Matilda McIntosh – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claimant was a slave & a seamstress. She belonged to a Mr. Walthour, who died before the war & she lives now with old Mrs. Somersall. She says she bought the mare, buggy, wagon & all except what she raised.

1 – It is improbable that a female slave, who had no means of earning anything except by sewing at extra hours, would earn & own a horse & both a buggy & a wagon, besides the other property. She says her husband did not own any of it, that it was all her own.

2 – She does not produce any white witness nor any member of her master’s family to show what property she was allowed to own. Nor does she show any reasonable means of earning this property. It was only by sewing.
3 – She produces no witness to show how or of whom she bought the property.
4 – Her main witnesses are –
One colored boy who was 16 years old when the property was taken.
One who was 19 years old.
And a third who lived on another plantation & does not profess to know how she acquired her property.

We do not think she owned the property. Claim disallowed.

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

[Transcriber’s Comments: Included in this case file (image #9886 on Ancestry) was a War Department Archive Office memo, dated January 31, 1877, from Book 3, letters sent page 211, in the case of Mrs. Matilda McIntosh of Liberty County, Georgia, case #18121, naming a bill for 102 bushels of corn at $2 per bushel & 1000 lbs of fodder at $2.80 for a total amount of $224 sold to the C. States and paid at [word] on July 7, 1863. Note that the Southern Claims Commission normally checked the archives to see if the claimant had previously made a claim for the property or had a record of having sold supplies to the C.S.A. In this case, it appears almost certain that this was a different Mrs. Matilda McIntosh, though it is not so stated in this memo.]

Testimony of Claimant
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:

My name is Matilda McIntosh, my age 53 years, my residence Liberty County, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a seamstress; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

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

My name is Matilda McIntosh. I was born in Savannah a slave I became free after the raid. I am about 53 years old. I live in Sunsbury [SIC: Sunbury]. I am a Seamstress. 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 first of April 1861 to the first of June 1865 up at Walthourville. I left there after Sherman’s Army came. I lived with my mistress. I was a seamstress. I never belonged to anyone else.

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 for any such purpose.

5 to 39 inclusive the claimant to each & every question answers 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?”

I sympathized with the union, sir. I knew they was come to give us free. I heard about it all the time in whispers and I was very glad. I did not say much but those I could trust I used to say to they are coming to make us free I am very glad. I always used my influence on the Union side.

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 solemnly declare that from the beginning of hostilities to the end thereof my sympathies were with the cause of the United States that I never did anything or attempted to do anything against the success of the union Cause and I was ready and willing to aid and assist so far as I had the power and means to do so.

If the claimant be a female, ask the following questions:

42. Are you single or married? If married, when were you married? Was your husband loyal to the cause and Government of the United States throughout the war? Where does he now reside, and why is he not joined with you in the petition? How many children have you? Given their names and ages. Were any of them in the Confederate service during the war? If you claim that the property named in your petition is your sole and separate property, state how you came to own it separately from your husband; how your title was derived; when your ownership of it began? Did it ever belong to your husband? If the property for which you ask pay is wood, timber, rails, or the products of a farm, how did you get title to the farm? If by deed, can you file copies of the deeds? If single, have you been married? If a widow, when did your husband die? Was he in the Confederate army? Was he in the civil service of the Confederacy? Was he loyal to the United States Government throughout the war? Did he leave any children? How many? Are any now living? Give their names and ages? Are they not interested in this claim? If they are not joined in this petition, why not? State fully how your title to the property specified in the petition was obtained?

[Question apparently not asked or answered]

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.

I was a slave at the beginning of the war and became free after the Army came here sir. I was a seamstress after I became free. I always worked very hard for it the property with my needle. It was in this way I got the things I bought except the things I raised. My last master was George W. Walthour. I belonged to him ever since I was a little child. He died before the war in New York. I live in Sunbury with old Mrs. Somersall. I do not owe my former master’s estate anything. No one has any interest in this claim but myself. I am single my husband died after the war, did not leave any children. My husband did not own any of the property I owned it all. He belonged to the same master I did.

2nd set [of interrogatories]

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

I was present when the articles of property specified in my account were taken.

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

I saw this property taken, all of it.

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 just dismounted and came into the yard and I begged them not to take my wagon but they said yes they must take it, and they were coming to give us free. They asked me to give them something to eat and I gave it to them. Then they searched the house through and got everything they could get out of the house.

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 were taken at my house in Walthourville. I think it was in Dec [December] I do not know the year it was when the raid came through here. The soldiers took these things I think there were 4 or 500 taking these things. 5 or 6 went into the house and took out the hog that was killed. They came 3 different times on 3 different days they came in.

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

There were col’d [colored] people there at the taking Joe Baker and Andrew Stewart and Joe Wing and others who are 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?

