Pulaski Carter – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claimant was a slave during the war. He says he lived on the Quarterman estate Liberty County. His claim amounts to over seven hundred dollars for livestock and produce. Scores of such claims have been filed by slaves on the Quarterman estate and if all the livestock and produce that they claim was raised on that estate, as the property of the slaves, we feel very sure that Quarterman had not one acre for his own use. The claimant swears to the ownership and taking of the property. An old woman and a girl who were slaves on this estate testify to the taking of the property but not to the ownership. Claimant should have offered better evidence of his ownership of the property. We cannot allow the claim on the testimony before us.

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

Testimony of Claimant 

In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:

My name is Pulaski Carter, my age 63 years, my residence Belmont, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

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

My name is Pulaski Carter – I was born in Liberty Co. Ga. I was a slave and became free when Sherman’s army came through. I am about 63 years of age – I live on Belmont 5 ½ miles from Savannah. I am farming. 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?

From the 1st of April 1861 till Sherman’s army came to Liberty Co. I lived there in Liberty but I came to Savannah then.

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?

Irrelevant.

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 such oath or affirmation.

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 at Savannah before the Provost Marshall – Mr Sawyer.

6 to 15 inclusive no

16. Were you employed on any railroad in the service of the Confederate government? Did you aid in the transportation of soldiers, munitions of war, or supplies for the Confederate government? If yea, state fully all the circumstances. If you claim that what you did was not “giving aid or comfort” to the rebel cause, state fully all the facts and reasons for such your claim.

I used to work on the Atlantic & Gulf R. R. for my master. Most of my work was bridge work – some grading –

17 to 24 inclusive – 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?

The only property I had taken by the rebels was a little corn and rice that I had left in the house after Kilpatrick’s army had passed. 5 bus. [bushels] rice and 2 bus. [bushels] corn.

26 to 28 inclusive – no.

29 The only thing I did for the Union army was to chop wood for them after they came to Savannah. They paid me for it.

30 to 39 inclusive – 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 party. My feelings were all for the Union party for they were for our benefit. I cast my influence on the Union side what I had – I was in favor of the Yankees all through the war.

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 U.S. to the end thereof my sympathies were constantly with the cause of the Union that I never of my 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 it’s success and that I was at all times ready and willing when or if called upon to aid and assist the cause of the Union and its supporters so far as my means and powers and the circumstances of the case permitted –

[Question 42 only asked of women.]

If the claimant be a colored person, ask the following questions:

43. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? When did you become free? What was your business after you became free? How and when did you come to own the property named in your petition? How did you get the means to pay for it? Who was your former master? Are you now in his employment? Do you live on his land? Do you live on land purchased of him? Are you indebted to your former master for land or property, and how much? Has anybody any interest in this claim besides yourself? State fully all the facts in your answers to these questions.

At the beginning of the war I was a slave and became free when the army came through – After I became free I continued farming. I bought the horse by earning money by selling fowls and things – My master allowed me to work for myself after finishing my task and I worked in the nights – I raised hogs and poultry and sold them and after a while got enough to buy a horse – I had owned this horse about 4 yrs [years] – I first got the start by my master giving me a hog and I had raised hogs for about 10 yrs [years] and always raised poultry – I was a driver for my master. My master was Alex Quarterman. He had 6 whole hands and about 3 half hands – I am not now in his employment and dont live on his land. I am not indebted to him for anything. Nobody but myself is interested in this claim.

[signed] Pulaski Carter [signed by mark]

Witness
A.M. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Phoebe Ann Morrison) about loyalty

I was born in Liberty Co. My master was Mr. Quarterman. I was a slave and became free when the army came through – I don’t know how old I am but I have big grand-children – I live at Belmont in Chatham Co. I am no relation of claimant. I have no interest in his claim – I have known him from a young man. I knew him all through the war. We lived 3 or 4 houses from one another – we used to see each other every morning – He was a good Union man all through – we were all for the Yankees –

Witness
A.M. Adlington

[signed] Phebe Ann Morrison [signed by mark]

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

Testimony of Witness (Mary Morrison) about loyalty

I was born in Liberty Co. I was a slave and became free after the army came through – I belonged to Mr. Quarterman. I am about 20 or 21 yrs. [years] old. I live in Belmont 5 ½ miles from Savannah. I work on the farm. I know Mr. Carter. I am no kin at all. I have no beneficial interest in this claim – I was raised with him and knew him all through the war. He was on the Yankee side – We were treated so hard that we were obliged to like the Yankees. He was a good Union man all through the war.

Witness
A.M. Adlington

[signed] Mary Morrison [signed by mark]

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

Testimony of Claimant about property

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

I was right there when the property was taken.

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

I saw 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.]

They said they had come to take everything we had got – I told them that I had never done anything to them he said that made no difference he must take from the poor as well as the rich, that the army needed it. They went right on then and took the property and they said we wouldn’t lose it that we would get it back again, that the U. S. was able to pay us back again: well I said you know and I don’t know anything.

