Summary: Amelia McCray claimed the value of three horses. The Commissioners rejected her claim, designating her behavior during the war as neutral, rather than truly loyal to the United States Government. There is some dispute in the historic record as to whether McCray lived in Augusta County or Rockbridge County.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| One Mare 3 years old | 140 | 0 | 140 |
| One Mare 4 years old | 150 | 0 | 150 |
| On Grey Mare 9 years old | 140 | 0 | 140 |
| Total | $430.00 | 0 | $430.00 |
Claims Summary:
Mrs McCray has resided in Virginia over 40 years. Had three sons in the Confederate Army. She made for one of her sons a suit of clothes as she says to keep him from freezing. She says her sympathies were with the Union. She felt she wanted nothing to do with the war any way.
One witness James McCutchan 66 years of age is called to prove her loyalty. He has known her from childhood & as far as he knows she did not take an active part either way in the war. Did nothing for either army. "Was regarded as opposed to the war being a lady she said nothing either way."
Giving the utmost force to her testimony Mrs McCray at best was but a neutral, a very fair record for a Virginia lady with three sons in the Confederate Army. It is not enough to entitle her for compensation for property taken for the use of the Union Army. The claim is rejected.
Testimony: Amelia McCray
Before the Commissioners of Claims Under the Act of March 3, 1871
Amelia McCray vs. The United States
On the 14th day of September 1871 at Staunton, Augusta County and State of Virginia, personally came Amelia McCray claimant and James McCutchan and Samuel Clemmer her witnesses in a cause now pending before the Commissioners of Claims, in the name of Amelia McCray vs the United States, before me a U.S. Commissioner, and also a Special Commissioner appointed by the Commissioners of Claims.
Present Amelia McCray, claimant. The said claimant, and each of said witnesses, were first before any questions were put to them, properly and duly sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, relative to the matters in which they were to testify, and the testimony of the claimant and said witnesses were taken down by me, in in my presenece; and I read over the to said claimant and to each of said witnesses their respective depositions; and the said depositions were duly signed in my presence.
WG Riley U.S. Commissioner And Special Commissioner
Deposition of Amelia McCray
Ques 1st Answer. Witness Says, I am 62 years old. I reside in Rockbridge County, Va. I am a house keeper. I have resided at the same place since the 1829, Never having changed my residence.
3 Witness Says, I never left my home during the War. I never took any oath or affirmation to the Confederate Government. Never asked any pardon. I never took the Amnesty Oath.
7 Witness Says, I never held any place or done any service whatsoever for the Confederate States, In any department, or bureau. I never give any information to any Confederate Officer, or had it any thing to do with the Confederacy civil or Military. I never was engaged in the manufacture of any article for the use of the Confederate Government, Army or Navy.
14. Witness Says I never had any interest in any goods brought into or exported from the Confederate Ports. I never was arrested by either Government. I never had any property taken by the Confederate authorities I never was threatened, or molested by the Confederates.
21 Witness Says I never contributed anything for the U.S. Government.
22 Witness Says, I had three 3 sons in the Confederate Army. I had no relative in the Union Army that I know of. I made one of my sons a suit of clothes to keep him from freezing that was all.
I never owned any Confederate Bonds, or did anything to support the credit of the Confederacy. I never give any aid and Comfort to the rebellion.
33 Witness Says, When the war commenced my sympathies were in favor of the Union and remained so.
34 Witness Says, My sympathies were with the Union Cause and I felt that I wanted to have nothing to do with the War, in any way.
Further this deponent saith not.
Amelia Mcray
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th September 1871
WG Riley United States Commissioner and Special Com. for the State of Virginia
Testimony: James McCutchan
Depositions of James McCutchan to prove the loyalty of the Claimant to the United States
Ques. 1 Answer Witness Says, I am 66 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. I have known the Claimant from early childhood. As far as I know she did not take an active part either way, in the war. I never knew her to do anything to aid the Union or its Cause. She done nothing for the Confederates, except what she was compelled to do.
She was regarded as opposed to the war, being a lady she said nothing either way.
General Interrogatory
Ques. Do you know of other matters relative to this claim? If so state the same fully.
Answer. The Claimant said she would rather her sons had went with others to the Union lines.
Further this deponent saith not.
James McCutchan
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of September 1871
WG Riley U.S. Commissioner and Special Com. for state of Virginia
Testimony: Samuel Clemmer
Deposition of Samuel Clemmer to prove the taking & furnishing of the property
Ques 1 Witness says: I am 21 years old. I reside in Augusta Co. I am a Farmer. I was present & saw the horses mentioned in the petition taken.
4 Witness says: The horses were taken in June 1864 from claimants farm, by Soldiers & officers of Genl. Averills Comd.
5 Witness says: The claimant, Mr. Henry Reed & myself were present when the property was taken
6 Witness Says: I saw no officer present when the property was taken.
7 Witness Says: The horese were taken by Soldiers of the Union Army, Comd. by Genl. Averill.
8 Witness Says: The property was rode off by Soldiers
9 Witness says: The horses were taken along with them, the Army was marching towards Lexington
10 Witness says: I suppose the horses were taken for the use of the army.
11 Witness says: The claimant made some complaint to the Soldiers. She thought they ought to leave her one horse at any rate
12 Witness says, There was no receipt asked for & none given
13 Witness says: The property was taken about 10'clock in the day. It was not taken secretly.
14 Witness says, When the property was taken, No part of the army was encamped in that vicinity There had not been any battle or skirmish near. I did not know the Qr.Mr. or any of them.
15 Witnesss says: The horses were in nice condition. One dunn mare was five years old, was worth $150.00. Another dun Mare, three years old, was worth One hundred & twenty five dollars. One grey mare, eight years old, was worth One hundred & forty dollars.
19 Witness Says: I think the property was taken for the use of the army, & not for private use.
20 Witness says: I suppose they were taken for the necessary use of the army.
21 Witness says: I believe the necessity justified them in taking them.
22 Witness says, I believe it was taken for some purpose so necessary as to justify the Govt. in paying for it.
23 Witness says: I believe the officers gave them orders to take it & further this deponent sayeth not
Sept. 15th 1871
S.T. Clemmer
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, May 1, 1877
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 223. Case of Amelia McCray, Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & foucher for one Dun Mare Sold to the CS for the use of the Army valued at $375.00
Paid Novr. 30th 1863, by R. Turk Asst QM C.S. Army Signature on file.
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Amelia McCray, September 14, 1871, Claim No. 6898, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington D.C., fiche #63.
