oath or affirmation for any such purpose.

5. Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?

I took the amnesty oath in Walthourville in Liberty County when others were doing it I think it was soon after Sherman Army came to Savannah

[To questions 6-24 about acting on behalf of the Confederate Army, claimant answered no.]

25. Was any of your property ever taken by the Confederate authorities, or by any officer, soldier, or other person acting or assuming to act on their behalf, or in behalf of any State in rebellion? If so, what property, when and for what use, and have you received pay therefor?

I had some property taken from me by the thieves of the Confederate Government

26. Were you ever threatened with damage or injury to your person, family, or property on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state when, by whom, and what the threats were?

I was greatly threatened by the rebels on account of my Union Sentiments they threatened me with hanging and shooting – they made the threat to me personally I told them to hang and shoot, I did not care, it would be in the cause of my Country either way they did not carry their threat into execution – they were afraid – they knew I could do a little of both I had some [word] help – if they had undertaken it –

27. Were you ever molested or in any way injured on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state fully all the particulars.

I never was molested on account of my Union Sentiments –

28. Did you ever contribute anything—any money or property—in aid of the United States Government, or in aid of the Union army or cause? If so, state fully as to the same.

I never contributed anything – any money or property in aid of the United States Government or in aid of the Union Army or Cause

29. Did you ever do anything for the United States Government or its army, or for the Union cause, during the war? If so, state fully what you did.

I never did anything for the United States Government or its army or for the Union Cause during the War – except to aid and assist the Union prisoners to escape when ever I had an opportunity to do the Colored men brot [brought] them to me by night and I would take and conduct them out of the reach of the rebels – into – the Union lines

30. Had you any near relatives—any husband, son, brother, or nephew—in the Confederate army? If yea, state his name, whether he is now living, and where he resides. Did you furnish him with any military equipments, any clothing, or any money? Did you contribute in any way to aid or support him while in the rebel service? [Each of the questions under No. 30 must be fully answered.]

I had a Brother and a Nephew in the Rebel army I did not furnish them with any supplies or equipment of any kind

[To questions 31-39, also about whether he aided the Confederacy in any way, claimant answered no.]

40. At the beginning of the rebellion did you sympathize with the Union cause, or with the rebellion? What were your feelings and what your language on the subject? On which side did you exert your influence and cast your vote? What did you do, and how did you vote? How did you vote on ratifying the ordinance of secession? After the ordinance of secession was adopted in your State did you adhere to the Union cause, or did you “go with the State?”

At the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Union Cause I felt sorry that the South had seceded I felt it was [word] to do so I told those who was taking part in it that it would be our ruin and I could not go with them. I exerted my influence on the side of the United States and voted for Stephen A Douglas for President I did not vote on ratifying the ordinance of secession – after the ordinance of secession was adopted in this State I held to the Union in my feelings but I could not do anything

41. [Original Question 34.] In conclusion, do you solemnly declare that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, your sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that you never, of your own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that you were at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as you means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted?

In conclusion I do solemnly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof my sympathies were constantly with the Cause of the United States that I never of my own free will and accord did anything or offend or sought or attempted to do anything by word ordered to injure said cause or retard its success and that I was at all times ready and willing when called upon or if called upon to aid and assist the cause of the Union or its supporters so far as my means and power and the circumstances of the cause permitted

[Question 42 only asked of women; Question 43 only asked of African Americans]

2d Set of Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?

I was present when part of the property specified in my Claim was taken

2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.

I saw most of it taken

3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]

The soldiers came to my house and said they had understood I was a Union man but they were foraging and must have all the [word] and property they could get they said they were in great need of it and must take it they were sorry but they could not help it – that was all that was said they went into it then and took it –

4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?

The property charged in my claim was taken on my place in Liberty County about 38 miles from the City of Savannah on or about the 12 day of Jany [January] 1865 by the Union Soldiers – there were more than a thousand – I can’t tell how many was engaged in taking they kept coming and going all the time till it was all gone I think they were about three days taking it

5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?

I was present with my Family beside the officers and soldiers – Boson Johnson I think was present My white neighbors were all gone – skedaddled into the swamp and County far away –

6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?

There were officers there – I did not know their names or rank neither did I know the regiment or Command to which they belonged I did not hear them order the property taken they told me they was sorry to have to take it but they needed it and was compelled to have it

7. Describe how the property was taken, and give a full account of all you saw done, or heard said, upon the occasion of the taking.

