Jane Holmes – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claimant is a widow, was a slave & a field hand. She belonged to Joseph Bacon. Her husband was living during the war & was overseer for Rev. Dr. C.C. Jones.

This claim & many others filed by the colored people of Liberty Co. Ga, former slaves, have been thoroughly investigated by agents of the commission. But few of these claims have been found meritorious. In this case we think the claimant had such a title to the property taken by the federal army for supplies, as will justify a favorable report. We refer to the report of our agent Mr. Avery & the testimony in the case.

Most of the items of the claim are not army supplies and unfortunately the soldiers, as claimant testifies, penned up her cattle with others & wantonly shot them down leaving the carcasses for the buzzards, using but very little of the meat. It is doubtful whether the corn & rice was anything more than rations.We recommend the payment of $120.

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

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

My name is Jane Holmes, my age 60 years, my residence Riceboro, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a field hand; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

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

My name is Jane Holmes. I was born in Liberty Co Ga, a slave; became free when Sherman’s Army came here. I think I am over 60 years old. I reside at Mr Lyons Plantation Riceboro Liberty Co. I work in the field. 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 lived at Brier Bay Liberty Co Ga from the 1st of April 1861 till the Yankee Army came here then I followed the Army to Savannah.

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 to 28 inclusive to each & every question the claimant answers “No”

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

I cooked for the soldiers after they came in here with the Army and did anything else for them that they wanted me to do.

30 to 39 inclusive to each & every question the claimant 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?”

At the beginning of the rebellion or as soon as I heard of it my feelings were all the time with the Union cause and when I heard the guns I used to go and pray for them and I always prayed for them night and day.

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 my feelings were with the cause of the United States and I was friend to the Yankees till I die. When they called us we came and we said “you come” and they said, we is come and we couldn’t be rejoiced enough we were so glad. I never done anything against the Yankees, we did pray for them that God would help them.

[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 rebellion I was a slave and became free when the Union Army came through here. I went right to farming as soon as I became free I came out of Savannah in July and went right at farming and been farming ever since. I labored for this property. I worked by tasks, My Master gave us tasks and when we done we worked for ourselves. I raised chickens and hogs and got a cow and by raising and increasing I got my horse. For more than 30 years before the Army came here I was working and raising in this way. It is more than 30 years since I bought my first mare. I raised 9 horses from her. I sold one to Peter Harden. I sold one to my brother Dembo Bird, and one to Cato Holmes, and the Rebels stole one from me that makes 4. I forgot to tell that when you asked me if the Rebels took any of my property. I sold the rest to other parties. My master would allow me to buy and sell and raise anything except cotton he wouldn’t allow us to raise cotton. Joe Bacon was my master’s name. I am not now in his employment. I live on Mr Lyons land now, since the Army came through. I mean I work on his land, but I bought an acre of him to build my house on. I do not owe my master anything. No one but myself has an interest in this claim. I am a widow my husband died it will be 4 years in September. I did not get any property by either one of my husband’s. I left the property my husband had when the raid came for his son, to attend to. I had no children by him so when he died his property went to his son. I had been married to my last husband about 20 years before the raid came, and when it came I was legally married to him. He settled me on this same place I am on now.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

I was present when they took this property from me. I was standing right up in the yard then.

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

I saw them take the property.

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 came up in the morn right across the field and the first thing they did they took the Buggy out of the shed, and went under the house and caught the ducks, and went in and got a jug of honey and some butter and they put them in the buggy and they took the horse too the first day. They said they was looking out for a boat, and the boat didn’t come and they must live till it come in. They fed them horses off the corn and rice the 2nd day and after that they went on and took some things till it was all gone.

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 my house at Brier Bay on my master’s place. I think it was in Dec [December] about the 1st day of Dec [December] I think. I don’t know the year but it was when the Union Army came here in Dec [December] that this property was taken. There were about 10 come the first day but they did not take anything and the next day about 20 came and they kept on coming in gangs till they had taken all the property. They kept coming and going about a week.

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

Samson [alt: Sampson] Bacon, Dolly Bacon, Prince Stephens, Brister Fleming, Cilla Stephens, Willoughby Bacon, and myself, were there 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?

