Samuel Osgood – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claimant was a slave & loyal to the union. He lived in Liberty Co. Ga. The property was taken by the Union army in Decr 1864 & belonged to claimant. He had acquired it & held it independent of his master. The claim has been investigated by the agent, who took the testimony of claimant’s master & reports favorably. He reports the cattle worth $10 each & the hogs from $2 to $3 each. The quantity of corn & rice we think is overstated. We recommend the payment of $210.

A.O. Aldis
O. Ferriss
J.B. Howell } Commrs of Claims

[Transcriber’s Comments: Claimed amount was also listed as $507.50, with hogs listed at $130, instead of $104.]

Testimony of Claimant

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

My name is Samuel Osgood, my age 58 years, my residence Liberty County, 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 Samuel Osgood I was born in Liberty County a slave and became free when the Union Army came into the county. I am 58 years years of age I live on John E Bakers Plantation in Liberty County Georgia I am a farmer and 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 to the 1st of June 1865 I resided on John E Baker place right where I live now

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.

Irrelevant

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?

The only oath I ever took was when I registered for voting and I think it was in Riceboro. I don’t remember the year.

6 to 38 inclusive to each and every question the claimant answers “no”

39. Are you or were you under the disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth Article of the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States? Have you held any office under the United States Government since the war? If so, what office; and did you take the (so-called) “iron-clad” oath?

The only thing I did for the Union army and Cause was after they came into the County I cooked and waited upon them all the time they staid [stayed] on the Plantation that was all I had a chance to do

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 had no part with the rebels” “I didn’t eat with them” My feeling were if it was the will of the Lord that if our freedom was to come it would be much to my satisfaction. I cast all the influence I had and could give on the side of the Yankees I knew if the war didn’t go on our freedom would not come – that was the way I felt till the Yankees came.

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 the war to the end thereof my feelings were constantly with the cause of the Union that I never of my own free will and accord did anything knowingly by word or deed to injure said cause or retard its success and that I was willing when I had a chance to do all in my power to aid and assist the cause of the Union or its supporters so far as my means 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 Yankees came in and told us we were free. I continued right on farming and by the blessing of Almighty I have made a good crop every year – I raised the Cows, hogs, Rice and Corn with my own hands and the help of my family My wife and six children all belonged to the same master. We all worked by the task and when that was done worked for ourselves in that way raised “some crop” sold it for cash bought a cow and commenced raising cattle and sold them for cash I commenced raising hogs in the same way by buying a sow I was raising hogs, cattle and poultry ever since I was 17 years old I used my money to buy things clothes and such like that our master would not give. We wanted nice clothes to wear to meeting we had to buy these John E Baker was my master when the Yankees came and liberated us he was in the rebel war. He had about 40 head of Slaves little and big I am not in his employ I am my own employer now I live on land rented of him and pay $25 a year for myself and wife for all the land I can cultivate. I pay 6 to $10 for each my children. We cultivate about 25 acres I have only 3 children living – I do not owe my master anything – I pay my rent as fast as it is due – I am the only person interested in this claim it [word] to me and my family alone I am not prosecuting it for any body else. White men would not trust me in that way

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 it taken. I saw the cows, hogs, rice and corn, and cooking utensils all taken I had 30 head of poultry taken and 8 beehives.

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 didn’t seem to have much to say they just came, and fell right in, and took what they wanted.

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?

This property was taken at my home on John E Baker’s plantation, in Dec [December] in the time of the war. I don’t know the year the same year the Army came in. It was called Kilpatricks company. I couldn’t tell how many Soldiers took it for the place was covered over with Soldiers. They were 3 or 4 days taking my property.

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

Henry Harris, David Holmes, Jack Bacon, Pulaski Baker and myself were present when this property was taken.

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?

I saw officers there among the soldiers. They were lieutenants of Kilpatrick’s regiment. I didn’t hear any orders given to take this property.

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 drove the cows off from the field near the house. They shot the hogs down in the potato field. They went in the garden and took the rice from the stack and fed their horses with it. It was in the sheaf. They took the corn from the crib adjoining the house and carried it off in baskets and such things, and fed the horses and took it off in bags on horses. They took my big oven, and my big pot and all my plates to put the honey in. They just went into the pen house and caught the very last one there. They went in and broke the hives and took out the honey.

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 this property in bags and on horses, the most of it was fed there on the place, but what was left they moved in this way.

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 all they didn’t feed to the camp. I didn’t go to see, but folks said that the camp was there, and they carried the provisions there to Midway Church.

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 this property to feed the horses and use themselves. I think they took them all for their own use. I saw them using some of the Pork, and corn and rice, but not any of the beef.

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 did not make any complaint to any of the officers in account of the taking of my property.