They went to the corn house and helped themselves to the Potatoe [Potato] bank and took the Potatoes to the pen and took the hogs alive – the cattle were shot down on the spot and taken a way on horses after dressing and quartering then went to the stable and took the horse I think they led him away – the rice they took in the corn house with them

8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.

The property was removed in wagons on horses and any way they could get it away

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

The property was removed to the camp I did not follow it they went off in that direction and I would see from my house to the camp they were not more than a quarter of a mile off

10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.

I know the use for which they took the property: it was for the use of the army I saw them using such property but I could not tell whether it was what they got at my house or not there were other who had their property taken and I suppose just like mine I was at the Camp several times and saw them using [word] and other articles such as they took from me

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

The only complaint I made was to tell the officer that they had taken all I had and I did not see how I was to feed my large family

12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.

I did not ask for a voucher or receipt but they told me I would get pay for it

13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?

The property was mostly taken in the day time commencing early in the morning and they would keep coming all day

14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?

When the property was taken the Army was encamped about one quarter of a mile off I think Genl [General] Kilpatrick had command of the force there I think they commenced taking the property before or while they were fixing to go into camp – they staid [stayed] there three days there had not been any battle or skirmishes near there just before the property was taken I did not know the quartermaster or any of them or any other officer of the army for whose use the property was taken –

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

The property was all in good condition when taken

Item No 1 The horse was seven years old a medium size – in fine order well broke to work any where I saw the soldiers take him out of the stable and lead him off –

Item No 2 They took 5 head of beef Cattle 3 to 5 years old in fine order for beef – I think they would average 350 lbs dressed I saw them killed and taken away

Item No 3 I had 9 head of hogs taken from the pen – fat and ready to kill they would weigh 100 lbs dressed – each – they were put into a wagon and hauled away alive –

Item No 4 I did not weigh the Fodder I estimated the weight by the space it occupied in the house that was all taken by the soldiers I saw it taken

Item No 5 I did not measure the corn only by the wagon load when I gather it – I know there was 80 Bu [Bushels] and think there was more but I called it 80 Bus [Bushels] they took the corn in bags on horse and some they hauled away in wagons it was sound corn of an excellent quality – not shelled but in the ear

Item No 6 The Potatoes were not measured I estimated them by the banks I had seven banks and generally put 10 or 12 Bus [Bushels] in a bank – they were taken in bags and wagons I saw them all taken and I think there were more than 50 Bus [Bushels] though I called them that

Item No 7 I did not measure the rice it was in boxes and I judged there was 10 Bushels of it it was what is called rough Rice I saw it taken away in bags on horses by the soldiers

[Questions 16-18 not asked]

19. No part of the claim has been paid. This claim is all and the only one I have ever made out for the property

Joel Hodges

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Boson Johnson)

My name is Boson Johnson I was born in Tattnall County a slave and was a slave till the Yankee army came to Savannah Ga. I am 55 or 56 year old I live in Liberty County now and am a farmer. I know the claimant.

Interrogatories by Claimant’s Counsel:

I knew the claimant during the war he always said he was a loyal man and acted so that was his reputation amongst his neighbor and among the colored people he was the only man that the colored people could get any news out of about the war he used to tell us when the rebels got whipped he was always glad when he got the news. he was a poor man and had to work hard for his living

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner:

I knew claimant carried the 3 union prisoners 30 miles to get them out of danger. I never knew of him doing anything for the confederate officer or soldier – I don’t think he ever did – he did not like them well enough for that – I know he owned one slave a good many years ago and sold him — he was an overseer once for old Mr Baggs – I think for about two years he was considered a very kind overseer did not cut and slash the slaves as some did. I do not know that claimant ever owned any Confederate bonds or any interest or share there in I don’t know that he ever did anything to sustain the credit of the so called Confederate States – I heard him threatened with injury said he ought to be regulated – he ought to be shot they did not go for him for he was a man that would shoot and they was afraid of him. I considered claimant a thoroughly loyal man to the United States if there was one in the south

[Signed] Boson Johnson [signed by mark]

