Claim transcribed by Stacy Ashmore Cole & Claude AI
About the Southern Claims Commission
The Southern Claims Commmission was set up by Congress in 1871 to adjudicate claims for property taken by U.S. federal troops during the Civil War. More than 140 Liberty County residents — both black and white — filed claims, mostly for property taken during December 1864 when a unit of Sherman’s Army commanded by General Kilpatrick camped at Midway Church and conducted foraging raids throughout Liberty County. Horses, cows, hogs, poultry, corn and rice were the most common items of property taken. In Liberty County, many slaveowners allowed their enslaved people to work on their own time and own small amounts of property, most of which was taken by the U.S. troops for use by the Army.
The claims files, which are held at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), have been digitized and are available at Ancestry.com or Fold3.com. For more information on these files, click here. A set of standard questions were used to take the testimony of claimants and witnesses. This set of questions was amended twice, in 1872 and 1874. The questions are not usually part of the digitized file, but we have included them to help make sense of the answers. The questions we used were provided online courtesy of the St. Louis County Library Special Collections, as taken from National Archives Microfilm Publication M87, Roll 1, Frames 104–105, Records of the Commissioners of Claims (Southern Claims Commission, 1871-1880), and can be found here.
About This Transcription
What you are seeing: The Southern Claims Commission files for each claimant included all forms filed for the claimant, including cover pages, standard forms with filled in information, a special agent’s report about the claim, remarks made by the Special Commissioner summarizing the case, testimony from the claimant and his or her witnesses based on a standard set of questions, and copies of other paperwork involved. Much of the information contained in the forms is repetitive. We have summarized that information into one block, and transcribed all testimony, the Special Commissioner’s remarks, the special agent’s report, and any other relevant text.
Methodology: The testimony of the claimant and the witnesses has been transcribed exactly as seen. Some of the files are faded and/or difficult to read. Any words that cannot be read are indicated by “[word]”, or, in the case of entire sections, “[section illegible]”. Alternative spellings of names are also indicated with brackets.
The Claim: Summary & Transcription
Find the digitized original of this claim file at this Ancestry.com link.
Summary
SCC Disallowed Claim Liberty County – Rachel Wing
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Wing, Rachel [or Rachael]
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $539
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Supplies
Claimant living in: Thompson’s Farm, near Riceboro, Liberty County
Incident occurred in: Riceboro
Claim #: 18120
Secondary Claim #: N/A Disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-11-26
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1877-11-19
Claimant’s Attorney: Raymond Cay Jr; J.C. Todd, Savannah, Ga;
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer; Henry Way
Property Removed to: Midway Church
Date property removed: December 1864
Army unit involved: Sherman’s Army commanded by W.T. Sherman, Maj. Genrl
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro
NOTE: Petition said that claimant was named Rachel Ready at time of incident, and was since remarried and was now Mrs. Rachel Wing
Transcription
Items Claimed
Item # | Description | Amt Claimed |
1 | One cream mare (Polly) | 160 |
2 | One buggy | 100 |
3 | 50 bushels corn | 75 |
4 | 60 bushels rice | 120 |
5 | 2 bacon hogs in pen 400 lbs | 40 |
6 | 2 brood sows | 25 |
7 | 13 pigs | 13 |
8 | 12 head chickens | 3 |
9 | One large oven & pot | 3 |
TOTAL | 539 |
.
Remarks: Claimant was a slave. Her husband died just after the war.
There is not satisfactory proof that he or she owned the proof [NOTE: presumably slip of the pen and meant property]. When asked how she came to own the property she says “my husband toiled for it.” The witnesses to the taking do not say it belonged to them.
Claim disallowed.
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris } Commrs of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: R.Q. Cassels signed as a witness when claimant submitted her claim in 1872, with Virgil Hillyer as Special Commissioner. It appears that testimony was not taken until 1877, with Henry Way as Special Commissioner. Testimony was taken in Hinesville. Raymond Cay Jr appears to have been her attorney in 1872, and J.C. Todd in 1877.]
