Zenus L. Boggs – Southern Claims Commission

*Item 10 added later because only Willis Harvey knew the exact number of cattle and he was not located to serve as a witness until after the petition was filed.

Remarks: Claim rejected. Mr. Boggs lived upon his farm of about 1200 acres in Liberty Co. Georgia during the war. He thinks he voted for Bell & Everett, and claims to have been a decided Union man. The postmaster at Savannah & a colored man once his slave testify to his loyalty. On the other hand he was a man of considerable property – was never molested or threatened – had a son, son in law and a nephew in the rebel army & cxchanged horses with his son & son in law when they were in the army.

When the Union Army was within about 10 miles of his place he fled & went up the Country to escape from them.

There are some things testified to by the colored man as to his language & declarations that are favorable to the claimant.

But upon the whole we do not feel satisfied that he was a loyal man & for want of sufficient proof reject the claim

A.O. Aldis } Commrs of Claims

Taken by troops under command of Col. Atkins of Gen. Slocums Corps and Captain Brown of Gen. Kilpatrick’s Division, while the army were in this section and for sometime after their arrival at Savannah, they were short of supplies. They were camped near claimant’s residence for several days, and took possession of all they wanted on his place. The reason for the delay of troops in this section was the bad condition of the rivers, creeks & roads making it almost impossible to travel.

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

My name is Zenus L. Boggs, my age 70 years, my residence Liberty County in the State of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer. I am the claimant and have beneficial interest in the claim.

The disposition of Zenus L Boggs the Claimant taken before Virgil Hillyer Esqr [Esquire] Special Commissioner of the Southern Claim Commission on Claimants farm to be used in the investigation of a claim against the United States now pending before the Commissioner of Claims under Act of Congress of March 3. 1871 and May 11. 1872 in the name of Zenus L Boggs vs United States in the presence of M. J. O’Donaghle Counsel for Claimant

General Interrogatory by Special Commissioner

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

My name is Zenus L Boggs I was born in Liberty County I am a farmer.

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

I resided from the 1st of April 1861 to the 1st of June 1865 three miles from my present place and in Liberty County I resided on my own land I owned Eleven or twelve hundred acres I cultivated two hundred acres the balance of it was woodland it was all situated in Liberty County I was farming and getting out timber I did not change my business

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

I did not pass beyond the military lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines. I was within the Confederate lines during the war –

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

I never took any such oath or affirmation

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

I took an oath the following is a copy
“United States of America”
I Zenus L Boggs of the County of Liberty State of Georgia do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God that I will henceforth faithfully support and protect and defend the Constitution of United States and the Union of the States thereunder and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations made during the existing rebellion having reference to [word] so help me God

Signed Zenus L Boggs
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Walthourville Georgia this 18 day of July 1865
Signed J. J. [looks like Zinmly]
Capt [Captain] 14th [?Maine] [word] and Provost Marshall

I think I took an oath when I registered for voting I have not been pardoned by the President. There was no condition attending the taking of the [word] oath other than those set forth in oath, We all went [word] the call of the authorities solemnly and took the oath.

6. Were you ever directly or indirectly, or in any manner, connected with the civil service of the socalled Confederate States? If so, how, when, and where, in what capacity, and for what periods? Was any oath required of you for such service; and if so, what?

I never was directly or indirectly or in any manner so connected

7. Did you ever hold any office or place of trust, honor, or profit under the Confederate Government, or under any of the States or Territories subordinate thereto? If so, state the nature and character of the office, the place at which, and the period for which you held it? 

I never held any office or trust, honor or profit under the Confederate Government or under any of the States or territories subordinate thereto

8. Did you hold any clerkship or have any agency or employment of any kind, for, or under, or for the benefit of the so-called Confederate States? If so, state fully in regard to the same.

I never held any clerkship or had any agency or employment of any kind for, or under, or for the benefit of the so called Confederate States.

9. Were you ever, in any capacity, in the military or naval service of the so-called Confederate States, or of any State or Territory subordinate thereto?

I never was in any capacity in the military or naval service of the so called Confederate States or for any State or Territories subordinate thereto

10. Were you ever an officer or soldier in the Confederate army? If yea, when, where, how long, and when did you leave such service? [Each one of these questions must be fully answered.]

I never was an officer or soldier in the Confederate Army.

11. Were you ever in the State militia of any State while subordinate to the Confederacy? If yea, state when, where, how long, and when you left the service?

I never was in the State Militia of any State while subordinate to the Confederacy.