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 anyone for a 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?

They took this property in the daytime, all of it.

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 this property was taken a whole regiment of soldiers was camped on John E. Baker’s plantation where I lived; after that they went to the camp at Midway Church. The Church is about 4 miles from the plantation. I think they staid [stayed] there at Midway about 3 weeks. I saw them moving from place to place all over the county and taking what they could get. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the 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 in good condition. All the stock were in the field and doing well. The corn and rice were put away.

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 had 3 head of cows 4 full grown, and the other 1 was ½ grown. The 2 biggest would go 100 or 110 lbs [pounds] to the quarter. The other one about 40 lbs [pounds] to the quarter. They drove these cows off. We got these cows to use giving milk, clabber, and butter. Our master didn’t furnish us with these things except we could earn it by our own industry outside of what we did for him.

Item No. 2 – I had 26 head of hogs. These were 2 meat hogs barrows, and 3 sows, and the rest were all shotes. They were about 6 or 7 months old. I think the big ones would weigh about 140 lbs [pounds], and the little ones about 30 lbs [pounds] They shot them down in the potato field and some they used there & some they took off. I raised my hogs to make meat to eat and to sell and get my money.

Item No 3. – I had 60 bus [bushel] of rice not measured, but judged from the stack and the land planted. I planted 5 tasks and a half that year. An acre would turn out 12 bus [bushel] to the task over 40 bus [bushel] to the acre if we got a good crop. We had a good crop that year. They took the rice out of the stack and fed it all to their horses there at my place

Item No 4 – I had 150 bus [bushel] of corn in the ear. I calculated it would make 150 bus [bushel] of shelled corn. It was not measured but I judged it from the size of my corn crib. I planted 6 acres of corn. They gave us tasks, and when we had done our tasks no matter how soon we could go in our own field and work our own crop. I had 6 in the family to help me and they all worked as I did by the task. They took it in baskets and bags and fed the horses and what they didn’t feed the horses they carried to the camp at Midway Church.

Item No 5 – They took 2, a big oven and a big pot. They took 12 plates. They took 30 head of poultry. They just went in the hen house and took the last one out. They took the 8 bee hives and just broke them open and took out the honey and used it to their own satisfaction.

I had been raising cows and hogs and such things ever since I was 17 years old. My master never took any of our things unless he paid for them. My old master is now living in Thomasville Ga. Thomas Co. I could get him to testify for me that I owned this property I think. I don’t know whether he would be willing to come up here so far or not. I think it is about 200 miles. The Yankees did not pay me anything on this property. This is the first and only claim I have ever made against the Government.

his
Samuel Osgood
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Henry Harris)

My name is Henry Harris. I was born in Liberty Co Ga in the neighborhood of Riceboro, a slave and became free when the Yankees came and turned me loose from slavery. My master was James Winn. He is dead. I am 46 years old I live now at Judge Flemings place. I know the claimant in this case. I am not related to him. I have no interest in his claim. I have known him about 35 years. He was a good Union man during the war. Oh there was nothing else but Union to him and the same with myself.

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 them take the cows, hogs, rice, and corn and poultry, and beehives, and pots and things, out of his house.

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 didn’t say anything but went right in and took it saying it was their duty to do so and if they left them there we was not going to reap any benefit from 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?

This property was taken from Claimant’s house on John E. Baker’s plantation before Christmas the year the Union Army came into the county. I don’t remember the year. There were a great many soldiers there, they camped all over the old field. They were about 3 days in taking it away.

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

Jack Bacon, David Holmes, and myself were there at the taking of the property also the claimant.

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?

I saw plenty of officers there of all kinds but I didn’t know them. They belonged to Kilpatricks regiment. I didn’t hear them order the property taken.

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 corn and fed the horses, and drove the cows off to Midway Church. They took the rice and fed the horses right there, in the sheaf. The honey they ate right there.

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 took the property which they didn’t need there off to camp on horses. They drove the cattle.

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 to Midway Church to camp, all they didn’t feed there. I went with them to camp sometimes and helped them with the things.

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 used this property to feed the horses and to eat themselves.

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 did not hear the claimant make any complaint on account of the taking of the property.

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 hear him ask anyone for a 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?

This property was taken in the daytime. They did not go out after property at night.
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 when this property was taken, at Midway Church, about 4 miles from claimant’s house. They staid [stayed] there about a month. They were foraging and sending for supplies. I don’t know any of the officers of the Army or of the quartermasters. It was Kilpatrick’s corps.

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 corn was in the house, and the rice stacked in the backyard, and the cows and hogs in good condition.

