In his 1873 Southern Claims Commission claim, Joseph Bacon said that his name was Joseph Bacon, Sr, 74 years old, and a former slave of Thomas Mallard. He claimed $680 for a horse, a buggy & harness, 5 cows, 15 hogs, corn, rice, a gun, and household items and clothing. After an investigation, and testimony by Simon Cassell and Jacob Quarterman, he was allowed only $195. The commissioners concluded that his loyalty to the Union was proven, but doubted that he had as much property as he claimed.
Bacon stated in his claim that he was never “molested” for his pro-Union views because he was old enough to know when to keep silent, “but many a poor slave was punished so they died.” He worked for the Union army at their camp at Midway Church, beating rice and grinding corn, for four or five weeks. Some of the soldiers gave him presents but otherwise he was not paid.
Bacon testified that he was a driver on the Mallard plantation, and had about 46 field hands under him. As a driver, he said, he was allowed to have other enslaved people tend to an acre of corn and another of rice for him, and he was allowed to cultivate himself as much land as he could. He was also a cooper, rang the bell at the Midway Church, and inherited a mare from his father, all of which provided him with enough income that he was able to buy or trade for stock and property. He said Mallard never interfered with his ownership of the property, adding, “I know legally the property was his but a master who would take property from his slaves would have a hard time…such a master would not get much out of his slave unless he whipped it out of them and when they had to do that it was poor work.” Mallard died during the war, he said, and after the war, Bacon bought 10 acres of Mallard’s land, on which he still owed some money.
Bacon recounted that the Yankee soldiers had arrived in the area during December 1864 by “the thousands” and that they went out foraging off and on for three weeks. He said they would come take a little from him and others, then leave, then come back and do it again until they had “stripped the place.”
Simon Cassell [alt: Cassells], a witness for Bacon in the claim, said that he was also born a slave on Mallard’s plantation and now resided on his own land near the Midway Church. He said he was 60 years old and not related to Bacon. He testified that he had witnessed the soldiers’ taking the property, along with his wife, Phillis [alt: Phyllis] Cassell, and that he himself had sold the mare that was stolen to Bacon.
Jacob Quarterman, the second witness, said that he was also born in Liberty County as a slave and that he was 67 years old and had known Bacon at least 60 years. He testified that Bacon had belonged to Thomas Mallard but that after Mallard died, Mrs. Harriet Bacon had inherited both of them, though they still lived on the Mallard plantation at the end of the war. Quarterman said that Bacon had been driver on the Mallard plantation for 20 years, calling him “the second master.” He said that Joseph Quarterman, Simon Cassell, Mack Golding, July Anderseon and others had also been present when the soldiers took Bacon’s property. He described Bacon as a hard-working, industrious man.
More about the Claimant
Joseph Bacon was born in the 1790’s, probably on the Mallard plantation [1]. His slaveowner for most of his life, Thomas Mallard, was a teenager when Joseph was born. In 1846, Joseph, described as a driver, was a member of the Midway Congregational Church, which was attended by both European- and African-American members [2]. In 1861, when Thomas Mallard died and his estate was divided, “Joe,” again identified as a driver, was said to be 63 years old and was valued at $400 [3]. In 1870, Joseph Bacon, said to be 65, was living in the 179th subdivision of Liberty County, in the McIntosh Post Office area, with Venus Bacon, 40. (The 1870 U.S. Federal Census did not identify relationships but Venus married before Joseph died, so was evidently not his wife. Joseph had identified himself as Joseph Bacon Sr in his Southern Claims Commission petition, so possibly he had a deceased son named Joseph who might have been married to Venus, as she was listed as Mrs. Venus Bacon in the marriage record.) Joseph was then a farmer, and reportedly owned 9 acres of land valued at $20 [5].
By 1880, Joseph was working a truck patch, and was ill with rheumatism. A widower, he was living by himself. Both parents were said to have been born in Georgia. [6] He was said to be renting 15 acres of land valued at $150 [7]. [NOTE: It is possible that Bacon was listed as renting the land, rather than owning it, because he still owed money on it.]