12. Were you ever in the home guard, or upon any vigilance committee, or committee of safety, which subject to the Confederacy? If yea, state when, where, and how long?

I never was in the home guard or upon any vigilance committee or committee of safety while subject to the Confederacy except a few neighbors – old men formed ourselves into a Company for home protection to prevent depredation – to keep what little we had from person or parties who were prowling about for ?plunder. We did not have any regular organization I think it was just before Savannah was taken by the Union Army. We did not have articles of association it was a [word]-private army I believe of among neighbors

13. If you claim that you were conscripted into the rebel service, state fully all the circumstances.

I was not conscripted into the rebel service I was not subject to military duty

14. Did you ever furnish a substitute for the rebel army? If yea, state fully all the circumstances.

I did not furnish a substitute for the rebel army. I did not for any other

15. Were you directly or indirectly, or in any way, connected with or employed in the quartermaster’s department of the Confederate service or the commissary’s department, or the medical department, the engineers’ department, the ordnance department, the impressment service, the provost-marshal’s department, or any other branch of the Confederate service?

I was not directly or indirectly or in any manner in in any such employment

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

I was not employed on any Railroad in the service of the Confederate Government. I did not aid in the transportation of soldiers, munition of war, or supplies for the Confederate Government.

17. Did you at any time have charge of any stores or supplies for the use of the Confederate army, navy, or government, or the charge or care of trains, team or teams, wagon or wagons, vessels, boats, or other craft, or munitions of war, for the use of the Confederate army or navy? If so, state fully in regard to the same.

I never had any such charge –

18. Were you ever in any service, employment, or business of any kind whatsoever for the Confederate government, or its army or navy? Did you ever furnish any aid, or any supplies or stores, or property of any kind, to or for the socalled Confederate States, or any State in rebellion, or to the army, navy, militia, home guards, armed forces, or military organizations thereof, or for any officer, soldier, or sailor thereof? If so, state fully in regard to the same. Did you ever give any information to any officer, soldier, or sailor of the Confederate army or navy, or to any person employed by or for the so-called Confederate States, or acting on their behalf, or for their benefit, which might aid in any way any military or naval operations carried on against the United States? State fully in regard to the same.

I never was in any such employment or business of any kind or I never furnished any aid or any supplies or store or property of any kind to or for the so called Confederate States or any State in rebellion or to the army navy militia, home guard armed forces or military organization thereof or for any officer soldier or sailor there I never gave any such information none whatever to any officer soldier or sailor of the Confederate States or the [word] army or navy or to any person employed by or for the so called Confederate States or acting in their behalf or for their benefit which might in any way aid any military or naval operation carried on against the United States.

19. Were you in any manner employed in the manufacture of munitions of war, of clothing, of boots, shoes, saddles, harness, or leather; of equipment for soldiers, or of any stores or supplies for the use of the Confederate army or navy; or were you in any way employed by, or did you aid or assist, others engaged in such manufacture? If so, state when and where, and by or for whom you were so employed, and for what period of time?

I never was in any manner so employed

20. Were you ever, directly or indirectly, employed in the collection, impressment, or purchase, or the sale of stores, supplies or any property for the use or benefit of the Confederate government, or any State in rebellion, or the army, navy, or other forces thereof? Did you have any interest or share in contracts with, or purchases for, the Confederate government, or its army or navy, or any State in rebellion, or its forces? If so, state fully all particulars.

I never was directly or indirectly so employed – I never had any interest or share in [word] with or purchases for the Confederate Government or its army or navy or any State in rebellion or its forces

21. Were you ever engaged in blockade running, or illicit traffic or intercourse between the lines, or were you ever in any way interested therein? Did you ever have any interest or share in any goods, wares, merchandise, stores, or supplies brought into or exported from the so-called Confederate States during the war? If so, state fully all particulars.

I never was so engaged, I never had any interest or share in any goods wares merchandise, stores or supplies brought into or exported from the so called Confederate State during the war.

22. Did you leave the so-called Confederate States between the 19th of April, 1861, and 19th of April, 1865? If so, when and how did you leave; where did you go; for what purpose; how long were you absent; in what business were you engaged while absent, and when and to what place did you return in the so-called Confederate States?

I did not leave the Confederate States between the 19th of April 1861 and the 19th of April 1865

23. Were you the owner, or part owner, or in any way interested in any vessel used in navigating the ocean to or from any port in the Confederacy, or upon any waters in the Confederacy? If so, what vessels, when and where employed, and in what business?

