Summary: Joseph H. Craun of Mossy Creek, Augusta Co., Va., filed this claim October 26, 1871, for $125.00, claiming that Union troops confiscated 1 sorrel mare. Craun testified that he lived and farmed in Indiana from 1863 until his return to Virginia in 1865. The claim was diallowed on December 9, 1872.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| one sorrel mare | $125.00 | 0 | $125.00 |
Claims Summary:
Mr. Craun is 35 years of age & resided in Augusta Co. Va. is a farmer - He calls two witnesses to prove his loyalty - both named Craun. It is not known whether or not they are relatives of the claimant - Their testimony is weak & without significance - The claimant himself says he put a substitute in the Confederate Army, which he endeavors to excuse - But he voted for the Ordinance of Secession, which he neither excuses nor attempts to excuse but says he did not vote at all - the record of the votes furnishes the evidence
The claim is rejected
Testimony: Joseph Craun
Deposition of Joseph Craun
Answer to first Interrogatory
I am 58 years old, reside in Augusta Co. Va. I am a farmer. I resided in Augusta Co Va. six months prior to April 1861.
Ques 3 Witness says. I never passed the military of Naval lines of the US & entered the rebel lines.
4 Witness says. I never took an oath of allegiance to the the Confed Govt.
5 Witness says. I did not take the amnesty oath, I took the oath of allegiance to the US when I went west was not in the South when the amnesty oath was administered, have never been pardoned.
6 Witness says. I never was directly nor indirectly connected with the civil service of the Confed States
7 Witness says. I never held any office or place of honor, profit or trust under the Confed. Govt.
8 Witness says. I never held any clerkship agency or employment under the Confed. States.
9 Witness says. I never was in any capacity in the military or Naval service of the Confed States.
10 Witness says. I never was an officer Soldier Sailor or marine in the Confed Army or Navy. I furnished a substitute for the Confederate Army. I attempted to go through the Union lines was taken sick & had to return, while I was sick I was conscripted & had to put in a substitute to keep out myself. Never had any connection with any department of the Confed Govt. Never had charge of any stores, trains or wagons.
11 Witness says. I never was in any service or employment of any kind for the Confed. Govt. Never furnished any aid or supplies & never gave any information to any one in the employment of the Confed. Govt.
12 Witness says. I never was in any manner engaged in the manufacture of munitions of war or goods of any kind for the Confed. Govt.
13 Witness says. I never was engaged in the collection or impressment of supplies of any kind for the Confed. Govt.
14 Witness says. I never was engaged in blockade running or illicit traffic between the lines.
15 Witness says. I left the Confed States in 1863. Went to Indiana was farming while there, returned home in the fall of 1865.
17 Witness says. I never was arrested by either the US or Confed. Govts.
18 Witness says. I had wheat, corn & hay taken by the Confed Govt. recd no pay for any of it.
21 Witness says. I have heard that my family was threatened & abused after I went West. I was not threatened myself.
23 Witness says. I had three brothers in the Confed. Army, did nothing to supply them with equipment or money. I tried to keep them out of the army.
24 Witness says. I never owned any Confederate bonds, did nothing to support Confed. credit.
25 Witness says. I never gave aid nor comfort to the rebellion.
27 Witness says. I never was engaged in holding in custody persons taken as prisoners of war by the Confed. Govt.
28 Witness says. I never was a member of any society for the persecution or imprisonment of persons on account of Union sentiments.
30 Witness says. Was never an officer in the Army or Navy of the US was not educated at West Point or the Naval Academy.
31 Witness says. Never recd a pass from any Confed Officer.
32 Witness says. I am not & never have been under any disabilities imposed by the 14th amendment have been deputy sheriff since the war by military appointment, took the "iron clad" oath to qualify.
33 Witness says. At the beginning of the war I sympathized with the Union. Did not vote either for or against the ordinance of secession. After its adoption I adhered to the Union & did not go with my State.
34 Witness says. I constantly sympathized with the cause of the Union. I never did anything to injure or retard its cause & was ready & willing at all times to aid to the extent of my means & ability & further this deponent sayeth not.
Oct 26th 1871
J.M. Craun
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 26th day of Oct. 1871
W.G. Riley
(seal)
United States Commissioner and special Com for State of Va.
Testimony: Isaac Miller
Deposition of Isaac Miller to prove property
Ques 1 Witness says. I am 69 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. I am a laborer. I was present & saw the horse mentioned in the claimant's petition taken.
4 Witness says. The horse was taken in 1864 from me on the road by Officers & soldiers of the US Army under Genl Sheridan.
6 Witness says. There were officers present when the property was taken
7 Witness says. The soldiers took the horse & put him at once with the US Army
13 Witness says. The horse was taken in the day time it was not taken secretly
14 Witness says. When the property was taken the army was on the march.
15 Witness says. The horse was in good condition. Item #1 Saw one sorrel mare taken, was about 8 or 9 years old, was worth $200.00. I saw her taken & put in the US Army. I think I have put her at fair market prices.
19 Witness says. The horse was taken for the use if the US Army & not for private use.
22 Witness says. I think the property was taken for the use of the US Army & the Govt should pay for it.
23 Witness says. Officer was present & saw the horse taken & further this deponent sayeth not.
Oct 26 1871
X (his mark)
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 26th day of Oct 1871
WG Riley
(seal)
United States Commissioner and special Com for State of Va.
Testimony: George Craun
Deposition of George Craun to prove loyalty
Ques 1 Witness says. I am 57 years old. I reside in Augusta Co. Va. I am a farmer. Have know the claimant all his life. Lived near him, saw him often & talked to him about the war. I regarded him as a Union man & he was so regarded by his neighbors. Never knew him to do anything for the US Govt he had no opportunity. Never knew him to do anything for the Confed. Govt. I heard often of parties his neighbors rejoicing in his misfortunes & sent Confed. Govt teams to take his grain because he was a Union man. I think he was too loyal to the US Govt to have made a loyal citizen to the Confed Govt had it succeeded & further this deponent sayeth not.
Oct. 26th 1871
George Craun
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 26th day of Oct 1871
WG Riley
(seal)
United States Commissioner and special Com for State of Va.
Testimony: Daniel M. Craun
Deposition of Daniel M. Craun to prove loyalty
Ques 1 Witness says. I am 37 years old. I reside in Augusta Co. Va. I am a farmer. Have known the claimant all his life. Lived near him during the war saw him often & talked with him about the war. I regarded him as a loyal man to the US & he was so regarded by his neighbors. Never knew him to do anything for the Confed. Govt. Never knew him threatened on account of his union sentiments during the war he has been talked about & abused since the war because he was a Union man. I do not think he could possibly have stayed South, had the Confed. Govt succeeded & further this deponent sayeth not.
Oct 26th 1871
D.M. Craun
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 26th day of Oct 1871
WG Riley
(seal)
United States Commissioner and special Com for State of Va.
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Nov 30, 1877
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 246
Case of Joseph Craun, Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & voucher for keeping C. Government -
Horses on Hay
81 Horses 2 Hays
144 " 1 "
175 " 1 "
202 " 2 "
Also for hire of wagon & hire of hands & for boarding same amounting to $167.33
Dec 9/72. Rejected.
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
March 14, 1874
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 246
Case of Joseph Craun, Augusta Co. Va.
The name of J.H. Craun is found on petition of citizens of Augusta & Rockingham Cos, praying for the detail of Wm. H. Miserer, a blacksmith.
Application is endorsed by Hon. John B. Baldwin
(W.D.L. 1862. L. No. 571. In files)
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Joseph H. Craun, October 26, 1871, Claim No. 8943, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 448.
