Richard Bacon – Southern Claims Commission

Remarks: The claimant was a slave, belonged to Lawrence Winn. His wife belonged to one Quarterman. In Aug’t 1873 (he says) he was 29 years old. He was therefore 17 years old when the war began & 21 years old when it ended. When the property was taken in Dec. ‘64 he was not over 21 years old – probably only 20. He says he had been raising cattle & hogs about 8 years – if so he began at the age of 12 or 13.

This story is highly improbable. We do not believe that this boy – a slave – had earned & owned a horse, 5 cattle, 10 hogs & other property to the value of $467.50 before or by the time he was 21 years old.

Claim rejected. Why is not his former master or some member of his family called to prove this claim?

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

Mr. Paine reports the testimony of a Mr. Mallard who thinks clmt owned a horse and some cattle. But his attention was not called to the age of clmt when the property was taken. We are not inclined to alter the report after reading Mr. Mallard’s deposition. Mr. Paine says the claimant does not stand high & many gentlemen doubt his having had the property.

Claim rejected.

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

[Image 9858:]

Office of the Commissioners of Claims,
Washington, D.C. June 30 1876

MEMORANDUM

–18542–
Richard Bacon
Liberty Co, Ga

Richard Bacon: several gentlemen doubt the claimant doubt his having the property and all say the valuation is too high. As to the clothing, no one believes that any slave had as much.

Memorandum report of Spl Agt Paine, June 26, 76.

Special Agent’s Report Savannah Ga
July 19th 1876
Honorable Commissioner of Claims
Washington City
I have the honor to report in the case of Richard Bacon, #18542, Liberty County Georgia, that I called on a good many gentleman in the matter of this claim, and I find that the claimant does not stand very high, and many doubt his having the property, he states to have lossed [SIC, uses “lossed” for “lost”]; though, some think he may have had some property, among the number is Mr. Lazarus J. Mallard, a gentleman of high standing in the county, and whose word can be relied on; Mr Mallard swears that claimant owned a horse, or rather he thinks he did, worth $70.00. Thinks claimant owned some cattle, but not fine head, and that the cattle were worth $10. per head; Ten dollars per head, I find, was the usual price of cattle, in that portion of Liberty County. before the war, and during the war, in gold, or good money, as they express it. Witness has no idea that claimant had ten hogs, but thinks he had hogs, and they were worth $3. or $4. per head. Witness knows nothing about the corn and rice, and fowls. – and he laughed outright, when $50.00 worth of clothing was read by him, and he does not believe claimant had $10. worth. – Witness does not know any thing about the taking of the property from claimant. but thinks that what property he may have had, he lossed, for he was near the encampment of the army, and all near the encampment lossed. – Mr. Mallard was very careful in his statements, and said he would not do claims and injustice, and I don’t think he would. –
In this case, I can get the evidence of Mr. R. Cay Senr [Senior], but I think Mr. Mallard states the facts of this case.
I put down in the evidence the exact language of the witness as near as I could.
Very Respectfully etc
W. W. Paine
Special Agent

Testimony (Lazarus J. Mallard)

State of Georgia
County of Liberty

Lazarus J Mallard, being duly sworn true answers to make to certain questions answering saith

Lazarus J. Mallard – 55 years of age. – Dorchester, Liberty County Ga. lived 30 years in same place. – a farmer by occupation.-

Not related in any manner, to claimant Richard Bacon, nor interested in his claim. – Witness thinks claimant Richard Bacon, owned a horse worth seventy dollars: – Thinks claimant owned cattle. but not five head. – and that they were worth about ten dollars per head.- Has no idea that claimant had ten hogs. Thinks he had hogs, and were worth about $3. or $4. per head.- Knows nothing about the corn and rice and fowls.- Witness does not believe that claimant had ten dollars worth of clothing.- Witness knows nothing about the taking of the property. Witness thinks that what property claimant had, he lost, for he was near the encampment of a part of Gen[eral] Sherman’s army, and every person who lived near the camps lost all they had. 

