Summary: John Bumgardner filed this claim September 5, 1871, for $210, claiming that Union troops confiscated 1 horse with saddle and bridle, 1 patch of corn, and 1 hog from his farm in 1864. A witness, Humphrey Ware, testified that 2 horses were taken; one sheet within the claim includes a second horse in a varying claim of confiscated property: 2 large bay horses, both 5 years old, one valued at $250 and one at $200; also, 40 bushels of corn, valued at $40.00. Why the lists vary is unclear. The claim was disallowed December 9, 1872.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| one horse with saddle and bridle | $170.00 | 0 | $170.00 |
| one patch of corn | $25.00 | 0 | $25.00 |
| one hog | $15.00 | 0 | $15.00 |
Claims Summary:
This claimant is a farmer 31 years of age, resided in Augusta Co. Va. was employed in 1863 to haul flour for the Confederates - says he was "impressed" to that work - says he was never threatened injured or molested on account of his union sentiments - This testimony on the question of loyalty is weak & uncertain - all the important printed questions between No 19 & 29 are omitted or not answered at all by the Claimant -
The proof is not satisfactory & the claim is rejected -
Testimony: John Bumgardner
United States of America
State of Virginia
I, W.G. Riley, a commissioner selected and designated by the Commissioner of Claims appointed under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871 to take and record testimony Do hereby certify that the reason for takng the following depositions is and the fact is the matter of Claim of John Bumgardner vs. the United States of America and other witness herein named being the first duly sworn answereth as follows.
Question 1 Witness says - I am thirty-one years I reside in Augusta County Va. My occupation a farmer. I resided in Augusta County six months prior to April 1st 1861
2 I resided from April 1st 1861 to April 1st 1865 in Augusta County Virginia.
3 Witness Says I never passed beyond the Military and naval lines of the United States and entered the Rebel lines.
4 Witness Says I never took an oath of allegiance to the Confederate States.
5 Witness Says I have taken the Amnesty Oath. I took it after the War, in Augusta County Virginia. I have never been pardoned by the President. I have never done a thing to be pardoned for.
6 Witness Says I was impressed to haul Flour by the Confederate States, they said if I did not go, they would take my team and put another driver with it. In the year 1863 in the State of Virginia, no oath was required.
7 Witness Says. I never held any office under the Confederate Government.
8 Witness Says. I never held any clearkship or any agency whatever under the Confederate Government, I have never of my own free will done anything directly or indirectly for the Confederate States, or any State in Rebellion thereto.
9 Witness Says. I was never in any Military or Naval capacity or any way connected with the Confederate States.
14 Witness Says. I was never engaged in running the blockade.
15 Witness Says. I did not leave the Confederate States between the 19th of April 1861 and the 19th of April 1865.
16 Witness Says. I was never interested in any Vessel used in navigation the Ocean to or from any part of the Confederacy.
17 Witness Says. I was never arrested by the confederate Government. I was never arrested by the United States Government.
18 Witness Says. I never had any property taken by the Confederate Government.
19 Witness Says. I was never threatened, injured or molested on account of my Union sentiments.
29 Witness Says. I was never a paroled prisoner of the United States.
30 Witness Says. I have never held any office under the United States Government. I was not educated at West Point or at the Naval Academy.
31 Witness Says. I never received any pay from the Confederate Government.
32 Witness Says. I never was under disabilities imposed by the 14th Amendment.
33 Witness Says. At the beginning of the War I was for the Union and not for the Rebellion. I voted neither for nor against the Ordinance of Secession. After the Ordinance was passed I adhered to the Union and did not go with my State.
34 Witness Says. I was from the beginning of the War for the Union, and was at all times ready and willing to render any assistance for the Union in my power at all times.
And further the deponent says not.
Sept 5th 1871
X (his mark)
Testimony: Humphrey Ware
Humphrey Ware a witness introduced to prove the taking of the property charged in the claimants petition being duly sworn answers as follows
Question I Witness Says; I was present, when the articles mentioned in the claimants petition were taken, I saw all the articles taken.
IIII Witness says: The property was taken in 1864 from the claimants farm by soldiers of the Union Army.
6 Witness Says: There was an officer present at the taking of the claimants property, do not know his rank.
8 Witness Says: Property was removed by Soldiers. The horses were rid, the other property was carried on horses.
10 Witness Says: The property was taken for the use of the United States Army.
11 Witness Says: Claimant complained.
12 Witness Says: There was no receipt asked for & none given.
13 Witness Says: The property was taken in the day time, none of it was taken secretly.
14 Witness Says: When the property was taken the Army was encamped in the vicinity about four miles off.
15 Witness Says: The horses were in fine condition, the large bay horse was five years old & worth three hundred dollars, another bay horse five years old was worth two hundred dollars, they took about forty bushels of shelled corn, worth one dollar a bushel.
19 Witness Says: The property was taken for the use of the United States Army & not for individual use.
22 Witness Says: The property was taken for the use of the Army & therefore the Govt. is justified in paying for it.
23 Witness Says: Those who took the property had authority to take it or to order it taken.
24 Witness Says: I am 32 years old, I live in Augusta Co Va by occupation a farmer, & further the deponent sayeth not.
Sept. 5th 1871
Humphrey Ware his x mark
Testimony: Humphrey Ware
Humphrey Ware a witness introduced by the claimant to prove his loyalty to the U.S. Govt. being duly sworn answers as follows.
