Claim Summary
Henry Harris, formerly enslaved by James Winn, made a claim to the U.S. Southern Claims Commission in 1873 saying that Sherman’s Army took $387.50 worth of provisions, hogs, and cattle from him. The commission denied his claim, not believing that he could have owned the property. It condemned his white lawyer, Raymond Cay Jr, for not bringing forward the former owners of enslaved claimants or their family members to testify that they had owned property.
Henry Harris testified to Special Commissioner Virgil Hillyer in 1873 that he was 46 years old, lived in Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia, and worked as a farmer. He said he had been born into slavery in Liberty County and was currently living on Judge Fleming’s plantation. During the Civil War, he said, he lived on John E. Baker’s plantation, where his wife was enslaved, then went to Chatham County for a year, returning to the John E. Baker plantation after that.
His master had hired him out to the railroad for three or four years during the war. He was a repairman for the Atlantic Gulf Railroad between Savannah and Thomasville, which could have exposed him to charges by the Commission of aiding the Confederates, but he denied this and said he had been forced to do what he did. Generally the Commission accepted such arguments from formerly enslaved petitioners.
Harris said the only chance he had to help the Unio was to sneak potatoes or other food to the “Yankee prisoners” when they passed by on the railroad and hide them when they escaped and managed to make their way to where the “colored mens” were. He described them as looking “bad, muddy, ragged, and almost starved.” “We have hem raw potatoes and they would eat them without cooking at all…” he recalled.
When asked how he came to own property, Harris testified that he worked by the task and had time for himself afterward. He first got some chickens, raised and sold them, bought a sow pig, then raised hogs until he could sell them and buy a young heifer, etc. He said he had been doing that for about 20 years when the Army came.
Harris also said that his “master,” James Winn, was dead, and that neither he nor his wife were employed by their old masters. Instead they lived together on Judge Fleming’s plantation.
When the soldiers came in December 1864, Harris said he was at his wife’s house on John E. Baker’s plantation. There were so many soldiers that he couldn’t count them. Also there were Samuel Osgood, David Holmes, Pulaski Maxwell, Andrew Stacy, and his wife and himself. They took his property to the Midway Church, where they were encamped.
Petitioners had to produce witnesses. Samuel Osgood testified for Harris that he, Osgood, had been born into slavery on William Baker’s place in Liberty County. When he became free when the soldiers arrived, his master was John Baker. He had known Henry Harris, he said, for 25 years, and he himself was 58 or 59 years and in 1873 was living on John Baker’s place near Riceboro. He was not related to Harris. He corroborated Harris’s claim to own the property and confirmed that their “master” allowed them to raise things and bought their bogs from them. He said, “When we had done our task no matter if it was in the middle of the day we had the rest of the day to ourselves to do what we pleased with it. The claimant was a hard working, industrious man.”
Pulaski Baker also testified for Harris, saying he had been born into slavery in Liberty County and belonged to William Winn when the Army arrived. In 1873, he said, he was about 50 years old and lived on his own land that he had bought of William Winn, where he was farming. He was not related to Harris but had known him since he was a boy.
Baker said that when the soldiers came to Harris’s house, they asked if Baker and the others knew who they were, and Baker replied, “Yes, you are the Yankees all are praying so long to see.” He said Harris threw his house open and told them to help themselves.
Baker described the soldiers riding all over the county gathering supplies and taking it to Midway. He added, “The country was left adrift, you couldn’t hardly hear a chicken “holler,” and hardly a cow or hog to be seen, after the Army left here.”
Part of the Commission’s reason for denying Harris’s claim was that he was working on the railroad for several years during the war and they could not see how he would have maintained his property while he was gone. They seemed to ignore his testimony that the property was at his wife’s house on another plantation when taken, and that she presumably cared for the property during his absence.
Claim transcribed by Cathy Tarpley Dillon
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
Claimant’s Name (Last Name, First Name): Harris, Henry
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N):
Amount of Claim: $387.50
Total Amount Allowed: N/A, disallowed
Nature of Claim: Commissary & quartermaster Stores furnished Howard Corps
Claimant living in: Riceboro, Liberty County, Georgia “at Judge Fleming’s place”
Incident occurred in: Riceboro, Georgia, on plantation of J.E. Baker Esqr
Claim #: 21430
Secondary Claim #: N/A, disallowed
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-03-01
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-08-05
Claimant’s Attorney: Raymond Cay Jr.
