Summary: David Bowers filed this claim in 1873 for $385.25, claiming Union troops confiscated 1 grey mare, 1 bay horse, 2 saddles, 4 halters, 2 bridles, bacon, molasses, bags, and lard from his farm near Middlebrook, Augusta Co., Va. The claim was disallowed in 1874. Bowers filed an additional claim, No. 1379, for $428.50, that was considered "substantially the same" as the prior claim; it was also disallowed.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| One grey mare 6 years old | $175.00 | 0 | $175.00 |
| One bay horse 9 years old | $150.00 | 0 | $150.00 |
| Two saddles 1/20 1/12 | $32.00 | 0 | $32.00 |
| Sixty (60 lbs) lbs bacon 16 2/3 | $10.00 | 0 | $10.00 |
| Four (4) Halters $1 each | $4.00 | 0 | $4.00 |
| Five Gallons molasses 75¢ | $3.75 | 0 | $3.75 |
| Twelve bags 50¢ | $6.00 | 0 | $6.00 |
| One Can Lard 20 lbs 12/2 | $2.50 | 0 | $2.50 |
| Two bridles | $2.00 | 0 | $2.00 |
Claims Summary:
The testimony in this case is not of that satisfactory character that would justify any accomodation of payment - It does not show the claimant to have been loyal to the United States during the war. He resided in Augusta Co. Va. & swears that he did not vote for the ratification of the ordinance of secession - The record of the votes in that county shows that he did vote for the ordinance
This claim is disallowed.
Testimony: David Bowers
Ques 2 Ans. I resided near Middlebrook my present residence during the War and did not change my occupation was farming on a small
Ques 3 Ans. I did not beyond the U.S. lines.
Ques 4 Ans. I took no oath of any kind.
Ques 5 Ans. I never took an amnesty oath.
Ques 6 Ans. I was not in any way connected with the civil service of the Confederate States.
Ques 7 Ans. I held no office or place of trust or honor of any kind
Ques 8 Ans. I held no clerkship, agency or employment of any kind
Ques 9 Ans. I never was in any capacity in the military or naval service of the Confederate States -
Ques 10 Ans. I never was a solider or officer on the so called Confederate States, state or territory.
Ques 11 Ans. I belonged to no militia organization
Ques 12 Ans. I had nothing to do with home guards or committees of any kind.
Ques 13 Ans. I was not conscripted.
Ques 14 Ans. I furnished no substitute
Ques 15 Ans. I had nothing to do with any branch of service in the Confederate Government army or Navy.
Ques 16 Ans. I was not employed on any railroad nor aided in the transportation of any thing what ever for the use of the Confederacy.
Ques 17 Ans. I never had charge of supplies, or any thing belonging to the Confederacy.
Ques 18 Ans. I never was in any service or business of any kind. I furnished nothing to any branch or department of the Army or Government - I give no information.
Ques 19 Ans. I was never employed in the manufacture of any article not aided others in doing so -
Ques 20 Ans. I was not engaged in the collection or impressment of any thing and had no contracts or interest in purchases or sales made.
Ques 21 Ans. I never run the blockade, nor traded in goods of any kind, nor had no share or interest in any such traffic.
Ques 22 Ans. I did not leave the lines of the Confederate States during the entire time
Ques 23 Ans. I had no interest in any boat or vessel for any purpose
Ques 24 Ans. I was not arrested by either the Confederate Government or the United States -
Ques 25 Ans. I had no property taken of value -
Ques 26 Ans. I never was threatened -
Ques 27 Ans. I never was molested -
Ques 28 Ans. I made no contribution to the U.S. Government or the Union cause.
Ques 29 Ans. I aided my sons to go through to the Union lines -
Ques 30 Ans. My sons Samuel and George Bowers were in the Confederate Army a short time in 1861. They reside near Middlebrook, Va. I furnished them nothing at all.
Ques 31 Ans. I did not own any bonds or interest in any, nor did anything to support the credit of the Confederate States.
Ques 32 Ans. I never gave aid or comfort to the rebellion.
Ques 33 Ans. I made no raids -
Ques 34 Ans. I had no one in custody for any cause at all
Ques 35 Ans. I belonged to no society or association for any cause or purpose
Ques 36 Ans. I never was a paroled prisoner
Ques 37 Ans. I held no office at any time, and was not educated in any military school
Ques 38 Ans. I had no pass
Ques 39 Ans. I was under no disabilities
Ques 40 Ans. At the beginning my sympathies were with the Union. I voted for the Union Cause delegates to the State Convention. I did not vote for the Ordinance of Secession - and after the ratification my feelings were with the Union.
Ques 41 Ans. I do most solemly declare that from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof my sympathies were constantly with the cause of the Union and that I never of my 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 I was at all times ready and willing when called upon to aid and assist the cause of the Union or its supporters so far as my means, power and the circumstances permitted.
Taking property
Ques 1 Ans. I was present and saw all the articles specified in the claim taken.
Ques 3 Ans. The horses were in a field near to my house and the saddles, halters & bridles were in the stable and the Bacon, Lard & Molassses were in my house and the bags in my grainary.
Ques 4 Ans. The property was taken about the 7th of June 1864. The property was taken my Union soldiers. I suppose there were 500 present. Three soldiers went into the field and caught the horses, and the house was full when the other articles were taken. They were passing my house for several hours.
Ques 5 Ans. No one present but my wife.
