Summary: Henry K. Eakle filed this claim in 1872 for 225.00, claiming that Union troops confiscated 1 bay horse, 1 cow, rye, and buckwheat. Note that Henry Eakle's testimony includes a reference to the Battle of the Piedmont. The claim was disallowed (date of disallowment not given).
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Bay horse 4 year old (Verry Good | $150.00 | 0 | $150.00 |
| 1 Milch Beef Cow 1200 lb 5 cts | $60.00 | 0 | $60.00 |
| 10 Bushels Rye - one dollar per Bushel | $10.00 | 0 | $10.00 |
| 5 Bushels Buckwheat one dollar per Bushel | $5.00 | 0 | $5.00 |
Claims Summary:
The claimant is a farmer about 59 years of age - he resided in Augusta Co. Va. He alleges that his sympathies were at all times with the federal union & that he gave no voluntary aid to the confederates, that he furnished them no supplies & they paid him nothing for the property taken from him - He was never threatened molested or injured on account of his union sentiments & no facts are proved tending to show that the Confederates regarded him as a Union man & an opponent of the Confederacy - he belonged to the Virginia Militia & early in the war went with his company to Staunton procured a substitute & went home. Subsequently conscripted & figured to get out of the service. In the last year of the war he was a member of the Home Guard who did patrol duty & employed in looking up deserters - did duty in the Home Guard for a month or two - In his first deposition he is recorded as swearing that he voted against the ratification of the ordinance of secession - he afterwards swears that he did not vote on that question - his name is not recorded as voting either way - the confederate archives show that Mr. Eakle was paid $190.00 for corn & fodder sold to a Q.M. in the Confederate Army Dec. 31, 1864 - If the claimant has been at some time or is now as one of his witnesses intimates "a black republican" it does not show that he remained during the war a loyal adherent to the Union Cause - The claim is disallowed.
AO Aldis
O. Ferriss
Commrs of Claims
Testimony: Henry Eakle
To question No.2 he answers where I now reside - near New Hope, Augusta County Va. I lived on my own land. It contained 285 acres about sixty five acres woods, I did not change my residence or occupation during the war.
To questions nos.
To question no. he answers In the I belonged to the militia and was compelled to take an oath of some kind - I do not remember what it was.
To question Nos. 5 to 11 inclusive he answers no in full to each.
To questions Nos. 13 & 14 he answers I was conscripted during the war - but do not remember when - and hired a substitute and paid $1100 in good money
To questions Nos. 15 to 29 inclusive he answers no in full to each separately put.
To questions No. 30 he answers I had a brother in the Confederate Army, Christian Eakle - he lives near the Millonalso had a nephew James Eakle who was Rebel. I never furnished either of them with any money or military equipment while in the army.
to questions Nos. 31 to 39 inclusive he answers no to each question separately put.
To question No 40 he answers - at the beginning of the rebellion I sympathized with the Union cause. I used my influence for the Union. I voted the Union ticket. I did not vote. I voted against the ratification of the ordinance of secession. After the ordinance of secession was adopted I still adhered to the Union cause and did not go with my state.
To question No. 41 he answers, I do so solemnly declare.
The claimant is here examined by the Commissioner concerning property taken. I was present and saw all the property charged in my account taken on the 6th of June 1864 the morning of the battle of Piedmont, by Gen. Hunter's Army. The army encamped on my farm. My horse was in the yard by my house and was taken by a calvary soldier. He told me he would return my horse if he stayed in Staunton for long enough to get one to suit him. He said his horse had given out. He left his horse with me and the Confederates got him. My horse was a gray one, four years old, in tolerably fine condition and was worth $150. I went to get my horse back & saw Gen Hunter and he said they had lost some horses in the battle the day previous and that they were compelled to take some. He said nothing about pay for the horse. My beef cow was in the lane near the house when she was taken by the soldiers who put her in the and took her away. They said she was in good beef order and they would have to take her. There did not seem to be any officer present. The them, . I did not ask for receipt and they did not give me any. It was a new large cow and would have netted 650 pounds. She was in tolerably fair condition, she was worth $60 on the hoof. The rye and buckwheat were taken out of the barn and fed to the team horses along the road near the house. It was not measured. Estimated it. No conversation took place at that time about it. There were ten bushels of rye & five bushels of buckwheat. Rye was worth about $1 bushel & buckwheat about $1 per bushel.