L.J. Mallard
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 16th day
of July 1876

W. W. Paine
Special Agent 

Testimony of Claimant 

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

My name is Richard Bacon , my age 29 years, my residence Riceboro, in the state of Georgia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant and have a beneficial interest in the claim.

Richard Bacon Before Special Commissioner
Vs
United States
Riceboro Liberty Co[unty] Ga.

Testimony of Claimant. Interrogatories by Special Commissioner.

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

My name is Richard Bacon. I was born in Liberty Co[unty], a slave; became free when the Army came here. I am 29 years old about. I live on Robert Quarterman’s place. I am a farmer. 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 lived from the 1st of April 1861 on Lawrence Winn’s place till the Army came here when I moved to Quarterman’s place after 2 weeks. I was farming all this time till the Army came here.

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?

I took the vote [sic, meant oath] for registering to vote in Riceboro which was the only oath I took. I took it 2 or 3 years after the Army came.

6 to 28 inclusive to each & every question the claimant answers No! – after hearing questions read.

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 helped the Union Soldiers when they called on me, to kill meat and load wagons and helped them and went with them back and forwards.

30 to 39 inclusive to each & every question the claimant answers no!

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

At the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the union cause. I felt very glad about it. I said to my friends let us try and do all we can on the Union side for the Yankees when they come. I continued to feel and talk this way all the time till the Yankees got here.

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 solemnly declare that from the beginning of the war against the United States till the end, my feelings were with the side of the United States, and that I never did, or tried to do anything to injure that cause, and that I was always ready, and willing so far as my power and means and the circumstances of the case, permitted to aid that cause.

[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 became free when the Army came here. I continued to farm right along after I was freed. I bought the colt in my claim. I continued to make and sell baskets, and got some chickens, & sold some of them, and some hogs I raised afterwards and sold, but I got my horse first. I had had my mare 4 years when the Yankees came here. She was about 6 months old when I bought her. I made my baskets at night and I worked by the task and got time in that way. I bought a yearling heifer and raised my cattle. I bought a pig a sow pig and raised hogs. My former master was Laurence Winn. I am not in his employment. I do not live on his land. I do not live on land purchased of him. I do not owe my former master anything. No one has any interest in this claim besides myself.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

I was present when this property was taken from me.

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

I saw the horse, cattle, hogs, fowls, corn, rice and clothing 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.]

The Yankee Soldiers told me I must not fret that I would get it all back in times to come if I lived long enough. The first thing they asked was where’s the Johnny’s? When I told them they were out in the woods they pursued after them. They caught some of them & when they came back, they went on taking the property. They took their prisoners down to the camp. They said no more.

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 my house on Laurence Winn’s plantation, in Dec[ember] 1865 [SIC, 1864] I think, but I can’t say certainly, I didn’t keep no account. It was taken by the Yankee Soldiers. I couldn’t tell how many were there, so many I couldn’t count them. They kept taking my property till they took it all; they were at it 2 weeks. They did not take it all in one day.

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

Joe Bacon, Richard Harden, Jim Stacy, and myself were present besides others when the property was taken.

6. Was any United States officer, either commissioned or non-commissioned, present at the taking? If so, state his name, rank, regiment, and the command to which he belonged. Did he order the property to be taken? Did he say anything about the taking?

I couldn’t tell the officers from the others but I saw some giving orders. I think were officers

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 this horse from the stable themselves and rode him off to camp. They went to the pasture and drove off the cattle, and killed the hogs, 2 hogs were in the pen the others were running out. They caught the fowls, and killed some and carried them all off to camp. The corn and rice they took off in sacks. The clothing they put on some of it and carried off the rest.

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 horses 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?

They removed this property to the camp. I did not follow them, all I know is they went that way.

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

They took this property to eat, some of it, and the horse to ride, and the clothes to wear. I saw them ride the horse, and use some of the corn rice, and meat.