Special Commissioner: Virgil Hillyer
Property Removed to: Midway Church
Date property removed: 1864-12-14 to 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Howard Corps commanded by Genrls Kilpatrick & Howard
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: N/A, disallowed
Post Office of Claimant: Riceboro
Transcription
Items Claimed
Item # | Description | Amt Claimed |
1 | 25 bushels corn | 37.50 |
2 | 15 bushels rice | 30 |
3 | 30 stock hogs | 150 |
4 | 1 bank potatoes 20 bushels | 20 |
5 | 7 head cattle | 140 |
6 | Cooking utensils | 10 |
TOTAL | 387.50 |
Remarks: The claimant was a slave & belonged to James Winn – his wife to John E. Baker. All this property that he claims was not on his master’s plant’n but on his wife’s master’s plantation.
He was hired out by his master to the Railroad Company for 3 or 4 years, during the war. How during that time he could have earned & owned the property he claims is not satisfactorily shown. Nor does it appear how he could have been allowed to keep 30 hogs and 7 cattle & to have cultivated the land for corn, rice & potatoes upon Baker’s plantation.
We are not satisfied that the claimant really owned the property.
The attorney in this case is Raymond Cay Jr whose intimate knowledge of the vicinity should inable [SIC] him to produce the testimony of the former owners of these claimants or of members of their family to prove these claims if they are just.
The omission of the atty to produce such evidence may not be the fault of the claimants, but when indefinite & doubtful evidence only is produced & satisfactory evidence which is accessible is omitted, we can not regard the claims as proved.
Claim rejected
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commrs of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: In attorney Raymond Cay’s submission, he wrote: “Claimant was slave of Jno. E. Baker. I belonged to Jas. Winn, my wife to Jno Baker. Propy taken at Baker’s place. Had 4 sows & the rest shoats. Raised the cows, rice and potatoes.” There were two different lists of property taken. One as above, and the other for lesser amounts and not including the cooking utensils, for a total of $370.]
Testimony of Claimant
My name is Henry Harris, my age 46 years, my residence Riceboro, in the State of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer. I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.
1. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation?
My name is Henry Harris I was born Liberty County Georgia, a slave, and became free when the Union Army came into the County I am about 46 years of age, I reside on Judge Flemings Plantation I am a farmer and the Claimant in this case.
2. Where did you reside from the 1st of April, 1861, to the 1st of June, 1865? If on your own land, what is the size of your farm? How much of your farm was cultivated, and how much was woodland? Where is it situated? What was your occupation during that time? Did you change your residence or business during that time? if so, where was your new residence, and what [was] your new business?
From the 1st of April 1861 to the time when the Yankee Army came through I lived on John E Baker Plantation and then I went into Chatham County and staid [stayed] there one year, then returned to John E Baker Plantation.
3. Did you ever pass beyond the military or naval lines of the United States and enter the rebel lines? If so, how often, when, where, and for what purpose, and how long did you stay within the Confederate lines on each occasion?
Irrelevant.
4. Did you ever take any oath or affirmation to bear allegiance to the so-called Confederate States, or to aid or support them in any way, or to “bear true faith,” or “yield obedience” to them? If so, when and where? State fully in regard to the same.
Irrelevant.
5. Have you ever taken any amnesty oath? If so, when, where, and under what condition? Have you been pardoned by the President? If so, when and where, and upon what conditions?
The only oath I ever took was when I went to register for voting in Riceboro.
6 to 15 inclusive to each and every question the claimant answers “no”
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.
My master hired me to the rail road company during the war and I was there for 3 or 4 years. I was a repairer on the Atlantic Gulf Railroad between Savannah and Thomasville all the time in no other way did I aid the Confederates during the war. – I was compelled to do what I did do by my master.
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 except as before stated
19 to 28 inclusive to each and every question 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.
The only chance or opportunity I had to do anything was when I was on the Railroad I used to help the Yankee prisoners to Potatoes and anything else I could, as they passed along on the Road and when they made their escape and come to where we colored “mens” were we kept them hid all till they could get away, the poor fellows looked bad, muddy, raged [ragged] and almost starved. We gave them raw Potatoes and they would eat them without cooking at all they would [word] or good [word] [smudged] for freedom.
30 to 39 inclusive to each and 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 war I sympathized with the Union Cause, I felt glad because I was sure we were to be free, I can hardly tell you how I did feel; I used to talk with my colored “brethren” about it and tell them the good time was coming, and all prayed all the time for it to come and that was the way I did all through till it did come – .
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 U.S. to the end thereof, my sympathies were constantly with the Cause of the United States, that I never did of my own free will and accord do anything or offered, or sought to do, 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 case permitted.