I did [not] own nor was I in any way interested in any vessel used in navigating the ocean to or from any port in the Confederacy, or upon any waters in the Confederacy.

24. Were you ever arrested by the Confederate government, or by any officer, soldier, or other person professing to act therefor, or for any State in rebellion? If so, when, where, by whom, and how long were you kept under arrest? How did you get released? Did you, for the sake of being released, or upon release, take any oath of any kind to the Confederate government? If so, what? [Put the same questions as to arrest by the United States Government, etc.]

I never was arrested by the Confederate government or by any officer, soldier, or other person professing to act therefor or for any State in rebellion

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

I had property taken by the Confederate authorities – they had a law by which they collected the 10th of a farmers produce – in addition to that the soldiers stole horses and anything else that they could get their hand on and gave the Yankees credit for it it was just about the time General Sherman army came – I did not get or receive any pay, they left papers showing they had collected the tithe – receipt I suppose showing they had collected what the law justified them in taking –

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

I do not know that I was ever threatened with damages or injury to my person, family or property on account of my union sentiment. We had to mind how we talked when a few of us were together who sympathized with each other we could say more but even then we had to use caution

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

I never have been molested or in any way injured on account of my union sentiment any further than by words – in the early part of the war at a public meeting the old United States flag was in a building near by they had one of their own – the Confederate flag that they was [3 words]. The old flag was to be given to me, that was said by way of a slave

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

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

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 did not do anything for the United States Government or its army or for the Union cause during the war.

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

I had a son and a soninlaw conscripted into the Confederate Army I had two nephews in the army they were conscripted I believe I do not know my son got home my soninlaw was wounded and died my son was taken prisoner by the Union Army and sent home and died after he got home – I did not contribute anything to their outfit or support while in the rebel since the only thing I did was to exchange ?horses? with them My son was of age and altogether for himself

31. Have you owned any Confederate bonds or any interest or share therein; or had any share or interest in any loans to the Confederate government; or did you in any way contribute to support the credit of the so-called Confederate States during the late rebellion?

I have a Confederate bond – I do not remember of ever having but one that I have got now – I had Confederate money and counted it into the bond I took the Confederate money in the way of business – I don’t know that there was any other money in circulation at that I saw none. I did not have any shares or interest in any loan to the Confederate government I did not in any way contribute to support the credit of the so called Confederate States during the late rebellion unless paying the lawful taxes was supporting the credit

32. Have you ever given aid and comfort to the rebellion? If so, state fully all the circumstances.

I did not give any aid or comfort to the rebellion unless paying taxes I was compelled to pay was aiding it

33. Were you ever engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, or engaged in destroying the commerce of the United States in the lakes and rivers adjoining Canada?

I never was so engaged.

34. Were you ever engaged in holding in custody, directly or indirectly, any persons taken by the rebel government as prisoners of war, or any persons imprisoned or confined by the Confederate government, or the authorities of any State in rebellion, for political causes? If so, when, where, and under what circumstances? In what capacity were you engaged, and what was the name, rank, and command of your principal?

I never was so engaged directly or indirectly

35. Were you ever a member of any society or association for the imprisonment, expulsion, execution, or other persecution of any persons on account of their loyalty to the United States, or did you ever assist in such acts?

I never was a member of any such society or association for any such purpose

36. Were you ever a paroled prisoner of the United States? Is so, when and where, and by whom paroled?

I never was a paroled prisoner of the United States

37. Have you ever held any office in the Army or Navy of the United States? Were you educated by the United States at the Military Academy at West Point, or at the United States Naval Academy?

I never held any such office, nor education at either of the Academies –

38. Did you ever receive any pass from any officer of the Confederate government, or from any person having or assuming to have authority to issue the same? If so, who gave you the pass; for what purpose; for what period of time; did you sign or swear to any promise or obligation in order to get it; or swear or promise to bear “bear true faith and yield obedience to the Confederate States;” did you use the pass, and for what purpose?

I have no recollection of ever having a pass from any officer of the Confederate government or from any person having or assuming to have authority to issue the same I recollect now when I went to go after my son who was wounded I had a pass of some kind to go with I did not take any oath to get the pass –

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

I am not nor never was under the disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth Article of the Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, I have not held any office under the United States Government since the war —

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 my sympathies were all with the Union Cause and against the rebellion I do not recollect now anything important that I said, in one conversation I remember in reply to an assertion that one rebel could whip 5 yankees I said they would be [word] and get whipped. I voted for the Union Candidate Ben and Everet I think – I exerted my influence all I had all the time on the Union side what was called the Union side here. I did not vote on ratifying the ordinances of secession I did not go any where I was floating about I could not do anything as I wanted to and so I did nothing

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?