The officers were there but did not stay long. I did not know their names or rank. I did not hear any order given to take the property. No one stood there who seemed to be giving orders. The officers just stood and looked on while the soldiers took the 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 went into the house took the things out and carried them off.

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 put some of it in my wagon and some on horses and took 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?

They took it out to camp. I did not follow them, but they went in the direction of the camp and I supposed they went to camp.

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 think the wagon was taken to carry things out of the house and the other things to eat. I did not see them use any of it. They did not cook it to our house

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 made no complaint at all.

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 asked for no 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?

It was all taken in the daytime between 11 and 12 oclock. They took it publicly.

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 didn’t camp there. They were not on the march but had just come in. They were encamped about 3 miles in the back woods. It was Kilpatricks cavalry. There was two gangs came, one came first and then Mr Kilpatricks gang, that was the last gang. I don’t think they staid [stayed] over 3 days in camp I don’t think there were any battles or skirmishes there. I did not know 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?

My buggy was a good one and all the property was 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. The Bay mare was 4 years old. A good sized horse not very large. I used the horse to go to church and down to the plantation. I sewed some and I raised hogs. I worked for myself at night. Sometimes I hired my time and I sewed by the task when I got through I had the rest of the time till the next morn to myself. I worked for them a long time in this way ever since I was small about 20 years. In this way and by raising hogs and selling them I was able to buy those articles of property. The mare was fat and in good order.

Item No 2. One concord buggy. I had this about a year it had not been used long. I bought it of Mr Walthour I know he did not use it long because I was his servant and I knew. It was an open spring buggy. I paid for this buggy Mr Walthour did not give it to me.

Item No 3. Wagon. I did not have this wagon long I bought it new it was a common wagon, painted, with a box on it. I had two harnesses the buggy harness was new and silver plated. The wagon harness was just a common leather harness. I paid for the wagon with money I earned.

Item No 4. One hog salted down My husband killed it. It was a large hog so fat it couldn’t stand up to eat and the live one was of the same kind.

Item No 5. One fine brood sow. She was a very large sow not quite so big as the fatted ones. She had 9 pigs about 7 or 8 months old.

Item No 6 9 small meat hogs these were fat. I saw them kill them right at my door, some of these they took on horse-back and some in the buggy.

Item No 7. Lot of poultry I can’t tell just how many about 10 head of fowls and ducks. They caught them and tied them, and threw them on their horses.

Item No 8 one sack of flour very nice wheat flour a half lbs [pound] sack I saw them take it out of my bedroom.

Item No 9. 8 bush [bushels] of corn some of it I raise and some of it I bought and shelled corn in a bin in my room. They took it away some in sacks and some they fed to their horses right there.

Item No 10 5 Bush [Bushels] of rough rice, in a bin, next to the corn. I bought this it was measured

Item No 11. Honey Corn Meal lard and sugar. I bought the sugar and the honey I raised and the corn meal I got from having my corn ground, the lard I made from the hogs I killed.

Item No 12. Blankets, I had about 8 blankets, they took all my blankets and counterpanes some were ?case?, and some common blankets They was wool blankets.

Item No 13 I had 4 or 5 quilts and counterpanes. These were all but 4 new, all of the Blankets and counterpanes I mean. They took all these from me they stripped my house clean all but one mattress they said they wanted them the weather was cold.

Item No 14. Cooking utensils I had 6 pots one tea kettle 5 deep spiders, and one frying pan. They took my buckets and plates, and spoons knives and forks pitchers and mugs and cups.

17 & 18 passed.

19. I never received any pay for any of these articles and this is the first and only account I ever presented to [word]. This is all my property. I raised it and paid for it with my own money.

her
Matilda McIntosh
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington.

Sworn to and Subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Ga

Testimony of Witness (Joseph Baker)

My name is Joseph Baker I was born in McIntosh County a slave and became free when the Union Army came through I belonged to Mr Thomas. I am 24 years old I live in Walthourville I am farming for a living I haven’t any interest in this claim. I have known Matilda McIntosh all my life. I believe she was a good friend to the Yankees. The colored people were all in favor of the Yankee Army as far as I know. –

2nd Set of Int[errogatories]

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

I was present when the articles of property specified in Claimants account were taken

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

I saw some of this property taken. I saw the things all taken except the poultry and cornmeal. This list was read over to the witness, by special Comr [Commissioner]

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 that they had to have the hogs when she object. They said they was coming to free us and they had to have something to live on. They went on then and took the property.

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 Walthourville at Mrs McIntosh’s house. They were taken when the raid came through. I disremember the day of the month. They were taken by the Union soldiers. I think these were a whole regiment of horsemen I think they were about 2 hours taking the property.