When the big gangs came to take the property there were officers with them, but not when the small gangs came. I didn’t know any officers from another. I know they were officers by their stripes. I don’t know whether they ordered the property taken or not they were there when it was 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 came in gangs and catch the horse out the stable and took my harness and put on horse and put him in my buggy and put the ducks and butter and clothing and bedding and a jug of honey in it and drove off with it. They drove the cows and calves out of the pasture and took them off. The rice and corn were in my house where I lived, they went in the house and took that out and fed the horses with it 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 moved all my property away in my buggy except what they drove off and fed out there and drove off and moved 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 moved what they didn’t feed then to their camp hardly a mile from there where I lived. I did not follow it. They went right toward the camp and was only one road and low ground each side they couldn’t have gone anywhere else.

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

I know what use the Army took this property for. They used it to feed their horses, and they had some broken down horses and they took the best ones to take their places and they used them haul the stuff to camp.

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 officer or anybody on account of the taking of this 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 to give me a receipt or voucher for this property.

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 all taken in the daytime.

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 the Army were encamped there about ¾ of a mile from where they took the property. There had been no battles or skirmishes near there. I heard it was Gen [General] Sherman’s and Kilpatrick’s Army there. I heard the guns thats all I know about the [word]. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the other officers, except I know them by their stripes that they were 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. The rice and corn gathered and in the house and the horse sound and the cows and calves in good order.

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 mare was about 5 years old: a large one and fat. They took the horse and put it in the buggy and loaded up the buggy with things and drove off.

Item No 2. I had 8 cows and 8 calves. They were not any of them old, but some had had more than one calf. Some had had 2 and some 3 calves. They were large cows for this county. The calves were some Spring calves and some two springs, 2 years old. I don’t know how much the cows or calves would weigh. They were in good order for killing it was in the time of the year when cattle were in good order. They drove all the cows and calves away.

Item No 3. They were not Bacon hogs a little over a year old, in good order for [2 words]. There were 5 of them. They would weigh over a 100 lbs [pounds] dressed. They just drove the hogs, up in the lane and out cut the heads off and put them on their horses and went off with them.

Item No 4. I had 20 bus [bushel] of corn in the ear. It was measured. I count 2 bus [bushel] of ears made 1 of shelled corn. This was counted what would make 20 bus [bushel] shelled. They fed the corn right out there to the horses.

Item No 5. 20 bus [bushel] of rough rice. It was measured. The rice was stored in my house, they took it and fed it to the horses and put some of it in pillow cases and took it away with them.

Item No 6. I had 20 head of fowls and more but I put it down 20. They tied them together and hung them on their horses and put some in the buggy.

Item No 7. I had 10 pr [pair] of ducks. 20 head. They took them as they did the chickens.

Item No 8. I had 20 hives of honey. They just broke them open and took out the best of the honey and put it in pails and took it off to the camp.

Item No 9. I had one jar of butter. I never weighed it, but I think it would hold 1 gal [gallon] and it was full of butter. They took it off to camp in their hands in the jar.

Item No 10. Kitchen furniture. They took 1 big pot and an oven and 1 piggin and a pan and a coffeepot and pails and buckets. I don’t remember that they took anything else.

Item No 11. I had 2 quilts and one bolster and 2 pillows, they made bags of them.

Item No 12. This was a spring buggy. I had had it a good while and had just had it repaired and painted when the Yankees took it. It was a nice buggy.

Item No 13. This was not new but a pretty good leather harness. It was bought when the buggy was. They took one harness and put it on my horse and hitched it into my buggy and took them all away together.

This property all belonged to me and I am all the one interested in it. I saw the soldiers take all this property. I did not see any of it wasted except what the horses wasted in eating off the ground. I never received any pay from anyone for my part of this property. This is the first and only claim I have ever made against the Government.

her
Jane Holmes.
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Sampson Bacon)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Sampson Bacon. I was born in Liberty County, a slave and made free by the Yankees when they came into the County. I belonged to Joseph R Bacon. I am about 80 years of age. I live at Brier Bay. I am a farmer. I know the claimant in this case. I am not related to her in any way. I have no beneficial interest in her claim. I only came here to testify for her. I have known Mrs Holmes the claimant from a little girl. I know she was a good Union woman during the war. I lived on the same Plantation with her, we belonged to the same master. I was his driver for 40 or 50 years and when the Yankees came into the County. My Master worked all his hands by the task – a hand who were industrious could finish their tasks by 1, 2, and 3 oclock pm the balance of the time was their own – to do what they pleased Mrs Holmes was a good servant and industrious. I knew her husband he was a good servant and got along well. I knew “Jane” owned the property charged in her account she had been raising horses for a long time and other things, cattle, hogs, poultry and such like – her master always allowed her to raise and own such things and any thing else she could get time and money to pay for – he never interfered with his slaves property I know that because I was his driver and know all about his business management etc. The property all belonged to her. Her husband belonged to C.C. Jones and she belonged to Joseph R Bacon –

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

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

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.]