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?

These things were taken at my house at Mr. Quarterman’s plantation in Liberty Co. Ga. It was about Christmas, when Sherman’s army came here. Gen. [General] Kilpatrick’s army took it – I couldn’t count the number – the plantation was covered – they were about 2 days taking mine –

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

Phebe Bryan, Mary Morrison, Phebe Carter; and I were there – I was the only man on the place.

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 – Capt [Captain] was there and a Lieut. [Lieutenant] I don’t know the reg [regiment] only it was Kilpatrick’s army – They ordered the soldiers to take the property- Capt. Blake said that it was according to orders – I don’t know his reg [regiment] he belonged to Kilpatrick’s men.

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 caught the horse, put the saddle on him and rode him away – They killed the hogs – some that were in the pen they killed right there – They caught the chickens – tied them to the saddle. They loaded their Government [wagon] right up at the crib and they put the potatoes right up in the same wagons.

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 and on horseback.

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?

They moved it to the camp at the Midway church – I didn’t follow them they were encamped there and when they left our house they took that direction.

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.

They took it to eat and feed the horses. They used a great deal of my property right at my house – they used rice, corn and fodder and potatoes

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.

I complained to that Capt. [Captain] Blake and he told me they were doing according to orders and that we would get pay for it by and by – I don’t know his reg [regiment].

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 didn’t ask for any receipt or voucher

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 taken in the day time – they came about 10 o’clock in the morning.

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?

They were encamped when they took this property about 8 miles from my house at Midway church. They came to our house before they pitched camp and then they came back in two days and took my property. They staid [stayed] there about 2 weeks – there hadn’t been any battles or skirmishes – I didn’t know any officer but Capt [Captain] Blake – he told me his name.

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?

They were in pretty good order – some fat hogs and some stock hogs – chickens and ducks in my yard – potatoes in banks in the yard – corn in the corn house.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No. 1. I reckon the horse was about 6 yrs [years] old – I had had him 4 yrs and bought him for a 2 yr. old horse. My master knew that I bought the horse – he never claimed it – he allowed me to buy what I could with my own means. They bridled and saddled my horse and rode him off. When the horse was taken there were only 4 soldiers with him – I don’t know whether there was an officer with them or not, I don’t know the use they took him for – he belonged to me.

Item No. 2 I had 10 fat hogs in the pen – They were a yr. [year] and half old – large and very fat. They were of my own raising – I generally sold this pork – My master always furnished me regular rations outside of this – he bought of me himself sometimes –

Item No. 3 I had 10 stock hogs little and big – I expect the sows would weigh over 100 lbs [pounds] the shotes [sic, shoats] were running out but were in good eating order – they would weigh from 60 to 80 lbs [pounds] – there were 4 old sows.

Item No. 4. I had 70 head of chickens – they were all my own raising – they fastened them on to the horses and took them off.

Item No. 5 I had 15 head of Muscovy ducks. They caught them and tied them on to the horses.

Item No. 6 I couldn’t tell exactly how much corn I had but I had planted 6 acres of corn – I had eaten a mighty little of it – I had rice a plenty and had been eating on that. The corn was hauled away in big government wagons – one they took away the potatoes in and 2 they filled with corn – they were 4 horse wagons –

Item No.7. I had 2 banks, 20 bus [bushel] in a bank – I measured them. They took them in one of the 4 horse wagons.

17.18. Passed

19 They never paid me a cent on this property – they fed right on the ground and so wasted some but I didn’t see any thrown away. This was all my own private property; it belonged to me – My master and not any one else had any interest in it.

[signed] Pulaski Carter [signed by mark]

Witness A. M. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Phebe Ann Morrison) on property

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

I was present when this property was taken.

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

I saw the articles 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.]

They said if they didn’t take it that our owners would take it all from us.

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?

They took these articles from Mr. Carter’s house on Mr. Quarterman’s place it was near Christmas, for we cooked Christmas dinner for them. I don’t know the year. They were soldiers of Sherman’s army took it – [2 words] there were a heap of them – there were only 3 at first. They came every day till they had cleaned out everything –

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

There were present Mary Morrison, Phebe Carter and Bessie Baker and Kezia Frazier and her husband and Samuel Morris was there but he is dead –

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 – He was a Capt [Captain] – I think – He belonged to Gen [General] Sherman’s regiment – he told them to take what they would and stood by and saw them

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 took the horse [3 words] stable, the very first time they came – they rode him off – They shot the hogs that were out, but those in the pen they skinned – They shot the fowls –

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

They carried it away in wagons and some on horseback.

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?

They took the property with them – didn’t follow it – they didn’t say where they were going but they went to the camp – One old man went with them – he is dead.

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 expect they took it to eat – they fed the corn there to the horses and they ground some of it at our mill – we [2 words] cooked poultry and potatoes and chickens

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.