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 the taking of this 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 ask any of the officers for any voucher in receipt.

13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?

This property was taken in the daytime.

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

When this property was taken the Army were encamped at Midway Church, about a mile from my house. It was Sherman’s Army; they were on horses I heard nothing of Kilpatrick. They were there over a month in camp. I saw them drilling sometimes when I passed there and they went about to different places and took all they could get. I did not know any of the quartermasters or the other officers of the Army.

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 horse was 4 years old when taken. A good medium sized horse well broken to work. They took this horse from the stable and rode him off. I had my horse to ride to my wife’s house and tend my corn and work it. My wife was at Mr [looks like name starts with B and ends with dly] Quartermans about 3 miles from my house. None of this property was at my wife’s house.

Item No 2. – I had 2 – head of full grown cattle. They were cows. They were fat and in good order for beef. I think they would weigh from 300 to 400 lbs [pounds] a piece. They drove them off. I bought a yearling heifer and raised them. I had been raising cattle about 8 years and I had had, my heifer about 4 months when she had her 1st calf

Item No 3. – I had 10 full grown fat hogs, would weigh from 100 to 120 lbs [pounds] a piece. The sows were fat. I had 2 sows in the lot. They killed them and took them away. I had been raising hogs about 8 years.

Item No 4. – I had over 100 head of poultry ducks and chickens. They killed some of those and carried some alive.

Item No 5. – I had 10 bus[hels] of corn, of my own raising. I planted an acre and a half. They carried it off in sacks

Item No 6. – They took 20 bus[hels] of rice. I raised it myself. I planted 1 acre of rice. It was thrashed. They took it away in sacks. This corn & rice were both measured.

Item No 7. – They took men’s clothing and bed clothing. They took 2 Broadcloth coats, and 3 woolen coats, and 2 cassimere pants and 6 shirts and 3 Blankets of wool, and 6 quilts of patch works from me, and one mattress of moss and one of straw, 2 pillow cases, and 1 sheet and 2 pillows. They put these into the wagons, except some they put on of the clothes

I never was paid any thing for any of these things. This is the first and only claim I ever presented to the government.

Questions by claimants attorney. My name is Richard Bacon. I am 29 years old. I belonged to Laurence Winn. My father was Mr. Tom Mallard’s old driver Joe Bacon My mother belonged to Laurence Winn. I was on Laurence Winns place when the Yankees came they took my property from there. I saw them take it. Jim Stacy and Joe Bacon and Richard Harden, and others saw this property taken. It was in Dec. [December] when Sherman’s Army came through they took it. They took my horse. I bought him from a man named Will who used to belong to Dr. Delegal. The horse was about 6 months old when I bought him I gave $30.00 for him. I raised him on Laurence Winn’s place till he was old enough to ride. He was worth $100. when the Yankees took him. They rode him off. Mounted soldiers took him. My master is dead; he died during the war, just before the Army came here. He allowed his slaves to raise horses, cattle, hogs, and make a little crop. Edmund Bacon, James Stacy, Scipio King and his father together, and myself had horses of our own. We all belonged to Mr. Laurence Winn. They took 5 head of cattle from me. They were all large cattle. They were not all old cattle. I think the younger cow was about 2 years old. I got my 1st cow from my old grandmother. I paid her $5.00 she said it was ½ price. They drove these cattle off to the camp at Midway Church. They took 10 head of hogs from me. They were all spotted. There were 2 sows and 8 barrows. There were all fat enough to kill, all in good order. It was the season of the year when the hogs were always fat. We opened our potato fields to turn the hogs in about the 1st of November. Our hogs were always turned in with our master By Christmas they were always fat enough to kill. They would weigh these hogs of mine from 100 to 120 lbs [pounds] I killed some to eat for myself and sold the balance to my master every year. I was not compelled to sell to him, but he would give as good a price as any body else. I had harvested my corn and rice, about two months when the Yankees took it. I made this myself. My master gave us an allowance and we sold our corn [and] rice. Sometimes we had rice allowed [word] I sold it at the stores in Riceboro. They used to give me $1.50 for rice and $1.00 for corn, sometimes it was less. They took all [the] clothes I had. I call Broadcloth, black coat. I brought these black coats from town. I [word] to town by my master for them, I call Sa[van]nah town. I think the Yankees were camped at Midway over a month. My place was 1 mile from Midway; on the public road. They came to my place everyday while they were at Midway, and went back to camp at night Edmund Bacon was the driver on Mr. Laurence Winn’s plantation

[Signed] Richard Bacon [signed by mark]

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

Testimony of Witness (James Stacy)

Interrogatories by Special Commissioner. My name is James Stacy. I was born in Liberty Co[unty] Ga, a slave; became free after the raid came through. My master was Laurence Winn. I am about 39 years old. I live on Laurence Winn’s plantation. I farm for a living and sometimes make and patch shoes. I know the claimant in this case. I am not related to him. I have no interest in his claim. I have known him pretty much all my life we grew up together and belonged to the same master. He was a good union man.

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

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

I was present when the Yankees took this property from claimant.

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

I saw them take the horse, cattle, hogs, fowl, corn, rice, and clothing and all the property.

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.]

The Yankees didn’t say anything but “howdy” & after that just pitched right in and took the property.

4. Where were the articles taken? When were they taken? Give the day, month and year, if you can? By whom were they taken? Did you see more than one soldier engaged in the taking? How many soldiers were present? State the number as near as you can? How many helped take the property? How long were they engaged in taking the property?

This property was taken at claimant’s house on Laurence Winn’s place, when the raid came through. I don’t know the month. I couldn’t tell how many soldiers as thick as the hair on a cat’s back; we could not count them. The Yankee Soldiers took this property. They came and took some from each one till they got it all away.

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

Dick Harden and Joseph Bacon, the claimant Richard Bacon, and 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 couldn’t tell the officers from the other soldiers then. 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.

They took the horse out of the stable and rode him off. They drove some of the cattle off and killed some. They shot the hogs down and cut them in halves and carried them to camp. They caught the poultry and took it to camp. They put the rice and corn in sacks and carried some on horse back and some in wagons. They put some of the clothing on and some they carried 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 in wagons and on horses.

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

They removed this property towards camp. I guess they took it to camp. I did not go with them to camp but sometimes I walked down there in the evening, it was not so far.

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

I think they took this property to use I only saw them ride the horse once and feed some of the corn and rice.

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 of this property.

12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.

I did not hear him ask for a voucher or receipt.

13. Was the property, or any of it, taken in the night-time? At what hour of the day (as near as you can tell) was it taken? Was any of the property taken secretly, or so that you did not know of it when taken?

This property was taken in the daytime.

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 at Midway Church about 1 mile from claimant’s house. I think they staid [stayed] there about 1 month. They were Soldiers of Kilpatrick’s Army encamped there. They were foraging and hunting up rebels round in the swamps. They left the country bare of stock, and after a little, the people were very much strained for food. I did not know any of the quartermasters or any of the other officers.

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

This property was in pretty good order 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. – I didn’t know the age of the horse. He was a pretty large horse. The horse was fat, and well broken to work. I think he had had him about 7 or 8 years. He bought the horse when a colt. They took the horse out of the stable put their own bridle and saddle on him and rode him off.

Item no 2.- He had 5 head of cattle. [word] and heifers. He had been raising cattle a good while. 9 or 10 years I think so far as I remember. They were all full grown but 1 heifer. When the slaves got a good many and master used to buy them of us for butchering. They drove some of the cattle off and some they killed. They drove them to the camp.

Item No 3. – He had 10 hogs. 2 of them meat hogs barrows and 3 sows, and these full grown and all running in the potato field except the 2 barrows in the pen. The 2 barrows would go 150 lbs [pounds] a piece and the others 130 lbs [pounds] a piece. They killed the hogs there and took them off on horses.

Item No 4 . – I think he had 150 head of fowls, chickens and ducks. They shot some of them and caught some.

Item No 5 – 10 bus[hels] of shelled corn. He had it measured I saw it measured. They took it off in sacks and fed some of it there and took some off in wagons.

Item No 6.- He had 20 bus[hels] of rice, thrashed, winnowed, and measured. They fed some of it there and took the rest off in sacks and wagons and on horseback. He raised this corn and rice himself. He got them to do this by working by the task.

Item No 7. – They took superfine clothing and some cassimere pants from him Some of the coats were broadcloth I think. They took his blankets and quilts from him I don’t know how many. The weather was cold.

This property all belonged to the claimant. I used to see him raising it and buying it. I saw him buy cows, and hogs, and the colt. He bought the colt from his father. I did not see any of his property wasted.

Witness: E.E. Adlington
[Signed] James Stacy [signed by mark]

Sworn to and subscribed before me
Virgil Hillyer Special Commissioner Georgia

Testimony of Witness (Richard Harden)

2nd set of interrogatories by Special Commissioner

My name is Richard Harden. I was born in Liberty Co[unty] Ga, a slave; became free when the raid came through. Mr John Mallard was my master. I am about 40 or a little over. I live on Mr Mallard’s place now. I am a farmer. I know Richard Bacon the claimant I am not related to him. I have no beneficial interest in his claim. I have known him ever since he was a little boy. He was a good union man during the war.

Questions by claimant’s attorney.
I think I have known him about 30 years ever since he was a baby. He belonged to Mr Laurence Winn. His mother belonged to Mr. Winn too. Old driver Joe Bacon was his father who belonged to Mr Tom [Thomas] Mallard. He the claimant was living on Mr Winn’s place when the Yankees took his property. I was present when the property was taken. I belonged to Mr John L Mallard. The way I came to be on Mr Winn’s place I had a wife there and used to be there a good deal and after the raid I staid [stayed] there all the time. I staid [stayed] there all the time while the Yankees were camped at Midway Church. I saw them take the claimant’s property. I saw them take a very fine mare, and 5 head of cows, hogs, poultry, corn rice, and clothing. They caught the mare out of the stable and put the bridle and saddle on her and rode her off. She was in good condition, and I think would have been worth then $175.00 in good money. He bought this mare when she was quite a colt I think he had her 6 or 7 years. They took 5 head of cattle from him. They killed some I think, and drove some off I think. They were mostly grown cattle. The young sow I think had cleared 2 years old. They left a little one I think, which died afterwards. I think the smaller of the 5 would go 300 lbs [pounds] and the largest 400 lbs [pounds]. They drove the cattle toward the camp. The camp was at Midway Church, about 1 mile from the claimant’s house. They staid [stayed] there aout 1 month I think. I saw them every day they came to our house everyday; our place was near the public road. They killed the hogs and tied them on the saddle. They shared them out there among themselves. He had 10 head of hogs taken. He had 2 barrows in the pen, the rest were stock hogs feeding out in the pasture. I mean at this time of the year they were in the potato field it was all in one then. They were in good order. The 2 in the pen were fat. I think these 2 would weigh 150 or 175 lbs [pounds] a piece. The 2 sows and 6 shotes [sic, shoat] were in good order. Some would weigh 150, the largest sow would weigh that, and the others about 100 lbs [pounds]. I saw them take his corn and rice, and his clothing. Mr Winn allowed all his own slaves to have and keep property on his place. I had property there myself. I suppose he allowed me to have it there, because my wife was there. Edmond Bacon, Richard Bacon, Scipio King and John Lambert, all owned horses on Mr Winn’s place. My master allowed his people all to hold as much property as they could manage to get.

2nd set of interrogatories by special Commissioner

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

I was present when the property was taken.

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

I saw the property all taken.

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

They just came right up and begun to take the property without saying anything.

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 Laurence Winn’s plantation in Dec[ember] about 1864 I think it was taken by the Yankee soldiers. Sometimes a few came and sometimes more. They didn’t take it all in one day. They took it in the course of a week.

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

Myself and the claimant, and Joe Bacon, and Edmund Bacon were there 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 don’t know whether there were officers there or not, but when the wagon came, a man was there giving orders to the wagoneers.

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 caught the horse out of the stable and took a saddle and bridle off of some of their own horses and put on him. They drove the cattle off to camp and killed the hogs and tied them to the saddle and took them off to camp. They shot some of the poultry down and caught some and took the corn and rice in sacks. They put some of the clothing on and some they carried off on the horses.

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 horses 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?

They removed it to the camp. Some days I went to the camp with them and that’s the way I know they took the property 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 think they took this property the provisions to eat and the clothes to wear and the horse to ride. I saw them using some of it. I saw them cooking the meat and using the corn to feed the horses.

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

I did not hear the claimant make any complaint about taking the property.

12. Was any voucher or receipt for the property asked for? If so, of whom asked? State name, rank, and regiment. Was any receipt or paper given? If so, produce it, or state where it is, and why it is not produced. If no voucher or receipt was given, state why none was given, and if refused, why it was refused; state all that was said about it. State fully all the conversation between any officer or other person taking the property, and the claimant, or any one acting for him.

I did not hear him ask for any voucher or receipt.

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 daytime.

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

When this property was taken the Army were encamped in that neighborhood, at Midway Church about a mile from claimant’s house. I understood it was Kilpatricks’s army. They staid [stayed] there about 1 month; and went about from place to place, to hunt for rebels and to get something to eat. They caught some rebels and made some prisoners of them. 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 all in good order 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 horse was about 5 or 6 years old. He had her 3 or 4 years before the army came. He bought her when she was a colt. She was a middling size animal, in good order. He used her to go to his wife’s house and to ride to church on Sunday’s

Item No 2. – He had 5 head of cattle. The old cow was about 8 or 9 years old, he bought her and raised the others from her. He had these cows for the milk I don’t know if he ever sold any. They drove the cattle all off. They drove them towards the camp. I did not see any of them at the camp I didn’t go to the place when they had the cows, there was such a crowd there.

Item No 3. – He had 10 head of hogs. I saw them kill these hogs and take them away. THe barrows would weigh, from 150 to 175 lbs [pounds] a piece. The sows were about 100, and the other 150 lbs [pounds]. The shotes [sic, shoats (a young pig)] would weigh about 50 lbs [pounds]. He raised these hogs; had been raising hogs a good while since he was quite a boy.

Item No 4. – He had over 100 head of poultry full grown, some ducks among them. They shot some, and caught some, and tied them to the saddles of the horses.

Item No 5. – He had 10 bus[hels] of shelled corn I saw him measure it. It was of his own raising. They sacked it up, and put it in the wagons all they didn’t feed out there.

Item No 6. – He had 20 bus[hels] of rice thrashed. I saw it measured. They sacked it off and put it in the wagons and carried it off.

Item No 7. – He had some very nice clothing taken from him. He had some 2 or 3 nice broadcloth coats and some nice cassimere pants, and 3 blankets and some 5 or 6 quilts, and I think 2 mattresses and sheets. They stripped his house of pretty much everything he had except the clothes he had on.

I saw this property of claimant’s, all taken by the soldiers. This property all belonged to the claimant. I called it his because I saw him have it from the beginning, and raising it. He worked by the task. His master worked all his hands by the task. His master owned about 40 or 50 hands in all little and big. I think he worked 25 or 30 hands. I think of these 4 had horses cattle and hogs and a good many more had hogs and cattle and some had only poultry.

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

[Remainder of this page was very faded, but seemed to be a brief statement by attorney Raymond Cay. In other claims, a statement by the attorney that there was no further testimony often comes at this point.]