[Question 42 asked only of women]
43. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? When did you become free? What was your business after you became free? How and when did you come to own the property named in your petition? How did you get the means to pay for it? Who was your former master? Are you now in his employment? Do you live on his land? Do you live on land purchased of him? Are you indebted to your former master for land or property, and how much? Has anybody any interest in this claim besides yourself? State fully all the facts in your answers to these questions.
At the beginning of the war I was a slave, and became free when the Union Army came into our County – after freedom I continued farming. I used to work for my master by the task when that was done, for myself, in that way I got a start I got me some chickens raised and sold them, and bought a sow pig, then raised hogs and after I got some of them fat I sold and bought a young heifer, and so I kept on. – I had been raising such things for about 20 years before the Army came here into the County, I belonged to James Winn My wife to John E Baker, I am not nor is my wife in the employ of an old master, we live together on Judge Fleming place We do not owe our old masters anything My master is dead, My wife is a living, No body has any interest in this claim but myself and family –
1. Were you present when any of the articles of property specified in the claimant’s petition were taken?
I was present when the property specified in my claim was taken.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the property all taken by the soldiers.
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
They said but little came in like [2 words] and went to work and took all we had, they were very friendly and talked, but we was so glad to see them and so much excited, I can’t remember now what they did say in particular but soon cleaned us out.
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 my wifes house on John E Baker Plantation in December when the Yankees came I don’t remember the year, I know it was Christmas month it was taken by the soldiers of Kilpatricks Army there was so many I could not count them. I never saw as many soldiers or men in my life before they were engaged part of two days in taking my things away.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Samuel Osgood, David Holmes, Pulaski Maxwell, My Wife, Andrew Stacy, and myself were present at the taking of my 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 officers present when this property was taken. There were all ranks kinds of officers present, corporals, lieuts [lieutenants], Capts [Captains], Sergeants. I knew them by their dress. They were all on horses. I did not hear the officers order the property to be taken. The officers were there, when this property 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.
The hogs were in the “tater” field and they went in to the field and killed them and cut them up in halves, some of them, and put them on horses. They drove the cattle from the field. They did not kill them there so far as I remember but I was so excited that I can’t remember well. They took the corn and fed the horses, and the rice [word] and kept coming and feeding the horses and taking it off, on horseback for a month. I think there were wagons there but I can’t remember there was so much going on so I won’t say sure. They took the potatoes off in bags, and any old thing on horse-back. The rice and corn, were upstairs in my house they took it down in baskets and bags too. The potatoes were most of them outdoors in a bank; there were a very few in the house which we were eating. I mean they were coming and going on the plantation for a month but they took mine in 2 or 3 days.
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 which was not fed there or driven off was taken away on horse-back.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They removed this property to Midway Church. I went with them and carried things sometimes for them on my head.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
I think they took this property to eat. I saw them using the corn and rice some of it to feed the horses and saw them eating some of the beef and pork. They told me I musn’t fret that I would get it all back but I didn’t look for any pay because I was so glad of my freedom.
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 officers on account of the soldiers taking this property from me.
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 for a voucher or receipt.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
This property was taken in the daytime they did not travel about in the 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?
When this property was taken the Army were encamped at Midway Church about 2 or 3 miles from my house. It was called Kilpatricks Army camped there. They had been in camp about 2 days when the soldiers came to get my property. The Army staid [stayed] there about 3 w’ks [weeks] or a month. They were scouting and gathering up things to eat, and bringing it into the camp. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the other officers.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
This property was in good condition. The corn gathered, and rice thrashed and potatoes in the bank, the cattle fat.
16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.
Item No 1. I had 30 head of hogs. Most of them were shoats. I had 4 sows and the rest were shoats half grown. The old sows would weigh from 100 to 150 lbs [pounds] apiece. The shoats would weigh from 30 to 40 lbs [pounds] apiece. They were very fat. They were all about alike. I think most of them would weigh 40 lbs [pounds]. They killed them all there and took them away on horses.
Item No 2. – I had 7 head of cattle. Calves and yearling and cows. I had 3 calves some 1 year old and some 2 years. The cows were 4 and 5 years old. They were common sized Georgia cows, fat, and in good order. I think the 4 large ones might weigh 100 lbs [pounds] to the quarter and might not, I am not a judge of the weight of cattle. By rough guess I think the small ones would weigh 30 lbs [pounds] to the quarter. They drove these cattle off. I did not see them kill any of them there.
Item No 3. – I had 25 bus[els] of corn. Some of it was shelled and some in the ear. I calculated it altogether would make 25 bus[els] of shelled corn. It was of my own raising. I did not measure it. I judged there was over that much but I put it to that. I planted 2 acres and this was the corn off of the 2 acres. They took the corn to feed the horses right there, and took the rest in bags on horse-back.