When they first came up they asked who lived there and what we had got what stock etc they just turned right in and went to catching and taking anything they could get their hands on.

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

The property was taken at Claimants house on Joseph Bacon Plantation when the Yankees came in I think it was in Dec [December] 1864 I do not remember the day of the month the property was taken by the Union Soldiers all horsemen. I do not know whether they belonged to Sherman or not I head of Sherman’s Army and Kilpatricks Army, they came in companies of 3 or 4 I think the first day, and they came in [word] crowds I can’t tell how many I don’t know how long they were taking the things, came and took what they could tote and kept on in that way till they had got all away

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

I was present at the taking Jane Holmes, the Claimant Prince Stevens, his wife and others. I don’t remember all – I can now remember Brister Bacon.

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 or an officer with every squad – I heard them order the Soldiers to take the property and everything moved like clock work – . I took them to be officer I don’t know their rank they had epuletts [epaulet] on their shoulder I judged them to be officers from their dress and from them giving orders.

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 and caught the horse put the harness onto him hitched him to the buggy and filled it with things and drove off They went to the pasture got the cows and calves and drove them off the hogs was in the lane, they killed them cut the head off put them onto the horses and went off – The corn and rice they fed out there, the other articles they carried off to the camps.

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 this property on horses and fed some there and drove the cows 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 moved this property, to the camp I could see the camp from where I lived I had no need to follow it I could see it.

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 could not tell what use they made of it but I think they took it for their own use. I saw them feed the corn and rice there.

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 to any of the officers on account of such taking.

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 by claimant.

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.

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?

I can’t state what hours in the day but all hours before night they did not come at night.

The Army were encamped in that neighborhood when this property was taken, about three quarters of a mile from Claimant’s place. It was the Union Army I couldn’t tell the name of its commander. There had been no battles or skirmishes in that neighborhood. I did not 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 plight when taken from claimant.

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 horse was about 5 or 6 years old it may be older I don’t recollect. It was a nice, full horse. This horse belonged to Claimant I know because we all belonged on one place and I knew what she had and what she had not. Her master never claimed his slave’s property or interfered with it, and would not let his children do it. I was the driver and knew the orders given.

Item No 2. She had about 8 head of cows and each cow had a calf. They were nice large cows for Southern cows. The calves were one and 2 years old. The cows were all in the pasture and they just went and drove them right off to the camp.

Item No 3. They were not put up for fattening hogs but were all ready to be put up. They were not all full grown some were more full grown. They just shot these hogs and cut their heads off and put them on the horses and went off.

Item No 4. I think she had a little over 40 bus [bushel] of ears corn. This corn was of her own making she raised it by working after her task was over. I judged it from the pile I had measured and judged it so much. I could just about strike on the head from much it would be.

Item No 5. She had a little over 20 bus [bushel] of rough rice. I looked at the pile after she had done thrashing it and put it in the house; we always looked at one anothers pile to see what we had made. The corn and the rice they fed out there to the horses.

Item No 6 and 7. She had about 20 head of ducks, and over 90 head of fowls. They caught all they could and those they couldn’t catch they killed them there and they tied them all to the horses and went off to the camp.

Item No 8. She had 20 hives when the soldiers come. I see them broke them open and take out the honey and carry it off in buckets piggins or anything else they could get to put it in.

Item No 9. She had one jar of butter I should judge about a gal [gallon] in it. I did not know whether it full or not. It was fresh I saw them carry the jar off.

Item No 10. She had ovens, and pots and pails and pans, and piggins. I didn’t see them take these things but just as I come up she said they have taken all my furniture. I saw there was nothing left and she had a good supply.

The bedding and quilts, were taken at the same time as the furniture and I did not see them taken I know she had them and they were gone.

Item No 12. This was a good strong Spring buggy for one horse. I couldn’t tell how long it had been used it was in good working order she drove it every Saturday.