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

General Interrogatory by Claimant Counsel

I know the article specified in my account was taken by the United States army I did not see the army taking them I know I had them when the army came and when they were gone the property was gone – I think the prices specified in my account are reasonable and worth all I have charged they was worth that in greenback at that time. The quantity named in that account are much below the actual amount I have learned since the filing of my petition that some of the items specified the cattle are below the quantity actually taken

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 not present when any of the articles specified were taken

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

I did not see any of the articles taken I was away from home. I left on the approach of the Army taking with me a little meat and a little flour expecting they would take all and I wanted to save a little if I could I succeeded in saving what I took away. I took I suppose 200 lbs bacon a sack of flour my own clothing – I had with me two mule and a wagon – these articles are not included in the account I have presented against the United States

3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th [word] passed

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?

I do not know to what place the property was removed only as I have heard it from other

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 do not know the use for which the property was taken I believe the articles were used and taken for the use of the army – I did not see the property so taken used by the Army I haven’t any doubt in my own mind as to the use of the property

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 do not know that the[re] was any complaint made to any one 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 do not know that any voucher or receipt was ever asked for I never saw one –

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?

I have been informed that the property was taken in the day time – I don’t think they ever took any property at night –

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

The Army was encamped at Taylor Creek about 10 miles from my place

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 prime condition it was in the month of Jany [January] 1865 and everything was housed for the winter the corn gathered and in the corn house the fodder cured and in the fodder house the cattle was all grown from 4 to 8 years old – I called them all beef cattle – I think the mule was 7 or 8 years old well broke to work any where.

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.

I did not count the cattle all I know about the number is from others and they did not agree exactly – I did not weigh the bacon I estimated it by the hog I killed 11 hogs and calculated they would make one hundred pounds to each hog – I did not weigh the sugar I had four barrels of sugar they were full in that way I calculated them was one thousand pounds. I did not weigh the fodder either I estimated that by the quantity of corn raised I am satisfying there was all of two thousand pounds of fodder i estimated the corn by the bulk others looked at it with me and judged it to be 400 bushels – I did not measure the Potatoes but put about 25 bushels to a bank and I believe they took I think 17 Bush[els] the quantity in my bill is far below the number of bushels taken the Lard I think was in two cans I did weigh Lard but I estimated the quantity by the number of hogs killed

Z L Boggs

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

Testimony of Witness (Cyrus K. Osgood)

General Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Cyrus K Osgood I was born in the State of Maine – I am 55 years old I reside in Savannah I am Post Master in the City of Savannah I know the claimant I have known him for 25 years I knew him during the 1st three years of the war and after the occupation of Savannah by the Union Army – he lived in Liberty County and used to come to the city often I visited him at his house before the war met him in the city and other places during the war I conversed with him often about the war Claimant said he was opposed to it from the start it was unnecessary and uncalled for waw opposed to secession I was an adherent to the union Cause the Claimant regard me as a Union man he knew I was a Union man, at least we always talked against the war and in favor of the Union Cause together, said our Government was a good Government enough for him did not want any Confederate Government I knew from [word] conversation with him and continued [word] with him during the war my conversation with him was in the presence of friends but not always Union men – the Claimant was rather [word] rather a mild spoken man but very decided in his opinion I do not know what his general reputation was for loyalty – I kept store in the city and when he came in he used to come into the store and say it was all ?weary? meaning the war I do not recollect that I ever heard his neighbors say anything about his Union sympathies it was at a time when men did not talk much, it was not safe to say a great deal I do not think the claimant ever contributed anything to the Union cause, I do not know that he had any opportunity to do so I do not know that he ever gave any information to officers or soldiers of the Union Army in aid of their movements and cause. I do not think the Claimant was ever molested or threatened with injury to himself or his family or his property on account of his Union sentiments. I do not know that the claimant ever contributed anything in any way to aid the Confederate government or its officers or soldiers. I do not know that he ever owned or had any interest in any Confederate bonds and from my knowledge of the man I do not think he would have invested anything in them. I do not know any act done by the Claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been maintained as a separate government he was an old man did not do any fighting on either side. I think probably his age would have saved him from any harm, Claimant said they deserved to be whipped for bring[ing] on the war said the south brot [sic] on the war

C K Osgood
Sworn and subscribed to before
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner

Testimony of Witness (Willis Harvey, colored)

General Interrogatory by Special Commissioner

My name is Willis Harvey I was born in upper Georgia in Athens – I am 35 years old. I was born and lived a slave till freedom my last master was Zenus Boggs I now reside in Savannah I am a shoemaker I was living with Zenus Boggs when his property was taken.