Item No 4. – I had 15 bus[els] of rough rice, of my own raising. It was measured and thrashed. They took it as they did the corn in bags and fed some and took the rest on horses. I had 2 tasks ½ an acre planted in rice.
Item No 5. – I had 20 bus[els] of sweet potatoes. They were measured and banked. They took them in bags, and on horse-back.
This property all belonged to me. It was all of my own and my family’s raising. I did not get any pay for any of these articles of property. This is the first and only claim that I have ever made against the Government.
his
Henry Harris
mark
Witness E. E. Adlington.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Samuel Osgood)
My name is Samuel Osgood. I was born on Wm [William] Baker’s place in Liberty Co Ga, a slave: became free since the Army came through. My master was John Baker. I know the claimant Henry Harris. I have known him 25 years. I am about 58 or 59 years old. I live on John Baker’s place close to Riceboro. I am a farmer. I am not related to the claimant. I have no beneficial interest in this claim. He was a good Union man during the war. He waited on the Union soldiers in camp.
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 this property was taken from the claimant.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the soldiers take these hogs, cattle, corn, rice and potatoes.
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
They said they come to take and use the property and went in and took the property.
4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?
This property was taken at the claimant house on John E. Bakers plantation Liberty Co Ga in Dec. [December] I don’t know the year. It was when the Yankee Army came here. It was taken by the soldiers of Kilpatrick’s Army, I think. The plantation could hardly hold the soldiers who came there. They were cooking and eating at claimant’s house for a week. I think they took the property away in about 3 days.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
The claimant and Henry Holmes [?], and Pulaski Maxwell, Rachel Osgood, Jack Bacon, and myself were there present when the property was taken.
6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?
There was one officer there with the soldiers. He was a Lieut [Lieutenant] of Kilpatrick’s Army. I didn’t hear any orders given to take the property. The officer was there and did not stop it.
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 shot the hogs down in the potato field and skinned them. They drove the cattle off from the field. They took the corn and rice out of the house, and the potatoes out of the bank.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
They removed this property in baskets and on horses all they didn’t feed there.
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They removed this property to Midway Church. I did not go with 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.
They took this property to use. I saw them using the hogs and rice and potatoes some of them. The cattle they drove off.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
I did not hear the claimant make any complaint on account of the taking of the property.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not hear him ask for any voucher or receipt for the 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 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 they took this property the Army were encamped at Midway Church about 4 miles from claimant’s house. They came up to take this property just as soon as we heard they were encamped. It was Kilpatrick’s and Sherman’s Army encamped there. I think they staid [stayed] there about 3 weeks in camp. They were just going about in the county from one place to another gathering up forage. I did not know any of the officers or quartermasters.
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 so far as I know. The hogs were in the potato field and the cows were in the field. They was doing well.
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 – He had 30 head of hogs. I think there were 4 large ones, and the balance undersized ones. I think 2 of them would weigh 220 lbs [pounds] a piece and the other 2, 150 to 180 lbs [pounds] a piece. The small ones I could not tell. I think they would average about 30 lbs [pounds] all round.
Item No 2. – He had 7 head of cattle. 4 big ones and 3 small ones. The small ones were about ½ grown 2 of them and the other a small one. I have weighed cows which 100 lbs [pounds] to the quarter but I could not tell if this would, I would say 100 lbs [pounds] to a quarter, and the others the weight from 30 to 40 lbs [pounds] a quarter. I saw them drive these cattle off. They carried them to the camp.
Item No 3. – He had 25 bus[els] of corn, some shelled and some in the ear. I estimated it would make 25 bus[els] shelled. I did not see it measured. I just judged it by the pile. I think he had 2 acres planted in corn. They took the corn in baskets, and sheets, and things, and put it on the horses backs and carried it away what they didn’t feed there.
Item No 4. – He had 15 bus[els] of rough rice. I saw it measured. They just took it away in baskets, and bags, and everything they could get in their hands.
Item No 5. – I don’t know how many potatoes there was on bank. We put in [word] 10 to 20 bus[hels] in a bank a large one. This was not so very large. They took them away in bags and baskets. They were camping in the yard and took them there and [word] and ate them. They staid [stayed] there camped 3 or 4 days. They used up a good deal of this property there. What they didn’t use there they took off on their horses.