I heard him complain to Mr Blake but he said we musn’t [sic, mustn’t] mind – that it was no use for us so keep it for our owners would take it from us –

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 don’t know whether he got a voucher or receipt or not.

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 taken in the daytime – some came in the morning and some after dark –

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?

The army were encamped some at Midway church and some near the railroad. The first night they encamped about 2 miles from us and afterwards 6 or 7 miles from us – I don’t know the regiment or brigade It was Sherman’s army – There hadn’t been any battles or skirmishes a near there – I didn’t know any of the officers except the Capt [Captain] –

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 hogs in the pen were in very good order and those outside were fair the corn in the corn house – the potatoes in the bank.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No. 1. This was a large sorrel horse – He had had him about 4 yrs [years] – I know it belonged to Mr. Carter – I saw the soldiers take him away – he was in very good order

Item No. 2 He had a good many in the pen. I don’t remember how many – about 15 I think

Item No. 3. He had a good chance outside – small and big: I think some 16 or 17 outside – I saw them kill these and take them away – both the fat and the stock hogs –

Item No. 4. He had a great chance of chickens – they killed and eat and carried away all of these –

Item No. 5. I expect he had 20 head of ducks – they were a big chance – They took these away with the chickens.

Item No. 6. He had about 6 acres planted. I don’t know how many bushels he had – There were 3 Government wagons – one loaded with potatoes [“one loaded with potatoes” was crossed out] 3 loaded with corn – They were 2 horse wagons –

Item No. 7. They took the potatoes away in a big wagons – he had two good banks. I saw the soldiers take them all away. I couldn’t tell you whether they wasted any or not – they took it away –

17. 18. 19. Passed –

Mr. Quarterman allowed his slaves to own property if they behaved themselves – Mr. Carter was a driver for him for about 5 yrs [years].

[signed] Phebe Ann Morrison [signed by mark]

Witness Amey. M. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Mary Morrison) on property

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

I was present when the property was taken

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

I saw 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.]

They first asked whose things they were and he told them that the things were his and they went right in & took the things right out.

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?

These things were taken in Liberty Co at Mr. Carter’s house on Mr. Quarterman’s plantation. They were taken about 2 days after the army came in – I couldn’t remember the month – it was just before Christmas it was when the army came here. I don’t remember the year – It was taken by soldiers of the Yankee army – they came in and crowded us out of the house and took every thing out of the house – they were there off and on two or three days in taking the things.

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

There were present Mr. Carter and his wife and children, Phebe Morrison, Phebe Carter and myself and Aunt Bessie and Rose and Aunt Kezia and Uncle Charles –

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 Capts [Captains], Lieuts [Lieutenants] and other officers there – I didn’t know them but could tell by their stripe – they were right in the house – and order the soldiers to take the property – They stood by and looked on –

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 hitched the horse to the wagon and drove him off – he was in the stable – The wagon belonged to Mr. Carter – he didn’t get it back – They killed some of the hogs and tied some in the wagon alive – They put the chickens and ducks in a coop and took them so – They took the corn from the corn house and the potatoes from the bank –

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

They removed the property in wagons and on horses –

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?

They removed this property on towards town. I didn’t follow them at all – they said they were coming to town.

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 don’t know the use they made of his property – I suppose they took it because they had use for it – I helped cook some of it for them and they eat some of it there – they fed the horses and fowls right there – My mother in law cooked for them

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.

I didn’t hear Mr. Carter make any complaint to any officers –

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 didn’t hear him ask for any voucher or receipt.

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 taken in the daytime, commenced soon in the morning.

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 they took this property they were not encamped that I knew of – they staid [stayed] there about a day and went off at night and kept coming every day – I don’t know where they went at night. They were nearly a week there – coming and going – I didn’t know any of the quartermasters or other officers –

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?

This property was all in good condition hogs fat – chickens in coops – corn in the corn house – potatoes dug and banked.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No. 1. This was a sorrel bay horse – he was a large, fat horse – I couldn’t tell his age – he had had him a long time – belonged to Mr. Carter – I saw them take the horse away.

Item No. 2 and 3 He had a great many hogs in the pen and a lot of little pigs outside – I think he had 30 or 35 hogs altogether – they killed some and took some away alive –

Item No. 4 and 5. He had 30 or 35 ducks and a large lot of chickens – I don’t know how many – they killed and carried them away –

Item No. 6. He had 2 large Government wagons full of corn – it was in the corn house – There were 4 horses in each wagon – I saw them drive up and take out the corn take it away – they fed some of it there – I don’t know how many acres he had planted in corn –

Item No. 7. He had 2 banks of potatoes – they were large banks I don’t know how many bushels they hauled them away in a large Government wagon.

17.18.19. Passed –

[signed] Mary Morrison [signed by mark]

Witness Amey M. Adlington

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