Testimony of Claimant
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Rachael Wing 42 years Liberty County Georgia all my life
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
I am claimant
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
I was – got from my husband after his death
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
From plantation Liberty County about 1000 acres about 75 or 100 cultivated
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
No
The following questions will be put to female claimants:
69. Are you married or single? 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? Give 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. Did you ever belong to any sewing society organized to make clothing for Confederate soldiers or their families, or did you assist in making any such clothing, or making flags, or other military equipments, or preparing or furnishing delicacies or supplies for Confederate hospitals or soldiers?
Married to second husband was married to first husband before the war and to my present husband 2 years after war. My husband was cooking for the Union Army when he died – no children. My husband and I owned the property together until he died & then it fell to me as his wife. He and I worked for it together & owned it together during his life.
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
Slave became free at end of war farmed before freedom got it before the war my husband & I worked for it & owned it together until he died labored for the means William Thompson dead not in his employ live on his land don’t owe him anything no one
[Question 71 not applicable]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I did 1 cream mare 1 buggy 50 bush corn 60 bush rice fattening hogs 2 sows 13 pigs 12 fowls oven & pots
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In daytime openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
No complaint made to officer
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
None was afraid
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
No no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
No
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
The mare was cream color Thompson’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth $160.00 dollars December 15 or 16 1864 Kilpatrick’s army put mare in buggy & drove off 5 or 6 men on horse 2 wagons staid there 3 or 4 hours carried to camp 3 officers present heard men call them captain & by dress said I would get pay back heard officers tell men to take the horse for the use of Army saw them using the mare in the Army.
No. 2 The Buggy was second hand Thompson’s plantation Liberty County Ga worth 100 collars about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatrick’s army put mare in buggy & carried off 5 or 6 men & horses 2 wagons 3 or 4 hours to camp 3 officers present knew they were officers because I heard men call them Captain & by their dress said I would be paid for it heard officer tell men to take it saw them using it in army.
No. 3. The corn was shucked & in ear. Mr. Thompson’s plantation Liberty County Ga 50 bushels judge that much worth 1.80 dollars a bushel about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army put corn in wagon and carried off 5 or 6 men & horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to camp 3 officers present knew because heard men call them captain said they had to have corn for their horses that I would get pay for it heard officers order men to take the corn. Saw them feeding the corn to their horses in camp.
No 4. The rice was threshed & housed Mr. Thompson’s plantation Liberty County Ga 60 bushels judge that much worth 200 dolls a bushel about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatrick Army put rice in sacks & carried off in wagons 5 or 6 men & horses 2 wagons about 2 or 3 hours to camp 3 officers present knew by dress & heard men call them Captain said they wanted it to feed their stock with heard officers tell men to take it & saw them feeding the rice to their horses in camp
No 5. The bacon hogs were ready to kill Mr. Thompson’s plantation Liberty County Ga 2 hogs worth 11 dollars a pair about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatrick Army killed hogs in the pen & took them on horse & carried them off 5 or 6 men & horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to camp 3 officers present knew they were officers because heard men call them captain said I would get pay for them heard officer order men to kill them saw them carting the hogs in camp
No 6. The sows were stock hogs Mr. Thompson’s plantation Liberty County Ga 2 sows worth 25 dolls about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatrick’s Army killed them & carried them off on horses 5 or 6 men & horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to camp 3 officers present Knew by dress & heard men call them Captain said I will be paid for them Heard officer tell men to kill them for the Army
No 7 The Pigs were small Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 13 Pigs counted them worth 1.00 a piece about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army killed the Pigs & carried off on Horses 5 or 6 Men & Horses 2 Wagons 3 hours to Camp 3 officers present Knew by dress & heard men call them Do [Ditto] said I would be paid for them Heard officer tell men to kill them
No 8 The Fowls were grown Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 12 Hens counted them worth 25 cts a piece about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks army shot Fowls & tied them to saddles 5 or 6 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 3 officers present Knew by dress & heard men call them & Heard officer order men to kill them saw them eat the Fowls in camp
No 9 The Oven was a large one & large Pot Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 3 dollars about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army put them in Wagon 5 or 6 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 3 officers present knew by dress & heard men call them do [ditto] Heard officer tell men to take them said I would be paid for them saw them using the Pots in Army
Rachel Wing [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 17th Nov 1873
Henry Way
Special Comr
Testimony of Witness (Sam Harris)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Sam Harris 61 years Liberty County Ga all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