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

There was Joe Wing and Andrew Stewart and Mrs McIntosh at the taking of the property

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. One was a Capt [Captain] the other First Lieut [Lieutenant] I do not know the regiment or command. I do not know that they ordered the property taken They stood off. They stood by and saw the soldiers take it and did not object.

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 horse was hitched to the buggy and they hitched other horses to the wagon and took them off. They killed the hogs and took them off. I did not see them take the poultry. The corn was in the room I saw them bring it out. The rice was in her room too, they brought it out in baskets

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

It was removed 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 carried it to the camp out at Walthour about half a mile from the village I followed it to the camp just out of curiosity. I saw them take this property to the camp.

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 suppose they must have taken it for the use of the Army. I saw them feed their horses with some of the corn. I saw using the pork and riding the Bay mare I saw them use the wagon and buggy to take to the camp but did not see them afterwards.

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 no complaint made to any of the 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 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?

The property was taken in the day. I think about 12 or 1 oclock. It was taken openly.

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 not in camp they had just come. They took this property while they were on the march I think they went into camp that night. They camped about half a mile from there, where the property was taken. I don’t know how long they staid [stayed] there. There had been no battles or skirmishes there I did not know the quartermasters or the 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?

The property was in good condition when taken by the Army.

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 Bay mare not very large, I not know the age, she was fat and in good order. I saw the soldiers take this horse. It was taken by horsemen. The troops were pretty much all on horses.

Item No 2 A Buggy. It was a fine Buggy. I don’t know how long it had been used but it was not a real new one. It was an open spring buggy They hitched the mare to it, and took it away. It had not been used long.

Item No 3 It was a common street wagon used about as long as the other the buggy. It was in good working order I saw the harnesses and saw them taken The harness was bought about the same time the buggy was.

Item No 4. I do not know exactly how much pork she had. They killed one large barrow. I saw them take another large barrow out of the pen.

Item No 5 and 6 I saw them take the brood sow and pigs. I think she would weigh 150 lbs [pounds] dressed, she had 8 young pigs.

Item No 9 She had about 7 small meat hogs I think. I saw them kill these and take them away. I saw them kill and take away the 8 little pigs they were I think 2 or 3 months old just ?good roasters?.

Item No 7. Do not know about the poultry.

Item No 8. She had a large sack of wheat flour. I saw them take it away in their wagons.

Item No 9 She had shell corn in a bin I don’t know how much exactly about 7 or 8 bush [bushel]. They took the corn off in their wagons except some they fed there.

Item No 10 She had about 5 [word] of rough rice. They carried it off in their wagons.

Item No 11 I know she had honey but don’t know how much: don’t know about the cornmeal; about 30 lbs [pounds] of lard I think, in jars. I do not know how much sugar I saw the sugar. I saw them take the honey lard and sugar away.

Item No 12. I can’t tell how many blankets she had a good many wool blankets. It was cold weather I suppose they needed them.

Item No 13 I saw them take other quilts and blankets. I don’t know how many.

Item No 14. She had pots, kettles and ovens and such things. I don’t know the number. I saw them taken.

17 – 18 & 19 passed.

This property belonged to Matilda McIntosh. I know it was hers because I lived in the yard with her. Her Master allowed her to own property; he allowed a good many of his slaves to own property. They worked by task and when they got through worked for themselves. I suppose she earned this property. I knew she owned hogs a good while. She used to sew by the task and after she got her task done she used to sew for the people down to the plantation and they used to pay her in rice and other things and I suppose she must have sold some.

his
Joseph Baker
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington.

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

Testimony of Witness (Joseph Wing)

My name is Joseph Wing I was born in McIntosh County – a slave I became free after or at the time the Yankee Army came through John Thomas was my Master – I am 27 years old I live in Sunsbury [SIC: Sunbury] I am a farmer. I am not related to Matilda McIntosh I haven’t any interest in her Claim against the U.S. I have known her as long as I have known any body or since I can recollect. She was always on the Union side and working for freedom to come

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

I was present when the soldiers took her property

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

I saw the property all 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 must have what they want, all they stood in need of they say they must have. Mrs McIntosh said nothing to them. They went right on then and took what they wanted from her.

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 articles were taken at her place on Walthourville, at her house. I could not tell the time but it was when the Yankees came. It was a horseman company; do not know whose. I think there was a brigade of them there. I think they were about 2 hours taking this property.

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

Me and this same Joe Baker and Mrs McIntosh and her mother were there.

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, one I think was first lieut [lieutenant]. I did not hear anyone order the taking of the property the officer stood by and saw it. He only said they must have what they stood in need of.

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.

How it was taken. They bridles they horse and take him from the stable. They take the hog that was killed out of the house and the hog in the pen they killed, and shot the outside ones and so went on taking the property. They take the blankets out of the beds and carry them off.

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 moved the property away 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?

They moved it out to the camp. I went with it to see.

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 just said they took it for their own use they wanted it. Did not see them using any of it.

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.

Did not hear any complaint made to any officer on account of such taken.

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.

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?

It was taken in the day between 12 and 1 oclock in the day. It was not taken secretly.

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 not encamped they were on the march when the property was taken. They encamped about a mile and a half from the village that night. They staid [stayed] there about a week. There had been no battles or skirmishes just at that time. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the 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?

The property was in very good condition, all taken care of for use.

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 this horse taken I couldn’t tell how old she was she was not large or small she was just a good sizable criter. She was fat.

Item No 2 She had a nice spring buggy not very long used. I saw the soldiers take it away.

Item No 3. She had a common street wagon had not been long used. She had two leather harness. The buggy harness was silver plated I saw them taken away and they carried them to the camp. I saw them in camp.

Item 4 – 5 – 6. I saw the salt Pork one hog, salted down, weigh about 150 lbs [pounds] and the live hogs the same. The brood sow about 100 lbs [pounds] She had 8 young pigs nearly 3 months old. She had some running out I don’t know how many nor how much they would weigh. I saw them kill these hogs and take them away with the salted meat.

Item No 7 She had a good deal of Poultry can’t tell how much and after soldiers take them away.

Item No 8 She had one sack of flour, it takes two to make a barrel but I don’t know its weight. They took the flour into the wagon.

Item No 9. It was shelled corn she had I don’t know how much, they took it and carried it to the camp with the other things.

Item No 10 She had 5 bush [bushel] of rough rice in a little bin in her room. They took the rice out in a basket and into the wagon and to camp.

Item No 11 I saw honey, she had lard lard. I did not see the cornmeal saw the sugar, the honey was in a jar, and the lard and the sugar into a barrel. I saw them take them all away.

Item No 12 She had blankets I don’t know how many. Some were blue some white wool Blankets they took them all away in the wagons; the weather was cold and I think they needed them.

Item No 13 She had quilts I do not know how many. I saw them take the quilts away.

Item No 14 She had pots and ovens and one kettle I know she had one large bake oven, the pots I can’t tell about. Her house was well furnished with kitchen furniture, they took them all away. She had beds and bedding the soldiers took everything from her house. I have been promised no part of this claim for being witness.

Questions by Claimant’s attorney. I belonged to Mr Thomas. Matilda was living with her mistress Mrs Walthour when this property was taken I goes over to Mrs Walthour most every day My master’s wife was Mrs Walthour’s daughter I went over there to wait on her. It was cold weather when these things were taken. I think it was in Dec [December] about a month before Christmas.

his
Joseph Wing
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington.

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

Testimony of Witness (Andrew Stewart)
My name is Andrew Stewart I was born in Liberty Co a slave. I belonged to Benjamin Scriven [alt: Screven]. I live at Sunbury. I am a farmer. I am not related to Mrs McIntosh I have no interest in her claim, she has not promised me any part of it to come here and testify. I have known her 11 years I knew her before and during the war. I am 36 years old. I [word] she was on the Union side she always talked so secretly.

Questions by Claimant’s Attorney

I lived at Walthourville about a year before the Army came here I belonged to Benjamin Scriven. It was about three quarters of a mile from where I lived to where Matilda McIntosh lived. We both lived in the same village. The horse taken from her was a middle sized Bay mare. I did not see it taken. I saw her horse in the wagon when the raid passed through by my house. The Yankee cavalry had the horse and wagon. I think the year before the raid when I moved up to Walthourville she had it. I saw her spring wagon with another horse hitched to it. I didn’t know this horse. I knew the spring wagon for a year before that. I saw nothing else of hers in their possession. About 3 days after they left I went to her house. They had stripped her clean of everything she had. I told her I saw her horse and wagon go by my house. She told me they took [word] and she couldn’t do nothing.

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

I was not at Mrs McIntosh house when the horses were taken from her I lived about three quarters of a mile from her. I went there once a week. I was there the Morn before the Yankees came there. I saw her mare and her spring buggy, and wagon. I did not see the salted meat I saw the sow in the yard. I saw some small pigs and some shoats did not notice how many. I saw some poultry there, did not see the flour or rice, nor corn, did not see the honey but saw some bee hives did not see the lard, sugar, and cornmeal, blankets, nor quilts, did not go into the bedroom but she was well off I guess she had it. About 3 days after the raid passed I went there to her house. These things were gone. I saw nothing at her house that was useful. She told me they had stripped her of everything, and always had a plenty of things around her. She used to work as a seamstress at tasks and when she got through she take in sewing for anybody else that wanted to have it done.

his
Andrew Stewart
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington.

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