Further deponent saith not.
Henry K Eakle
Testimony: Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson witness to prove property taken being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner says:
I am 62 years old reside with the claimant in Augusta Co. Va. I am mother-in-law to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I was present and saw the Union army under Gen. Hunter take a horse belonging to the claimant the day after the fight at Piedmont. I do not remember what year it was. The horse was in the barn and the soldiers led him out. I did not hear anything said as there confusion at the time. I did not take notice whether any officer was present. It was a gray horse. I don't know how old. It was tolerable fair condition. I do not know what it was worth, as I am no judge of horses. I think it was a pretty good family horse. I don't think the army was encamped about there at that time. This is all I know about it, and further saith not.
Mary Johnson
Testimony: David Myers
David Myers, witness to prove loyalty of claimant, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner.
I am 42 years old and reside near New Hope Va. I am a farmer. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I lived about a half mile from him during the war and saw him about once a week. I talked with him in regard to the progress of the war. He seemed to be greatly opposed to the rebellion and spoke a great deal against it. I heard him so express himself in the presence of others. I was a Union man and he so regarded me. I knew his public reputation in the community. It was that of a Black Republican. He was regarded a loyal man by his loyal neighbors. I never knew him to own any Confederate Bonds. I never knew him to contribute in any way toward the financial credit of the Confederacy. I never knew him to render any assistance to either army. I never knew him to be threatened with injury or molested on account of his Union sentiments. I know of no act done or language used, but I am satisfied his reputation for loyalty would have prevented him from proving his loyalty to the Confederate Government if it had been successful in maintaining a separate existence.
Further deponent saith not.
David Myers
Testimony: Charles Batis
Charles Batis, witness to prove loyalty of claimant, being affirmed and examined by the Commissioner, says:
I am 78 years old and reside at New Hope, Va. I am a blacksmith. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I lived about a mile from him during the war & saw him about once every two weeks. I talked with him in regard to the cause and progress of the war. He was very much opposed to it. I heard him so express himself in the presence of others. I think I was a Union man and I think the claimant so regarded me. I knew his public reputation for loyalty - think his general reputation for loyalty was as well established as that of any man in the county. I never knew him to be threatened or molested on account of his Union sentiments. I never knew him to render any assistance to either army during the war. I never knew him to own any Confederate Bonds or do anything to sustain the financial credit of the Confederacy. I know of no act done or language used that would have prevented him from proving his loyalty to the Confederate government if it had succeeded in maintaining a separate existence.
Further deponent saith not.
Charles Batis
Testimony: Noah Beard
Noah Beard, witness to prove loyalty of claimant, being sworn and examined, deposes and says:
I am 51 years old and reside in New Hope, Va. I am a saddler. I am not related to the claimant and have no interest in this claim. I lived about seven miles from the claimant during the war & saw him frequently. I talked with him about the war. He told me in 1861 that he was a thoroughly Union man. I never heard him express himself in the presence of others. I knew his public reputation. It was that of a Union man. I was a Union man and the claimant so regarded me. I never knew him to own any Confederate Bonds or do anything in aid of the financial credit of the Confederacy. I never knew him to be molested or injured on account of his Union sentiments. I never knew him to render any aid or assistance to either army. I know no act done or language used that might prevent him from proving his loyalty to the Confederate government if it had succeeded in maintaining a separate existence except what I have related above. Further deponent saith not.
Noah Beard
Testimony: Mary J. Eakle
Mrs. Mary J. Eakle a witness for the Claimant being duly sworn and examined by law deposes and says,
I am 49 years old, the wife of the claimant, I was present and saw the horse charged taken by the Yankee Cavalry out of the yard. The Cavalry that got the horse belonged to Genl. Hunters command. I did not hear any thing said at the time I was in the house. It was taken the day after the battle which was fought at Piedmont, June 6th don't remember the year. It was a grey horse. I don't know his age, he was in tolerable condition - very good working order. The Army was passing at the time, the yard was full of soldiers at the time, the Officers were present at the time some came and sat on the portico a good while afterward. I don't know what the horse was worth at that time.
I know that the cow disappeared at that time and I saw him at the road with some other cattle which belonged to the Army, I never saw her afterward. It was a red and white cow notably large, in very good order giving very little milk at the time. I don't know the value of the cow at the time she was taken, she was taken when the horse was, same day.