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 specified in Claimants account was taken I was the only male person on the place at the time.

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

I saw the articles taken I saw 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 came thru and drove off thirty six head of cattle – they did not say anything to me not a word they did not say anything to any one else not in regard to the cattle

2d Item in the account one mule I saw them take the mule the mule was hid in the woods by one of Mr Boggs men, he was tied to a tree, they came thru hunting for the mule found him and rode him off and led the one they was riding said nothing to any one —

3rd Item in the account 1,100 lb [pound] Bacon I saw them take the Bacon out of the smoke house when it was cured it was hung up in the smoke house they came and asked for the key to the smoke house they got the key and opened the door and went in and got the Bacon

4th Item in the account one thousand pounds of sugar I saw them take the sugar it was in the store house – they came and asked for the key to the store house they got it and unlocked the door went in and got it did not say anything to us – Mrs Francis Boggs wife of the old man Boggs son – was present

5th Item in the account two thousand pounds of fodder – I saw it taken it was in the fodder loft over the stable. The stable was not locked they went in helped themselves – without saying anything to any one

6th Item in the account three hundred bushel of corn I saw the corn taken, a part of it was in the corn crib and a part of it what was shelled etc in the dwelling house I had the key to the corn crib they asked me for it I went and unlocked the door for them they took the corn, did not say anything more than to ask for the key

7th Item in the account two hundred and fifty bushels of sweet potatoes – I saw them taken they were banked in the field when they were raised – they said nothing to us – but took them and went off

8th Item in the account, one hundred pounds of lard I saw taken it was in the store house When the sugar was taken from they took that as they did other articles without saying anything to anybody

9th Item in the account (50) fifty chickens I saw them taken they were in the yard they called some of the children and made them help catch them – that was all that was said –

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 articles were taken in Liberty County on Claimants place they were taken in Jany [January] and after the city of Savannah was taken I do not now recollect the year I can’t give the day of the month I did not expect to be called upon to give the date and time or I would have kept it. The articles were taken by the Yanky [sic] Army. I think there may have been a good many over a hundred soldiers engaged in taking, they were coming and going all the time for a whole day I think there must have been over a thousand they were coming and going for three days after four days they were all gone. They were all engaged in taking the property – more or less they were about three days engaged in taking, the first day they did not take much except some bacon sugar and some corn meal in sacks

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

There was no one present at the taking except myself and claimants family – Abraham Boggs a colored man since dead – Mrs Francis Boggs – white lady and the colored persons that was all except the soldiers

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 was United States officer commissioned and non-commissioned present at the taking I do not know the names, there was Captain and Lieut [Lieutenant] – I was told by the private soldiers that they was Capt [Captain] and Lieut [Lieutenant]I did not hear them give any order to have the property taken they were present and seemed to be overseeing and supervising the taking they asked where the “boss” was I told them he had gone off they said it was a good thing for him they said they were a going to take it to Savannah that we had more than our share –

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 property was taken by soldiers under the Command of officer belonging to General Kilpatrick Cavalry they rode around the place and took all they could find.

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

The property was removed in bags and on horseback some was taken in carts and wagons most of it was taken on horseback – they took pillowcases off of the beds and filled them with articles and carried them off in that way. The cattle were driven off I saw men drive the cattle off. The mule was tied to a tree, on the edge of the swamp they rode him off. The Bacon was put into coarse sacks and put onto the horses and mule and removed in that way, one barrel of the sugar was taken in a cart the balance was put into pillow cases and sacks and carried off in that way on horses and mules. The fodder what they did not use on the place for feeding was carried off n wagons – The corn was carried off in wagons some was fed there on the place some was put into sacks 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?

Some was removed to Taylor Creek the balance to David Boggs place troops were encamped at Taylor Creek and at Mr David Boggs place one 8 and the 10 miles from claimants place I followed a part of the property about six miles then they said they could get along without and I went back – I did not go to the camp they said they were a going to take the property to the camp that is all I know about the delivery of the property to the camps. They said they intended to take it to the camps and put it on to the wagon train to be taken to Savannah – it was a foraging party –