Summary: Wampler's claim for livestock taken in the fall of 1864 was disallowed by the Commissioners because he served in the state militia and voted in favor of the Ordinance of Secession.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Iron gray mare 5 1/2 year, good | $125.00 | 0 | $125.00 |
| 1 Gray mare 4 1/2 years good | 125.00 | 0 | 125.00 |
| 4 Cows from 3 to 6 years old fat valued at $35 Each | 100.00 | 0 | 100.00 |
| 7 young Cattle 2 at 2 1/2 years 1 at 2 years 3 at 1 1/2 years & 1 at six month old valued | 70.00 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Total | $420.00 | 0 | $420.00 |
Claims Summary:
Claimant swears to his loyal sympathies. He also swears that in 1861 he went to Staunton Va under threats and served several days in the Militia - In the spring of 1862 he furnished a substitute to the Rebel Army.
These acts are inconsistent with loyal adherence to the Cause of the Union and the Government of the United States during the war and we therefore reject the claim.
Poll Books show he voted for Secession.
Testimony: Benjamin F. Wampler
My name is Benj. F. Wampler, my age is 38 years, my residence is near Mt. Meridian, in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant, have interest in the claim.
To question No. 2 he answers, where I now reside, near Mt. Meridian, Augusta Co. Va. I was farming on my own land. It consisted of 269 acres, about 200 of which were under cultivation. The balance was timber land. I did not change my residence or occupation during the war.
To question Nos. 3 & 4 inclusive he answers no in full to each separately put.
To question No. 5, he answers - I took the amnesty oath at New Hope, Va after the war closed.
To question Nos. 6, 7, & 8 inclusive he answers no in full to each.
To question No. 9, he answers In August 1861 I went to Staunton Va. under threats and served several days in the militia. I obtained permission to return home and did so. I was never afterward in the service. In the Spring following I hired a substitute. I don't remember his name - and paid him $500 in Confederate money.
To questions Nos. 10 to 14 inclusive he answers no in full to each, except as stated in answer to question No. 9.
To questions Nos. 15 to 24 inclusive he answers no in full to each.
To question No. 25 he answers - My horse was taken by the Confederate authorities in 1864. I never got paid for him.
To questions Nos. 26 to 28 inclusive he answers no in full to each separately put.
To question No 29 he answers - I aided Union refugees to go North & advised rebel soldiers to desert.
To question No. 30 he answers - I had a nephew Samuel Wampler in the Confederate Army, adn another nephew Jacob Wampler, in the Confederate army, also Conrad Long and Isaac Long. They are all now living. The two latter near Cross Keys, Va. and the nephew near New Hope Va. I never furnished any of them with any money or military equipments while in the Confederacy.
To questions Nos. 31 to 39 inclusive he answers no in full to each question, separately put.
To question No. 40 he answers - at the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Union cause. I voted for Union men to go to the Convention. I did not vote upon the ratification of the ordinance of secession. After the ordinance of secession was adopted I still adhered to the Union Cause.
To question No. 41 he answers I do so solemly declare.
The claimant is here examined by the Commissioner as to property taken.
I was present and saw all the property charged in my account taken. It was all taken at the same time, or about the same time, at the time of Sheridan's Burning Raid. It was all taken by General Sheridan's army. The horses were at the stable when taken and the cattle were in the field close by. They were taken in daylight by a large number of soldiers. I did not notice whether any officers were present. There was an officer present when the horses were taken. One of the soldiers said in reply to a remark made by my father that we were Union people, that if that was so we would be paid for the horses and cattle. I did not ask for receipts and they did not give me any. They were two gray mares - one a four and one a five year old - in good condition and were worth at that time $125 each, at the lowest. I never afterward saw them.
There were eleven cattle - four milch cows, from four to six or seven years old each, one two year old, five yearlings, and six months old taken. They were driven out of the field by the soldiers and taken away with the army. The cows were worth $25 each. The two year old was worth $18 - the yearlings were worth $15 each and the calf was worth $6. Further deponent saith not.
Benjamin F. Wampler
Testimony: David Wampler
David Wampler, witness to prove property taken, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner, says:
I am 71 years old and reside near Mt. Meridian, Augusta County, Virginia. I am a farmer. I am the father of the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I was present at his house and saw two horses and a number of cattle taken from him by the Union army in September - the year I do not remember. I do not know whose army took them. I do not remember hearing anything said at the time by the soldiers. The horses were in the barnyard when they were taken, There were six or seven soldiers present. They were gray horses, from four to five years old, each. They were worth about $100 each, in good money. The cattle were in the field and were driven away by the soldiers at the same time. I do not know how many cattle there were. I cannot describe them or give their value. I cannot tell whether any officer was present when the horses or cattle were taken.
Further deponent saith not.
David Wampler
Testimony: Sarah Wampler
Sarah T. Wampler, witness to prove property taken, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioners, says:
I am 25 years old & reside near Mt. Sidney, Augusta Co. Va. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I was at his house, and saw General Sheridan's army take two horses and eleven cattle from the claimant on the 26th day of September 1864. The horses were in the barnyard and were ridden away by the soldiers. I don't think there were any officers present. I begged the soldiers to leave the horses but they said they liked good horses and they rode them away. They were gray horses - three & four years old each, and I think were worth $125 each. The cattle were in the field and were driven away by the soldiers. There were two 18 mos. old and one calf six months old. There was one brindle the same age as the two . I think the two and the brindle were worth $18 each. There were four cows among the lot two of them were young heifers.
Further deponent saith not.
Sarah T. Wampler
Testimony: Jacob Ritchie
Jacob Ritchie a witness for clt. being duly sworn and examined by Com'r deposes and says
I am going on 71 years a resident of this, Augusta County, a farmer by occupation. I am not related to the claimant & have no interest in the claim. I have known the claimant 18 or 20 years, I lived within a mile of him during the war, I saw him about twice a week all through the war, we talked sometimes about the war. I knew his political sympathies and opinions, I took them from his talk. He always thought that it was very wrong that he would not have any part in it, I was a union man during the war and the Clt so regarded me. I have heard him express Union sentiments in the presence of others. I knew his general reputation in the community for loyalty, people always counted him a loyal man, his loyal neighbors regarded him as a Union man. I never knew him to contribute any money property or information in aid of either cause during the war. I have no knowledge as to whether he did or did not own any Confederate bonds, I never knew him to contribute any thing to sustain the credit of the Confederacy. I never knew him to be molested or threatened with injury on account of his Union sentiment.
From his talk I never could believe that he could be able to prove his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been able to maintain a separate Govt, but I do not know of any act done or language used by him that might prevent it.
Further deponent saith not
Jacob Ritchie
Testimony: Samuel Glick
Samuel Glick a witness for clt. being duly affirmed and examined by Com deposes and says -
I am 48 years old a resident of Augusta County, a farmer by occupation, I am 1st cousin to the Claimant. I have no interest in this claim. I have known him from boyhood, I was intimate with him during the war, I lived about a mile from him durng the war, I saw him he often, about once a week & often talked with him about the war, its course and progress. I knew his political sympathies and opinions by talking with him, he was bitterly opposed to the war, opposed to the rebellion. He said that he would go north before he would go with the Army but the one reason for this was his religious scruples agst fighting, I don't remember anything else he might have said about it. I was a Union man and I think the claimant so regarded me, I knew his general reputation in the community as to loyalty. He was looked upon by both Union and secesh as a Union man. His loyal neighbors regarded him as a loyal citizen. I have heard him express Union sentiments in the presence of others, but we had to be carefull about it. I never knew him to be molested or threatened with injury on account of his Union sentiments. I never knew him to own any Confederate bonds or to do anything to sustain the credit of the Confederate Govt. I never knew him to contribute anything in aid of either cause during the war. From his chat to me and his general reputation I don't think he could have proved his loyalty to the Confederacy if it had been able to maintain a separate Govt, but I do not know of any act done or language he used that might have prevented him.
Further saith not Samuel Glick
The foregoing depositions were taken and subscribed before me at the time and place set forth in the caption.
Thos. S. Hargest Special Commissioner
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, Feb 28, 1878
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 268
Case of Benj. F. Wampler of Augusta County Virginia
The above name appears on the Muster Roll of Capt. S.M. Dabney Co "C" 52d Regiment Virginia infantry as a Private Soldier. Enlisted July 16th 1861 at Staunton Va.
Dec 9/72 Rejected
See Muster Roll on file.
Testimony: Abraham Garber
We the undersigned Loyal Citizens of Augusta County Virginia do certify on oath that we have known Benjamin F. Wampler for twenty years and know him to have been Loyal to the Government of the United States before and at the time and since the taking of the property and supplies in Claimant petitioner mentions
Abraham D. Garber, Mt. Sidney
Frederic M. Kline, " "
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 29th day of Apl. 1871
H.G. McCausland N.P.
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Benjamin F. Wampler, September 6, 1872, Claim No. 2565, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche #517.