In 1882, in his 80’s, Bacon sold his land. He sold 7 acres to Caesar Houston and 7 acres to Ellen Monroe, each for $21, and the land was identified as coming from lot #2 in the division of Thomas Mallard’s estate. The land was bounded on the north by Booby Houston, east and south by Henry Stevens, and west by Caesar Houston. Floyd Snelson and T.G. Campbell, prominent African-American pastors of the time, witnessed the transactions. [8]
Venus Bacon, possibly Joseph’s daughter-in-law, married Frank Elliott in her late 40’s on November 6, 1879 [9]. She owed 46 acres of land worth $102 in her own right as of 1890 [10]. Elliott died on December 23, 1893, and Venus struggled to get the expected year’s support from his estate, but then died herself on July 20, 1895, owning 48 acres in the 15th District bounded by Ellen R. Reppard, Henry Williams, Sarah Baker, and the Wilderness Baptist Church. The land was to have been sold to pay the estate’s debts but 38 acres was said to have been in possession of Nancy Mallard and not able to be sold. No children of Venus were mentioned in any of the probate records. [11]
[1] See 1870/1880 census, his Southern Claims Commission petition, and the 1861 Thomas Mallard estate division.
[2] Rev. Charles C. Jones’ 1846 Census of African-American Church Members in Liberty County’s 15th District, transcribed at TheyHadNames.net.
[3] Liberty County Court of Ordinary, Old General Book “C”, 1850-1853, p. 433-437, Estate Appraisement and Division of Thomas Mallard; digital image, Ancestry.com, “Georgia Probate Records, 1743-1990,” Liberty County, within “Miscellaneous Probate Records 1850-1853 vol C and L,” image #266. Record summarized and put online at TheyHadNames.net
(https://theyhadnames.net/2018/07/08/liberty-county-estate-inventory-division-thomas-mallard/)
[4] 1870 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Subdivision 179, p. 1, dwelling #12, family #12, enumerated on November 12, 1870, by A.J. Quarterman, Joseph Bacon, digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/15/2020).
[5] U.S. Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, 1870, Liberty County, Georgia, Subdivision 176, Joe Bacon; digital image, Ancestry.com, “U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880,” Georgia, Liberty County, Subdivision 176, image #5, (www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/5/2020)
[6] 1880 U.S. Census, Liberty County, Georgia, population schedule, Dictrict 15, enumeration district 66, p. 30, dwelling #279, family #281, Joseph Bacon; digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/15/2020).
[7] U.S. Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880, 1880, Liberty County, Georgia, Districts 67 and 15, Joe Bacon; digital image, Ancestry.com, “U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880,” Georgia, Liberty County, Districts 67 and 15, image #13, (www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/5/2020)
[8] Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. T 1882-1884,” p. 29-30, Joseph Bacon to Caesar Houston; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. T 1882-1884” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #22-3, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R98L-6?cat=292358, accessed 5/15/2020); Liberty County Superior Court, “Deeds & Mortgages v. T 1882-1884,” p. 34-5, Joseph Bacon to Ellen Monroe; digital image, FamilySearch.org, “Deeds & Mortgages, v. T 1882-1884” within “Deeds and mortgages, 1777-1920; general index to deeds and mortgages, 1777-1958,” image #25, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-R98L-6?cat=292358, accessed 5/15/2020)
[9] Ancestry.com, “Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978,” Liberty County, Georgia, “Marriages (White and Colored), Book A, 1819-1896,” (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/15/2020), image #33, Frank Elliott to Mrs. Venus Bacon, on November 6, 1879, performed by W.F. Quarterman.
[10] Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Liberty County, Georgia, 1890, 15th District, Venus Elliott; digital image, Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892, Liberty County, Georgia, 1890, District 15, Image #107, (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5/15/2020).
[11] Various probate records in 1894 and 1895 in Ancestry.com’s “Georgia, Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992” collection for Liberty County.