I did not see the Rye or Buckwheat taken, I don't know anything about the taking of the Rye and Buckwheat of my own knowledge.
Further deponent saith not.
Mary J. Eakle
Testimony: Thomas S. Hargest
The foregoing depositions were taken and subscribed before me at the time and place stated in the caption.
Thos. S. Hargest
Special Commissioner
Testimony: Noah Beard
Deposition of Noah Beard in behalf of Henry K. Eakle Claimant No. 16.218
Answer to general question.
My name is Noah Beard, my age is 53 years my residence is New Hope in Augusta Co. Va. I am not related to the claimant.
I suppose the distance between our residence during the war was about five miles, a part of the time perhaps six miles. I did not see him often during the war, I had one extended conversation with him about the cause of the war and its probable results in 1861. He expressed himself very decidedly against secession and in favor of the Union and its cause. He believed the war was uncalled for and without any necessity. His character among his Union neighbors, was that of a strict and rigidly union man, and known by all as free in his expressions of loyalty to the Union. I was a union man and known as such by the claimant. I never had a doubt of his loyalty, and believe if there was a true man to the union he was one. I never knew him to do anything to aid the rebellion and am satisfied that if he did do anything it was because of compulsory measures. I suppose he was out with the malitia but if so, he was as all able bodied men under forty five years were required to be enrolled under the State , I mean by being "called out." That he was required to report at Staunton for enrollment and that was all the military duties he performed. I remember that he and I agreed that before we would go into the rebel army, we would go through the lines. This agreement was made on the day we enrolled at Staunton. As to his furnishing a substitute, the law required all men under 45 years of age to be enrolled as a soldiers, and all under that age had either to take his place in the Army, furnish a substitute or leave the Secession lines. The claimant having a dependent family, he procured a Substitute in order to remain with his family. He did not do it because of any sympathy he had for the cause of the rebellion, for he had none. I do not know what the oath was that was required byof the militiamen I did not take any oath myself and do not know that the claimant did take the oath - I presume the oath was allegiance to the State of Virginia, and not to the Confederate Government for there was no Confederate Government organized then. I have been intimate with the claimant since the close of the War and have found him a bold and unflinching adherent to and supporter of the Union party. I am satisfied that the claimant could never have proved the slightest loyalty to the Confederacy.
Noah Beard
Testimony: David Myers
Deposition of David Myers -
First question
Answer - my name is David Myers, my age is 57 years, residence New Hope, Va. I am not related to the claimant. My deposition was taken once before in this case on the general character of the claimant for loyalty.
I heard that the claimant furnished a substitute but he did it because being of the military age he had either to take his place as a soldier in the rebel army, leave the lines or get a substitute and he chose the latter because of the interests of his family. I do not mean to say that a man had the privilege granted by the rebel authorities of leaving the lines. I am satisfied that his putting required or taken.
David Myers
Testimony: William H. Myers
Deposition of William H. Myers
My name is William H. Myers, my age is 29 years. My residence now at Harrisonburg Va. I am not related to the claimant.
During the war I was a youth and never had any conversation with the claimant, but I know that he was regarded by both his union and rebel neighbors as a Union man, believed to be an Abolitionist. Since the war the claimant has been a working man in the Republican party - From all I heard of him during the War and since I believe he was truly a loyal man to the Union and its government, and that he did nothing to aid the rebellion except what he was compelled to do.
Wm H. Myers
Testimony: Harvey Risk
The foregoing depositions were taken by me at Staunton Va. on Novr. 26th 1874, each witness being duly sworn.
Harvey Risk
Special Commissioner
Testimony: Henry K. Eakle
Deposition of Henry K. Eakle taken at New Hope, Augusta County Va. February 27th, 1878 by & before Jno. S. Smith Special Commissioner
Henry K. Eakle being duly Sworn Says. I am here to testify for the Government. I am 59 years old. I reside about one mile from New Hope. I have lived where I am now all my life, I am the claimant claim 16218. When the militia was called out in 1861 by this State I belonged to the militia and went with my company to Staunton and was there in camp with them for some time, then I procured a Substitute & put him into the Confederate Army. I do not remember whether I was detailed by the Confederates Army as a . I was Subsequently conscripted & went to Staunton and by Some figuring of the Proost Marshall I got out of it & went home that night. Subsequently in the last year of the war I was a member of the home guard. The duties of the home guard was doing patroll duty and looking up deserters from the Confederate Army. I done duty in the home guards for a month of two, when the Ordinance of Secession was Submitted for a vote of the people here I do not recollect whether I went to the Polls or not. I dodid not think I voted at all. I did not hold any office what ever under the Confederate States Government of the State Government during the War. The day after the Piedmont fight I lost a grey horse he was taken in the day time, a Soldier came and with four or five men, they come from the big wood into the yard after water & this horse was there in the yard & they Saw him & one of the Soldiers Said his horse had given out and he must have one & he took him off. I Saw him riding him after this. I do not know that any officers were with this Squad that took my horse. I never went to any Quarter Master to get pay for this horse or a voucher for him, and at the Same Time some Soldiers drove off a fine milch cow, the army had torn down the fence & my cows come down to the Big wood, and this one got among their cows & they drove her along the Rye & Buckwheat charged in the account was taken from the grainery at Same Time by the soldiers & fed out along the road Side, to their horses, when they took my cow She was worth Sixty five dollars & they left me one worth about twenty dollars & I kept this one for two years or more.
H K Eakle
Subscribed & Sworn to before me Feb. 27th 1878
Ira S. Smith
Special Commissioner
Testimony: Jrd. S. Smith
In the Matter of the Claim of Henry K. Eakle, No 16218
Henry K. Eakle the claimant, testifies - was called out with militia in 1861, procured a substitute at that time & put him in the Confederate Army. Was subsequently conscripted & went to Staunton & by some figuring of the Provost Marshall got out of it. Subsequently in the last of the war, was a member of the home guard, the duties of the home guard was doing patroll duty and looking up deserters from the Confederate Army, done duty in the home guard for a Month or two. The day after the Piedmont fight the property charged was taken by the Federal Soldiers at the same time they left him a cow, but not as good as the one they took.
Before any conscripting was done, the Claimant put a substitute in the Confederate Army. When conscripted got out through the figuring of the Provost Marshall. Union men recd. no consideration from that Source, later claimant was a member of the home guard & done duty there a month or two. Claimant by his acts was disloyal - the claim should not be paid.
Jrd. B. Smith
Special Agent
To Hon Claims Court Washington D.C.
Testimony: United States War Department
ARCHIVE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT
March 31, 1876
Book 3, letters Sent, page 169
Case of Henry K. Eakle, Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & vouchers for 40 bushels of Corn at $4.00 and 1000 lbs of fodder at $3.00 amounting to $190.00 Sold to Capt. W.J. Clarke Asst. Q. Master for the C.S. Army
Paid Dec. 31 1864
[Ferriss Signature compared and found to be the same - K.]
Testimony: United States War Department
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CLAIMS,
Washington D.C., Nov.20, 1878
MEMORANDUM:
16218
H.K. Eakle, Augusta Co. Va.
Will the Commrs grant further time to take & file proof to rebut the report of Special Agent Smith?
We do now know why the local agent & the clm't have not already done this, as we promptly advised them to do. All we know is that they ask time now.
Gilmore & Co. for Richards Atty
Testimony: United States War Department
Henry K. Eakle
New Hope Augusta Co, Va.
Claimant was 42 in 1861, a farmer and resided on his farm of 285 acres where he now resides. At the beginning he belonged to the militia and was compelled to take some kind of an oath. Was conscripted during the war and hired a substitute for $100. Had a brother and a nephew in the Confederate Army. Sympathized with the Union Cause - used his influence for the Union - "I did not vote""I voted against the ratification of the ordinance" - did not go with the state.
Gray horse, Cow, 10 Bus. Rye - 5 Bus Buckwheat - $225 -
Noah Beard says his reputation in the neighborhood was that of a strict Union man - had no doubt of his loyalty. If he was out with the militia it was because all able bodied men were required to report at Staunton "We agreed that before we would go into the rebel army we would go through the line"
Witnesses = Mary Johnson, Charles Bates, Mark J. Eakle, David Myers - Wm H. Myers.
The Confederate archives show that No Henry K. Eakle of Augusta Co sold to the Confederacy (Capt. W.J. Clark) 40 Bus of Corn - 1000 Lbs Fodder.
[Was conscript officer]
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Henry K. Eakle, 1872, Claim No. 16218, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 3979.