not related to Claimant not interested in success of this claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Rachael Wing
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
all her life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
on same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
saw her every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
No
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
heard nothing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
I know that her husband & herself both were in the Union Camp cooking & washing for the soldiers Dick Cummings & Jim Mifflin
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Gus Low Brister Fleming know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was Claimant knew it by my actions
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
No
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
[Not asked or not answered]
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
[Not asked or not answered]
[Question 69 only asked of female claimants]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
[Not asked or not answered]
[Question 71 not applicable]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I saw it taken Mare Buggy 50 bushels Corn 60 Bushels Rice 2 Bacon Hogs 2 Sows 13 Pigs 12 Fowls Oven & Pot
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
none that I know of
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none to my knowledge We did not know any better
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
no no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped about 3 miles off
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
[Either not asked or not answered}
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
No 1 The Mare was cream color Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 160.00 dollars about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army put Mare in Buggy & drove off 7 or 8 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 2 hours to Camp 2 or 3 officers knew by hearing the men call them so said they must have it for the Army heard officer tell men to take her saw them using mare in the army
No 2 The Buggy was second hand Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty county Ga worth 100 dollars about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army put the Mare in it & drove off 7 or 8 Men & horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 or 3 officers present heard the men call them so said we would be paid for it heard officer tell men to take it saw them using the Buggy in army
Transcription: Page 10
No 3 The Corn was shucked & in Ear Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 50 Bushels guess that much worth 1.50 dollars a bushel about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army put Corn in Wagons 7 or 8 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so Said they had to have it for their Horses Heard officer tell men to take it Saw them feeding the Corn to Horses in Camp
No 4 The Rice threshed Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 60 Bushels guess thus much worth 1.50 or 2 dollars a bushel about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army sacked Rice and put in Wagons 7 or 8 men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so said they wanted it for their Horses heard officer tell men to take it Saw them use it in camp
No 5 The Bacon Hogs were in pen Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Hogs worth about 40 dollars about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army killed them & put them on horses 7 or 8 men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so said we will get pay for them Heard officer tell men to take them saw them eating hogs in camp
No 6 The sows were breed sows Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Sows worth 12 or 13 dollars each about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army carried sows off on Horse 7 or 8 men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so said we will be paid for them Heard officer tell men to kill them saw them eating them in camp
No 7 The Pigs were small Mr Thompson plantation Liberty County Ga 13 Pigs worth 1.00 each about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army killed the Pigs & put them on Horses 7 or 8 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so said we would be paid for them Heard officer tell men to kill them saw them eating the pigs in camp
No 8 The Fowls were grown Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 12 fowls worth 25 cts a piece about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army shot them & tied them to Saddles 7 or 8 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so heard officer tell men to take them saw them eating fowls in camp
No 9 The Oven & Pot were large Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 3 dollars about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army carried them off in wagons 7 or 8 men & horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to camp 2 or 3 officers present heard men call them so Said they wanted them to cook in that we would be paid for them Heard officer tell men to take them saw them using the Pots in Camp
Sam Harris [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 17th Nov 1873
Henry Way
Special Comr
Testimony of Witness (Prince Cummings)
1. What is your name, your age, your residence, and how long has it been such, and your occupation?
Prince Cummings 45 years Liberty County Ga all my life Farmer
2. If you are not the claimant, in what manner, if any, are you related to the claimant or interested in the success of the claim?
not related to Claimant not interested in this claim
52. In whose favor are you here to testify?
Rachael Wing
53. How long have you known that person altogether, and what part of that time have you intimately known him?
all her life
54. Did you live near him during the war, and how far away?
on same place
55. Did you meet him often, and about how often, during the war?
Every day
56. Did you converse with the claimant about the war, its causes, its progress, and its results? If so, try to remember the more important occasions on which you so conversed, beginning with the first occasion, and state, with respect to each, when it was, where it was, who were present, what caused the conversation, and what the claimant said in substance, if you cannot remember his words.