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): Bacon, Joseph
Listed as “Colored”? (Y/N): Y
Amount of Claim: $680
Total Amount Allowed: $195.00
Nature of Claim: goods taken by the army
Claimant living in: McIntosh [post office], Liberty County, Georgia
Incident occurred in: Midway, Liberty County, Georgia
Claim #: 21447
Secondary Claim #: 43600
Settlement #: 3571
Date Claim Submitted [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1872-11-26
Date Testimony taken [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1873-08-12
Claimant’s Attorney: Raymond Cay, Riceboro
Property Removed to: Midway Church
Date property removed: 1864-12-15 to 1864-12-20
Army unit involved: Kilpatrick’s Army
Date Submitted to Congress [YYYY-MM-DD]: 1876-12-04
Post Office of Claimant: McIntosh
Items Claimed
Transcription
Remarks: The clm’t [claimant] was a slave of Thos. [Thomas] Mallard. He was a driver – had a gang of 46 slaves under him. He was allowed to own property. Rang the bell in Midway Church for which he got $10. He seems to have been the leading negro on the plantation & claims much more property than any of the others. There is no doubt of his loyalty & that our soldiers took what he had. Taken in Dec. ‘64.
Item 1. This ownership of the horse is fairly proven. He bought it of Simon Cassell [alt: Cassels]. Had owned a horse for several years. This was a “small chunk of a mare” – not worth over $80.
Item 2. Not taken lawfully for Army use.
Item 3. He says he had 4 cows & 1 steer, all full grown. Cassell says he had 2 cows & 1 steer. Quarterman says two were half grown. But as these animals were on his master’s plantation & were driven off with his master’s cattle, & no proof by any white witness that he owned the number, & as it is improbable that he wd be allowed to own & pasture the 5 cows – we allow only for 3 animals $50.00.
The witness Quarterman says Mallard allowed his slaves to cultivate an acre of corn & an acre of rice. The clamnt [claimant] claims much more – but we allow what we think he really had.
We allow $195.00
A.O. Aldis
O. Ferris
J.B. Howell } Commers [Commissioners] of Claims
[Transcriber’s Comments: Only Simon Cassell and Jacob Quarterman testified. Also, part of John Bacon’s claim was inserted in the folder for Joseph Bacon and is not transcribed here.]
Testimony
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says:
My name is Joseph Bacon, my age 74 years, my residence Midway, Liberty County 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 Joseph Bacon Sr I was born in Liberty County a slave and made free when the Union Army came into the County I am about 74 years of age my occupation a farmer and the claimant in the 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 1st of June 1865 I resided on Thomas Mallard’s Plantation in Liberty County – right where I live now.
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 registered for voting in Riceboro Liberty County Georgia.
6. Were you ever directly or indirectly, or in any manner, connected with the civil service of the socalled Confederate States? If so, how, when, and where, in what capacity, and for what periods? Was any oath required of you for such service; and if so, what?
6 to 25 inclusive to each and every question the claimant answer[ed] “no”.
26. Were you ever threatened with damage or injury to your person, family, or property on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state when, by whom, and what the threats were?
We were not allowed to open our mouths on the Yankee side during the war if we did ?severe? punishment was the penalty.
27. Were you ever molested or in any way injured on account of your Union sentiments? If so, state fully all the particulars.
I was not molested but many a poor slave was punished so they died. I was old enough to know when it would do to talk and so escaped[.]
28. Did you ever contribute anything—any money or property—in aid of the United States Government, or in aid of the Union army or cause? If so, state fully as to the same.
I had no opportunity to contribute anything.
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.
After the army came into the county I worked for them night and day, beating rice and grinding corn. Worked for them 4 or 5 weeks first they came and staid 3 weeks after they [image 83] went away they or some others came back and staid two weeks longer I was glad to do for them some of them made me presents to pay me some did not I made no charge.
30. Had you any near relatives—any husband, son, brother, or nephew—in the Confederate army? If yea, state his name, whether he is now living, and where he resides. Did you furnish him with any military equipments, any clothing, or any money? Did you contribute in any way to aid or support him while in the rebel service? [Each of the questions under No. 30 must be fully answered.]