Witness Virgil Hillyer

Sword and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Thomas B. Lee)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Thomas B Lee I was born in Effingham County State of Georgia I am about 37 years old I reside in Savannah I am on the Police force in this city – I know the Claimant I have known him 12 or 14 years I was intimately acquainted with him during the war I lived about 4 miles from him during the war I saw him frequently during the war I conversed with him frequently about the war I was an adherent of the Union Cause during the war Claimant knew I was a Union man Claimant was opposed to the war in every way and form I do not remember just what he said – I have heard him cursing all the leaders of the rebellion that they ought to be dealt with – he was a man who always spoke his mind freely and pretty roughly I heard him say if he had to [word] his blood he would do it at home independently himself. He said one party was fighting to keep the Nigger in bondage and the other side to keep the Union together – Claimant was for keeping the Union together at all hazards his language was always such as led me to believe he was in sympathy with the Union cause he was always hoping the Northern Army would succeed in putting down the rebellion and restoring the Union – Our conversation was generally in the presence of our Families, some times at his house and some times at mine – it was not safe to say much but he never hesitated to let any one know that he was opposed to the rebellion he was finally so out spoken he was very unpopular – he always expressed himself about in the same manner His public reputation was that he was a loyal man – loyal to the United States every body knew he was a Union man I never heard him express any sympathies for the Confederacy – all of the loyal people in the neighborhood regarded him as a loyal man and opposed to the rebels – Claimant was a man in [word] circumstances and I don’t think he ever contributed anything any money or property to aid the Union cause or the Union Army – I don’t think he had any opportunity to contribute anything if he had, had it to give, I do not know that he ever gave any information to officers or soldiers of the Union Army in aid of their movement and cause I am satisfied that he would have given the Union Soldiers all the aid in his power at any time during the war. I do not know that he ever did anything to aid the Cause of the Union more than to talk in there [their] favor and against the rebels. I do not remember that I ever heard him threatened with injury personally or otherwise on account of his Union Sentiments – Claimant told me he was threatened and always slept with his gun ready to shoot the first man that put his hand on him – I dont [don’t] think he was ever particularly molested the fact was they were all afraid of old Hodges – I do not know that Claimant ever contributed anything in any way to aid the Confederate government I am satisfied in my own mind that he never did I don’t believe he ever contributed to officers or soldiers of the Confederate Army because it would have been in opposition to all of his talk and action – I dont [don’t] think he ever owned any Confederate bonds or any interest or share therein I know he did not. I dont [don’t] believe he ever did anything to sustain the credit of the Confederate States except what he may have been compelled to pay in the way of taxes I dont [don’t] believe that Claimant could have established his loyalty to the Confederacy had it been successful in maintaining a separate government – his sentiments were too well known for that. He was regarded as a thorough Union man by rebels as well as Union men, he was a bold daring old man and every body was afraid of him — he was one man in a thousand – I dont [don’t] know just how to express it – you meet with such a man once in a great while – I believe that is all I have to say about his loyalty

2d Set of Int[errogatories]

I was not present when Claimants property was taken and all I can say about it is I was at his house a short time before the Army came along and saw such articles as he has charged in his account – I saw a horse Cattle Hogs, Corn, Fodder Potatoes and Rice – it was perhaps 4 or 6 weeks before the army came along that I saw it he was a farmer and always had more or less such stuff on hand I was there after the Army came along and noticed that every thing was gone I do not remember how long after the Army passed it may have been 4 or 6 weeks after. I do not know the quantity of anything except he had one horse medium size and in fair working order I cant [can’t] say how old he was I think about 8 or 10 years old the number of cattle and hogs I don’t know anything about neither the quantity of Fodder, Corn rice or Potatoes

T. B. Lee

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner State of Georgia

[Page appears to be notes about the testimony and the need to have the claim investigated by the Special Agent]
1 – horse 7 yrs old, medium size, saw soldier lead him off.
2 – Beef Cattle 5 head, 3 to 5 yrs. Old, average 350 lbs. Saw them killed and taken away.
3 – Hogs – 9 Taken from pen – would weigh 100 lbs dressed, taken away in wagon.
4 – Fodder estimated it by space it occupied in house – saw it all taken
5 – Corn. Did not measure the corn, only by wagon load know there was 80 bu [bushels] – think there was more – took the corn in bags on horse and some in wagons – in ear.
6 – Potatoes – not measured estimated by banks – 10 or 12 bu [bushels] into a bank – 7 banks taken in bags and wagons.
7 – Rice – did not measure it – it was in boxes, rough rice – saw it taken away in bags on horses.

T.B. Lee was not present when client’s property was taken – was at his house a short time before army came and saw such articles as he has charged for and there again after army passed and noticed everything was gone.

