Summary: George W. Furr filed this claim August 22, 1871, for $140, claiming that Union troops confiscated one bay mare on June 8, 1864, from his farm near Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia. The claim includes the voucher Furr received when his horse was taken, signed by J. M. Wiggins of the 20th Ohio Cavalry. The Claims Commission did not find J. M. Wiggins in its records and thereby determined that the claimant was "imposed upon" by someone taking the horse for non-Army purposes; the claim was disallowed in 1872.
Items Claimed:
| Item Claimed: | Amount Claimed: | Amount Allowed: | Amount Disallowed: |
| 1 Bay Mare | $140.00 | 0 | $140.00 |
Claims Summary:
Claim rejected.
The receipt purporting to be given by J.M. Wiggins of the 20th Ohio Cavalry is in an unusual form & such as would excite suspicion - "The United States Gov't will pay to the bearer $140 on demand for a bay horse taken this day."
On inquiry of the Third Auditor we are informed that no account of returns of J.M. Wiggins are on file - neither does his name appear - nor is the organization to which he is reported to have belonged mentioned in the Official Army Register."
We have no doubt that the claimant was imposed upon by some one - & that the horse was not taken for the use of the Army.
A.O. Aldis
Commrs of Claims
Testimony: George W. Furr
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 3rd 1871, to take and record testimony Do hereby certify that the reason for taking the following deposition is, and the fact is the matter of claim of George W. Furr vs. the United States of America and the witness herein named being first duly sworn answereth as follows:
Quest 1 Witness says - I lived in Augusta County Virginia six months prior to the 1st of April 1861. I have never been out of the state.
4 Witness says I never took any oath to the Confederate States.
5 I have never taken any amnesty oath.
6 Witness says I never did anything for the Confederacy. I never aided or abetted it in any way directly or indirectly.
14 Witness says - I never was engaged in blockade running anywhere.
15 Witness says - I did not leave the Confederate States between the 19th April 1861 and the 19th April 1865
17 Witness says - I never was arrested by either the Confederate or United States Governments
21 Witness says - I never did anything for the United States Government.
23 Witness says - I had a brother in the Confederate Army. I did not aid him while he was in the army.
30 Witness says - I never held any office in the Army or Navy of the United States. I was never educated at West Point or at the Naval Academy.
31 Witness says - I never received any pass from the Confederate Government. I never held any office under the United States Government.
33 Witness says - At the beginning of the War I was for the Union. I did not vote for the Ordinance of Secession.
34 Witness says - In the beginning of hostilities against the United States I was for the Union Cause, and was ready at all times to aid it to the best of my ability.
35 Witness says - I am thirty five years old. I live in Augusta County by occupation a farmer and further the deponent saith not.
August the 22nd 1871
George W. Furr
Testimony: Daniel Fishburn
Daniel Fishburn a witness introduced by the claimant George W. Furr for proof as to his loyalty being first duly sworn answereth as follows:
Quest 1 Witness says - I am fifty one years old. I reside in Augusta County Va. by occupation a farmer. I have known the claimant from a little child the claimant is very deaf. I reside near him and saw him often during the war. He was loyal to the United States during the war and was so regarded by his neighbors. I never knew him to do anything for the Rebel Government. I never knew him to do anything for the United States Government he had no opportunity. I think he was too loyal to the United States Government to have been considered loyal to the Confederacy if it had succeeded he used to hide himself in the brush to keep out of the Confederate service and further the deponent saith not August 22nd 1871
Daniel Fishburn
Testimony: John Bumgardner
John Bumgardner being introduced by the Claimant to prove the taking of the property, being first duly sworn answereth as follows:
Quest 1 Witness says - I am sixty one years old. I reside in the County of Augusta Va. by occupation a farmer. I am certain that the horse mentioned in the claimant's petition was taken by soldiers under the command of Genl Hunter I think there was an officer present at the taking. The horse was carried off by soldiers. I don't know but I suppose it was taken to Genl Hunter's Head Quarters.
12 Witness says - There was a receipt given for the horse.
13 Witness says - The property was taken in the day time it was not taken secretly.
14 Witness says - When the horse was taken the army was encamped near Staunton Virginia, about five miles from where the horse was taken
15 Witness says - The horse was in good condition. I think she was five years old and I think she was worth one hundred and fifty dollars.
19 Witness says - I think the horse was taken for the use of the Army and not for private use.
21 Witness says - I think it was taken for the use of the Army because they gave a receipt for it.
22 Witness says - I think the Government after taking the horse for the use of the Army ought to pay for it.
23 Witness says - I think those that took the horse had authority or power to take it and further the deponent saith not August 22nd 1871
John Bumgardner his mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 22nd day of August 1871
W.G. Riley
United States Commissioner and Special Com. for State of Va.
Testimony: Charles F. Benjamin
November 5, 1872
Commissioners of Claims
Refers for verification, memorandum receipt of J.M. Wiggins Q2Mr. 20th Ohio Cavalry, in favor of Geo. W. Furr, Augusta Co, Va.
Respectfully referred to the Adjutant General by the Commissioners of Claims requesting information concerning the genuine or spurious character of the within receipt.
Chas. F. Benjamin Clerk of Claims Comm.
Nov 5/72
Testimony: United States War Department
War Department, Adjutant General's Office, November 11th 1872
Respectfully returned.
There is no such regiment as the 20th Ohio Cavalry known to the office, nor does the name of J.M. Wiggins appear upon the Volunteer Register as a Commissioned Officer of any Ohio organization.
Vincent Asst. Adjutant Genl.
Testimony: J. M. Wiggins
CASH ACCOUNT OCTOBER June 8th 1864
The United States Gov't will pay to the bearer $140 on demand for a Bay Mare taken this day
J.M. Wiggins Q.M. 20th Ohio Cavalry
Testimony: United States Treasury Department
Treasurer's Department, THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, November 4th, 1872
Sir, In reply to your communication of the 11th Sept. (herewith returned) I have to inform you that there are no Accounts or returns on file in this office of J.M. Wiggins Quartermaster, 20th Ohio Cavalry - neither does his name appear - nor is the organization to which he is reported to have belonged mentioned in the Official Army Register.
Respectfully, AM Garyewer Act'g Audr
Chas F. Benjamin Esq. Clerk Commr. of Claims
Bibliographic Information : Southern Claims Commission: Claim of George W. Furr, August 22, 1871, Claim No. 5710, Source copy consulted: National Archives, Washington, D.C., fiche # 459.