30 to 39 inclusive to each and every question the claimant answer[ed] “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 sympathized with the Union Cause. When I first heard of the war I felt very glad and I said to my colored friends there was a hard time coming but it would all end for our good I gave all the influence I had on the Union side “the cords were drawn fully tight on the slaves we had to walk straight & do all our work by thinking and that was the way I acted and done till the Yankees came we all rejoiced and felt happy then.
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 hostilities against the United States to the end thereof my feelings and sympathies were constantly on the side of the Yankees and that I never of my own free will and accord did anything or offered or sought 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 [image 84] or its supporters so far as my means and the circumstances permitted.
[Question 42 only asked of women.]
If the claimant be a colored person, ask the following questions: 43. Were you a slave or free at the beginning of the war? When did you become free? What was your business after you became free? How and when did you come to own the property named in your petition? How did you get the means to pay for it? Who was your former master? Are you now in his employment? Do you live on his land? Do you live on land purchased of him? Are you indebted to your former master for land or property, and how much? Has anybody any interest in this claim besides yourself? State fully all the facts in your answers to these questions.
At the beginning of the war I was a slave and became free when the Union Army came into the county. After I became free I continued right on farming. I was a driver for some years before the Army came in and for many years before I had been raising horses, first off I got a mare from my father who died and gave $50 to the other children for their share. I rang the bell on Midway Church & they gave me two dollars cash and I took that and bought my first cow. I was a cooper and gave some of my work for a sow pig and from horse, cow and sow I raised stock for 20 odd years before freedom[.] I had a plenty of stock all the time to sell & to supply myself with pocket money and with such things as our master would not give us; the horse the Yankees took from me was the 4 or 5 one I had raised my master never interfered with me and my property at all[.] I know legally the property was his but a master who would take property from his slaves would have a hard time. Every body knew what was his own. We never had any trouble on our place I have heard of masters taking cows & horses from their slaves I don’t know how often. Any master could do it if that had a mind to. Such a master [image 85] would not get much out of his slave unless he whipped it out of them and when they had to do that it was poor work. I belonged to Thomas Mallard I am not in his employment now. He died during the war. I live on land that used to belong to him I bought ten acres of the land and am now living on it I paid $3 per acre for it I owe some on the land I don’t know just how much not much I don’t know just how many slaves Thomas Mallard owned – a big gang I had I think under me 46 hands – he was a very kind master treated his slaves better than most masters – a great many had one & two horses corn hogs & quantities of poultry. I am the only party interested in this claim.
2d 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 my petition were taken.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw my articles taken.
3. Begin with the first article (Item No. —) which you have specified that you saw taken, and give a full account of all you saw and heard in connection with the taking of that article? [The special commissioner should require the witness to state all the circumstances; for it is only by a knowledge of all of them that the commissioners of claims can judge whether the taking was such a one as the Government is bound to pay for. The common phrase, “I saw the property taken by United States soldiers,” is not enough, for there was much lawless taking. The witness should be required to detail the facts as to each item, when the items were taken at different times; but if all, or more than one, were taken at the same time, that fact should appear, and then a repetition of the circumstances is needless. The special commissioner must be careful to elicit all the facts, as well those against as for the claim, especially as to those articles of property which were the special objects of pillage and theft, such as horses, mules, cattle, hogs, &c. Claimants must bear in mind that a neglect to observe these directions works to the prejudice of the claimant, and may defeat the claim.]
They came to my house and said “howdy” and went right to taking every thing they could get hold of; they commenced on poultry then the cow and [word] and went on through.
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 by the Union soldiers at my house of Thomas Mallard Plantation in December 1864 I think I don’t know [image 86] about the year others told me it was 1864 I know it was Christmas month and when the Yankee Army came into the County – I suppose you know when that was – I can’t tell they were then by the thousands not hundreds – they were on horses and said they belonged to Genl Kilpatrick’s Army – they were taking off, and on, for 3 weeks. They did not take all in one two or three days they would come and take a little from me and then go to another and take a little from him and so on till they had stripped the place.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
Simon Cassell, Jacob Quarterman, W. ?Mells or Miller? he is dead ?Boss Hollany? Edward Mallard and myself.
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 officer present at the taking I think he was a capt. He belonged to Kilpatrick’s company so he said that is all I know about it, I did not hear any orders given to take the property.