Joel Hodges
Somewhat doubtful as to loyalty – only himself one Col[ored witness] and one other. Boldly claiming man 1 in 1000!
No proof of taking but himself. Lee say, “I was at his house a short time before the Army came, I saw “ horse, cattle, hogs, corn, fodder, potatoes and rice.
Perhaps 4 or 6 weeks before the Army came. 4 or 6 weeks after all was gone
Exam[ine] as to his loyalty and means

[One page of notes taken on the above testimony – repetition of testimony so not transcribed]

Testimony of Witness (James M. Smith) 

Testimony of Jas [James] Smith, taken under oath, at his residence 11 miles northwest of No. 4 Gulf railroad, Liberty County, Ga [Georgia]. Jan. [January] 3d, 1879.

Do you know Joel Hodges?

I do. I have known him for thirty-five years – fully that long. He is now gone to Bradford Co. [County] Florida. He has been there something over a year. I don’t know his post office.

How far did he live from you during the war?

About ten miles. I may have met him casually, most of the time I was away in service.

Do you know anything of his standing as a Union man?

I think he was a Union man throughout. I mean he opposed secession, and was brash on the Confederate authorities, before the war, during the war, and after the war. He was one of the very few men, too, in this county who would open his mouth, and declare his sentiments as a Union man. He was sometimes employed by Col. [Colonel] Gaulding. He and Gaulding sometimes agreed and sometimes didn’t. Gaulding was a Whig, and Hodge was a democrat. He was always a Union man. Gaulding was got into the militia service, but never did anything. Hodge never was in the service in any way. He was a tolerably old man, but not a [word] old man now – probably 65 now.

Was he considered, during the war, to be what was known as a Yankee sympathizer?

I think he was. I think he was a sympathizer with the Yankee Government, and never with the Confederacy. He kind a worked his way through, without coming in actual conflict with the confederate authorities, and never was damaged or threatened by them. He was a man who nearly always staid [stayed] right at home. For ten years before the war he got to be a great home man.

Who is Thomas B. Lee?

He married a widowed sister of Hodges. I don’t know enough about him to say what his standing for truth is.

Did any of you Confederate soldiers from this county, so far as you know, think Hodges went so far as to hope the Yankee Army might be successful?

In the first outbreak of the war I don’t know as he did, but towards the last I could hear frequently, that he was considered to be a grumbler with the Confederate authorities, and dissatisfied with the man I don’t think he ever missed a time, when it would do at all, that he didn’t speak in that way. He was not cowardly at all.

Do you know anything of his circumstances?

He was a poor man, but had some stock. I don’t know what number. He was a wheelwright and blacksmith and done his own work.

James M. Smith

Attest
R. B. Avery,
Spc’l [Special] Comr [Commissioner]

Special Agent’s Report

Claim of Joel Hodges
Liberty Co, Ga } No. 16.883

The claimant in this case has moved to Florida, so that he could not be questioned by me. I interviewed a number of persons in regard to him, and while he seems not to be generally liked, every one declared that he did nothing for the Confederacy, and abused it constantly. I could not learn that he was threatened or abused because of his sentiments, and the reason for this was given that he was considered an enemy to the slaves, and a very severe overseer, which was his profession, or means of support and was afflicted with frequent epileptic fits. Mr. Smith told me that Col. [Colonel] Gaulding employed him because he was a union man. Gaulding, it seems, was known as a Union man, although he accepted the position of Colonel of Militia, or Home Guards. Smith says Col. Gaulding made speeches against secession even after the State seceded, when nearly the entire audience, he, Smith, included, would hiss and hoot at him, and told them what the result would be, nearly as possible as it turned out. Gaulding is now dead. My informants were Mr. N. Brown and wife, Walthourville; P. J. Stanfield, Jas. [James] M. Smith, and others towards Taylor’s Creek, and half a dozen visitors in Mr. Brown’s store. The course of claimant, like that of all who did not endorse the Confederacy fully and earnestly, has been very generally canvassed throughout the county.

I could learn nothing in regard to the possessions of claimant but that he was a poor man, who still was likely to have had the property claimed. The stock, including the horse, was said to be inferior. James M. Smith, whose testimony is attached, stands as fair as any man in the County, and comes as near knowing every man in the County as anyone in it. I am inclined to the belief that claimant did all it was possible for him to do against the Confederacy, and nothing for it.

Very respectfully,
R. B. Avery,
Sp’l [Special] Agt [Agent]

Hon. [Honorable] Com’rs [Commissioners] of Claims,
Washington, D.C.

[Following pages show allowance of $350.00 for claim approved on June 14, 1880, and disbursed that same month.]