Summary: Joseph Flory filed this claim August 23, 1871, for $341.25, claiming that Union troops confiscated two horses, a saddle, and bacon from the farm of his mother, Christina Flory, located three miles southwest of New Hope, Augusta County, Virginia. Flory further claimed that a third horse was confiscated from him while he was on his way to reclaim the other two horses. The claim was disallowed in 1871.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Dark Bay mare 5 years old. small. | $100.00 | 0 | $100.00 |
| 1 Bay stallion 2 year old since April. good. | $90.00 | 0 | $90.00 |
| 1 Bay Horse 6 or 7 years old. good. | $125.00 | 0 | $125.00 |
| 1 new mans saddle | $15.00 | 0 | $15.00 |
| at least 75 lbs Bacon 15 cts per lb. | $11.25 | 0 | $11.25 |
Claims Summary:
Claimant furnished a substitute for Military Service in the Confederate Army, and invested in the Confederate Loan, thus giving aid and comfort to the enemy by acts inconsistent with the character of a loyal adherent to the Government of the United States.
We reject the Claim.
A.O. Aldis
JB Howell
Commrs of Claims
Testimony: Joseph Flory
United States of America
State of Va
I, W.G. Riley a commissioner selected and designated by the Commrs of Claims apponted under the act of Congress of March 3d 1871, to take and record testimony. Do hereby certify that the reason for taking the following depositions is and the fact is the matter of claim of Joseph Flory, "Agent for his mother" Vs. The U. States of America and the witness herein named being first duly sworn answereth as follows:
J. Flory agent for his mother
Ques 1st) Witness says I am 37 years old I reside in Augusta Co. Va. My occupation is a farmer. I have resided all my life at the same place.
Ques 2d} Witness says I resided in Augusta Co Va. from the 1st April 1861 To June 1st 1865 except about 6 months I was in Iowa, where I was engaged as a laborer
Ques. 3d} Witness says I never passed beyond the Military lines of the U.S. and went into the Confederate lines.
Ques. 4th} Witness says I never took any oath of Allegiance to the Confederate States or aided or supported them in any way.
Ques. 5th} Witness says I have taken an Amnesty oath, I took it once on going into the Union lines, and also after the War closed. I have never been pardoned by the President, had nothing to be pardoned of.
Ques. 6th} Witness says I never was directly or indirectly connected with the Civil service of the so called Confederacy.
Ques. 7th} Witness says I never held any office or place of trust under The Confederate Government.
Ques. 8th} Witness says I never held any clerkship of any kind
Ques. 9th} Witness says I was never in the Military or Naval service of the so called Confederate States myself, but did put in a substitute.
Ques. 10th} Witness says I never was an Officer, soldier, Sailor, or Marine in the Confederate Army or Navy. I did furnish a Substitute. I never held any place in any of the departments of the Confederate Army or Navy except was furloughed after the substitute law was repealed, on condition that the supplies of my mother's farm were to be for the use of the Army.
Ques. 11th} Witness says In no way except as herein before named.
Ques. 12th} Witness says I never was in the manufacturing of munitions of War, Clothing, Boots, shoes or any article for the Confederate Army or Navy.
Ques. 13th} Witness says I never was directly or indirectly employed in the collection or impressment of any article for the use or benefit of the Confederate Army or Navy.
Ques. 14th} Witness says I never was engaged in blockade running. Never had anything to do with it.
Ques. 15th} Witness says I did leave the Confederate States in the year 1864, and went to the State of Iowa. I went to get clear of the Confederacy. I was absent about one year. My occupation was principally laborer. I returned to my home in Va. in the fall of 1865.
Ques. 16th} Witness says I never was The owner or part owner of any vessel used in navigating the Ocean or any waters in the Confederacy.
Ques. 17th} Witness says I never was arrested by any officer of the Confederate Government or any one acting therefor. I never was arrested by the United States Government.
Ques. 18th} Witness says I had Grain, hay &c impressed by the Confederate Authorities, they generally paid for it in Confederate currency.
Ques. 19th} Witness says I never was threatened with damage to my person family or property on account of my Union sentiments.
21 Witness says I never contributed any money or property in aid of the U.S. Government.
23 Witness says I had relatives in both the Union and Confederate Armies. They were cousins. I contributed nothing to supply them with military equipments.
24th} Witness says I have owned Confederate Bonds, or receipts, which bonds were to be given for, but never received any. I do not know that I ever did anything to support the credit of the so called Confederacy.
25th} Witness says I have given no aid to the rebellion, voluntarily
26th} Witness says, I never was engaged in making raids into the United States from Canada, nor in destroying Commerce on any of the lakes or rivers adjoining Canada.
27th. Witness says I never was engaged in holding in Custody any person taken as prisoners of War. I never did anything of the kind.
28th. Witness says I never was directly or indirectly engaged in the expulsion or execution or persecution of any persons on account of their loyalty tot he U. States.
29th. Witness say I never was a paroled prisoner of the United States
30th.} Witness says I never held any office in the Army or Navy of the United States. I was not educated at West Point or Naval Academy.
31st} Witness says I never received any pass from any officer of the Confederate Government.
32d} Witness says I was under no disabilities imposed by the 14th Amt. of the Constitution. I have held no office in the U.S. Government since the War.
33d} Witness says My sympathies were with the Union, being a Minor I had no vote
34th} Witness says. I solemly declare that from the beginning of hostiltites against the United States to the end thereof, my sympathies were in favor of the Union - and that I did nothing of my own free will any accord to aid and support the rebellion.
Further the deponent saith not.
August 23rd 1871
Joseph Flory
Joseph Flory a witness introduced to prove the taking of a part of the property named in petition, being first duly sworn answers.