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 soldiers came up to my house went to the stable and took my horse and put my saddle & bridle on to him and went off. No I think they put the saddle and bridle in to my buggy – put my harness on to my horse and hitched him to the buggy and drove off loaded the buggy with articles and made one of the colored boys drive off [image 87] they drove the cows from the pasture and put them into the pen then drove off as they told me over Kings bridge between the bridge and Savannah – the hogs they killed and carried them off on horses. The corn and rice they fed some on the spot to the horses and carried the rest off. Cooking utensils they took in the house where we used them and carried them off.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
The property was removed on horse and in wagons.
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?
The property was removed to the Camp I did not follow the thing I went to the camp to see them they could not go any where else.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
They took the property for their own use and the use of the horses I saw them use some of it I ground corn & beat rice for them I saw them using some of the hogs and some of the cows I am satisfied they used all of the property they were in great need of all such as they got.
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 of the officers on account of their taking the 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 any voucher or receipt to show they had taken the property. [image 88]
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
The property was taken in the day time – did not take any of 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 the property was taken the Army were encamped at Midway Church & about half a mile from Mallard Plantation or from my house some of them were camped on the Plantation. It was Genl Kilpatrick’s Army encamped there, they staid there about 3 weeks they were searching the county through every hole and corner for provisions & when they left the County [?] ”War up” people almost starved could not have lived had we not got help from head quarters. I did not know any of the quartermasters or any of the other officers of the army I only know officers by their dress.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
The property was all in a good condition gathered and housed for the winter.
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 about 8 years old a large mare in first rate order well broke to work. I am not sure now whether they rode the mare off or drove her off hitched to the buggy. They took her off some way I know that.
Item No. 2: The buggy was a spring buggy had been in her 3 years wear in tip-top order the harness came with the buggy. They were all in first rate [image 89] order they took a good scatter ?gauge? nearly new from me & they took a bridle with the saddle. I forgot to put them in my petition.
Item No. 3: I had 5 head of cattle 4 cows & 1 steer. The steer was large & fat I think the quarter would weigh over a hundred weight the corn about 45 to the quarter. They drove the cow off with the other cattle on the plantation.
Item No. 4: I had 15 head of hogs 5 sows & 4 barrows large and fat the barrows would weigh 165 to 190 they were very fat the sow 130 to 230 they were large nice sows. They were a new breed of hogs and I had just got started and it grieved me to see them go the small ones I would weigh 90 lb the other about 60 they killed all of the hogs there and took them off on horses. They [word] them up before they started some may have been put into wagons.
Item No. 4 [SIC]: I had 1 ¾ acres of corn planted a very fine season. I had in corn what would make over 50 bushels shelled corn but I put it down to 40 because the war did me good. I did not meas it, I can judge pretty near by the bulk and it was one of the best years we ever had for raising [2 words] [image 90] it seemed to us as if the “Lord has blessed the earth on purpose to help our ?deliver?.” they fed some of the corn on the plantation the balance was carried off in wagons & on horses.
Item No 6: I had 2 ¼ acres in rice I estimated I had 60 bushels of ?rough? rice it was all in the sheaf. A splendid article all stacked in the yard near by master’s I was driver and had the privilege of having hands to work one acre of corn, and one acre of rice and then all the land I could get time to work besides that I had a family to help me.
Item No. 7: I was allowed a gun & I had a good double barrel gun. I had had the gun about two years before the raid came through. The officer came into the house took the gun I wanted him to leave me the gun he said he [NOTE: “he” was emphasized] would but he was ordered to destroy all such articles he took it off and I saw when they burned it with others.
Item No. 8: They took every thing I had 3 pots – 1 skillet – 1 coffee pot 2 ovens – 1 large peck pot what we called our working pot – pails, piggins, Tubs etc etc. I had a large supply of good clothes I had 3 Sunday coats 3 pants & 3 good [word] all in prime order woollen clothes, they took all my everyday clothing [image 91] left nothing but what I had on all of my plates knives and forks & 1 wool blanket 3 sheets and 4 quilts of our own making they just riddled me completely. They took 30 head of ducks & chickens from me. I don’t know why my atty did not put them into my petition.
This property all belonged to me I never received a cent on anything charged in my account. This is the first and only claim I have ever presented to the Government.
Joseph Bacon [signed by his mark]
Witness Virgil Hillyer
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Simon Cassell)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner
My name is Simon Cassell I was born in Liberty County Georgia a slave and made free when the raid passed through I belonged to Thomas Mallard. I am 60 years of age I reside on my own land near Midway Church in Liberty County Georgia I am a farmer I know Joseph Bacon the claimant I am not related to him. I have no beneficial interest [image 92] in his claim I have known him ever since I knew any body I knew him intimately through the war he was a good Union man all the time and when the Yankees came into the county he was as happy as any of us.
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.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw it taken. I saw the horse, buggy, harness & cows, hogs, corn & rice, taken & saw them bring some things out of his house.
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.]
I heard nothing said when they went in & helped themselves.
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 claimant’s house on Thomas Mallard’s Plantation I don’t remember the year or the month but it was when the army was there. There were so many soldiers there I couldn’t tell how many. They took it right off a little at a time; it wasn’t all taken in one day. They went on in this way till it was all gone.
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
The claimant & his wife & Jacob Quarterman & my wife Phillis Cassell & myself were present when this 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?
I didn’t know the officers from the soldiers. I did not hear any orders given to take this property. I did not notice any head men at all. They all seemed to be engaged in taking the property.
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 took the horse, by taking him & leading him off. They put one of their own horses to the buggy & drove off. They drove the cows off from out of the pasture. They shot the hogs they [1-2 words faded] the horses in the pasture. They took the rice out of the stack in the yard, & the corn from the corn house. They went into the house and bundled up the things there & took them off.
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 on horse & in wagons.
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 the Church. I did not follow it, but saw them go that way. I suppose they went there because there was no where else to go in that direction.
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 suppose they took it to eat, & for the use of the Army.
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 to any of the officers on account of the taking.
12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.
I did not hear him 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 day time.
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 when this property was taken at Midway Church & all around it. Some said it was Kilpatrick’s Army there. I don’t know how long they staid there. There had been no battles or skirmishes there. I did not know any of the quartermasters or 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 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 sound mare. I don’t know her age. It was a good chunk of a mare. He bought this mare of me. I sold it to him. I [image 94] don’t know his age for I swapped for him myself. They caught this horse and led him off. [NOTE: Unclear why the account switches gender reference midway.]
Item No. 2: A spring buggy. I don’t know how long he had had it. It was a leather harness. The wagon was in good working order, but I don’t know about the harness particularly. They put the harness on to their horse & hitched him to the buggy & filled it up with corn and drove off.
Item No. 3: He had 3 head of grown cattle 2 cows & a steer full grown. I suppose the steer would go pretty heavy, it was a large steer. I don’t know what they – the cows – would weigh to the quarter. I saw them driven off.
Item No. 4: He had 15 hogs. I think he had 4 barrows & 3 sows. They were good eating [2 words] not real fat. They were running out [words] the rest of them were all the [word]. I don’t know their weight. I saw them take these hogs away. They shot them & took them off on the horsees.
Item No. 5: He had 40 bus. [bushels] of corn. I didn’t see it measured. I saw it in the pile, & judged it would be a little over 40 bus. [bushels] of shelled corn. He was a driver & his master allowed him to have so much land worked for him, & then allowed him all the land he could get him to work besides. They fed a little of it there & took the rest away on horses & in wagons.
Item No. 6: He had 60 bus. [bushels] of rice in the sheaf. I don’t know how much land he planted but he [image 95] had a good stockad[e] in the yard right beside his master’s. I judged from the bigness of the stack, & the closeness of it. They took it away in large bundles on the horse.
Item No. 7: I don’t know anything about the taking of his gun. He had a gun & it was gone after the Army left.
Item No. 8: I saw them take a bowl out of the house at a distance. I know he kept a full house as he was driver, & when the Army had gone his house was all cleaned out of everything. This property was all the property of the claimant. I know because I was on the place with him & he claimed it & nobody disputed it.
Witness: E.E. Adlington
[Signed] Simon Cassell [signed by mark]
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyers
Special Commissioner
State of Georgia
Testimony of Witness (Jacob Quarterman)
Interrogatories by Special Commissioner
My name is Jacob Quarterman I was born in Liberty County Georgia a slave and made free when the Army came into the County I belonged to Harriett Bacon. I am 67 years of age. I reside near Midway Church in Liberty County Georgia. I am a farmer [image 96] I knew the claimant in this case. I am not related to him at all I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I have known him as long as I have known any body I think about 60 years. I knew him to be a good Union man all through the war.
Interrogatories by Claimant Attorney:
I was present when claimant’s property was taken he belonged to Mr. Thomas Mallard but after he died Mrs. Harriet Bacon drawed him when the Estate was divided I belonged to Thomas Mallard & when he died Mrs. Bacon drew me. We both belonged to Mrs. Bacon at the close of the war or when we were made free. We all lived on the old Plantation did not move after the death of Thomas Mallard Joseph Bacon was driver for old Thomas Mallard and continued in that capacity till the raid came in he had been a driver for 20 years. Thomas Mallard allowed his driver to hold property and all others who could make it I mean his slaves. Masters generally allowed their drivers to plant one acre of rice and one acre of corn and work it with the hands and then they were allowed all the land they could get time to cultivate outside of that, and drivers with families could plant considerable and tend it when they worked by the task Thomas Mallard worked his hands [page 97] by the task and that was the way most of the masters worked their slaves in this county. Drivers did not work by the task he was the second master the property was all taken at Joseph Bacon house on the Mallard plantation & taken to Midway Church where Genl [General] Kilpatrick’s Army was encamped about half of a mile from the claimant’s house. They came to Mallard’s plantation every day for 3 weeks or all the time they staid at Midway.
2d 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 property was taken.
2. Did you see any of them taken? If so, specify the articles you saw taken.
I saw the horse buggy & harness, the cows hogs, corn & rice taken by the Yankee 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 they were destitute and nothing to [2 words] and must have supplies wherever they could get them they said very little but went into the pasture and got the cows the horse and hogs and carried them off.
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 the old Mallard Plantation in December 1864. The property was taken by the soldiers of Genl [General] Kilpatrick’s Army. I can’t tell how many they were then by the thousands they were some time taking the property they commenced and took a little at a time till it was all gone it was close by the camp and came to Claimant’s house and got it as they wanted it. [image 98]
5. Who were present other than soldiers when you saw them taken? Give the names of all you know?
I was present when the property was taken the claimant Joseph Quarterman Simon Cassell Mack Golding July Anderson and lots of others.
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 private. I did not hear any orders given to take the property by any body. There were men there looking on who may have been ordering the property taken but I did not hear 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.
The soldiers went to the field and took the horse cows & hogs to the corn house and took the corn. The rice stacked in the barn yard they went there and took the rice on their horses in wagons carts etc.
8. How was the property removed—by soldiers or in wagons, or in what manner? State fully as to each article taken and removed.
The property was removed in wagons carts 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?
The property was removed to the camp at Midway Church about ½ mile from Claimant’s house. I did not follow it but they went in that direction and they could not have gone any where else.
10. Do you know the use for which the property was taken? What was the use, and how do you know it? Did you see the property so taken used by the United States army? Did you see any part of the property so used? State fully all you know as to the property or any of it having been used by the army; and distinguish between what you saw and know, and what you may have heard from others, or may think, or suppose, or infer to be true.
The property was taken for the use of the men and horses I suppose I saw them use some of it right there at Claimant’s house.
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 him make any complaint on account of the taking of the property to any one of the soldiers or officers we were all glad to see them.
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 [image 99] for.
13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?
The property was taken in the day time I did not see them out at night at all.
14. When the property was taken, was any part of the army encamped in that vicinity? If so, state how far from the place where the property was taken, and what was the company, regiment, or brigade there encamped? How long had it been encamped there? How long did it stay there, and when did it leave? Had there been any battle or skirmish near there, just before the property was taken? Did you know the quartermasters, or any of them, or any other officers of the army for whose use the property is supposed to have been taken?