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 saw them drive off 3 head of cows. 2 were full grown and one about ½ grown. I can give a rough calculation of the weight. I think the 2 biggest would weigh 100 lbs [pounds] to the quarter. 2 big were in fine order for beef. The other 1 would weigh 50 lbs [pounds] to the quarter. I know these cattle belonged to the claimant he raised them. He had been raising cattle for 10 years and in all this time no one else ever claimed them.

Item No 2. – 26 head of hogs. I used often to count them when he fed them. We used to bring over our things, and see who would get the most. There was 5 of them full grown and fat enough to eat. I think they would weigh 130 lbs [pounds] a piece the 5. The rest would average about 1 [word] ½ grown. They would run about 60 lbs [pounds] dressed. They shot them on the place and those they didn’t eat there they took off to the camp.

Item No 3. – He planted about 5 tasks in rice. In a good season a good task of rice would make over 15 bus [bushels] of rice. They fed the rice right there in the sheaf.

Item No 4. – He planted 6 acres of corn. I did not see it measured. I saw the pile after it was gathered. It was in ears. I should think there was 150 [word] of ears. They fed the corn out to the horses right there and when they left they took the rest of the corn to the camp at the church.

Item No 5. – I saw them take away his pots to cook in there and when they went away they took them in their sacks on their horses. They took all he had I don’t know how many. He had about 30 head of poultry I saw the soldiers take it. He had about 12 beehives. They just broke them open and had it for a feast. They ate it there. The claimant had about 7 hands in his family in all, 5 were big enough to work. They were industrious.

his
Henry Harris.
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Rachel Osgood)

My name is Rachel Osgood. I was born on Mr Delegal’s place in Liberty Co Ga, a slave; became free when the Army came here in Dec I don’t know the year. John E. Baker was my last master. I am about 78 or 79 years old. I live on the same place Mr John E. Baker’s place. I am trying to farm a little. I know the claimant. I am not related to him. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I know he tended to the Yankees when they came in here.

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 them take the cows, and hogs, and the corn and rice, the poultry, and honey, and the pots etc.

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 Yankees didn’t say anything that I heard but just came in and took the things.

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?

This property was taken at the claimant’s house on John E. Baker’s plantation in Dec month but I don’t remember the year. I am sure it was taken when the Yankee army came here. The Yankee soldiers took it. They were there camping on the plantation 3 or 4 days.

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

Samuel Osgood the claimant, and Henry Harris, and David Holmes, Shadrack Bacon and myself, were present when this property was taken.

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?

I saw a man giving orders to the soldiers about the property I did not know officers from soldiers. They acted as if they were ordered to do all I saw them do

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.

The soldiers went into the field, calling all the boys with them and drove up the cows and drove them off towards the camp. The hogs they killed right there on John E Bakers Plantation. They staid [stayed] there on his Plantation about three days and I think used up most of the hogs. The Cattle they drove away to Midway Church where most of the Army were encamped. The rice they went into the barn yard and took and fed most of them on Baker’s Plantation it was in the straw had not been thrashed it was just as they wanted it for their horses – the corn was in a shed room adjoining to the house in the ear, they carried it out in bags and baskets and fed it to their horses. I saw them take a big pot and an oven and plates that was all he took out of Claimants house. The Poultry they took to Midway Church, they came there and got the Poultry before the regiment camped on Bakers Plantation The honey was taken from the hives in the garden carried it off in baskets and on plater and anything they could get to hold honey.

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 bags and baskets to where they fed on the Plantation What they took away from there was taken on horse I did not see anything carried off in wagons

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 tents and most of it fed to the horses – right on the Plantation I could see that what they took away from there I suppose they took to Midway Church for everybody said they went there I did not go there.

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 the property for the use of the horses and men for I saw them feeding the horses and using the meats

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 did not hear claimant make any complaint to any officer account of them taking the property.

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 hear any voucher or receipt asked for

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?

They took the property in the day time at all hours in the day at night it was all quiet.

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 the property the Army was encamped at Midway Church and on our Plantation, I mean Bakers Plantation They staid [stayed] on the Plantation 3 or 4 days at Midway they had been there a good while I can’t tell how long – it was called Kilpatrick’s and Sherman’s Army – I did not hear of any battles or skirmishes near there just before the property was taken. I did not know any of the Quartermasters or any other office of the Army –

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. The rice had been cut and stacked the corn gathered and housed. The cows and hogs were all in good condition.

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 Claimant had 3 head of Cows two full grown and one small heifer just ready to calve – he had been raising cows for 20 years he raised hogs and Poultry before he raised cows our Master always allowed us to have all the Cows and hogs we wanted it didn’t cost anything to keep them or to raise them only a little care – they always feed themselves any way the shotes would weigh 30 to 40 lbs [pounds] I should think they are nice growing shotes

Item No 3 Claimant had what I judged to be 60 Bushels in the sheaf and stacked in the yard I think he planted 5 ½ tasks it was but rice land and a bully good season that year for anything all had big crops I think the Lord gave us a good season because he knew the Yankees was a coming and would want all that is the way I “belief” they toted the rice away to the horses and it was all eaten up there they all had horses and it didn’t take long to eat it up

Item No 4 I should think from the pile Claimant had one hundred and fifty bushels I judged it would make 150 bus [bushels] shelled corn he had 6 acres planted in Corn and it was a good crop [word] that year the Corn was in the shed next to the house he had a large corn house and it was full I don’t know anything about [word]. They fed the Corn out to the horses right there on the Plantation – they toted it out in bags and baskets to the horses

Item No 5 – I saw them take one pot and one dutch oven 1 doz [dozen] plates out of his house I think that was all I saw taken.

I saw the soldiers take 30 head of Fowls when they first came to Claimants house I think the Poultry was taken to the camp at Midway about 3 miles from his house on Bakers Plantation. The Honey they carried most of that with them ate some there – they took the Fowls and honey before they came there to camp he had 8 hives of honey –

The property all belonged to Mr Osgood I know it because I lived right by the side of him and I never saw anybody else have anything to do with it, he had 8 in his Family six besides himself and wife – they were all hard working people – worked by the task for their Master I belonged to the same Master and that was the way I worked: Our Master is living but up in Thomasville Ga.

her
Rachel Osgood
mark

Witness Virgil Hillyer

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

Testimony of Witness (John E. Baker)

Personally came John E. Baker who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he lives in the County of Thomas state of Georgia, that he was raised in Liberty County, and lived in said county until 1866 – his age 43 years. – that he knows the claimant Samuel Osgood, negro, that he was the slave of deponent, that deponent knows that said claimant, during the war, had hogs and cattle, that claimant always owned hogs and cattle while the slave of deponent. Deponent cannot state how many; thinks he had as many as three head of cattle, worth about $10 per head – thinks he may have had as many as twenty six head of hogs, that is little and big, and worth from $2 to $3 per head. Deponent knows nothing of the rice or corn, as he was in the service, and not at home, and knows nothing of the taking of the property, but knows that all of deponents cattle and hogs were taken by the Federal Army, and doubts not that those belonging to claimant were also taken. – Deponent says that claimant is a negro of good character.

John E. Baker

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th of July 1876
W. W. Paine
Special Agent

Special Agent Report

Savannah Ga.
July 31st 1876
Hon: [Honorable] Commissioners of Claims,
Washington City, D.C.

I have the honor, to report, in the matter of the claim of Samuel Osgood, (21435) of Liberty County, Georgia, that Mr John E. Baker of Thomas County Georgia, being on a visit to Liberty County, I accidentally met him, and being sworn, he testified, that he knew the claimant, Samuel Osgood, negro, that claimant was once the slave of Witness; that witness knows that during the war, claimant owned hogs and cattle, does not know how many head of cattle, but thinks he had as many as three head; and that they were worth about $10 per head: – Thinks that claimant may have had as many as twenty six (26) head of hogs, that is little and big, and worth from $2 to $3 per head: – Knows nothing of the rice and corn, as witness was in Service, and not at home. – Witness knows nothing of the taking of the property by the Federal Army; but knows that all of Witness’ cattle and hogs were taken, and he doubts not that those belonging to claimant were also taken: –

Witness says that Claimant, is a negro of good character. Other gentlemen give claimant a good character:

The Witness Mr John E. Baker, is one of the best citizens of Thomas County Georgia, and is the Principal of a large Female Institution, in Thomasville Ga.

Very respectfully,
W. W. Paine
Special Agent

I could find no gentleman, who could give me any information, about the rice and corn, said by claimant, to have been taken.

W. W. Paine

——————————————————

Claim No. 43.691
Sett No. 3582

Samuel Osgood of Ga

$210.00

Due him

Out of the appropriation for

“Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies
Furnished during the rebellion”

For amount allowed him
By the Southern Claims Commission

Reported: April 19, 1877
Returned: April 20, 1877

Requisition No. 4037, dated
April 23, 1877 , transmitted for
Warrant April 27, 1877.

————————————————————

The United States
To Samuel Osgood

For the amount allowed him by Act of Congress, Private No. ?70?
Approved March 3, 1877, entitled “An act making appropriations for the payment of claims reported allowed by the Commissioners of Claims under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871.”

The sum of 210.00

Payable in care of James Atkins, Collector of Customs, Savannah, Ga

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller’s Office
April 20, 1877

Treasury Department
Third Auditor’s Office
April 14, 1877