Question 1 Witness says: I am 32 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. & am by occupation a farmer. I have known the Claimant 17 years. I lived with him 15 years & saw him every day during the war & talked with him repeatedly about the war. He cursed the rebel army. He was loyal to the U.S. Govt during the war & was so regarded by his neighbors. He fed the soldiers of the Union Army free of charge while he was in reach of them. He did nothing for the rebel army except what he was forced to do. his wagon was impressed twice by the rebels. He was too loyal to have stayed in this country if the rebel Govt. had succeeded, & further deponent sayeth not.
Sept. 5th 1871
Humphrey Ware his x mark
Testimony: William Stickley
William Stickley a witness by the claimant to prove his loyalty to the U.S. Govt. being duly sworn answers as follows.
Ques. 1 Witness says: I am 59 years old, reside in Augusta Co. Va. by occupation a farmer. I have known the claimant 20 years. I reside near him, I saw him often during the war, talked often with him about the war. I regarded him as a perfectly loyal man to the U.S. Govt. & he was so regarded by his neighbors. Never knew him to do anything for the U.S. Army, nor to do anything for the rebel govt. He was too loyal to the U.S. govt. to have been loyal to the rebel Govt. had it succeeded & further the deponent sayeth not.
Sept. 5th 1871
William Stickley
Sworn & subscribed before me this 5th day of Sept. 1871
W.G. Riley (seal)
United States Commissioner and Special Com. for State of Va.
Testimony: H. Risk
Deposition of H. Risk to prove the loyalty of Jno. Bumgardner
Ques 1 Witness says I am 55 years old reside in the City of Staunton. I am U.S. Deputy Marshall. I have known Mr. Jno. Bumgardner about 10 years. I lived about 4 miles from him during the war & saw him frequently. I had no conversation with him about the War, during the war. Anything I heard during the war, or since, impresses me with the idea that he was during the War, since, a strong Union man & loyal to the U.S. Government. He was threatened with arrest during the War for expressing Union sentiments. I have never heard from any of his neighbors that he was not regarded as a Union man. I don't know that he did anything for either Government. Don't know that he owned any Confederate bonds or did anything to support Confederate credit. Don't know that he ever rejoiced over any victory on either side. Don't know that he gave any information to any Union Officers as to the movements of the Confederate armies. I don't know that he could have stayed here had the Confederacy gained its independence. And further this Deponent saith not.
H. Risk
Sworn before me this 5th day of August 1872
WG Riley
Testimony: Samuel D. Stover
Deposition of Saml. D. Stover to prove the loyalty of Jno. Bumgardner
Ques 1 Witness Says I am 54 years old. I reside in Augusta Co. I am a farmer. I have known Mr. Bumgardner 20 years. Lived near him during the war & saw him often, and talked to him about the war during the War. I have heard him say that if he were under age & liable to military duty, that he would leave the country before he would go in the Army that he believed the was to be unjust & uncalled for. I always considered him a good Union man. I think he was so regarded as a Union man by his neighbors. I heard him say he was threatened because he was a Union man, don't know the threats. I believe he advised all persons to leave the country rather than go into the Confederate Army. He has told me he never wanted the South to gain its independence that he could not stay here if it did. So far as I know he did not own any Confederate bonds & did nothing to support the credit of the Confederate Govt. Don't know that he ever gave any information to any Union Officer in regard to movements of the Confederate Armies. And further this deponent saith not.
Samuel D. Stover
Sworn to before me this 2nd day of August 1872
W G Riley
Testimony: United States War Department
Dec. 1872 Disallowed
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT
June 30, 1874
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 28
Case of No 9293 & 2134
John Bumgardner
Augusta County Virginia
Oct 12 1861 A man of the above name sold one Stamping machine and one Stamp to the Ordnance Department for twenty dollars
Testimony: United States War Department
Rejected Dec 9/72 - Disallowed
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT
March 14, 1874
Petition for rehearing filed
Book 2, Letters sent, page 494
Case of John Bumgardner
Augusta Co. Va.
(Nos 9293 and 2134.)
The above claimants name is found signed to the petition of citizens of Augusta Co. praying discharge of one McClung who is a miller and "who volunteered in the Confederate service rather than go in the militia." has three brothers in the Army two of which have been in ever since the war began.
(W.D.S. 1862.M.No. 256. In file)
Testimony: United States War Department
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT
Jan 2nd, 1879
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 369
Case of J. Bumgardner
Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & voucher for hire of one 4 horse team 9 days March 28 to April 5th at $4.50 per day. Also for 184 lbs hay at $2.30 perbushel amounting to $36.20
paid Apl. 18th 1862 by A.O.M.
W.H. Peyton
1872 Rejected
Testimony: United States War Department
. . .that said supplies were Taken by the United States troops under the command of General Averill when he with General Hunter made his march through the valley of Virginia in the month of June 1864 - That he is unable to give the name or names of any officer or soldier engaged in the taking of said property
Witness to prove Loyalty
John English Arbor Hill Augusta County
Va.
Porterfield Porter Summerdeau " " "
Witnesses to prove Loss of property & value thereof
Porterfield
Porter Summerdeau Augusta Co Va
John English Arbor Hill
Post-office Address of Claimant is Arbor Hill
Augusta County
Virginia
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of John Bumgardner, September 5, 1871, Claim No. 9293, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 438.