When the property was taken the Army was encamped at Midway Church about ½ mile from Claimant’s house. Genl [General] Sherman Army said to be commanded by Genl Kilpatrick was encamped there. They came to Claimant’s house immediately after they reached their camping ground they staid there about 3 weeks they were going from place to place gathering up supplies and carrying it to camp. I did not know the quartermaster or any of them or any other officers of the army I could hardly tell their officers from private soldiers.
15. Describe clearly the condition of the property when taken, and all that tends to show its value at the time and place of taking? Thus, if corn, was it green or ripe? Had it been harvested? Was it in the shock, or husked, or shelled? Where was it? If grain, was it standing; had it been cut; was it in shocks, or in the barn or in stacks; had it been threshed? If horses, mules, or cattle, state when they were taken, how taken, and fully their condition, age, and value. Have you talked with claimant about their value?
The property was all in good condition as far as my judgement goes.
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 1: The horse was a good medium size horse was in complete order and well broke to work any where. They went to the pasture caught him and rode him off I do not know how old the horse was claimant had the horse for some time he had been raising horses for I think 20 years he wanted a horse to ride to Church and to his neighbors.
Item No. 2: It was a spring buggy I think he had had the buggy two years it was in prime good order the harness was a good leather harness not new but in good order [image 100] so good the soldiers thought they could use it. They put the harness on to one of their horses hitched him to the buggy and drove off they loaded it up with corn and rice and went off with it.
Item No. 3: He had 5 cows, 3 full grown. There were 2 cows & 1 steer & 2 ½ grown. I call ½ grown where the whole would weigh 100 lbs to a quarter the ½ grown would weigh but 20 lbs to a quarter. They drove those cows off to the camp. He milked his cows, & he killed them when he got enough of them & ate some & sold some of the beef.
Item No. 4: He told me he had 15 head of hogs I didn’t count them. He complained that he had 15 taken from him. That’s all I know about them. I did see them & know he had one very large one. I know he had hogs & they were gone when the army had left there.
Item No. 5: He told me he had 40 bus. [bushels] of corn. I saw the corn & he had a heap of it, & I believed it was all he said. I know Mr. Mallard his master planted 4 tasks – an acre – for him & he planted an acre for himself beside. I think there must have been more of it. They burst open the corn house & took it away.
Item No. 6: He had 6 tasks of rice planted. His master planted for him an acre & he planted 1 acre & a half makes 2 ½ acres he had in rice [image 101] that was the custom for the master to have 1 acre of rice & one of corn planted for the driver & tended by their hands. He had 60 bus. [bushels] of rice in the sheaf. The rice was stacked in the barnyard. They toted the rice off in the sheaves in wagons, & on horses.
Item No. 7: The gun he had was a double barreled gun. I did not see it taken; don’t know how they took it.
Item No. 8: I did not see the house things taken. I know he had a good supply of clothing & quilts & blankets & spreads & his kitchen was well supplied with cooking utensils. I did not see them taken but they were all taken by somebody & the house left bare. The claimant was a hard working industrious man & his wife & family were industrious.
Witness: E.E. Adlington
[signed] Jacob Quarterman [signed by mark]
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer
Special Commission
State of Georgia
[There were also documents, not transcribed here, dated in April 1877, for the $195 allowed for the claimant’s claim. There was a note on one of the documents saying “Draft not to be delivered to Attorney Cay till his past [word] are righted.”]
McIntosh Liberty Co. Ga. Jan 17, 1877
Dear Sir,
Your card of the 6th Dec. 1876 informing me that the sum of $195 has been award[ed] me No. 21447 is rec’d. I would be very glad to know if the money can be paid directly to me or to someone of my choice. The people who received their money through the agent here lost greatly. All of us will have ours come some other way if we can. Address me in care [of] Rev. Floyd Snelson, Pastor Congregational Church, McInt. [McIntosh] Liberty Ga. Respectfully yours, Joseph Bacon [signed by mark].