No
57. Do you know of anything done by the claimant that showed him to be loyal to the Union cause during the war? If you do, state what he did, when, where, and what was the particular cause or occasion of his doing it? Give the same information about each thing he did that showed him to be loyal.
No
58. Do you know of anything said or done by the claimant that was against the Union cause? If so, please state with respect to each thing said or done, what it was, when it was, where it was, and what particular compulsion or influence caused him to say or do it.
No
59. If you have heard of anything said or done by the claimant, either for the Union cause or against it, state from whom you heard it, when you heard it and what you heard.
Heard nothing
60. What was the public reputation of the claimant for loyalty or disloyalty to the United States during the war? If you profess to know his public reputation, explain fully how you know it, whom you heard speak of it, and give the names of other persons who were neighbors during the war that could testify to this public reputation.
He was in the Union Camp with his wife Rachael Wing cooking and washing for the soldiers Dick Cummings & Jim Mifflin
61. Who were the known and prominent Union people of the neighborhood during the war, and do you know that such persons could testify to the claimant’s loyalty?
Toney Golding Gus Low Brister Fleming know they would
62. Were you, yourself, an adherent of the Union cause during the war? If so, did the claimant know you to be such, and how did he know it?
I was Claimant knew it by my actions
63. Do you know of any threats, molestations, or injury inflicted upon the claimant, or his family, or his property, on account of his adherence to the Union cause? If so, give all the particulars.
No
64. Do you know of any act done or language used by the claimant that would have prevented him from establishing his loyalty to the Confederacy? If so, what act or what language?
No
65. Can you state any other facts within your own knowledge in proof of the claimant’s loyalty during the war? If so, state all the facts and give all the particulars.
No
66. Who was the owner of the property charged in this claim when it was taken, and how did such person become owner?
[Either not asked or not answered]
67. If any of the property was taken from a farm or plantation, where was such farm or plantation situated, what was its size, how much was cultivated, how much was woodland, and how much was waste land?
[Either not asked or not answered]
68. Has the person who owned the property when taken since filed a petition in bankruptcy, or been declared a bankrupt?
[Either not asked or not answered]
[Question 69 only asked of female claimants]
The following questions will be put to colored claimants:
70. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? If ever a slave, when did you become free? What business did you follow after obtaining your freedom? Did you own this property before or after you became free? When did you get it? How did you become owner, and from whom did you obtain it? Where did you get the means to pay for it? What was the name and residence of your master, and is he still living? Is he a witness for you, and if not, why not? Are you in his employ now, or do you live on his land or on land bought from him? Are you in his debt? What other person besides yourself has any interest in this claim?
[Question 71 not applicable]
The following questions will be put to claimants and witnesses who testify to the taking of property, omitting in the case of each claimant or witness any questions that are clearly unnecessary:
72. Were you present when any of the property charged in this claim was taken? Did you actually see any taken? If so, specify what you saw taken.
I was I saw it taken Mare Buggy 50 bushels Corn 60 Bushels Rice 2 Bacon Hogs 2 Sows 13 Pigs 12 Fowls Oven & Pot
73. Was any of the property taken in the night time, or was any taken secretly, so that you did not know of it at the time?
In day time openly
74. Was any complaint made to any officer of the taking of any of the property? If so, give the name, rank and regiment of the officer, and state who made the complaint to him, what he said and did in consequence, and what was the result of the complaint.
none that I know of
75. Were any vouchers or receipts asked for or given? If given, where are the vouchers or receipts? If lost, state fully how lost. If asked and not given, by whom were they asked, who was asked to give them, and why were they refused or not given? State very fully in regard to the failure to ask or obtain receipts.
none to my knowledge We did not know any better
76. Has any payment ever been made for any property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken at the same times as the property charged in this claim? Has any payment been made for any property taken from the same claimant during the war, and if so, when, by whom, for what property and to what amount? Has this property, or any part of it, been included in any claim heretofore presented to Congress, or any court, department or officer of the United States, or to any board of survey, military commission, State commission or officer, or any other authority? If so, when and to what tribunal or officers was the claim presented; was it larger or smaller in amount than this claim, and how is the difference explained, and what was the decision, if any, of the tribunal to which it was presented?
No no no no
77. Was the property charged in this claim taken by troops encamped in the vicinity, or were they on the march, or were they on a raid or expedition, or had there been any recent battle or skirmish?
Troops were camped about 3 miles off
78. You will please listen attentively while the list of items, but not the quantities, is read to you, and as each kind of property is called off, say whether you saw any such property taken.
[Either not asked or not answered]
79. Begin now with the first item of property you have just said you saw taken, and give the following information about it. 1st.. Describe its exact condition, as for instance, if corn, whether green or ripe, standing or harvested, in shuck, or husked, or shelled; if lumber, whether new or old, in buildings or piled; if grain, whether growing or cut. 2d. State where it was. 3d. What was the quantity; explain fully how you know the quantity, and if estimated, describe your method of making the estimate.4th. Describe the quality to your best judgment. 5th. State as nearly as you can the market value of such property at the time in United States money. 6th. Say when the property was taken. 7th. Give the name of the detachment, regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army, taking the property, and the names of any officers belonging to the command. 8th. Describe the precise manner in which the property was taken into possession by the troops, and the manner in which it was removed. 9th. State as closely as you can how many men, animals, wagons, or other means of transport, were engaged in the removal, how long they were occupied, and to what place they removed the property. 10th. State if any officers were present; how you knew them to be officers; what they said or did in relation to the property, and give the names of any, if you can. 11th. Give any reasons that you may have for believing that the taking of the property was authorized by the proper officers or that it was for the necessary use of the army.
No 1 The Mare was cream color Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Georgia worth 160.00 dollars about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks army put Mare in the Buggy & drove off 6 or 7 men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to camp 2 officers present heard men call them so said we will see you paid for it Heard officer tell men to take her saw them using the mare in camp
No 2 The Buggy was second hand Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 100.00 dollars about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army put Mare in it & drove off 6 or 7 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them so Heard Officer tell men to take it saw them using in the army
No 3 The Corn was shucked & in Ear Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 50 Bushels guess that much worth 1.50 a bushel about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks army put Corn in Wagon 6 or 7 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 2 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them so Heard officer order men to take it saw them feeding it to Horses in Camp
No 4 The Rice was threshed Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 60 Bushels guess thus much worth 2 dollars a bushel about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army Sacked Rice & put it in wagons 6 or 7 men & Horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them so said they wanted it to feed their horses with Heard officer tell men to take it saw them feeding it to their Horses in Camp
No 5 The Bacon Hogs were in pen Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 2 Hogs worth $40.00 dolls about the middle of December 1864 Kilpat- ricks Army Killed them & carried them off on horse 6 or 7 men & horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them so Heard officer tell men
No 6 The Sows were breed sows Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 25 dollars about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks army Killed them & carried off on Horses 6 or 7 Men & Horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present Heard officer tell men to kill them saw them eat the meat in Camp
No 7 The Pigs were small Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 13 head counted them worth 1.00 apiece about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks army carried them off on horses 6 or 7 Men & Horses 2 Wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them Captain Heard officer tell men to take them & saw them cook & eat them in camp
No 8 The Fowls were grown Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga 12 head worth 25 [cents] ahead about the middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks army Killed them & tied them to Saddles 6 or 7 Men & Horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them so Heard officer tell men to kill them saw them eating them in camp
No 9 The Oven & Pot were large Mr Thompsons plantation Liberty County Ga worth 3 dollars about middle of December 1864 Kilpatricks Army put them in wagon 6 or 7 Men & Horses 2 wagons about 3 hours to Camp 2 officers present heard men call them so Heard officer tell men to take them saw them using them in camp
Prince Cummings [signed by mark]
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 17 Nov 1873
Henry Way
Special Comr
I certify that the foregoing depositions of Sam Harris and Prince Cummings were taken and reduced to writing by me and subscribed by said witnesses in my presence after the same had been carefully read to them respectively at Liberty Ga on the 17th day of Nov 1873
Henry Way
Special Commissioner