Ques 6 Ans. There were two officers present I do not know their rank. It was Genl Crook's command. I heard no order given.
Ques 7 Ans. The horses were taken from the field & the other property taken from the house and stables.
Ques 8 Ans. The horse were rode off by soldiers and the bacon and other articles were carried off by soldiers.
Ques 9 Ans. The Army was marching at the time my property was taken -
Ques 10 Ans. I saw the property after it was taken away.
Ques 11 Ans. I made no complaint
Ques 12 Ans. I got not receipt
Ques 13 Ans. The property was taken about 11 A.M. There was no secrecy at all.
Ques 14 Ans. The Army camped about one mile from my house that night - Genl Hunter was in Staunton at that time - I think he had a battle a few days before below Staunton. I knew no officer at all.
Ques 15 Ans. The horse and mare were both in good condition, the horse about 9 years and the mare about 6 years old, both of good size rode and worked well. I think they were worth what I have charged $325 - The saddles were nearly new, the halters and bridles were some worn but very good I suppose there were 60 pounds of Bacon It was not weighed. I do not recollect the number of pieces - The Lard was in a Can, about half full. I think the Can held about 40 pounds. I would judge the Molasses to be about 5 gallons. There were 12 bags. I do not think there is any charge unreasonable or too high - I never received any pay for any part of the property -
David Bowers
Testimony: Sarah Bowers
Deposition of Sarah Bowers
Answer to first question
My name is Sarah Bowers my age is 37 years. My residence near Middlebrook, Va. am the daughter of the claimant, David Bowers. I was not present when the property was taken being absent at the time in Middlebrook about 1/2 mile from my father's residence. The Army commanded by Genl. Crook passed through Middlebrook after passing my father's house, and I saw my fathers horses in possession of the soldiers, and were riding them. I know the horses, I applied to one of the officers, I think a General to release the horses, that my father had only the two and they being so well broken that we could do anything with them - He replied that if my father would come to the Camp that night he should have them but I could not get home to tell my father. He said that his men out not to have taken them, especially from from old persons. I do not know anything about the other articles, only I know that all was gone when I got home. The Army was marching in the direcion of Staunton, where Genl Hunter was then encamped. I do not recollect of any battle, being fought. The horses were taken in June 1864 - I think the grey mare was well worth $150 and the horse was worth not less that $125 -
Sarah F. Bowers
Testimony: George L. Arehart
Deposition of George L. Arehart
Ques 1st My name is George L. Arehart, my age is 44 years. My residence is near Middlebrook, Augusta Co. My occupation a farmer. I am not related to the claimant nor have no interest in the claim - I have known the claimant about 25 years. I lived about 1 3/4 miles from him during the war. We were intimate during the war, and saw each other very frequently. My own sympathies were with the Union, the claimant knew my position. I talked with the claimant about the war. I never heard him say anything in favor of the rebellion - I never heard the claimants loyalty doubted by the Union men of his neighborhood - I never knew him to do anything for the rebellion - I left the Confederate lines in January 1864, and went to Indiana. I understood that the claimant sons, Samuel and George Bowers went through to the Union lines. I do not think that if the South had gained its independence the claimant could have proved loyalty to it. He could not have done so by me.
George F. Arehart
Testimony: Lee Squires
Deposition of Lee Squires
Answer to the first question
My name is Lee Squires. My age is 36 years. My residence Middlebrook. My occupation a Hotel keeper. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in the claim. I have known the claimant since 1862. I lived about one mile from him until the close of the War. I was very intimate with him during that time of the War. I saw him frequently, once a week. I do not recollect that we ever talked about the War, but from what I knew of him I believed that he was opposed to the War. I traded horses with him and during the time, he expressed his views on the subject of the War. I was opposed to the War myself, and was arrested by the rebels in W. Va. because of my opposition to the War. I never heard any doubts expressed about the Claimants loyalty by his Union neighbors. The Claimant could not have proven loyalty to the South by me. I never knew him to do anything in aid of the Confederates - His sons, George and Samuel went through to the Union lines in 1864 -
Lee Squires
Testimony: George L. Arehart, John Spitter, John Engleman, Lee Squires
State of Virginia
County of Augusta
We George L. Arehart, John Spitter, John Engleman, Lee Squires all of the aforesaid County and State, being duly sworn, do depose and say that we are all acquainted with David Bowers of said County and State, that we have examined the Claim presented by said Bowers for property taken by the U.S. forces during the rebellion, to the best of their knowledge and belief said property was taken as represented - and was the full value as claimed by David Bowers. We do further swear, that we knew said Bowers was a truly loyal citizen of the U.S. during the rebellion and was so loyal at the time his claim occurred, neither did he by act or deed render any voluntary aid or support in any manner to the Confederate Government, its offices or adherents -
George L Arehart
John Engleman
John Spitter
Lee Squires
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24 day of April 1871 at Staunton Va
James M. Baldwin N.P.
Testimony: United States War Department
(1.379 and 20.827)
Archive Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT
August 31, 1877
Book 3 Letters sent, page 237
Case of David Bowers, Augusta Co. Va.
One David Bowers sold the Confederate States One hundred and firty two bushels of Corn in the month of August 1863
See the receipt of Mr. Bowers for $249.00, to Major L.W. Dillard, Q.M. of the Confederate States, at the city of Columbus Ga. on the 4th day of September 1864.
Dec 14/74 Rejected
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of David Bowers, April 4, 1873, Claim No. 20827, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 1439.
