Summary: The Commissioners disallowed Strough's claim for one horse, despite evidence of his loyalty to the Union, because the Union Army had not taken his horse for military purposes, but rather as part of the destruction of the Valley in October, 1864.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| One Black Mare | $125.00 | 0 | $125.00 |
Claims Summary:
The mare for which this claim is made was taken by the army under Gen. Sheridan in Oct. 1864 in what was called the "burning raid"--taken not for army use, but in pursuance of an order to lay waste the Valley of Virginia. Horses mules cattle &c taken by Gen. Sheridan at this time were driven out of the state & sold and the proceeds paid into the Treasury.
The claim is disallowed.
A.O. Aldis, Orange Ferriss, JB Howell Commrs of Claims
Testimony: William Strough
Ques 1 Ans. My name is William V. Strough, my age is 43 years. My residence near New Hope, Augusta Co. Va. My occupation is a farmer. I am the claimant.
3 Ans. I was born in Rockingham County, Va.
4 Ans. I have resided at my present home, for sixteen years, did not change my residence during the rebellion. My business was farming.
5 Ans. My sympathies were with the cause of the Union, and were as from beginning to the end of the War.
6 Ans. I never done or said anything against the Union Cause.
7 Ans. I was always ready to do anything I could in aid of the Union Cause.
8 Ans. I aided persons to go through the lines, on several occasions. Joseph Rogers, Messrs Clayton & others, in 1863 & 64. None related to me.
9 Ans. I had some first cousins in the Union army, from West Virginia.
10 Ans. I was not. Except three months service in the winter or spring of 1865, our telegraph line, from Parkersburg to Grafton in West Virginia
11 Ans. I never did -
12 Ans. I took the Union side, I refused to vote for the Ordinance of Secession.
13 Ans. I adhered to the Union, and not my state.
14 Ans. I felt disappointed at the result of Manassas, I rejoiced at the result of Vicksburg & New Orleans and more than glad when the surrender was made.
Ques 15 Ans. I had no protection or privileges until I went through the lines.
16 Ans. I have not taken the "Iron Clad Oath."
17 Ans. H.G. McCausland, H.K. Eakle, J.W. Zirkle & others - the first two are my witnesses.
18 Ans. I was not threatened or injured. After I left my home, the Confederate Receiver, Thos. J. Michie, now deceased, talked of confiscating my wife's property, but did not.
19 Ans. I was arrested and carried to Richmond in the fall of 1863. I was released with a furlough for thirty (30) days. I took no oath nor give no bond. And afterward was detailed as a farmer.
20 Ans. I had a horse taken, for the use of Earley's Army. I received nothing for the horse except about twenty dollars.
21 Ans. I had no property confiscated -
22 Ans. I was conscripted and furnished a substitute.
23 Ans. I was compelled by conscription to go into the Army, and I put in the substitute, whom I told to go through the lines, which he did, in 1862, or 63 - My substitute's name was William Murtle. The last I heard of him he was in Wheeling W. Va.
24 Ans. I was in the Army at Piedmont battle, but did not fight, and that was all the service I was in except as a detailed farmer.
25 Ans. I was in no service except as stated above.
26 Ans. I took no oath.
27 Ans. I have had charge of any thing at all. I sold some grain because I could not help myself. I had no interest in contracts or manufactures.
28 Ans. I had no interest in blockade running.
29 Ans. I had no interest in vessels or boats.
30 Ans. I refused to take bonds, and no interest in any securities -
31 Ans. I never aided in raising or equiping troops or doing anything else in aid of the rebellion.
32 Ans. I never give any information.
33 Ans. I never belonged to any society or Association for any purpose.
34 Ans. I never took any oath -
35 Ans. I had a pass from Richmond, home and from Staunton, home. I took no oath nor give no bond to get such passes.
36 Ans. None but Cousins, one I think, and two brothers-in-law. S.M. Miller and J.B. Miller. Samuel was killed, during the War. J.B. Miller, lives near Hermitage P.O. in Augusta Co. I never furnished them anything.
37 Ans. I was under no disabilities.
38 Ans. I never asked a pardon.
39 Ans. I took an Amnesty Oath at New Creek W. Va. in July 1864
Ques 40 Ans. I was never a prisoner -
41 Ans. I never was arrested [by U.S.]
42 Ans. I never was fined or assessed.
43 Ans. I had no property taken or confiscated under the laws referred to.
44 Ans. I voted in 1860, for Stephen A. Douglas, for president, and for Union candidates to go to the State Convention. I did no vote for the Ordinance of Secession.
