Prince Stevens – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The clmt [claimant] was a slave & belonged to Henry Way. He was allowed to work for himself at extra hours – raised chickens, raised pigs & finally bought a colt when it was 2 months old, raised it & it became “the mare” of this claim. He cultivated a little land, had 5 pigs & a cow & raised some corn & potatoes. The proof seems to show beyond doubt that he had a buggy & a secondhand harness, but we think they were not taken for any lawful army use. Two witnesses confirm him in the main. The property was taken by Kilpatrick’s men in Dec. 1864. We allow $164.00.

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

Testimony of Claimant

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

My name is Prince Stevens, my age 38 years, my residence Dr. Way’s Plantation, Liberty County, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

Testimony of Claimant

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner:

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

My name is Prince Stevens. I was born in Liberty County Ga, a slave, and became free 1864 when the Union Army came into the County. I am 38 years old. I reside on Dr. Way’s place in Liberty County. I am the claimant in this case.

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

I resided from the 1st of April 1861 to some time in Dec 1864 in McIntosh County, when the Army reached there I went to Savannah early in Jany 1865. I staid in Savannah ten months. I was farming for my master, I did not change my business or residence only as above stated. I farmed near Savannah after I went there.

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 took was when I went to register for voteing [SIC] I think in 1867.

6 to 28 inclusive each and every question having been read over to claimant and explained he answers “no”.

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

I never had an opportunity to do anything till the Union Army came into the county. I then waited on them, and ?piloted? the “mens” to points where they could get supplies, and gave them such information as I had in my power.

30 to 39 inclusive each and every question having been read over to claimant and explained he answers “no”.

40. At the beginning of the rebellion did you sympathize with the Union cause, or with the rebellion? What were your feelings and what your language on the subject? On which side did you exert your influence and cast your vote? What did you do, and how did you vote? How did you vote on ratifying the ordinance of secession? After the ordinance of secession was adopted in your State did you adhere to the Union cause, or did you “go with the State?”

At the beginning of the rebellion I was on the Union side, I felt rejoiced, on the Union side when I first heard of the war going on. Times was so “critical” I could not say anything, we had to hold our piece & keep still, our masters were watching us all the time. I was on their side on the Yankee side all the time till they came & then when they did come we had our grand “Jubilee”.

41. [Original Question 34.] In conclusion, do you solemnly declare that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, your sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that you never, of your own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that you were at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as you means and power and the circumstances of the case permitted?

In conclusion I do solemnly declare that from the beginning of the war till the close my feelings were all the time on the side of the Union. I prayed for them all the time I never did to my “knowing” do anything against the Union cause I was always ready and anxious to do all in my power to help them but I was a slave and could not do much except to pray till they did come.

[Question 42 asked only of women.]

If the claimant be a colored person, ask the following questions:

43. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? When did you become free? What was your business after you became free? How and when did you come to own the property named in your petition? How did you get the means to pay for it? Who was your former master? Are you now in his employment? Do you live on his land? Do you live on land purchased of him? Are you indebted to your former master for land or property, and how much? Has anybody any interest in this claim besides yourself? State fully all the facts in your answers to these questions.

At the beginning of the war I was a slave and made free by Sherman’s Army when they came through. I commenced raising poultry for myself 3 or 4 years before the war commenced. I got from the increase of my poultry what enabled me to buy a pair of pigs, from them I raised hogs. I worked for my master by task and when completed we worked for ourselves we were allowed all the land we could cultivate in such time as we could make for ourselves and my master would allow me to work one of his horses till I got one for myself. I raised corn and other things & increased my money till I could & did buy a horse. I had the horse five year before the Army came in; the horse was a young colt when I bought him, he was only two months old. I had been saving my money that I got from the sale of corn, rice etc for some time before I commenced the raising of poultry & hogs. We colored “peoples” used to sell our little things for gold & silver and put it down for extras; in that way I bought my colt, my corn & buggy, the other things I raised. Henry Way was my master, he is now living in the County and at Hinesville I believe. I am not in his employment. I haven’t had anything to do with him since the raid passed through. I am living on another man’s land now. I do not owe my old master anything. I am the only person interested in this claim except my own wife and children of course. My master was a kind master always treated his slaves well. He had but five or six slaves, two families.

2d Set 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 my property was taken by the Yankee soldiers.

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

I saw it all taken except the horse and buggy and them I saw in their possession after they had taken them.

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.]

Ok I was returning from my master’s place to the plantation where my wife lived (she belonged to Joseph Bacon). I met the soldiers near our house with my horse and buggy. I told them I was sorry they had distressed me by taking my horse and buggy. They said never mind I was free now & they must have them for their use. When I got to our house the soldiers were killing hogs poultry and appropriating the rest of my things to their use. I did not do anything except to get my family out of my house and let them do what they pleased I went with them after they had “distributed me” pretty well to other places where they could get forage etc.

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 wife’s house on the old [word – looks like it starts with “Hamp”] Plantation but at the time the property was taken the plantation belonged to Joseph Bacon it was taken in 1864 when Genl Sherman’s Army came into the county I think it was in Dec the property was taken by Kilpatrick’s raiders. I found on my return to our house a great many soldiers there on horseback they said they belonged to Kilpatrick’s Cavalry I could or did not count them, there were enough to eat up all I had in a short time. I think they cleaned out all I had in a short time. I supposed they were coming and going for about two days.

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

I was present Brister Fleming Sampson Bacon and my wife.

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 did not know officer from soldier then. I did not hear any order given by any one, they took it as if they had authority – boldly.

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.

I met a squad of soldiers as I have before stated, as I was returning to my house, who had the horse hitched to my buggy. Two men in it and another horse hitched behind drove off. When I got to our house they were killing my hogs – 3 of them in the pen and then one outside in my lot the poultry they were catching what they could & strung them on to the horses and what they could not catch they [word] and carried off. The rice and corn they fed out right there at my house. They took the potatoes out of the banks.

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 came there & took out the corn & rice & fed it right there. They took everything they could to answer for sacks. I took them round to camp on horseback. There were so few potatoes there were barely one apiece. The horse they drove off with the buggy & the cows they drove off to camp.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They took the horse & buggy & drove them off & the cows they drove off. They drove them toward the place where they camped. I didn’t follow them to see where they went. I suppose they went to the camp with them. I went down to the camp the next day after they had taken my things. I did not see any of my things there to know them. I saw there a great many soldiers & a large quantity of provisions such as cattle, hogs, sheep, corn & rice & poultry. The soldiers were all putting up tents & going out foraging & coming in.

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 for the use of the soldiers they told me. They told me they were sent out to forage. I saw them use that part of my property right there about which I have already told you.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I did not make any complaint to any officer about the taking of my property. I was so rejoiced at my freedom I did not think of it.

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.

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 day time about 12 o clock. They didn’t take any of it 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 were encamped in the vicinity when this property was taken. The first camp was about a quarter of a mile off then they had camps stringing along for 2 or 3 miles. They took this property the same day they camped there. They staid there no more than 3 days & then moved on to Midway. It was called Kilpatrick’s cavalry. They were on horses. There had been no battles nor skirmishes there. 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?

The rice was threshed out & the corn was in the ear. The cows & hogs were out to the old field right there at the same place.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1: This horse was a black mare 5 years old about. I know the age [word] when I bought her she was 2 months old. She was a good large size. She was in splendid order. I got the means by our owner letting us work by task & when we were done his work he gave us land to cultivate for ourselves & let us take his horse & plough & we raised things & sold them for cash at the stores & in this way I got this means to buy the colt. I bought the colt at 2 months old.

Item No 2: This was a one horse buggy. I I had it a year before the raid came through. It was on springs. Just a month before they came I had it all repaired. It was a splendid leather harness I bought it at the same time I bought the buggy. It was 2nd hand but a good harness. They took the horse harnessed him to my buggy & drove off I met them going off with them.

Item No 3: I had 2 cows. One was 5 years old the other 3 ½ years old. I think the old cow would weigh 6 or 700 lbs & the other between 5 & 600 lbs. They were large cows. They were fat & in good order enough for beef. They drove them off.

Item No 4: I had 6 hogs. One or two of them would weigh 50 lbs & the rest from 90 to 100 lbs. They killed them right there. They tied them on their horses & took them away.

Item No 5: I had 2 doz. of chickens & some they catch & some they killed them & carried them in their hands.