1st Witness says. I was present, and saw the bacon, and one horse taken.
4th} Witness says the property was taken on the 6th day of June 1864, and taken from the Claimants farm, by a regiment of Cavalry, belonging to Genl. Hunter's Army.
6th} Witness says I suppose there were officers present, but I knew no one
7th. Witness says The horse was taken from me, and rode off by a soldier, whose horse was wounded. He said he wanted the horse and took him from me.
9th. Witness says the Army was marching in the direction of Staunton Va. I did follow next day, but the guard refused to let me pass into the Camp, then at Staunton.
10th. Witness says the horse as they said was for the Cavalry service, and I presume they eat the Bacon, I never saw the property after it was taken. I complained to an Officer about the taking of two horses which had been taken from the stable, and he advised me to follow, and probably I could get them back. I did so, but only proceeded a short distance, when the Cavalry regiment took the one I was there riding.
12th} Witness says ther was no voucher or receipt asked for. The property was taken in the day time about noon, or after. It was not taken secretly.
14th Witness says the whole army were marching, the battle of Piedmont was fought the day before. I did not know any officer at all.
15th} Witness says The property was in good condition. The horse was about 6 years old. I think he was fully worth what is charged $125.00
19th} Witness says I suppose the property described in each item was taken for the actual use of the Army and not to gratify of soldiers or officers.
20th Witness says I do not know what the condition of the Army was, but know that had lost horses in the battle at Piedmont and suppose horses were needed to supply the Army, and which loses justified them in taking others.
22d. Witness says I believe that the property was so needful as to warrant the Government in paying for it. I suppose these must have been a necessity, and were I presume general orders for taking property.
Further this deponent saith not.
August 23d 1871
Joseph Flory
Testimony: Henry Flory
Henry Flory, a witness intorduced by claimant to prove the taking of property - being first duly sworn answers as follows.
1st Witness says I am 22 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. I am a farmer. I saw one stallion taken, named in the petition, and know they took the mare and believe they took the Saddle and also the Bacon.
4th} Witness says. It was taken the day after the Piedmont battle, the property was taken off the premises of the Claimant by officers & soldiers belonging to Genl Hunter's Army - I do not know if there were any officer present or not.
7th} Witness says the stallion was rode away by a Soldier, and all the property was removed by soldiers, I guess the property was taken for the use of the Army.
11th} Witness says there was no complaint made on account of such taking.
12th} Witness says There was no receipt taken or asked for, the property was taken in the day time about noon, none taken secretly.
14th} Witness says the Army was marching in the direction of Staunton. They were encamped at Piedmont. The night before, a battle had been fought at Piedmont the day before.
15th} Witness says the saddle was nearly new, the horses were in good condition, the Mare was 4 years old, Stallion 3 years old, and the horse about 6 years old. I think the horses were worth what the claimant had charged in his petition.
22d. Witness says they took the property for the use of the Army, and I think they ought to pay for it.
23d. Witness says I suppose they were jsutified in taking or ordering it to be taken.
Further this deponent saith not
August 23rd 1871
Henry Flory
Testimony: Isaac Coffman
Isaac Coffman, a witness introduced to prove the loyalty of claimant being first duly sworn answers as follows
Ques. 1st Witness says I am 43 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va., by occupation a farmer - I have known the claimant all my life, I lived near them all the War, and saw them often and so far as I know they were loyal the United States and so regarded by their neighbors. They did all they could against the rebellion. They did not expect to remain in the Confederacy had it maintained itself as a seperate Government. They were to strong in their Union feelings to be considered as at all loyal to the Confederacy.
Any further this deponent saith not.
August 23d 1871
Isaac Coffman
Testimony: Martin Garber
Martin Garber, a witness introduced to prove the loyalty of claimant being first duly sworn answers as follows.
Ques 1st. Witness says. I am 54 years old, I reside in Augusta Co. Va. and by occupation a farmer. I have known the claimants all my life. I reside near them, and saw them often during the war. I considered them loyal to the United States, as much as any body I knew, and they were so regarded by their neighbors. I never heard anything else they never had any opportunity to aid the U.S. until Genl. Hunter's Army came, and then they got their stock. I knew them to do nothing for the rebel Government except what they were compelled. I think they were too loyal to the United States to have been considered loyal to the Confederacy, had it been maintained as a seperate Government.
And further this deponent saith not.
August 23d 1871
Martin Garber
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 23d day of August 1871
W.G. Riley
United States Commissioner and Special Com for State of Va.
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, July 1, 1878
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 325
Case of Joseph Flory,
Augusta Co. Va.
This claimant was paid $235.00 for a quantity of flour furnished the Commissary Department at Staunton Va. in 1863.
Mr. Florys receipt is on file for above amount, given to Wm. J. Nelson, Agent of Com. Dept. at Staunton, Va. dated on 9th May 1863.
R.C. 1871
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, May 31, 1876
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 172
Case of Joseph Flory,
Augusta Co. Va.
Bill & voucher for 340 lbs of Hay, amounting to $102.00 Sold to C. States for the use of the army. Paid in camp 14th Va. Cav. March 4th & 7th 1864 by Captain S. Hooff, A., Q.M.
Dec. 11/71 - Rejected
Testimony: United States War Department
Archive Office, WAR DEPARTMENT, June 30, 187
Book 3, Letters Sent, page 2XX
Case of Joseph Flory,
Rockingham County Virginia
March 10th 1864 A man of the above name sold thirty dollars worth of Hay to the Quarter Master at Waynesboro.
Disallowed 1871
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of Joseph Flory, August 23, 1871, Claim No. 2585, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 31.