45 Ans. I did not belong to any Committee, or home guard, or anything to suppress the Union.
46 Ans. I was called out as a Conscript detail & first as a Malitia in July 1861. and as a detail in 1864. I was in the Malitia Camp at Staunton, about two weeks, and on duty as a detail about six days during which time the Piedmont battle took place. I was conscripted by a law of the Confederate Congress, and notified by, I think, J.H. McCue, or Capt Avis, Provost Marshal at Staunton. I put in the substitute because I did not wish to fight against the Union.
47 Ans. I had no connection with any department of the Army or Navy or Government of the Confederate States.
48 Ans. I had charge of nothing of the kind named in the question -
49 Ans. I was not employed in any way specified in the question -
Ques 50 Ans. I had nothing to do with prisoners of War in any way, or for any cause.
51 Ans. I was not in the Union Army or navy -
Taking of the Property -
72 Ans. I had gone through the lines, and was in Ohio when the Mare, charged was taken, consequently cannot answer any of the questions as to the taking of my Mare.
79 Ans. The Mare was black, about 3 1/2 years old. When I left her at Jacob Wine's she was in good condition, of medium size, well formed and fine style and well broken to the saddle - I think she was well worth the price I have charged, one hundred and twenty five dollars.
I have never filed an application for the benefit of the Bankrupt law.
William V. Strough
Testimony: Jacob Wine
Taking of the Property
Deposition of Jacob Wine
My name is Jacob Wine, my age 72 years. I am a farmer by occupation. My residence near Mossey Creek, Augusta Co. Va.
I am not related to the Claimant and have no interest in the claim.
Ques. 72 Ans. I did not see the Mare charged by Claimant taken out of the stable, but saw her in possession of Soldiers a short distance from the Stable.
73 Ans. The mare was taken about 10 o'clock A.M.
74 Ans. There was no complaint made by any one to any one.
75 Ans. No vouchers or receipts asked for or given.
76 Ans. No payment made that I know of.
77 Ans. There was no encampment, but what might be called a raiding party, under command of Genl. Sheridan. There had been a skirmish at Bridgewater, some few miles distant. There were fifteen or twenty soldiers together when the Mare was taken. I did not hear the name of any officer.
78 Ans. The color of the Mare was black, and young. She was in good order and well built, and fine looking, and of fine life. I think she was cheap at one hundred and twenty five dollars. I do not know anything about her working qualities, but first rate for the Cavalry service, and the army was as far as I saw it was of that service. The Mare had been left with me to keep by the Claimant, and had been in my possession about two weeks or probably longer. Mr. Strough left the Mare with me for fear the Confederates would take it, as he was then on his way through the lines, which was in 1864, and the Mare was taken about the first of October 1864. I live about 16 miles from the Claimant.
Jacob Wine
Testimony: Hugh McCausland
Deposition of Hugh G. McCausland
Question in General as to the loyalty of the claimant W.V. Strough
Ans. My name is Hugh G. McCausland. My age is 47 years, I reside near New Hope in Augusta County. My occupation is a farmer. I am not related to the claimant. I have known the claimant about 26 years. I resided about 1/2 mile from him during the War, and saw him every few days up to the time he went North. We conversed frequently and freely about the War, and I was always found him opposed to it. He said that the war was unjust, that the South had no right to secede, and that before he would participate in the rebellion he would leave his family and go through the lines, which he did (I think) in 1863. He was not at all reserved in his opposition to the War when with his loyal neighbors. His Union neighbors had confidence in his loyalty. He knew my sympathies were with him - if the South had gained its independence he could not have proven any loyalty to it.
H.G. McCausland
Testimony: Henry Eakle
Deposition of Henry K. Eakle
Answer to general question -
My name is Henry K. Eakle, my age is 55 years, I reside near New Hope in Augusta County. I am a farmer. I have known the Claimant for 15 or 20 years. I resided 3 miles from him during the War, I saw him frequently and conversed with him about the War, and always found him very bitter against Secession. He went through the lines - I do not recollect what year. He was always bold and fearless in expressing him self, even at times to those who favored the rebellion. His Union neighbors always had the utmost confidence in his loyalty to the Union. He could not have proven any loyalty to the Confederacy had it succeeded. My own sympathies were with him, which he knew.
Henry K. Eakle
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, January 2, 1877
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 202
Case of W.V. Strough Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & voucher for 4 lbs Lard sold to Capt. A.M. Earle for the use of the C.S. Army at $2.00 per lbs $8.00. Paid near New Hope Va. March 7th 1864.
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of William V. Strough, July 20, 1874, Claim No. 17,938, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche #1832.