He had been raising property a long time. This property belonged to Mr. Harris the claimant. I knew because he raised it. Our master allowed us to raise things, and bought our hogs and paid us the money for them. He did not work by the day but by the task, and when we had done our task no matter if it was in the middle of the day we had the rest of the day to ourselves to do what we pleased with it. The claimant was a hard working, industrious man.
his
Samuel Osgood.
mark
Witness E. E. Adlington.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Pulaski Baker)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner
My name is Pulaski Baker. I was born in Liberty County, a slave, and became free when the Army came through. I belonged to William Winn when the raid came. I am about 50 years old. I reside on my own place bought of William Winn. I am a farmer. I know the Claimant Henry Harris. I am not related to him in any way. I have no beneficial interest in his Claim. I have known Henry from a boy – he was a good Union man as far as he could be all through the war it was “close times then we could not be anything much, we were not allowed to speak about it and did not only as it was done on the sly – the colored men were all good Union men good friends to the Yankees at heart.
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 Claimant’s account were taken –
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the property all taken from him by the Union Soldiers –
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 came to Claimants house they said they wanted meat corn etc. for the Army they asked if we knew them I said yes you are the Yankees all are praying so long to see – they said all right, boys don’t be afraid, Mr Harris threw his house open and told them to help themselves, and they did and we all helped them as far as we could. I went to providing rice – some went at our things and some at another.
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 from Mr Harris on Baker Plantation where his wife lived, in December month in 1864. The property was taken by General Kilpatrick soldiers. I could not begin to tell you how many they camped right on the Plantation for a short time and then went on to Midway When they left they took anything along with them they had not used up there on the place. I think they staid [stayed] there I think about 2 or 3 days. They were taking and using all that time.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Samuel Osgood, David Holmes the Claimant [word] Porter, Sandy Baker -, and I was present.
6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?
I saw some officer there I do not know this rank – they belonged to Kilpatricks Company they ordered the property taken. I know they was officer from their dress and I went to them to beg a morsel to eat, they gave me all I wanted to eat for that time.
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 to the lot and shot down the hogs as they wanted them to use, and when they started up to Midway they killed the balance and took them off, the Cattle they took in the field and drove them off to the camp. They fed the Corn and rice right there and what they did not they put into sacks and toted it off on horse to the camp. They took the Potatoes in the same way.
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 what was not used up there they removed in wagons and on horses
9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?
They removed it to the Camp at Midway all they did not use on the place. I went to the camp with them and know they took it 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.
The property was taken for the use of “Mens” and horses I saw them use most all of it.
11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.
I did not hear Claimant make any complaint
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?
This property was taken in the daytime. All times of the day.
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
The Army were encamped a part on Claimant’s place or his master’s plantation and a part at Midway. They staid [stayed] 2 or 3 days on the plantation then they moved down to Midway, and staid [stayed] 2 or 3 weeks. They were there a good while. It was Shermans and Kilpatricks Army. I saw the quartermasters there in camp but I don’t remember their names. They were riding all over the country and gathering up supplies and bringing it in there to Midway. “The country was left adrift, you couldn’t hardly hear a chicken “holler,” and hardly a cow or hog to be seen, after the Army left here.”
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 healthy condition when 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. – He had 30 head of hogs. 4 large ones and all the rest undersize. The large ones would weigh about 150 lbs [pounds] apiece. About 12 or 13 ½ grown and all the rest young pigs. They were all big enough to eat and in good order enough. Some they killed and skinned there and ate some, and some they took in the wagon.
Item No 2. – There were 3 head of grown cattle and a bull, making 4 grown and the other 3, ½ grown, 2 years old. I think the biggest one would weigh 100 lbs [pounds] to the quarter and the other 3 about 70 or 80 to the quarter, and the 3 small ones, about 30 to 40 lbs [pounds] to the qr [quarter]. They drove these cattle down to the camp.
Item No 3 – He had about 25 bus[els] of corn. I mean 25 bus[els] of shelled corn, or what would make that. I don’t know exactly how much land he planted in corn. He had a chance to plant all the land he could get him to plant. They fed there with the corn and the rest that they didn’t feed they took away to camp.
Item No 4. – There was 15 bus[els] of rice. I saw it measured. It was rough rice thrashed out and winnowed. I don’t know how much land he planted in rice. They fed some of it there and took the rest away to camp.
Item No 5. – He had a bank of sweet potatoes I did not know how many were in there, but it was a large bank. He had 1 acre planted but they didn’t yield well that year. They ate some while there and the rest they carried off in the wagon.
Mr Harris the claimant was a very hard working industrious man indeed. He had a wife and 4 children. His wife was a very industrious, nice, tidy, woman. He worked for his master by the task. This property all belonged to him I saw him raising it he and his wife. He had been a long time raising poultry, cattle, and hogs and the rice and corn he raised every year. I never knew his master to claim anything of his or interfere with his private property in any way. This was all his private property belonging to himself and his wife.
his
Pulaski Baker
mark
Witness E. E. Adlington.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia