Summary: Kindig's claim for the value of two horses was disallowed because he voted in favor of the Ordinance of Secession.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| Two horses | $300 | 0 | $300 |
Claims Summary:
This claimant is a farmer over 60 years - He resided in Augusta Co. Va. he was never molested on account of any Union sentiments & no facts appear in the testimony to mark him as a loyal man to the Union Cause - He voted for the ratification of the Ordinance of Secession - a positively disloyal act - We are not satisfied with his excuses - The claim is disallowed.
AO Aldis, Orange Ferris, JB HowellCommrs of Claims
Testimony: Elias Kindig
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: My name is Elias M. Kindig, my age 60 years, my residence Near Fisherville; Augusta Co., in the State of Virginia, and my occupation a farmer; I am the claimant, and have a beneficial interest in the claim.
Ques 2 Ans. I resided at my present residence I own 190 acres, 160 cultivated and 30 timber in the vicinity of Fishersville, Augusta County. I did not change my residence.
Ques 3 Ans. I did not pass the lines of the U.S.
Ques 4 Ans. I took no oath of allegiance or obedience.
Ques 5 Ans. I took an amnesty oath at Staunton Va. after the close of The War in 1865.
Ques 6 Ans. I was not in any manner connected with the Civil service of the Confederate States.
Ques 7 Ans. I held no office or place of trust, honor or profit.
Ques 8 Ans. I held no clerkship, agency or employment of any kind.
Ques 9 Ans. I was not in any capacity in the Military or Naval service of the Confederacy, State or Territory.
Ques 10 Ans. I was not an officer or soldier.
Ques 11 Ans. I belonged no Militia of any state during the War.
Ques 12 Ans. I had no connection with home guards or committees of any kind.
Ques 13 Ans. I was never conscripted during The War.
Ques 14 Ans. I did not furnish a substitute.
Ques 15 Ans. I never was in the employment of any Quarter Master or any other branch or department of the Confederate Services.
Ques 16 Ans. I was not employed on any Railroad nor aided in the transportation of soldiers, munitions of War, or supplies for the Confederate Government.
Ques 17 Ans. I at no time had charge of stores or supplies for the use of the Confederate Army, Navy or Government, nor of teams trains or any thing for the benefit of the Confederacy.
Ques 18 Ans. I never was in the service, employment, or business of any kind for the Confederate Government, its army or navy. I never furnished aid or supplies or stores to the Confederate States or any State in rebellion or any forces, soldier or sailor in the service of the Confederate States, or acting for their benefit.
Ques 19 Ans. I never was employed or assisted in the manufacture of any article whatsoever for the use and benefit of the Confederate States, Army or Navy.
Ques 20 Ans. I never in any way was engaged in impressing, buying or selling supplies, stores or property and had no share or interest in contracts for the use or benefit of the Confederacy.
Ques 21 Ans. I never run the blockade, or engaged in traffic of any kind, between the lines, nor had share or any interest in any species of goods brought in or sent out from the Confederate States during The War.
Ques 22 Ans. I never left the Confederate States lines during The War.
Ques 23 Ans. I was in no way interested in any boat or vessel for any purpose.
Ques 24 Ans. I never was arrested by the Confederacy or by any of its officers. I never was arrested by the United States.
Ques 25 Ans. I had Corn & hay taken by the Confederate Government, I never was paid anything.
Ques 26 Ans. I was threatened to be reported for my Union sentiments.
Ques 27 Ans. I was not molested.
Ques 28 Ans. I made no contribution of money or property.
Ques 29 Ans. I did nothing except to help Union men.
Ques 30 Ans. I had a son, John Kindig, he is living in Illinois, he went through the lines in 1866. I give him no property.
Ques 31 Ans. I owned ano bond and done nothing to support the credit of the Confederate Government.
Ques 32 Ans. I never give aid and comfort to the rebellion.
Ques 33 Ans. I never made raids at any time nor for any purpose.
Ques 34 Ans. I had no one in custody, directly or indirectly for any cause whatever.
Ques 35 Ans. I never belonged to any society or association for any purpose or cause.
Ques 36 Ans. I never was a parolled prisoner.
Ques 37 Ans. I never held an office, and was not educated in any Miltary School.
Ques 38 Ans. I never had a pass.
Ques 39 Ans. I was under no disabilities.
Ques 40 Ans. At the beginning of the rebellion my sympathies were with the Union, my feelings were those of sorrow. I used my influence for the Union and I voted in favor of the Union. I did not voted for the Ordinance of Secession but my sympathies continued with the Union.
Ques 41 Ans. I do solemly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof I never of my own free will and accord did anything, or offered, sought or attempted to do anything, by words or deed to injure said cause or retard its success, and I was at all times ready and willing if called upon to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as my means, and power and the circumstances permitted. I voted for the ordinance of Secession for the reason of being threatened at the time, at Waynesboro, with being hung, and it was reported that some Union men would be hung at Sherando. I also was told and made believe that the adoption of the Ordinance by Virginia would prevent a War. I have always regretted that vote.
Taking the Property
Ques 1 Ans. I was present and saw my horses taken
Ques 3 Ans. The horses were in the Stable. The soldiers opened the door, went in and let them out.
Ques 4 Ans. It was in June 1864, I do not remember the day. I did not hear any names. I think there were about six soldiers. I don't think there was an officer at the stable, but the Command was a short distance off. They were only at the stable a few minutes.
Ques 5 Ans. Henry C. Kindig and Absolom Kindig were present.
Ques 6 Ans. I don't think there was present at the stable and they remarked that they needed them.
Ques 8 Ans. The soldiers led the horses to the road and mounted them.
Ques 9 Ans. The Command was marching, I did not follow after them.
Ques 10 Ans. The soldiers were riding my horses the last I saw of them. It was a Cavalry Command.
Ques 11 Ans. I told them I was a Union man, and that they ought not to take my horses, and they said they needed the horses.
Ques 12 Ans. I did not ask for a receipt.
Ques 13 Ans. The horses were taken in day time. I suppose 1 or 2 P.M. There was no secrecy at all.
Ques 14 Ans. There has been no Camp nearer that Staunton, 11 miles distant, General Hunter's Army had been in Staunton for several days. I think they had left Camp that morning. They said they were going to Lynchburg. The battle at Piedmont took place a few days before. I knew no Quarter Master or other officer.
Ques 15 Ans. The horses were in very good condition. The soldiers said they were good horses. The dark horse was 4 years old of good size and sound, he was a good riding horse and worked well too. I think he was worth $150. The light bay horse was 9 or 10 years old of good size, and a good work horse. I think he was worth $150.
Elias M. Kindig
Testimony: Henry C. Kindig
Deposition of Henry C. Kindig
Answer to first general question
My name is Henry C. Kindig my age is 47 years. My residence near Waynesboro. I am a farmer. I am a brother of the claimant. I was present and saw the horses taken.
Ques 3 Ans. The horses were taken out of the claimants stable, by soldiers and led to the road.
Ques 4 Ans. I think the 7th or 8 June 1864. I think there were about 1/2 dozen soldiers who were on horseback. I don't think that either of those was an officer. They were only at the stable a few minutes.
Ques 5 Ans. The claimant and his family were present.
Ques 6 Ans. There was no officer nearer than the road which was a short distance away.
Ques 7 Ans. The horses were taken out of the stable by 1/2 dozen solders and led off. I heard nothing said.
Ques 8 Ans. The horses were led to the road and then mounted and rode off with the Command.
Ques 9 Ans. The Army was marching. I did not see the horses after they left.
Ques 10 Ans. It was a Cavalry Command and I suppose the horses were used for that.
Ques 11 Ans. I heard no complaint. The Claimant remarked that he would rather the Union Army had taken them, than the Confederates.
Ques 12 Ans. There was no receipt given or asked for.
Ques 13 Ans. I was day time, about 1 o'clock.
Ques 14 Ans. I knew of no Camp except the one at Staunton, said to be General Hunter's Army had been there for several days. They had moved out of Camp that morning and left for Lynchburg. There had been a battle fought at Piedmont on Sunday previous. I did learn the name of any officer at all.
Ques 15 Ans. The horses were in good condition and sound as a dollar. The dark horse was 4 years old, good size and well broken to work and ride - he was worth at least $200. The light bay was 9 or 10 years old, a very good size, a good work horse and sound as far as I know. he was worth $150. I have not talked with Claimant about prices. I knew them well. I have no beneficial interest in this claim.
Henry C. Kindig
Testimony: Samuel Keiser
Deposition of Samuel Keiser
Answer to first general question
My name is Samuel Keiser my age is 62 years. I reside near Fishersville in Augusta Co. I am a farmer. I am not related to the Claimant. I have known the claimant for twenty five years. We lived about one mile a part during the war. We were very intimate. I saw him frequently, often once a week. I have heard him talk many times about The War and he always talked in favor of the Union. I am fully satisfied in my mind that he was decided in his sympathies for the Union. I do not recollect any particular words. It was rumored in the neighborhood that he would be reported for speaking against the South. He knew my Union sentiments. I never heard him express himself in the presence of others. His Union neighbors all believed him to be strictly loyal to the United States. He assisted Union men in getting out the Confederate lines - I know of nothing that he ever did for the rebellion. he had talked too much against the South to have proven loyalty to it.
Samuel Keiser
Testimony: Henry B. Jones
Deposition of Henry B. Jones
Answer to 1st general question
My name is Henry B. Jones, my age is 54 years. Reside near Fishersville. I am a farmer. I am a brother-in-law of the Claimant. I was very intimate with the Claimant during The War. I reside between 25 & 28 miles from him. I saw him four or five times a year. We conversed freely about The War and I always found True in his Union sympathies and sentiments. He knew my Union sympathies. I never heard him express sympathy for the South at no time. He was regarded in the neighborhood as strictly a Union man. He sent three of his sons through the lines to keep them from fighting against the Union - I heard that was threats made at Waynesboro and the neighborhoods. From what I heard a reign of terror existed in that particular neighborhood. I believe it was the pressure existing that made him believe vote for the Ordinance, for I had heard him speak in opposition to it before and after the election. From my knowledge of him he could not have shown any loyalty to the South, had it been successful.
H.B. Jones
Testimony: Henry Crist
Deposition of Henry Crist
Answer to 1st General Question
My name is Henry Crist, my age is 50 years. I am farmer. I am not related to the Claimant. I have known the Claimant since childhood. I was very intimate with him during The War. I often conversed with him, average once a week. Our chief conversation was about The War. I left the Confederate lines in February 1864. In all my interviews with his sympathies were in favor of the Union. I never heard him express the slightest sympathy with the rebellion. He knew my adherence to the Union. I met with him once in the presence of others and he was firm in his Union sentiments. He expressed himself as decidedly opposed to the Ordinance of Secession, and I believe it was the threats made in that neighborhood that caused him to vote as he did. The rumored talk was that men were to be hung and there was considerable excitement. His reputation was that of a Union man in the neighborhood. I never knew him to do anything for the Union cause. I don't think he ever did any thing for the rebellion voluntarily. I know that he had taken too strong grounds in favor of the Union to show any loyalty or sympathy for the South. I lived about one mile from him during The War on to the time I left.
Henry Crist
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Elias Kindig, March 14, 1873, Claim No. 19,885, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington D.C., fiche #1816.