Item No 6: I had 10 bus[hels] of rice I had it measured because I bought it. It was rough rice. They fed their horses with it right there.

Item No. 7: I had 10 bus[hels] of corn I raised it. I hauled it from the place where I staid up there to my wife’s place. The man who hauled it charged me so much a bus[hel] for hauling & so I had it measured. The corn they fed their horses right there with.

Item No 8: They took some pants [word] 5 prs of them & some other clothing & 2 iron pots. They took the pots & tied it on the horses. They came in & gathered up the clothing & carried it off.

Item No 9: I had 20 bus[hels] in a bank we never put them up unless they were measured. I had only one bank. They took these potatoes in sacks from the bank, there were so few & the soldiers so many that it was not much trouble to take them off. This property all belonged to me. My master had no interest in it & never claimed any of it. I never received any pay for any of it from the soldiers. This was all private property. This is the first & only claim I have ever presented against the Government.

Witness: E.E. Adlington

[Signed] Prince Stephens [signed by mark]

Sworn to and subscribed before me

Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia 

Testimony of Witness (Brister Fleming)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Brister Fleming. I was born in Liberty Co a slave, became free when the army came & freed me. My master was Joseph Bacon. He owned 12 or 13 working hands. I reckon in all he had 30 or more. I am about 64 or 65 years old. I live now at a place called Wayland plantation owned by John B. Mallard. I am a farmer. I know the claimant. I am not related to the claimant. I have no interest in his claim. I have known the claimant ever since we were babies we grew up together pretty much. I lived during the [war?] on the same place with him. He was a good Union man so far as I can understand it.

2nd set of int[errogatories]:

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

I was present when the Yankees took this property from him. Right there.

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

I saw some part of it taken from him. I saw when the buggy & mare were taken. I helped them drive up the horse. I saw them drive up the cows. I saw them take the one hog & chickens. I saw them take the sweet potatoes. The rice & corn & things out of the house I didn’t see taken.

3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]

They said they were out foraging to carry to camp. That’s all they said. They gave us no more satisfaction. They said they took it to help the soldiers of Kilpatrick’s Army.

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 Mrs. Stephens wife of claimant’s place on Joe Bacon’s place. Claimant belonged to another master but that was his house. This property was taken when the Army first landed in Liberty Co. It was taken by soldiers of the Union Army. They came in under so many [word] we could not distinguish whose army it was some called it Sherman’s Army & some Kilpatrick’s. Some were horsemen & some footmen. There were more soldiers there than I can tell you. I never keep no account of how many. Some came now & we would try & put it out of the way after & some more would come & find it & so on. They were some little time but I can’t tell how long they were taking it. I am certain they didn’t take it all in one day. They come & go till they took all.

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

Samson Bacon Jane Fleming Ishmael Way & myself were there at the taking of this 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 there when the property was taken. I heard them giving orders. Some portion of their orders were obeyed. I couldn’t tell their ranks but I heard they belonged to Kilpatrick’s Army. I heard the officers tell the soldiers to get the things to carry to the camp.

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 drove up the horse & put the harness on him & put him in the buggy & put things in the buggy & drove off. They drove up the hogs in the ?barn? & shot them & packed them on the horse & went off with them. I did not see the rice & corn taken. They “full” the bags with potatoes.

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

They moved this property on horses & in wagons & in the hands of soldiers.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They moved it to the camps. I did not follow it. They pursued the way to the camp & I supposed they went there.

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

I couldn’t say what use they made of this property. I expect they carried it to eat & to feed themselves. I saw them feeding corn & one thing another at the place of claimant’s wife.

11. Was any complaint made to any officer on account of such taking? If so, state the name, rank, and regiment of the officer. What did he say about it? State fully all that he said.

I heard him make a complaint to one of the officers that they had taken all of his things. The officers didn’t give him any satisfaction in my hearing.

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 day time sometimes in the morn & sometimes in the even. It was not taken secretly.

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

The army was encamped in the vicinity when this property was taken. It was about 3 quarters of a mile from claimant’s house to the camp. As soon as they came into camp they went out foraging. They staid there in camp about 3 weeks. There had been no battles, there was firing about, I don’t know whether there was skirmishing or not. I did not know the quartermasters or any of the officers.

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

The corn was gathered & in the ear & put away in the house & the rice was thrashed out & in the house. The potatoes were in a bank.

16. What means have you of knowing the quantity taken? State particularly how you estimate the quantity? Did you count or weigh the articles? Give us all your data. How much did you see taken and removed? What quantity was taken in your presence? As to quantity, distinguish carefully as to what you saw and know, and what you may think or believe from what you have heard from others.

Item No 1: The horse was a kind of a dark chesnut. She was I don’t know how old. He bought the horse. I don’t know how long he had her. I think the mare was big enough to use when he got her. He bought the horse after he was married. I think it was one or 2 years before the raid came in Liberty Co he bought her. He used the mare to ride about & go to church. He couldn’t have his master’s horse we was allowed by our master’s to have our own horses.

Item No 2: I saw him have a spring buggy. He had just had it repaired when the raid came in & took it. His harness was pretty good but not a new one. They took the horse of claimant & put his harness on & put him in the buggy & drove off.

Item No 3: He had one cow. They shot this cow & carried it to the camp. He had but one cow; he had just got her. He might have had another cow & I not know of it. I don’t know her age. She was a pretty large cow. Don’t know how much she would weigh.

Item No 4: He had 5 or 6 hogs of all sizes. I think these would weigh from 30 to 100 lbs one would weigh 100 lbs the others all lighter. They drove these hogs up & shot them & skinned them & put them in the wagon & carried them to camp. They went toward the camp.

Item No 5: He had a good lot of chickens how many I couldn’t tell. I saw them running after them & they did so till they got them all, how many I don’t know. They carried these chickens on horses & in their hands & in bags & all kinds of ways.

Item No 6: He had I think about 10 or 12 bus[hels] of rice. I estimated it by the bulk. I had been used to handling it a long time & measuring it.

Item No 7: About the same quantity of corn as the rice. I estimated it in the same way. It was in the ear. I estimated it to be 10 bus[hels] of shelled corn according to the ears. I did not see them take this off but I saw it was gone as soon as the soldiers slacked off.

Item No 8: I did not see them take the clothes & pots from the house but missed them after they were gone. He had a plenty of clothing & cooking utensils.

Item No 9: He had 1 bank of potatoes I couldn’t tell how many there were. I saw them take them away. This property all belonged to Mr. Stephens, the claimant. I know it was his because it was right there under his “controlment” & no one else claimed it. His master allowed him to own horses & all other property such as he could keep. The slaves of his master worked by task. Sometimes the slaves saved in this way half a day sometimes 2 & sometimes 3 & sometimes 1 & sometimes none. In this way an industrious faithful slave got considerable property horses, cows, hogs, etc.

Witness: E.E. Adlington

[Signed] Brister Fleming [signed by mark]

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

Testimony of Witness (Samson Bacon)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner:

My name is Samson Bacon I was born in Liberty County a slave and remained so till freed by the Yankee Army I belonged to Joseph R. Bacon. I am between 75 & 80 years of age. I live on Joseph R. Bacon Plantation in Liberty County I am a farmer I know the claimant I am well acquainted with him I am not related to him in any way I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I lived about 5 miles from him during the war his wife lived on the same plantation that I lived on, and he used to come home every Saturday and sometimes often during the week. He was a good Union man a good friend to the Yankees that was all one thing with us our masters did not allow us to talk about the war or about our freedom what we said had to be without their knowledge.

2d Set of Interrogatories:

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

I was right on the spot when the Yankee soldiers took the articles of property specified in claimant’s account.

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

I saw all the property taken with my own eyes.

3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]

When they first came up they asked if we had any chickens. At the same time they went to work killing and catching them and went on in that way about every thing they did not ask any questions but helped themselves to what they wanted.

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 claimant’s house on Joseph R. Bacon’s plantation. Claimant belonged to Henry Way and his wife belonged to Joseph R. Bacon & he lived with his wife nights and she took care of his property that was the custom generally. Some times he would have some things at his house to use up the slops of the house. The property was taken the same time when they came in here from Bryan Co I think it was about in Dec I do not remember the year, the Yankees took the property I am certain of that. I can’t tell how many there were that stumps me. I think 5, 6, or 7 hundred they could not tell themselves how many there were. There were enough to eat up everything in the county. They were part of two days taking his things away.

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

Brister Bacon, Jane Holmes, Willoughby Bacon, myself & others since dead were there present at the taking of the property. He the claimant was not there at first but came up while they were taking away the horse & buggy.

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 know there were officers there because they had different dress. I was so distracted in my mind I did not know who talked and who didn’t talk. I don’t know their rank but they sat on their horses & did not object while the soldiers took the things. I don’t know whose Army it was, but it was the Army that was encamped at Midway Church.

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 just caught the horse & put the harness on him & put him in the buggy & threw in some of the things they had been gathering & just went off. They hemmed the hogs up in the lane shot some & cut their heads off & took them. The rice & corn they fed to the horses. It was in the house.

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

They moved this property off on horse back. They put the hogs & potatoes in sacks on the horses & mules.

9. To what place was it removed? Did you follow it to such place, or see it, or any portion of it, at any such place, or on its way to such place? How do you know the place to which it was removed?

They took this property off to the camp what they did not use there. I did not follow it to the camp. I know because I could see the camp from my house & I could see where they settled.

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 told me they carried this property to eat. They said they must have it for breakfast the next morn, when they came in the even, I saw them using the corn & rice to feed their horses. I did not see them use any of the potatoes.

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 don’t know whether there was any complaint made or not on account of the taking of his 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 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 day time the first day along in the afternoon & then commenced the next morn & took the balance of it. They did not take it secretly.

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

When this property was taken the Army was encamped not over ¾ of a mile from claimant’s house, in sight, with no woods between. The first day they camped at this place they came up & got the horse. I don’t know how long they staid then in camp. There had been no battles nor skirmishes. I did not know the quartermasters or other officers.

15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?

This property was in pretty good plight 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: This was a black horse. I don’t know how old but she was not old. I think she looked about 6 or 7. She was in good flesh & full of fire. She was large enough for service. She was a sound healthy bodied creature. I don’t know how long he owned her.

Item No 2: He had a splendid one horse buggy. He had had it repaired. I know it was a nice buggy on springs. It was not my business to enquire how long he had had it. It was a pretty good leather buggy harness. He had it the same time he had the buggy. I couldn’t count for one more than the other. They put his harness on to his own horse & put her in his buggy & drove off.

Item No 3: He had 2 head of cows full grown. They drove the cows out of the pasture right through the fence & down to the camp. They were fat & good big cows. I don’t know their weight. I saw them driven off.

Item No 4: He had 6 or 7 head of hogs, 6 I know. They were of all sizes & I could not tell their weight if I had been looking at them to buy I could tell but I can’t tell now. 2 of them would weigh 120 lbs a piece I think. They killed these hogs & put them across the horses & went off to camp.

Item No 5: He had a good many chickens I can’t tell how many I call 25 or 30 a good many. They took them off to camp. I don’t know whether they took them all or not.

Item No 6: I think he had over 10 bus[hels] from the look of the pile. I never heard he had it measured. They took it out & fed it to the horses. It was rough rice thrashed out.

Item No 7: I think he had good 10 bus[hels] of corn in the ear. It would make 10 shucked. They fed out the corn as they did the rice while they were knocking about after the chickens.

Item No 8: I saw them take his clothes & pots. I saw them come out with pots & ovens but I don’t know how many.

Item No 9: He had I think about 21 or 22 bus[hels] of potatoes to guess at it. I saw them before they were banked. They carried the potatoes in sacks on the horses. This property all belonged to the claimant. I know it was his because every man on one place knew every other man’s property he can’t help from knowing it. All go in his yard before his door. I never heard his master claim his horse no sir no such thing as that he had been riding the horse too long back & forth between there & his master’s. He owned the horse himself. He rode this horse from his wife’s house & back & to go to meeting on Sunday.

Witness: E.E. Adlington

[Signed] Samson Bacon [signed by mark]

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

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[Image #294 is a copy of requisition $3574, dated April 3, 1877, transmitted for warrange April 9, 1877, to pay Prince Stevens $164 for “Claims of Loyal Citizens for Supplies furnished during the rebellion.” ]

[Image #295 is a copy of the draft made payable to “Messrs Hosmer & Co Attys Wash D.C.” on March 30, 1877 for Prince Stevens’ claim.]

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