Item No 13. It was a leather harness that they used with the buggy. They harnessed her horse with the buggy with her harness and drove off.

I saw all of this property taken from the claimant except the 2 or 3 articles mentioned. I was the driver and knew it was all hers. They all had a little bit of a garden of their own. She commenced raising horses while on the plantation with me, about 20 or 25 years before the raid came there.

his
Samson Bacon
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

Testimony of Witness (Prince Stephens)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Prince Stephens. I was born in Liberty Co Ga, a slave; became free in 1864. I am 38 years old. I reside at Dr Way’s estate near Riceboro about a mile out. I am a farmer. I am not related to the claimant. I have no beneficial interest in the claim. I have known her some 29 years. She was a good Union woman.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

I was present at the Claimant’s house when this property was taken.

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

I saw all of this property 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 came up there a large squadron and said they came to forage and they burst open claimant’s door which was fastened and strung their horses round the house and fed them. They went right in and took the corn, and rice, and pound it on the mound, and fed their horses and they took her poultry and ducks and put it in the buggy and drove it to camp. The jar of butter they took out to camp in the buggy with them.

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 Claimant’s house on Joseph B. Bacon’s place sometimes called Brier Bay. It was taken in Dec [December] 1864. They were taken by the Army that they called Sherman’s and Kilpatrick’s Army. There were so many of the soldiers there taking the property, there were so many of them, I could not no how many. In 2 days time the property was pretty much taken away. They kept coming till it was all gone.

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

Samson Bacon, Brister Fleming, Dolly Bacon, and myself were there 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?

There were so many of them and dressed in so many ways I couldn’t tell I judged they were officers from their dress. I didn’t hear any orders given to take the property. The men sitting on their horses who looked like officers just sat on their horses and looked on & didn’t do anything at all. I did not hear them give any orders.

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 came and got the horse and put him in the buggy. The cattle were all in the pasture near the house and they went and took them out of the pasture and the hogs they chopped the heads off and split them open and put them on the horses. They just put the corn on the ground and fed it to their horses, and there were so many of them it wasn’t a bail for them they took the rice in the same way. The fowls, ducks, honey, and butter, kitchen furniture and bed quilts were taken 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.

The corn and rice they fed out there and the ducks, and chickens, and butter they put into the buggy, the hogs they cut their heads off lashed them onto the horses and went off.

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 went in the direction of the camps and I suppose went there I did not follow it I could see movement of the camp from claimants house I know they went 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.

I know the use for which they took the property because they said what they wanted it for it was for the use of the Army I saw them feed the corn & rice.

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 any complaint made

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 all taken in the day time they did not come out of camp at night 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?

When the property was taken the Army was encamped about ¼ of a mile from Claimants house they were strung along for 3 miles – I did not hear of any battles or skirmishes just before the property was taken. I did not know the Quartermaster or any other officers 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 trim when it was taken.

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 horse or mare was about 5 years old I knew her from a colt she was a large mare fat sound and in prime condition I saw her taken with the Buggy and harness.

Item No 2 The cows and calves I think were 16 altogether – 8 head of calves and 8 head of cows, the cows were full grown and good size for Georgia cows, the calves were 1 and 2 years old I saw them drive them all off towards the camp -.

Item No 3 She had 5 head killed and taken off. I was there and helped drive up the hogs and kill them, they were not bacon hogs – not in the pen – but in fair order running in the field I know some of them would weigh 130 to 190 not more they were good healthy hogs and in good order for pork meat.

Item No 4 I judge from the pile there was 45 Bushels of corn in the ear equal to 22 or 23 Bus [bushel] shelled They fed the one right there and it was hardly a “bite” for them it was used up pretty quick

Item No 5 – I think from the barrels there were 20 Bushels of Rice – I think she had (8) Eight Bands of Rice – rough rice – the rice was fed to the horses just as the corn was

Item No 6 She had I should judge over 30 head of Fowls I did not count them she had them in the coop ready to send to market

Item No 7 She had 20 head of Ducks we would call them 10 Pair they were in a coop for shipping They took all of the fowls and all of the chickens

Item No 8 I saw them take over 20 of the Bee – hives- she had I think over 30 of them

Item No 9 I saw them take the jar of Butter I should judge it would hold 15 lbs Butter at least –

Item No 10 and 11 The Kitchen Furniture I saw coming out of the kitchen I don’t know how much she had – I know her kitchen was well supplied with all she wanted and every thing was taken did not leave a rag of bedding or anything in her house –

Item No 12 and 13 The buggy was a spring- buggy – one horse, iron axeltree [SIC, axletree] I do not know how long it had been used but was in good condition good working order it was a good strong buggy – the harness was leather in tolerable good order I saw them harness the horse using Claimant’s harness hitch him to the buggy load the buggy up with things from Claimant’s house and drive off towards the camp.

The property all belonged to Mrs Holmes, at least she always claimed it and I never heard any body else claim it. I know she had been raising horses and other things such as she has charged in her account against the Government for many years – I have not been promised anything to come here to testify.

his
Prince Stevens
mark

Witness E. E. Adlington

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

——————————————————

Petition to add a buggy and harness to the claim.

——————————————————
No 20656

Jane Holmes, Col’d
Liberty County, Ga

Testimony of
Jane Holmes, page 1
Robt Winn page 4
Report Sp’l Agt page 7

Respectfully forwarded
From Milledgeville, Ga
July 25th, 1878

R.B. Avery, Sp’l Agt

——————————————————

Testimony of claimant, Janes Holmes, colored taken under oath at Cross Roads Church, Liberty Co. Ga. June 6th, 1878:

Q Please repeat this oath:

A I, Jane Holmes, do solemnly swear that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to all matters whereof I may be questioned: So help me God.

Q Who made out your claim?

A The first claim was taken by Simms and Mr Ashmore. I paid Simms $1.50 and Mr. Ashmore 50 cents. I paid Mr. Hillyer $17 right out of my pocket.

Q Where were you living when the raid came?

A In Brier Bay. Joe Bacon owned me. A good many families belonged to him, 30 or 40. It is about four miles from here down near Lecount [alt: LeConte].

Q What property did you have when the raid came?

A I had cows; and had hogs, and had a horse, and had a buggy, and ducks, fowls, beehives,

Q What kind of horse did you have?

A A fine large horse, kind of grayish blue, Her name was Dolly. It was a mare. I raised it from the commencement. I had a horse all my life. I had one so valuable that the confederates my owner took it from me and gave me a mare. Yes, they were soldiers, and in the camp, right back of Riceboro. Two of my young master’s was in the camp. That was a year different. They took my horse and give me a mare. A heap higher than that horse you have out there. A heap higher. I could not tell how old it was. It had a colt after I had it. It was with colt when they gave it to me, and it had that colt. When this raid took the mare, it left the colt with me small I raised that, and got the breed going on yet

Q Tell me about the buggy?

A When Mr. Hillyer were here he told me that no buggy was on the claim. The first thing I told Mr. Simms was a horse and buggy. It aint on the paper it aint your fault, but I can write to my old master and mistress at Dorchester, and they will sustain me.

Q You said you had some cows?

A I have five six head. More than that, but some was under growth, and I am only talking about the old cows. I had six head of old cows. Yes, my master said he could not afford to give us anything, and so he allowed us to raise just what we could. I had three head of horse, and they only took one. One was too poor, and the other too young. I tell you, what I told Mr. Hillyer, I promise my God to tell the truth. I only speak of what they drove up. They drove up six. Some were steers. When I told you I didn’t make any difference between the cow and the steer. I speak of them as old. Those they put in the pen. Then they shoot them down. They leave them there, nobody could eat meat then. They so troubled, and the buzzard eat them. They killed some that they didn’t take any of. They drove in all the nigh neighbors, and our master’s cattle and all, and shot them down. They didn’t carry none away as I know of. Just shot them down. Just ‘stroyed the country They done that everywhere almost

Q Did you have any hogs?

A Yes. I saw them shoot down five head of hogs, and cut off the head, and carried the body away. All five were barrows, in the two years.

Q Did you have any corn?

A Yes. I didn’t measure it, but I judge there was twenty bushels more than twenty bushels. I had made corn, and draw corn. Those that will work make rice, and they eat rice, and save the corn. We drew corn every week. They just come there and feed off of it, until it was done. They just take and thrown ‘em all around in the yard.

Q How many chickens and ducks?

A I had twelve ducks, young and old, and more than thirty chickens. I never count the chickens, but I reckson 30.

Q Did you have any honey?

A Yes. They broke up 20 hives for me. Broke them entirely up, and take out the honey.

Q Anything else?

A They took all my piggins and pail, and big pot and oven and carry them off, and all my bedding. I had a mattress. They tore it open and made a bag of it, and my bed clothes, and my old man’s clothes, and a jar of butter, and a jar of lard.

Q How long were the soldiers out there?

A Nearly two weeks, back and forward, every day.

Q Well, hear this read, and tell me if it is correct.

A I didn’t raise the mare the army took. That was in the place of the one I raised from a baby. Except that it is all right. You has done it exactly.

her
Jane Holmes
Mark

Attest
R. B. Avery, Sp’l Com’r [Special Commissioner]

Testimony of Robert Winn, colored, taken under oath, at Cross Roads Church, June 6, 1878:

Q Were you acquainted with Jane Holmes during the war?

A Yes, sir. She raised me. The day before the raid came I left the Bacon place, where Jane Holmes lived. I knew everything she had.

Q What did she have?

A She had an iron gray mare. It had a roan colt at that time. The colt was left with her. She had a Bay mare. It was with foal too, and poor. They did not take that.

Q What cattle did she have?

A She had four very heavy milk cows and the rest were steers. I was there the next day after the raid came. They had my horse and I went for it. They kept me there a couple of days, helping with forage and drive up the stock. The stock was all driven into a pen, on Sam Varnadoe’s place, and killed there. His pen was right on the line. Some was carried away in wagons, and the others just left in the pen.

Q Do you know how many hogs she had?

A She had five barrows and two sows. They didn’t get the sows to my knowing not while I was there.

Q What else did she have?

A A big gang of ducks and fowls, but I never counted them.

Q Do you know anything about the corn?

A Only that she had some in a little house I don’t know how much of it.

his
Robert Winn
mark

Attest
R. B. Avery, Sp’l Com’r [Special Commissioner]

Claim of Jane Holmes, Col’d [Colored]
Liberty Counta, Ga No 20.656

This claimant is intelligent and honest appearing. Her statement is corroborated by Robt [Robert] Winn. W. A. Golding swears: “Her husband had two or three horses, but I don’t know how much they took from him. They were well off. Her husband was overseer for Rev. [Reverend] Dr. [Doctor] C. C. Jones, and they could have what they wanted.” The claimant is a hard worker yet, and by herself is making a pretty fair crop considering. She tells how she got the mare. The Confederates forced a swap, taking her horse, which was serviceable, and giving her an unserviceable mare in its place. The cattle seem to have been killed out of mere wantonness, and left to rot on the ground. Five small hogs are proved. They call them large, but none such grow here. The corn is not proved in any quantity, and if she had any it was rations. I believe this claimant’s testimony may be relied on in the main, and respectfully refer the Hon. [Honorable] Com’r [Commissioner] of Claims to that.

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

Hon. [Honorable] Com’r [Commissioner] of Claims,
Washington, D.C.

——————————————————

Claim No. 55015
Sett No. 8437

Jane Holmes of Ga

$120

Due her

Out of the appropriation for

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

For amount allowed her
By the Southern Claims Commission

Reported: June 26, 1880
Returned: July 1, 1880

Requisition No. 7817 , dated
July 1?, 1880 , transmitted for
Warrant July 14, 1880.

————————————————————
The United States
To Jane Holmes Ga

For the amount allowed her by Act of Congress, Private No. 106
Approved June 14, 1880, 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 one hundred and twenty ($120.00) dollars

Payable in care of Hosmer and Co., Washington, D.C.

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller’s Office
July 1, 1880

Treasury Department
Third Auditor’s Office
June 25, 1880

————————————————————

55015

Treasury Department
Third Auditor’s Office
Washington, D.C.

June 21, 1880

Sir:

Please state whom the Commissioners recognized as the attorney of record in the claim of Jane Holmes of Georgia No. 20656.

Very respectfully etc

E.W. Keighley
Auditor

Hon. John Sherman
Sec. of the Treasury

Hosmer & Co Attys of record

————————————————————

Office of the Commissioners of Claims
Washington, D.C. Oct. 5, 1878

Memorandum:

Jane Holmes
No. 20656

“Her husband had two or three horses but I don’t know how much they took from him.” “They were well off. Her husband was overseer for Rev’d Dr. C.C. Jones and they could have what they wanted.”

Per deposition of W.A. Golding on private files.

[END OF FILE]